'Is it wrong that Duke Ervin has gone to the palace?'
Iana thought with a worried expression.
Charles had clearly decided to stay at the palace to address the issue of recruiting wizards and to meet with the Emperor.
However, it seemed that the meeting did not take place since he had come to the castle on the day he was supposed to meet the Emperor.
Karion asked in an irritated voice.
"Are you saying Duke Ervin is personally bringing the knight order's reward?"
"Yes. The reconnaissance guard of Ervin, who arrived first, informed me of that."
'Knight order's reward?'
After a moment of thought, Iana asked Karion with a face of disbelief.
"Karion, you didn't demand a reward from the Duke, did you?"
"I never demanded it. I just said I would accept it if offered."
"You've only stayed in the castle for a few days, right? How can a noble think of receiving money from the knight order that fought for the country?"
As Iana pressed him, Karion roughly swept his hair back and sneered.
"Why, is it painful for the magnificent Duke Ervin to spend money?"
At that moment, a conversation Iana had with Karion in the corridor flashed through her mind.
"I can't take my eyes off someone as magnificent as Duke Ervin."
"Anyway, think carefully about the divorce issue. There's not much time left."
Iana walked toward the dining hall door, as if his childish attitude was not worth her time.
Karion strode angrily in front of her, blocking her way.
"I haven't said that the meal is over yet. Hurry up and sit down."
"What will you do if I don't? Are you going to hit me?"
"Why do you think I can't?"
Karion raised his hand as if to slap her cheek.
There was a unique look in his eyes reserved for her husband.
A look that reveled in the superiority of seeing the other party succumb to violence.
In her past life, Karion had never used violence against her out of fear of Masel, but he always intimidated her in this way.
Iana was determined to stand her ground even more firmly than last night. She stepped closer and thrust her face forward.
"Then go ahead and hit me. That's what I want."
"What?"
Karion seemed slightly taken aback by Iana's boldness.
"If you give me a reason to declare war, I would be grateful. So hurry up and hit me."
"This is really!"
Karion raised his hand even higher.
"Hit me!"
She stepped closer and shouted fiercely while looking up at Karion.
The two glared at each other as if they were about to kill one another.
"Iana, you definitely provoked me."
"Think what you want. But be responsible for the outcome."
Iana closed her eyes, bracing herself to be slapped.
It was at that moment.
Smack-.
Karion pressed his lips briefly against Iana's.
"……!"
Iana's eyes widened in shock. The butler standing at the door blinked in confusion at his master's nonsensical behavior.
She roughly wiped her lips with the back of her hand and shouted.
"What are you doing?!"
"Seeing you up close..."
"……."
"You're beautiful."
Karion's voice was gentle.
It was the kind demeanor that had made her believe he loved her before her regression.
Iana's face turned as red as a tomato.
Anger surged within her at his behavior, which was as if nothing had happened until now.
"You crazy man!"
Iana couldn't help but curse. But Karion, finding it amusing, laughed loudly and asked.
"Iana, you can say such things? You're always so unconventional; it's entertaining."
"Is it fun to see someone get angry?"
"You're the first. A woman who called me a crazy man to my face."
Karion teased playfully.
It was just as he felt. When he was in a good mood, he was endlessly generous, and when he was in a bad mood, he was endlessly cruel.
Iana warned in a low voice.
"Karion, you will pay for not listening to me."
"Iana, how much does your brother wish for you to become a great wizard? Are you going to create a divorce record that will be a blemish on the family?"
He seemed to think that the Rachels family was just intimidating him.
Bang-.
Iana immediately left the dining hall and headed to her room.
To send a letter to Masel to mobilize the magic legion.
* * *
After sending a letter to the Rachels family through the coachman who came with Erwin, Iana waited for Charles with Karion at the entrance of the inner castle.
Behind them stood members of the Dietrian family and their hired help.
The Dietrian family members shot sharp glances at Iana. Seeing this, Karion approached her and whispered softly.
"I can handle this alone, so why are you being stubborn?"
"Didn't I say before? You can't often see someone as magnificent as Duke Erwin, so you should take the opportunity to remember him when you can."
"Is that something to say in front of your husband?"
"It doesn't matter since he's my husband for divorce."
Just as Karion was about to get angry.
Boooom.
The sound of a horn echoed as the procession carrying Charles approached.
Vera and the maids behind them stood on tiptoe and whispered.
Iana also lifted her heels slightly like the maids and looked toward the castle gate.
"……!"
At that moment, her eyes met Karion's beside her.
Seeing this, an angry Karion shouted at the maids.
"Be quiet!"
The maids simultaneously shut their mouths.
Clunk-.
A moment later, a carriage bearing the royal emblem arrived at the entrance of the inner castle.
Iana looked at the carriage with an expectant expression.
Bang-.
A senior knight who had come with Erwin dismounted and opened the carriage door. However, Charles, seemingly uncomfortable, was supported by the senior knight as he got down.
Karion approached and asked in a dry voice.
"Duke, are you feeling unwell?"
"I think I got dizzy from the long journey. I should be fine after resting a bit, so let's save the formal greetings for later."
Charles said, looking at the members of the Dietrian family waiting for him. But he frowned deeply, as if in pain.
Iana, with a worried expression, continued to ask questions.
"Duke, what's wrong? Should I call a healer?"
At that moment, Charles covered his forehead with his hand and gestured to Iana.
"……!"
Iana realized the situation and stopped speaking. Instead, the senior knight supporting Charles spoke to Karion.
"The Duke has taken medicine, but he needs to lie down and rest. So I would like to ask..."
"……."
"Could we use the room where the Duke stayed last time for a short while?"
"The guest room?"
Karion hesitated to answer with a displeased expression.
Iana seized the moment and answered first.
"Please take the Duke to the guest room."
"……!"
Karion shot a piercing glare at her.
As the two exchanged sharp glances, the secretary behind Charles stepped forward.
"Since the Duke is unwell, I would like to discuss the reward with you, Count."
"Understood. Then let's go to my office."
Iana quickly entered the inner castle, ignoring Karion's disapproving gaze.
* * *
Bang-.
As the butler opened the door to the guest room, Charles entered with the support of the senior knight. Iana followed behind.
Charles pretended to be dizzy and sat on the sofa. The hired help set down the luggage and exited the room.
"I will wait at the door."
The senior knight also promptly left the room.
Iana asked in a hurried whisper.
"Duke, how did you come here?"
"The Emperor declined the audience, saying an unofficial schedule had come up."
"……So, is the recruitment of wizards from Erwin going to be difficult?"
Iana's face darkened with worry.
"For now, I plan to wait and see. That's why I came here as soon as the audience was canceled."
Charles looked around and whispered in a low voice.
"I was worried about you and Rue."
At his words, Iana felt a surge of emotion.
As her eyes moistened, Charles cautiously asked.
"Did...?"
"……."
"Did Count Dietrian hit you?"
Charles quickly scrutinized her with sharp eyes.
His worried gaze seemed to carry a hint of anger.
Iana waved her hands vigorously for Charles's sake.
"No! Nothing like that happened."
"That's a relief."
Charles smiled faintly at her response.
"I'm just happy. Now I have someone on my side here."
Iana expressed her honest feelings without hiding.
The relief of not being alone.
Just knowing that Charles was in the castle eased her mind.
"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
"……."
"Even when you can't see it, remember that those who met you and Erwin are on your side, supporting you."
"Yes, Duke."
Iana smiled in response to Charles's warm words.
At that moment, the door opened slightly, and the senior knight spoke.
"The Count is coming!"
Iana quickly jumped away from the sofa in surprise.
A moment later, the senior knight's voice was heard at the door.
"Duke, the Count has arrived."
As the door opened, Karion entered and looked at Iana. His gaze seemed to scold her, asking, 'Why are you here alone?'
"I was checking if the Duke was feeling unwell. Then I will take my leave."
"Thank you for your concern, Countess."
Just as Iana was about to bow and leave, Karion, who had been watching the two closely, asked with a voice full of suspicion.
"Duke, have you...?"
"……."
"Have you seen my wife again?"