Chapter 374 - 265: Troubled Sophia

As Levi went to look for Fulina, he happened to run into Liya in the castle.

The Endless Garden was White Castle’s most renowned attraction. Tulips in full bloom, exquisite sculptures, fountains, and shrubbery made it a breathtaking sight under the night sky. Furthermore, the famous Legendary tale of the first Duke of the South lent it a weighty sense of history.

The beautiful young woman was sitting on a swing overgrown with bitter-vine flowers, lost in thought as she gazed at the moon, which was peeking through the clouds. She looked exactly like a beautiful Princess from a Knightly Novel, imprisoned in the palace by a wicked Queen, awaiting rescue by a handsome Knight.

The Lord was just wondering how to break the spell of the picturesque scene.

Before he could say hello, she heard his footsteps and looked up, a hint of confusion on her face. "Levi, what brings you all to White Castle so late?"

Normally, visitors announced their arrival at White Castle in advance. For them to rush here so late at night, it must be for something important.

As she spoke, Liya extended a small, fair hand toward Levi. The Lord promptly took it, helping her down from the swing.

"Miss Liya, you might not know this yet, but the Demons have arrived." Levi’s expression was grave. "Tonight, while I was guarding the city walls, an army of at least four thousand Demons attacked, trying to use trickery to get into Kolon."

Kolon was vast, and White Castle was situated far to the rear, so the sounds of battle from the walls couldn’t be heard. Moreover, he and Monvert were acting as the messengers themselves.

Thus, most people remained in the dark about this, which naturally included the new Duke.

"This..."

Liya knew her first Honorary Marquis would never exaggerate about such things. If he was saying this, the situation was likely even more dire than he let on.

But having been through so much, Liya had at least developed a strong heart, somewhat like a certain someone’s. Thus, though she was inwardly shocked, she took a deep breath and spoke calmly, "Levi, Aunt Fulina is still in the study. Let’s go and discuss this with her directly."

A matter involving Demons was beyond what any single person could resolve.

If it were an ordinary matter, she, the new Duke, could have made the call herself.

The group made their way to a study, outside of which stood a Female Knight in Silver Armor, dutifully on guard. She had short, ear-length hair and a tall build, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, cutting a heroic and dashing figure.

’This is the captain of Fulina’s personal Guard Team. Her name was... Regony, I think.’

The woman respectfully performed a noble’s salute to the three of them. After being granted entry, the group went straight into the study, which was used for handling state affairs.

As they entered, a faint, elegant fragrance filled the air. Milky-white light, warm and gentle, emanated from gemstones set in bronze lamps that hung from the ceiling.

The floor was covered with a thick, plush wool carpet. Stepping on it felt like walking on clouds.

Both Levi and Monvert had rushed over from outside, their shoes caked with mud, leaving dark footprints behind them. ’Forget the bigger picture,’ Levi thought, ’just hiring a specialist to clean this would be a fortune.’

’As expected of a Duke. Even a small study for handling business is absurdly luxurious.’

By comparison, the exquisitely carved mahogany desk and the rows of gold-inlaid, book-filled shelves were less conspicuous.

A beautiful figure sat before the desk, her brow furrowed in concentration as she wrote on a sheet of parchment with a quill.

’It seems being a Duke isn’t as glamorous as I thought,’ the Lord mused. ’She’s still handling official business this late at night.’

’I wonder if it’s about the Northern Territory, White Harbor, or the army here in Kolon.’

’Just the thought of it made Levi shudder with sympathy for Fulina. He was just a hands-off Lord for High Cliff Castle, only responsible for ensuring the big picture didn’t go wrong, and that was enough to make his hair fall out from stress. He couldn’t imagine running the entire Northern Territory.’

"Duke Fulina."

Levi and Monvert bowed slightly, performing a noble’s bow. As a Duke herself, Liya did not need to do so.

"What is it that brings the ever-busy Marquis Wei and my good niece to me so late?" Fulina put down her quill, stretched, and teased, "I thought that since a certain someone became a Marquis, he had forgotten all about me."

She then gestured for Monvert to relax and find a seat.

Knowing his place, Monvert stood aside, content to be part of the background.

He wasn’t on the best of terms with the Duke of the North, and he was only here to serve as a witness, anyway.

’Truth be told, Fulina was a little vexed with Levi. When the Knight first arrived in the Northern Territory with Liya, he was practically penniless.’

’What had she done? She couldn’t bear to see this handsome, ambitious Knight fall from grace and become the kept man of some wayward Noble Lady. So, with a wave of her hand, she had given him the Beastman Warrior.’

’After that, she’d sent him supplies by the cartload. She’d even granted him the title of Honorary Knight of the Northern Territory without a moment’s hesitation.’

’She’d even secretly sent Si Kai to befriend him. She had even turned a blind eye when he blatantly poached her men.’

’But what had he done in return? The moment he arrived in Kolon, he hadn’t come to see her, as if he were trying to draw a line in the sand.’

’And for her, a Duke, to seek him out first... she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She had her pride to consider.’

"Ahem." The Duke’s words were laced with so much insinuation that Levi didn’t know how to respond. He could only brazen it out. "Your Grace," he began, forcing an explanation, "it’s truly not my fault. Guarding the city is a vital task, and tonight, the value of my constant patrols has been made all too clear."