“I have a foreboding feeling about something,” Iris involuntarily frowned at the unpleasant sensation passing through her mind. However, she didn’t have time to dwell on such trivial matters now.
Right before her eyes, Cain’s father, Duke Estel, was bowing to her.
“Franz von Estel of the Duchy of Estel greets the Moon of the Empire.”
“You don’t need to be so formal, Duke Estel. I’ve heard about you from His Majesty. If someone like you, an ally of the imperial family, shows such excessive courtesy, it would make me rather uncomfortable. There’s no need to bow so deeply,” Iris said calmly.
At her words, Duke Estel finally raised his head, his expression somewhat conflicted.
“I’m just ashamed that you think that way.”
“What? I wasn’t implying anything like that—I was merely telling the truth.”
After this brief exchange of mutual humility, Duke Estel hesitated for a moment before cautiously addressing Iris again.
“Why did you visit without any prior notice? The distance from Lumentium to the Duchy of Estel is not short by any means. May I ask what brought you here with only one attendant?”
He glanced at Iris, then at Kris, the knight escorting her, and finally at Aria, who accompanied them to carry their belongings. His expression carried a mixture of curiosity and concern.
“The reason is closely tied to an imperial matter entrusted to me by His Majesty. I can’t disclose it to others, Duke Estel. I hope you understand,” Iris replied smoothly.
Though she gave a convincing answer, Duke Estel couldn’t shake the doubts lingering in his heart. It was difficult to imagine that Iris—known for her upright and rigid personality—would lie.
“…I see. My apologies.”
As he bowed his head at the mention of imperial authority, Iris had to suppress a flicker of guilt rising within her.
“Kuhmm… In any case, Duke Estel, I came across an interesting rumor during my travels, and I have a personal question I’d like to ask you.”
“A personal question?” Estel asked, his expression shifting slightly, a hint of surprise visible on his face. He seemed curious as to what kind of rumor had piqued the interest of the notoriously proper princess.
“I heard that the Heir to Estel and Bianca del Castana of the Marquis of Castana recently held an engagement ceremony. Is that true?”
To her question, Duke Estel nodded without hesitation. “Yes, Your Highness. While there was a political arrangement involved, it is indeed true that the two are engaged.”
Hearing this confirmation, Iris frowned unconsciously. The thought of another woman standing beside Cain—a man who could one day be her husband—left a bitter taste in her mouth. But that wasn’t the focus of her visit.
Clearing her throat, Iris asked the real question on her mind.
“…Then, is it also true that the two engaged individuals have gone missing?”
“…What?” Duke Estel looked puzzled by her abrupt question.
Ignoring his confusion, Iris pressed on. “I came across troubling rumors on my way here. They claimed that both the Duke’s heir and his fiancée vanished while traveling back to the duchy.”
“…I see.”
“I couldn’t ignore something like this. The House of Estel is one of the most distinguished families since the founding of the empire. As a princess, I can’t sit idly by when the whereabouts of the heir become uncertain. Don’t you agree, Duke Estel?”
Though Iris’s words were rooted in personal feelings, they held a formal, undeniable logic.
Duke Estel could only give a strained smile, knowing he couldn’t easily deflect the situation.
“…Hah. I suppose I can’t keep this hidden any longer. I must tell you the truth.”
“The truth? What do you mean, Duke Estel?”
“The truth is… those two aren’t missing. I saw them myself,” he admitted, a bitter smile crossing his face.
“You saw them? You mean the two who were rumored to have vanished?”
“Yes. Not long after those rumors began spreading, they came here—hand in hand,” Estel said with a sigh, feeling the weight of the matter.
His lips curled into a pained smile, as if embarrassed to reveal what could only be described as youthful folly.
“Cain arrived, holding Bianca’s hand tightly. He said there was no need to worry—they were merely on a short honeymoon trip to celebrate their engagement. After spending enough time alone, they planned to return…”
But before Estel could finish, Iris’s expression shifted dramatically.
“…A honeymoon trip? That woman… got to go first?”
The air grew tense, and Duke Estel froze, seeing the terrifying glint of murderous intent flash across the princess’s eyes.
Sponsor Chapters at the Patreon Shop: Along with BuymeaCoffee where you can now make payments in your local currency.
The Shop section on Patreon can be used as a way to make a one-time-payment. I will be creating products in the Shop section with the title of the webnovels. It will only have an image as the product, but it will count as the payment for the Sponsored Chapters.
For example: You will buy the product with the title “Flower Stealing Master” to sponsor a chapter for the novel. As far as I know, you can buy the same product multiple times, so you should be able to sponsor as many chapters you want. I hope it was easy to understand.
Introducing KN WN Bundle ($15) for those who prefer to read only KR webnovels. This bundle gives you access to all the advance chapters of the Korean Webnovels on Goblinslate immediately, and will stay ahead of the regular release for the month! Get it on Patreon!
That means, you get:
PTTV – Four Advance Chapters! ($10)
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