1. Knight Commander Miraine Laster (2)

1. Knight Commander Miraine Laster (2)

The Monster of Wicker!

Yes, that was the most despairing aspect of this marriage.

It accounted for half of the reason Miraine was so troubled.

Grand Duke Valenstein was infamous for a visage so hideous that people would faint at the mere sight. Rumors said that a witch, insulted by the previous Grand Duke and his wife, cursed him, turning him into a monster.

The minnesingers sang tales of a beast that tore people apart and drank their blood.

A grand duke so cruel—biting necks to drink blood, raping maidens. His fearsome reputation, a blend of savage nature and repulsive appearance, was renowned across the continent.

‘The Monster of Wicker. A monster.’

No matter how hard he tried to calm himself, ominous thoughts kept creeping in. If even a fraction of the rumors were true, only hell awaited him. Though he tried to console himself, the swamp of anxiety buried him in despair. As time passed, Miraine’s face grew stiffer, his mind consumed by a grim future.

Then he snapped out of it.

‘What am I doing?’

Miraine’s breath caught.

‘They’re just rumors, aren’t they? I haven’t confirmed the truth yet.’

His wavering eyes quietly settled.

Steeling his fracturing heart, Miraine Laster straightened his back.

He hadn’t even met the man yet; there was no need to despair. That would be unproductive and, above all, rude. Dwelling on such thoughts would only heighten anxiety, bringing no benefit.

And besides… in a way, the man was pitiable.

A bitter smile crossed his face.

A man mocked across the entire continent, cursed through no fault of his own.

‘Just like me, abandoned by family…’

It was said that Kastel Valenstein had lived in a tower since childhood because his parents, the previous Grand Duke and Duchess, found him repulsive. Enraged by people’s ridicule, he hid from their gazes.

Instead of fear, a glimmer of pity began to color Miraine’s expression.

‘How could anyone treat the fruit of love so harshly when love alone is not enough?’

Family should cherish and love one another. Parents should unconditionally treasure and shower affection on their children.

‘Children cannot choose their parents… why would anyone treat their own blood worse than a stranger?’

The fruit of love!

A laugh escaped him.

He recalled his own childhood—growing up alone in a vast mansion, his mother who left him when he was young, his cold-blooded father who neglected him and eventually sold him off.

In that moment, Miraine’s heart grew calm as a vast ocean.

With a composed mind, he closed his eyes.

‘Kastel von Valenstein.’

The rumors about the Grand Duke, carried by the wind, settled in Miraine’s ears.

“Proud Joachim insulted the witch.

The witch grew angry and cursed Joachim’s son.

Who could have known?

When beautiful Roseline gave birth to Joachim’s son,

A son like a snowflake with rose-soft cheeks

Would turn into a man who had passed through a thornbush.”

“Listen ho.

In the north of Oberth dwells a monster?

A grand duke with a pox-ridden visage,

Who kills a hundred lions.

The witch said as she left Joachim:

I leave to your son a face as hideous as mine,

I leave to your son abilities as great as mine.

Thus is the witch of Oberth fair.”

Emerald eyes slowly opened.

For a long while, he remained silent, motionless.

Then he let out a slow sigh and reached out to close the window.

At that moment.

Click. A sound of the door opening. It made Miraine’s eyes glint with surprise.

Startled by the sudden presence, he turned toward the door. The moment he saw the figure crossing the threshold, his eyes widened.

“You?”

There, a voluptuous woman in thin clothing, her thighs exposed, sat before him. Her curly red-gold hair hung loose, her body glistening in the moonlight, fully bared.

“My lord Miraine.”

At that, Miraine let out a hollow laugh. He understood the situation.

“Leave.”

His voice was strained.

“I’ll tell father… No!”

Confusion filled the woman’s eyes. Miraine’s face had gone pale.

‘It’s the full moon!’

Realizing what he had forgotten, he lost his composure and acted rashly.

Grabbing the woman’s arm as she stepped over the threshold, Miraine held his breath.

“Ah!”

Hearing her gasp, Miraine Laster’s face hardened.

‘She saw.’

A flicker of displeasure crossed his usually gentle face.

Miraine’s gaze pierced the woman sharply.

A dark voice flowed.

“You must not come here.”

A prostitute well-versed in pleasing others, unexpectedly, was not in her right mind at this moment. Her slack face and trembling body made Miraine stare with heavy eyes before he let out a sigh.

It wasn’t her fault.

“I… I…”

“How did you get in? The Count’s estate has tight security.”

“The… the Count said. He said you were pitiful. That you should hold a woman one last time…”

As expected. Miraine gave a bitter smile.

Pushing aside the disappointment and anger that seeped into his heart, he spoke in a calm voice.

“Today is not a good day. Please go back. And if my father asks, tell him this: Miraine is not pleased with such favors.”

With that, Miraine released her arm. “I’m sorry.” His brief words flushed her face.

Despite the clear dismissal, the woman remained seated for a long time, unable to move. Realizing she was stealing glances at her own reflection in the window, Miraine let out a troubled laugh.

He urged her in a gentle voice.

“Please.”

She scrambled.

“I’m… I’m sorry.”

Clatter!

Listening to her footsteps echo down the hallway, Miraine could only sigh.

‘Father!’

Was this his father’s idea of affection?

Or pity…

****

He knew well that he was foolish. An adult still unable to break free from his father, being jerked around on a leash like this—he knew it was idiotic.

But Miraine could not defy Count Laster’s orders. This marriage was arranged by agreement with the Emperor, and he was the Emperor’s knight and his father’s son. Whether he liked it or not, he had lived as Count Laster’s son for over twenty years, clinging to the occasional shred of family sentiment, craving that love.

And so, Miraine could not refuse his father. It was like the loyalty of a dog or horse trained to obey. Or rather, like a dancing bear beaten into submission.

Thus, the painful night passed, and morning dawned.

The prostitute incident was shocking, but Miraine did not confront him. There was no time. He had to hurry through the handover within the given time.

“It seems I must resign now. I’m sorry.”

As soon as he entered the palace, he had to submit his resignation to Edwic, the Knight Commander.

A lean-faced man with black hair touching his shoulders and dark green eyes deeper than Miraine’s looked at him with a deep gaze. Edwic was a high-ranking official in charge of the Emperor’s direct forces. And Miraine’s immediate superior.

As if already informed, Edwic silently accepted the resignation letter. Without asking questions, he merely read the neat handwriting on the letter in a calm manner.

“Is that so.”

Edwic’s face was colder and harsher than usual. Looking at a face that would make others feel fear, Miraine could only manage an awkward smile. He knew his superior often wore a cold expression when feeling apologetic. Just like now.

“I understand. Miraine Laster. You’ve worked hard all this time.”

‘He’s feeling guilty.’

Watching Edwic avert his gaze, Miraine sighed inwardly. Edwic had no reason to feel guilt—his father didn’t even feel any. For Miraine, it was awkward yet grateful. Seeing the once frosty knight at a loss warmed a part of his heart, and he expressed his gratitude softly, tinged with affection.

“Thank you for everything.”

He felt nothing but gratitude toward Edwic. Perhaps they could share drinks later. With a faint smile, Miraine gave a silent salute.

Watching him, Edwic spoke tonelessly.

“Twenty-one years in the Imperial Knights.”

Miraine flinched.

“There were many knights with greater skill than you, Miraine, but none as fine a man. None I cherished as much.”

Miraine froze. Edwic looked at him with indifferent eyes.

After a moment to compose himself, Miraine finally stepped away.

Edwic did not stop him as he left the room.

Throughout that day, Miraine had to traverse heaven and hell.

“Commander, if anything happens, please tell me anytime.”

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”

“Commander, please, don’t bottle it up inside.”

Many people lamented his retirement, their eyes reddening. Unprecedented, this phenomenon moved Miraine while also tearing at his heart.

‘So I did live well after all.’

Even as he thought that,

‘What did I do to deserve this…’

he had to swallow a groan.