Exactly three knocks on the hard grain of wood, the door opened wide.
Beyond the brightly opened door as if waiting for him to come, stood a suspicious woman with a dark veil from her head to toe.
âI was waiting for you.â
âWhat?â
âPatience and perseverance. Itâs the epitome of persistence. Your Excellency, Duke of Gertium.â
The soft voice that spoke with force was somehow familiar.
Perso frowned and stared intently at the suspicious woman whose face was hidden.
His dark green eyes shone fiercely.
The woman was resolute in front of those eyes that gleamed in a different light under his red hair.
âYou donât have to be so surprised. Come in.â
Even though her face was covered with a veil, she could not hide the calmness in her voice.
Perso was once again curious about the womanâs identity.
For any person, his momentum alone was enough to scare people.
His appearance as a large and solid figure incomparable to those of ordinary people, and his spirit as a knight who went through his life and death several times was threatening enough.
âTamon KrasisâŠâ
Perso thought of the temporary owner of this mansion and looked at the woman walking in front of him calmly.
There was a suspicious maid and a woman who greeted him as if waiting.
And⊠Anna who disappeared.
He felt like jumping into something very organic.
âIt doesnât feel like a threat to be a trapâŠâŠ â
Perso followed the woman up to the parlor on the second floor. It was the first time he had visited the temporary residence of a foreign minister in this way. He mainly came in to bring out or lead foreign delegations.
âTamon is out for a while. He said heâll be back soon, so wait a little bit.â
Tamon?
The woman casually said the name of Amorâs foreign minister.
Unless you are the king of Amor, how many beings can call Tamon Krasis by name?
Perso had no choice but to grow even more suspicious.
âI didnât come here to see Tamon Krasis.â
âI know. You came to see Anna.â
Persoâs face twitched at Annaâs name that came out casually.
âHe canât hide his expression. Is it because he has nothing to hide?â
If he had only swung his sword under his armor and helmet, he wouldnât be good at scheming.
Of course, it would be a different word if he was a clever man like Tamon.
Asha smiled quietly and spoke once more.
âAnna is resting comfortably upstairs. She knows youâre here. Donât be in a hurry.â
Every time Annaâs name came up, Persoâs eyes twitched slightly.
He clenched his fists as if holding back, and said in a stern voice.
âI think I need an explanation of what the situation is now.â
âSoon everything will be explained.â
Asha and Perso stopped talking at the same time and looked out the window.
A faint sound of horseshoes was heard.
âLooks like heâs here.â
After her words, voices were heard downstairs.
Asrellâs voice and Hannahâs voice were intertwined, and Tamonâs voice intermingled between them.
The sound of heavy footsteps leading up the stairs.
When the sound of footsteps approached the door, Perso reflexively got up.
At the same time, the door opened and Tamon entered.
As two men of great majesty were standing there, the small parlor seemed to be full.
Tamon looked at Perso as if in shock.
âYouâre really here.â
Perso was also surprised to see Tamon.
It was because Tamon Krasis, who was a formidable person for his size, was holding a baby the size of a pea.
âUmâŠ.â
The baby wiggled.
When the baby he was holding moved, Tamon was startled and grabbed the baby with clumsy hand movements.
âBaby.â
âHm?â
ââŠâŠ I didnât know you had a baby.â
At Persoâs words, Tamon wrinkled his face.
âItâs not my child.â
He said, looking at Perso with a frown.
It was Perso who became more puzzled by Tamonâs words.
It was not even his baby, but he came out of nowhere with a baby in his arms.
âThen why are you holding someone elseâs childâŠâ
Tamon, who glanced down at the baby, approached Perso and gave the baby to him.
âLook for yourself.â
Perso, who was suddenly holding the baby, looked down at the baby wrapped in swaddling cloth.
The baby looked up at him with clear blue eyes without crying.
It was a very pretty baby with blue eyes like a clear sky, abundant blonde hair, and distinct features.
Perso, who was staring at the baby, narrowed his eyes in surprise.
The baby looked remarkably like someone. If these eyes were orange instead of blueâŠ
âWhat is this?â
âWho do you think it resembles?â
ââŠ.â
âTo me, the baby looks just like its mother.â
Strength entered the hands of the startled Perso. As soon as he saw the baby, he thought of Natasha Roanti.
But from Tamonâs mouth saying that the baby resembled its mother. A name he (Perso) couldnât get out of his mouth went round and round in his head.
âNo. There has been no news of the baby in the imperial family yet.â
He didnât know the babyâs development well, but just by looking at it, he could tell that this baby wasnât that old.
ââŠâŠ Why are you trying to deceive me with ridiculous lies?â
Perso gritted his teeth and glared at Tamon.
âNatasha gave birth outside, and she hid it from the imperial family.â
âI told you not to lie.â
âLie? Run to the Imperial Palace right now and tell the Emperor about this. The Emperor will tear off Natashaâs skirt and check it for you.â
âRude!â
Perso grabbed the cold sword at his side.
The child, who had been gently embraced by him, burst into tears. Perso, startled, looked down at the baby in his arms. It looked just like Natasha. The blue eyes of the baby, apparently, resembled the Emperorâs.
âwaaaaa!â
The babyâs crying became stronger even though he did not squeeze it.
Asha, unable to stand it, gently pulled the baby out of Persoâs arms and held it. In fact, she didnât even know how to handle a baby, but it was better than holding it so tightly.
This seemed to be fine.
âWaaaa!â
But Ashaâs arms were also of no use.
As Asha was at a loss for what to do, Tamon laughed and took the baby from her arms.
Astonishingly, the baby stopped crying as soon as it entered Tamonâs arms.
âFor now, letâs leave the baby to Asrell. And, Perso Gertium, your goal isnât to clash with me, right?â
The eyes of Perso, who had been blurred by the sudden shocking news, returned again.
Tamon grinned and went out and came back alone.
âYou said you were looking for Anna Rotrega?â
Tamon, who was wearing a tie loosely, asked as he lay down on the sofa as if tired.
Persoâs forehead was deeply dented by that relaxed posture.
âWhy are you looking for her?â
âBecause sheâs not safe.â
âNot safe? Do you think Anna Rotrega is safer with you?â
âAt least not hereâŠâŠâŠâ
âReally? Wouldnât it be more dangerous with you?â
At Tamonâs provocative words, Persoâs eyes became bitter.
Tamon smirked and asked again.
âIf the Emperor tells you to hand over Anna Rotrega, will you not?â
âThatâs none of your businessâŠ.â
âGertium is the emperorâs dog, can a dog domesticated for hundreds of years bite its owner?â
ââŠ!â
Perso jumped up from his seat.
In his dark green eyes, a murderous intent was fearsome.
An uncomfortable silence separated the three of them, as if the air was frozen.
â⊠I will not tolerate any more disrespect, Tamon Krasis.â
Persoâs low voice was calm, but the threat posed inside was not fake.
There was no way that Tamon was unaware of that, but his leisure did not fade.
âGertium protects Anna Rotrega⊠Isnât it strange to you? I donât understand it. Rather, I think itâs more convincing that you came to catch Anna Rotrega at the Emperorâs command?â
âI have no reason to convince you.â
âIf you donât convince me, youâll never see a single strand of Anna Rotregaâs hair.â
ââŠâŠ I didnât know Amorâs foreign minister was such a coward.â
âThere is no reason for me to be afraid in this situation.â
âYou mean youâre going to fight Gertium in the land of Tanatos now?â
A fierce atmosphere continued as if they were going to see each otherâs blood at any moment.
Asha, who couldnât stand it, sighed and cut in.
âThere is nothing good about causing trouble with each other right now. Perso Gertium. From our point of view, there is no guarantee that Anna will be safe with you.â
Perso stared at Asha, whose body was hidden, and then took a step back.
Her words made sense.
But he couldnât just leave.
âAs long as I am convinced that Miss Anna stays here voluntarily, I will withdraw today.â
ââŠâŠ.⊠Today?â
âTamon.â
Asha grabbed Tamonâs shoulder as he tried to provoke Perso more.
As she shook his head to signal him to stop, Tamon closed his mouth and he drank his tea.
âOkay, then Iâll bring Anna in. But she canât be alone. As I said, you seem dangerous from our point of view.â
Asha said so and told the attendant who was waiting to call Anna.
For Perso, a few minutes were longer and more boring than ever before.
Then small footsteps were heard in his alerted hearing.