"Not you. You're coming with ."
The head knight's words were clear. Despite her earlier hesitation, her eyes showed nothing but authority. She was not going to take 'no' for an answer.
Kyle raises an eyebrow.
"Oh? And what order do you have for now?"
She doesn't answer imdiately. Instead, she pulls him aside, leading him through a different corridor.
Kyle knew that he had a choice to follow the head knight or not. But he felt curious enough to hear her out.
"If you wanted so alone ti, you could've just said so."
The head knight scoffs.
"Don't flatter yourself."
But Kyle notices the slight pink dusting her ears. He doesn't comnt on it. Instead, he lets her lead, curiosity piqued.
As they walk deeper into the castle, he wonders just what exactly she has planned for him.
Kyle follows the head knight down a long, quiet corridor.
The deeper they go, the more isolated it feels. The usual presence of servants or guards is missing, making the atmosphere eerily still.
Kyle narrows his eyes and discreetly reaches out with his senses, searching for any hidden mana signatures.
Nothing.
'This place is empty.'
His suspicion grows, and he stops walking.
"So, are you bringing here to deal with the 'useless noble' for good?"
He says, his voice calm but laced with wariness.
The head knight stops in her tracks. A deep blush forms on her face as she whirls around to face him.
"What?! No!"
She exclaims, clearly flustered.
Kyle smirks slightly.
'Interesting reaction.'
The head knight crosses her arms, her expression turning serious.
"What I'm about to tell you is dangerous information. You could lose your life just by knowing it.""
She says.
Kyle raises an eyebrow.
"Is that supposed to scare ?"
She ignores his remark and places a hand on the door at the end of the corridor.
"Before I open this door, I need you to swear on god that you won't tell anyone what you see or hear from this mont on."
Kyle's smirk widens. He finds her request amusing.
'A vow on god?'
He had never cared for the gods, nor did he acknowledge their power over him. A vow made in their na held no weight for soone like him.
But if this is what the head knight needs to feel secure, he is more than willing to play along.
Raising a hand, Kyle puts on a solemn expression.
"I swear on god."
He says.
The head knight exhales, her tense shoulders relaxing.
"Good."
She pushes open the heavy wooden door.
Inside, Kyle recognizes the room imdiately—it's the Grand Duchess's office.
The space is well-furnished but lacks the grand extravagance one would expect.
Bookshelves line the walls, a desk sits in the center, and a large window lets in the morning light.
But sothing is off.
The room is empty.
Kyle steps inside and glances around.
"No Grand Duchess? Did she run away before I arrived?"
He comnts.
The head knight ignores him and walks toward the chair behind the desk. Instead of stopping, she sits down and, with a sigh, reaches up to remove her helt.
A cascade of short, snowy-white hair spills out. The tal helt clanks softly against the desk as she places it down.
Her delicate features are now fully visible—sharp eyes, fair skin, and an undeniable aura of nobility.
She leans back in her chair and folds her hands together.
"Welco, Kyle Armstrong, to the Grand Duchess's castle. Or should I say, welco to my office."
She says, a small smile playing on her lips.
Kyle tilts his head, waiting for her to continue.
"I am Grand Duchess Amanda. If you're wondering why the head knight and the Grand Duchess are the sa person, I imagine you have many questions."
She finally reveals.
She waits, expecting shock, disbelief—maybe even fear.
But Kyle rely blinks. He doesn't look impressed, surprised, or even remotely interested.
Instead, he asks.
"So? Did I pass your test or not?"
Amanda's fingers twitch slightly in surprise.
"…Test?"
Kyle crosses his arms and leans against the wall, watching her with calm eyes.
"It was obvious that you wanted sothing from the second you ca to et . After all, why else would the head knight of the grand duchess co to et a useless noble like ?"
Amanda listens in silence, but there's a glint of amusent in her gaze.
Kyle continued.
"Moreover, you personally brought all the way back here. I can only assu that you want sothing from but do not want others to know. So, have I earned the right to know what you want?"
Amanda chuckles softly.
"You're sharp. It would have been better if you were truly a good-looking fool. It would have made my decision much easier to make. Well, but perhaps, it would be a different outco if you truly happened to be a fool as the rumors portrayed you to be."
She admits.
Kyle shrugs. "I don't have ti to be shocked over things that don't matter."
Amanda leans forward, resting her chin on her hand.
"And what does matter to you, Kyle Armstrong?"
Kyle ets her gaze, his golden eyes unreadable.
"Power."
Amanda watches him for a mont, then lets out a slow breath.
"I see."
She gestures toward the chair in front of her desk.
"Sit. We have much to discuss."
Kyle doesn't hesitate. He takes a seat, his posture relaxed but alert.
"Alright, Grand Duchess. What's next?"
Amanda smirks.
"Now, we get to the real reason I brought you here. It's simple really- I need soone to marry and you were one of the candidates I was considering."
Kyle blinks, processing Amanda's words.
"You considered as a candidate for your marriage?"
He repeats, his tone flat.
Amanda nods, her blue eyes sharp and unreadable.
"Yes. I needed to test your character before making any decisions."
Kyle leans back slightly, exhaling.
"That's a bad idea. Politically, I have no strong backing. Financially, my family's influence isn't particularly noteworthy. And personally, I have no intention of getting married anyti soon."
He says bluntly.
Amanda lets out a small laugh, seemingly unfazed by his rejection.
"I know. That's why you don't fit the criteria I originally set for myself. I need a husband who serves as a figurehead, soone who won't get in my way"
She admits.
Kyle raises an eyebrow.
"Then I assu I'm free to go now that you've confird I'm unsuitable?"
He stands, ready to leave, but before he can take a step, Amanda suddenly reaches out and grabs his hand.
"Sit down."
She commands, her voice softer than before.
Kyle eyes her warily, but after a mont, he complies. He lowers himself back into the chair, his gaze steady on her.
"What now?"
Amanda hesitates, then sighs.
"You don't fit the requirents I set. But after observing you, I realized sothing else."
She says, her grip on his hand tightening slightly.
Kyle tilts his head.
"And what's that?"
Amanda looks him straight in the eyes.
"I've fallen for you."
For the first ti in a long while, Kyle is caught off guard. He stares at her, silent, before finally speaking.
"…You're joking.
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