If I Disobey the Duke

Fog (1)

“It makes no sense for a public execution. The fog is so thick.”

Sitting at the edge of the rectangular table, Hans looked out the window of the conference room. His light brown hair was dull, and his complexion was not ideal.

The entire landscape through the window was sparsely gray, the castle shrouded in clouds.

The air he breathed in was heavy with moisture, but the atmosphere in the conference hall was quite relaxed. It was because it was not time for the monarch to arrive, and the seat was vacant.

Hans asked Valks, who was sitting opposite him, “Aren’t there a lot of people who will be executed this month? The Cadis Police had some trouble.”

Valks, who stood alone among the vassals, snorted. “There is no need for trouble if people follow the proper laws.”

Gallahead, lying on a chair next to Valks, reached into his uniform top and scratched his stomach. “Look at yourself, Chief Administrator. You say you’ve been doing something. How has it been? Looking at your complexion, maybe it will be amazing.”

Rumor went that the chief executive hadn’t had his hair cut across the past few weeks. It was said that he could even be sleepy after a short walk.

“I put a lot of effort into thinking about what Madam would write. You will be amazed.”

The eyes of the knights stood out. Gallahead asked one more thing, subtly, “And… Why is he destroying Madam’s family house? There have been a lot of problems.. Why does that family need to…. Anyways, we don’t understand. What the hell is going on?”

The eyes of the vassals gathered at Hans at the same time. Even those closest to Vlad were just faithfully carrying out their orders.

When he gave a command, they executed it. These were the people who had made it their utmost rule not to question the will of the lord. This time, doubt and curiosity far outstripped loyalty.

Instead of answering, Hans pushed up the round glasses that covered his wide eyes. And then he averted his eyes. “What are you talking about…”

“Not everyone knows. Once the lord brings people into the castle, he will never let them go. However, he was committing acts against Madam’s family, his wife, whom he brought here himself. Why is that so? And on the death row is…”

“Gallahead. Do not overstep.” Valks suddenly held out a lifeline to Hanz, who was sweating profusely. Deep wrinkles formed between the old knight’s thick gray eyebrows. “Did you want to get killed by a monster in Ataka? You’re out of your mind, man. If there is something to follow, just follow. Don’t cross the line and ask questions.”

“Wow. In front of me, the most problematic person… I see. Something is bothering you.”

After he grunted, a heavy silence settles in the meeting room. Gallahead coughed, fixed his lapels, then shook his head.

The atmosphere had changed so much since he returned. He, too, had many questions of his own.

“Oh, but why did the priest run away again? I heard that the lord said that if we catch a priest, put him in the church and lock him there. What is he doing…”

“The lord is here!”

The high-pitched cry of the guard broke the question. The door to the conference room swung open and their monarch and the chief of staff entered.

The moment his boots crossed the threshold, a heavy air slowly rushed in at his feet.

* * *

Lily, standing by the window of the study, leaned her head against the bookshelf and tilted her head. The scent of ink and leather accompanied her with each breath.

“The rain has stopped, so it is sunny even with all this fog.” She rubbed the window with her fingertips.

The ridges that wrapped around the castle and the gardens visible through the windows were all covered and blurry.

It was a good few days. He was kind and hospitable day and night. Vlad seemed to be trying to prove that a daily life without problems was possible.

After a while, he got busy again, and Lily, who had lost his constant attention, also became bored.

“I’d rather be busy…” Lily had no idea what exactly he was busy with. She had heard from Talin that there was a meeting today.

She tried to inspect the street lights and road construction sites by herself, but Vlad adamantly objected. If she walked around in the rain, she would definitely get a fever.

He promised to go out together when the rain stopped and the sun cleared.

As she got closer to him, she felt a certain good feeling. The barrier between them felt more like a line drawn on the floor, easily bypassed. Still, though, there were things that he didn’t seem ready to talk about.

Lily leaned her forehead against the window. “…I have so much time.”

She hated boredom. As time passed, a crack opened, and doubts and a sense of loss came.