Sweetie, Sweetie, Sweetie

“This brooch is a relic of the barons’ predecessors.” It has been passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom.”

“Oh.”

“There is only one left, so you must keep it well.”

“All right.”

Eugene nodded as he learned about the gold and diamond studded leopard brooch. To live as Eugene Linweisen, he now had to take care of the family’s treasure.

Above all, gold and diamonds can be sold for large sums of money in an emergency. He might not be able to sleep at night if he were to lose it.

It was a short walk from Eugene’s residence in the west annex to the Heinskan’s castle, and it was winter. Robert wrapped a fur-lined cloak around Eugene’s shoulders and warned him not to catch a cold.

“It’s almost time for the appointment. Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Eugene was determined. Even though Archduke Ibulaon didn’t say why he had called him, Eugene guessed it was probably because of Patrick.

Ludvina had contacted him this morning to find a suitable guardian. Eugene was surprised to learn that they had already found a guardian in less than a day. It showed that Ludvina was sincere.

Patrick and his son have not been seen since yesterday. Now that a guardian was found, they would soon be kicked out.

Eugene intended to do his best to expel his relatives.

***

As he followed Robert down the corridor, Eugene was taken aback by the magnitude of Heinskan castle. Eugene was staying in an annex to the west that was large enough to be called a mansion. But it was nothing compared to Heinskan castle.

Large pillars, high ceilings, large windows, sculptures, and paintings were found throughout the castle. Such things could only be seen in a beautiful European castle. He realized once more that he had possessed a character of a novel.

Eugene arrived in front of Archduke Ibulaon’s office, and he tried not to look around while walking forward. 

Robert, who had guided him to the front of the office, said that he would wait in the hallway. While taking off Eugene’s cloak, Robert advised him, 

“If you ever feel like you are going to pass out, then just sit down.”

Robert told him that he had passed out during an informal engagement ceremony when he first met Archduke Ibulaon. Fortunately, Archduke Ibulaon caught him in time and prevented him from falling to the floor.

It was the first time since then to meet Archduke Ibullaon. Robert told him to be careful because he might faint again. After that, he knocked on the door and opened it.

Eugene entered with a firm mind, but there was an unexpected scene in front of his eyes. 

He had expected to only find Patrick but there were knights in uniforms occupying every single chair. 

“Eu-Eugene…”

Ignoring Patrick’s call, Eugene’s gaze naturally turned inwards.  His eyes met with a man standing in front of a large desk in a fancy office. It was decorated like a scene from an old movie.

The man’s height and size were impressive. He had black hair, dark gray eyes, and black clothes. If not for his white face and red lips, Eugene wouldn’t have been able to recognize this handsome man in black.

Alexis Mikel Ibulaon. His appearance was the same as described in the novel.

Alexis’s description in 

<Where the Stars Passed> was simple. The male protagonist was compared to a black wolf and the female protagonist to a black hawk. Other than that, he couldn’t remember properly, but there was someone magical who attracted people with his rough black hair and deep eyes.

Eugene knew that text can stimulate imagination, but sometimes reality goes beyond the description in novels. It was difficult to describe a man simply by saying he was handsome.

The big man had something like a spirit, energy, or an aura. Ludvina was similar, but this man was more powerful. Eugene thought he could now understand what it was to catch the real eye.

‘Wow. There seems to be a halo.’ 

It was truly admirable. Eugene greeted lightly after holding his breath for a moment.

“Hello, Your Highness.”

Eugene, who had possessed a fantasy novel character, knew nothing about the customs or manners of this place. So he had quickly learned a few things from Robert. 

There was a class system among the nobles. The baron didn’t need to bow in front of the Archduke, but he had to say hello first. It was supposed to be a very simple greeting. 

“Long time no see, Baron Linweisen.”

The handsome man even had a good voice. Eugene bowed slightly and then stood between Patrick and Alexis.

“Archduke Alexis, Baron Linweisen was accusing me of… um… ugh!”

Patrick, who had started complaining, closed his mouth with a strange sound. The distortion of his pale face was a bonus.

It was because Alexis interrupted him in between. 

“I have informed Sir Patrick that Baron Linweisen’s guardian had been chosen.”

“Oh.”

Eugene nodded slightly at Alexis’s statement. This morning, Eugene had received a call from Ludvina about his guardianship. It was Sir Wilhelm of the Keldrake family, Ludvina’s father.

Eugene did not know who Sir Wilhelm was. Robert had told him that Eugene’s late mother came from a branch of the Keldrake family, so the cause was sufficient.

“I will ignore what Sir Patrick and his family have done in the castle. However, some of the things that happened outside of the castle are unforgivable. In particular, forgery of documents is a felony. Sir Patrick, with the power bestowed upon me by the King, I sentence you to 10 years of mine labor. There will be a formal trial, but the sentence will not change.”

“Uh, how…!  How could this be? This is bullshit. We can’t let Eugene marry in this situation. Marquis Taylot was right about the wickedness of Archduke Ibulaon…”

Patrick stood up screaming.

Patrick couldn’t believe this situation. He was the one who had taken care of Eugene until now. Mine labor… It was nonsense. All he could think of was contacting Marquis Taylot to break up the marriage. There was no other way. 

But before Patrick could finish his sentence, one of the knights moved towards him at Alexis’ signal. Patrick was knocked down from behind and he lost consciousness. 

Eugene was at a loss for words as the knight casually picked up Patrick and left. Frankly, when Eugene had asked Ludvina to find him a new guardian, he just wanted to shake Patrick off. But he didn’t even imagine it would happen so suddenly.

Patrick was sentenced to 10 years of mine labor. The atmosphere was so ghastly that Eugene held his breath. He got goosebumps and felt his back hair curl up.

Archduke Ibulaon was not called the Great Nobleman of the North for no reason. Only a few of the aristocrats in the novel had administrative and military power. Other than that there were only three nobles who had judicial power, which meant that even the King couldn’t ignore their power. 

Archduke Ibulaon was a man who had the power to execute someone. He had a filthy temper and also actively used his power. 

In the novel he was confirmed as a villain, and there wasn’t anything wrong with it. 

Eugene again realized that this was a class-based society. That too in a bad way.

“Baron Linweisen.”

“Yes!”

 Eugene, who was looking at Alexis, answered with a tense tone. The man’s eyes lit up coldly.

“As we heard just now, Sir Patrick was sentenced to mining labor. His wife and son will also be sent to the mine as accomplices. Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“Oh, thank you.”

Eugene quickly figured out the reply. He thought that he should thank the Archduke for driving away such relatives. 

However, despite his gratitude, Alexis crumpled his forehead.

“What do you mean by ‘thank you’?”

Alexis looked handsome even with the crumpled face. However, his tone and expression were threatening. Eugene wasn’t scared, but he was curious. 

“I am thankful because not only did I find a new guardian but at the same time you also drove away Sir Patrick. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your help.” Eugene said. 

“You are very good at acting,” Alexis retorted. 

“What?” Eugene was confused. 

Eugene, who was speaking 

sincerely, felt a little embarrassed by Alexis’ cold response.

It was difficult to read the emotions on the man’s face because he had a blank face from the beginning. But now there was a negative feeling in his eyes. Precisely, it was vigilance and disbelief.

“Baron Linweisen, are you sure you lost your memory?”

“What? Yes, I have lost my memory. I don’t remember anything.”

Eugene answered but he wasn’t sure about the meaning of the question. He looked at Alexis and realized something. Alexis was doubting his memory loss. 

“No, why? I don’t remember anything.” 

The man with the cold face gave him a long cold stare. It was a heavy and awkward silence, but Eugene stood still.

At that moment, Eugene thought of something. 

‘If I am supposed to be a warrior, you should have let me have a healthy and wonderful body like the man in front of me. Being the youngest son of a noble family would have been good too.’

Eugene grumbled silently at the gods without getting any answer. Eugene’s body was so weak that the fever had started rising little by little. 

“It’s strange.” 

After a long cold silence, Alexis muttered to himself. 

“If you talk to yourself, I won’t be able to understand,” Eugene said. 

“It wasn’t something for the Baron to understand,” Alexis replied. 

“Oh ok,” Eugene responded. 

Alexis was speaking very formally and he was being arbitrary.