Chapter 67
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Chapter 67
'Why is my body in such excellent condition?'
I'd already known that I possessed naturally superior bone structure. Through consistent training and real combat experience, I maintained a lean, muscular physique.
But I never expected my forearms to be so defined, my abdominal muscles so sharply carved.
"Wow, I had no idea our uncle's body was in such great shape!"
At Amelia's awkward tone, I snapped back to attention.
Amelia was stealing glances at me, while Lucian and Edwin gazed at Claude with expressions of admiration.
Claude wasn't the only one drawing such wonder.
"Wow, he's really handsome."
"He could be a stage actor."
"How did we not notice such a good-looking player until now?"
Claude's appearance sent murmurs rippling through the stadium. They hadn't recognized him as Marquis Agris—they were simply stunned by his overwhelming beauty.
Of course, I was too.
'I knew he was attractive, but not to this degree.'
He wasn't even the protagonist of this world, yet his specifications seemed excessive. I was shaking my head at the thought when—
Claude waved toward us.
"My lady!"
More precisely, toward me.
I found myself waving back at Claude almost reflexively.
In that instant, I felt every eye in the vicinity turn toward me.
'This is rather embarrassing.'
I'd rarely received such concentrated attention in my life. As the continued interest made me self-conscious, I was about to lower my hand when—
Claude smiled brilliantly at me. His hand, which had been moving slowly, began to wave with increasing vigor.
Like a delighted puppy greeting its master.
"You have an unexpectedly uncontrollable side to you."
Watching Claude's face shine luminously in the sunlight, I couldn't help but laugh.
Though I still couldn't explain why he was in the stadium or why his skills were so exceptional.
* * *
After the match ended, we waited for Claude in the lobby on the first floor of the stadium.
"My lady!"
Soon Claude appeared, having changed into casual clothes, and rushed toward us.
His golden hair was still wet from the shower, and a gentle soap fragrance wafted from him.
I instinctively took a step back. For some reason, it felt dangerous to let him get too close.
A beautiful man approaching me with wet hair—this was far too risky.
"Did you enjoy the match?"
"It was worth watching."
Amelia suddenly interjected into our conversation.
"If I were an adult woman, I'd say I'd have fallen head over heels!"
"That sounds like more than just 'worth watching.'"
I was grateful for that. I'd nearly been so captivated by Claude's beauty that I would have been rendered speechless.
"Why did someone who isn't even a player join the match?"
"You know how much I love lacrosse. I wanted to try participating directly in a game, not just watching."
Claude, his hand resting on Amelia's head, shifted his gaze toward me.
"Did you enjoy watching my performance?"
"Yes. You were truly excellent. I couldn't take my eyes off you."
"If you couldn't take your eyes off me... then you must have seen everything. Even when I exchanged uniforms with the other players."
"I did."
My face flushed belatedly.
It was as good as admitting I'd seen Claude's bare body.
"How was it?"
"W-what do you mean?"
Surely he wasn't asking what I thought of his bare body?!
"Just... your overall performance and such?"
"Ah."
There I went again.
"It was good. I was surprised, but it was fun."
"I'm glad it was good."
Claude smiled at me.
Somehow, the meaning of "good" in Claude's words seemed to be pointing to something else entirely...
"I'm hungry. Shall we all go get something to eat?"
Claude smoothly changed the subject.
"Sounds good."
I nodded and led Lucian and Edwin toward the carriage.
"Uncle."
"What?"
"You're doing well now without anyone teaching you?"
I didn't notice Amelia giving Claude a thumbs up.
* * *
At Rilprey Count's Residence, where winter's chill had not yet fully dissipated.
"Lucella frequents the Imperial Capital?"
"Yes. She often spends time with His Majesty the Emperor, Marquis Agris, and others, I'm told."
Deep furrows etched themselves across Nob Rilprey's brow as he received the report from his aide.
When he'd first heard that Lucella had become the benefactor of Marquis Agris, he'd merely felt displeasure.
He despised seeing that arrogant woman puffed up with confidence now that she'd gained backing.
Not long after Lucella's visit to his territory, he heard news that a bastard child of the Duke of Bellomen had appeared.
Then he'd felt a sense of satisfaction. He'd thought lightly that the Duke of Bellomen favored the bastard so much that his niece would soon be cast out from the Duke's Mansion.
But shortly after, he learned that it was Lucella who had found that bastard.
When he heard that she was receiving the Duke's support as a token of his gratitude, anxiety crept in.
He grew fearful that perhaps this woman would march into Rilprey wielding the power of both the Duke of Bellomen and Marquis Agris.
And now, on top of all this, she'd even built a relationship with the Emperor.
"What's the reason for meeting with His Majesty?"
"It hasn't been officially confirmed yet, but it seems to be related to subjugating magical beasts."
"Why would she be involved in subjugating magical beasts?"
"According to rumors, both of them possess mysterious abilities. That's why they were conscripted for the subjugation effort."
"Mysterious abilities?"
Nob Rilprey tilted his head to the side.
"What kind of abilities?"
"I haven't been able to find out that much yet."
"Hmm."
Nob Rilprey rested his chin in his hand, lost in thought.
'It must be connected to the reason they visited the mansion that day.'
What had Lucella said back then?
'Rilprey's other name is the House of Guardians, isn't it? We produced the First Pope.'
'They're looking for someone among ordinary people who can keenly sense magical energy. But you can't just grab anyone and ask them to sense it, can you? It would be faster to check those with higher probability first.'
Recalling her words, Nob Rilprey slapped his knee with a sharp sound.
"So that's why they came."
To test me.
I already knew that among those who carried the blood of the First Pope strongly, there were occasionally people born with unusual abilities.
But in over fifty years of living, I had never actually witnessed it or heard of it truly existing.
I'd thought it was merely a story fabricated to elevate the family's prestige.
"So that impossible ability has manifested?"
Lucella and Lucian Bellomen. Which one had developed the ability?
It was truly a legendary ability. The probability of both of them gaining the ability simultaneously was slim.
"Hmm."
Tap, tap. The sound of fingers drumming against the armrest echoed.
If the person who inherited the legendary ability was Lucian Bellomen, that would be troublesome.
Lucian Bellomen, recognized for his ability, would gain the support of the retainers and easily ascend to the position of head of the house.
Then that girl Lucella would become even more arrogant than she already was.
'If Lucian Bellomen becomes the head, there might be talk of the House of Bellomen absorbing Rilprey. After all, that ability is unique to House of Rilprey.'
However, the most troublesome scenario would be if Lucella manifested the ability.
'There will be claims that the person with the ability should become the head of the house.'
Even without this, my reputation was already in ruins.
The people of my territory longed for the previous Count and Countess, and rumors were spreading that their daughter Lucella rightfully deserved to become the head of the house.
If she were to gain the family's ability on top of all this....
'I might be removed from the position of head.'
That was something I could not allow.
"It would be best if that girl Lucella didn't return alive."
Her dying during the magical beast subjugation. That would be the most ideal scenario.
While she's leaving, it would be even better if she took Lucian Bellomen with her.
"Keep a close watch on Lucella. Report to me immediately if you hear any new information."
"Understood."
The aide bowed deeply and retreated with measured steps backward.
"On your way out, open that window for me. The air feels stale—we need some ventilation."
Following the order, the aide opened the window. A gust of cold wind swept in, carrying with it acrid smoke that billowed through the opening.
Nob Rilprey's face contorted in displeasure as he coughed.
"Cough, cough—what is this smoke?"
"It's smoke from burning wheat, sir."
"I distinctly told you to burn it far away so the smell wouldn't reach the mansion."
"It is quite a distance from here, but... the quantity being burned produces considerable smoke. My apologies."
"Tsk."
Nob Rilprey clicked his tongue at the bowing aide.
"By the way, has the price of wheat risen much?"
"It hasn't reached our target yet, but there has been a modest increase."
"Good. Burn every last bit of wheat in the Western Warehouse."
"Yes, sir."
The aide finished his response and left the Study.
"Ugh, the smell will permeate everything at this rate."
Nob Rilprey coughed several more times before shutting the window.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org