As Seweina walked into the ancient castle, she discreetly swept her gaze around.
It wasn’t as extravagant as she had imagined.
No fancy decorations, no expensive furniture, not even a single decent ornament.
There were only simple tables and chairs, hanging chandeliers, and a fireplace.
Although the floors and walls looked new, everything was too plain for a duke’s residence.
“This place…”
“Poor, I know. No need to say that.”
Seweina swallowed the words that had been on the tip of her tongue and looked at the person coming out of the kitchen.
Silver hair and crimson eyes, delicate features.
A maid uniform hugged her graceful curves, and she walked with elegant composure.
She came to Seweina and bowed slightly, her movements as precise as a strictly trained court etiquette officer.
“Hello, guest.”
Seweina was stunned.
This maid…
With this face and aura, in the Empire Capital, suitors would probably line up all the way to the North.
“Please, sit down,” Rex said, pointing to a chair.
“There’s nothing good to offer, so don’t mind it.”
Seweina sat down and watched the silver-haired maid pour her tea gracefully before silently retreating to the kitchen.
Her eyes followed that figure until it disappeared behind the door.
“Hmph, you sure know how to enjoy yourself.”
Seweina picked up the teacup, her tone carrying a hint of meaning.
“Hiding such a beautiful woman here.”
“There’s nothing so sordid between her and me, Governor.”
“Ha. The more you say that, the less I believe it. What, do you have some problem down there?”
Rex could tell she was joking and chuckled easily.
“I’m not one of those men who think only with their lower halves.”
Seweina glanced at him, didn’t continue that topic, and instead cut straight to business.
“Did you build this road?”
“Yes, and no. I just helped a merchant guild with a small favor. In return, they sent people to repair the road and also fix up the houses for the residents still living here.”
“A merchant guild? Where in the North would a merchant guild come from?”
“Governor, don’t limit your vision to the North. You must have heard of the Granchester Chamber of Commerce.”
Of course Seweina knew the Granchester Chamber of Commerce.
That commercial empire spanned the entire continent, and even the Empire’s military supplies went through their channels.
“What kind of favor was worth them volunteering to build such a long road? That must have cost a fortune.”
Rex didn’t explain.
He just glanced at the sky outside.
“It’s almost lunchtime. If you don’t mind, Governor, please stay for a simple meal.”
Seweina wanted to refuse, but the aroma drifting from the kitchen made her swallow her words.
The wolf meat brought by the old hunter had been made into a stew, along with golden-brown meat pies and a plate of pickled vegetables.
Each dish was served on plain earthenware, but the fragrance was mouthwatering.
Seweina ate and drank tea.
The fire in her heart unknowingly subsided by half.
She leaned back in her chair, watching the young man quietly eating across from her, turning over everything she had seen before coming here in her mind.
The repaired road, the renovated houses, the farmland planted with crops, and this ancient castle that seemed to lack nothing despite being clearly broke.
This person was completely different from the “Useless Duke” she had heard about.
But she still hadn’t gotten the answer she wanted.
Why was Prime Minister Victoria paying attention to this man?
He seemed different from other nobles, but that was all.
“Mr. Rex, there’s something I’d like to say.”
“All ears.”
“Your ‘fame’ has reached even me in this remote North. But now I don’t believe a word of it.”
Seweina stood up, her hand resting on her sword hilt.
“A useless man can make a huge guild willingly pay to have a road built for him? Can make the Prime Minister write a personal letter inquiring about your situation? Can make…”
She glanced toward the kitchen.
“A woman of that caliber willingly work as your maid?”
“So? Isn’t that normal?”
“So, I want to test you.”
Seweina’s lips curled.
“Test me how?”
“I’ll find the answer my own way. How about you spar with me?”
Her hand slid off the sword hilt and tapped the guard.
“Just a friendly match. If you win, I’ll never call you useless again, and I’ll even put in a good word for you in my reply to the Prime Minister. If you lose… you’ll honestly tell me what secrets you’re hiding. Deal?”
Rex refused without even thinking.
“Why?”
Seweina had expected him to refuse, but not so bluntly.
“Are you scared? Or do you think you can’t beat me?”
“Neither. I just don’t see the need for this between us.”
“No need?”
Seweina took her hand off the sword hilt and crossed her arms.
“Then I’ll put it another way. If you win, I’ll grant you one condition. Any condition.”
“Any condition?”
“Any condition. As long as it doesn’t violate my principles or betray the Empire.”
Rex thought for a moment, then shook his head.
“I’ll pass.”
“Why?!”
“I have no need for any condition from you.”
Seweina was choked by his words.
She had heard many excuses for refusing a duel, but never one like this.
What did he mean, “no need for any condition”?
She was the Governor of the North, someone who had the final say on the Empire’s border, and in his eyes, she wasn’t even worth using?
That thought made her deeply uncomfortable.
She was about to say something when the kitchen door opened.
Hilda came out carrying a plate of pastries and set them on the table.
She didn’t immediately retreat but stood beside Rex, glanced at Seweina, then at Rex.
“My Lord.”
“Hmm?”
“This Governor rode half a day to see you. It’s not appropriate for you to refuse her like this.”
Rex looked up, quite surprised at Hilda.
She rarely intervened in such matters, let alone speak for others.
Hilda didn’t explain.
She just turned to Seweina and bowed slightly.
“Governor, my Lord doesn’t actually want to refuse. He just thinks sparring indoors would be unsuitable—it would break things in the house.”
Seweina looked around. Indeed, if they drew swords here, these items probably wouldn’t survive.
“So you’re saying outside is fine?”
“My Lord means that.”
Hilda finished speaking and turned back into the kitchen, leaving Rex alone to face Seweina’s gaze.
“…”
Rex suddenly realized that Hilda had set him up.
She didn’t really care about breaking things; she just wanted him to agree to this duel.
“Fine. Then let’s do it your way—just a friendly match.”
Seweina stood up as well.
“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”
The two walked out of the ancient castle one after another.