── I was caught off guard. The man was not at the ball nor at the dinner party.

“Baron Gusman will do well to follow in his late father’s footsteps. He’s still young, but he’s reliable. Young, I say, but he’s three years older than me.”

Luciano felt relieved as Callisto continued.

Apparently, the Baron had been replaced. Luciano wrapped the cloak he had removed around his body.

“Once the troops are dispatched, Callisto, can I ask you to play the role of Alana’s hand while I’m away? Don’t ever harbour any illicit thoughts, yeah? I know it sounds trivial, but a woman’s body remembers the shape of a man. If you try to change this shape from mine, you will not live to see the sun.

“Don’t look down on me. I know my position. I am a vassal of Alana and have a wife. And Alana has a husband. But only as long as you are alive. If you die prematurely, I will kill my wife and become her husband. You should know this.”

”Hmm, I can’t die. Don’t have stupid dreams.”

Luciano swept the honey wine away and laid his fists on the desk.

“Callisto, use your life to protect her when I can’t protect Alana.”

“Yes, of course, leave her to me.”

Luciano looked at the writing desk and saw a document that Callisto must have been scribing.

“Are you a ghostwriter for Alana?”

“Yes. It’s my father’s decision that I can’t change my handwriting now. Sir Emilio, by authority, Alana has the right to decide on our meetings. She said she would be absent for three months after her marriage, but you should tell her to return early. -If possible, from tomorrow. Unexpected things can happen in war. We need her more than ever. My father, no, the Chancellor is waiting.”

Luciano, who came out of Callisto’s room, was worried about the words “three months”. Wasn’t it the deadline for her life that Alana had set in advance? He couldn’t help but have such a premonition.

♔♔♔

Luciano returned to his own room but then hurried to Alana’s room as if he were going on a run. He did not see his men, Frian and Leandro, in his room. Luciano prided himself on being one of the strongest men among the remnants of Serrat’s army, but Frian, Leandro and Amancio, who was enamoured with Flavia, were in a class of their own. Luciano was particularly wary of these three.

As he strode down the corridor, he remembered what Alana had said to them in the past. “Frian, Leandro, if you get the chance, tell us your story. I am interested in the outside world. I’ll tell the guards to let you through, so you can come and go as you please.”

–– Stupid girl. Why did you give such permission? The outside world? I can tell you all about it if you want to know. Damn you. You’re asking to die!

In other words, despite the fact that the corridor leading to the Queen’s chambers was heavily guarded, Frian and Leandro were free to come and go as they pleased, in broad daylight.

–– I can’t compete with the covertness of a cloak and dagger. F*ck!

He kicked the ground and ran. Everyone who passed looked at him in disbelief. He knew that his origins were a source of suspicion among the nobility. It would be too late to do anything unbecoming of a nobleman. A breeze blew across the corridor, blocking his view. His long hair was in the way. The cloak he wore was too heavy and seemed to be of no use at all.

–– Please be safe! Alana.

He realised that he didn’t want to be away from Alana for even a moment. In fact, he did not want to leave the castle. He did not want to go to Serrat. Gasping for breath, he opened the door to Alana’s room.

He saw two large shadows that looked familiar. When they noticed Luciano, they stopped talking. That didn’t sit well with him.

“What are you doing!” Luciano, not paying attention to Frian and Leandro who were looking back at him, went towards Alana. He held her when she was asleep, so even if she wore her nightgown, she had a mellow gleam to her.

Yes, a nightgown. It was not to be shown to anyone but her husband. Her long platinum hair hid the fullness of her breasts, but it made her look even more indecent and annoying. Luciano took off his cloak and wrapped it around Alana’s body.

“Emilio, your aides Frian and Leandro, came to see me.” Blood pooled to his head.

He felt as if he were being played. Luciano supported the back of Alana’s head and pressed down on her small plump lips. He kissed her so hard, the shape of her mouth moulded to his.

Frian and Leandro were stunned by the scene that unfolded. Luciano was showing them a meaning, one that was too heavy in Serrat.

He breathed hotly, then spoke, “Frian, Leandro. I’ll talk to you later. Wait outside.”