The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Zenox became dazed by the belated realization.

He couldn’t hide his confusion when his true feelings, which he didn’t even know himself, suddenly surfaced.

It was natural to like Whitie, so it was also natural to develop feelings for Laria.

But wanting to become Laria’s fiance was another matter entirely. Just as you don’t think about getting married even if you find a pet cute and lovable.

To Zenox, they might seem similar, but they were different.

Whitie was family and a friend who needed protection, while Laria… She was the lover he wanted to look at only him.

He was well aware that their relationship was based on a contract, but he had realized at some point that he had been treating Laria like a real lover.

There was no need to ponder what this feeling was. It was undeniable affection.

“…”

When he met Laria’s eyes, who was still waiting for an answer, his breath caught in his throat. His heart was pounding so loudly that his ears felt stuffy.

Zenox could only move his lips.

He had to answer the question, but he couldn’t be honest.

Would she believe him if he confessed that he liked her? Even the one and only truth might be denied, let alone the lies he had told before.

Given that he had lost her trust, all he could offer Laria now was an extension of excuses and deception.

‘Ah…’

A realization struck him like a lightning bolt. 

‘So, this is why she couldn’t tell the truth.’

He had always been curious about why Laria hadn’t revealed her true identity despite giving her countless chances.

He had been disappointed and frustrated every time she had pretended not to know, even when she had the opportunity to tell the truth.

But now, in a situation like this, he finally understood how she must have felt.

She knew how terrifying the consequences of lies could be.

From the moment Zenox received Laria’s letter in the morning until now, not even half a day had passed, but his blood felt dry. He was afraid that Laria would be disappointed in him and hurt. In this short period of time, he experienced emotions he had never felt before.

Understanding Laria’s feelings completely, Zenox trembled.

His gaze gradually regained focus, as his wandering eyes finally settled.

When he came to his senses, Laria had already left her seat. Desperately trying to catch up, Zenox couldn’t even take two steps forward.

He had no idea what to say. 

‘Is it okay even though you lied? I know everything? It doesn’t matter if you’re Whitie?’

It felt like facing a question with no correct answer.

He agonized over what to choose, knowing that no matter what he chose, it would be wrong. 

Zenox stood in that spot for a long time before returning to the Grand Duke’s residence.

Surprised Verdo called out to him, but he was too preoccupied to respond.

Zenox entered his study, where a cushion was placed in one corner. It was the same cushion he had always kept because he believed that Whitie would come back someday. 

Feeling devastated, he covered his face with his palms.

He didn’t want to end his contract with Laria.

Even though it was a temporary position, he wanted to remain as Laria’s lover.

But he had no idea what he should do or how to do it. He felt like a child who didn’t know how to do anything.

As time passed mercilessly while he remained helpless.

“Your Excellency, you must leave now.”

Unfortunately, the day to depart for the North arrived.

Since he had to be away for quite some time, he stayed up all day thinking he would at least leave a letter.

However, not a single word was left on the white paper.

Zenox thought about postponing his plan to return to the North, but heI had already summoned the elders and had to deal with his uncle first.

So he couldn’t put it off any longer because it might threaten Laria’s safety.

‘I attached Tigur to her…’

Putting his regrets aside, Zenox moved on with the help of the sorcerer he had hired.

He was a top-level sorcerer, but after experiencing Laria’s space movement spell, Zenox only found him ridiculously weak.

The casting speed was noticeably low, and due to lack of skill, he was unable to move all the way to the North in one go.

In the end, he went as close as possible and rode on horseback.

Zenox ran for two days without sleep.

The lush green early summer scenery gradually changed as if going through the seasons.

As he got closer to the North, the area covered in leaves became narrower.

Coniferous trees replaced deciduous trees, and eventually, snow-covered terrain came into view.

Finally, he had arrived in the North.

“Haah…”

His breath turned white as it left his mouth.

Zenox carefully looked around the land that was both his hometown and the resting place of his parents.

Sharp mountain peaks rose beyond the horizon, and snowflakes fluttered in the air instead of pollen. Smoke from chimneys filled the clear sky, and people wearing fur coats rode reindeer-drawn sleighs, passing by sporadically.

It was a serene scene, unlike the bustling and lively capital.

Zenox found the North land he had stepped on after a long time unfamiliar.

He had spent much longer in the North than he had in the capital.

Far in the distance, a man on a black horse was riding towards them. It was Marcel, who had come to meet Zenox at the Grand Duke’s Castle.

“Pay your respects to the Guardian of the North.”

Zenox narrowed his eyes at the greeting he hadn’t heard in a long time.

He was more like a fugitive than a guardian. Didn’t he abandon the North for a long time, trusting only his uncle, and now he’s back?

Marcel was surprised when he saw Zenox dressed lightly. 

“Haven’t the servants prepared your clothes?”

“It’s fine,” Zenox replied.

His body temperature was higher than usual, so he didn’t feel too cold.

However, Marcel, who looked uncomfortable just looking at him, immediately took out a fur cloak.

“Please put on the cloak.”

Zenox was about to refuse, but he remembered how Laria had suffered from a cold. He had never caught a cold in his life, but if Laria had been there, she might have scolded him to wear it.

Zenox, thinking about Laria, reluctantly put on the cloak.

Marcel blinked in surprise at how easily he accepted it.

Zenox had always refused to wear heavy clothes because of his naturally high body temperature, so Marcel was taken aback.

“The preparations?”

“Just as you said, I’ve gathered the elders. We have a meeting tomorrow morning…”

Marcel paused for a moment and looked at Zenox closely. His eyes were dark under his lack of sleep, and his complexion was pale, unlike how he looked recently. He seemed more like the old Zenox.

“…Should we postpone the meeting?”

Zenox shook his head.

He wanted to finish the meeting as soon as possible and return to the capital.

“An emergency summons has caused quite a stir.”

Marcel informed him.

“Right now, the elders and Rubentha Krassium are in the middle of a meeting.”

Originally, Zenox was supposed to arrive tomorrow.

Rubentha and the elders had taken the opportunity of his absence to gather.

“Guess we can save time.”

Zenox quickly made his way to the Grand Duke’s Castle.

On the way to the snowy mountains, there was a towering castle. It stood out even from a distance, against the white surroundings.

The roofs were all steep to prevent snow from accumulating.

As he entered the castle, a soldier guarding the gate asked:

“Please identify yourself.”

Perhaps because it had been years since he had visited, the soldier didn’t recognize Zenox’s face. It might be better if they didn’t know he was here, so he passed through the gate without revealing his identity.

“Stop right there!”

Eventually, the knights soon followed, but Zenox easily shook them off. After running on the snow-covered road for a while, he jumped off his horse and entered the castle.

As he entered the entrance, the butler, who was giving instructions to the servants, was taken aback when he saw Zenox. 

“Who… Master?!”

“Where’s my uncle?”

The butler hesitated, as Rubentha had ordered that no one should approach him.

“Who is the master of this castle?”

With his low, imposing voice, Zenox made the butler tremble. 

“He, he’s in the conference room on the second floor of the West Building.”

As soon as he heard the answer, Zenox headed straight for it.

The Grand Duke’s Castle was as complex as a maze due to its enormous size, but for Zenox, who knew the layout, finding his way wasn’t a difficult task.

Zenox, who walked down the corridor step by step, stopped in front of the closed door.

When he opened the door wide, those sitting at the round table reflexively turned their heads.

Finally, their expressions were filled with shock as they recognized Zenox.

“I wonder what was so urgent that you all gathered a day earlier.”

Rubenta, who was sitting at the head of the table, turned his gaze to Zenox.

Zenox, the door behind him to ensure no one could leave, said as he faced Rubenta.

Please let me know what you’ve been discussing.”