Chapter 59
Chapter 59
Benedict’s lips curved slightly. Of course, it was. The report also mentioned that some of the monsters had attacked the barracks of the Imperial Palace soldiers, causing significant casualties.
“They’ll try to keep it quiet within the palace walls, but with casualties among the knights, most of whom are nobles, they won’t be able to hide it completely.”
“The recruitment of the Royal Knights will be disrupted for a while.”
Of course, as time passed, the incident would be buried. But what mattered was that brief window of opportunity. That was enough for Benedict.
He had been planning to unleash the monsters on the Imperial Palace around this time anyway, so the timing was perfect in many ways.
“The time is approaching.”
Moritz quietly bowed his head at the murmured words. Benedict, not expecting a reply, turned his gaze back to the window.
The view of the back garden was unusually pleasant.
“The Founding Festival seems to be proceeding as planned.”
“It will be.”
With his pride, how could he cancel it? Over such a minor ‘incident.’ Benedict dismissed it lightly. Expected events held no tension for him.
Then, abruptly, he spoke. “Have them feed her some apples.”
Moritz’s face creased with confusion at his master’s unexpected command. “Your Grace, if I may be so bold, what do you mean…?”
“My rabbit,” Benedict replied, his gaze still fixed outside. “She likes apples dipped in honey.”
Moritz’s expression became even more bewildered. He unconsciously took a few steps away from the door, about to follow his master’s gaze outside when the click of his master’s heels stopped him.
“Leave.”
The voice was chillingly cold. Moritz froze like a frog before a snake as his master’s narrowed eyes fixed on him with icy intensity.
“Did you not hear me?”
“N-no, Your Grace. Please call me when you need me.”
As the oppressive pressure lifted, Moritz quickly bowed and hurried out of the office.
“…Tsk.”
Having easily dismissed the interruption, the man clicked his tongue and leisurely returned his gaze to the garden. Long silver hair shimmered in the bright sunlight. The thin clothes he had dressed her in fluttered with her cautious, small movements, like a timid herbivore. Her pale cheeks were flushed with the midday sun, and her lips were slightly parted.
Benedict kept his eyes fixed on the woman and licked his lower lip. He could almost taste the sweetness of the fruit he had savored the night before.
He felt strangely hungry, a different kind of hunger than the physical emptiness he felt after a meal. This was a different kind of craving, a brutal desire to ravish and consume her entirely.
With languidly lowered eyes, the man exhaled a hot breath and whispered, “Hurry. Before my patience wears out completely.”
***
“It’s time for your walk.”
When the maid Greta had mentioned arrived at the appointed time, Hilde rose from her seat. Because other areas were noisy and busy, making it difficult to stroll, the garden had always been their walking spot. Today was no different.
Hilde’s expression darkened as she stepped into the small garden. “It’s still… so desolate.”
She had come here almost every day for a week, yet it remained unbelievably bare. It had once been a proper garden, with flowering trees scattered among the shrubs, but now they were nearly dead. The few blossoms that had managed to bloom were withered and unattractive.
“There are so many servants in the Grand Duke’s estate… is there no gardener?”
Hilde stared at the dying trees with a pang of regret, when she suddenly felt someone’s gaze.
“Huh?”
She turned and looked around, but saw nothing. Seeing Hilde’s puzzled expression, the maid asked, “What is it?”
“Nothing. I must have been mistaken.”
“Alright. It’s time to go back now.”
Hilde followed without a word. They were just passing through the courtyard, about to return to the entrance of the mansion, when Hilde’s steps faltered at the sound of someone sobbing.
“Over there…”
“Don’t mind her and go inside.” The maid’s tone was cold. But… Hilde hesitated, unable to bring herself to go inside. Just then, she spotted Greta in the distance. Her face was stiff, a mixture of anger and weariness.
“Madam, please wait! Just a moment!” Another maid, weeping, desperately chased after Greta.
“It was her.” Having found the source of the crying, Hilde watched as the maid fell to her knees at Greta’s feet, pleading.
“I told you to go inside!” The maid with Hilde finally raised her voice in frustration. The commotion drew the attention of the two women.
“Y-you…!” The crying maid’s eyes widened as she saw Hilde, and she scrambled to her feet.
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