Minsoo took a bite of the roasted beef the servant just served to him, and almost cried with joy. It was delicious, one of the most tender pieces of meat he had ever eaten. For someone used to eating hamburgers and fried chicken, that dish was like eating at a two-starred restaurant.

Cara, sitting across from him, seemed to enjoy the meal as well. "Do you like it, sir?"

"Yeah, definitely! It’s so good and tender, and the taste is rich in flavor. My taste buds just returned to life."

"His Grace’s cooks are the best among all the North’s noble houses. Some say that they’re even better than those of the Emperor himself."

"His Grace is definitely lucky." Minsoo glanced at Cara. "So, uhm, what do you know about His Grace?"

"What do you mean?"

"He’s a handsome man. Is he betrothed?"

Cara blinked in confusion. "Don’t you remember?"

"I fear not. I’ve lost almost all my memories, so I need you to help me regain some info." He winked at the young knight, who blushed to the tips of his ears and lowered his gaze.

"Ah, yes, you’re right, sir." He cleared his throat. "Well, regarding His Grace, he’s not betrothed. But I heard that when he was a child, the late duke made a marriage arrangement with Lady Loder’s parents."

Minsoo furrowed his brow. He didn’t remember this detail, but it made sense; this explained why Duke Corvaliso was so obsessed with the female lead.

"Then what happened?"

"I don’t know the details, but it seems that the duke himself called off the engagement once he inherited his father’s position."

"Really? Why?"

"I don’t know. I was still young back then, and I didn't work here yet. But you were at his side, so you should remember something."

Minsoo bit a chocolate cookie. He didn’t know that either, but he was sure that the duke regretted it and tried to force himself on Lady Loder. And once the young lady rejected him, he set her palace on fire and killed her parents.

This makes sense. In the end, the duke is a bastard.

"And right now? Does he have a fiancée?"

"He doesn’t. From what I know, he doesn’t have a betrothal, nor does he search for one."

Minsoo nodded. Obviously, because he’s obsessed with the female lead.

Cara continued: "The other nobles say that he’s too busy fighting for the North to think about marriage. But he should think about it sooner or later, right?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"And you, sir? Are you thinking about marriage? Before you fell from your horse, you were talking about a marriage proposal."

"What? No! I’m too young."

"You’re already twenty-seven."

"I’m twenty-seven?"

Cara tilted his head. "Well, yes. Don’t you remember anything at all?"

Minsoo gave a nervous laugh. "Yeah, it seems so." He cleared his throat. "So, how old are you?"

"I’m twenty-one."

"Are you married?"

Cara blushed violently. "Oh, no, I’m not. I’m still young and… I need to become a good knight in order to marry."

"And why so?"

"Because my family isn’t wealthy. Money is important to live, isn’t it?"

"Ah, yeah, I think so."

Damn it, I’m not the right person to talk about money. I don’t even know how to buy things. Better change the topic.

"So, uhm, is there someone you’re interested in? Like a fine young lady?"

Cara averted his gaze and seemed to be a bit uncomfortable. "I don’t like… women."

"Then… men?"

The young knight nodded. "I know it’s still strange, since the Empire doesn’t accept same-sex marriages, but… it’s just who I am. Thus, I’m grateful to the duke for allowing this kind of relationship."

Minsoo raised an eyebrow. "The duke?"

"Yes!" Cara’s eyes glinted in excitement. "His Grace enforced a new law that allows same-sex couples to get married. It’s still recent, so… the other knights mock me for liking men."

It’s really strange; I never thought that the duke could do something this altruistic and progressive. I’m sure he has an ulterior motive, such as tormenting someone or…

"You said that the Empire doesn’t accept them, didn’t you?"

Cara nodded. "Exactly. It’s a law that only applies here in the North. The Emperor got really mad when he heard about it, but His Grace ignored his letter. Or so you said before you fell from your horse, sir."

Minsoo suppressed a chuckle. Just like he thought! It was clear that the reason why the duke did something like that was to piss off the Emperor.

He’s just a prick.

"So do you like men?"

Cara blushed. "Yeah."

Minsoo brushed a lock of hair behind his ear. "Well, I’m a man, Cara. If you know what I mean."

The young knight’s face grew redder than before. "I… I…"

"I don’t know what it means, Aide Glennhort." Duke Corvaliso’s cold voice cut in. "Could you please explain it to me?"

Minsoo froze. Wait, wait, wait, wait! What is he doing in my chamber? And why didn’t I hear him enter?

He turned around and managed a nervous smile. "Oh, Your Grace! How long have you been behind me?"

"Long enough to hear you trying to seduce my knight." The duke glared at Cara. "You’re dismissed, Knight Dervin."

Cara shot to his feet, gave a bow to both Corvaliso and Minsoo, and left the room in a hurry. Once the door closed behind him, the duke crossed his arms.

"What are you trying to do, messenger?"

"I have a name."

"I don’t care. Answer my question and be brief."

"I like men too. I just wanted to have fun."

"Have fun?" He narrowed his eyes. "Are you kidding me? Don’t you have a shred of honor?"

"I’m not a knight. I’m a divine messenger." More or less. "I don’t know what’s wrong with enjoying myself with Cara. It’s not like I’m going to eat him alive or something."

"If you aren’t planning to marry him, you shouldn’t seduce him. A real man doesn’t act on a whim."

"And a real man doesn’t burn down others’ mansions either."

Duke Corvaliso narrowed his eyes, the air around them getting colder, and Minsoo’s blood turned to ice.

"I apologize, Your Grace. I spoke out of turn."

"I don’t know where you get your information, messenger, but it seems you have a rather wrong opinion of me."

"I don’t have an opinion at all, Your Grace."

But the duke turned his back. "Come with me."