How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 244

“You weren’t talking about Rake, right?”

 

“Of course not. If Rake’s true identity were revealed, it would cause chaos.”

 

Besides, even if it was an exception, dragons were considered monsters.

 

The Empire currently has a law prohibiting the keeping of monsters.

 

The exemption that Leonhard had previously received was lost when he took Ruby to the Ajas.

 

That was exactly why they had left Ruby behind in the castle this time.

 

“I was referring to Felix.”

 

“Felix? …Ah, right. You said you have the crystal ball.”

 

“Yes. I contacted him that day. He said if the target is within the Empire, he can detect them.”

 

To be able to scan the whole Empire in just ten seconds—He really was a Sage.

 

“But what if Onyx’s base isn’t in the Empire?”

 

“It is. I’m sure of it. Karl and his servant never crossed the border.”

 

“I see….”

 

I nodded and then suddenly became curious and asked.

 

“But… would Felix really do that? Come all the way to the capital?”

 

“Because it’s something that concerns him as well. The Silver Frost Tower has settled down now, so he said he’ll come straight to the capital.”

 

While we were having a long conversation, the carriage that had passed through the gate began to slowly slow down.

 

Leonhard opened the small window and peeked out. “We’ve arrived,” he said to me.

 

“If Felix can pinpoint the location of the person on the other side of the mirror, we’ll take the knights there immediately. Once we’ve captured them all, you can take off the bracelets on your wrists.”

 

At Leonhard’s words, I instinctively clutched the white stone bracelet on my wrist.

 

‘The person on the other side of the mirror… That must be where the Onyx wizards are based.’

 

‘My biological father will probably be there too.’

 

My biological father, who may have helped me escape with my biological mother, or may be looking for me to use me.

 

“Nell?”

 

“Yes? Oh… hmm.”

 

‘Was I looking too down?’

 

Leonhard was watching me with a worried expression. I looked at him and deliberately smiled brightly.

 

“But I still plan on wearing this bracelet. Because it’s an heirloom left behind by my biological mother.”

 

“Oh, I didn’t think about that. Sorry.”

 

“It’s alright. You were just trying to say I shouldn’t be afraid wherever we go, right? Although honestly, as long as I’m with my husband, I won’t be afraid of anything!”

 

Leonhard smiled happily at my words.

 

“Yes. As long as I am by your side, you will not be hurt.”

 

After his lips landed on my cheek again and again, the carriage finally came to a full stop.

 

“Marquis and Marquise. We have arrived at Queen Rose Hall in the Imperial Palace.”

 

The palace attendant who opened the carriage door from outside bowed to us.

 

Leonhard stepped out first, using the step the servant had placed beneath the carriage, and reached out his hand to me.

 

“Come, Nell. Take my hand.”

 

He’s always been good-looking, but dressed up like this? He’s a hundred times more dazzling.

 

With a fluttering heart, I placed my hand in his and stepped down from the carriage.

 

“Wow… The scent of the flowers is very strong.”

 

The staircase leading from the carriage road to the Queenrose Hall entrance was long, but the steps were low, so even in high heels, it wasn’t too hard to climb.

 

Still, I didn’t want to exhaust my feet so early.

 

I looped my arm through Leonhard’s and leaned some of my weight on him as we walked.

 

He noticed my intent and adjusted his arm to make it easier for me to hold.

 

Thanks to that, I could take my time enjoying the view of the garden flanking both sides of the grand staircase.

 

“There’s a fountain! Looks like it’d be nice and cool over there. Let’s go see it later.”

 

“Yes, let’s do that.”

 

“There are a lot of trees back there. Huh…”

 

I giggled to myself, remembering scenes I’d read in countless romance novels.

 

Then Leonhard asked me in a puzzled voice.

 

“Why are you laughing?”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just remembered something.”

 

‘I can’t exactly say I was picturing a man and woman sneaking off into the woods during a banquet to kiss—he would doubt my chastity.’

 

“Let’s go check out the inside of that woods later.”

 

“Wouldn’t it be too dark back there?”

 

“So what? You’ll be with me.”

 

Maybe I’d read too many romance novels.

 

There was something undeniably romantic about sneaking away from a crowd to kiss in a quiet, hidden place.

 

As I was imagining things like that, before I knew it, we had climbed the stairs and arrived at the grand door.

 

“Welcome, Marquis and Marquise of Ajas.”

 

The servant who greeted us politely checked the invitation Leonhard had handed him.

 

Meanwhile, the imperial knight and maid approached us and carefully inspected our belongings.

 

It was a banquet hosted by the Empress and attended by the Prince and Princess.

 

Since carrying weapons was prohibited, anyone passing through this gate, regardless of whether they were a duke or a baron, had to be inspected.

 

Once it was complete, the doors to Queen Rose Hall opened wide.

 

“His Highness Marquis of Ajas and Marquise of Ajas, arrived!”

 

The first thing that greeted us was the dazzling light of the chandelier.

 

Dozens of octagon-cut light crystals beautifully trimmed and polished hung from the ceiling, lighting every corner of the grand hall.

 

The light was so dazzling that I stopped walking for a moment, and Leonhard gently guided me along.

 

As we stepped into the hall arm-in-arm, dozens—maybe even over a hundred—nobles turned their eyes toward us at once.

 

‘No one paid attention to me when I was Lady Howard.’

 

I realized once again how big the difference is between the Count’s daughter and the Marquise of Ajas.

 

“Do you remember what happened here on New Year’s Day, Nell?”

 

“Of course. How could I forget that my husband was escorting another lady at that time?”

 

Leonhard stopped moving for a moment like a broken machines, as if he didn’t know I would answer like that.

 

“Please, try to forget that.”

 

“Didn’t you just ask me if I remembered?”

 

I chuckled as I watched him look away to hide his embarrassed face.

 

‘Thanks to that, I’m feeling less nervous.’

 

I also became less conscious of other people’s gaze.

 

I lightly patted Leonhard’s arm, who was crossing his arms, pretending not to notice the nobles who were eager to talk to us.

 

“Let’s go over there.”

 

“Over there? Where exactly…?”

 

I pointed toward a table where wine glasses were stacked in a tower, and another table displaying chocolates, puddings, and other desserts.

 

“The chocolates look good,” Leonhard said.

 

“Not that. I’m more interested in the table on the left.”

 

“It is rude to drink before Her Majesty the Empress enters, Nell.”

 

“So what those people are drinking is juice, not alcohol?”

 

Leonhard didn’t even listen to me as he walked over to the table and picked up a small plate.

 

It was a cube-shaped chocolate topped with a shiny cherry, glistening like a jewel under syrup.

 

“Ah—no, not that one.”

 

But Leonhard paid no attention to what I said and picked up another plate. It was a star-shaped chocolate decorated with gold dust.

 

“This looks delicious too.”

 

“I told you, I’m not here for the chocolate… Oh—this has alcohol in it.”

 

Leonhard had picked up another chocolate, and then hastily set it down again.

 

After quietly eyeing the rest of the chocolates, as if deeming none of them trustworthy, he finally picked up a pudding.

 

“Hmm….”

 

“Why do you look like that?”

 

“I’m just wondering—how can you be so sure there’s no alcohol in the pudding?”

 

At that, Leonhard’s perfectly handsome brow furrowed.

 

“Does pudding ever contain alcohol?”

 

“Well, we’d have to ask the chef… But probably not.”

 

Without fully listening to me, Leonhard scooped up a spoonful and took a bite to test it.

 

Only after confirming it was alcohol-free did he hand the pudding to me.

 

“It’s safe.”

 

“No, I mean, what kind of chef puts alcohol in the pudding…..”

 

“You never know. The imperial chef might be trying something new.”

 

I glared at him playfully and took the pudding and spoon from his hand.

 

“Wow, this is really good. I wish I could bring some to Noah and Lake.”

 

“I’ll ask the servant later.”

 

“You’d have to take at least ten to satisfy Rake. Wouldn’t it be too much of a bother to ask for that?”

 

“More than half of the things here will be thrown away anyway.”

 

‘Do they really waste that much at banquets?’

 

‘Maybe I should ask for twenty…’

 

Just as I was thinking that and taking another bite of pudding, the doors to the hall opened and the servant’s shout was heard.

 

“His Highness Duke Khalid and the Duchess, Arrived!”

 

“Ah, Becky!”

 

All eyes that had been on us shifted toward the grand entrance.

 

Duke Khalid and Rebecca walked in arm in arm, looking calm and graceful, unbothered by the attention.

 

It was when Rebecca found me that a blush finally took over her face.

 

“Nell! You’re already here.”

 

“Yes, we just got in too.”

 

Almost dragging Duke Khalid along, Rebecca came to greet me with a bright face.

 

She looked better than before, though still a little tired.

 

Still, I felt relieved because it seemed like She had recovered enough to attend the banquet.

 

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