New Embers (3)
The Emperor and Petra were concerned about that. Since the Emperorâs reign, the position of the Royal Knightsâ captain had been replaced several times and it wasnât easy to find anyone who was competent enough. When Uriel Buiche emerged as the winner of a hunting competition a few years ago, Petra even planned to raise him in the Royal Militia and take over the position of captain in the future. Unfortunately, her plan went awry when Uriel Buiche insisted on remaining as the Grand Dukeâs loyal vassal. As Uriel blocked several of his assassination attempts, he turned out to be Petraâs biggest headache.
âI was looking for someone to fill the position, and I thought of you so I called you here.â Paris said subtly. Petraâs next best option was to put someone helpful there since it wasnât easy to find talented and competent people. It was a great suggestion. The Imperial Knight Commander was the one who took control of the fastest military force available from the royal family. In other words, it was an important position that could hold both honor and power.Taking that seat would be similar to possessing the center of power.
âYou left the capital for a long time but you had a career in the Royal Order once, Marquis. Youâre well qualified.â Paris said more explicitly. No matter how much he had, the chance of enjoying this kind of honor wouldnât easily come by. The head of the Imperial Knights was an important position that must be filled by the people who were loyal to the Emperor.
If the Marquis agreed to his proposal, the Emperor and Paris could have a strong ally next to them for the next few decades.
âThank you for the offer.â The Marquis replied. Contrary to Parisâ expectations, the proposition didnât impress him that much. âIâm into hunting, and Iâm not good at leading the Order as its captain.â He spoke frankly. Now that his money and power were already enough, collecting precious and beautiful things were more important than the Imperial Knights. Also, he had no intention of persuading the aristocracy in the Emperorâs favor. Even if he didnât support Archduke Epinhardt, he didnât have the driving force to help Paris at a huge cost.
âItâs late, so Iâm going to get up.â
As he looked at Parisâ embarrassed face, Marquis Fortrus was about to get up from the sofa whenââ-
âYour Highness, I brewed some tea.â
The womanâs voice he heard from the door behind him stimulated Marquis Fortrusâ ears. It was a common report from a maid, but the tone was strangely sweet and seductive.
âAmoretta, I told you that you didnât have to do this yourself,â said Paris, frowning.
âI didnât see you enough earlier, Your Highness.â The woman spoke in a winsome manner. Her voice, which seemed to approach them little by little, sounded so special that he wanted to hear it again.
âLeave it here and get out. Donât do this from now on.â
Listening to Parisâ scolding, Marquis Fortrus turned his head and looked at the voiceâs owner. The moment he saw her face, he couldnât move as if his whole body had been paralyzed. He was proud to have been seen and embraced by beautiful women countless times, but she was the first person who made his knees weak. Did he say Amoretta? She was clearly a Bella because she was more beautiful than a human being. She was like a goddess or a fairy who steal human souls by mesmerizing them. Even if God had sculpted and made her, her face couldnât have been more perfect. Her seductive figure and the smile on her lips as she stared at Paris seemed effortless.
âThen Iâll head out first.â She greeted me briefly and went out through the door. However, the Marquis looked at the place where she disappeared.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âMarquis.â
ââ¦â¦â
âMarquis?â
Parisâ repeated questions brought him to his senses.
Paris smirked. âSheâs my new maid.â
Marquis Fortrus still said nothing.
âIf you want, I can find Bella women and introduce them to you,â Paris said with a smile as if he had guessed his mind. âI heard that your wife died a few years ago, Marquis. Donât you need a maid to attend to your needs?â
The Marquis didnât seem to hear Paris. He had a few Bella women he had enough of.
âYour Highness.â Marquis Fortrus spoke in a low voice while wearing the most serious look since he met Paris. âWhatâs wrong?â âAre you sure you want unconditional support from the Fortus family?â
He explicitly mentioned a topic that had been sidestepped by a long conversation.
Parisâ eyes widened in shock.