Indeed. From the moment they learned that, their morale had dropped so low that it felt impossible to move forward.
"She's been quiet these past few days, but who knows what that woman will do?"
"Yeah, I heard that a few days ago she made a fuss at the annual Konrow gathering — and because of that, their entire duchy is in chaos."
"What is that woman even doing at the Tezca Duchy? Isn't that suspicious as hell?"
Eventually, his entourage had one suggestion for him: go back to Solidaria and cancel the delegation. However, backing out was not an option for Julius.
"Your Majesty! Please reconsider—"
"No. We have come too far to turn back now."
...and it would be a disgrace to return empty-handed. His half-brothers would definitely take advantage of that to threaten his position.
And so, they rode toward the Tezca Duchy, fully knowing they may not come back alive.
But contrary to their expectations... their reception was exceptionally warm. It was grand and befitting of a royal delegation. They even held a parade in their honor.
But they remained on guard.
Maybe this is all just a ruse to lower their defenses... And besides — they still hadn't met her.
When the parade ended and they stood before the Tezca Duchy mansion, what waited for them was the devil herself.
Josephine von Konrow.
The entourage began murmuring among themselves.
"So that's Josephine von Konrow? Just by looking at her, I can already feel the shudder..."
"Don't be fooled by her appearance! That woman is more wicked than you think!"
Naturally, Julius' perception of Josephine was also twisted — but when he saw the woman herself, his first impression was simply...
Beautiful.
Julius had a tendency to judge people largely on his instincts, and what his instincts were telling him was that the woman standing before him was kind. Like a gentle flower blooming on a battlefield. A battle-hardened diamond in the rough. And that feeling was strikingly similar to what his mother emitted.
Even so, he could not shake the thought that the woman in front of him was a notorious one.
I must test her myself.
Against his entourage's wishes to accompany him, Julius insisted on going alone with Josephine — in order to test the waters.
From the moment he separated from his men, he felt an arrow coming in his direction. But instead of opting to dodge it himself, he heard it break on impact.
...? What was that all about?
It was as if a barrier surrounded him. And the nonchalant expression on Josephine's face as she explained things to him... it was oddly alluring. He knew her voice was laced with nothing but formality — no hint of interest, no hint of deception — yet he could not stop himself from being pulled in, from just wanting to listen to her voice.
Am I going crazy...?
Ever since the first arrow, his focus had shifted entirely onto her without him realizing it. He was listening to whatever she was saying, and for whatever reason—
"Are you not tired, milady?" They had traveled a long distance after all, and yet...
Why did I even say that?!
Julius considered himself a gentleman — he was raised to be one, it was simply his upbringing — but why did it feel like the wrong move?
"Not at all, Your Majesty."
Again with that tone. It irked him more than he expected. Was it because of his appearance? He did recall people telling him he was quite the looker himself, that he was rather popular with the ladies back in his kingdom...
Even so—
"Let's keep it professional, Your Majesty."
Julius was displeased, and he let it show for just a moment before pulling it back. He could feel something clenching inside of him as they walked even further.
—Ting.
And with that sound, Julius snapped out of his trance.
That's right.
His instincts had been screaming at him that Josephine was not his enemy. And yet... there was one thing about her Julius could not understand.
The aura she gave off.
At first glance, she looked like the wind could blow her away — but Julius knew, with certainty, that she emitted an aura similar to that of his father, the King of Solidaria, an 8th Tier Sword Master.
No, even greater than that.