LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 39
Episode 39: Confronting the Margrave
On the second floor of Rietberg Castle, there was a spacious reception room, but there was also a small reception room connected to Margrave Victor’s private quarters.
It was the first time Luke had stepped into this room, which was reserved for the Margrave to meet a select few private guests.
“Make yourself comfortable and take a seat,” Victor grunted, his expression hinting more at intimidation than hospitality.
“Yes, sir!” Luke responded, eager yet slightly apprehensive.
Victor’s stern face twisted further into an expression that could rival the most fearsome demon king from a painting, yet Luke, showing no sign of fear or hesitation, took a seat as instructed.
“We’ll get right to it. I’d like to hear your story…”
Victor’s gaze hardened, becoming sharper than a carnivorous beast sizing up its prey, exuding an aura of menace that could scorch the very air surrounding them. Shivers down the spine—this was the sort of atmosphere that might turn an ordinary man to ash.
“You claimed to love Alexia more than anyone else. Since when did that start?”
“The first time we met, I was hit with love at first sight! The moment I laid eyes on Lady Alexia, I felt like I had been struck by lightning!” Luke said, dripping with enthusiasm.
“Oh. Love at first sight…” Victor raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
“Yes, indeed! Alexia was unlike any noble lady I had ever encountered. At that moment, I couldn’t quite articulate my feelings, but now I understand…” Luke continued.
Until now, all the noble daughters he’d met were delicate blooms raised behind closed doors. Their interests revolved around the latest fashionable dresses, cosmetics, perfumes, jewels, and the glitzy world of romance novels and popular plays.
They couldn’t lift anything heavier than a fan, would refuse to go outside unless their hair was just so, and if they had even a single pimple, oh dear, the world was ending!
They sincerely believed that the skinnier the waist, the better, even if it meant tossing aside scrumptious meals in pursuit of their ideal figure. It was as if the ultimate prize of womanhood was being adored, protected, and cherished by a man.
That was the persona of noble ladies in Luke’s world.
But Alexia? She was a whole different breed.
She donned hunting garb instead of a frilly gown, wielded weapons rather than a fan, and personally drew her bow to safeguard her people, even rescuing Luke from peril.
It wasn’t that the pampered ladies had done anything truly wrong.
But had even one of them ever dared to sweat for the sake of their territory?
Had they ever truly exerted themselves for their people, if only once?
In summary, their vibes were just… different.
The sheltered daughters, shielded by their nurses and parasols from all sunlight seldom bore any responsibility, while Alexia bore hers like a heavy mantle on her shoulders.
What truly captivated Luke was her vitality, her spirit, her unwavering resolve to protect her domain and its people.
He recalled that day they first met:
When arrows flew as swiftly as shooting stars, and beautiful blossoms danced around them.
In that mesmerizing instant, his heart was ensnared!
It felt like the world was brightened, with Alexia as the shining light.
Just her presence gave everything around him vibrant color; it was as if a previously unseen panorama unfurled before him, overflowing with mountains, fields, and life.
If the radiant aura surrounding Alexia represented true colors, Luke’s past existence seemed nothing more than a hazy, filtered gray.
Her sparkling eyes were a genuine blue, her flowing hair the color of ebony, and the blush on her lips a genuine rose hue.
And so it was that Alexia transformed Luke’s understanding of the world.
She colored his dull outlook with brilliant hues, illuminating real colors and bringing him his very first thrill—restoring hope in his very existence.
In this new realm of love, Luke found himself utterly enchanted.
Surely that’s what they meant when they said values could flip upside down in an instant.
Women were supposed to be delicate, fragile, modest, respectful, and oh so ladylike, being cared for and protected by their menfolk.
That was the grand consensus in high society, and without much thought, Luke had just accepted it as a given.
But then came that day.
Alexia burst onto the scene like a glorious explosion, obliterating every notion.
It didn’t matter if she was frail or demure.
No, the Alexia standing before him was absolutely his type, his ideal flame, a true love at first sight!
“I see…” Victor murmured thoughtfully, nodding as though he was finally putting the pieces together.
“So you don’t think my daughter is a savage, then?”
“Not at all!” Luke exclaimed fervently.
Alexia’s strength had saved his life, and he certainly wasn’t the type to belittle her valor as barbaric.
In fact, it was precisely that noble and courageous demeanor of hers that truly drew him in.
She trained diligently, honing her skills, and employed her strength to protect others—everything about her was simply beautiful.
“Hmmm…”
Victor pondered how swiftly values could shift in a heartbeat, how captivated Luke had been in the span of a mere glance.
With a stern expression etched on his face, Victor regarded Luke, who was so unabashedly earnest.
Alexia was Victor’s only child, and from a young age, she had demonstrated remarkable talents characteristic of the Rietberg lineage, known for its valor.
The Rietberg family was a lineage of warriors. As a margrave overseeing a treacherous and tumultuous area, they had produced numerous famed military leaders, and Victor himself was a battle-hardened veteran renowned for his might.
Alexia inherited that bloodline to the extent that Victor often found himself in a whirlwind of emotions, questioning where the blood of his lovely, gentle wife had gone.
Of course, as a father, he took immense pride in his brave daughter.
Yet he had witnessed the noble heirs who had sought Alexia’s hand depart with disdainful remarks, and Brigitte, Alexia’s wet nurse, lamented over the daughter she had painstakingly nurtured.
It was rumored no one would dare approach her, being more manly than a heap of men.
Thus, it was a complete surprise to Victor that there existed a young man captivated by Alexia’s bravery, especially someone who would choose to love her for it.
“Love at first sight seems a fanciful tale. I doubt you’ll believe it…”
“Actually, I too fell for my wife at first sight. I can’t say I don’t get it,” Victor replied, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes.
“You too, Margrave?”
Victor imagined his beloved wife, long departed, and nodded deeply, consumed by bittersweet memories.
“I understand your feelings. Now then…”
Standing up, Victor turned his broad back toward Luke and rummaged through a cupboard. Moments later, he displayed an array of wine bottles of various sizes upon the table.
“Alright, let’s drink!”