Peace Hunter

"Because there's something I want to discuss with you," said Duke Louis.

After saying that, Duke Louis bowed.

"I didn't have time to say this before because I was so emotional when I saw my wife awake. Thank you for healing and waking her from her long sleep, Rid. Without your help, I don't know when my wife would have woken up. Once again, thank you, Rid," said Duke Louis.

Not only Duke Louis, but Commander Asier and all the members of the San Lucia family in the room also bowed to me. I was surprised by their attitude.

"Please don't bow like that, Lord Duke. I appreciate your gratitude, but I'm not someone who deserves this kind of treatment. You all too, please don't bow like that," I said.

But they ignored my words and continued to bow to me.

"Please allow me to express my gratitude like this, Rid. Furthermore, I have already thanked you for your contribution in uncovering the plot to assassinate our entire family. However, the other members of the San Lucia family have not yet had the opportunity to express their gratitude. Therefore, since you happen to be in San Lucia city, I immediately gathered the other members of the San Lucia family to my residence and gather in this room. While not all members of the San Lucia family may be present, some are unable to attend. Nevertheless, please accept our family's thanks, Rid," said Duke Louis.

"Thank you, Rid Archie," said the members of the San Lucia family.

They all said this in unison, still bowing. I was surprised to see them say it. I was also surprised by their behavior, as I had never experienced anything like this before.

"I appreciate and accept the thanks from Lord Duke and the other members of the San Lucia family. But please don't bow like that. I'm not the one who deserves your attitude. Also, your attitude makes me a little uncomfortable, so please stop bowing," I said.

Duke Louis and the other members of the San Lucia family fell silent after hearing my words. Then, a moment later, Duke Louis began to speak.

"Alright, Rid. We'll stop bowing. All of you, stop bowing and stand up straight," said Duke Louis.

Duke Louis stood up straight again, followed by the other members of the San Lucia family. Now they all stopped bowing to me and stood up straight.

"Once again, thank you, Rid," said Duke Louis.

"You're welcome, Lord Duke," I said.

"I'm curious why you've been calling me 'Lord Duke', since you've been calling me 'Uncle Louis'? And also, why have you been speaking so formally to me? You've always spoken casually to me before," said Duke Louis.

"That's because there are many members of the San Lucia family present in this room. I think it would be rude if I didn't speak formally to you, and it would also be rude to call you 'Uncle Louis'," I said.

"You don't need to worry about that. Besides, the San Lucia family members present in this room already know that you're close to me because you're Irene's current boyfriend. So you can still speak casually to me and call me 'Uncle Louis'. No one will think you're being rude even if you speak to me when other San Lucia family members are around," said Duke Louis.

"Ok, Lo- I mean Uncle Louis. I'll speak casually as usual," I said.

"That's good. Then, besides wanting to thank you, I have another reason why I invited you to come to this room where many members of the San Lucia family are present. The reason is because I want to introduce you to the members of the San Lucia family who are present in this room. They may have known about you from the newspapers, but they have not seen and known about you directly. I want the other members of the San Lucia family to know about you directly because one day you will be part of the San Lucia family," said Duke Louis.

"Hmm, so that's how it is, Uncle Louis. But it seems like it's still a long way off for me to become part of the San Lucia family. I'm currently in a relationship with Irene, but I haven't thought about taking it any further," I said.

"Hahaha, relax, Rid. Besides, I already said that you'll be part of the San Lucia family 'one day' not 'soon'. So, it's fine with me if you only become part of the San Lucia family five or ten years from now."

"I also have no problem if your relationship suddenly ends for some reason. Besides, I'm not forcing you to continue your relationship with Irene. So, if you ever feel like you're no longer compatible with Irene, you're free to end it. After all, relationships like that can't be forced. But, as long as you're still in a relationship with Irene, I beg you to never make Irene sad or disappoint her. Also, I beg you to always protect her because you're her boyfriend now," said Duke Louis.

After hearing Duke Louis's words, I immediately responded.

"Don't worry, Uncle Louis. I promise I won't disappoint or sadden Irene as long as I'm with her. I will always protect her," I said.

"Thank you, Rid. That's all I wanted to discuss with you. But don't leave this room yet, and neither should anyone else. I've prepared a banquet as the final event of this gathering. Servants, please come in!" said Duke Louis.

After Duke Louis said that, the servants entered the room carrying a large amount of food and drink. They placed the food and drinks on the tables. Once all the food and drinks had been placed on the tables, the servants left the room.

"Everyone, please enjoy the food and drinks provided. You don't need to be shy, and neither should you, Rid," said Duke Louis.

"Yes, Uncle," I said.

After that, I immediately ate the food and drank the drinks that had been provided. It wasn't just me; the other members of the San Lucia family did the same. While I was eating, several members of the San Lucia family approached me and spoke with me. Among the San Lucia family members who approached me were Senior Nadine and her father, Sir Irwin. I responded to all of them who wanted to speak with me. Commander Asier and Duke Louis also approached me and spoke with me and the other members of the San Lucia family.

Then, while I was talking with Duke Louis, Commander Asier, and the other members of the San Lucia family, a woman approached me. She was dressed as someone from outside the San Fulgen kingdom, as her attire looked foreign.

"I've heard about you because the newspapers published by Diganta often feature you. But this is the first time we've met in person. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ivana Shirayuki Emerald. Nice to meet you, Rid Archie," said Commander Ivana.

"Nice to meet you too, miss," I said.

After that, I fell silent, continuing to stare at Miss Ivana. Miss Ivana seemed to notice I was looking at her, and she immediately said something.

"You seem curious about my outfits, huh? You've been staring at me all this time," said Commander Ivana.

"Yes, because your clothes look strange. I've never seen anyone wear them before. Forgive me if I've been rude by constantly staring at you, miss," I said.

"It's okay, relax. This outfit I'm wearing is called a kimono, and it's commonly worn by the people of Kaminari," said Commander Ivana.

"Kaminari, the country across the sea to the east of the San Fulgen Kingdom. Did you buy it from Kaminari, miss?" I asked.

"No, I didn't buy it from Kaminari, because I've never been there. This outfit I'm wearing was made by my own mother. That's because my mother is from Kaminari," said Commander Ivana.

"Hmm, I see," I said.

After saying that, I fell silent, pondering something.

"Ivana Shirayuki Emerald, huh? It's no wonder there's 'Shirayuki' between her name and the 'Emerald' that's always used in the names of all San Lucia family members, so she's a member of the San Lucia family of mixed blood, huh? Also, Kaminari Country is Kotaro's hometown, as both his parents are natives of that country. So Miss Ivana's mother is also from that country, huh?" I thought.

After thinking that, I looked back at Miss Ivana. I noticed that Miss Ivana was wearing a cloak over her outfits. On the front of the cloak, I saw a white owl symbol. I knew about that symbol; it belonged to the 'Snow Owl' troop, the troop assigned to guard the eastern region of the San Fulgen Kingdom, San Quentine region. If Miss Ivana was wearing a cloak with the 'Snow Owl' symbol, that meant she was part of that troop. But I didn't know what Miss Ivana's position was within that troop. Even so, I could guess Miss Ivana's position in the troop.

"Miss Ivana, are you a troop commander?" I asked.

"Yes, I am a troop commander of the 'Snow Owl' troop. As you can see from the owl symbol on my robe. How did you know that? I haven't told you yet that I'm a troop commander," said Commander Ivana.

"I was just guessing, Miss. I sensed that you were very strong, so I guessed you might be a troop commander," I said.

"Hmm, is that so? So you can sense the power of those you see," said Commander Ivana.

"Yes, Miss," I said.

"Hmm, interesting," said Commander Ivana.

After that, Commander Ivana and I continued talking. Duke Louis, Commander Asier, and the other members of the San Lucia family also joined us. While we were talking, I suddenly noticed something in the room.

"I just realized, Miss Duchess isn't in this room. Is she resting in her room?" I asked.

"No, Arlet is in her room, but she's not resting. The reason I didn't bring Arlet to this room is because Arlet currently has a very important guest. That guest is Her Majesty the Queen, who has come here to visit Arlet," said Duke Louis.

"Her Majesty the Queen is here? I didn't know about that even though I'm currently at your residence, Uncle," I said.

"Well, that's because when Her Majesty the Queen arrived, you and the other students were taking an exam in the training grounds. It's natural that you didn't notice Her Majesty the Queen's arrival," said Duke Louis.

"So that's how it is. Her Majesty the Queen came while we were taking the exam. Is Her Majesty the Queen still in the Duchess's room, Uncle?" I asked.

"I think she is. What's wrong?" asked Duke Louis.

"Nothing, Uncle," I said.

After that, I fell silent, thinking about something.

"So Her Majesty the Queen is here, huh?" I thought.

-To be continued

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!