Kidnapped By The Crazy Duke

Chapter 10

After Jeffrey left, Celine immediately went to the Admiral's office. As soon as she came in, she cried. The Admiral, who was sitting at his desk checking documents, took off his glasses, stood up and looked at her.

"My princess, what's wrong?"

The Admiral had the face of a generous and caring father, quite different from the way he treated Diana. Even the tone of his voice, always hard and decisive, was laid gently.

"Lieutenant Colonel Grenendall is going to rescue Diana himself. Please stop him, father."

Celine's eyes were slightly wet, like young buds in spring rain. She had talked about Jeffrey several times, so the Admiral knew that Celine was fond of him. The Admiral, who cared for Celine very much, hugged her in his arms, feeling pity for every single depressed expression.

"I talked to him. If he gets hurt or dies because of that kid, wouldnt it be a problem?

The Prime Minister has not said anything?"

The Admiral's brow furrowed slightly as he thought of Damien Grenendall, father of Jeffrey Grenendall, the head of the noble Grenendall family and the Prime Minister of Belford, has become weak.

"He's never been one to meddle in the affairs of his children. Besides, he's a man who cares more about glory and honor."

Officers of the great nobility were not put in the front line, battlefield, 

or dangerous operations. They may go directly to the battlefield to earn a knighthood in the armed forces, but this was mainly a method chosen by people who were not the eldest, and far from inheritance qualifications.

It was unusual for a direct descendant of a duke's family to have his second son, a lieutenant colonel, infiltrate directly into enemy territory. The Admiral was lost in thought for a moment.

It could be that Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Grenendall had the goal of becoming the heir to the Grenendall family.

Dukes were given various titles, including Marquis and Count. The eldest and second sons of the Dukes receive the auxiliary titles of Marquis and Count held by the Duke. This was not inherited, but a temporary act.

If the eldest son of the Grenendall family becomes a duke, the second son, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Grenendall, was not unlikely, if ambitious, to become a common nobleman or a hereditary hierarch without a title. However, if he died on the rescue mission, the Admiral would be held accountable.

"Ill try to prevent it somehow. I'd hate for my daughter to be sad.

The Admiral smiled calmly as he soothed Celine. Despite the Admiral's efforts, there was growing criticism within Belford for not actively rescuing Diana, who was being held hostage by the enemy Progen. It was by far the hottest issue in the Belford Empire.

[Who will be the hero to save the Admiral's daughter?]

[Belford doesnt even try to negotiate. . turns its back on the poor girl.]

Articles with such provocative headlines began to appear one after another. Some magazines mentioned the possibility of a cruel event in which Diana was abducted by a mad Colonel from an enemy country.

"The Colonel who abducted her is very ruthless despite his status as a Duke. I'm sure she's having a terrible time right now."

"They call him a crazy Duke. He kills people without even blinking.

"Poor girl, they say her body is not in good shape and she didn't even go out to socialize. To have to sacrifice for the country, the Navy Admiral chose honor instead of the sick girl? He really doesn't deserve to be a father, does he?"

People felt sorry for Diana, not as the Admiral's daughter, but as a poor girl. In Belford, Noah's image was that of an enemy colonel, nothing more than a war-crazed night-herder who enjoyed killing.

Parents with daughters were outraged at the fact that Diana was kidnapped by such a horrible man, and girls of the same age cried and prayed for Diana, whose face they did not even know. It was Lieutenant Colonel Grenendall who created the public opinion for all of this.

The purpose was to create a name for himself to go directly to Diana's aid.

The Lieutenant Colonel's father, Prime Minister Damien Grenendall, was willing to be the hero who helped his son save the girl. He liked to be honored. When the topic was addressed in parliament, the Prime Minister spoke a few words that carried weight.

"No one should prevent my son from making his choice. As a father, I agreed with it.

As the Duke of Belford and the Prime Minister, his opinion was tantamount to a decision that no one could challenge. Many of the lieutenant colonels thought that Jeffrey wanted to lead the rescue mission to become the hero of Belford, but Jeffrey thought differently.

He had something to protect.

***

What do you mean by a date?

"Isn't it nice?"

I was trapped in a suffocating car running towards the city, holding hands with Noah. Vincent was driving with a very uncomfortable expression on his face and Noah was still watching me as if observing me. He looked like a cat watching curiously at a bird perched on a branch outside the window.

"I usually dress up when I go on dates. I thought we should go on a date.

"Yes. I'm very excited. I've never been on a date before.

It was my first time with this body. I replied indifferently, resting my elbows on the window sill and supporting my chin. Noah pushed his face close to my face and whispered in my ear.

"Princess. Is that your excited expression?"

Noah's lips faintly touched the tip of my ear with his breath. The unexpected contact made me dizzy and I screamed inwardly.

This man is crazy, really!

"Im crazy and excited."

"Your eyes turn round when you're thrilled, or surprised."

He nodded, sweeping his lips as if he had just made some amazing discoveries. He was like someone who writes in an observation journal.

"What would you like to do?"

"I've never been on a date here, so"

Vincent, what do you mainly do for dates? I'm not sure."

Theres no way he doesnt know about dating.This man is a fox.

I cleared my throat and looked out the window.

"I've never been on a date, so I dont know."

Vincent spoke in an awkward tone as he turned the wheel. Noah lifted his upper body and leaned closer to Vincent in the driver's seat.

"Wasnt there a woman named Justice? 

"She married another man a long time ago and has children. It's been so long since I dated, so I cant remember.

"Hurry up and remember."

"Please don't whisper in my ear."

When we reached the city square, Noah got out first and extended his hand towards me, escorting me out of the car. Then he said to Vincent.

Go home. We're going on a date."

"Thats what I was going to do."

Some soldiers got out of the military vehicle which was following behind us and followed us on foot. Vincent, who looked tired, bowed his head and then busily walked away.

Light snow fluttered in the dark sky.The snow on the streets had been cleared away. I could see a large canal that crossed the square and the city center, and on both sides were signs of shopping malls, craft stores, tailor shops, western clothing stores, and banks.

On the bridge that connected between them, a large number of people were gathered looking up at the sky. People in expensive fur and wool coats, and people wrapped in many layers of old coats. 

Despite the apparent disparity between rich and poor, they were all gathered together as if they had the same goal in mind. I tugged on Noah's sleeve.

"What day is it today?"

"Today is the 30th anniversary of Emperor Progen's ascension to the throne, and we're having fireworks. We've been celebrating for thirty years."

When the people who had come early and occupied some seats to see the fireworks display saw Noah, they took off their hats, stood up, greeted him, and vacated their seats.

Why did this person come here?' was the expression on the peoples faces. The noblewomen gave me a jealous look as they alternated looking at me and Noah. Noah gave me a worried look as he stared at me. 

"You're too short to see. Would you like me to carry you on my shoulders?" (*lol this man?)

"No, please don't. You're a great man in the army, a duke."

What good would it do me to ride on the shoulders of a high status person? Here and there firecrackers were set off with deafening sounds, and small flames and ashes fell on the river.

Huge fireworks spread out and shimmered like flowers in full bloom, coloring the pitch black sky. Thousands of people shouted in admiration.

The beautifully engraved lights in the sky disappeared, ashes scattered, and there was the distinctive smell of sulfur from the firecrackers. A boat filled with yellow daffodils, the symbol of the Progen Imperial family, floated above the canal, and a woman on the boat scattered daffodil flowers over the river water. Geishas scattered colored paper, and a magician with a wand sent doves flying.

The city was crowded with people, as if the love of fireworks was an instinct that transcended the world. I was not a fan of crowded places, but the fireworks were beautiful. I felt like I was on a trip abroad, and it was different.

Fortunately, we were accompanied by military personnel and were able to see the auspicious land at a leisurely pace without many people gathering. I looked up at the fireworks in the sky so much that the back of my neck ached, then I lightly turned my head to looked at Noah.

Perhaps it was because he was taller, his head didnt raise much.

Noah, who had been watching the fireworks expressionlessly, looked down at me. Like someone who had all his attention focused on me. He asked me with a gentle voice.

Have you ever seen fireworks?

"Yes, I have. How about Noah?"

"I've seen a lot on the battlefield, so I'm not really interested."

He often went to war even though he was a high-ranking nobleman. It shouldn't be surprising that his personality changed a bit as he became numb from killing people. Speechless, I patted him lightly on the back.

"It must have been hard on the battlefield. It must have been scary."

Are you worried about me?"

Noah's eyes folded beautifully and smiled. Colorful fireworks light up the sky, creating a spectacular view.

"It's spectacular. It's a spectacular sight.."

I couldn't help but marvel at the man who made a spectacular view with a spectacular backdrop. His silver hair was like a rainbow, tinted with colorful light. I averted my gaze quickly, for my soul seemed to be sucked away. The fireworks were over and the people who had gathered like a swarm of ants began to disperse.

"Where are we going?"

"Let's go to my manor.

"You have another house?"

Noah tilted his head at my question as if I was asking the obvious.

"Yes. There's a castle, a mansion, and a villa. It's in the capital."

"Yes, you're rich.

Of course he was rich. I'm sure he has a high annual salary and inherited wealth, I just didn't have anything to say so I asked.

"I have enough to feed a princess.

He kept sending me comments that I don't know if he was serious or joking. Did he seduce mamy girls? Even if he didnt try hard, there would be countless women lining up to get his attention.

Anyway, I responded as much as I could since I said I loved him. Because my goal was to hold out while adjusting appropriately.

"Wow~ I'm going to spend all that money when we get married."

Although my voice sounded insincere, Noah's eyes widened at the word married. Why did he show such a serious reaction when I say such things casually?

Diana, do you really want to marry me?

"Yes, I dont mind being with a rich husband. I can eat meat every day, and I'm a snob to the bone."

I said jokingly, but Noah looked as relaxed as a ravenous beast feeling satisfied. Similar to the way a tiger has the expression of a cat drooping in the sunlight.

"I see. I'll be the princess' husband."

"Hahahaha, I'm kidding.

"But Im not. Tomorrow we will go to the Archbishop and make a marriage pledge first."

I could faintly hear his last words.

Propose after the fireworks? My Princess is romantic. 

Is he crazy?

I underestimated him again and overlooked a lot of things, including the fact that this crazy man would never let my words pass him by. He would drive me into a difficult fence then watch and enjoy.