Please be Patient, Grand Duke - Chapter 112.1

As soon as the rain stopped, people lit a large fire and prepared food. Fortunately, there were casualties but no fatalities. It was thanks to their quick reflexes honed through swift actions and the agility gained from war.

Due to the large number of personnel, they set up a large tent on one side and gathered together, melting their bodies with sizzling meat fried in hot oil and steaming stew.

The taste that melted away the exhaustion from the confusing days was like snow melting in one’s mouth.

Carso carried tomato stew, bread, and roasted meat and found the cabin where Claude was. Claude was sitting facing Ian Sergio at the table, and Canilia, squeezed between them, looked like a proud herbivorous animal.

Two dignitaries who were silenced by Canilia’s growl and false cough.

Carso silently admired Canilia’s behavior and put down the tray he brought.

“We have plenty of food, and if it’s not enough, I’ll bring more. But… brother, are you really okay?”

“You shot a pole, Carso.”

Carso knew that Claude was uncomfortable, so he lowered his voice as much as possible.

“Yes. It seemed like it would be faster to get help from Geore….”

“It was a pointless act.”

Luan smiled softly as he looked at Carso, who resembled Claude.

“You’re just like him in appearance, but this side is much wiser. You know how to humble yourself and accurately assess the situation.”

“Thank you, Duke Sergio, for raising me up.”

No one failed to notice the sarcastic tone. Canilia, who had been alternating her gaze between the two men, pulled the plate with an annoyed expression.

“Thank you for bringing the food, Sir Carso. When are we going back?”

“I plan to leave when the sun rises tomorrow. For now, your brother’s proper treatment takes priority.”

Lia glanced at Claude, who claimed to be fine, and quietly began to eat her food. She pushed plates of bread and meat, soaked in tangy tomato stew, towards the two men. Finally, the two men showed interest in the food.

“But why do we let that doctor bastard live? He’s a terrorist. He dared to come to Geore.”

Luan spoke while scooping up the hot stew with his spoon.

“Death is too luxurious for a murderer.”

Claude, with a smile as pale as darkness, changed his expression as he wiped the sauce off Lia’s lips. The face that was merciless just a moment ago now had a smile like sunshine.

While Luan smirked, Claude spoke up.

“What’s worse than death is the deprivation of freedom. That suits him better.”

It felt like they were holding back their words because Canilia was present.

“With things turning out like this, I have a proposal.”

Claude turned his head at Luan’s serious tone. Carso, who had pulled a chair and sat down, also listened attentively to Luan’s words.

“What if we build a city here?”

“A city?”

“A kind of international city. It would naturally be centered around mining, but it would foster a harmonious autonomous city where Geore’s science and Cayenne’s culture merge.”

An autonomous city…

Claude murmured with a wrinkled brow.

“I’m curious why you came up with such an idea. It’s not something that would typically come out of that stubborn head of yours.”

“If a city is built in the Valencia Plain… and if the citizens of both countries are relocated, we can create a place for Laura, Canilia’s mother.”

It was an unimaginable idea. Canilia’s eyes widened as she put down the spoon she had firmly held. Seeing her moist emerald eyes quickly welling up, Luan continued.

“You should have seen them. The mother and daughter were so close that it made me jealous. It’s to the extent that they can’t be separated easily.”

Lia held her breath, her mouth barely forming a smile. If Luan’s proposal were to be accepted, she wouldn’t have to cross the border every time she wanted to see her mother.

Claude, lost in thought, continued to eat his meal in silence. Before long, he took her hand and stood up.

“I have somewhere to go, so don’t follow.”

“It’s not possible, Your Grace! Your body…”

Claude, rubbing his stiff neck, looked down at Carso’s worried objections and smirked.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go and come back neatly.”

****

Claude arrived at a steaming lake that he had seen right before the war. As soon as he arrived, he took off his clothes and held her hand, intending to walk into the water.

But Canilia couldn’t bring herself to do the same. She was concerned about the wounds on her legs, and the moonlight was too bright to undress.

Why is the sky so clear after the rain has stopped?

He waded into the water, exposing only his upper body, and sat her down on a large rock.

“I’ll wipe you off. Don’t let the water touch you.”

“What if someone comes?”

“Who would come. Don’t worry. This place is private property. No one is here.”

“But still…”

His body was covered in bruises. There were no major lacerations, but there was a wound from a knife in the center of his chest, and a large bump on his forehead.

Nevertheless, he entered the water and exhaled with satisfaction, putting his hand under her skirt.

“I’ll hold you. Only your legs will be outside. So undress and come in.”

After saying that, Claude dove into the depths and circled around the rock where she was.

Canilia didn’t know what to do to prevent his wounds from worsening. But Claude didn’t listen to her. There was ultimately only one way to keep him from submerging in the water.

Lia took off her cumbersome dress.

“Help me take off the corset.”

Only then did the man who approached with a faint smile loosen the corset lace with hands dripping water. His Adam’s apple moved noticeably as he looked at her dazzling nakedness, and Claude, seeming embarrassed, reached out to Canilia, who was covering herself.

“Really… You’ll make sure water doesn’t touch the wounds, right?”

“Yeah. I have a way.”