"Why make a big fuss over the Crown Prince's entertainment? Let's enjoy it with a minimal retinue."
Thus, their journey to Sahalan was modest compared to the usual royal expeditions.
After a day's travel to Sahalan, they began setting up temporary tents, but the Crown Prince suggested starting the hunt right away.
"The Emperor is unwell; as the Crown Prince, I can't leave the palace for long."
He poured wine into the Duke's cup as if urging him on.
"A special brew for today. Let's drink and set off."
The Duke downed his cup in one go, not suspecting anything amiss, given the Crown Prince's fondness for drinking with him.
About two hours into the hunt, the Duke's vision blurred.
Feeling unwell, he dismounted for a rest.
Just as he was tying his horse, a slicing sound from nowhere made the Duke dodge swiftly.
But perhaps due to the dizziness, he couldn't evade in time. A cold metal – an arrow – grazed his right shoulder.
"There!"
Men in masks, seemingly the perpetrators, charged towards the Duke.
Before fully grasping the situation, the Duke struggled back onto his horse and rode off.
With one hand on the reins and the other tearing his sleeve at the wounded arm, he realized something.
"Ugh. Poison?"
His shoulder turned an alarming blue from the arrow's poison.
As his vision began to fade, the Duke halted his horse. At his feet lay a cliff.
With nowhere else to run, masked assailants quickly surrounded him.
"Game over. Time to give up."
"Do you even know who I am?" the Duke challenged.
"We know. Cassis Mile Torpheo."
As the masked men closed in, the Duke, resigned, drew his sword.
"You're going to die here with your name unknown."
At the impudent man's words, a sneer crossed the Duke's lips.
He knew those who sought the empire's only Duke wouldn't send just anyone.
Swords clashed continuously.
Despite the Duke's slowed movements, the assailants insistently targeted his face.
A blade grazed the Duke's cheek, slicing off a lock of his bound hair.
Then, relentlessly pushed back, the Duke fell off the cliff.
'Was this a hunt to capture me?'
He wondered if his well-kept secret had been discovered.
It was unclear why the Crown Prince was recklessly targeting him.
Falling off the cliff, the Duke submerged into the river's upper course, losing consciousness amidst the rushing waters.
When he opened his eyes, he was at the beach of Horn, a familiar scene from his childhood in the remote village.
Thus, the Duke encountered Adelin in the mansion he stumbled into.
On the 12th day of tending to the fallen Duke, the weather was unusually clear.
The gentle breeze fluttering the white curtains roused the Duke's eyelashes.
"Uhmm…"
At his low groan, Adelin, dozing beside him, stirred.
After days of constant caregiving, she felt drained, though her dreams were sweet.
She was enjoying Darjeeling tea in the Duke's rose garden.
"Honey."
She mumbled, wanting more honey in her tea.
Then, feeling a tap on her shoulder, Adelin slowly awoke.
Her blurry vision cleared, revealing piercing red eyes watching her closely.
"Hiieek!"
Startled, Adelin quickly stood up.
It was Duke Torpheo, who had been asleep for 12 days.
Confused, Adelin hiccupped continuously.
'He's awake! What should I do… What do I say…?'
Suddenly waking up like this was unexpected!
"I-it's awake? Hic."
Adelin asked between hiccups.
The Duke, still weak, spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Honey."
Adelin, not remembering her sleepy murmur about honey, thought she had misspoken. Surely the Duke, who had just woken after 12 days, wouldn't be asking for honey.
Pausing momentarily, the Duke raised his head.
Through his long bangs, his piercing gaze seemed to scrutinize her.
Adelin braced herself for questions like 'Who are you and why are you in my house?' or threats like 'I said I'd kill you, why haven't you left yet?'
The Duke finally spoke.
"Is that my name?"
"…Pardon?"
"Honey, is that my name?"
Shocked, Adelin blinked rapidly.
'Honey' as a name?
'Did he… lose his memory?'