"I bear a decree from the Crown."

The blonde knight spoke loudly enough for the entire courtyard to hear.

His armour gleamed beneath the midday sun, polished silver with blue enamel along the shoulders. A narrow cloak hung from one side, marked by a golden lion gripping a sword. He was handsome in the way court women likely enjoyed, with clean features, sharp green eyes, and hair like spun gold.

Yet everything about him irritated Luka.

The way he stood and acted all high and mighty.

The way he looked at Babylon and treated its walls and people like dirt.

The way his gaze kept drifting toward Galatea, as if the knight before him were not a person, but a fine weapon displayed on a wall.

Luka wasn’t the only one to notice this, as Vivienne glared at the knight.

Her delicate smile thinned slightly, but she did not act or speak because of the decree.

The knight unrolled the parchment with a theatrical flick of his wrist.

"By command of Her Majesty, Queen Ceresia, acting with royal authority in the absence of His Majesty King Eldric, whose blessed body remains under the care of the royal physicians..."

Luka’s eyes narrowed instantly.

’Why is the king suddenly sick?!’

Another discrepancy from the world he knew.

The knight continued, his voice elegant and cold.

"The Crown acknowledges the passing of Lord Cassian Babylon, faithful guardian of the western border, whose service against the fallen lands shall be remembered with honour."

"It’s Cassian de Babylon."

Luka corrected him as several knights smiled at him before lowering their heads.

"A-Ah, yes of course. Lord Casian de Babylon..." The knight spoke with an irritating tone, making Luka’s anger surge further. Yet, he tried to remain calm to avoid a disaster falling upon Babylon.

’I must make that crazy girl from Ironhold my woman... only then can I withstand the force of the crown upon my shoulders.’

Only then did Luka lower his head.

’Father, or rather Cassian de Babylon. I swear to make your son’s name a legend across the entire human empire. No. The entire world!’

"Furthermore, the Crown recognises Luka de Babylon as rightful heir to the House of Babylon, successor to its lands, duties, debts, and responsibilities."

The knight’s lips curled faintly.

"Thus, by royal decree, Luka Babylon shall inherit his father’s seat and be formally recognised as Baron of Babylon."

A mere Baron.

That must’ve been the knight’s thoughts.

His disgusting glance slipped towards Galatea once again as she bent slightly in remembrance of Luka’s father and to accept the decree.

’I am going to kill him.’

A fire burned inside Luka’s chest.

More than when he almost died to the necromancer, more than when his Miasma went berserk, and he fucked Luvia... there was something special about Galata.

A special existence that Lucifer wouldn’t allow anyone to sulley.

A murmur spread through the courtyard.

Some servants covered their mouths.

The knights straightened, pride burning through their tired faces.

Even the Ironhold guards showed a sense of unity, clapping and congratulating both Luka and the Babylon Knights beside them. Though things had grown distant in their past world, the link between the two territories ran several generations deep.

With Luka’s ancestor being the knight commander for the Duke’s family.

The knight rolled the parchment slightly and looked down at Luka.

"Rejoice, lowly lord. For the Crown hath granted you the glory of becoming a baron in your father’s stead."

The words were correct, but his wording and attitude were not.

Galatea’s fingers tightened near her sword; she knew that if she did something now, it would irrevocably damage Luka’s reputation and the safety of Babylon.

Her heart sank, listening to this disgusting freak insult her beloved while also staring at her breasts and hips.

Luvia and Vaun remained a little distant, due to their special circumstances, but the biggest change was one woman.

Vivienne Aldebaran.

Her smile vanished completely by the time he mistakenly forgot Luka and his father’s title.

Despite her soft voice, which was barely louder than a whisper, the knight’s posture stiffened as he slowly turned and knelt before Lady Vivienne.

"This man is no mere Baron; he is a hero who defeated the foul goblins and will become my future husband. Thus, this is my future husband’s courtyard, his land and territory!"

Cedric’s smile faltered for half a breath as he visibly shuddered, then returned to normal after a moment, glaring at Luka before smiling at Vivienne.

"Of course, Lady Vivienne. I meant no offence."

"Then speak with the manners you’ve been taught, or do not speak at all."

A few of the ironhold soldiers clapped, especially the knights who were all smiles.

Luka couldn’t help but look at her back, comparing her to Iris... both women with fiery but slightly different personalities. He truly wanted to know why she didn’t send aid in the first lifetime, but something told him that it was due to his death.

’Luka’s death... or is it that Luka being alive is a sort of safeguard for her?’

A duke’s daughter is sure to have countless suitors. But Vivienne was bound by an ancient promise to become Luka’s wife. A promise the founding Duke and founder of the Babylon Family made.

Who knew that it would take several generations before they had children of opposite genders?

Vivienne didn’t look back at Luka.

The one time she could take credit or praise, she chose to remain focused on Cedric instead, her elegant and noble aura overwhelming him as she smiled faintly.

However, deep inside those dark pupils hid something cold and sinister.

’She doesn’t support his contempt?’

The fact that she would go so far as to speak out for him, when the knight has the protection of the Queen, made the situation a little troublesome. If things escalated, the enemy wasn’t someone simple, and it could affect Vivienne too much.

’Babylon fights Babylon’s battles. If she is so set on being my wife, then let me step forward!’

Luka wasn’t afraid of the Queen or this knight.

He was now a man from Babylon!

Luka stepped forward.

He gently pushed Vivienne behind his back, his thick muscles making it difficult for her to resist as she glanced up at him with her eyes open wide.

The first time, she seemed truly shocked.

"I accept the duty."

The courtyard quietened.

He reached out and took the decree from Cedric’s hand.

Then placed it across his chest, resting the decree on his heart, with his other arm behind his back.

"Babylon thanks Her Majesty for her recognition and honouring the memory of my father. I will inherit his seat, his lands, his burdens, and his unfinished duties. While serving the kingdom wholeheartedly."

He looked across the courtyard.

At the knights.

At the servants.

At the healers who struggled to dispense medicine while caring for the old and sick.

At Vivienne, who watched him with shining eyes.

Then he looked back at Cedric.

"From this day onward, I am Luka de Babylon, Baron of Babylon."

The knights struck their fists against their chests.

"URAH!!! For Babylon!"

The shout rose sharply, filling the courtyard with a force that made even the Ironhold horses stir. In waves, they continued to chant the name Babylon, before breaking into the song of Babel, a tale of Luka’s ancestor and the First Duke of Aldebaran.

The piece was titled "A Union in Battle, Death and Victory!"

Cedric’s smile stiffened.

"How spirited."

"Men who survived on the border tend to be."

Luka folded the decree and handed it to Vaun. He was happy he didn’t let her return to her true form before coming back. This scummy knight would’ve likely targeted her, too.

"Keep this safe and take care of the new archers."

"Yes, my Lord." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Cedric’s eyes followed Vaun for a moment, then shifted again back to Galatea, and he made no effort to hide his sleazily gaze.

"Your household has more... unexpected treasures than I imagined, Baron Babylon."

The words caused a variety of reactions from the women standing close. Vivienna’s bright expression darkened once again, and Galatea’s usually warm atmosphere felt like a frozen tundra that endured without sun for a decade.

Luvia seemed to have vanished using her stealth.

Luka’s smile faded.

"Are you speaking of my people as objects, mere treasures?"

Cedric gave a light laugh and waved his hands as if to dismiss Luka’s complaint.

"Come on, Lord Babylon... Do forgive me, it’s just a courtly habit. I merely meant your knight is quite impressive."

His gaze lowered again, lingering over Galatea’s chest, then her waist.

"Very impressive."

For a second, Luka felt the thing inside him move.

It was like a serpent coiling itself in his abdomen, the force not a warm and seeping force like Lust but a fierce beast like a tiger was waiting to strike.

This emotion was Envy... Possessive desire... and Jealousy!

A dark, quiet force that settled behind his ribs like a blade drawn from its sheath.

Galatea was his knight.

His dear knight.

In this life, in that old life, in whatever broken reflection of history this world had become. She would be his, and he would never let her go, even if death itself tried to take her.

’I would even fight my father if I had to...’

Though he didn’t mean to show it, these possessive and aggressive emotions leaked through his gaze as he stared back at Galatea with an affectionate glance.

The sunlight reflected off Galatea’s ice-blue eyes as she looked at him, as if shocked.

It was clear she understood his emotions.

Luckily, Cedric seemed to fail to notice the change in Luka’s tone and continued to prattle on like a fool for several minutes.

"Since my duty is complete, I shall take my leave."

He turned slightly, then paused as if remembering something.

"Though, mayhaps there be a banquet in my honour? I could be inclined to stay."

His smile returned.

"But I understand if such a place lacks the preparation for proper hospitality."

Several Babylonian servants flushed with anger.

Cedric’s eyes slid once more toward Galatea.

"If you need help, Baron Babylon, a knight like me could offer his counsel. Especially to those still rough around the edges."

Luka looked at the blonde knight for several breaths before he curled his lips into a fake smile.

"Do forgive us, honoured knight. But I must decline the banquet."

Cedric’s brow twitched as if he never expected that response.

"Our territory has recently suffered a massive goblin raid and lost much manpower. Amol bleeds. Babylon mourns. The western pass must be secured, the wounded must be treated, and the dead must be honoured."

Luka’s voice remained calm.

He managed to push down the insults, shouts and desire to slice the knight’s throat, and with each word, his tone became colder.

"It is times like this a new lord must show his mettle, no matter how young and immature this frame might be."

Vivienne’s eyes brightened.

Galatea stared at Luka’s back, her fingers unmoving near her sword.

"I am now the Lord of Babylon. I will not celebrate while my people are bandaging wounds."

Cedric’s expression soured.

"How admirable."

"Yes."

Luka’s smile sharpened.

"It is."

For a moment, there was only silence as nobody spoke or made a sound, the two men now clearly aware of each other’s dislike.

That’s when Vivienne stepped closer, her voice soft as silk.

"Sir Cedric, you have delivered the decree. Rest if you must, but do not trouble my husband with foolishness."

Cedric bowed, though his eyes remained proud.

"As you wish, Lady Vivienne."

Cedric walked away, unaware of the thing he had just awakened.

Vivienne watched Luka’s face with quiet delight.

"My dear husband..."

Her smile returned, but it was a sweet and dangerous one, oozing an uncanny eeriness. After watching the knight’s back fade, she quickly clung to his chest before glaring at the female knight behind him.

"You look quite frightening when jealous."