Epilogue

Kalz Dinion barely poked his nose out of the wagon.

"W-Why is it so cold?"

He shuddered as he pulled his cloak tighter. Even wearing a double-layered fur garment, his whole body trembled, and his face and fingers stung as if they would fall off. He was someone who had lived in Mort for over ten years and caught a cold every winter. The cold of the North was beyond expectation.

Katarina Katalean scolded the red-haired knight as he ducked behind the thick wagon canvas.

"Stop being so embarrassing. Is that how you want to act in your Lady's hometown?"

"The Lady doesn't care about things like that."

"How pathetic."

While Katarina, wearing the simple leather clothing of a merchant, scoffed, Kalz rummaged through the wagon and pulled out Katarina's cloak to drape over himself. Katarina furrowed her delicate eyebrows and approached the village entrance.

Amari. The end of the North and the northernmost point of the continent.

It was also the hometown of her close friend, Amarion, and they had finally arrived there after half a month.

Amari was a small territory. Its high walls were incomplete and desolate, and the huts and shops were all uniformly low. Kalz peered through the gap in the canvas and narrowed his eyes. As the son of a grand lord and a knight himself, it upset him to understand why his Lady had lived so hardship-filled.

But Katarina smiled.

"Indeed. There are definitely angles to make money here."

"Here?"

"Of course. In a place this cold, if you build a storehouse and preserve smoked meats and fruits to sell, there would be quite a profit."

"...Build a large kiln, use the upper floor as a food storehouse, and boil water on the lower floor to distribute to the residents?"

"Bricks can be sourced from the wasteland. Food can be relay-traded through Mort."

"Once the walls are complete, we could pull some knights off guard duty and loan them out as escorts for northern merchants."

The two stared at each other uncomfortably. It was almost offensive how their thoughts aligned perfectly only when discussing business. Katarina peeled her gaze away from her infuriatingly longtime rival and drove the reindeer on.

"...Moreover, if my research is correct, we'll be able to rake in even more money than that."

"Stop it. Your money-demon will cling to the Lady."

"Shut up and get back in the canvas."

Yep. Kalz sullenly closed his mouth. The merchant caravan's wagon moved slowly. Soon, a man as tall as a pole approached them.

"Excuse me. Are you perhaps guests of the Lord?"

It was a man with a tall stature, trained arms, and short hair. His face looked young, but even at a glance, he seemed like a remarkable knight. Katarina quickly introduced them.

"Yes. I am Katarina Katalean, and this is Sir Kalz Dinion, a knight of the Grand Duke of Mort. The others who came with us are my merchant caravan."

"Ah, you've come from the Empire. We've been waiting."

The knight politely kissed the back of Katarina's hand.

"I am the Commander of the Amari Knights, Halmarde of Amari. The Lord and his consort are waiting for you both."

He gave a crooked smile and headed into the village. Katarina and Kalz looked at each other, then quickly followed behind.

❖ ❖ ❖

All the way to the lord's castle, the two couldn't hide their astonishment.

Unlike its outward appearance, the village was bustling with people. Carpenters hung from roofs repairing huts, and laborers were already heading out noisily, apparently to work on the castle walls.

On one side, it was packed with tough-looking mercenaries and even knights. In one area, a pale, glowing fire could even be seen.

Could that be a mage? Why would a mage be in a place like this?

Kalz frantically surveyed the area outside the cart.

He could understand the mercenaries since Katarina had hired some, but even so, there were far too many. And what about those laborers? Victor's dowry couldn't have hired that many people.

Even a mage! Wasn't his own lord, who stayed in this place, a man who ground his teeth and swung his sword at the mere thought of mages!

Katarina seemed to harbor similar thoughts. She ascended to the lord's castle with a grave expression, surveying her surroundings.

The old stone castle was too small to even be called a lord's castle. However, the knights guarding near the entrance looked comparable to the knights of Mort without falling short. Among them, a slender woman ran out to greet them.

"Halmarde, are these the people?"

"Yes. They are the ones the Lord spoke of."

"Welcome, people of the Empire! I am Sophie, the head maid of the castle and the village chief!"

The woman smiled brightly and bowed. As Katarina and Kalz dismounted, Sophie hurried over and led the reindeer. Despite her small frame, her arms didn't even tremble as she pulled a reindeer three times her size.

Are all northern women this strong...?

Kalz looked around suspiciously, then spotted a familiar horse tied to one side.

"Could this be..."

"Ah, a knight of Lord Victor arrived earlier! He went straight to Lord Victor's room as soon as he arrived. The Lord must have been very worried."

Sophie said with a beaming smile. Normally, he would have agreed, but Katarina shook her head and gestured.

"Hurry up and go."

"Yeah."

Kalz quickly jumped down from the back of the wagon and headed into the castle.

❖ ❖ ❖

Leonard Odo. As a groom with his long-awaited marriage right around the corner, he joined the party heading north the moment he heard the news that the Grand Ducal couple had been seriously injured in Amari. The knight, who mounted his horse despite being told he didn't need to come, never stopped worrying the entire way across the border, driving Kalz crazy.

However, upon receiving a single letter this morning, he completely changed. After rereading the letter three or four times that a bronze pigeon had delivered from who-knows-where, he abruptly departed for Amari ahead of everyone else.

That guy, who values group action more than anyone else, why on earth?

Kalz frowned as he ascended to Victor's room.

Is this the right place?

He was pondering while looking at the similar-looking doors when a shout suddenly erupted from inside.

"Victor Mort! I'm truly sick of you!"

Kalz was horrified and threw the door open. As expected, his sole superior, Victor Mort, and his longtime comrade, Leonard, were inside. The golden-haired knight was yelling at the man lying on the sickbed.

"You go into a place to die, leaving behind just a single letter? And you call yourself a Grand Duke?"

"I survived, so it's fine. You could at least shed tears of joy at being reunited."

"You irresponsible bastard..."

"Hey, hey! Are you crazy?"

Kalz jumped in and stopped his friend, who was trying to grab him by the collar. Seething with a furious face, he threw the crumpled letter at Kalz. Kalz unfolded it and read.

[Dear Leonard,

Congratulations on your marriage. Marion and I wanted to go too, but unfortunately, it seems difficult, so I'm leaving this letter. I've been sorry for dragging you to battlefields you never wanted all this time.

... (omitted) ...

Even without us, make sure to have a grand wedding. If you grieve and postpone the marriage, both Marion and I will be tormented. I hope you and Lady Julianna will only think of your happiness from now on.

Stop fighting with Kalz so much. I entrust the knight order to you.

—Victor.]

The chief of staff delivered his verdict.

"His Highness was in the wrong here."

"Why?"

"Telling a friend to have a grand wedding when he's dead, are you in your right mind? If Lady Julianna had read it, she would have fainted."

The Grand Duke, wrapped in bandages, thought for a moment, then shrugged.

"I'll say it again, I survived, so it's fine. It's good to see your crumpled faces again too."

The Grand Duke smiled gently. Kalz opened his mouth, then closed it again. It was an indescribable feeling.

Oddly enough, the Grand Duke, wrapped in bandages and leaning against the headboard, looked just like the young little lord from his childhood. Before Victor shouldered his heavy burdens, when they could treat each other as equals under the name of friends. When he wasn't so dark.

Since he became Grand Duke, he had used honorifics even in private, and Victor had kept his distance from them, but he seemed strangely lighthearted.

What on earth happened?

Kalz examined his lord's wounds with suspicion.

"...Just how badly were you injured to be like this? You seem slightly out of your mind..."

"Yeah. Push me a little more and I might actually slit your throat."

The red-haired knight quickly clamped his mouth shut. Naturally, his eyes sought the Grand Duchess.

Where did she go, leaving a lion off its leash alone?

At that moment, from the room across, words similar to what they'd heard earlier drifted over.

"How could you do such a thing?"

Kalz stuck his head out in surprise. Through the open door, he saw a white-haired handsome man, and the Lady he had been anxiously searching for.

Her Highness Amarion. With bandages wrapped around her just like Victor, the handsome man spoke with a face that had lost its composure.

"Why didn't you call me to your side? I told you I came down to help you."

"But you were fighting somewhere else at the time. And that formation was the most efficient. Of course, Victor and I got a bit hurt... but the battle ended well in the end."

"Even so! How could you let it get to that point... If you had died, I would have."

The handsome man's violet eyes filled with sorrow.

Kalz asked suspiciously.

"Who is that? The Lady's ex-boyfriend?"

"That's the Bandit King Kirgiz. He's Marion's childhood friend, apparently."

Victor replied.

Kalz and Leonard stared blankly at the Grand Duke. Then they looked at Amarion, then at the white-haired handsome man, their jaws dropping.

"Excuse me!?"

"'That' Kirgiz? That? The one who comes down from the Black Mountain Range and eats people?"

"You've lived with me for over ten years and you still believe those rumors?"

Victor clicked his tongue. But Kalz still couldn't close his mouth.

The Bandit King! Wasn't he a figure whose face couldn't even be known through ordinary intelligence networks, and whom one could rarely meet no matter how much they searched? Even that Jain had never met him, making some think he was a fictional character.

But thinking of him as the Lady's friend, it oddly made sense. The Lady is, well, the Lady after all.

At the same time, a strange sentiment accompanied it.

Growing up as friends with Kirgiz, and marrying 'Walking Death'....

"The Lady certainly has unique taste."

"Those two aren't in that kind of relationship."

The Grand Duke pointed out. However, there was no sharp jealousy like before. He was simply watching Amarion converse with her friend in a relaxed manner.

Kalz became genuinely serious.

"...Your Highness, are you truly alright? If you're in a lot of pain, we should return to the Empire immediately and have the imperial healers..."

"—Hmm, are you saying my skills are inferior to the imperial healers?"

A girl wearing a healer's robe suddenly poked her head in. Kalz recognized the familiar face and was startled.

"Miss Mary!"

"Welcome, Sir Leonard, Sir Kalz."

Mary Melfin gave a neat bow. Kalz finally remembered that Mary had been part of the vanguard of the knight order that departed the same day the Lady received the letter. He had allowed it because there was no healer to accompany the knight order, but he hadn't expected her to be tending to patients the moment they arrived.

Mary gave Leonard a prim piece of advice.

"Please be careful with your words to His Highness the Grand Duke here. The people of this land think His Highness is the kindest and most gentle person in the world."

"Excuse me? This person is... the Grand Duke of Mort, you know?"

Kalz asked back, utterly dumbfounded. Mary let out a deep sigh.

"Anyway, that's what they think. Look, even now."

The two knights followed Mary's gaze and looked outside. Sir Halmarde, who had guided them earlier, along with a few knights of Amari, were looking at them with reproachful eyes. It was roughly the kind of look that said, "How could you yell at such a kind lord, what kind of outrageous behavior is this?"

He was so speechless that no words came out. Did the Grand Duke's feigned innocence work particularly well on the people of Amari?

When the flabbergasted knights looked back, the Grand Duke, who had been smiling, quickly covered his mouth and feigned pain.

"It's certainly tiring to sit for so long... I'd like to rest with Marion."

"...Please do. And you over there, please leave now as well. Her Highness Amarion needs to rest more."

"...Understood."

The 'Bandit King' nodded with a sullen face. He spoke tenderly to the Grand Duchess on the sickbed.

"Then rest well, Amarion. I'll come visit again."

"Yeah, thanks for coming, Kirgiz."

Amarion smiled brightly. She got up to see her friend off, then poked her head into Victor's sickroom. Her smile grew even wider.

"Sir Leonard, Sir Kalz! It's been a while."

"Greetings, Your Highness. Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes. I'm perfectly fine now. Victor too... Victor?"

The Grand Duke, who had his eyes tightly shut, subtly opened one eye. Amarion's eyes narrowed.

"Are you teasing the knights again?"

"What do you mean? I'm resting because I'm in pain."

"Did you really have to do that to the people who came all the way here? Sometimes you're truly childish."

"Didn't you used to say that side of me was adorable?"

"That's also true."

The Grand Duchess readily nodded. The knights stood there, flustered and awkward.

The Her Highness we knew was someone whose face turned red at every teasing remark. What on earth did they go through for both of them to end up like this? Did they hit their heads really hard while fighting?

Behind the horrified Kalz, Mary nagged.

"Geez, my Lady! Didn't I tell you not to walk around so much, honestly."

"I'm sorry, Mary. It's just boring lying down all the time..."

"That's how you heal faster, my Lady. Really, you use your body far too roughly."

At Mary's words, Amarion sheepishly scratched her cheek. The Grand Duke snickered and secretly tugged at her sleeve. When Amarion approached him, Victor whispered something into her ear. Two pairs of golden eyes looked at each other and smiled. Even at a glance, they were eyes overflowing with affection.

"...Really, what on earth happened."

Kalz and Leonard stared blankly at each other.

Just then, Halmarde poked his head into the sickroom.

"My Lord, Lady Katalean has requested that a meeting be convened."

"Katarina did? Understood, I'll be right there."

Amarion sprang up. Victor also reluctantly climbed out of bed with a disgruntled face. They all set off for the meeting room together.

❖ ❖ ❖

On the way to the meeting room, Kalz and Leonard were told exactly what had happened in Amari.

"...Then, the monsters that were burning outside the walls were all..."

"Yes. Even after burning and discarding them, only that many remained. At first, this entire area in front was covered in black."

Kalz fell silent for a moment.

He had expected it to be serious when they received the dispatch that Amari was in danger, but not to that extent. He had never heard of a wave anywhere with individual creatures that strong and in such numbers. At that scale, they would have swept through the Kingdom and descended to the Empire, so holding them off here was a miracle.

Moreover, they said the casualties were low. With renowned warriors across the continent participating in droves, one might think it obvious, but the reality was otherwise. It was because two exceptionally skilled swordsmen had faced the monsters at the vanguard in the first engagement.

"...You fought separately in that situation? Were you desperate to die?"

"Her Highness has already been scolded plenty by my knights, so please forgive her..."

Amarion said in a cowed voice. Halmarde looked at her with resentment.

"Of course. Do you know how agonizing it was for us to see the two of you collapse? After you promised to return safely."

"...His Highness also always moved on his own without a word. Honestly... It makes me think you two are truly made for each other."

Even Leonard said so. Amarion hung her head like a sullen cat. Seeming to realize she was at a disadvantage, Victor changed the subject.

"So, is the post-war processing going well?"

"More or less. The village sustained no damage, but the monster corpses emitting toxic miasma stretch from Siland to Mule, so they say there's a shortage of hands to process them. Moreover, most of Amari's mines were destroyed by the monsters, so..."

"It won't be easy to make money. It's that damn money problem again."

Victor Mort said something he'd probably never said in his life. He stroked his chin seriously.

"There is the option of diverting the budget from Mort, but we'd have to persuade the vassals..."

"I also dislike receiving money that way. Mort's taxes are money meant to be used for Mort; if we send it to another region, the territory's people wouldn't accept it. Of course, the fact that Amari is being restored right now is largely thanks to the donations sent by the wealthy ladies of Mort, but..."

Ah. Kalz finally understood why Amari was bustling with people. The wealthy ladies, who had abundant money from owning valuable gem mines, had sent support funds for the territory of their friend, the Grand Duchess.

Of course, such a method couldn't be a fundamental solution. For the territory to recover, it needed facilities that could make it self-sustaining. But to build the facilities they had just imagined, they first needed more money...

"As expected, we should send money from Mort and then pay it back slowly..."

"My, were you having such a soft thought?"

Kalz snapped his head around. Katarina Katalean, standing at the door of the meeting room, was looking at them with a leisurely smile. Color returned to Amarion's face.

"Katarina!"

"Amarion, it's been a while."

The two women hugged affectionately. Katarina gently chided her as if making a joke.

"Your body is in a terrible state, isn't it?"

"Not you too, Katarina... I'm fine."

"Well, if you say so, Amarion, then it must be so."

Katarina accepted it far more readily than the knights and shrugged. The Grand Duke's face became highly displeased. With a smile that held only the bare minimum of courtesy, he asked the woman who had formally greeted him.

"Lady Katalean, then do you have an alternative solution?"

"Of course. I've come up with the perfect way to help Amarion!"

She smiled radiantly.

"Let's head inside first."

The group all entered the meeting room together. In the center of the large conference table sat a single pitch-black rock.

"...What is this?"

At Leonard's question, Katarina smiled gently.

"This is coal."

"Coal?"

"Yes. It comes from underground; it's a stone that can be used as fuel instead of firewood when processed and ignited. Until now, it's only been found in some parts of the Eastern Kingdom, and because its heat output is so strong, it was only used for making magical tools, but..."

Kalz tilted his head. He couldn't understand why Katarina was suddenly talking about this. But Her Highness Amarion's eyes widened greatly.

"You can use this as firewood? This stone... it was scattered about the abandoned mine where I used to go hunting..."

"That's right, Amarion."

Katarina said passionately.

"Before coming here, I sent a survey team to investigate the mines one by one, and an enormous amount of coal was buried in several abandoned mines. With this, you won't have to worry about firewood anymore."

"My."

"Of course, since the smoke is toxic, it should only be used outdoors or in large furnaces. So..."

She unrolled a long sheet of paper. A blueprint for an enormous building, drafted on the spot with splendid skill, spread across the table.

"I think it would be good to build a large kiln on one side of the village. Use firewood to cook ingredients, melt iron, or boil water to share. Sir Kalz helped me conceptualize this part."

At this part, Kalz desperately avoided his lord's glaring gaze.

"Change the residents' houses to stone houses as well, and attach external chimneys so they can use coal. Sell the remaining coal, buy food, store it in an underground storehouse, and then sell it at a high price through the wasteland during the summer."

"B-But... that would cost too much money..."

"I will cover all the initial costs."

She said confidently. It was a bold statement that made even the Grand Duke raise his eyebrows. The pale Amarion stuttered even more.

"You can't do that, Katarina. You've already hired those expensive mercenaries for us... I can't accept that kind of money again..."

"I'm not giving it; I'm investing, so don't feel burdened, Amarion. Hiring the mercenaries was purely me repaying a favor, but this is different. I'm telling you, it will really make money."

"But,"

"I thought about what would make you the happiest. You are the benefactor of my merchant caravan."

Katarina held Amarion's hands tightly.

"I'll make you rich. Just trust me."

Amarion's cheeks flushed bright red. Beside her, Sophie murmured blankly.

"That lady knows exactly how to make a northerner's heart flutter."

"My heart fluttered a little too."

"Me too..."

Halmarde and the other knights chimed in successively. The Grand Duke glared at them with resentful, snake-like eyes, then asked Kalz.

"Is this why you fell for her?"

"What? I told you it's not like that! How many times do I have to say it?!"

Kalz protested with his mouth hanging wide open. Then he analyzed objectively.

"Well, whether it's her personality or her looks, it's true that a woman of her caliber is rare. But we just have a toxic relationship, that's all. She wouldn't look at me that way either."

"You... forget it, let's not talk."

The Grand Duke shook his head. Leonard tightly gripped the necklace of Lady Julianna that he always wore. He whispered something as if in prayer.

"I'm sorry for being dense and clueless all this time. After I'm married, I will absolutely never become a fool who only spouts nonsense like that guy..."

"What?!"

The red-haired knight couldn't take it anymore and snapped.

The noisy meeting room instantly became twice as loud.

❖ ❖ ❖

The 'Troll's Right Calf' mercenary corps was the first to volunteer when Yaji was recruiting mercenaries to go to Amari. A few days after 'Lynx' and 'Hound' left, the news of who they were had spread wildly throughout the corps.

Amarion Amari, the Shield of the Continent and the hero of mercenaries, and the 'Grand Duke of Death', Victor Mort.

Having suddenly found themselves sharing tents with the greatest heroes of the continent, the mercenaries vied to help the two of them.

"No matter how I think about it, it's amazing. Hound looked like a noble young lord swinging a sword out of sheer vanity to anyone who saw him."

"Lynx too. She was strong, but she didn't seem that strong."

"They say when one's sword reaches a certain level, they can even hide their true strength."

The mercenaries chatted as they burned the monster corpses.

Shin Giru, with a splint on his arm, prodded the campfire with a stick.

Honestly, he still couldn't believe it. He was among the first in the mercenary corps to hear their identities, but because his memories of them were so affable, their true strength still didn't fully hit him. In his head, Lynx washing her face with swollen features and Hound clearing trash with a scrunched-up expression still remained.

But in last night's battle, the mage had clearly seen them, flashing like light as they slashed down dozens of enemies' worth on their own.

"Isn't it amazing? That people can be this strong."

The mage looked back at the knight, Jane of Sheyverly. Jane, who was still staying as a guest of the mercenary corps even after the main force, the Mort Knight Order, had arrived, smiled gently.

"At this level, it's hard to tell which one is the monster. It's also amazing that two such people were born in the same era."

"...Have you never seen anything like this before?"

"If I had, I would be serving as a knight under them right now."

Jane said jokingly. But Shin Giru didn't laugh and looked back at the fire. For him, who was usually quite talkative, such a demeanor was rare. The knight asked without hesitation.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Just, well..."

The mage spoke like a sigh.

"When you're different from others, you're lonely. You can't compare to a mage like me, but even so, at this level... Hound and Lynx must have been quite lonely."

Jane silently added the firewood he had brought to the campfire.

He understood the mage's words better than anyone. He himself had lived a life slightly different from others, and most of the strong men he had met suffered from the loneliness of being different from those around them. Wasn't his lord, Victor Mort, the same? More unstable and precarious than anyone, a man who couldn't even bring out his full strength.

But now,

"...Huh? Who is that over there?"

At Shin Giru's words, dust rose in the distance. Two reindeer running at tremendous speed came to an abrupt stop in front of them. Shin Giru opened his mouth as he saw the bandaged figures mounted on the reindeer.

"Shin Giru!"

Lynx—no, Amarion Amari smiled brightly at him. As if she wasn't in any pain, she leapt down from the tall reindeer.

The mage exclaimed in shock.

"Hey! What are you doing jumping down like that with an injured leg!"

"I'm fine. I'm all healed now. Must be thanks to the blessing."

"Do you think a blessing is that convenient?! For injuries that severe to heal, it's common sense to lie in bed for months!"

Shin Giru nagged in horror. Beside him, the Grand Duke of Mort chuckled quietly.

"But thanks to you, she saved her life several times during the fight, that's a fact."

"True. That's why I wanted to keep thanking you. Thank you."

Amarion smiled. The mage's words caught in his throat. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly and said.

"Well... the blessing you put on the Grand Duke was probably useless anyway."

"No, to me it was a more precious spell than anything."

"Is that so, then that's a relief."

Shin Giru smirked. At the same time, both of them grinned.

"Anyway, I came to say thank you for helping with the post-war processing. You could have headed back early."

"We're helping because we like it, so don't worry about it."

Shin Giru shook his head.

"Tall Guy and Shorty also stayed to help gather information, so we couldn't leave before them anyway. Taking this chance to get acquainted with the Katalean merchant caravan will also help the mercenary corps' finances. But where are you two going?"

At the question, Amarion suddenly feigned ignorance. Victor answered awkwardly.

"We're going to inspect the new coal mining site."

"Why there? The Mort knights just inspected it earlier."

The Grand Duke clamped his mouth shut. At the same time, a shout came from behind.

"Lord! Lord Victor! Both of you are still not supposed to be moving!"

People dressed as healers were shouting. Eek, the two, who flinched, climbed back onto the reindeer with surprising speed. Tossing her disheveled platinum hair back, Amarion laughed.

"We'd better get going. See you at mealtime."

"Marion, hurry!"

The Grand Duke gestured with a smile. The two figures vanished lightly beyond the pristine snowfield. Staring blankly at the receding black dots, Jane smiled at Shin Giru.

"They don't look lonely, do they?"

The mage ruffled his hair nonchalantly.

"Yeah, well, they don't."

"Haha."

"But seriously, aren't you going? Your lord and fellow knights are all here, how long are you going to..."

"You still haven't dueled me, have you?"

"Are you saying that to a guy with a broken arm?! Go say that to someone perfectly fine like you!"

"I don't want to."

The handsome knight laughed out loud. The sound of firewood crackling was joined by cursing for a long while.

❖ ❖ ❖

The wedding reception of Leonard Odo and Julianna Fidelburg was held in the banquet hall of the main Mort Castle. Despite both families strongly declining, the Grand Duke himself ordered the reception to be held, so they could refuse no longer.

Countless jewels, crystals, expensive ingredients, and flowers were exchanged. The capital's pleasure-seekers chattered excitedly at the rumor that the Katalean merchant caravan had bought up all the luxury goods.

The northern social scene, revitalized by the return of the young Grand Ducal couple, who had been soaking in the sweet honeymoon and traveling. At the first reception of the new year to be held there, what kind of appearance would the Grand Duchess, who had already created several social trends, show?

The 'Winter Social Season' and the mermaid dress with its trailing hem had already become trends as far as the capital. Surely she would spark another trend, so everyone, keep your eyes on the North!

Hearing the circulating rumors, I scratched my cheek in embarrassment.

"I didn't even prepare this reception..."

"When did you have the time, my Lady?"

Mary said as she smoothed out my dress with a pat, pat.

"You haven't been back for long. I'm just glad we were able to order your dress in time."

The girl smiled radiantly. I smiled ambiguously. It was actually she who had been so busy in Amari, and seeing her seamlessly return to being a maid felt truly admirable.

We didn't leave Amari until after the new year began. Katarina had been driving the work so enthusiastically that there was more to do in Amari than expected.

I shook my head, recalling the kiln that had just begun construction.

I asked Kirgiz for protection, and with Sophie and the people of Amari supervising, there shouldn't be any major problems. For now, focusing on what lay ahead was the priority.

The maids massaged my hands with a mint-scented ointment, applied oil pressed from flowers to my hair, and elegantly pinned it up. Placing a necklace heavily encrusted with white diamonds and a tiara on me, they stood me up with satisfaction.

"You are truly beautiful, my Lady!"

The maids said dreamily.

Today, I was wearing a black dress. Black velvet down to the chest, and above that, black lace wrapping around to the neck, a form-fitting dress.

Black, of all colors.

Even for a wedding reception where everyone except the bride wears dark clothing, wearing completely black was quite a bold choice. But I had my own reasons for choosing this color.

"...My mother told me black suits me."

"She really is right! As expected of a mother, she must have a discerning eye."

Mary laughed.

I turned around once in front of the mirror sheepishly.

After the monster wave ended, my mother came to see me lying in bed, wrapped in bandages from head to toe. She intently examined the handkerchief tying back my hair, which she herself had embroidered.

Of course, there were still no gentle words, and she left as she came.

Later, when I was departing for Mort, my mother came out wearing a velvet dress and said,

'Black suits you, so wear black for formal occasions. The white eagle crest and velvet are also the symbols of the Amari Earldom.'

I looked at her with surprised eyes, but those were my mother's only words. Having received the greetings of Victor and the other knights, my mother returned to Amari Castle without any hesitation. Even refusing the offer to find her a place to stay in the south. Simply saying she would remain as the mistress of the Amari Earldom.

"...Mother must have also sorted some things out."

"Pardon?"

"Never mind. Does the back look fine too?"

Maybe I've gained some weight lately, but for some reason my body felt heavy, and even getting up this morning was a struggle. At my words, Mary circled me once and examined me. Then she tilted her head.

"Your waistline does seem to have increased a bit... but you're still perfect, my Lady. However, if you're feeling unwell, I'll examine you after the reception. You've been through so much."

"Yeah, I should do that."

I nodded and left the room.

Music could already be heard from the banquet hall.

❖ ❖ ❖

The banquet hall was a dazzling white.

Diederic and the maids had poured their hearts into preparing it; hydrangea-shaped crystal ornaments, which Julianna loved, were placed everywhere, and brilliant sunlight poured in through luxurious white curtains.

The groom and bride were not yet there. While I was lingering, they had already gone to hold the private marriage ceremony with Victor and their families. The reception would only begin once the ceremony was over, so I had to wait a little longer.

I stepped forward, marveling at the fantastic sight.

"Your Highness!"

I heard a voice calling from behind.

When I turned my head, Countess Helena Helvant, wearing a deep red satin dress, was approaching with a smile.

"I'm glad you've returned. Was your trip enjoyable?"

"Yes. I had a wonderful time with His Highness the Grand Duke. Have you been well, Helena?"

"Of course! After Your Highness held that wonderful ball, receptions were held all across the North."

She covered her captivating lips, painted with red lipstick, with a fan. As was known to the public, her tone suggested she believed the Grand Ducal couple had been on a honeymoon. However.

I lowered my voice and thanked her.

"Thank you for helping my territory, Helena."

"My? Whatever do you mean? When our mistress is in need, how could we not open our purses?"

The woman who had responded the fastest to the letter I sent to Mort Castle, asking the wealthy ladies for help, smiled brightly.

"Originally, the reason we are wealthy is thanks to Your Highness vanquishing the monsters. The war reparations His Highness brought back, too. We women manage the ledgers, so we couldn't possibly not know that."

She smiled, then raised her voice again.

"Anyway, wasn't this entire 'Winter Social Season' all thanks to Your Highness? It was so enjoyable, I didn't even realize spring was coming."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, but won't there be criticism of extravagance if we hold the season twice?"

"Please don't worry about that, Your Highness."

A calm voice interjected.

Countess Diana Ocksburg, wearing a brown velvet dress and an elegant hat, gave a benevolent smile.

"It is no secret that the North hasn't had a proper social season in nearly twenty years. Because of that, many tailors and merchants had to close up shop. So the people of the territory will generously forgive a certain degree of extravagance."

She held a soft, fur-trimmed fan. I nodded with relief and gratitude. Not only for helping my territory, but I was also deeply grateful that she had protected Mort well in my absence.

"I am simply glad that you all have given thought to Mort's future. Please continue to lend me your valuable wisdom."

"We are honored, Your Highness."

The two noblewomen smiled.

We chatted a bit more about the current state of the social scene. How the number of ladies and lords engaging in courtship had increased as social gatherings became more active, and how families having children had also risen now that the war was over and the situation was stable.

Amidst this, Countess Helvant playfully asked.

"But Your Highness, did you match your dress with His Highness the Grand Duke today?"

"Pardon? What do you mean?"

"Of course it suits you wonderfully, but the color and style of the dress seems almost..."

At that moment, a servant outside the banquet hall announced in a loud voice.

"Entering now, the Commander of the Mort Knight Order, Sir Leonard Odo, and his wife, Lady Julianna Odo-Fidelburg!"

The eyes of the people conversing all turned toward the door at once.

Soon, a couple holding hands entered through the wide-open doors.

Leonard, wearing a beige tuxedo, looked incredibly happy. His large hand escorting the lady held Julianna's hand tightly.

Meanwhile, Julianna, wearing a voluminous ivory chiffon dress, was much calmer. She stepped up the stairs in calm white silk slippers and shyly bowed her head at the applauding crowd. Her face held the same happiness as Leonard's.

The people and I applauded, congratulating the new groom and bride.

"Congratulations, Julianna!"

"Leonard, congratulations!"

"You have to stay happy for a long time without fighting!"

"Remember! After marriage, all you need to do is listen to your wife...!"

The last speaker was Sir Raoul. He gave me a sly wink. Right after, the woman beside him, who seemed to be his wife, stepped hard on his foot.

Anyway, the two main figures of the day headed to the center of the banquet hall.

Someone poked me as I watched them with a joyful smile.

"Marion."

Turning around, Victor was there.

Not the comfortable, scruffy look I'd seen throughout the trip, but the dignified appearance of a lord attending his loyal knight's wedding.

His hair swept back, wearing a black velvet suit with silver buttons, he was truly dazzling. I blankly stared up at his golden eyes for a moment, then quickly came to my senses.

"...So that's why you asked if we matched."

"What do you mean?"

"People are saying my dress and your suit look like a pair."

At my words, Victor smiled broadly.

"So it does. You were so beautiful I didn't even notice what the clothes looked like."

"...Please stop saying things like that. Until when are you going to keep doing that?"

"Until you stop blushing at my words."

He casually surveyed the surroundings, then kissed my cheek. I flapped in surprise, then leaned against him as if I couldn't help it. Lately, for some reason, my mood and physical condition had been fluctuating, and relying on Victor definitely made my body feel at ease.

Victor quickly detected something was off and asked.

"Marion, is something wrong?"

"I'm just a bit tired and my body feels heavy. It's been like this lately."

Victor's eyes widened.

"That's a big deal. Have you been examined by Mary?"

"I'm planning to see her after the reception. Don't worry. It's not that serious."

I quickly cupped his cheek. Victor let out a short sigh.

Even though he knew I rarely fell ill or grew exhausted over trivial matters, Victor still coddled me. He said it wasn't a matter of trust, but a matter of his own heart.

It was no different in the harsh North than in this glamorous and beautiful banquet hall.

To me, who was smiling contentedly for no reason, Victor murmured.

"If it were up to me, I'd urge you to return to our room and rest right now..."

"No. It's Leonard and Julianna's wedding."

"I thought so."

With another sigh, he released me from his arms. I smiled gently, reassuring him.

"Now, I'm fine, so go bless the two of them. That's what a lord should do, isn't it?"

"And you?"

"I'll go eat some food.

I looked eagerly at the foods spread across the table.

Thinly sliced pork carpaccio and stew, chicken dishes generously seasoned with herbs and gravy, roasted potatoes stuffed with butter, and countless varieties of fruit and meat pies. It was truly a banquet of the foods I loved.

Victor, who knew that well, reluctantly nodded.

"Alright. But if you feel worse, you must rest, understood? You need to be healthy for our planned trip to the capital together."

"I'll keep that in mind."

I nodded with a smile.

Victor left with a dissatisfied face, and I finally headed to the banquet table. As I exchanged greetings with many people, smiled, and piled my plate with food, I could hear what people were saying very well.

"Finally, those two are starting a family. I hope an excellent heir is born and brings joy to both the household and Mort."

"More than that, shouldn't we first be waiting for an heir to the Grand Ducal house? Even after the two of them went on a honeymoon, there's been absolutely no news."

"They're still young, so an heir isn't urgent, but... do Their Highnesses have no interest in children?"

I felt unnecessarily embarrassed by the blatant speculation and diligently piled gnocchi onto my plate. It wasn't that I had no interest, but to be precise, it was more accurate to say we never had the time for it.

To put it mildly, we were busy saving the continent.

Of course, it wasn't for lack of experience, but... even when we were in Amari, we didn't have the leisure to pay deep attention to such things.

Well, it's not urgent anyway.

I hummed a tune and cheerfully filled my plate. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kalz, Mary, and Victor all gathered at a table on one side of the banquet hall. In high spirits, I walked over to them.

"My Lady, did you go give Leonard your greetings? He was stiff as a board and couldn't even speak properly."

"Don't tease him too much, Sir Kalz. This is a more nerve-wracking day for Leonard than any other."

"It's still funny! ...But I guess it also makes me feel the passage of time. Leonard, getting married..."

Kalz sighed like an old man. Victor scoffed.

"His marriage was decided when he was ten, wasn't it?"

"Still! Seeing it in person makes me feel weird. If they have a kid, I'll suddenly have a niece or nephew! I don't even have a lover yet!"

"Sir Kalz, really..."

Mary shook her head and brought me a cool lemonade. I was so hungry that I quickly drank the beverage and turned my gaze back to my plate. It was filled with delicious food that I would never tire of eating.

Weddings are truly wonderful things.

As I smiled radiantly and put a fritter in my mouth, my stomach suddenly churned.

"...Uurp."

I swallowed the rising bile.

Victor, Kalz, and Mary's eyes widened simultaneously. Mary covered her mouth with both hands and shrieked.

"My Lady, don't tell me?!"

Uh, uhh?

The bright song of the banquet hall echoed with joyful blessings.

- End of Main Story