The next day, as soon as the sun rose, the knights assigned to guard the door arrived. They looked like apprentice knights with young faces, but the one leading them was familiar.
"Greetings to Her Grace, Guardian of the Swordsman and the Drunkard."
"Sir Raoul!"
I welcomed him with a bright smile. Raoul of Radan, carrying his fearsome axe, bowed with a comical flourish. Raising his head, he pressed his temples with exaggerated gestures.
"Are you feeling alright? I thought I was going to die from a hangover yesterday."
"Really? I feel fine."
"As expected, My Lady is my idol!"
Raoul guffawed. The apprentice knights looked somewhat tense at the giant knight's laughter, but surprisingly, none of the maids seemed frightened. Well, they'd probably seen more knights than mountain hares, so it made sense.
Though it was strange that such people would be frightened of every little thing Victor did. I pushed away the resurfacing doubts and asked Sir Raoul.
"So, will you be guarding me?"
"Yes. When I heard it was to serve My Lady, I volunteered."
Raoul shrugged with a sly look.
"What danger could possibly befall My Lady? Even if a pack of chimeras swarmed, you wouldn't bat an eye. So it's essentially a position where I get paid to do nothing."
"I see..."
I nodded ambiguously.
I felt like I understood why Sir Raoul had quit being a mercenary. Mercenary work paid based on how much you worked, but Sir Raoul struck me as someone who preferred clocking out sharp over chasing prey all night. Though personality-wise, he was a mercenary through and through.
I returned to my room, finished a light morning dressing, and offered Sir Raoul some refreshments. However, Sir Raoul politely declined.
"I'll eat if you give me alcohol instead of cake, My Lady."
He then asked about today's schedule.
There wasn't really anything worth calling a schedule.
I answered awkwardly.
"I'm just planning to look around the castle here and there."
"Perfect! I wanted to look around too. I mentioned it's my first time in Mort, didn't I?"
He beamed and escorted me to the door.
The maids and apprentice knights trailed behind us in a crowd. A few of the knights glanced nervously and asked.
"Sir, our lord commanded us to guard the door... Is it really okay for all of us to leave our posts like this?"
Sir Raoul whipped his head around and narrowed his eyes. His attitude seemed to be pondering, 'Must I really bother with such pointless things?'
He soon picked out two young knights and stationed them at the door.
"You two stand here. If it gets hard, go down and have some ale, and... take it easy, alright?"
Then he quickly fell in behind me.
"Where would you like to go first?"
❖ ❖ ❖
Mary served as the guide. The other maids were still far too frozen. Mary offered to show me the rooms starting from the highest floor, just as Diederik had done before.
As we walked toward the top floor, Raoul suddenly asked.
"Did you request the escort knights, My Lady?"
"No, Victor suggested it, so I agreed."
"I see..."
He trailed off with a frown. Such an expression from the always-cheerful Sir Raoul was rare. I tilted my head.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, it's just a bit strange."
Raoul stroked his chin with a rough hand.
"It's not unheard of to escort the lady of the house within the castle, but in truth, My Lady is stronger than any of us, isn't she?"
"Yees..."
Not wanting to seem arrogant, I answered ambiguously. But Sir Raoul didn't seem to care.
"Yet still insisting on posting a guard detail... This is less of an escort and more..."
He trailed off and suddenly fell silent. The destination had appeared before us.
"I'll show you from here, My Lady."
Mary first introduced the rooms the lady of the house needed to know.
There was a banquet hall, guest bedrooms, a salon for hosting tea time, and even a reception room prepared exclusively for the lady's guests.
Every room was white and beautiful. Being a cold region, the windows weren't large, but with grand chandeliers hanging, embroidered white carpets, and curtains, the place was as bright as a temple.
Sir Raoul clicked his tongue.
"Do they clean all this every day?"
"Not every day, but once a week. Dust accumulates easily on the carpets."
"Good heavens... You should raise their wages, My Lady."
I nodded seriously.
Thinking of the effort it must take to keep these rooms clean left me speechless. It would be hard enough just sweeping and wiping the entire castle, but white on top of that? Part of me wanted to change everything to colors that were easier to clean.
As if reading my thoughts, Sir Raoul grinned.
"Order them to remove all these cloths and replace them with draka leather right now, My Lady. Then you won't need to clean for the next hundred years."
"How could I dare do that."
"'Dare'? His Grace would be pleased even if you tore the castle down and rebuilt it."
My face flushed involuntarily. Even after constantly being teased by the knights about being a loving couple, it still made me blush. I quickly turned to Mary.
"Where does the Grand Duke work?"
"He is usually in his office, but I heard he took the knights and went to the first-floor conference room early today."
I see. I nodded.
He was that busy in the capital, so he'd be even busier here after being away for years. I wished I could help with something...
Victor told me not to worry about work, but I couldn't help feeling uneasy. Should I finish learning how to manage the ledgers after all? At least I could help Diederik, who would be managing the inner castle's accounts...
While I was pondering, Mary opened a large, ornate wooden door.
"This is the study, My Lady."
"Wow..."
I stepped into the room with admiration.
The study was astonishing. I'd never been there, but I imagined the library in the Imperial Palace might feel like this. The room, larger than the capital's study, was filled with tall oak bookshelves and an unimaginable number of books. Premium oil candles brightly illuminated every corner. The shelves were packed with books in every field I'd never seen before—history, geography, astronomy, music, and swordsmanship.
I soon found the bookshelf with the knight novels. Surprisingly,
[...Knight Dordofin, serving Princess Rapier, falls in love with the Archduchess Flamberge, imprisoned in a tower during his travels, and confesses his love. But the cruel Princess Flamberge says that if he wants to win her heart, he must grant her three requests...]
Below it was a comically drawn illustration of Dordofin and the beautiful Flamberge.
I should ask for volume 2 after finishing volume 1. I returned the book to its place and turned away.
At the entrance, Sir Raoul was waiting for me, chatting with the maids. The maids, who had been completely stiff, seemed a bit more relaxed in Sir Raoul's company. Seeing that put me at ease too.
Truthfully, my nerves had been on edge since arriving in Mort. The castle's atmosphere was oddly desolate, and the servants acted visibly frightened. They even said this castle had no head maid or butler. Such a thing shouldn't be possible in a castle this large.
Mort somehow felt empty in places. Just like Amari after a monster rampage.
But after eating delicious food and seeing familiar faces, my sensitive nerves seemed to settle down. It was probably because I was tense. Once I adapted, I'd be able to live happily as before, with Victor and the servants.
I genuinely wanted that.
I gathered myself and approached them. Sir Raoul was recounting the petty squabbles from his mercenary days with maximum exaggeration. I walked down the corridor, laughing along with the maids.
The afternoon sunlight streamed brilliantly through the pure white curtains.
❖ ❖ ❖
Victor's meeting didn't end until dinner time. It was rare for him to miss dinner with me, so I finished my meal alone, worried.
Steamed venison with herbs, potatoes roasted with plenty of butter, and pudding topped with raspberry jam were surprisingly delicious. But even delicious food couldn't stop my worry. As I headed to my room with a serious face, Mary asked cautiously.
"My Lady, did the food not suit your taste?"
"No, it was really, really delicious!"
I answered quickly. Surprised, Mary nodded with wide eyes.
Did I answer too fast? Feeling a bit embarrassed, I asked.
"Did the Grand Duke have his meal?"
"No. I heard light bread and cheese were brought to the conference room for him."
How could that.
A sigh escaped me involuntarily. It wasn't like there was nothing to eat, but the fact that he was too busy to have a proper meal instead of a meager one pained me. I was someone who believed eating was the most important thing in the world.
After some thought, I requested.
"Tell them to bring fruit, cookies, and roasted meat to the conference room too."
"Yes, My Lady."
"Oh, and."
I added something I suddenly remembered.
"If someone comes to the castle looking for 'Skinny,' tell them to let me know."
"Skin... ny?"
"Yes. That's my... nickname."
Not knowing how to explain mercenary customs, I gave a clumsy excuse.
Mercenaries usually use pseudonyms when working. It was because they worried their families or hometowns would face retaliation if their real names were known.
Since I was mostly in the position of hiring mercenaries as a lord's proxy, I didn't use pseudonyms as often as they did, but when necessary, I'd say whatever came to mind. Cane, Ice Pick, Water Wagon, Ale Cask... Compared to those, Skinny was actually quite normal.
But Mary looked conflicted. She stared at my wrist for a moment. Unlike the white, plump hands of noblewomen, my hand was thin and rough. She clenched her small fist as if making a decision.
"I'll tell them to serve even more delicious food tomorrow, My Lady."
I nodded without understanding.
How could it get more delicious than this?
I harbored a small doubt.
❖ ❖ ❖
My first week in Mort passed like that.
Victor returned at midnight and left at dawn, and while worrying about him, I gradually adapted to the castle.
Once I relaxed, Mort Castle was a very livable place.
First, the food was absolutely delicious. It was the same in the capital, but the chefs here seemed to cast magic on their cooking. Moreover, the ingredients were similar to my hometown, so it suited my taste even better. With the northern specialty honey mead, I was able to enjoy a happy meal every time.
I also became much closer to the maids than at first. Perhaps realizing I wouldn't harm them, they now smiled and even initiated conversations.
Mary even nagged me. It was because I had given away all the cream pastries that came as my snack.
"My Lady, how could you give away all these precious pastries?"
"But I already ate one?"
I made an awkward excuse.
"After trying one, it was so delicious that I thought it would be nice to eat together. Right?"
At my question, the young maids nodded vigorously. Cookie crumbs smeared around their mouths.
I smiled and dabbed their mouths with a handkerchief. The maids were surprised but didn't move. It was just like taking care of children at Amari's shelter.
Mary suddenly asked.
"Did you do this in the capital too, My Lady?"
"Hm? I did."
Of course, the maids in the capital were older than the maids here, but sharing snacks and chatting together was the same. I was receiving more than enough anyway. It wasn't difficult to share food or gifts, or to raise the servants' wages with the lady's budget. I was also grateful for their constant hard work.
Mary looked at me with a complicated expression.
Sir Raoul, standing beside her, shook his head with a smile.
"Give up, Miss Mary. My Lady has always been that kind of person."
"What's wrong with me?"
"You're the embodiment of chivalry itself."
Raoul stroked his chin seriously.
"You practice the spirit of honor, mercy, and sacrifice yourself, don't you? Giving without keeping anything and fighting at the forefront. No knight commander anywhere could live like My Lady."
I blushed and bowed my head.
It wasn't something to say so grandly. Any proper knight would act as I do.
For instance, Victor.
"Victor would do the same in my position."
"Our lord?"
Sir Raoul scoffed.
"Our lord is a ruthless man, My Lady. If you acted coy with him like you do, you'd have your head chopped clean off."
I tilted my head.
Even while being so casual with him, the knights of Mort all seemed to consider Victor a very frightening person. Of course, they'd seen Victor longer and knew things I didn't, but Victor had always been nothing but affectionate in front of me.
Turning my head again, I was surprised to see the maids. They had turned pale as if they'd seen a monster.
Mary, with her ashen face, managed to say.
"The tea has gone cold, so I'll go warm it up, My Lady."
Not understanding why, I could only agree.
❖ ❖ ❖
After tea, I decided to go see Victor. There were many things on my mind, and above all, I was curious if there was anything I could help with.
Thinking the maids would be frightened again, I instructed only the knights to follow.
But Mary stubbornly insisted.
"When the lady of the house moves, a maid must follow, My Lady."
"It's fine, rest."
I gently shook my head and gestured to Raoul. As before, Sir Raoul stationed a few knights as door guards and followed me.
A warm breeze blew through the corridor windows. Even in the north, the empire was still an empire; under the warm sunlight, green leaves were blooming. I fiddled with the hem of my thin indoor dress and suddenly asked.
"Why are they so afraid?"
"What do you mean?"
"The maids. Why are they so afraid of Victor?"
Sir Raoul's expression stiffened. Raoul must have noticed too. Knights were a sensitive lot; they couldn't possibly miss such obvious cowering.
Raoul asked seriously.
"Do you have any guesses?"
"None at all. They were people who were frightened even of me when they first saw me. They don't react that way to other knights, but whenever Victor comes up, they tremble like that..."
I was worried something bad had happened.
The last words crumbled and hid. It was because I didn't want to suspect him, even as a conjecture.
After a moment of silence, Raoul spoke quietly.
"My Lady, His Grace can be cruel at times, but he is not someone who would harm his own people."
"I know."
"If anything, he treats them quite generously."
I nodded.
I truly knew that too. I thought of the knights who treated Victor like a friend throughout our journey, and the servants in the capital mansion who served him warmly. That wouldn't have been possible if Victor wasn't usually magnanimous.
Raoul recalled.
"It was the same on the battlefield. He was certainly cruel, and he must have looked like a god of death to his enemies, but His Grace simply did whatever it took to protect us. Enough for even a greenhorn like me to feel it."
"..."
"At the very least, that was the kind of person I saw His Grace to be."
Then why?
We both fell into thought at the same time. Raoul and I were practically newcomers here, and we knew nothing about Mort. Therefore, we could only guess.
Victor was still a perfect gentleman. Despite being tired, he asked after my well-being every night, and whispered that he was sorry for the short time we spent together. When he finished urgent work, we talked about what we would do. Reading books together, dancing, looking around the garden, and even piling up my favorite sweets like a mountain and eating them. Of course, he treated the servants with the same kindness as in the capital.
But the reactions of the people around us were completely different. And fear always had a reason.
Was there something hidden about him that I didn't know?
What?
While I was thinking, the Grand Duke's office came into view. Serious voices leaked through the open door. Documents were piled like mountains on the table I glimpsed.
I hesitated at the doorway.
"It seems he's still busy."
"Yes. Actually, I escaped to your side, claiming I'd stay to help with work, when he asked me to help."
Sir Raoul laughed heartily. I glared at him for tossing his duty as a subject aside like a rag and approached the door.
Then Victor suddenly looked up. When our eyes met, his summer-sun eyes instantly brightened.
"Marion! What brings you here?"
"I'm sorry if I interrupted, Victor."
"Nonsense, it's only a good thing."
At his gesture, Kalz and Leonard, who had been crumpled in their chairs, groaned and rose. Diederik also put down his monocle and rubbed his temples. Everyone had dark circles under their eyes, looking extremely exhausted.
'Dizzy aside, the knights wouldn't be used to this kind of work.'
As I sent them a worried look, they bowed one by one and left the office.
I glanced down at the scattered documents. Names I couldn't understand were written all over them.
"Marion."
Victor took my hand. As I naturally looked up, Victor smiled at me.
"Is something really the matter? For you to come all the way to my office."
"There's no particular reason..."
I suddenly felt shy and trailed off. The various reasons I'd thought of before coming suddenly all felt like lies.
Breathing in the captivating musk scent, I admitted it. I just missed Victor.
"I was just curious about what you were doing. We haven't seen each other much lately. We couldn't even have breakfast together..."
"..."
"So I was wondering if you're still very busy, or if there's anything I could help with."
Victor's eyes curved into crescents. He bent down and kissed my cheek with a peck, peck. I turned bright red and squeezed my eyes shut before opening them.
He chuckled briefly and explained affectionately.
"Most of the urgent issues are resolved. The ledgers are almost done being reviewed. You don't need to worry about anything."
"That's a relief."
"Before long, we'll be able to have tea time together."
I opened my eyes wide in surprise.
Victor was so busy even in the capital that we rarely had time alone together. Thinking I could finally spend a leisurely afternoon with him made me happy.
Victor smiled, seemingly thinking the same.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Yes. It sounds like it'll be fun."
"How far have you read in your book?"
"I'm about to start volume 2 now."
As Victor had said, Dordofin, who wandered the continent, proposes to the Archduchess Flamberge, imprisoned in a tower, around the middle of volume 1. Flamberge was beautiful but had a cruel personality, locked up by her father, the Grand Duke. Flamberge accepts the proposal on the condition that he grant her three requests. The first request was to obtain snake venom from the monster Gorgon, whose hair was made of snakes.
Victor looked nostalgic.
"I liked that book when I was young and read it often."
"What did you like about it?"
"I can't tell you the ending in advance. You'll just pick on me again, won't you?"
A smile spread at his cheeky laugh.
The sunlight streaming through the window shone on Victor's fine black hair. His slightly tanned skin gleamed like gold. My beautiful husband lifted the back of my hand and kissed it.
"Let's have dinner together tonight. The work is almost done."
"Alright. Oh, should I leave Sir Raoul?"
"I'd appreciate it if you did."
Victor grinned mischievously and escorted me to the door. Sir Raoul, who had been trailing like a sheepdog, looked at me in dismay when told to stay in the office.
"How could you abandon a loyal knight like this, My Lady!"
"Your master is Victor, not me, is he?"
Grumbling, Raoul gave up and moved his feet. Kalz, who was laughing heartily at the sight of his slumped huge back, very naturally came over to me.
"Come then, a new knight is needed to escort the lady. Kalz of Denion will escort My—"
"Stop your nonsense, Kalz."
Leonard, who had roughly spat that out, dragged Kalz by the scruff of his neck inside. Finally, Diederik disappeared into the room with a benevolent smile.
With a smile on my lips, I headed to my room with the apprentice knights.
❖ ❖ ❖
When the office door closed, a calm atmosphere settled.
Victor Mort asked Raoul of Radan.
"Marion is doing well, isn't she?"
"Of course."
"And there were no rats skulking around her?"
"...Yes."
Raoul expressed his agreement uncomfortably. It was clear that reporting the lady's movements bothered him.
But the Grand Duke didn't care. His snake-like yellow eyes opened with satisfaction.
"That's a relief. There are so many rats, it's been on my mind."
"Have you found them?"
Raoul immediately asked back. Leonard answered on behalf of his lord.
"Yes. When we looked through the ledgers, money was leaking to the estates of several retainers. They forged it carefully, but they couldn't hide it completely."
"Yes. Otherwise, the place wouldn't look so desolate."
The Grand Duke recalled the day he first arrived in Mort.
Mort had strong winds, so every winter, a fortune was spent distributing straw and planks to wrap the roofs. After spring came, the straw was removed and new dye was applied, so the roof colors were always vivid.
But when he arrived, the roofs were faded. The paving stones were sparse, and the sewers were broken. It was proof that the money that should have been spent wasn't spent.
There were also rumors that Raoul had heard things while walking around with Marion, so he kept only trusted people around him and assessed the problem.
The corruption uncovered that way was more deeply rooted than expected. Several retainers in key positions had their hands in the budget.
The Grand Duke curled his lips into a smile.
"Isn't it ridiculous? They do this even after seeing what happened a few years ago."
"That's why they're more likely to do it."
Kalz said quietly.
"The number of retainers decreased quite a bit after that incident. They knew that without them, there'd be no one to handle the territory's affairs. So they must have had the audacity to pull something like this."
"Truly ridiculous..."
A cold gaze scanned down the densely written names.
He had never liked the retainers of Mort. Mort was a territory large enough to rival a small kingdom, and its retainers were equally greedy. They fought for power at every opportunity and tried to plunder the lord's storehouse at any chance. And he, the master of the castle, had no intention of leaving the thieving rats alone.
The punishment to be given was clear. But the chief of staff shook his head.
"You must not kill them. I didn't stop you last time, but this time I mean it."
Victor furrowed his brow. Kalz calmly continued.
"The allied houses are frightened by your threat to the Welsh family. If you execute the retainers in this situation, there will surely be backlash."
"I know."
The Grand Duke spat coldly. It was obvious in many ways that this wasn't the time for strong measures.
But he was a knight more than a politician. His instinct told him to kill the corrupt officials immediately and make an example of them.
Leonard once again stopped his stiff-faced lord.
"Your Grace, they are nevertheless retainers who have served Mort for generations. Touching them again could worsen public opinion. Let's first find all those who have committed crimes and think about punishment later."
The Grand Duke nodded with a sigh.
He was supremely annoyed. Spending time with someone as noble as Marion and then dealing with people as despicable as himself made his anger rise.
Still, it was somewhat comforting to think that once this was sorted out, everything would be over.
Victor turned his gaze and looked down at the beautiful garden spread out beyond the window. The heat satisfactorily filled his dark heart.
Now he would spend the rest of his life here with her. In his hometown that had been so lonely in his childhood, beneath the cold and rugged rocky mountains. Slowly, as if time had stopped, repeating the same things every day. Watching her laugh, eat, and sleep.
Locked away with you.
Forever.
❖ ❖ ❖
"My Lady, while plucking the third, fourth, and seventh strings with your right hand, pluck the twelfth string with your left hand."
I fell into immense confusion and looked down at the harp between my knees.
Third? Seventh? Twelfth?
For my confused sake, Mary kindly pointed to the strings with her fingers. Following Mary's fingers, a beautiful sound resonated.
I bowed my head in defeat.
"I don't understand any of it."
"No you're not! You've gotten much better than at first."
"That's right, My Lady! If you practice, you'll get it soon!"
The maids encouraged me vigorously. I let out a deep sigh and leaned against the large harp.
We were currently in the music room. Filled with precious instruments, this was a place where you could invite bards to perform or practice instruments yourself.
I had been coming and going from this place for a while now, led by the maids. They had passionately dragged me here, saying they would teach me how to play. In the end, I found myself stuck with the violin the day before yesterday, the flute yesterday, and the harp today.
"My Lady seems to have a talent for the harp."
"Yeah. At least it doesn't make a terrible sound..."
I said lifelessly.
When I played the violin, it sounded like a dying ghoul, and when I blew the flute, it was like a hydra howling. The harp was fortunate in that it made a somewhat similar sound no matter who plucked it.
But Mary was endlessly positive.
"Of course, you'll soon be able to play a wonderful piece! If you get bored, you can change to something else. Lute, trumpet, organ. We have everything!"
"Okay, thanks."
At my words, Mary's eyes sparkled. The maids huddled together beamed with smiles. I couldn't help but laugh.
Once I got to know them, the maids were like younger sisters. Perhaps bored without a lady to serve, they wanted to take me out of my room and do something every day. Not just playing instruments, but also embroidery, flower arranging, and making cookies. Most of it was clumsy, but just doing something together while laughing was fun.
Besides here, there were also a painting room, a greenhouse, and a room for dyeing cloth and weaving. There was so much to do that I doubted I could do it all within this year. I also wanted to hurry up and finish reading
I thumped away at the harp for a while before leaving the room.
Green leaves were rippling outside the window. I stopped for a moment and breathed in the outside air. The garden visible below the window was beautiful. This being my second week only inside the castle, I hadn't gone out to see it directly.
Then, Mary asked cautiously.
"My Lady, do you perhaps want to go outside?"
"No? Why?"
I tilted my head and asked back.
Is there something to play with outside too? Like Lady Müze's glass greenhouse?
But Mary bit her lip tightly and bowed her head.
"...No. The head butler is coming up soon, so I'll go prepare some tea."
Ah, come to think of it, I was supposed to have tea time with Diederik today.
I quickly erased my doubt and hurried to the lady's room.
❖ ❖ ❖
It had been a while since I had a proper conversation with Diederik. He had been so incredibly busy that it was hard to even see his face. Having taken on the role of head butler and having to assist Victor with his work, it was understandable.
But the old gentleman who appeared in the lady's room was, as always, flawlessly neat. I welcomed him with a bright smile.
"Welcome, Diederik."
"It is an honor to be invited, My Lady."
Diederik, who bowed politely, sat across from me. Taking a sip of tea, he apologized.
"I'm sorry for coming late. I should have come up sooner to check on how you were doing."
"Don't say that. You were busy."
At my words, the old butler's eyes warmed. His seasoned gaze inconspicuously swept over the knights standing guard at the open doorway. He asked with a benevolent smile.
"I heard you're having a good time with the maids. How are the knights? Is there anything uncomfortable?"
"Yes. Everyone is kind. Each and every one of them is very loyal."
The apprentice knights were passionate. They followed their lord's order to guard me so faithfully that they never missed a moment at the door. I felt sorry for taking away the training time of such young knights, but seeing them so faithful to chivalry pleased me.
Diederik smiled softly.
"That's a relief. His Grace's work is also almost finished, so they'll be able to return to the training ground soon."
"That's good. You've really worked hard, Diederik."
"Thank you, My Lady."
The old butler bowed his head politely once more.
After that, short small talk followed. The harp I played for the first time, the historic armor displayed in the corridor, the delicious snacks the chef made. Diederik promised to serve my favorite raspberry pudding more often, and I, thoroughly delighted, expressed my gratitude.
When the teapot was emptied, the butler stood up.
"I'll go down now to prepare dinner, My Lady. I'll see you later."
"Yes, see you later."
Diederik bowed politely. Then he briefly added.
"If you ever want to go outside the castle, please tell me, My Lady. I know the way."
I looked at Diederik with wide eyes. The old butler with gray eyes was looking at me faithfully. It was a gaze filled with grave concern.
Why was he making that expression? If I wanted to go out of the castle, I could just go through the gate...
Not understanding, I just nodded for now.
"Yes, I'll do that."
The old butler bowed once more and left the room.
❖ ❖ ❖
The summer sun set in an instant.
I had dinner with Victor, changed clothes, and headed to the bedroom early. With volume 2 of
I sat on the bed and happily opened the book.
Dordofin, who had been tasked by Flamberge to bring her Gorgon's venom, was in the midst of carrying out his mission.
[...Dordofin stepped on the Gorgon's foot, and the Gorgon screamed.
"Oblivious knight! What are you doing!"
"I'm sorry, I was extracting venom from the snakes on the back of your head and didn't see."
"Just ask me, you fool!"
At the Gorgon's words, Dordofin made a dumbfounded expression. Aha!]
I was giggling when I heard the door open and looked up. It was Victor.
"You came early."
"I was tired."
Fastening his robe, he went straight to the bed and lay down. I blinked. He usually talked with me a bit more before going to bed.
Did he have some worry?
I quietly sat beside him. Victor, who had been looking up at the ceiling, suddenly asked.
"In your land, how did you deal with thieves?"
I thought for a moment before answering.
"There was no such thing as a thief in my land. Everyone was too poor, so we had to share to survive."
"..."
"In winter, we gathered all our resources and distributed them as needed. To save even one more person."
My hometown, Amari, ran strictly around the community.
When monsters swarmed, we hid the elderly and children in the castle basement and defended together, and we all took care of the sick and orphans together.
It was only natural. That way, soldiers could leave their families behind and go out to fight with peace of mind. Life there was entirely adapted to the cruelly barren environment.
Victor's eyes looking at me sank as well. I quickly changed the topic.
"Why, do you have to punish a thief?"
"It seems so."
"Can't you just handle it according to the law? What does it say in Mort's code of law?"
"Compensate sevenfold and cut off the wrist."
"That's too harsh!"
When I cried out in surprise, Victor laughed softly.
"You were the one who said to follow the code of law."
"But it's excessive. They didn't even hurt anyone, yet such severe punishment..."
"Yes, so the previous Grand Duke always imposed the punishment of compensation with money and then imprisonment."
I looked at Victor silently. Exhausted from the heavy workload every day, he looked tired. Even his agonized face was beautiful, but this wasn't the time for such thoughts.
I said sincerely.
"I trust you'll make a wise decision, Victor."
"..."
"Because you're a great knight. You must know mercy."
Victor's gaze slowly turned to me. Under the flickering candlelight, his expressionless face seemed unfamiliar. He whispered in an unreadable voice.
"You always make me weak."
I quickly turned my head so he wouldn't see my flushing cheeks. I signaled to the attendant, and the candles went out one by one. I closed the book and picked up my sword.
"Sleep. I have to deal with you when you're truly weak."
Victor smiled and quietly closed his eyes.
❖ ❖ ❖
Daily life remained unchanged. Every day was the same peaceful routine.
I wondered if Victor would punish someone after that day, but it didn't seem like anything like that happened. Briefly curious, I figured Victor would handle it and lost interest. Life in the castle was too enjoyable to worry.
I was now spending almost a month only inside the castle.
I read books in the study and sometimes went to the music room to play the harp. Embroidery wasn't fun, so I learned knitting instead. I was told that if I knitted together bulky yarn and stretched it out long, I could make a large blanket. I knitted with the maids, ate snacks, and occasionally had tea time with Sir Raoul.
Truly, it was a joyful day after day. It was my first time staying indoors for so long, and it was even better than I had imagined.
The maids asked surprisingly persistently if I didn't want to go out, but I really didn't want to. This was the life I had wanted all my life.
A life with no incidents, just peaceful.
The only thing that bothered me was that I still didn't know why the maids were afraid of Victor. I even asked why they had been so frightened on my first day, but the maids only kept their mouths shut.
Mary explained in their place.
"Before you arrived, My Lady, His Grace sent several letters telling us to serve you properly. That we must not be even a little negligent. So we were unnecessarily nervous. I'm sorry for making you worry, My Lady."
I shook my head no and thought.
The fact that they were frightened of me too because of Victor's letter meant that it was all ultimately because of their fear of Victor.
So the question came down to one thing.
Why were the people of Mort afraid of Victor?
I pondered the unresolved question as I climbed the stairs.
Today I was alone for the first time in a while. The knights were away for a shift change, so I just came out of my room by myself.
I headed to the aviary where the carrier pigeons were kept. In my hand, I held a reply to Katarina.
'The reply needs to arrive soon.'
Thinking that, I hurried my steps.
Yesterday evening, Katarina sent me a letter. Attached to a bronze pigeon, no less.
The bronze pigeon was a bird close to being a monster, and if tamed, it could deliver letters not to a specific place but to a specific person. It was incredibly expensive, but that wouldn't be a problem for Katarina.
Her letter contained greetings and a brief update.
[Dear Amarion.
I am only now writing the reply to the letter you sent when you left. Have you arrived in Mort by now? Are you doing well?
The social season is also ending along with the roses. There are no incidents you might be curious about. Ah! Nanael Welsh is still shut away in her mansion. You would scold me for this, but honestly, I find it a bit satisfying.
I will also be leaving the capital soon. I have business with the Eastern Kingdom and plan to travel to the northern border. Yes, near Mort.
May I visit Mort sometime soon? If it's alright with you, I'd like to have tea with you.
I'll wait for your reply. Stay healthy.
-Your friend, Katarina.]
As soon as I read the letter, I excitedly wrote a reply.
Katarina coming! She was truly welcome anytime.
I wrote that this place was very beautiful, that I was staying only inside the castle at Victor's request lately, but that it was very enjoyable and comfortable. I also added that I'd be waiting and wished her a safe journey.
I was coming out of my room in a hurry right after breakfast, holding the letter I had written. When I entered the aviary, the bronze pigeon flew to me as if it had been waiting. I tied the letter with a string and stroked the bird's tiny beak.
"Deliver it to your master."
The pigeon flew out the open window.
I left the aviary and leisurely headed to the first floor. I was going to the kitchen.
In the capital, I visited the kitchen every day, but here, there was so much to do that I couldn't go often. Since I was out, I should at least go say hello. I'd also ask if they needed anything, and if there were any cookies left from yesterday, I'd get some.
As I cheerfully went down the stairs, suddenly a commotion of voices reached my ears.
"I knew it. His Grace wouldn't keep his promise!"
"Isn't he basically saying he'll cut off our hands and feet?"
It was a group of retainers.
Startled, I hid behind a pillar without thinking. It was my first time seeing the retainers since the welcome banquet, so naturally I was nervous.
Not noticing me, they grumbled as they came this way. Their voices were low, but my sensitive ears could hear them perfectly.
"He says he'll manage the budget ledgers himself. This is clearly overstepping. Executing the budget is originally the inherent authority of us retainers, isn't it?"
The man with a beard snapped angrily. Another retainer with graying hair rolled his eyes anxiously.
"Why is he doing this all of a sudden? Could it be that he noticed something...?"
"Ridiculous. If he really found out, do you think he'd be this quiet?"
The pot-bellied man scoffed. It was the very man who had greeted Victor when we first arrived in Mort. He stroked his mustache and spoke.
"He still doesn't know. So we just need to erase the traces before we're found out. He did return earlier than expected because of that woman, but..."
"In a way, isn't it a blessing? Thanks to that woman not being able to manage the ledgers, we got time to fabricate the usage records."
My heart sank. I covered my mouth with my hand and listened closely.
As if they'd been waiting, voices full of complaints burst out.
"Is he really going to keep that lowly woman in the position of Grand Duchess?"
"Did you not hear about the Welsh family? If we push another young lady, our heads will fly too."
"I thought he was cruel but not unreasonable."
"His only talent is wielding a sword, tsk, what will become of the Grand Ducal house..."
Every word pierced me sharply.
The pot-bellied retainer let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Didn't I tell you over and over? If Lord Morteon were here, this wouldn't have happened."
"Indeed. The position should have gone to him originally."
"What a pity, what a pity..."
The retainers faded into the far end of the corridor.
I stood there for a long time, pressing down my racing heart.
❖ ❖ ❖
I returned to the lady's room in a daze and sat down.
I opened
In truth, such insults were familiar. During the social season, nobles insulted me with far worse words. Concubine, witch. Compared to those insults, the retainers' words were almost reasonable criticism. My family wasn't helpful to Mort, and I couldn't even do the lady's job properly, so it was natural for them as subjects to be dissatisfied.
Knowing that, the reason I couldn't calm down was because Victor had heard bad things because of me.
His words that he wanted me by his side made me happy, and I thought I didn't care what others said. But seeing Victor treated as an unreasonable lord because of me upset me.
And the name that popped up at the end, Morteon. Who was that?
If I wasn't mistaken, that was clearly the 'heir's name' of the Mort family. A name given by slightly modifying the family name to the legitimate heir. I, Katarina, and the eldest children of most noble families had such names.
And 'Victor' was clearly not an heir's name.
"My Lady, dinner is ready."
Startled, I turned my head. Mary, with worried eyes, was carefully calling me. I forced a smile and headed to the dining room.
❖ ❖ ❖
Victor was already in the dining room. Seeing me, he smiled brightly and asked.
"Marion, did you have another enjoyable day?"
I nodded, avoiding his gaze. I couldn't possibly face Victor. The food came out soon, but I had no appetite and only picked at it.
Victor noticed right away.
"...Marion."
"Yes."
"Will you tell me what's wrong?"
I barely raised my head. Victor was looking at me with worried eyes. Seeing those amber-like eyes made my already blocked throat tighten even more. I didn't know where to even begin.
The insults I'd heard earlier, the meaningful words, the mounting questions...
I finally asked what I was most curious about.
"Do you know the name Morteon?"
Gasp.
Someone gasped.
I instinctively turned my head. The attendants holding water pitchers and napkins were pale and bowing their heads. Mary, the other maids too. Even Diederik looked a bit stiffened.
Frowning in puzzlement, I looked at the head seat.
—And for the first time in a while, I faced Victor, who had sunk to a terrifyingly low mood.
"Where did you hear that name?"
Victor had no expression. There was no affectionate smile or mischievous look like usual. The air froze in an instant.
My instinct sent a danger signal. 'Walking death' was right before my eyes.
A voice, terrifyingly low, asked again.
"Marion, where did you hear that name?"
"...Please, wait a moment."
I turned my head and dismissed all the attendants. Mary tried to say something, pale-faced, but I gestured for them all to leave.
Soon, only the two of us remained in the large, ornate dining room. I looked down at the untouched veal for a moment before looking at Victor again.
"I see you do know."
He raised his downcast eyes.
"Will you not answer my question?"
"I asked first."
Victor fell silent. His face was expressionless, deep in thought. I waited for his answer with my lips pressed in a tight line.
Soon, Victor spoke dryly.
"I had an older brother. Morteon Mort, my father's eldest son and the previous Grand Duke."
"..."
"But he passed away during the war."
For a moment, an indescribable pain crossed his face. It was fleeting, but I couldn't miss it. That agonized face I saw every dawn, when he woke up from a nightmare of hell and swung his sword, surfaced once again.
My heart plummeted. I overlapped my hand over his and apologized.
"I'm sorry for bringing up such a painful memory."
"No. I should have told you sooner."
Victor smiled bitterly.
"His name is practically a taboo in the castle. Because I... don't want to hear it."
"I understand."
"So now answer me. Where did you hear that name?"
I hesitated.
I didn't know how to say it. If I told him exactly what the retainers said, Victor would be upset. He might get angry or feel sorry. Just imagining it made my heart heavy.
But at the same time, I remembered what happened in the capital. How my withholding and hiding ultimately hurt everyone more. Victor, apologizing to me late that time, had looked truly sad. I didn't want to see that Victor again.
I looked up at him. Victor was quietly waiting for my words. After my hesitation, I made a decision.
It should be fine to tell him, right? Even though I've had some doubts recently, the Victor I've known is an affectionate and gentle person. If I come clean early, he'll surely resolve it like the merciful knight he is.
For the first time in my life, I tattled.
"From the retainers passing by the castle corridor today."
"..."
"They were complaining about not being able to manage the budget themselves, and said that thanks to my inability to manage the ledgers, they were able to erase some traces. And... they said they couldn't understand why you would keep a talentless woman like me as the Grand Duchess."
Victor remained silent. Only his bright yellow eyes gazed at me like a torch.
"Then they lamented that if Lord Morteon had been here, this wouldn't have happened. That's all."
I quietly finished speaking.
Silence flowed in the dining room for a long time. I looked at Victor anxiously.
Was he upset? Of course he was.
A bit deflated, I added.
"I'm sorry."
"About what?"
"Because of me, you had to hear things you shouldn't have."
As soon as the words fell, Victor lifted my hand. Hot kisses landed on every knuckle hardened with calluses.
He whispered earnestly.
"Please don't apologize, Marion. I'm the one who's sorry."
"Victor..."
"I was determined to never let this happen again, and yet..."
I couldn't see his expression clearly. His lowered eyelashes hid his eyes.
I barely managed to curve my lips up.
"It's okay. It's not a big deal?"
"..."
"Shall we eat now? The soup looks really delicious!"
I needlessly busily picked up my spoon. As I diligently ate the lukewarm soup, I felt Victor's gaze.
When I turned my head, he relaxed his stiff expression and gave me an extremely captivating smile. He pushed the warm potato soup toward me.
"Eat a lot, Marion. The chef put special care into it."
"Aren't you going to eat, Victor?"
"Did you still not know I don't eat that much?"
Victor smiled. Then he shook his head and pretended to sigh.
"Eight out of ten of the snacks you put in my office go into Kalz's mouth."
"Touching his lord's plate, what a bad knight."
Victor laughed. I inwardly sighed with relief and pulled the bowl closer.
Still, I was glad I spoke honestly. He didn't seem as angry as I thought.
We finished our dinner together with smiles.
❖ ❖ ❖
I returned to my room with the waiting maids. The maids were still frightened, but they didn't ask further and attended to me.
I changed into a shirt and trousers and headed to the bedroom.
Victor wasn't there yet. I opened the half-read
Dordofin in the book had finally obtained the Gorgon's venom and was returning to the tower where Flamberge was.
[Finally, Flamberge got her hands on that vile and foul venom.
"What are you going to use that for, my lady?"
Dordofin asked with a foolish face from below the tower.
Flamberge trickled the venom into the teapot and smiled as prettily as a blooming daffodil.
"I'm going to share it with the kind knights and drink it together.]
Beside it was an illustration of Flamberge and Dordofin. Flamberge in the picture was laughing with her mouth wide open, making her look terrifying rather than beautiful. In the corner, the guard knights guarding her were trembling while holding teacups laced with poison. But Dordofin, as always, only stared at Flamberge with a dumbfounded expression.
I turned the pages suspiciously.
No matter how I looked at it, it was suspicious. Why couldn't Dordofin notice? Because he was a fool?
While I was seriously pondering, someone wrapped their arms around my shoulders from behind.
"Is the book that fun?"
"Victor!"
I closed the book and looked up at him. He wore a robe and smelled of clean soap. The moment I saw his damp chest, I quickly averted my eyes. My cheeks flushed involuntarily.
'Put some... proper clothes on...'
Through the loosely tied cloth, his upper body was fully visible. Victor followed my gaze and beamed.
"What's wrong? Don't you like looking at me?"
"Don't tease me..."
I mumbled, placed the book on the nightstand, and faced Victor.
His fingers stroked my hair as if touching something precious. A lingering emotion seeped from his slow touch. I looked up at Victor as if spellbound.
Victor said in a voice without laughter.
"Marion, you saved me."
"..."
"Even if you offered me a fortune, I wouldn't trade you for anything."
He kissed the tip of my nose. I held my trembling breath and lifted my gaze.
Victor once again had those unfathomable, sunken eyes. He whispered.
"I don't care what others say. I only need you."
Goosebumps ran down my spine. Victor's solid arm pulled me into an embrace. My ears grew hot involuntarily. I breathed in the dizzying musk scent and closed my eyes.
"Thank you, Victor."
Soon, his lips met mine.
❖ ❖ ❖
The next day, I woke up to the sound of birdsong.
I stared at the ceiling for a while, recalling yesterday's memories. Victor kissing me and smiling softly was so handsome it made my heart ache. My ears were still burning even as I waited for him to wake up.
A foolish smile escaped me. Overcome with embarrassment, I thrashed under the covers before calling the maids.
"G-good morning, My Lady."
Huh?
I blinked.
Mary, holding the washbasin, was pale. The other maids also looked visibly stiff.
Was something going on? Even in my puzzlement, I washed my face and combed my hair. Then, slowly, something strange caught my eye.
The room was still dark. Normally, they would draw the curtains and open the windows as soon as they came in, but none of the maids were touching the curtains.
Why, I wondered, and after finishing dressing, I got out of bed and approached the window. I could just open it myself.
"My Lady, wait...!"
Before Mary could stop me, I drew back the curtain.
The bedroom was on the fourth floor of the inner castle. So the garden and the main street below the castle were clearly visible. It was a very far distance to see with the naked eye, but I had good eyesight even for a northerner, so I often looked down at Mort from there.
Normally, the main street's square was full of bustling merchants, street vendors, and onlookers. But today was different.
"What is that erected in the square?"
I asked with a frown. None of the maids answered.
I doubted my eyes and looked down at the square once more.
That wooden structure visible in the distance was like.
"It's an execution platform..."
An ominous premonition brushed past my back. I quickly turned my head. Sir Raoul had entered the room at some point and was standing silently.
I asked hastily.
"What's going on? Is someone being executed today?"
"I was ordered to keep silent about it, Your Grace."
"Raoul."
Raoul let out a deep sigh. He was Victor's knight, but by now we were quite close. We were the only ones who could share the kind of talk mercenaries would have, so we'd talked about all sorts of things.
I looked at the giant axe that had supposedly decapitated a dire wolf in one blow and bit my lip. Finally, the hesitating knight spoke.
"...I heard several retainers will be executed this morning. His Grace ordered it personally."
"What's the charge?"
"Embezzlement of the budget and the crime of maligning the lord's family."
I gritted my teeth. The ominous premonition was proving true.
There weren't many retainers who could touch the budget. So it was obvious who would be executed today. It was undoubtedly those I saw in the corridor yesterday.
I absolutely couldn't believe it. I thought Victor would certainly give a merciful judgment, so why would the lord of a land of knights impose such a cruel punishment?
Punishment and execution were sometimes necessary, but they shouldn't be abused for light matters. Not because I came from a land where human life was more precious than gold, but because a lord should naturally do so. That was what I had been taught.
I strode across the room.
"I need to see Victor."
As I approached the door, the knights blocked my way.
"The Grand Duke has ordered that Her Grace not come out."
I opened my mouth, closed it again, and looked back at Raoul. Raoul only stood there with a somber face.
I became even more incredulous.
"Was this Victor's direct order too?"
"...It was, My Lady."
"What if I insist on going out?"
Raoul fell silent. The apprentice knights glanced nervously but didn't budge from the door. Truly loyal knights.
But now was not the time to praise them.
"Raoul."
I said slowly.
"I have a sword right now."
"..."
Raoul's eyes sank even deeper.
I didn't like threatening others. My swordsmanship was gained to protect people, not learned to frighten anyone. Especially not weak people like these knights.
But right now, I was in a hurry.
At my words, the apprentice knights at the door looked puzzled. There was nothing in my hand.
But my words weren't a lie. This was the bedroom I shared with Victor, and the walls were full of weapons. Besides, the sword I used every night was next to the bed. Even snatching the swords from those young, clumsy knights would take less than a few seconds.
Knowing that fact, Raoul let out a groan of agony. I didn't want to torment him when he was only following orders, but I said it again.
"Please make sure I don't draw my sword."
"Your Grace, I received an order."
"Then disobey it."
I spat firmly.
Raoul's eyes widened.
"Isn't gold more important than orders, and life more important than gold? Don't you know that?"
"...Yes, that's right."
"So disobey the order."
Raoul immediately understood the mercenary idiom. It was a warning that I had no intention of going easy and would use force to achieve my purpose.
While he was conflicted, I picked up a long ribbon and tied my hair back. Mary quickly came and adjusted the shape.
When I finally raised my head, Sir Raoul gestured heavily.
"Step aside."
"But, Sir..."
"Do you want your head split in two? I'm saying this for your own sakes. Step aside."
Raoul grumbled. But his tone was firm. The hesitating knights finally stepped away from the door.
As I left the room, I gave him an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry, Raoul."
"Not at all, my lady. Please forgive the discourtesy of daring to block your way."
Sir Raoul put his hand on his chest, quite like a knight.
I'd have to apologize more properly later.
With a wry smile, I thought and left the room.
❖ ❖ ❖
Only Victor was in the Grand Duke's office, which I had rushed to. I deliberately made loud footsteps as I entered the office.
Victor lifted his gaze from the document he was reading. The voice that had whispered affection last night spoke plainly.
"I didn't think you'd be able to come out."
"Are you saying that sincerely?"
Did he really think such weak knights could stop me?
But Victor quietly nodded.
"You cherish the weak, so I thought you wouldn't be able to refuse their request."
"...How despicable of you, Victor."
Victor's eyes widened, then soon turned into a bitter smile. I looked down at him with a stiff face.
The Victor before me was unfamiliar. He was calm even after ordering an unjust death, and confessed he used his own knights to stop me. Not a single act was befitting a knight or a lord.
Even after spending months together, he felt like someone I was seeing for the first time. I suppressed my boiling insides and asked.
"Are the ones being executed today the retainers I told you about yesterday?"
"That's right."
"Is their crime a capital offense deserving of the death penalty?"
Victor answered dryly.
"Mort's code of law states that maligning the lord's family is punishable by hanging."
"You know that code of law is excessively cruel."
I shot back.
"Isn't that why you hid it from me? Because even you saw it as unjust?"
Birdsong rang out the window. The white office, brightly lit by the sun, was like a temple's prayer room. Victor sitting in it was as beautiful as ever, but regret heavily pressed down on my heart, making me feel nothing.
If I had known the price of being honest with Victor would be someone's death, I would never have opened my mouth.
I gritted my teeth and pleaded.
"Tell them to stop, Victor. Stop this and give a merciful punishment."
"They insulted you."
"If it's because of me, I hate it even more!"
My voice grew loud involuntarily. Victor looked at me with an unreadable face. I clenched my fists and said.
"I hate someone dying because of me. It's the thing I hate most in the world."
"..."
"Victor."
Silence fell for a moment. We kept making eye contact for a while.
After a short while, Victor called the butler.
"Diederik."
"You called, Your Grace."
I felt Diederik's presence from behind. Victor, still looking straight into my eyes, ordered.
"Tell them the Grand Duchess has ordered the execution to be halted. Return the prisoners to their cells."
"I will follow your command."
Click, the sound of a door closing.
I didn't avert my gaze. I didn't even say thank you. There was no reason to be grateful for a given.
In the end, Victor was the first to turn his head away. He rubbed his eyes and said.
"Do you know? I could have hidden it better. So you wouldn't know at all."
"Why didn't you?"
"Because you honestly told me. So I also wanted to be honest with you at least once."
"..."
He approached and cupped my face in one hand. His agonizing touch caressed my cheek.
"I want to protect you, Marion. That's all I want."
"But the method was wrong."
I shook my head. No matter how much I liked Victor, I couldn't agree with this method.
Death was the end of life and the termination of the future. Because of that, inflicting death on someone required extreme caution.
My life and Victor's life were different. Since birth, I had fought to the death with monsters to protect people, and Victor had fought fellow humans on the battlefield. So I could somewhat understand our different values.
But I too had a line I couldn't accept.
I pulled Victor's hand down.
"I've experienced more than enough death. I never want to see anyone die, absolutely not."
Victor didn't answer.
Without hesitation, I turned and headed for the door. The musk scent that had always intoxicated me gradually faded away.
❖ ❖ ❖
Afterward, Mary told me.
"The Grand Duke executed retainers before as well. Their families, and even the servants who moved their belongings, all of them."
Her white fingers anxiously smoothed her skirt. Mary hesitated several times before bowing her head deeply.
"After that, many people left the castle. The head butler, and even the head maid who was teaching us. His Grace immediately left for the battlefield after that, so we just stayed in the castle, but..."
"..."
"But so many people died then, My Lady. I still remember it. Even now..."
Mary's eyes moistened. Even now, as she spoke to me, she couldn't shake off the fear. She squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out.
"That's why I'm afraid of His Grace."
I couldn't continue speaking. The maids were all trembling as if standing before a hydra. Seeing the execution platform must have triggered their bad memories.
I tightly hugged the small maid.
"It's okay, Mary."
"I'm sorry, My Lady..."
"Don't worry, nothing like this will happen again."
I couldn't bring myself to say that Victor wasn't that scary of a person. Because I myself couldn't be certain.
The Victor I'd known was always affectionate and wonderful, just like the righteous knight in a knight's tale, but where the illusion fell away, there was a scarier truth than I'd thought.
I comforted the maids and sent them out before sitting on the sofa. Opening
The terrifyingly smiling Flamberge and the foolish Dordofin. Dordofin had just stood there blankly even after seeing her poison the teapot.
The cruel and beautiful Flamberge cried out.
["Ah, Dordofin! Now bring me a sword. Find me the dragon's sword that can cut through anything. I won't hurt anyone. I just want to prettily trim the flowers in the garden."
Then Dordofin said.
"I will bring you anything. My beloved lady."]
I silently looked down at the book. Dordofin's blank expression particularly stuck in my eyes today.
Did Dordofin not know, or was he pretending not to know?
And did I not know, or was I pretending not to know?
Even when I briefly heard the reason why the Welsh family had shut their doors, and even when the knights and servants persistently gave me looks, I firmly believed that Victor couldn't be a cruel person. I was the one who believed that.
Because I wanted to believe it. Because Victor was the gentleman in my fantasy. Because he was the owner of the tenderness that melted me, and because he was a knight who was only strong and wonderful.
But once sprouted, doubt covered my heart like creeping vines. The suspicion that he might not be the person I knew.
❖ ❖ ❖
Victor didn't appear at dinner time either. Instead of calling him, I ordered snacks to be brought to the Grand Duke's office. Diederik followed my instructions without asking twice.
I finished my meal alone, bathed, changed clothes, and entered the bedroom.
Victor appeared in the bedroom only very late at night. At his silent gesture, the attendants extinguished the candles one by one.
Victor suddenly asked.
"Do you want to go outside?"
I looked at him quietly. Submerged in the dim darkness, he looked exhausted. Just like the day we first met.
I shook my head.
"No."
"Understood."
He quietly laid his head on the pillow. I stroked the sword handle and fell silent.
The castle where the master was silent was quiet. The square where the execution platform must have been removed, the village, and even the rocky mountains were all the same. In it, Victor's whisper was heard all the more clearly.
"That's enough for me..."
Victor's eyes slowly closed. I carefully looked down at Victor's disheveled hair, straight forehead, and closed lips.
I suddenly became curious.
What kind of dream did he have? What exactly was the nightmare that took away this peacefully sleeping him? What kind of life did the Victor I didn't know, the Victor I hadn't known, live?
I held the sword a bit tighter and curled up on the bed.