Chapter 5. To the Battlefield Part 1

Mort's summer had reached its peak. From the morning, scorching sunlight poured in through the window.

I rubbed my eyes and got out of bed. As had been the case lately, the spot next to me was already empty. When I rang the bell, the maids quickly brought in cool honey tea and a washbasin. I drank the honey tea and asked.

"Where is His Highness?"

"He just finished his meal and went into his office."

"I see, thank you."

At my words, the maids glanced at each other. I pretended not to notice and washed my face with the cool water sprinkled with flower petals.

It had already been over two weeks since the subtle cold war with Victor began. Ever since the execution incident, I had been consistently avoiding Victor, and he hadn't made any effort to find me either.

To be honest, I was still confused. To think that Victor, who had always been kind and gentle, was actually cruel enough to send someone to the gallows without hesitation. The disquiet filled the space where the illusions I had built up had crumbled. Even though it was all just my own delusions.

With a complicated feeling, I picked up a mushroom pie topped with cream and ate it. After finishing my meal and dressing, Mary asked cautiously.

"My Lady, the vassals are waiting again today, saying they wish to see you. Shall I let them in?"

I sighed.

After the execution was canceled, some vassals had been coming every day, wanting to meet me. They said they wanted to express their gratitude.

But I turned them away every time. I saved them because it was my duty as a knight. I didn't want to receive gratitude for something like that. Besides, they were the same people who had spoken ill of me not too long ago.

So today, I said the same thing.

"Tell them to return."

"Yes, My Lady."

Mary bowed and left the room.

Once the maids left, the large lady's chambers quickly grew quiet. I sat on the sunlit sofa and opened volume 2 of . I had been reading books much more often lately in an effort to shake off thoughts of Victor.

The protagonist of the book, the foolish wandering knight Doldophin, was heading to a dragon's nest to find a sword that could cut anything, as demanded by the Archduchess Flamberge.

["……The giant dark wolf scratched its head.

"Why on earth would a person go all the way to a dragon's nest?"

Doldophin, wearing a tin pot on his head, answered proudly.

"The treasure my Lady desires is there."

The wolf sneered loudly.

"You pathetic noble, that Lady just wants to make a roast out of you!"]

I silently turned the pages. Every time I read the book, my mind kept drifting to Victor, which troubled me. It was partly because of the content, but more than anything, it was because I remembered Victor saying he loved this book. Thinking of a young Victor turning the pages until the cover wore out made me feel strange again.

Victor's smile as he said he liked books was genuine. It was hard to believe that his innate gentleness and the affection he whispered as he kissed me were all lies.

But in reality, didn't I know nothing about the 'real' Victor? I had just spent my time completely spellbound in his arms.

I stroked the pages, struggling to lift my spirits from sinking once again. As I was trying to read the words that wouldn't sink in, someone suddenly opened the door in a hurry.

"My Lady!"

It was Mary.

Startled as well, I asked.

"What is it?"

To my question, Mary replied with a very peculiar expression.

"Some ruffians are at the castle gate, saying they're looking for 'Skinny'?"

I jumped up in genuine surprise.

❖ ❖ ❖

The promise that they would look for 'Skinny' if they learned any information about the monsters' abnormal behavior. I had half-forgotten the promise I made with the mercenaries I met on the way to Mort.

Still, Mary seemed to remember my previous request to let me know if anyone came looking for 'Skinny'. She had run here immediately after hearing the news from the gatekeeper.

I ordered them to be brought into the lady's drawing-room, then hurried out of the room. Sir Raoul, who was outside the door, followed me in surprise.

"Where are you going in such a hurry, My Lady?"

"I have guests who came to see me. They're probably people from the 'Troll's Right Calf' mercenary company."

"...Why would those folks come looking for you, My Lady?"

Sir Raoul frowned. As a former mercenary, Raoul seemed to already know who they were. The Mercenary King's direct intelligence unit that roamed the entire continent. It was definitely strange for such people to come looking for the Archduchess.

As I went down the stairs, I briefly explained what had happened between them and me.

That encountering an Ulg on the way to Mort seemed suspicious, so I went to a tavern to find mercenaries, and that I paid for information with the Ulg's poison gland. And that they promised to come and tell me as soon as they learned any detailed information.

After listening to the whole story, Raoul reacted not much differently from Victor back then.

"Please leave such things to us! Why would a Lady go to a den of those scoundrels?"

"How could I send you to such a dangerous place?"

"...My Lady..."

Sir Raoul momentarily wore an expression of someone with a lot to say. But, as always, he quickly understood.

"Indeed, that is the safest method. Who would dare pick a fight with you, My Lady."

Muttering something to himself, Raoul soon straightened his back.

Before I knew it, the drawing-room was right in front of us. Sir Raoul politely opened the door.

"Please enter, Your Highness."

I stepped in slowly.

❖ ❖ ❖

The rarely used lady's drawing-room was nonetheless beautiful. The room, elegantly decorated with white stone, opals, and gold paint, had sofas made of pure white wolf skin placed here and there. In the marble vases were crystal-carved lilies, the price of which was hard to even guess.

Admiring the sight once again, I approached the tea table. On the sofa in front of the table sat the tall woman and the heavily bearded man I had met at the tavern before.

Were they 'String Bean' and 'Stumpy'? When my footsteps stopped, the mercenaries stood up and bowed stylishly.

"We greet the mistress of the Land of Knights, the Archduchess of Mort."

"Raise your heads."

They slowly raised their heads. Then their mouths dropped open.

"You are... so you're?"

"That's right. I am the Archduchess of Mort. And also 'Skinny'."

The two mercenaries' eyes grew as wide as saucers. They seemed so surprised they couldn't even speak properly. I felt inexplicably awkward and fiddled with the hem of my dress.

I didn't expect them to be this surprised. Should I have told them I was the Archduchess back then?

As I was thinking, the maids brought in the tea set. The two mercenaries and I sat awkwardly, just watching as cute, flower-like desserts were laid out.

As soon as the maids left, String Bean blurted out.

"When the noble Archduchess suddenly asked for us, I thought you wanted me to kill your husband's mistress, but you were that very Archduchess!"

"Honestly, I was really surprised. Didn't you say you did mercenary work before you got married? How could someone like an Archduchess..."

I laughed like a sigh.

"I wasn't exactly a mercenary. I just worked with them often."

"That's even more suspicious. What noble lady would work with mercenaries?"

"...Wait. If you're the Archduchess, then the man who came to pick you up that time..."

Stumpy suddenly trailed off.

I caught the meaning of his words and nodded readily.

"That's right. My husband, the Archduke of Mort."

"Good heavens!"

As Stumpy opened his mouth, String Bean burst into loud laughter.

I tilted my head to the side.

What was so funny?

But String Bean roared with laughter, even slapping Stumpy on the back.

"The guy who was terrified of his wife running away was 'Walking Death'! Wouldn't a dragon faint in surprise at that!"

"I find it a bit chilling... Imagine if he got mad and slit our throats."

"Then we would have become a legend of the mercenary company forever!"

String Bean giggled again. I smiled ambiguously and looked at them.

To be honest, after seeing only polite maids in the castle all day, I wasn't used to seeing them. Mercenaries were originally people who lacked manners and were proud of it, but every word they said would make Mary faint if she heard it.

Seeing my expression, Stumpy briefly apologized.

"I'm sorry. I heard the rumor that 'Walking Death' took a wife, but I really didn't know you'd be someone like this."

"I understand. Who would imagine an Archduchess who hangs out with mercenaries?"

"Yeah, you played the part perfectly..."

After thinking for a moment, he asked.

"What exactly is your identity? What did you do to pull off impersonating a mercenary so well?"

I hesitated to answer for a moment.

In truth, I didn't have a name worth bringing up. I wasn't a famous knight like Victor, nor a renowned mercenary or a high-ranking noble. I was just a rural lady from the frontier who knew nothing but how to wield a sword.

At that moment, Raoul, who had been silent all along, stepped forward.

"This is Her Highness Amarion Mort. Before her marriage, she was Amarion of Amari."

I looked up at Sir Raoul in bewilderment. I couldn't understand why he was introducing my name.

However, the atmosphere among the mercenaries changed in an instant. String Bean asked with a serious expression.

"Is it that Amari I'm thinking of?"

"Yes. The heir of Amari at the edge of the North."

String Bean's eyes deepened. Stumpy, whose eyes were barely visible under his bushy eyebrows, was the same.

After scrutinizing my face for a long time, she spat out.

"You were an outrageous big shot."

"What do you mean?"

"Many mercenaries still talk about you."

I frowned. I really didn't understand.

It was true that I had worked with quite a few mercenaries. Amari was always short on people, so when the monster waves rushed in during the winter, we had to spend all our savings to hire them.

That was also the reason I knew where the excellent mercenary companies were. Honestly, they were only about as skilled as the Amari Knight Order, but as mercenaries, they knew how to hunt monsters very well. Plus, they were cheerful and often talked to me, who lacked sociability.

But other than that, we hadn't done anything together. All I had were memories of endlessly cutting down monsters with them behind me. So why would the mercenaries talk about me?

But the three people besides me were as serious as could be. As if that alone explained everything.

Stumpy stroked his unkempt beard.

"If you are Amarion, it makes sense that you're interested in the monster situation. We only brought simple information, so this is embarrassing."

"Yeah. If you had revealed your name, we would have scraped up all the news from your hometown and brought it."

"Please don't!"

I shook my head hastily.

Mercenary information was expensive, and I didn't have any gold coins to pay right now. The castle's finances were still managed by Diedrick.

The mercenaries looked at me with thoughtful faces and then opened their mouths.

"...If you say so, we'll tell you the information we brought first. Simply put, the northern part of the Empire is a mess right now."

String Bean took out a map. It was a crudely drawn map of Mort and the northern region. Small letters and numbers were written all over the map.

"Here... the marked places are where monsters have increased more than usual. There are monsters we've never seen before, and some are living in places that aren't their habitats."

"Has this happened before?"

"Well, the numbers have increased or decreased every year, but it's the first time they've increased this much."

I scanned the map with worry. I wasn't familiar with Mort's geography yet, but I could tell the situation in the east was particularly serious.

I narrowed my brow and asked.

"What do you think is the cause?"

The two mercenaries exchanged glances quickly. Stumpy looked at me once and Raoul once before opening his mouth.

"We're guessing it's because the Mort Knight Order left the territory for a long time. It's probably because the knight order, which would have regularly subjugated monsters, was away at the war for years."

"...I actually heard that the main duty of the knight order before the war was monster subjugation. It's only natural for problems to arise when a force of that size leaves its post for so long."

Raoul also agreed.

But I couldn't shake off my doubts.

Was that really all?

Monsters were living creatures with their own ecosystem. They were affected by weather and natural predators, so there was a limit to how much their numbers could increase. It was too strange for their numbers to increase this much and even their habitats to change just because they were neglected for a few years.

There definitely seemed to be something else. Whatever it was, if only I could go and see for myself...

At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Marion."

I took a sharp breath.

Familiar footsteps, the scent of musk I liked, slowly approached. Soon, a large hand wrapped around my shoulder.

"I heard we have guests."

A low voice said. I slowly turned my head and called his name.

"...Victor."

The Archduke smiled a silky smile. I secretly caught my breath.

It had been a very long time since I faced Victor in the daytime. He looked somewhat tired. His body in the black shirt was as solid as always, but there was an unmistakable shadow under his eyes.

But his characteristic elegant demeanor remained. He naturally came and sat next to me.

"I hope I'm not interrupting your conversation."

"No, Your Highness the Archduke."

String Bean replied uncomfortably. Unlike before, they found Victor quite intimidating. Well, the situation and the atmosphere were completely different from back then.

He gestured for the mercenaries, who were about to stand and pay their proper respects, to sit back down. At the same time, his golden eyes quickly scanned the map.

"Were you talking about the monster movements?"

"Yes, that's right."

"As expected, the mercenaries' map is more accurate. Does the mercenary side also think the reason for the increase in monsters is Mort's poor security?"

The mercenaries looked surprised. Their faces showed they hadn't expected the lord to readily admit his own mistake. But they skillfully hid their agitation.

String Bean answered.

"It's not exact, but yes. Because there is no other convincing reason. It's already a famous story that Mort, without its knight order, hasn't been able to properly subjugate monsters for the past few years."

"That matches what I've been reported. What's the situation outside Mort?"

"It's all generally similar. The monsters' habitats have changed, and monsters rarely seen in the North, like Fire Wolves or Sunflower Drakas, are occasionally spotted."

Victor stared at the map for a long time. Then he said.

"I plan to send a subjugation force to various parts of Mort soon. If the subjugation is finished before the millet farming starts, it will also ease the mercenaries' worries."

"But won't it be dangerous?"

I finally couldn't hold back and interjected.

It bothered me to send such weak knights to a place swarming with monsters. With such large numbers, would it be okay for just them to go?

Victor quietly explained to me.

"The most dangerous monster in this region is an Ulg, Marion. It's a monster the knight order has hunted dozens of times. Even if their habitat has changed, subjugating them won't be difficult."

"But."

"As I said before, my knights aren't that weak."

I forced down the words that were about to come out.

Right, I had a bad feeling, but that was just my emotion. If the opponents were mostly Wolves or Drakas, even the knights could catch them, and if it was something they did every year, it wouldn't be difficult. Even if it was an Ulg, if there were many people, they would somehow be able to handle it.

In the end, I nodded. Victor smiled, only the corners of his lips raising, and looked at the mercenaries once again.

"...It seems we're roughly done. May we get up now?"

The mercenaries, who had been watching us closely, nodded.

When Victor stood up, I also stood up accordingly. It was etiquette for a spouse to stand up together. Actually, I wanted to talk a little more, but this was enough to hear everything we needed to.

Victor gave a final courtesy.

"Thank you for coming all the way here. Thanks to you, I won't need to send a separate scouting party. Please convey the subjugation plan to the mercenary company as well."

"...Understood, Your Highness."

"Please drop by again at a more leisurely time. I will welcome you as my wife's guests."

He clicked his chin elegantly and headed for the drawing-room door.

Instinctively, I was about to follow Victor when I suddenly turned my head.

The mercenaries were staring intently at me. Unfathomable, sunken eyes shifted between me and Victor's back.

Suddenly, String Bean blurted out.

"I won't ask why you are in a place like this. Since it's you, you must have your reasons. ...Call us anytime you need us."

After finishing her words, she bowed deeply. It was different from the exaggerated bow earlier; it was the stiff and solemn salute of mercenaries. I watched the scene with surprise and nostalgia.

It was a rare sight. One I had only seen on the snowy fields of my hometown.

I nodded in return and then slipped out of the drawing-room.

❖ ❖ ❖

Victor and I walked quietly down the corridor.

I was still chewing on the doubts I had felt earlier.

How did the mercenaries know me? 'Troll's Right Calf' was definitely a mercenary company I had never hired.

The state of the monsters, stranger than I thought, was also on my mind. I didn't know much about Mort's security system, but with that level, the damage must have been significant.

Would the knight order really be enough?

At that moment, a low voice resonated from beside me.

"It's been a long time since we walked like this, too."

I stopped and looked back at Victor. Eyes like molten gold were looking at me quietly. Seeing him up close, the fatigue I had glimpsed earlier was vivid. A question popped out before I even realized it.

"Did you not sleep properly?"

Victor's expression became subtle. He shook his head.

"No, not really."

"That's a relief."

"You..."

He bit his lip, about to say something. A bitter look briefly flashed across his beautiful face. Averting his gaze, he changed the subject.

"Please tell me in advance the next time you meet guests. I'm still worried about you meeting outsiders."

"They are people you've met as well."

"Did I...? Anyway, I'm asking you. I'm afraid you might get hurt."

I quietly looked up at him. Affection dripped from his gaze. It was a gaze that made me want to forget all doubt and confusion.

I closed my eyes tightly, then opened them, and asked the question I had wanted to ask for days.

"Are you eating your meals properly?"

"..."

Victor was silent. It was a question we both knew the answer to.

I quietly entreated him.

"Please eat properly. Don't keep skipping meals just because you're not eating with me."

I actually wanted to say something else. Let's have dinner together and talk about what happened today, let's just go back to the happy days at the capital mansion like before, I wanted to say that.

But I still hadn't reached a conclusion. How to deal with the unfamiliar and cruel side of him that I hadn't known.

As if he understood that, Victor gave a small nod.

"...If that is what you want, I will do so."

"..."

"See you tonight."

Victor pulled the back of my hand and kissed it, then left.

I stood still and watched his broad back. My chest felt tight, like it was going to explode.

❖ ❖ ❖

Late summer nights came slowly. I finished dinner alone and went up to the lady's chambers to take a bath. The maids quickly brought cool ointment and massaged my neck.

Mort was on the cool side, but the Empire's summer was still hard to endure for a northerner like me. So the servants would always find ways to chase away the heat like this every day.

"It's cool. Thank you."

At my words, Mary bowed her flushed head.

"It's nothing, My Lady. We just want to help even a little..."

Ah. I could guess what she meant. I smiled bitterly.

The mistress they served had been down in the dumps for the past few weeks, so they must have been worried. A feeling of sorryness washed over me for causing worry to such young girls.

After putting on a thin shirt, I patted the maids' heads and headed to the bedroom.

Not long after, Victor appeared. I put away the book I was reading and looked at Victor. The body visible through the thin gown was still alluring, but instead of blushing and covering my clothes, I just averted my gaze.

He lay down next to me, and the lights went out. For a while, only faint breathing sounds filled the room.

"Marion."

"Yes."

I turned my head. The moonlight filtering through the curtains dimly lit the side of Victor's face. It was still an incredibly beautiful sight.

"Have a good dream."

I nodded quietly.

"You too, Victor."

No answer came back. Only the sound of insects filled the silence. I sat curled up next to him, staring across the room.

How much time had passed?

I sensed a presence and looked down at the spot next to me. As expected, Victor was awake, staring at the ceiling. But he didn't get out of bed. His hazy eyes, caught by the flickering candlelight, soon disappeared beneath his eyelids. After a brief silence, his even breathing returned.

I watched the scene wordlessly.

Victor had been like this lately. He still woke up at dawn, but he didn't get up or swing his sword. He just opened his eyes for a moment and went back to sleep. It was proof that his illness was almost cured.

Even though my feelings for Victor were a mess, I was truly glad about this one thing. I was glad that he was finally freed from his dreadful nightmares, that he was released from the symptoms that made him worry about hurting others every night. Now Victor would truly become happy, and it seemed only peace would come to the castle.

I put down my sword and approached him.

His face up close only looked gentle. It was a face I couldn't have even imagined when we first met. Dark intimidation and ferocious murderous intent. The things that made up his first impression had long since changed into soft gentleness.

Suddenly, a hope rose in me. Maybe we could really live happily from now on. Without Victor's cruelty ever showing, slowly learning about each other's pasts, couldn't we become an ideal couple?

It was true that there was a side of him I hadn't known, but he was still this gentle.

I looked down at him and made a decision.

I would tell Victor everything tomorrow. That his illness is all better. That now, when the busy times are over, we might even be able to go on a trip together. That despite everything, I want to know more about him.

I resolved to make such a confession.

But the next day, the hope was shattered before it could even be spoken.

❖ ❖ ❖

It was dawn, before the sun had even risen. I snapped my eyes open at the faint sound of a commotion.

It wasn't a sound I usually heard. Carriages, excited horses, people shouting. Even from a distance, I could hear it clearly.

'What's going on?'

I was about to rush out immediately, but looked back at Victor, who was fast asleep.

Once he fell asleep, he wouldn't wake up to just any noise... Just in case, I closed the window where the sound was coming from, grabbed my sword, and left the room.

There wasn't a soul in the corridor. But as I went down the stairs, the commotion grew louder. And when I finally reached the first floor, my eyes widened in shock.

"Bring hot water right now! And herbs too!"

"There are many wounded, move them one by one on stretchers!"

"Are the rooms ready? What about the ointment and styptics!"

"What in the world..."

I opened and closed my mouth like a fish.

The castle lobby was completely chaotic. The front door was wide open, and injured, bleeding people were constantly being carried into the castle. The servants were running around frantically, tending to the wounded.

And among them, I found a familiar face and was so surprised I felt like I would faint.

"Katarina?"

The heir of the Catalleon Marquis family, a great noble of the South. The owner of the wealthiest merchant guild in the Empire. My close friend Katarina was lying on an old stretcher, in agony.

"Katarina!"

I ran to her in a single breath. The attendants gave me surprised looks, but that wasn't what was important right now.

"What on earth is this..."

"Amarion...?"

Recognizing me, she tried to say something but grimaced and grabbed her stomach. I widened my eyes at the clawed wound revealed between her clothes. It was a vicious wound that an ordinary person would never see in their lifetime. Blood gushed out from her abdomen, which looked as if it had been simultaneously slashed by multiple sharp blades.

Healers rushed over and sprinkled alcohol and a hemostatic powder on the wound. Katarina let out a painful groan.

"My Lady."

Diedrick hurriedly approached me as I barely tore my eyes away. Before I could ask anything, the old butler explained.

"They are the Catalleon Merchant Guild. They say they were attacked by a swarm of monsters on their way to Mort."

"Where?"

"Not far from here, near the border. They said sand-colored monsters that looked like bats were flying in swarms and spitting fire..."

"Gargoyles. They usually don't swarm, so why..."

I bit my lip.

Gargoyles were monsters that lived in caves in frigid regions, characterized by their fire-breathing heads and blade-sharp claws.

They usually appeared alone or in pairs, so even a merchant caravan's escort should have been enough to handle them. So why on earth?

Questions arose, but for now, sorting out the mess was more urgent. I hurriedly surveyed my surroundings. There were quite a few wounded, but fortunately, the servants were quickly tending to the injured under Diderich's command.

As I had done in Amari, I moved about, picking out those with particularly severe wounds and bringing them to the healers. Each time I called, healers and attendants came rushing at once.

"I'll staunch the bleeding, so start wiping over here first!"

At the healer's words, the attendants fell to work wiping away blood. I quickly stepped back so as not to get in the way.

It was utter chaos. After ordering the maids to bring out more ointments, I returned for the moment to Katarina.

"Are you alright, Katarina?"

Having finished treatment, Katarina looked to be in better shape than before. She nodded with difficulty.

"Yes. Thank you for caring for my people, Amarion."

"It was all the servants' doing. Don't strain yourself to speak; rest for now. You must be in so much pain……"

I looked down at her with furrowed brows. To me, who remembered only Katarina smiling in a splendid ballroom, this sight was a shock in itself. But Katarina shook her head.

"No, I still wished to give my thanks. If the people of Mort Castle hadn't helped us, we would all be dead."

"That…… What in the world happened?"

She let out a sigh, her face beading with cold sweat.

"We were simply unlucky. After finishing trade with the Eastern Kingdom and traveling up along the border toward Mort, a horde of monsters I've never seen in my life came swarming in, didn't they?"

She bit her lip after speaking.

"Those giant beasts breathing fire and tearing apart the wagons…… Thanks to the Mort knights who fought hard as our escort, there were no deaths, but we had to abandon everything we carried and flee."

Katarina coughed heavily. I quickly handed her a bowl of water. After wetting her throat, she looked straight at me.

"I never spare expense on escorts, Amarion. I always hire only the best. But to think that even Mort's senior knights couldn't withstand the enemy——this is the first time I've experienced such a thing."

My thoughts multiplied in an instant. I gripped the sword in my hand tightly.

It felt as though the foreboding I had felt yesterday had suddenly become reality. It hadn't been marked on the map the mercenaries had shown me, but when monsters changed their behavior, their threat level naturally changed as well. Gargoyles usually didn't even leave their caves, but if they happened to meet others of their kind, they would flock together. They had become a horde, making them far more threatening than usual.

But why had the gargoyles left their caves in the first place? Had they stopped hunting for several years? Impossible.

Something was definitely going on. Something very strange, and dangerous.

And knights who couldn't even properly handle a horde of gargoyles would be unable to deal with whatever it was, no matter what.

I didn't quite understand why Katarina thought so highly of Mort's knights but…… honestly, in my eyes, they were far too weak. If they rushed out to subjugate the monsters, someone might get hurt. The thought made my heart burn with anxiety. And Katarina had ended up like this while coming to meet me, no less.

Guilt washed over me. I bowed my head deeply.

"I'm truly sorry, Katarina. If I hadn't invited you here……"

"How is that Amarion's fault?"

Katarina smiled. Even in this situation, she spoke in a confident tone.

"I simply wanted to taste Mort's famous honey wine. You surely have some, don't you?"

"……Yes, once you've recovered, I will treat you without fail. So please rest well until then."

I forced a smile.

Katarina nodded. Though she smiled back, her face was still haggard.

I gave her hand one last tight squeeze before letting go and rising.

❖ ❖ ❖

Victor had only woken after all the wounded were settled. That was because I had earnestly asked that he not be woken. No matter how much his illness had improved, I didn't want to disturb his sleep.

The awakened Victor quickly grasped the situation upon receiving Diderich's report. When told that the wounded had been moved to vacant guest rooms, luggage unpacked, and horses tended to, Victor let out a sigh.

"You should have woken me. You both must have been very busy."

"No. More importantly, I have a request."

"What is it?"

"Please let me join the monster subjugation force."

At my words, Victor's face hardened in an instant. He looked as though he had heard something he absolutely should not have.

The Grand Duke, silent for a moment, asked:

"Why?"

"Because I am worried."

I answered simply and then explained in detail what I had heard from Katarina.

The Catalian merchant caravan had been devastated despite being escorted by Mort knights; the same could happen to the subjugation force. The situation might be graver than the map indicated. Then wouldn't my going along be of help?

But Victor remained silent the whole time. Eventually, he opened his mouth.

"There is no need for you to go as well."

"But."

"I understand your concern, but my knights are not so weak. The planned forces alone will be sufficient."

It was a stubborn tone.

I couldn't understand. It was a lord's duty to use every available asset; why was he opposed? I was at least stronger than Mort's knights, so I should be of some help.

I tried to persuade him once more.

"Is it not better to have even one more knight? There will be something I can do to help."

"You are not just a knight; you are the Grand Duchess."

But Victor was adamant.

"How could I send the mistress of the territory to such a dangerous place? It would be a disgrace to my knights as well."

"Victor."

"Marion, please."

I looked up in surprise.

Victor wore an expression of deep agitation that I had never seen before. An indescribable pain contorted his face. He spat out:

"Please, just stay here. I beg you."

"……"

I couldn't say a single word. There was no way I could argue further with Victor making such a face.

In the end, I nodded silently. Only then did he seem relieved, and Victor smiled gently.

"I heard that young Lady Katarina is among the wounded. Please be a pillar of strength by her side."

"……I understand."

"When the young lady recovers, we shall hold a grand welcome banquet. I shall gather all the neighboring nobles and have them prepare your favorite foods."

His voice was so tender, as though asking what he couldn't do for her. But I lowered my head and looked down at my sword.

I knew that he worried for me. Whatever his methods, his desire to protect me was sincere.

In the past, the affection shown by such a captivating man might have left me entirely spellbound. But now, I couldn't feel that way. Perhaps because I knew how extreme his "methods" could be. Even though my heart hadn't grown cold.

Someone called out to me as I brooded bitterly.

"Your Grace, the healers are looking for His Grace!"

I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them, pulling free of my dark thoughts. After exchanging a brief glance with Victor, I returned to where the patients were.

❖ ❖ ❖

The days that followed were a frantic blur. Victor was busy organizing the subjugation force, and I was occupied caring for the guests.

Diderich worked with great competence, but there were duties I had to perform as the lady of the house. Leaving even my escorts behind, I visited the sick, personally nursed the guests, and busily moved about. I ordered that all medicinal herbs and ointments be used without sparing, and separately hired healers from the village.

Maeri worried about me, busier than ever before, but I was rather glad to have less time to think about Victor.

I needed to tell him that his illness was improving too. But since he hadn't fully recovered yet, it could wait until later.

Putting off such thoughts, I entered the guest room where Katarina was staying.

"Katarina, how are you feeling?"

"Amarion!"

Katarina, sitting up in bed, raised her head gladly.

"You've come at a good time; I was just bored."

"Is there anything uncomfortable?"

"Not at all. The healers you sent for are quite skilled."

She smiled brightly. I returned the smile and sat beside her bed.

These days, I stopped by her room——which doubled as a sickroom——every afternoon to chat. She had asked me to keep her company, as she was bored while recovering quickly from her wounds.

She mainly told me rumors from the capital, and I spoke of life in Mort.

Strangely, she seemed greatly troubled by the fact that I had stayed inside the castle for an entire month.

"I saw it in your letters, but is it true you have stayed only inside the castle? At the Grand Duke's request?"

"Yes."

"……I rushed here, worried that might be the case, and sure enough. That man……"

Katarina muttered something unintelligible. I tilted my head, not quite understanding.

"I was fine, you know? This castle is truly comfortable. The people are kind as well."

Katarina started to say something but closed her mouth. Then she suddenly began talking about a confectionery shop that was popular in the capital. I participated in the small talk, puzzled though I was.

Truthfully, what I most wanted to talk about was my grievances regarding Victor, but even to Katarina, I didn't wish to speak ill of him.

So instead, I focused on happy stories. Tales of madeleines topped with sliced almonds, airy chiffon dresses that were all the rage among noblewomen, and the masquerade balls held daily at the imperial palace helped drive away dark thoughts.

After chatting amiably for a while, a knock suddenly sounded.

"I'm coming in."

The door opened with a gruff voice. I was startled to see red hair through the gap.

"Sir Kalts!"

It was a face I hadn't seen in a long time. The red-haired knight, Kalts of Denion, discovered me and bowed his head deeply.

"I greet My Lady."

Sir Kalts approached with sluggish steps. They said he had been so busy with subjugation preparations lately that he hadn't time to sleep; his complexion was haggard enough to rival a patient's.

But why was he in Katarina's sickroom?

The knight, noticing my gaze, explained peevishly:

"The Denion territory borders the Catalian territory. My father and Count Catalian are also close friends. If he found out I hadn't come to visit the young lady of Catalian, he would undoubtedly fly into a rage."

"Oh my, with such an ulterior motive, it is difficult to accept your visit purely."

Katarina interjected with a grin. At the same time, Kalts's face crumpled. It was a far cry from his usual smooth manner before ladies.

I blinked round eyes, looking back and forth between the two.

What was this?

Katarina covered her mouth with a pale hand and laughed.

"Truthfully, I'm still surprised that Sir Kalts has become such a proper knight. As a child, he was a troublemaker who would splash muddy water on others' skirts."

Kalts smiled back just as brightly.

"And I never imagined that the ferocious young lady who cared for nothing but money would become a celebrated lady of high society."

His tone was soft, but it was practically verbal abuse.

I somehow couldn't hold back a laugh. I forced a stern expression.

"Sir Kalts, you must observe courtesy to a lady."

"If there is one person I would never serve as a lady, even if I died, it would be her."

Kalts grumbled. Katarina immediately pressed a hand to her forehead in exaggerated distress.

"Ah, this stings more than the wounds the monsters dealt. I feel as though I cannot bear it unless I write to Count Denion at once."

"You——!"

"What?"

The bickering continued for some time after that.

Hmm. Was this why he had said he'd never attend a ball hosted by House Catalian, even if it killed him?

I secretly giggled, recalling Sir Kalts during the social season. It was truly novel to see the two of them, who always employed perfect social decorum, growling at each other. If Katarina hadn't been injured by the monsters, I would have suggested the three of us have tea together.

As I thought this, a question I had set aside suddenly flitted through my mind.

The monsters. The subjugation force should be nearly assembled by now. Would the Mort knights alone truly be enough?

I carefully interjected between the two who were glaring at each other.

"Sir, I have a question."

"Please ask, My Lady."

Kalts immediately answered with courtesy. I asked carefully:

"Can the knights truly subjugate all the monsters by themselves? Victor said so, but……"

Suddenly, a shadow fell across Kalts's face. His usually somewhat youthful face looked his age. He glanced at Katarina and muttered gloomily:

"Actually, no. The situation is unexpectedly grave."

The knight pressed his lips tightly before continuing:

"Griffins have descended from the mountains to attack people, and there are reports of dark wolves appearing in broad daylight. Merchants suffering damage, including the Catalian caravan, have increased as well. Despite the information the mercenaries provided, there are too many variables. I don't believe we can resolve this perfectly on our own."

"……"

"As chief of staff, I believe His Grace must go with us."

I sprang up from my seat in alarm.

"No! Victor is still ill; you can't speak of another campaign."

"That weighs on my mind as well, but……"

"What if I went instead?"

Silence fell immediately.

The knight's blue gaze fixed on me. It was a look of calculating something. Eventually, he opened his mouth:

"I am a knight sworn to this land, My Lady. That is why I can gladly step forward even in such danger. But your land is elsewhere, is it not?"

"That is of no importance."

I said resolutely.

"I cannot stand by with folded hands while people are being hurt. To have the ability to help and not do so is a deception."

"……"

"I have always lived thus. It is the only way I know how to live."

Strength entered my hands.

There had never been a day when I could fight but chose not to. From the first day I picked up a sword, I had always lived with the belief that if I did not fight, someone else would die.

And indeed, it had been so. There were too many weak people in my homeland. What ended as a small scratch for me could be a fatal wound to another, and a monster I could cut down in a single exchange was an enemy more terrifying than a dragon to someone else.

That was why I could not rest. Not for a single moment.

It was unbearably hard, but it couldn't be helped. In the end, I was born a person who could not bear to see the weak get hurt.

Finally, Kalts nodded with a sigh.

"……If you truly wish it, My Lady, speak to His Grace yourself. If I said it, my head would truly fly."

"Though it is a wonder you are still alive to serve the Grand Duke at all."

Katarina's jest thawed the frozen atmosphere.

I watched the two begin bickering again with a faint smile.

At the same time, my resolve hardened. The resolve to confront Victor, no matter what.

❖ ❖ ❖

I waited until evening.

Leaning against the sofa and looking at a book, I sipped cold black tea that Maeri served beside me. But the pages didn't turn; only thoughts swirled in my head.

The past few months had been like a dream. A life without hunger or cold. Waking when I wished, spending the day with people I loved, and falling asleep again in a comfortable bed.

A life that must have been ordinary to some had been paradise to me. So much so that I envied those who had lived this way all their lives.

But having learned the truth, I could no longer live this way. A friend was hurt, and others might be hurting; it was obvious I wouldn't be happy if I stayed like this.

Truth is often poison. Poison that shatters the hope that I would never have to fight again, and even the illusions about Victor.

I placed a bookmark and closed *The Adventures of Dordophin*.

It was time to end my dream as well.

❖ ❖ ❖

"You deceived me again."

The words came out colder than I had expected.

Victor, entering the bedroom, raised his head. His tired eyes silently demanded an explanation.

I spoke quietly.

"I have heard that the situation is graver than expected, and that you might lead the campaign yourself."

"……Who told you such a thing?"

"That is not the issue."

I strode up to him. And then I confessed.

"Victor, you no longer wake at night."

Victor's eyes widened.

"No, you do wake, but you do not draw your weapon and fall back asleep. It means your illness has nearly healed. If you continue sleeping in the castle bedroom, you will gradually improve further."

"……"

"But if you go out to the battlefield and fight monsters again, your illness may worsen. So you must remain here."

"Marion."

"I will go in your stead."

As if a bomb had dropped, the bedroom fell into silence.

Victor wore a terribly sunken expression——not at all like someone who had just heard that his years-long affliction was healing. He spoke gloomily:

"I see. So that is why you volunteered for the subjugation force without hesitation. My illness has improved."

He stepped closer and took a handful of my hair. As if worshiping, he pressed his lips to the ends of my white hair.

"My thanks, Marion. Without you, I would not be alive. You are nothing short of a miracle to me."

"……"

"That is precisely why I cannot send you to a dangerous place."

I immediately retorted.

"Then am I to simply watch the people of the territory be hurt? Even though I have the power to help?"

"It is nothing you need trouble yourself over, Marion. You are the Grand Duchess. There is no need for you to go to the battlefield——"

"I am a knight before I am a Grand Duchess, Victor. My destiny lies on the battlefield."

Victor's face contorted. It was as though something in my words had pierced his heart.

As though his breath had stopped, he closed his mouth and bowed his head. The shoulders that always seemed so unshakeable trembled precariously. After a long silence, he squeezed out words:

"Rather than send you, it would be better to delay the subjugation."

"How can you say such a thing? If we do not move quickly, someone may die. Is it not a knight's duty to protect the weak!"

"All I want is to protect you!"

Victor burst out. His surging voice declared:

"The others——it doesn't matter what happens to them."

I see.

I bit my lip hard.

Normally, such a confession would make my heart flutter, but I didn't want to believe it. A knight and a lord, saying such things. Even if those words were sincere, he shouldn't have said them. A knight must lay down even his own life for the land and its people.

And I had believed him to be the greatest knight on the continent.

The disappointment that had tormented me these past few days once again filled my heart. I glared coldly at him.

"Will you lock me away? As you tried to do when you attempted to execute the retainers?"

Victor did not answer.

Suddenly, his words about wanting to make me like a Flamberge locked in a tower came to mind. And the people who had somehow asked if I didn't want to keep going outside.

But locking me away was impossible. Everyone else might not know, but the two of us knew that.

"You cannot do that. To do so, you would have to remain by my side all day."

Any means were meaningless. Locks and stationed knights would be useless. Everything here was far too weak——too weak to stand against even a swordsman of my caliber.

Only Victor could stop me. By blade, or by word.

After a long silence, Victor spoke with a bitter face:

"……You do not know how much I wish to do so."

"……"

"I know you remained by my side purely out of your own mercy. I knew that if you learned people were in danger, you would rush out even if it meant getting hurt. That is why I hoped you would never know."

"Victor."

Victor smiled. Unlike usual, it was a horribly twisted smile.

His hand reached toward my cheek, then hesitated and withdrew. The Grand Duke whispered in agony:

"Such a you is both lovable and hateful. ……But how can I refuse your words?"

Victor turned his back.

"Go. I shall organize the troops for you."

The back enshrouded in a black gown suddenly looked so very small.

He was exactly as he was, revealed where my ideal had shattered. Cruel, unworthy of a knight, and selfish. A side of him I could never love.

But even so, I……

"……I will finish this as quickly as possible and return."

Suppressing my aching heart, I turned away.

❖ ❖ ❖

Over the course of several days, I wrapped up my affairs.

I informed the maids and Katarina of my departure, and took armor and a backpack fitting my size from the castle warehouse. The remaining patients were left to Diderich, who silently bowed his head and complied with my request.

I couldn't bring myself to pack expensive books, but I put in my bag the chimera fang I had bought before, a handkerchief, a large jar of ointment, leather gloves, and the like.

And so, the day of departure dawned.

❖ ❖ ❖

The departure ceremony was held early in the morning. Since only knights——not soldiers——were setting out in order to move quickly, it was not, strictly speaking, a proper departure ceremony. Still, as it was a large-scale subjugation with the entire order of knights mobilized, it was hardly quiet.

Some seventy knights stood in ranks, conversing. Among them, standing beside me, was Maeri with a backpack, her expression brimming with determination. I inwardly sighed.

The reason Maeri had become involved in this was purely due to her stubbornness. Upon hearing that I would participate in the monster subjugation, Maeri had turned pale and insisted she would come along too. I told her many times that it was dangerous, that I was going not as the Grand Duchess but as a single knight, but Maeri was adamant.

"I know medicinal herbs and ointments well, and I can perform simple surgeries! I will surely be of help to My Lady."

"Maeri, the situation outside is graver than you think. I may not be able to protect you."

"I——I can do self-defense to some extent as well! I learned it from the knights. I will protect myself, yes? Please. I wish to help My Lady."

The girl spoke earnestly. Seeing her eyes filled with pure affection and loyalty, it was hard to refuse outright. While I hesitated, Maeri quickly began packing her bag.

And so, it had somehow come to today.

"……Forgive me, but just what is Miss Maeri doing here?"

Raul, standing beside me, asked with a puzzled expression. Maeri answered primly:

"I am Her Grace's maid, so I follow My Lady wherever she goes."

"……My Lady, what in the world are you planning……"

"Well…… it will be fine. She will tend to the wounded in the rear. Medics and healers are always in short supply. So……"

Another knight stepped forward instead of me, who was mumbling excuses.

"Rude, Raul. You ought to praise the young lady's loyalty, if nothing else."

"Sir Leonard!"

The blunt blond knight, Leonard of Odo, briefly bowed his head to me. Despite wearing drab leather armor and a cloth backpack, perfect angles were maintained across his entire body.

An attitude worth emulating, but still, wouldn't it be difficult to live like that all the time?

Beside me, Raul flared up.

"What mad nonsense! What if this delicate young lady gets pecked by a griffin?"

"Is it not our role to prevent that? She is merely one more among the many we must protect."

"Oh, well aren't you impressive."

Raul grumbled loudly. Then he muttered toward me so I could hear clearly:

"My Lady, why did His Grace appoint such a man as temporary commander? I'd rather have Kalts."

"Ah……"

I bit my lip and lowered my head.

In truth, I had not spoken with Victor once in the past few days. We had been avoiding each other for quite some time, though others might not have noticed, but it was the first time we hadn't exchanged a single word. I was disappointed by sides of him I had not known, confused, and somehow my heart ached. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Because whenever he saw me, he would avoid my gaze with a pained expression.

Maeri, noticing my dark expression, quickly interjected:

"Sir Kalts isn't joining the subjugation force, is he? Why is that?"

"Kalts was always at headquarters even on the battlefield. It isn't strange that he isn't coming along."

"He seems quite dissatisfied about it, though."

Leonard added, jerking his chin. On the terrace he indicated stood Kalts with a sulky expression.

He seemed quite displeased to have been left behind with Victor to handle affairs.

At that moment, a tall figure stepped out.

"Knights of Mort."

The murmuring knights ceased their chatter and stood at attention.

I looked up at Victor. Wearing a shirt, he looked unusually disheveled. As he had been for the past few days.

His gaze moved between the knights and briefly brushed past me. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“—Cut the cringeworthy talk.”

A tired voice rang out from above.

“You all know the operation plan. We move together to Norvant, the first destination, then split into the western and eastern armies to subjugate the routes. If anyone is injured or must remain behind for support, report it without fail.”

“Yes, sir!”

“It won’t be anything difficult. It’s just the usual subjugation, only busier. Conduct yourselves as knights wherever you go, aid the territory folk if they ask for help, and be careful……”

The impassive voice suddenly cut off.

I opened my eyes. And met Victor’s eyes, which had been looking at me.

Before I could even react, my husband spoke.

“……Please, be careful. Come back without getting hurt.”

He soon disappeared into the shadows of the terrace.

I remained nailed to that spot until the shadows had completely disappeared. It felt as though my chest were burning.

The other knights glanced at me with puzzled eyes. I barely managed to look away. Raul said, scratching the back of his head.

“……Well then, shall we go?”

“I’ve polished the saddle, my lady!”

Maery quickly took my arm. Hiding my gloomy expression, I followed behind her.

❖ ❖ ❖

In Amari, monster hunting was nothing but suffering. It was something that had to be done, and sometimes money could be made, but there was nothing pleasant about swinging a sword all day without even eating properly. Wandering around in worn-out winter clothes, unable to start a fire, both body and mind would freeze. So many people were injured that without a healer, one couldn’t even leave the village.

But the subjugation army here seemed far more organized. The travel routes were detailed, and since they rested at the castles of minor lords along the way, it was said there would rarely be need to camp. At least, that had been the case so far.

“Kalts used to go on about which castle’s chef was the most skilled every time we left for subjugation.”

Leonard said, leading his horse at the front.

“That fellow had an extraordinary memory for such things, to the point he’d pester His Grace to make sure we stopped by any castle with delicious food.”

“How’s today’s destination? Is the food any good?”

“I’m not some rogue who memorizes such things.”

Leonard replied as if insulted. Raul cackled. I smiled faintly and looked around at the scenery spread out around us.

Late summer in Mort was dazzlingly beautiful. In the fields where people rarely passed, aster flowers bloomed abundantly, and the clear pond sparkled blindingly under the sunlight. Only the sounds of birds, horse hooves, and chatter mixed peacefully into the landscape. The weather was so fine that it truly felt as though we were on an outing.

Maery rode beside me with an excited face. She had an unexpectedly stable posture, as if she had ridden often. She brought her horse close to mine and spoke.

“It’s really been so long since I’ve been outside the main castle!”

“Really? Don’t you go home on your days off?”

“No, I rest at the castle even on my days off. I read books, and I tell the kitchen maids to bake the sugar cookies you like, my lady.”

Maery said nonchalantly.

Staying at the castle even on days off?

I hesitated for a moment before asking again.

“Is it because your leave is too short? Shall I increase your days off?”

It was something I hadn’t thought of before. The maids came from families of minor lords or knights from across Mort, so if their homes were far, it would be difficult to return in a single day. Wasn’t Mort several times larger than Amari?

But Maery shook her head refreshingly.

“No, my lady. I like being at the castle? The leave I have now is enough.”

But still.

I looked at the seventeen-year-old girl with worry.

If that was what she wanted, there was nothing I could do…… But wouldn’t she want to go home sometimes? Comfortable as it was, the castle was still her workplace.

“—So, we will arrive at the first destination by this evening.”

Leonard’s voice broke my reverie. Despite the dazzling weather, his tone was blunt as ever. He explained stiffly, like a stone.

“The territory is called Norvant, and the lord is Ulrich Norvant. He is the seventh-generation of House Norvant and holds the title of Viscount. He has two sons and a daughter, but all three are rather poor in their academic achievements, which is a great concern. He does not often leave his territory, but because his relatives work at the main castle, he is well-informed. The territory is wealthy and collects much in taxes, but his finances are not in good shape due to his hobby of collecting expensive crystals. His specialty is violin performance, and his favorite food is bread pudding—.”

“How in the world do you know all that?”

Raul asked, his mouth hanging open. I felt exactly the same.

I looked at Maery, wondering if everyone who lived long in Mort was like that, but Maery was also staring at Leonard with wide eyes.

The knight who had poured out backroom gossip fit only for aged noblewomen spoke quietly.

“I am a long-standing retainer of Mort, the second son of House Odo. There is hardly a house that does not interact with mine. So I grew up listening to the stories of Mort’s nobility like lullabies from a young age.”

“I see. So that’s how it is.”

Raul grinned. When his rugged face smiled, it looked even more fearsome. I tilted my head.

“What do you mean?”

“Actually, I was truly curious why Kalts wasn’t the acting commander. Of course, the vice-commander is Leonard, but that fellow doesn’t particularly like giving orders to people.”

Leonard frowned. But he did not deny it.

Raul stroked his chin and continued.

“Leonard can handle paperwork too, so I wondered why he specifically left Kalts behind. Now I see—it’s because you, my lady, will have to meet with the lords of Mort from now on.”

I turned to look at Leonard. The blond knight answered honestly.

“I was ordered to assist Your Grace so that you would not be troubled even before vassals you are meeting for the first time.”

I unconsciously tightened my grip on the reins.

Meetings with vassals. Suddenly, the nightmare of the social season came flooding back.

The place where I had ultimately failed to mingle properly with nobles. Had there ever been a time when I felt less noble than during that period?

But here, I could never be just a knight. As Victor said, I was the lady of this territory.

“His Grace is not on good terms with most of the vassals. Most of those he executed were lords and retainers.”

Leonard said flatly.

If they feared or hated Victor, it was clear that favorable reactions would not come my way either. Just as the maids had when I first came to Mort.

The vice-commander added.

“I cannot tell you not to worry, but I will do my best.”

I had no choice but to nod.

The wildflowers that had seemed beautiful even with hordes of monsters ahead of them suddenly no longer looked so beautiful.

❖ ❖ ❖

We arrived at Norvant that evening as planned.

Norvant, located half a day from Mort’s main castle, was a prosperous territory, just as we had heard. Well-kept fields stretched everywhere, and the streets were bustling.

When the knights appeared, people lined both sides of the streets, clapping and cheering. No matter how one looked at it, it was a picture of peace.

“It seems there are almost no monsters here.”

“Indeed. It is near the main castle, after all.”

I spoke with Raul as we headed toward the inner castle where the lord resided.

Surprisingly, the Lord of Norvant had come out to the castle gate to wait for us. He ran toward me almost at a sprint.

“I greet Your Grace, Amarion Mort, lady of the land of the Black Lion.”

A plump man in his thirties bent his waist with effort.

He looked so uncomfortable that I quickly dismounted and raised him up. I tried to lift my skirt hem to curtsy, then realized I was wearing pants and awkwardly bent my knee instead.

“Thank you for welcoming us, Viscount Norvant.”

“Oh, not at all, Your Grace! Please stay comfortably!”

The Viscount smiled broadly, sweating profusely. His excessive courtesy was bewildering.

What is this? I headed inside the castle in a daze.

The interior was decorated almost like a palace. Ornate decorations, curtains with absurdly intricate embroidery, and massive crystal statues—all of them shone with unbelievable brilliance.

Maery whispered beside me.

“My lady, look at this marble floor. It probably took three days and nights of polishing to get like this.”

We hadn’t even come for a banquet; we were literally just passing through for a moment.

The lord’s family greeted me in my bewildered state. They were dressed as if receiving an envoy from the imperial palace.

“We greet Your Grace.”

The Viscountess, wearing a voluminous dress, bent deeply at the waist. The small children did the same.

I had no idea how to respond.

They were treating me as a Grand Duchess, but my current attire and position were no different from an ordinary knight. Yet if I knelt to kiss the back of her hand, the Viscountess looked liable to faint.

In the end, I pretended to have a skirt and gestured in the air, offering a greeting befitting ladies of nobility.

“It is a pleasure, Viscountess. Your castle is truly beautiful.”

“The honor is ours, Your Grace!”

The Viscountess clasped her hands, tears welling in her eyes.

The Viscountess hurriedly guided me further inside, to my increasing confusion.

“We are truly delighted that you have graced us with your presence. We have prepared your room and bathwater. And a dress for dinner……”

“A dress?”

The Viscountess explained to me, my eyes wide.

“Though your stay is short, I thought it impossible that Your Grace should remain in the castle without a dress…… I have selected one with my humble eye. If it does not please you……”

“Ah, no. Thank you.”

I shook my head in a daze and followed the lady into the room.

My room was clearly a guest chamber for honored visitors. Fresh flowers and sparkling crystal ornaments shone flawlessly. And the dress hanging on one side was…….

“……A chiffon dress with ribbons. The kind that’s in fashion in the capital.”

“As expected, Your Grace recognizes it!”

The Viscountess said in an enthusiastic tone.

“It was made by the finest seamstress in the North. Upon hearing of Your Grace’s arrival, we sent the fastest horse to obtain it. It was originally ordered by Countess Oxburg, but when told it was for Your Grace, wouldn’t she gladly offer it up?”

“Ah, yes……”

“Of course, as it was not tailored for Your Grace, it may not meet the discerning eye of a great lady…… but if it can illuminate your beauty even a little, it would be a great honor.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I opened my mouth and simply nodded.

I truly had no idea how to react. The rude ladies of the capital had been embarrassing enough, but someone showering me with praise upon first meeting was equally bewildering.

Hadn’t they said the vassals hated Victor? So why such excessive welcome? Was Mort always like this with guests?

“Then, I shall see you at dinner.”

The Viscountess smiled with satisfaction, greeted me, and left the room.

I set down my luggage and washed. After applying fragrant oil to my clean body, I put on the dress. The white, fluttering chiffon dress was layered with several tiers of intricate lace and ruffles, making it difficult to move.

I had never worn such an extravagant dress even in the capital.

The maids quickly put shimmering silk shoes on me, then placed a tiara fit for a wedding upon my head.

I felt like a giant floral arrangement. In a daze, I headed to the banquet hall.

As expected, an excessively lavish dinner was spread in the banquet hall. Pork and lamb dripping with grease, thinly sliced beef wrapped around vegetables and baked in the oven before being cooled, pudding in cold stone bowls. It was a spread closer to a banquet than a simple meal.

The knights seemed just as startled as I was. Apparently, this kind of food never appeared during normal subjugations.

I sat awkwardly in an empty seat. It was between the Viscount and Viscountess, the center seat. Usually where the lord of the castle sat.

Flustered, I raised my eyes and saw Maery, seated at the table before me, sending me a look of encouragement.

I knew what the person sitting here was supposed to do…… but I had never done it before.

I had no choice but to stand up. The moment I did, all eyes turned to me. My voice trembled involuntarily.

“I…… Before the banquet begins, thank you for the grand welcome, Lord of Norvant. Thank you for the food and, um, the lodging, and uh…… Our subjugation army will also do its best to make…… to make Mort safe again.”

It was a truly dismal speech. One that made me grateful only knights were present. Even so, the Viscount and Viscountess applauded enthusiastically. I raised my glass, hiding my burning ears.

After drinking wine of indiscernible taste, the banquet began.

I ate with a feeling that my stomach might turn over. The food was certainly excellent, but honestly, I couldn’t tell what it tasted like. The Viscount and Viscountess on either side kept speaking to me without pause.

“You cannot know how happy we were to hear of your arrival.”

The Viscount filled my cup with an emotional face. Before I could ask why, he spoke with excitement.

“We heard that Your Grace prevented the executions and saved the retainers. We wished to call upon you and express our gratitude, but there were rumors that you disliked visitors……”

The Viscount dabbed at his eyes.

So this hospitality was because of that matter.

I felt even more ambivalent.

They had been criminals, and it wasn’t even the Viscount of Norvant whose life had been saved. So why was he groveling before me like this?

So I simply spoke honestly.

“It’s not something to be grateful for. In the end, it was the Grand Duke’s command.”

“But if not for Your Grace, His Grace would never have changed his mind! His Grace has no mercy……”

The Viscount trailed off with a flinching expression. I pretended not to hear and put a piece of roasted beef in my mouth.

I just wished I could eat without thinking. Without thinking about Victor either.

As I moved my mouth blankly, the Viscountess cut in.

“Your Grace, the dress truly suits you! It seems the entire castle shines brightly with your beauty.”

“Ah…… Thank you.”

“Your Grace participated in the capital’s social season, did you not? What kind of banquets are in fashion there these days?”

I blinked in confusion.

Banquets? I had only ever stood alone against the wall wherever I went.

But I couldn’t make something up. A lady who had participated in the social season not knowing the capital’s trends would be a disgrace.

I pushed back my unpleasant memories as much as possible and spoke.

The palace’s splendid masquerade ball, garden parties with roses in full bloom; these days, erecting large salons in gardens or wearing costumes in the Eastern Kingdom style was in fashion.

The lady could hardly contain her admiration.

“Oh my, oh my. A salon made of glass—I never imagined! It must have been truly beautiful!”

“……Yes, it was.”

“There are not many ladies of such high station here who travel to and from the capital, so news always arrives late. But now that Your Grace is here, everything will change, will it not?”

“Change how?”

“Your Grace shall become the hostess of every salon in the North!”

The Viscountess said excitedly.

“Since the previous Grand Duchess passed from this world, the social circles of the North have always been desolate. Banquets were not held in time, and there were no proper salons to gather in. But if the Grand Duchess hosts a banquet, would not all the ladies of the North flock to attend? To think that I am the first to present a dress to Your Grace—it is truly an honor!”

The lady twittered and smiled brightly at me.

My head suddenly grew complicated.

Naturally, in a vast empire, social circles differed by region. It was said that social gatherings in the prosperous South were so active that their trends flowed into the capital.

But I had learned nothing about the social circles of the North. I had thought it was because Mort, the center, focused solely on training knights, but it was because there had long been no one to lead the social circles.

And these ladies seemed to expect that role from me.

Me? Me leading high society?

My head suddenly felt dizzy.

I forced a smile and emptied my plate as quickly as possible. Hoping this meal would end even a moment sooner.

❖ ❖ ❖

Fortunately, the banquet ended early. Because it was the first day of the expedition, the knights finished their meal without even a sip of alcohol.

No, in truth, it was absurd to hold such a banquet during a pressing subjugation schedule to begin with.

While the banquet dispersed chaotically, I quickly stepped out into the corridor. Before I could even call them, Maery, Leonard, and Raul followed. Maery swiftly led us to a small parlor beside the banquet hall.

When the door closed, I could breathe a little easier. Leonard offered belated praise to me as I sighed.

“You look beautiful, my lady.”

I started, surprised, then looked at my reflection in the mirror on the wall. There I was, excessively adorned, out of place among the simply dressed knights.

Maery tilted her head and muttered.

“Yes, you are pretty, but this is a bit……”

“Isn’t it too much?”

Maery glared at Raul’s blunt words. But she couldn’t deny it.

I undid the hair clips that had been digging into the back of my head for some time. Long strands of hair flowed down past my shoulders.

Leonard asked me as I sighed.

“Did you speak with the Viscount and Viscountess? About why they held such a banquet.”

“It’s a long story.”

I told them in detail about my conversation with the Viscount and Viscountess.

That the Viscount had expressed gratitude regarding the previous executions, that the Viscountess had mentioned Countess Oxburg when giving the dress, and that they seemed to be expecting social gatherings.

Hearing the story, Leonard’s face turned unexpectedly serious.

“That is unexpected. Countess Oxburg is a major figure who, along with the Dowager Countess of Helvant, divides the social circles of the North. I never knew Lady Norvant had dealings with her.”

“The Baroness of Julbourg, Marianne, has grown quite close to the Dowager Countess of Helvant. Lady Norvant is on bad terms with Lady Julbourg, so she must have sided with the opposite faction.”

Maery interjected. Leonard narrowed his brow.

“……Wait, if you mean Marianne, do you mean Marianne Rimpelt? She married Baron Julbourg?”

“Yes. Baron Julbourg is trash, but he has plenty of money? For a luxury-loving lady, he would have been the perfect match.”

“But wasn’t the Baron engaged to Lady Carola Arenburg? He even dueled Ion of Arenburg, her younger brother.”

“Well, apparently the Baron openly brought another woman into the manor bedroom? And that woman was none other than Elena Grace, the mistress of Count Elbart! So the Duke of Arenburg was furious from head to toe—”

“Goodness, how could he be so indecent…….”

I stood next to Raul with the exact same blank, open-mouthed expression. I couldn’t follow any of it and just wanted to go lie down in bed.

After exchanging more news of the northern social circles for a while, Leonard finally came to his senses and returned to the original topic. He cleared his throat briefly and spoke.

“The situation is more complex than I thought. The vassals and ladies seem desperate to make a good impression on you, my lady.”

“Make a good impression?”

“I am not as well-versed in such matters as Kalts, but……”

The blond knight frowned.

“It is well known that His Grace cherishes Your Grace as his own flesh. The execution incident has made this known to all. A monarch’s affection is power, so the calculating ones would want to get into Your Grace’s good graces by any means.”

“……”

“The ladies are the same. There has long been no central figure in the North’s social circles. Whichever side Countess Oxburg or the Dowager Countess of Helvant grows closer to Your Grace will gain greater power in high society henceforth.”

“What’s so complicated about that?”

Raul spoke as if voicing my own thoughts. I narrowed my eyes and looked down.

I really didn’t understand these things, but it seemed a fierce political battle was already taking place over me outside the castle.

I had thought they were simply cursing me for my inadequacy. But the influence of the position of Grand Duchess was greater than I had imagined. Great enough to detain an urgently needed subjugation army with a banquet.

I asked Leonard.

“Will this happen at other castles too?”

“It is possible.”

The blond knight affirmed.

“I had only been worried about vassals who might act rudely, but I realize there may also be those who try to win your favor in this manner. It is better than the rude ones, but……”

“We didn’t come on a picnic.”

I bit my lip.

I had expected to be treated as a Grand Duchess rather than a knight, but we were in an urgent situation. An expeditionary force must be able to pack up and leave at dawn if the enemy appears. I would rather be treated poorly and driven out after one night than get entangled in such complications and waste time.

I spoke firmly.

“I want to focus only on the subjugation for now.”

If we didn’t visit the lords, the rumors would likely worsen. The whispering that the Grand Duchess was good for nothing but swinging a sword might grow even louder.

But now was not the time to worry about my shame. Somewhere, people were getting hurt. It would certainly be difficult, but…….

“I want to reach our destinations as quickly as possible, even if we must camp. Is it possible?”

Leonard immediately bowed his head.

“I shall arrange it so, my lady.”

I nodded with a short sigh.

Outside the parlor window, only the summer stars twinkled indifferently.

❖ ❖ ❖

The castle maids remained courteous right up until bedtime. They helped me remove my dress and wash, then handed me a soft silk nightgown.

As I came out after changing, Maery suddenly poked her head in.

“My lady, this.”

I was startled to see what Maery held in her hands. It was volume two of *The Adventures of the Wandering Knight Dordophin*, which I had been reading at the castle.

“It’s my book! Maery, why did you bring that?”

“I thought you might like to read it when you rest……”

Maery blushed and handed me the book.

I hadn’t brought it because I was afraid it might get damaged on the battlefield. But seeing the girl’s shining eyes, seeking praise, I couldn’t say anything.

In the end, I smiled and nodded.

“Thank you. Have a good night, Maery.”

“Rest well, my lady!”

Maery smiled brightly, bowed, and disappeared. I dismissed all the maids and sat on the bed.

The bed was unfamiliar. A bedroom with no weapons hanging, a long skirted nightgown instead of shirt and pants. And most of all, the absence of Victor. For the past several months, I had never slept in a bed without Victor.

I forced my gaze away from the empty space beside me and opened *The Adventures of Dordophin*. The bookmark was neatly placed where I had left it before departure.

Inside the book, Dordophin had finally presented Flamberge, in her tower, with a fearsome sword capable of cutting anything.

[“What do you think, my lady! Truly a fine-cutting sword, is it not?”

At Dordophin’s dim-witted words, Flamberge smiled broadly.

“Indeed, Sir Knight. With this, I could cut down flowers, noisy hornets, and disobedient dogs alike!”

At her words, the guards protecting the tower trembled.]

I clicked my tongue briefly.

How could Dordophin be so oblivious?

Word constantly emerged that Flamberge was a suspicious and cruel person. No matter how beautiful she was, how could he say he loved someone like her?

I examined the illustration of the guards collapsed beside Flamberge carefully, then closed the book and set it on the bedside table. Soon a servant came in and put out the lights.

As I lay in bed, the thoughts I had been putting off naturally flooded in.

Would Victor be alright?

Just before I left, Victor had looked exhausted but had slept well. For the past few days, I too had been able to sleep without even holding my sword.

But what if he was like me now? If the empty bed felt too hollow to sleep?

I squeezed my eyes shut and buried my face in the pillow.

But this was no time to be thinking of Victor. I had things I needed to do. Things so important that I had refused even a banquet and spurned Victor’s pleas to rush out here. Moreover, did I not still vividly remember the disappointment I’d felt toward him? It felt like just yesterday that I’d been disappointed by his selfishness.

Even so, for some reason, my heart ached.

I trembled at this unfamiliar emotion, clutching the blanket. My head and heart creaked, failing to mesh.

I simply missed the musk scent that wafted from him.

❖ ❖ ❖

The lights of Castle Mort did not go out until late into the night.

Kaltz of Denion gathered up the documents and headed to the Grand Duke’s office. The punitive force had arrived at Norvant without issue, but this was only the beginning. Moreover, there was a mountain of documents to process.

Katarina, who was confined to her sickbed, had sorted through some non-confidential ledgers out of boredom, but he looked down at the perfectly organized documents with dissatisfaction. It wasn’t to his liking, but they were that short-handed.

If only they had left Leonard behind.

He grumbled as he opened the office door. His liege was still seated at the desk, buried in paperwork.

“Isn’t it time you turned in?”

The Grand Duke raised his head. He rubbed his haggard eyes.

“I don’t want to sleep.”

“Are you ill?”

“No, it’s not that. I simply don’t want to face a bedroom without her.”

Kaltz silently set down the stack of papers. A question suddenly slipped out.

“Why did you do it?”

“…….”

“You could have just kept hiding it. Kept her from knowing anything, as you always have. It’s not as if your conscience would suddenly be pricked now.”

The Grand Duke’s golden-yellow eyes sharply fixed on the knight.

But there was no rebuke. Being able to speak freely in private was the sole privilege of a childhood friend.

And as always, his question struck right at the heart of the matter. Amarion had left because she knew everything. She had discovered the side of him he’d hidden, the situation outside, all of it.

The Grand Duke set down his quill.

“……I thought that if I came to Mort, I could separate her from the world. That’s why I rushed here. ……But I was mistaken.”

His tendons bulged as he clenched his fist. While Kaltz remained silent, the Grand Duke continued.

“Even if I had hidden it, she would have eventually learned about the executions. How would I have stopped the mercenaries coming to find her, and how could I have hidden the fact that Katarina Cataleang was injured? There are people who pass messages to her, and her own eyes are as keen as a bird of prey’s.”

“…….”

“And about me as well.”

Victor fell silent for a moment.

The purges carried out by the cruel Raven Grand Duke years ago still remained vivid in people’s minds. Thus, it was only a matter of time before she learned of his past. There was a limit to how long one could silence others through fear alone.

The Grand Duke averted his gaze.

“I should never have shown her to anyone from the start.”

His dry face was devoid of expression, as if he had already repeated the same regret dozens of times.

The knight pointed out.

“Your Highness is not a prisoner. You couldn’t have kept her locked away alone forever.”

“I know.”

“……”

“Even so, I wanted to.”

The Grand Duke answered calmly.

To Kaltz, it honestly sounded like madness. No matter how reserved Lady Amarion was by nature, how could he have hidden her away so that she could meet no one? It was neither possible nor right.

But Denion Kaltz could not bring himself to rebuke his liege. He remembered all those who had slipped through his fingers like grains of sand.

Victor had been irrational when it came to Amarion. He was cruel beyond necessity and had not hesitated to set up execution squads. The moment he sensed she was leaving for a dangerous place, even his perfect mask had shattered. Neither smooth lies nor smiles would come.

Because he had lost too much to endure her absence.

And this was the result. Sending away a disappointed woman and remaining here alone.

Kaltz sighed inwardly and offered words of comfort.

“Your Highness will be fine. As I always say, you are the only one who worries that she might be hurt by mere monsters.”

“Is that why you told her of my departure?”

The knight winced and shrank back.

“How……?”

Without even looking at the hesitating knight, the Grand Duke replied.

“If not you, who else would wag their tongue so loosely?”

“Will you punish me?”

“Forget it. She’s gone now anyway.”

His yellow eyes dimmed. Kaltz frowned, unsettled by his cruel liege’s composure.

But the Grand Duke calmly looked through the papers Kaltz had set down. After flipping through a few pages of the organized ledgers, he asked as if suddenly recalling something.

“By the way, why didn’t you tell me you were acquainted with the Cataleang heir?”

“What?! Acquainted? We have nothing to do with each other.”

Victor finally formed something resembling a smile as he watched the knight wave his hands.

“I obviously know you go in and out of her sickroom every day. There are already quite interesting rumors going around.”

“Don’t say such strange things! Why would I block anyone’s path to marriage? I just want her to return to the capital quickly.”

“Is this the ‘annoying girl who only loved money’ you used to talk about when you were young?”

Kaltz rolled his blue eyes.

This was the biggest drawback of having a childhood friend as a superior. It was hard to lie.

The knight finally grumbled.

“Don’t bring that up in front of Katarina.”

The Grand Duke snorted and pulled a sheet of paper closer.

Outside the large window, white rocky mountains rose like a painting against the black night sky. And he couldn’t help but think of a woman just as pure white. Of the moon-like eyes that had looked at him, filled with disappointment and anger.

Are you still angry with me?

The Grand Duke closed his aching eyes. The time until Amarion’s return seemed as distant as eternity.

❖ ❖ ❖

The next day, I woke earlier than anyone else. It seemed it had rained overnight, for outside the window was damp and dark. Instead of fluttering indoor clothes, I donned leather armor and tied my hair back roughly. I had decided to live like a knight from now on, so I didn’t want to bother with anything else.

What use were beautiful clothes? There was no Victor to show them to anyway.

I suppressed the embarrassing thought that had suddenly surfaced and rang the bell.

“Please tell them to prepare a simple meal in the dining hall. We depart immediately after eating, so inform the hosts as well.”

The servants moved hurriedly with wide eyes.

Soon the castle woke from its slumber and grew busy. Perhaps Leonard had given advance notice, for the knights were already awake and had finished preparing for the expedition. We gathered in the dining hall and finished a quick meal.

When I ordered the horses to be brought immediately, the count and countess, who had rushed out in their indoor clothes, desperately caught hold of me.

“Please stay a little longer, Your Highness!”

“We know you have a long journey, but please stay until lunchtime. We have prepared so many things for Your Highness…….”

I smiled politely and shook my head.

“No, your hospitality last night was more than enough.”

“But Your Highness…….”

“We shall meet again when times are more leisurely. The Grand Duke has said he would hold a grand banquet for me, so you may look forward to that.”

At my words, the countess’s face brightened.

Victor had mentioned it in passing, and truthfully, I knew nothing of banquets…… but saying this would help avoid troublesome matters and breathe some life into high society for a time. Wasn’t that for the best?

I averted my eyes for no reason and mounted my horse.

Leonard stood before the assembled knights and commanded.

“As planned, we split here into the western and eastern forces. You know your assignments.”

“Yes!”

A resounding answer echoed.

I was naturally assigned to the eastern force. The situation there was much worse.

I’d heard there were many monsters even along the path, and Fidelburg at the eastern edge was in particularly serious condition. Thus, Kaltz had placed Leonard, Raul, and me all in the eastern force.

Instead, experienced knights were mainly placed in the western force to maintain balance.

I had never fought under Kaltz or Victor’s command, but in any case, this was a knight order that had achieved glorious feats. I trusted their judgment.

Mary, Raul, and I stepped aside. Soon the western force departed the castle first. Leonard drew his sword with rigid formality and gave his regards.

“Let us be off as well. Thank you for your hospitality, Count of Norvant.”

“G-good fortune. Y-Your Highness.”

The count wiped the sweat from his forehead as he bid farewell. I bowed my head lightly and then turned my horse.

The true subjugation had begun.

❖ ❖ ❖

We urged our horses north along the road from Norvant. As soon as we left the castle and village behind, the atmosphere rapidly grew eerie. We pulled the hoods attached to our cloaks low to keep our hair from being dampened by the fog.

It was familiar fare for knights on campaign, but I worried for Mary. I glanced back to check on her.

But surprisingly, Mary was chatting carefreely with Raul. Raul chuckled.

“……So, in my opinion, My Lady simply disliked social gatherings.”

“But My Lady loved mingling with us!”

“Nay, I tell you. It’s quite a famous story in the capital—how My Lady crushed Jeffrey of House Welch like a pudding at the salon…….”

I stared at Raul in disbelief.

Was he recounting my embarrassing past to Mary? Right in front of me?

But despite our early departure, Mary—whose hair was perfectly braided into twin plaits—was simply delighted.

“Really? As expected, My Lady is amazing! So you haven’t gone to social gatherings since then?”

“Exactly. That’s why His Grace doesn’t understand a woman’s heart. To win My Lady’s favor, he ought to hold a tournament instead of a tea party, but to think he would hold a banquet…… it’s truly lamentable.”

“You seem quite pleased that His Grace isn’t here.”

Leonard quipped. Raul merely shrugged.

“So what? I couldn’t tell tales of My Lady’s exploits with His Grace’s sharp gaze upon me, but now I can tell the whole neighborhood. It’s a good thing.”

“I am embarrassed, too…….”

“Oh, I’m just informing Miss Mary, so please overlook it this once.”

Raul winked playfully. The gesture was quite terrifying from a rugged, scarred man, so I could only shake my head.

Still, I was glad Raul’s presence seemed to ease Mary’s nerves. Though it was a bit embarrassing to hear stories about defeating such a frail knight…… I rubbed my reddening cheeks and turned away.

But suddenly, a strange sound came from beyond the fog.

I immediately raised a hand to halt the knights and strained my ears. Footsteps, low growls, breathing…….

—the sounds approached in an instant.

“Sir Raul, I entrust Mary to you!”

Shing!

The sword was drawn with a sharp ring. The moment I leaped from my horse, a horde of monsters with gleaming scales shrieked and rushed at us. Leonard pulled his reins and cried out.

“Beware, Draka!”

With a flash of lizard-like fangs, the knights drew their swords as well.

The Draka were very common monsters in Mort. They had small bodies like goblins but heads resembling crocodiles. Their low intelligence prevented them from using weapons, but their sharp fangs posed a great threat to defenseless travelers.

I had rarely seen them in Amari…… I guarded the horses and swung my sword instinctively. When I slashed at their seemingly soft bellies instead of their hard outer scales, the monsters fell one by one.

At a glance, Mary had paled, but Raul had drawn his axe and was protecting her thoroughly. In that case……

“Make way!”

I pushed past the knights and advanced further forward. Deliberately flashing my blade to draw attention, the Draka swarmed me all at once. I spun lightly, cutting down all the monsters, then took another step forward and skewered the rest. Perhaps because it was warmer here, their hides were thinner than those of Amari’s monsters and cut more easily.

After swinging my sword a few times like that, the shrieks died down. I shook the monster blood from my cloak and asked.

“Is anyone hurt?”

“We are fine, My Lady.”

Leonard answered, slightly belated. I returned to the horses in relief.

Most of the knights were looking at me. Some couldn’t close their mouths in surprise.

“What in the world…….”

“I told you. That’s the kind of person she is.”

Another knight who had come with me from the capital to Mort replied nonchalantly.

Why were they so surprised?

I tilted my head and simply asked Leonard.

“How do we dispose of the bodies? Don’t we collect the hides or fangs?”

“Usually we leave them and inform nearby villages to collect them. But this place is sparsely populated, so I suppose we must let them rot.”

“I see…….”

That was all money, though.

I suppressed the impoverished thought that instinctively arose and pulled out a cloth to wipe my sword. There was no telling how much more fighting lay ahead, so I had to maintain my blade properly.

For some reason, Mary seemed greatly excited and tried to speak to me, but Raul gently held out a hand to stop her. I smiled faintly at them and sheathed my sword. I tended to be a bit sensitive right after a fight, so I was grateful for such consideration.

Before long, everyone remounted. Leonard counted heads and gestured once more.

“Now, let us depart again.”

I lightly tugged the reins.

❖ ❖ ❖

The journey thereafter proceeded similarly. Monsters appeared far more frequently than imagined.

Most were Draka, but I was truly surprised when several gargoyles appeared at once. We were able to dispatch them without difficulty due to our numbers, but they must have been formidable opponents for the knights escorting the Cataleang merchant caravan.

Still, it was fortunate that no one was injured. The knights were indeed frail, but they did not falter in the continuous battles, likely because they trained diligently. Since everyone could at least protect themselves, I could swing my sword with some peace of mind.

Raul protected Mary thoroughly throughout. Mary said she would protect herself, but none of us intended to leave her be. Even the weakest monsters were not something one could face with briefly learned swordsmanship. I felt reassured only when someone was beside her.

Leonard, on the other hand, fought at the vanguard with me. He was the strongest in the order after Victor and was certainly stronger than the other knights. He wasn’t at Victor’s astonishing level, but he was still top-tier by Amari’s standards.

And so, the second day’s journey ended in the middle of a forest. This was due to my request to avoid villages as much as possible. Everyone was tired, but the knights mustered their strength to pitch tents and prepare camp.

Mary volunteered to cook.

“I learned a thing or two from the kitchen maids at the castle!”

Was that true? Usually, a high noble’s maid was herself a young lady from a good family, often ignorant of housework like cooking or laundry.

However, Mary quite skillfully put ingredients into a large pot. Boiling water with jerky and dried vegetables yielded a respectable stew. I took a piece of bread and the stew and sat beside Mary, who was diligently stirring the pot.

These days I ate delicious food at the castle every day, so I wasn’t particularly attached to food, but being outside made me hungry again.

I hastily dipped bread in the stew and took a spoonful when I suddenly stopped.

Isn’t this…… bitter?

“……Miss Mary, did you put anything unusual in the stew?”

Leonard, seated beside me, asked with an extremely polite tone. Though he looked as if inquiring after a master chef’s secret, his expression was somehow troubled.

Mary answered with a bright smile.

“Yes, I added medicinal herb powder that’s good for relieving fatigue! The taste is a bit bitter, but it’s good for the body.”

“……So you knew as you added it……. I understand.”

Leonard silently nodded and buried his nose in his bowl. I, whose palate was not particularly picky, did the same.

As long as it wasn’t spoiled, anything was fine.

Behind me, as I devoured the stew, knights whispered.

“If the Grand Duke were here, he wouldn’t eat it again.”

“Don’t even mention it. His Grace would fuss about not eating if there was even a bit too much pepper.”

I covered my face with my bowl and pricked up my ears. They were talking about Victor in ways I didn’t know. They broke into grins.

“That’s why the cooks had it hard. As if making edible meals during wartime was easy.”

“During the Eastern Kingdom war, ingredients were all dried, so it was even worse, wasn’t it?”

“Ah—that brings back old memories.”

Low laughter spread.

By then, quite a few had received stew, and the knights gathered in threes and fives around the campfire, drying their wet cloaks as they continued talking. Tales of the Eastern Kingdom war and reminiscences of Victor followed.

Raul—who never missed such occasions—cut in with exaggerated gestures like a bard.

“Oh, the Eastern Kingdom! Mysterious sorcerers and knights charged at us, but our Grand Duke cut them all down in a single blow. Before we could even draw our swords.”

“Like how My Lady cut down the Draka in one stroke?”

“Exactly. Fire-breathing gargoyles and dark wolves too.”

Raul snickered.

Mary, who had distributed all the stew by now, quickly jumped in with her own bowl.

“I’d heard from the knights, but I didn’t know you were this incredible. My Lady is truly amazing.”

Heat rushed to my face.

It was true that I had stepped up more to protect the knights, but it was by no means as incredible as Victor’s feats. The monsters we met today were all weak and not difficult to face. It was simply that, unlike when we came to Mort, Victor wasn’t here, so I stood out a bit more.

Raul stared at me as I hung my head deeply in embarrassment. Then, abruptly, he spoke seriously.

“My Lady, you are stronger than any of us.”

“Yes, I know.”

“We are the continent’s finest knight order.”

“Yes…….”

Honestly, I suspected it might be an empty reputation. Still, because I liked the knights, I simply affirmed it.

Raul let out a deep sigh at my ambiguous answer.

“My Lady, do you truly not understand what this means? I am casting aside my pride to tell you this.”

I tilted my head.

Did he want to praise my skill?

But there were many strong individuals on the continent. There were people near Amari who were as strong as me, and Victor was truly incredible. Traveling the continent, there would likely be many more hidden experts.

Thinking so made me feel even more that someone like me was nothing special. I might seem incredible in the eyes of these earnest but weak knights, but……

I shook my head.

“I still lack training.”

Raul sighed heavily once more. It was a sigh that seemed to sink a hole in the ground.

Leonard, having emptied his stew, spoke.

“Now I understand what His Grace meant. That you wouldn’t fully believe it unless you realized it yourself.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing. You’ll know by the time the subjugation ends.”

The knight stood with his bowl.

Was Leonard always someone who spoke so cryptically?

While I tilted my head the other way, Raul noisily took the empty pot toward the water.

The knights finished cleaning up and rolled dice for a while to decide the watch order before covering the campfire with ash. Due to the knights’ strong insistence that they couldn’t entrust even the night watch to My Lady, I entered the tent first.

The subtle scent of incense Mary had placed there soon brought on drowsiness.

Would this be good for Victor too?

I wondered with a hazy mind before falling asleep in an instant.

❖ ❖ ❖

We advanced day by day, camping almost every day. In fact, we had planned to rest in villages once or twice along the way, but there were far more monsters than expected, repeatedly delaying our schedule.

The variety was excessive as well. Monsters we’d only seen in books kept appearing in the flesh. Even the veteran knights, who were accustomed to monsters from frequent campaigns, gasped at some they’d never seen before.

“What in the world is that, My Lady?!”

The knights gripping chain traps shouted in distress. A giant lizard, half-crawled out of the swamp, drooled foul-smelling saliva and growled. That is, it was a lizard…… or something like one.

‘Why does it have three heads?’

I frowned at the monster I’d seen for the first time in my life.

Raul stroked his chin and said.

“It appears to be a marsh hydra. Like land hydras, it has many heads, but it also spews terrible poisonous fumes.”

“Why in the world is a hydra on a plain……. No, never mind. After meeting a Sphinx, what wouldn’t be strange?”

I trembled, recalling the statue-like magical beast we’d met days ago.

Like gargoyles, Sphinxes were said to be created by mages of ancient times. They were wondrous monsters that posed questions directly into one’s mind. It was an eerie feeling for a monster one didn’t know truly existed to speak to you.

‘Which came first, the chicken or the egg?’

The questioning voice even possessed dignity.

But no matter how intelligent it seemed, it was merely a monster that tore travelers who answered wrong to shreds. I had pushed past the knights arguing over the answer and cut off its human-like head in a single stroke.

I shook my head and drew my sword. Raul stepped back.

“If it’s a hydra, it would be easier for you to handle alone, would it not?”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

I held a torch and sword in each hand.

As I approached, the beast twisted its body and roared. I had the knights cast their chains, then charged immediately. The hydra’s heads viciously spewed venom.

I didn’t want to ruin my clothes…….

I hurriedly blocked the venom and twisted my body. I saw the blade corroding.

Oh no. Flustered, I swung my sword rapidly and cauterized the severed stumps with fire, and soon all the heads were gone. Only then did I take a deep breath and raise my head.

Leonard shouted from afar.

“My Lady, are you injured!”

“No, I’m fine!”

“We will handle the aftermath.”

I quickly jumped down from the monster’s body. Thick mud dripped from the hem of my cloak and my boots. I shook my sword against the ground and approached the knights.

While Leonard and the others burned the monster’s corpse, I looked at my sword in dismay.

“The sword is damaged. I think I need a new one.”

“It’s impressive it lasted this long. Is it not the sword that faced countless monsters alongside His Grace’s blade?”

“I’ve used it for quite a while…….”

There weren’t many good swords in Amari. Good steel or blades cost as much as several sacks of flour. Even swords bought at such prices were often swallowed whole by monsters and lost.

So I naturally grew into a swordsman who wasn’t particular about weapons. I gave sharp, easy-to-maintain blades to those lacking in skill, and made sure I could survive even with dull ones. I had always trained thus.

Compared to the swords I’d used then, this blade from the Grand Ducal warehouse was truly excellent. But since the metal had completely corroded, it couldn’t be reforged.

I planted the sword, sheath and all, before the swamp and gave it a word of thanks in my heart. I do not believe in gods, but swords are my only true friend, a companion until the day I die. Leaving it where it last fought was my own way of paying respects.

You protected many people and saved my life.

Mary’s eyes went round as I muttered this and returned.

“You’re leaving your sword behind? What if a monster appears!”

“It’s fine, I have this.”

I took out the chimera tooth I’d bought long ago from my bag. The tooth, with its blunt root and sharp cross-section, was roughly the size of a dagger.

Raul looked at me as if I were a very strange person. I somehow flusteredly made excuses.

“Chimera teeth never break and absorb fire. I thought they were better than ordinary swords, so I often used them…….”

“No, usually they’re attached to poles and used as spears……. You wielded this like a dagger?”

“Sometimes when I lacked a sword.”

Raul made a shocked expression and shook his head.

“We must stop by a village today. I’d hate to lose confidence again to My Lady’s unconventional swordsmanship.”

“It’s not that extreme…….”

The folks back home and the mercenaries had been startled, but once you got used to it, you could really wield effective dagger techniques. I grumbled inwardly and put the tooth away.

It was the moment my small dream of teaching the knights chimera-tooth dagger techniques was shattered.

❖ ❖ ❖

That afternoon, we arrived at a proper village for the first time in a while.

Until now, we’d eaten supplies brought from Norvant and food bought from nearby villages as needed, but here we planned to fully resupply.

The lord of the territory was a wizened old man called Baron Yulbalt. According to Leonard’s information, he was a stubbornly independent man who lived alone without family.

The baron who greeted us in front of the lord’s castle wore an openly displeased expression.

“Did you fall into a cesspit on the way here? You look a mess.”

“This happened during a subjugation campaign.”

Leonard replied in a polite tone even amid all this. The baron said to Leonard with displeasure.

“Isn’t that the height of recklessness? Are you still wandering about without even getting married?”

“…So it would seem. In any case, I would be grateful if you allowed us to stay for just one night.”

The baron clicked his tongue at Leonard and sharply turned to look at me. The baron’s expression grew even more displeased as he scanned me from head to toe.

The thought of how I must look, filthy with mud and sweat, made my face flush. What a sight I must be as a Grand Duchess—how wretched I must appear.

He grudgingly bowed his head.

“I greet Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”

Then he muttered something under his breath, loud enough for all to hear.

“They said you were a wild dog of a woman, and truly…”

Leonard frowned. But before he could even open his mouth, the baron gestured.

“Come in and wash yourselves.”

I ducked my head and quickly dismounted. Merry muttered something discontentedly beside me, but I didn’t hear it. I hurried through the castle gate toward my room.

The room the baron provided was exceedingly plain. It was lodging that ordinary knights on campaign might use, with two hard bunk beds and horse blankets. Still, I supposed it was rather fortunate that it was spacious, since Merry and I would be sharing it.

But Merry seemed to have many complaints.

“To think he wouldn’t even give a guest room to my lady—what rudeness is this?”

“It’s fine, Merry. I came here as a knight, didn’t I?”

“Even so! Every castle keeps at least one or two single rooms prepared for high-ranking knights. And yet to deliberately give us a shared room…”

Merry huffed openly. I smiled vaguely and scratched my cheek.

It seemed comfortable enough.

But if I said that, Merry would only get angrier, so I removed my dirty cloak and leather gloves.

Just then, a maid poked her head through the door.

“You are Her Highness the Grand Duchess, yes?”

A maid with her hair tied up carelessly and wearing a dirty apron asked with a disdainful tilt of her head.

When I nodded, she looked me up and down as if she were my master.

“As for clothes… shall I bring you a dress?”

“A shirt and trousers will suffice. Bring a skirt for this child.”

The maid glanced at Merry and quickly left. I scratched my head.

By this point, it was unmistakably poor treatment. Well, servants were more attuned to their master’s mood than anyone. Perhaps they thought it was acceptable since their master was openly disregarding me.

I turned my head sheepishly and was startled to find Merry’s face flushed red and blue with anger.

The girl rolled up her sleeves and shouted.

“I’ll pull out every last hair on that wretch’s head!”

“Y-you can’t, Merry!”

I hurriedly grabbed Merry’s wrist.

Lately, I had learned a great deal that I had not known before, but this side of Merry was truly unfamiliar. No matter how difficult the situation, Merry had always maintained a calm demeanor befitting a lady of any house.

But the girl looked incredibly angry. The loyal maid said.

“Never in my life has anyone treated me so rudely. How much more so for Your Highness the Grand Duchess!”

Ah, I see.

This young maid had probably never experienced such treatment even in her own home. To have become a maid in a grand ducal household, she must have been a precious young lady at home. Unlike the professional hired maids in the capital, it was common for maids to come from high-standing families that did not even require a salary, so she must have been even more furious.

I carefully consoled the girl whose face had turned bright red from experiencing such poor treatment for the first time in her life.

“They don’t know me. It’s only natural that respect is hard to come by.”

“You are the Grand Duchess, my lady, the mistress of this territory!”

“Yes. But what use is there in demanding respect by status alone? I didn’t earn my status through my own strength. I was simply born with it.”

Merry looked at me with wide eyes. I quickly averted my gaze.

It was something most nobles would never accept, but it was what I had always believed.

Though I was a lord’s daughter, such things meant nothing where I lived. The bitter cold of the North and the savage monsters made all humans suffer equally. I had wept and laughed alongside the people of the territory, spending winter nights huddled together for warmth.

They had respected me because I was someone who could save them. No one had said that my mother, though a noble, was worth more than the Knight Commander of common birth if she was incompetent. A noble was not some different species or something inherently special from birth. They were simply people like any other.

Yet the difference in status clearly existed, and it was not something I could change immediately.

So I had decided that at the very least, I must respect everyone equally. When I had first come to the Empire, where the distinction of status was far stricter than in my homeland, I had struggled to adapt. But simply treating everyone around me kindly had made things much less uncomfortable.

It was the same outside the castle. I had not conducted myself in a manner worthy of these people’s respect, so it was only natural that I did not receive it. I did not wish to force it upon them by flaunting my title.

I deliberately spoke brightly.

“Of course, it is a bit upsetting… but that’s not what matters right now, is it? I’m grateful simply to be given a place to stay.”

But Merry still wore an extremely grave expression.

Was she angry? Thankfully, she did not seem to be. She was simply lost in thought.

Soon, Merry grumbled.

“…Still, if our Grand Duke knew, he would never stand idly by.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her puffed-out cheeks.

This child had clearly seemed to dislike Victor.

But the grumbling girl’s face was so cute that I had no heart to tease her. I gave Merry a bright smile and headed toward the bathroom attached to the room.

❖ ❖ ❖

The baron’s maid had practically thrown the clothes down before leaving. Merry still looked extremely angry, but surprisingly, she said nothing.

I picked up the trousers and shirt, put them on, and told Merry.

“Rest here. I’ll be back shortly.”

I let my long hair down and stepped out of the room.

After leaving the castle, I went straight to the guard post. Usually, minor lords did not keep their own knights, and the captain of the guard defending the lord’s castle was responsible for the security of the entire territory. If I found the guard post, I would likely be able to meet the person in charge of the territory.

Fortunately, the guard post was nearby. I strode toward it.

On the training grounds in front of the guard post, the soldiers were in the middle of training. Their spear forms were somewhat clumsy, but sweat beaded on their cheeks.

They’re working hard.

With a pleased heart, I found the man leading the training—presumably the captain of the guard.

“Are you the one responsible for this castle’s defense?”

A middle-aged man with a shaggy beard raised his head. Spotting me, he answered with a suspicious gaze.

“That I am. Who might you be?”

“Ah, I am…”

I closed and opened my eyes against the embarrassment that washed over me once more.

When on earth would I grow accustomed to this burdensome title?

I hesitated and answered.

“I am a knight affiliated with the subjugation force, and the Grand Duchess, Amarion Mort.”

“Mort?”

The man’s eyes suddenly grew impossibly wide. To the point where one would marvel that human eyes could grow so large.

He hurriedly cast aside his spear and dropped to his knees with a thud on the sandy ground. Without even giving me a chance to speak, the captain cried out.

“We greet the exalted, exalted lady of the Black Lion Castle!”

“No, no…! Please, rise!”

Why are the people of this castle so extreme?

So flustered was I that I placed my hand on the guard captain’s shoulder.

He shot to his feet at tremendous speed and stood as straight as a stone statue. He looked like a freshly conscripted new recruit with strict military discipline drilled into him.

I was so bewildered I couldn’t speak. Yet the captain looked deeply moved.

“To think I would meet a member of my lord’s household here—it is truly an honor.”

“Your lord…?”

“When I was young, I was an apprentice knight of the Mort Knight Order. But lacking the skill to become a senior knight, I returned to my hometown and became the guard captain. I thought I would never again see a lady of House Mort, yet such an honor…”

I looked up at the guard captain’s face with a strange feeling.

The lord he had served was likely not Victor, and the lady who had been his master was certainly not me. Yet simply meeting someone from his former lord’s house made him this happy.

It seemed somewhat unreasonable at a glance, but it was truly dazzling loyalty. Admiring the captain’s heart, I extended the back of my hand.

“You are a true knight. The Grand Duke, too, would be pleased to hear of you.”

“…! It is an honor, Your Highness!”

The guard captain bowed his head and kissed the back of my hand. He looked as though he might faint.

I wanted to give him more time to be moved, but now was not the time for that.

I let out a short cough.

“More importantly, I have news to impart.”

“Speak, Your Highness.”

The captain immediately stood ramrod straight. I asked seriously.

“Did you know a hydra lives in the swamp outside the outer castle?”

“What?!”

The captain’s mouth fell open. The soldiers who had self-consciously stopped their training to watch us because of the captain’s commotion were no different.

It was no wonder they were surprised. A hydra was a terrifying demonic beast that usually annihilated an entire village before disappearing.

I calmly reassured the captain, who was on the verge of fainting for a different reason than before.

“Do not worry; we dealt with it on our way here. However, some cleanup will be necessary. We burned it, but the corpse remains, so smaller monsters will likely flock to it.”

“Th-then what must we do…?”

“I would like to catch them all before leaving… but as you know, we are pressed for time.”

I sighed.

If only we had a little more time, I would have conducted a search and cleaned up the other monsters neatly before departing, but the situation in the East was too dire for that. With our departure set for dawn tomorrow, waiting for the monsters was impossible.

Since a large hydra had made its nest there, there would be no other large monsters, but…

After a brief moment of concern, I made a proposal.

“Might I observe your training for a moment?”

The captain looked surprised. Then slowly, he looked at my lean, hard shoulder and calloused hands. As if recalling my introduction as a knight.

Without asking further, the captain bowed his head.

“I would be honored, Your Highness.”

I smiled and nodded.

-To be continued in the next volume-