“Gasp…”
Rensley awoke with a start, as if jolted awake from a nightmare. He took a deep breath, and as he opened his eyes, the dark and silent bedroom, shielded from light and drafts by heavy curtains, greeted him.
Glancing around, he let out a small, amused “hmph,” savoring the feeling of having slept well without even a dream. It felt too audacious to call himself someone facing the threat of death.
‘I thought of waking up early to get dressed. What if someone had peeked in during that time?’
Fearing such thoughts, Rensley buried himself deeper under the covers. Peeking out only his eyes, he carefully examined his surroundings, trying to detect any signs. However, at least for now, there was no one in the bedroom.
Feeling disappointed, Rensley cradled his head in his hands and frowned. The warmth in the bed remained as the Duke had predicted, preserving the heat and Rensley’s body temperature, making it still warm. However, with the dwindling of the fire, the air in the room had become slightly damp and cooler than the night before.
Rensley cautiously rose from the bed, donned his outerwear, and draped the fur shawl over his shoulders. Veiling his face with the curtain, he approached the window.
Pulling the wooden door handle, the glass window, along with the metal decorative lattice, was revealed. The glass was adorned with exquisite leaf patterns, seemingly crafted by a skilled artisan in silver. Enchanted by the mysterious patterns created by the chilly northern air, Rensley momentarily forgot his predicament.
Despite rubbing the fogged glass with his sleeve, the view outside remained blurry. Resignedly, he decided to open the window. As he did, the outer landscape came into clear view.
“Darn it…”
Rensley cursed under his breath, shoulders trembling. The midday sun hung directly overhead.
While the northern sun might lack the warmth and brilliance compared to the southern counterpart, it was still the sun, fully capable of illuminating the world.
Sighing once more, Rensley, with his arms propped on the windowsill, gazed outside. The landscape of the Duke’s castle, Lauthken, and the sky of Orlant, which he couldn’t properly see in the darkness yesterday, were now visible in a single glance.
Though the northern sun might have a pale and chilly aura compared to the south, it was still the sun. It had no shortage of radiance in its role of illuminating the world.
“Heh.” Rensley let out another sigh and, leaning on the windowsill, used his elbows to support his chin as he looked outside. He muttered an expletive while surveying the scenery. The sun was still there, regardless of the chilly air.
Sighing once more, Rensley took in the scenery outside. The sky, which was clouded without a trace of blue, looked somber. Well, considering the accumulated snow everywhere, clear skies would indeed be rare. When he first left Cornia and saw snow for the first time while heading north, he was excited, forgetting the hardships momentarily. But now, having arrived at his destination, he had become accustomed to the snowy landscapes.
‘What if I run away before the wedding ceremony?’
However, the rear walls of Lauthken also served as a barrier protecting the northern end of the continent. Beyond them lay an unknown world that Rensley knew nothing about.
The wedding was imminent, and even if he could manage to escape the castle before then, he would likely freeze or starve somewhere in the vast snowy wilderness. Staying in the castle might offer the possibility of the Duke showing mercy, but Rensley had experienced firsthand the lack of mercy in the northern chill during his time here.
People outside the window were diligently preparing for the day. Some carried water containers, others had picks and shovels heading somewhere for work, while others carried pots and baskets. Small carts and children playing with spinning tops and rolling marbles in the courtyard added to the scene Rensley observed carefully.
The way children played was no different from one end of the continent to the other. Rensley watched them with a faint smile, despite the slight chill on his nose due to the cold air entering through the window. He didn’t give up observing the outside world.
At that moment, a child who had been crouched down, rolling marbles, suddenly raised its head as if sensing someone’s gaze. There was no time to evade. The child stood up, wide-eyed, staring directly at Rensley through the window.
Like a flash, Rensley closed the curtains, his chest pounding. He moved away from the window, feeling the oppressive atmosphere. He briefly considered lifting the veil to breathe better, but decided against it, much to his relief.
He drew water from the jar next to the fireplace, poured it into the basin, and washed his face. Brushing his hair back and adjusting his attire, Rensley approached the bedpost to pull the cord.
He hesitated, tapping his chin, pondering whether it was necessary to summon the maids to draw attention to himself. In the end, Rensley reached a conclusion. The exhausted princess, who had endured a long and arduous journey, could afford to sleep in and skip the early morning preparations. Even if she lay on the bed for a while longer, no one would suspect a thing.
Rensley thought, ‘Do we really need to draw attention by summoning the maids?’
Rubbing his chin, lost in thought, Rensley soon made up his mind. Let the weary princess, who had faced a long and challenging journey, sleep in. No one would question her even if she spent a little longer on the bed.
Lying on the bed for a while longer wouldn’t raise any suspicions. It was the real princess who would always be the protagonist of the story, patiently waiting for the wedding ceremony and happily living with her beloved afterward. For the fake bride, Rensley Maelrosen, a happy ending was out of the question. If he hoped for any chance of escaping the desperate situation, he would have to find the loophole at least.
Creak. He opened the firmly closed door of the bedroom. Rensley peeked outside through the narrow gap, carefully observing the surroundings.
The quiet corridor, devoid of any passersby, was silent, with two guards standing at a distance. It seemed unlikely that Rensley could leave through the main gate.
Closing the door slightly, Rensley moved quickly. He shed the gown, outerwear, and veil, revealing the men’s clothing he had kept carefully hidden. Even if the people here were to see the attire of Cornia, they would probably feel uncomfortable, but it was safer than venturing outside as the prospective Duchess.
‘Ah, it’s cold.’
Despite being indoors, the thinner clothing allowed the chill to seep through. Rensley shivered, quickly approaching the fireplace. Adding a few more logs and giving it a few puffs, the flames sprang to life.
After warming up for a moment, Rensley noticed a small mirror on the fireplace. Looking at the tense reflection, he smiled. Confronting the anxious face in the mirror, he felt a sense of improvement.
“Hello, handsome Rensley Maelrosen. Don’t worry too much. If luck is on our side, we might live a better life, right?”
Rensley, feeling a bit more at ease, began to explore the room, carefully examining his surroundings. After a brief scan, he opened a small window in the innermost corner.
In this less frequented part of the castle, under the western window, there were no playing children or working servants. The window was relatively small, and there were no grilles.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
He carefully unfolded all the clothes he had taken off and placed them in the gap between the inner wooden window and the outer glass. The double-layered structure of the window and the considerable space between the inner and outer layers provided a suitable hiding spot. Just in case, he took an empty candle holder.
“Alright.”
Ready to go, Rensley firmly held onto the window frame and lay flat, headfirst, examining the view below. The Duchess’s chamber was on the fourth floor of the main tower where the Lord resided.
“It’s not an easy height, but it should do.”
For an ordinary person, the height might seem daunting, but Rensley effortlessly maneuvered, grabbing onto bricks, ornamental pieces, and footholds. Prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, he took an empty candle holder with him as he skillfully leaped out of the window. If anyone were to witness it, they might mistake him for an acrobat.
The area around the bedroom had been quiet, probably out of consideration for the prospective Duchess taking a rest. However, as Rensley walked outside, the bustling sounds grew closer.
“Is the dyeing not finished yet?”
“Double-check the number of silverware!”
“We need more lime. Check if there’s any left.”
Upon arriving at the central courtyard, the lively atmosphere of the castle preparing for the wedding became evident. Rensley hid behind a pillar, observing the scene unfold.
“How long are you going to stand idle? Move these baskets to the laundry room!” “We’re almost done!”
A boy, barely in his teens, carrying a laundry basket piled high with remnants left by the technicians, was scolded by an older man. The basket was almost half the size of the boy.
Taking advantage of the angle created by the basket, Rensley stealthily approached and grabbed some clothes inside, making a swooshing sound. A thick gray top, pants, and even gloves were in the basket. Quickly donning the top, Rensley took a deep breath as he put on the pants.
“Almost froze to death.”
Even with the additional layer of the cotton outfit, the biting cold didn’t completely disappear, but at least he averted the imminent danger of freezing.
Perhaps due to the castle walls surrounding them or the fact that it was daytime with the sun shining, the ferocious wind he faced on the plains the previous night seemed to have calmed down. Rensley felt a much more relaxed mood as he explored various parts of the castle.
The northern defensive wall of Roudken boasted an impressively tall and sturdy structure. With only two walls passed during the entry, it was clear that the castle, including the outer walls of the Duke’s residence, had a formidable three-tier defense.
There were tall watchtowers at each corner of the walls, and besides the main keep where the Duke resided, there were buildings for welcoming guests, residences for servants and laborers, and more. Once outside the outer walls of the Duke’s residence, there were residential areas for the common folk.
Aldrant, despite having the largest territory on the continent, had vast areas of uninhabitable forests, mountains, and frozen plains. This made it challenging for people to engage in agriculture, livestock farming, or beekeeping, resulting in a significantly larger population living within the safety of the castle walls. Roudken was both the name of the castle where Duke Jivendad lived and the capital of Aldrant.
“Hey there! Why are you loitering around here instead of the kitchen?”
‘If only I had known such a day would come, I would have studied geography more diligently.’ Rensley walked through the central courtyard, the backyard, the stables, and the poultry farm, recalling the lessons he had heard in his childhood.
The animals here weren’t much different from those in Cornia, but seeing dogs as large as calves with thick fur was a sight he hadn’t seen before. It seemed even dogs here were put to work, pulling carts like oxen or horses. Instead of round wheels, the carts had peculiar elongated supports that extended like blades. Fascinated, Rensley stood there, watching the scene.
“Hey, you! What are you doing there?”
Initially oblivious to the commotion, Rensley only turned around when a small stone grazed his ear.
Wearing a fur hat and thick clothing, a well-built man was scolding him with authority.
“If you’re just going to linger around here aimlessly and pocket some money during the preparations for the wedding, you better head home right now!”
“Apologies. I came to get eggs and got a bit distracted.”
Quickly bowing in apology, Rensley felt relieved that he wasn’t questioned further. It seemed the owner of the clothes he had stolen was one of the kitchen staff.
“Hmm? You look like a stranger. What’s your name?”
“I am called Rensley.”
With a half-and-half appearance, the man scrutinized Rensley.
“If you’re one of those scoundrels trying to make a quick buck by meddling in the wedding preparations, know that you won’t earn a single penny if you don’t do things properly. Get going unless you want to be kicked out!”
Fortunately, Rensley was not interrogated any further. Relieved, he quickly moved away from the scene. It seemed that, during the preparations for events like weddings, even those who didn’t usually work within the castle were employed.
With festivities or banquets on the horizon, the number of outsiders visiting the castle increased. From potential threats like spies or assassins to petty thieves, all sorts of people could infiltrate the castle. As a result, during such events, supervisors in Cornia’s royal castle would meticulously keep track of the number and identities of workers, closely monitoring them.
‘It probably means… that they are in a time of peace.’
While the harsh cold, strong winds, and barren landscapes might make life difficult, the people here wouldn’t actively harm others. If the guards weren’t strict and they didn’t thoroughly identify external laborers, there might be a chance for Rensley to slip out of the castle and hide in the villages of commoners. What would happen after that was a different issue altogether…
Lost in contemplation, Rensley followed the man’s order and headed towards the kitchen. Even if the culture was different, instinctively, his feet led him to where there was food.
As Rensley approached the kitchen, the enticing smell of boiling and melting oil, spices, and baking bread permeated the air, causing a rumble in his stomach, reminding him of the hunger he had forgotten in the tension. Yesterday’s early dinner, a bowl of porridge and a few pieces of smoked meat before leaving the inn, was Rensley’s last meal.
In one corner of the kitchen, a fire roared under a large metal skewer, where a young pig and a chicken were impaled and cooking. As they rotated, the golden droplets of oil sparkled when the crispy skin turned crunchy. The crackling sound accompanied a burst of flames, intensifying and then subsiding.
Hanging from the ceiling beams, sausages retrieved from the pantry swung in abundance. A chef skillfully removed one, peeled off its casing, and exposed its contents. Sautéing it in the sizzling oil, he sprinkled salt, pepper, and spices. The scent of the crushed chili peppers or paprika added a spicy aroma.
It was evident that a sauce was being prepared for the sausage. Just wrapping it in pita bread and eating it as is would undoubtedly be delicious. Adding some herbs like coriander or rosemary, or even a bit of parsley, would make it even better. If accompanied by wine or beer…
‘…If I ever find myself facing execution, I should ask for a final meal like this.’
On another side, kebabs and salads were being prepared, and various soups were simmering in a large pot. Several stacks of freshly baked, soft-looking white bread were placed on the counter. Rensley stood there, overwhelmed by the scene.
“Why are you just standing there? Quickly, take this!”
A chef, busy moving between the oven and the preparation counter, handed Rensley a large tray with a loud complaint.
Looking around, Rensley noticed several other servants carrying similar trays, not just him. The chef grumbled under his breath.
“Don’t spill or drop anything, take it to Duke Jivendad. If he doesn’t receive it in his study, he won’t think about eating. I thought he might change a bit as the wedding approached, but nothing has changed. I wonder which woman would fall for that eccentric man and decide to live with him.”
“Don’t get so angry, Reyna. Thanks to that eccentric man, our lives have improved a bit, and nothing has gotten worse.”
With his eyes half-closed and surveying the situation, Rensley was handed a massive platter by the chef. It seemed that, even in Aldrant, preparations for a grand feast involved a variety of dishes and delicacies.
‘Have I ever lost my temper like that? Anyway, it’s a virtue for royalty and nobles to eat and drink a lot, isn’t it? After all, kings and lords need to be plump to command respect from other countries!’ No one on this continent would dare to ignore Aldrant and the rulers of the northern regions… Rensley responded internally, muttering to himself.
Even the Emperor had always been wary of Aldrant’s rulers. Moreover, the rumors about the enigmatic figure, Duke Gezell Jivendad, were circulating like ghost stories.
There was much to say, but Rensley bit his tongue and quietly joined the other servants heading toward the Duke’s study. It felt a bit nerve-wracking, but wearing the vivid-colored veil would surely prevent the Duke from recognizing his face.
The study must be referring to yesterday’s basement…. He immersed himself in black magic research to the point where he skipped meals. Did he receive a curse that resulted in those beast-like eyes? During the silent walk, Rensley recalled the eyes that gleamed with a golden hue.
“Duke, lunch is ready.” The door to the familiar underground room, same as yesterday, was opened.
The scene awaiting Rensley was also identical to yesterday. A blazing hearth, the room tinged with the color of that fire, various scrolls, drawings, paintings, and even maps were scattered across the underground chamber. However, the spacious desk in one corner was even more chaotic than yesterday. Papers and writing utensils were strewn about, and bizarre devices and potions unknown to Rensley were scattered around.
And there sat the Duke in front of the fireplace, comfortably settled in a large armchair draped with fur. He did not pay any attention to the servants who brought the food but gestured casually.
“Put it down and leave.” The door to the underground room closed as Rensley entered. The room, illuminated by the flickering light of a large fire, was filled with an array of books, scrolls, and various instruments. The spacious desk, usually neat and organized, was now in disarray, covered with papers and scattered tools. The Duke sat by the fire in a large armchair, draped with fur, seemingly lost in his thoughts. He gestured for the servants to leave as they brought in the food.
As the servants left, Rensley couldn’t help but notice a few other people in the room. They appeared tired, and judging by their attire, they didn’t seem to be nobles attending to official business.
Helping the servants, Rensley set up the meal on a wheeled table. Meanwhile, the Duke and others in the room exchanged sporadic words.
“I’ll try changing the recipe again.”
“If the distillation didn’t work, it might be an issue with the amplification.”
“Do not be too disappointed, Your Grace. Transmitting to the outskirts of Tergavem is still ongoing, so expanding the radius is only a matter of time.”
Pushing the table toward the comfortable chair where the Duke was seated, Rensley saw a long scroll resting on the Duke’s lap as they approached. Unable to resist curiosity, Rensley subtly extended his head, trying to discern the contents. Despite the Duke’s warning, it seemed that he sensed the movement, and he lifted his head slightly.
Their eyes met unexpectedly, and just like yesterday, Rensley couldn’t help but stiffen, akin to a mouse frozen before a cat. However, amidst the stiffness, Rensley widened his eyes. What was happening? Overnight, the golden hue in the Duke’s eyes had turned into a subdued pumpkin color.
‘Twin brothers…?’ The talk about such things was all hearsay.
“You impudent brat! Why are you staring so intently?” An unmistakable reprimand came from the kitchen assistant who was unabashedly observing the Duke’s face. He was one of the individuals who had been conversing with the Duke. Rensley quickly kneeled and prostrated on the ground.
“I have committed a grave offense! Please, forgive me!”
Rensley lost count of how many apologies he had made since leaving the bedroom. It seemed that even Rensley Maelrosen, who was not lacking in wit, struggled with the abrupt transition to life in the foreign land.
However, the Duke showed no signs of displeasure or anger. There was no change in his expression. The reprimanding servant, perplexed, mumbled to himself.
“Oh, no. Why go to such lengths…”
“Get up.”
The Duke’s voice was as low and monotonous as ever. It felt not only cold but almost lethargic. Rensley slowly rose to his feet. Despite the casual tone, the Duke’s gaze, the eye of a featureless pumpkin color, remained fixed on Rensley.
“Come closer.”
Rensley lifted his gaze from the floor to meet the Duke’s eyes. The Duke didn’t seem particularly angry, but something felt off.
Even though he tried to stay calm, his heartbeat quickened. Despite attempting to control his anxiety, he could feel his pulse racing. Rensley gripped his own lips tightly, attempting to suppress any trembling, as he approached and stood next to the Duke’s chair. The intense heat from the roaring hearth quickly heated his cheeks.
The Duke’s eyes scrutinized Rensley as he stood close. Even though the peculiar gleam was gone, the eyes were still deep and piercing. The flames from the hearth reflected in the pumpkin-colored irises, and there seemed to be a faint trace of golden eyes beneath them.
Recreating this atmosphere was impossible. It wasn’t an imitation of some fictional twin but the Duke himself.
Though a similar scenario was unfolding, unlike yesterday, there was no veil to shield Rensley’s face. The Duke’s gaze moved slowly, as if assessing or measuring something, passing from the top of Rensley’s head to the tip of his toes. Rensley felt like a partridge awaiting the moment its skin would be stripped away in front of a hunter. Despite wearing a woolen coat, he felt as though his skin was being peeled away.
Suddenly, the Duke reached out. Rensley instinctively flinched, his body slightly jerking, but he kept his feet planted firmly, standing still.
A long, black sleeve extended from the comfort chair’s armrest, hanging heavily. This was the same hand that had served as the parchment for Rensley’s finger drawing the night before. The palm of the hand approached Rensley’s face.
Unable to grasp the intention behind this action and apprehensively watching the hand, Rensley experienced a moment where his heart felt like it dropped. He was only left with his eyes visible as the rest of his face was concealed.
The Duke, with only Rensley’s eyes exposed, examined his face intently. The sensation was akin to being a partridge, waiting for its skin to be peeled away while wearing a woolen coat.
He reached for Rensley’s face, fingers almost touching his skin. The atmosphere became tense, and Rensley involuntarily held his breath. Just as the Duke’s fingers were about to make contact, he suddenly withdrew.
“How about that face? I’ve never seen it before.”
It felt like an eternity had passed. After a long moment, the Duke withdrew his hand, and from afar, someone replied before Rensley could.
“We have many workers who entered the castle for the first time, preparing for the wedding.”
“I haven’t seen this face among the villagers either.”
He looked at Rensley with a demanding expression for an answer. Everyone in the room, prompted by the Duke’s words, focused on Rensley. Rensley’s mind raced.
‘What is this about?’
No matter how harsh the land of Aldrant may be due to changes, the population of the capital is not that small. Even if the servants within the Duke’s residence remembered the faces, remembering the faces of villagers from outside…
Rensley rolled his eyes in disbelief, but no one in the room treated the Duke’s words lightly. Though it was hard to believe, for now, he had to accept it. The dilemma of whether to escape to a commoner’s area for a while had become entirely pointless.
Rensley clasped his hands tightly. If they checked even his fingers, he might really get caught. Fortunately, he was wearing gloves. The Duke did not seem inclined to ask him to take off his gloves. Rensley bowed deeply and began to emit smoke.
“I apologize, Your Grace! My name is Maelrosen. I am one of the attendants who accompanied Princess Ivet. While the others decided to return to Cornia immediately, I, truthfully, was a wanderer who couldn’t find a stable job in my home country. When I came here, despite the cold weather, I found many places to work and it seemed like a good place to live, so I was considering settling down.”
At that moment, someone grumbled, adding a reproachful tone.
“Even if you’ve come for travel or business, you can’t just settle down like that. If you want to immigrate, you need permission from the authorities. You can’t be recognized as a citizen of Aldrant just by settling down.”
“I understand. I am truly sorry. I will request formal permission even now. Your Grace, everyone, please, just give me a chance.”
The Duke nodded calmly.
“It seems like a common story from the south.”
“What?”
“Go and check with those attendants. See if someone named Maelrosen is among them.”
Then, one of the attendants spoke in a perplexed tone.
“Your Grace, Princess’s attendants left early. Since it gets dark quickly in the north, they wanted to hurry and leave, so we prepared breakfast for them as early as dawn.”
They transported Rensley this far, knowing he was a man. The messengers of the Cornia royal family would have left quickly before getting involved in troublesome matters. They would have wanted to return home as soon as possible, receive a hefty reward, rest well, and enjoy the peace. Rensley couldn’t bring himself to resent them, and at least for now, he was grateful for their prompt actions.
“Your Grace, I will inspect these dishes first.”
One of the people who were conversing with the Duke stepped forward and approached the table. He reached out, passing his hand over the dishes one by one. A faint light enveloped the space between his hand and the dish.
Wizards. Rensley realized the identity of the people in the underground room and slightly opened his mouth in surprise. In Cornia, encountering wizards was almost unheard of for ordinary people.
The atmosphere of the wizards he had seen a few times when he was young was very different from the people here. Cornia’s wizards often moved around together, creating a strict and closed atmosphere among themselves. However, the wizards here looked like ordinary scholars.
The inspection didn’t take long. The inspector, finishing the examination, reported to the Duke.
“There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the food.”
It was a judgment indicating that they were free from the suspicion of political conspiracy.
The Duke seemed lost in thought for a moment, but this matter didn’t seem to hold his interest for long. He gestured with an expression that showed his annoyance.
“Alright, everyone, leave. I will take my time with the meal.”
The attendants rushed out of the underground room. Rensley also slipped away among them, not looking back and moving his feet without hesitation.
Well then, now the Duke will definitely remember his face
The Duke covering Rensley ‘s lower face with his sleeve was definitely trying to check if his face looked the same as the princess’s when covered with the veil. I guess he already suspects the truth but is letting it slide for some reason…