The place had been tidied up for over an hour since then. Although the banquet itself had not yet ended and was poised to continue throughout the night, those unable to endure their sleepiness hid in carriages or guest rooms. Now was the deep night when it was acceptable for Gezell, the host of the banquet, to leave his seat.
After leaving a brief greeting, Gezell left the banquet hall. Without stopping elsewhere, he headed straight for the Duchess’s bedroom. The process of pushing aside attendants near the entrance was as usual.
He quietly opened the door. The bedroom was quiet and pleasantly warm, as if it were a different world from the lively banquet hall. Gezell reflexively exhaled a long breath.
Crowded and bustling places did not suit his taste. Silence comforted Gezell. The subtle scent of the room owner, who wandered like a fairy in the bedroom, made it even more so.
To avoid waking the sleeping person, Gezell silenced his footsteps as he approached the bed. His lips curved into a faint smile again. It was probably because of the man who had said he would take a short break, wanted to come down after resting for an hour, and wanted to dance more. Should he have woken him?
Feeling tired, Gezell had thought it might be better to let him rest, but from his perspective, it might have been too frustrating to waste time like this when he didn’t know when such an opportunity would come again after the end of this banquet.
While walking the short distance from the door to the bed, Gezell could envision various aspects of Rensley Maelrosen. The face, less awake due to drowsiness, smiling faintly as if teasing Gezell for not waking him up, or grumbling a bit about being awakened—perhaps a reaction Gezell had not imagined. Which one would it be this time?
“Sir Maelrosen.”
Seeing that the bed curtains were not closed, it was clear that he had not decisively fallen asleep. Gezell approached and looked down at the bed. The tousled golden hair even in the dim light was a wig to cover the short-cut hair. The volume he thought belonged to a person was a long cushion. Gezell silently stared at the scene, smiling again.
“What kind of joke is this?”
Come to think of it, he had mentioned that he rarely attended royal palace banquets in Cornia because they were boring. Today was a day when guests from outside gathered here and there in the castle. For someone with his lively disposition, it was more enjoyable to mingle with merchants and have fun than to attend a party hiding behind veils and dresses, removing blemishes.
“If you wanted to socialize with people outside the castle, you should have said so….”
Even the low murmur exuded warmth. Until now, Gezell had not preferred talkative and lively people. It didn’t bother him to be constantly interrupted while spending time together or having his thoughts disturbed by someone talking incessantly.
But just because they worked at the Duke’s residence or held a position didn’t mean that everyone, like Gezell himself or the Knight Commander Anton, was quiet. Not everyone gathering here was calm, even figures like the Chief of the Magic Guild, Larcof, or the Chambermaid Samlet, were more talkative than calm.
Personality and abilities were separate. Just because someone’s personality didn’t match didn’t mean he hesitated to use them as subordinates. However, when asked if he wanted to spend personal time with such people, Gezell could answer without hesitation, “No.” It had been only a short time since he realized that personality differences didn’t necessarily mean conflict.
He sat beside a trap so meticulously crafted that calling it a doll would be embarrassing. From within his clothes, he pulled out a small mirror and, with a swipe of his hand, the mirror reflected a place different from the immediate surroundings.
The first place he examined was the stable. On a day like today, during a banquet, the area around the stables was expected to be crowded with external guests. Even if there was no specific business, those who liked to visit the stables to take care of the horses or play with the stable keepers were likely to be found there.
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.
Perhaps because it was quite late, the area near the stable was surprisingly quiet. Gezell carefully observed the people, not only outside the stable but also around the mage tower and the resting place of stable keepers. Like playing a game of finding hidden pictures in a mural, he shifted his gaze gradually.
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The magical tool that was almost like the Duke’s eyes covered almost every corner inside the ducal residence. For quite a while, Rensley’s presence could not be found anywhere, and by the time Gezell lowered the mirror, there was no trace of a smile left on Gezell’s face.
Gezell stood up and looked around the bedroom. When he consciously observed, a part that felt uncomfortable caught his eye. If Rensley hadn’t intended to go to bed, there was no reason to light so many candles. The room was excessively dark. Gezell gestured to brighten all the candles, then walked towards the window, passing along the wall. As he walked, he stared intently at a window in a secluded spot.
The door was half-open.
“Summon the Knight Commander!”
As Gezell forcefully opened the bedroom door and raised his voice, the guards were startled, turning to look at him. In the urgent atmosphere of the usually quiet lord, some hurriedly ran down the stairs.
Even while waiting for Commander Anton, Gezell thoroughly examined the surroundings. It wasn’t something that could be comforting, but there were no signs of broken objects or traces of a fight. Since the active Duchess had tried to leave through the window before, there was no need to suspect foul play.
“My lord.”
The voice of the person who had been waiting behind Gezell, examining every nook and cranny of the bedroom, reached his ears. As Gezell rose, Anton bowed.
“What’s the matter?”
“Sir Maelrosen is nowhere to be seen.”
At the abrupt words without further explanation, Anton looked a bit perplexed and met Gezell’s gaze. Gezell nodded and added some clarification.
“I understand what you’re trying to say. Since he enjoys having fun, he might have gone out for some nocturnal adventure. However, it’s troublesome if we can’t locate his whereabouts, so send a search party immediately to confirm his destination. Start by checking the pub ‘Rose’s Goblet’ outside the castle and Knight Stan Simon’s house.”
“He went up to the bedroom to rest…”
“He said so, but it seems he slipped out quietly. If he had been honest, I would have told him to go out, but since it’s a formal banquet, he probably felt it was awkward to ask. Hurry. I’ll continue to explore the inner part of the castle.”
Although the Knight Commander seemed to hesitate, it was only for a moment. Immediately, he turned and left the bedroom. Assigning the task of searching outside the castle to Anton, Gezell himself went to investigate within the castle.
While magical exploration was convenient, it was limited to the interior of the castle. Places where a medium pre-imbued with the owner’s magical essence was not planted in advance couldn’t be seen through the mirror. Although it was possible to explore all corners of Roudken Ducal Residence, it was not possible for the outskirts of the castle.
However, since he knew most of the places Rensley Maelrosen might go, it was acceptable. Considering the late hour, it would be either the pub or a friend’s house—one of the two.
It seemed that the excitement that didn’t match his usual calm demeanor during the discussion of wanting to leave for a different region had made him more concerned than he thought.
When he returned, he would definitely scold him thoroughly this time. Moreover, he would ask him not to hide his whereabouts without speaking. Furthermore, it was worrying for him to go out without notice, so from now on, regardless of where he went, he should inform Gezell first.
Gezell left the bedroom and headed to the greenhouse first. While other places were gathering spots for many people, the greenhouse was a place where only the two of them freely went back and forth. Although a person’s figure was not noticeable when viewed through the mirror, the night greenhouse was dark, and with the numerous plants, there were many shaded areas. Things might be different if he checked in person.
“Sir Maelrosen.”
Opening the glass door and stepping inside, Gezell called the name once. There was no reply, and the atmosphere inside the greenhouse seemed awkward, as if shaken by the sudden visit of a person.
Gezell waved his hand to generate light. The brightness, much stronger than candles or lamps, illuminated the entire greenhouse as if it were broad daylight. Pumpkin-colored eyes slowly observed from one end to the other of the greenhouse. The seeker was nowhere to be found, not in front of the vines or fruit-bearing stems, not on the vegetable garden where leaves grew, nor in front of small tree saplings.
“Rensley.”
Knowing he was not there, perhaps because he knew, Gezell called the name again. Swaying his head left and right, he took slow steps forward and discovered a paper protruding under the watering can.
Rensley visited the greenhouse without fail every day and used this watering can to water the field. Although he could have entrusted the management to a servant, Gezell did not recommend it. It was because he had seen how happily Rensley smiled when watering the plants.
Sometimes from a distance, sometimes up close. If he watched the act of watering from right beside, he wouldn’t need to ask about minor stories like what happened in Cornia or the various uses of crops.
The paper protruding into the space made of light, water, and soil strangely caught his attention. Gezell took out the paper placed under the watering can. When he unfolded the note, folded in an artificial manner, a short line of hastily scrawled writing was revealed on the prominently displayed surface.
[I know that explaining my departure by saying it’s for Your Excellency’s sake would make me feel better, but it’s not true. I’m sorry.
P.S.: Please enjoy the tomatoes placed by the window after about two days. They taste delicious even if you eat them as they are.
P.S.2: Please be happy with the new Duchess! I’m truly, truly grateful. Really, I mean it…
Rensley Maelrosen]
Gezell blinked as he read the note, which was ambiguous enough to be called a letter. Reading the brief message several times from start to finish, he then flipped the paper over. Although he searched for anything on the back, there was nothing. This time, he shook the paper, flapping it back and forth. Rensley Maelrosen wasn’t a magician, but there was a suspicion that the note might be some kind of device. However, as the paper swayed, no hidden effect or a real message revealing itself was triggered.
It was indeed an ordinary piece of paper, commonplace and found anywhere.
The hand holding the paper dropped slowly. As the crumpled end of the paper wrinkled, the man’s forehead, in parallel, suddenly furrowed as if deeply creased. Gezell Jivendad did nothing.
He simply stood still in one place, seemingly nailed down. However, the calm and gentle atmosphere began to shatter like cracked glass, gradually widening and shaking, even though there was not a hint of wind in the greenhouse.
While the greenhouse remained eerily calm, long, black hair swayed slowly like seaweed in water. When surrounded by darkness at night, the deep-set hazel eyes would become as dark as an abyss, and the glint in them sparkled like flashes of lightning with each passing moment.
Crack! A deep sound, as if gold were being engraved on a glass window, shattered the silence. Startled, Gezell shook his shoulders abruptly. The intense, golden light that had been trapped in his pupils like molten iron seemed to extinguish, as if doused with cold water.
“…No.”
No. Gezell murmured once more and left the greenhouse. With swift steps, he reached the study in the next moment.
As his hand moved, luminous patterns were drawn in the dark void. The moment they were completed, a voice from someone who didn’t exist in the same place echoed.
“What is the matter, Your Grace?”
“I need to find someone.”
“Who?”
“I sent the Knight Commander, but it seems the personnel may be insufficient. Dispatch all members of the search team, and find Rensley Maelrosen, the squire of the Royal Guard. He shouldn’t have gone far yet.”
“Understood.”
The voice abruptly cut off. Gezell walked steadily and sat down on the empty throne.
In the quiet and dim study, he sat for a while, seemingly just staring into space. Although it appeared that he was doing nothing, he was meticulously examining the details he had missed.
A man who rarely failed or made wrong judgments also had few experiences regretting his decisions. The King of the North, who had remained silent, slowly leaned his upper body forward. He sighed briefly and covered his face with his hands.
He should have cast a tracking spell on the sleeping Rensley Maelrosen. Why did he stop in the middle?
It was the first time he had resented his past self, and he hadn’t learned how to cope with it. Gezell remained in that position for quite a while, like a frozen piece of art, his face still covered.
Oh lord what is this 😧. Greenhouse Gezell was very scary, & he was casting tracking spell ! He must have become pretty paranoid to do that.
Sorry Duke but I’m on Rensley’s side (・_・;) it would have become tough for him to watch you getting married to someone else. Not everyone can stay as Nonchalant as you.
Thanks for your Hard work on this. 💖
ur welcomeee<33333
Jeez, Gezell, dear, your mistake wasn’t to not cast a tracking spell on Rensley, but to never have given him neither reassurance nor hope to stay, the focus is all wroooong.
That’s why he’s going away to begin with, he’s kind of taking him for granted, as in: You can get anything as long as you stay by my side, but you won’t ever aspire to be my official lover.
Man, that’s fucked up, no wonder dear Rensley chose to run away before getting hurt more.
Thanks for the chapter!!! Hope Gezell realizes the situation well
*won’t ever aspire to be my official lover, and oh! You’ll Watch me marry sb else who everyone will later on praise as “my perfect match” while you guard me in the shadows, only meeting as forbidden lovers”
ur welcomeee~~<3
honestly, this is my favorite volume of this novel and you’ll soon see why~ it’s satisfying af ^.^
I too think the same. This is actually cruel to do to your lover. Gezell’s actions get justified as him performing duties but what about Rensley’s feelings ?
Also I do feel like he wanted to keep him closer to himself. Just imagine how hard it’s gonna be for Rensley. Watching them…….
Gezell ain’t very good with emotions but now he’ll learn , the Hard way.
You guys are forgetting he tried to make him a male duchess but he refused multiple times. First he claimed it was due to him not being able to birth a heir which he said he wouldn’t have to worry about cause his sister can just have kids. Then he said it was because he was a man.
Now that are MC is catching feelings, all of these problems are occurring because he doesn’t tell Gezell.
Gezell probably knows he loves Rensley but doesn’t know how rebsley feels about him. Rensley admitted he engages in short lived relationships freely. So Gezell might think his love is one sided. He didn’t confess until he left which is very rude to say the least.
I can see why Gezell is upset, the way he left was just awful. He got his hopes up and just vanished without a word or explanation. He didn’t even tell him give him a moment to even talk about his feelings. T.T
But thank you for translating! I find this books super enjoyable~~~~
Truth be told, Rensley is the more logical one since Gezell doesn’t have much experience.
Rensley just thought to himself that staying in this relationship was going to end up hurting him and he ran away when it got too hard for him.
I do see how both of them are at fault here and could have navigated this situation better but I also think they need to be apart for Gezell to finally realize that he can’t be apart from Rensley in the ways that he thought he could.
In the end, I am more biased toward Rensley lol since he’s my favorite but Rensley did convey his feelings many times but he was met with Gezell’s confusion and uncertainty regarding his own emotions, and no matter how hard one believes he’s loved, after a while, this relationship would just tire him out. but it is also because of Gezell’s inexperience but at the end of the day, I can see why Rensley left the way he did.
though what you’re saying is very much true so I’m just saying the other side but no hate on Gezell cause he too, is our ginat cutie bear lmao but who doesn’t love a bit of suffering and realization~?
I’m glad you’re enjoying this novel since it’s one of my all time favorites and happy reading<3333
I meeee what did you expect, you wanted a side and a main😃 Ren is not SIDE MATERIAL, how dare you expect him to be😤