Was the violets truly the harbinger of spring?
Since the day the flowers were discovered, the weather in Aldrant quickly warmed up. Although it wasn’t as warm as lying on a soft grassy field in Cornia, and not to the extent of dipping bare feet into gradually warming river water for fishing, Rensley, who used to layer several pieces of cotton clothes and a leather cloak every time he went out, now only needed to wear a couple of layers.
Rensley, who had always wandered around in thin shirts with just a vest or outer garment, realized for the first time after coming to the north that putting on and taking off clothes could be such a laborious task. Just lightening the load of clothing made him feel so refreshed.
“It’s really nice to have the sun shining brightly after a long time.”
“You should sunbathe a lot at times like this.”
However, it seemed to be Rensley’s standard, being sensitive to the cold, that even though it was warm, people in Aldrant were taking off their tops and basking in the sun outside.
For Rensley, the sight of colleagues sitting on the grass field after training with their tops off sent shivers down his spine. Despite being able to sunbathe even with clothes on, he hurriedly walked away from the scene. Although today he could enjoy sunbathing after training, there were other preparations to make.
Entering the main tower, Rensley headed for the kitchen. Upon opening the door, he felt a warm heat, as if entering a large furnace. Despite it being well past lunchtime and still a long time until dinner, the chefs seemed busier than usual.
“Reyna, need any help?”
“I’m busy today, no time for your jokes!”
“I came to help because you’re busy. Oh, the chicken looks plump. Should I cook this?”
“Why is a knight like you so interested in the kitchen? Just clear out! I’ll let it slide when you make snacks for yourself to eat, but today, when important guests of the Grand Duke are coming, forget about it!”
It’s because guests are coming… Rensley sighed inwardly.
Although he hadn’t become a robust northern warrior who could laugh off the cold while taking off his top after training, he wanted to see the guests who tasted Aldrant’s food praising it.
Reyna’s cooking skills had neither improved nor worsened. Perhaps the inflexibility and stubbornness of the people of Aldrant were fully reflected in their cooking. Sometimes Rensley tried to subtly inquire about cooking techniques, but every attempt ended in failure. With her strong pride and stubbornness, she was as impenetrable as the walls of Roudken.
“It’s been a while since guests came from so far away. The former Grand Duke used to meet external guests frequently, but unless they were scholars or wizards, the current Grand Duke rarely extended invitations. It’s true that his health makes it difficult for him to meet people, but it seems that the presence of the Duchess you brought is having a positive impact. Calling in top officials as soon as spring arrives.”
Good influence, indeed. Hearing the words about the Grand Duchess without knowing them who she was, Rensley couldn’t help but smirk slightly.
“She’s a very high-ranking figure. She has visited Aldrant several times already for official reasons.”
“That makes sense. However, His Grace hasn’t directly invited her to the castle. So, tonight’s preparation needs to be done with utmost care. Since you’re not a chef, you’re off the hook. If you’re hungry, there’s bread over there. Slice some ham and cheese and have it.”
Although Reyna was a person with a stiff demeanor, there seemed to be a somewhat soft spot in him. Today, however, she seemed unyielding to the point of not allowing a needle to penetrate. Rensley reluctantly stepped back.
Kyros organization was a large organization known even on the continent. Although the invitation was sent for Rensley’s sake, Gezell didn’t invite only Ivet. Rensley guessed that it was a diplomatic choice to invite high-ranking officers and some merchants together with the tower in mind.
In any country, powerful merchants had wealth comparable to nobles, and wealth translated into power. Therefore, among nobles or royalty, there were not a few who wanted to establish connections with influential merchants or organizations.
As the afternoon approached, just as the North Gate had opened wide a while ago, today the Central Main Gate opened. There was no formal procession like the Knight Order, but those scheduled to guide the organization were waiting near the castle gate. Although Rensley had no assigned task, he had been pacing outside for a while.
“Kyros organization is entering!”
As the gatekeeper shouted, the castle gate opened even wider to welcome the guests. The first to enter was a large carriage. The carriage, larger than most used by nobles, was decorated with bright blue and gold. It had a rare and dazzling paint job for Aldrant. The sturdy lattice windows made of solid wood didn’t quite match the atmosphere, reminding one of a prison carriage, but considering the frequent attacks by thieves and robbers, it was understandable.
Rensley stood at a distance, watching the busy guides welcoming the organization. He had searched for Ivet but couldn’t find her amidst the mix of horses and carriages, and the gathered crowd made it difficult to locate her quickly. There was a hustle and bustle of people coming down from the carriages and horses, starting from the head of the organization, who got off and exchanged greetings with the guides.
“Welcome to Roudken Grand Duke Castle.”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Starting from the moment he exchanged greetings, people poured out of the carriages and horses. Rensley stood at a distance, wandering around the group. It seemed like she hadn’t noticed him, but he saw the figure of the merchant who had fallen into trouble when he left the castle.
“Aldrant is really something.”
The familiar voice rang clearly. Rensley felt a breathless sensation as the sound reached his ears. He turned to the direction of the sound.
“It takes a while even after entering the border.”
“I really wanted to come and see. I’m so lucky that the opportunity came.”
Rensley bit his tongue, staring at the owner of the voice.
When he finds her, he was planning to run up and greet her warmly, but for some reason, various emotions surged up, making it difficult to shake off the stiffness. Even as Rensley quietly observed the merchants, their conversation continued.
“Do you have a friend here?”
“Yes. I wonder how he’s doing. I want to meet him soon.”
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.
Even though they were both illegitimate children, their positions were different. Unlike Rensley, who lived with servants, Ivet was formally recognized as a princess by the king. With her long red hair neatly arranged and dressed in a dress that complemented her gray eyes, she greeted the royal family.
Ivet always found her position to be tiresome. She cursed the subtle torment from the people of the royal family who forced her to adhere to various ceremonies without truly considering her a real royal. The daily suffering from both major and minor humiliations. The only times Ivet genuinely laughed out loud were when she played pranks with Rensley, walked in the woods, secretly changed her clothes and practiced swordsmanship, or freely roamed here and there.
Having left his homeland, Rensley could now admit this. He thought about how he felt a sense of relief knowing that he wasn’t alone in feeling humiliated, even though he empathized with the humiliation she felt. They could be bound as siblings because they shared the feeling of humiliation.
Did such a base camaraderie exist? Knowing it to be a cowardly thought, he had never expressed it out loud. However, because emotions couldn’t be controlled solely by reason, on days when a gloomy shadow crept into his heart, he would deny the petty satisfaction with a shake of his head.
Many days had passed since then.
The appearance of his only sibling had changed a lot. Her hair was tied back tightly with a black ribbon, and instead of wearing dresses, she wore comfortable attire when moving or riding. Even when she wasn’t smiling, her expression was brighter than when she lived in the Cornia royal palace.
Rensley smiled slowly and took a step forward. Leaving the organization people behind, he entered the main tower. Now that he had confirmed that she was doing well, greetings could be postponed. Besides, Duke Gezell would soon arrange a meeting.
To wait for Ivet, Rensley headed to the audience room again today. He took care of the dagger blade he carried everywhere, and even with spare time, he explored the novel borrowed from the library. However, voices from outside reached him.
“Here is the place. Please come in.”
“Thank you.”
After the conversation across the door ended, initially seeming a bit awkward, the person who timidly revealed themselves through the door was the awaited sibling. Sitting in front of a table, Rensley abruptly stood up.
“Ivet!”
“Rens!”
Having spotted Rensley, Ivet quickly ran towards him, seemingly forgetting the tension just a moment ago. Without hesitation, they embraced each other tightly. Closing their eyes, they leaned their faces against each other’s shoulders.
“I’m relieved that you’re safe.”
There was a trembling in Ivet’s hands as she clung tightly to Rensley’s back, and her voice carried a hint of tears. Rensley’s eyes also became moist, but he laughed out loud.
“Safe is an understatement. We’re both doing really well. Just as we dreamed when we were young, we left Cornia and are living our lives.”
“I heard the story. You became a knight?”
“I’ve just recently removed the trainee badge, but yes. You know, it’s been my dream since I was young to become a knight.”
Only now did Ivet lift her head and smile. Tears welled up slightly next to the smiling eyes.
With her fiery temperament, she cried as well as she laughed. The tears were like rain passing under the sunlight, quickly forming and soon drying.
Rensley lightly touched his cheek to hers twice, expressing joy at meeting family after a long time.
“Princess Ivet, once again, I presume?”
Rensley teased her with a smirk. Ivet snorted in response.
“What’s wrong with crying? Tears are just a fluid that comes out of the body. It’s like sweat or urine that comes out when it’s time.”
“As a metaphor.”
As the two bantered, a man who had arranged the meeting stood awkwardly at the door, observing them. Rensley released Ivet from his embrace, extending his hand towards the man.
“Your Grace! Have you arrived?”
“… Is that Cornia’s etiquette?”
“Oh, yes. If we’re glad to see someone, we might hug them. Don’t you also hug in Aldrant?”
He seemed like he wanted to say more, but he soon closed his mouth. Approaching the two, he welcomed the guests with an elegant demeanor.
“Nice to meet you, Princess Ivet Elbanes.”
“Thank you for the invitation, Your Grace. I can’t be called a princess anymore. Please treat me comfortably as an ordinary person.”
“It’s been a long time since we last met, and I think we have a lot to talk about. If it’s allowed by the organization, please feel free to stay and become a friend of Sir Maelrosen.”
“Oh, by the way.”
As if something had come to her mind, after the greetings, Ivet looked alternately at the two.
“Has the news reached here from Cornia?”
“News?”
Rensley widened his eyes. He couldn’t understand what she was talking about. Was there still news from Cornia at this point?
“It seems not yet. You’ll know soon, but this kind of news is usually the fastest from the organization’s information sources.”
Ivet stared at Rensley silently. Her voice, which had been full of excitement, sank.
“King of Cornia has died.”
A heavy silence fell in the room where the three gathered.
“He died?”
He might have been old enough for death not to seem awkward, but when Rensley recalled the last time he saw the king, it was far from the image of someone nearing the end. No, on the contrary, the king seemed overly healthy, to the point where Rensley couldn’t bear his vitality due to anger.
Having gone through the proof of legitimate heir recognition, Rensley was undoubtedly carrying half of the king’s blood in his veins. Even without the proof, there was no one who doubted Rensley as a member of the royal lineage. However, Rensley had never felt any affection from the king as a son, so in the face of this death, he didn’t feel any emotions such as sadness or shock. Just…
“So, is Felix going to be the king now?”
Ivet’s expression lost its vigor as if tired of Rensley’s question. Her response was equally cynical.
“Seems so. I heard he passed away early in the morning four days ago. They’ll hold the funeral and probably wait a few days for the coronation ceremony. With Felix firmly established as the sole heir to Cornia’s succession, there won’t be any conflicts now.”
“…What if Felix killed the king?”
“Killing his own father, that would be quite a feat. But anyway, since the throne would eventually come to him, there’s no reason for him to engage in such a dangerous act now.”
Gezell, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, finally spoke up.
“Felix Dimora Elbanes. That’s the name of Cornia’s crown prince.”
“That’s right. Initially, there were succession disputes behind the scenes in Cornia, but for several years now, there has been no prominent heir other than Prince Felix.”
As Ivet finished her explanation, Rensley sighed and straightened up.
“Well, Felix got rid of everyone else.”
The king of Cornia had many children, but three of them died at a young age. They were sons of former queens and the eldest son of the current queen. Although nothing was proven, and everyone hushed about it, people didn’t doubt that these three princes met their end at the hands of Prince Felix.
Rensley didn’t think it was necessary back then, and he still didn’t now. There was no one among them who posed a threat to Felix’s position.
Yet, they died. One was hit by an unclear arrow while in the hunting grounds, another drank poisoned tea during a group teatime. The last one suffered from an unexplainable skin disease, writhed in agony for days, and eventually succumbed.
The deaths of the young princes stirred interest within and around the palace, but the truth was never fully uncovered. The king, who had been indifferent to the wives he dethroned, also watched the succession dispute from a distance. Felix swiftly cleared out any remaining factions, successfully consolidating power.
Was it merely to establish the heir apparent? Rensley didn’t think so. Especially after the first queen, who had been executed due to conspiracy charges, lost her eldest son, who failed to inherit the talents of his maternal relatives, he lived a quiet life in exile.
The killings within the Cornian royal family were merely the result of Felix’s temperament as a human. Even though he had lost power, the mere existence of the brothers who should be treated with some courtesy might have been a nuisance to him.
“At times like that, I used to think it was fortunate to be born as an illegitimate child. Otherwise, I might have become someone from the afterlife by now. Surely, I would have been the top priority.”
Rensley shrugged his shoulders, making a joke-like remark, but Gezell remained silent. After giving Rensley a brief glance, Gezell turned his gaze to Ivet.
“Princess Ivet, if you don’t mind, could you vacate the seat for a moment? There’s something I need to discuss with Maelrosen and it won’t take long.”
“Oh, sure.”
“When you leave, a maid will be waiting. It might be nice to explore the place. I understand there might be a lot of catching up to do, but we have plenty of time, so please excuse us.”
“No, it’s fine. You dropped quite unexpected news. I was surprised to hear it too.”
Rensley felt puzzled. Was there really something for the guest and Gezell to discuss privately? If he wanted to talk about the changes in Cornia’s situation, he could obtain more valuable information from Ivet, who had once been acknowledged as part of the royal family. Moreover, Ivet, working at the higher echelons, might have heard various news, but she hadn’t been exposed to outside stories since she came to Aldrant.
Despite his internal confusion, Rensley chose not to intervene and watched as his sister left the room. Gezell, seemingly as ambiguous in his thoughts as Ivet, closed the door with a thoughtful expression.
Once Ivet’s footsteps were completely distant, Gezell turned back. As Rensley looked up at him, Gezell, who had approached, suddenly lifted Rensley, placing him on the wide desk.
“Your Grace…?”
With his large hand, Gezell stroked Rensley’s head and cheek before suddenly lowering his body. Gezell embraced Rensley, unexpectedly pressed his lips against Rensley’s without warning, and, as if sealing a promise, deepened the kiss.
Although caught off guard by the sudden kiss, it lasted only a moment. Leaning into the arms that held him, Rensley, in turn, placed his arms around Gezell’s back. As Gezell further lowered his upper body, the wide edge of his cloak draped over Rensley like a curtain or a blanket.
Gezell’s tongue entered Rensley’s mouth more deeply and persistently than usual, trying to melt into it. The moist sound emanating from within their mouths tickled their ears.
“Ugh, ah…, huh…”
It was difficult to suppress the moans escaping with the pleasure of the deep, intense kiss. Feeling the tingling pleasure spreading to his neck and waist, Rensley momentarily pushed back, slightly retreated, and bit his tongue to make the wet, sticky sound louder. A muffled groan escaped from Gezell’s throat.
After the kiss, both of their lips were wet. Rensley, who gasped a few times, finally asked the reason.
“Your Grace, why did you suddenly…?”
“Until a moment ago, my body was cold.”
Gezell took Rensley’s hand, raised it, and placed it on his cheek.
“It’s warm again now.”
At first, Rensley’s face, which was round and plump, gradually turned a light shade of red as he understood Gezell’s intentions. Avoiding eye contact, he lowered his head, and Gezell went so far as to lay Rensley down on the table.
After the pumpkin-colored eyes and gaze met Rensley’s, there was no turning back. Rensley let out a faint bitter laugh.
“Your Grace, it’s still broad daylight. Guests are here too.”
“Guest reception is scheduled for dinner anyway. Right now, they’re probably resting and relieving fatigue.”
“But still…”
“A long time ago, you told me stories about the Crown Prince of Cornia. Is he still frightening to you?”
In the softening atmosphere, Rensley’s eyes briefly hardened at the unexpected question.
Now that he thought about it, there had been a time when Rensley had murmured something as he passed by. It was a story about the crazy Crown Prince of Cornia tying him up in the garden all night on a day when thunder and lightning struck. It was a story he had shared on a rainy night after the wedding ceremony, the first time he had slept in a bed.
Gezell, with sharp eyes as if trying to pry into his thoughts, looked down at Rensley. Rensley, who faced him as if engaging in an eye duel, eventually turned away from that distant gaze. The delicate muscles covered with fine blond hair subtly wrinkled as his eyebrows dropped.
“Do you still find him frightening? I wonder.”
“Do I find him frightening now?”
“I’m not sure. But if I’m afraid of that guy, I feel embarrassed.”
“Even if he becomes the King of Cornia, it’s now unrelated to you who have left. Cornia is very far away, and there is almost no interaction with us.”
“I know. Perhaps we won’t meet again in the future. But even so, I feel uneasy, and I don’t like myself for being so weak. I shouldn’t be this fragile, especially as a knight serving you.”
Staying on the table made his back cold. To avoid the cold, Gezell, who had been tossing around, embraced Rensley again.
“Even brave people have things they don’t want to think about. It’s natural. But Rensley, you don’t need to be afraid of someone on the other side of the continent when you’re here with me.”
At the whispered words, Rensley could genuinely smile belatedly. Looking up at the man who worried about him with a gruff face, this time he gently stroked Gezell’s cheek.
“You wanted to comfort me, didn’t you? Was my crouching down that noticeable?”
“Don’t worry. The princess didn’t seem to notice.”
“It’s amazing. In the past, Ivet was always the first to notice my reactions, but…”
Leaning against the broad and sturdy shoulders, Rensley could laugh sincerely at Gezell, who, after a while, brought his face closer to Rensley’s cheek, placed his cheek against it, and then repeated the act on the other side. It seemed like Gezell, the Grand Duke, was indulging in some childish antics.
Slyly slipping his hand into Rensley’s shirt, Gezell, as if scolding, chided softly, “Your clothes are too thin. No matter if it’s spring, you’re weak against the cold, so wear something thicker.”
“What are you talking about? I’m embarrassed to be the only one walking around like this. Other members just take off their clothes and sunbathe completely. They even asked me to join them.”
“…So, did you?”
“Of course not! I couldn’t even dare. Even now, it feels like late autumn weather for me. Just looking at it gives me goosebumps.”
Seeing Rensley shiver in disgust, Gezell smiled, seemingly satisfied with something.
“All right. Even though it’s spring, for someone like you from a warm region, it’s chilly weather. It’s crucial to dress warmly to avoid catching a cold.”
His touch gradually moved up from the waist to Rensley’s chest. Instead of pushing away that touch, Rensley lightly nibbled on Gezell’s lips and, lowering the hand that was holding Gezell, explored his firm waist and thighs. Gezell’s smile deepened a little more.
“You said you dislike it during broad daylight.”
“We still have time until evening.”
Before Rensley could finish his sentence, their lips met again, pressing urgently this time. Unlike the previous one, which was deeper, slower, and more persistent, this kiss was a bit more impatient.
This time, without questioning the reasons or delving into the inner thoughts, Rensley simply opened up to the pleasure Gezell provided, his heart surrendering willingly.
I really like this novel a lot.. they are really good together.
Welcome to the story, sister! I wonder how she’ll react to the, “Oh, btw. I TRULY took your place here!” announcement.
Fuck, could the dark prophecy the wolf made be about Prince Felix???