The guest palace couldn’t be small, and there was no need to mention the main palace tower. The guest rooms for distinguished guests were adorned extravagantly from the door.
However, Rensley, without any enthusiasm for admiration, only waited for the door to open. The chamberlain bowed and greeted, “Your Grace, I have brought Maelrosen.”
“Well done. I will take him to the Grand Duchess myself, so you may withdraw now.”
“Understood.”
Thanks to the sunny weather, Rensley’s body had already dried considerably during the journey. Overall, the droplets falling from his body and clothes had lessened, leaving only dampness.
Until the door closed and the other knights withdrew, Rensley remained silent in his place. Gezell carefully wiped Rensley’s head with a large towel.
“You’re soaked.”
“I couldn’t take off my clothes, so I had to get wet with them on. What about Ivet?”
“She’s resting in the bedroom. Since we just arrived, today’s visit is only to greet the Emperor.”
Though they casually chatted, it was evident that Rensley’s voice was swollen. Gezell pulled the towel covering his head down to meet Rensley’s gaze. His eyes were sharp.
“You were told not to go to the bathhouse.”
“Do you know how much I wanted to go?”
During the long journey to Pheraira, whenever free time was granted, Rensley would roam freely around the Grand Duke’s residence. He justified it by claiming that the Grand Duchess, fatigued from the journey, wished to keep Maelrosen, who hails from the same Cornian origin, close. It was, of course, a pretext to spend time leisurely with Gezell.
As usual, the two exchanged various stories. Rensley also rambled to Gezell about what he wanted to do in Pheraira. He wanted to visit the continent’s largest tavern in Molbessa, see the market by the riverside at night, watch the cavalry competition held on a sunny day, and closely inspect the clock tower in the square. Gezell approved of everything. Since it was a rare visit to Pheraira, he told Rensley to do whatever he pleased.
There was only one place he opposed—the public bathhouse. After several attempts to persuade Gezell, seeing his firm attitude, Rensley decided to change his mind. He would go secretly.
“It’s truly absurd. Since the men’s and women’s baths are separated, there were only men anyway. Who cares if men see each other naked!”
“Rensley, you are officially the Grand Duchess. People don’t even know who the Grand Duchess of Aldrant is yet. Imagine what people would think after you, as the Grand Duchess, are seen undressed in a place where anyone could be present. What will you think after the announcement? All the members who went with you would have seen your naked body.”
“What’s wrong with that? Are there no kings or queens who are people before they become royalty? Even if I reveal later that I’m the Grand Duchess, no one will remember those who thought of my body when they were there. People don’t imitate us like wearing blue. Moreover, shouldn’t the Grand Duchess show her naked body? After all, every time the royalty puts on and takes off clothes, they receive public attention”
“Those who present royal attire up close are carefully selected individuals. How can we know the inclinations of each person in a place where an unspecified number of people gather? It may be possible that some harbor suspicions about you.”
As Rensley furrowed his brow in displeasure, Gezell lowered his head slightly and brought his face closer to Rensley. His rugged expression, which had also become displeased with the situation, was one of absolute nonchalance.
“I had prepared just in case, but indeed, as soon as the distant room became less accessible, you attempted to visit there without my knowledge.”
“Your Grace, to use such magic without prior notice is quite excessive. You promised to use tracking magic only when absolutely necessary.”
“The magic I used this time is not tracking magic; it’s a different kind of magic, similar to a spell of prohibition. It sets conditions to prevent specific actions from happening.”
“I didn’t come for a lecture on magic, you know. Is the reason you came to find me just now because of this different magic? It seems like you already know exactly what I’m up to.”
To the skeptical question, Gezell didn’t respond. Rensley unbuttoned a button with rough fingers. Standing in front of Gezell, the magic seemed to have unraveled, and unlike before, the clothes came off easily.
Now transformed, Rensley, draped in a large towel, walked awkwardly to a luxurious chair and plopped down. Gezell, who had been watching the perplexed Rensley, approached slowly and sat down beside him. He cleared his throat briefly and initiated the conversation in a softened tone.
“Maelrosen, even if it’s not there, Pheraira has many attractions, doesn’t it?”
“I’ve mentioned how much I love swimming several times. You can eat and drink anywhere, but I can’t enjoy water play once I return to Aldrant.”
“I didn’t stop you without any countermeasure.”
Rensley turned to look at him. There shouldn’t be another bathhouse; what kind of countermeasure was he talking about?
“Come over here.”
Gezell took Rensley’s hand and stood up. Without relaxing his stern expression, Rensley followed him. Gezell led him to a long window.
Rensley leaned forward and looked outside. A large, blue lake was visible. The area near the lake was lush with trees and flowers, presenting a breathtaking view at a glance.
“It’s a lake within the Hwangdo. Unless specially opened for events, only the aristocrats and guests of Pheraira can visit. It should be comparable to your castle.”
Rensley pushed his head against the window, blinking his eyes. Suddenly, he snapped back to reality and stood upright. Without releasing his stern expression, he answered bluntly.
“No, it’s different. There are waterfalls and fountains there… It was much more impressive than just a lake.”
“I’ll create waterfalls and fountains for you. It’s not difficult; all you need to do is move the water.”
“And, playing with friends and playing in a quiet place like that are different.”
“I see… Is it because playing with me is less fun than playing with friends?”
“Your Grace! I didn’t mean it that way.”
Rensley, who was startled, found Gezell bending down behind him, embracing him. Rensley shrugged uncomfortably but didn’t push him away. His long hair brushed against the nape of his neck, and Gezell’s soft whisper tickled his ears.
“Please, let go of your anger, Rensley.”
“It’s not that I’m angry because I can’t swim… It’s because Your Grace broke the promise and used magic freely…”
The blame kept creeping into Rensley’s words, even though he wasn’t the one at fault. The situation was taking an odd turn.
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.
“I’m sorry. However, I don’t want you to show your body to others carelessly. It was difficult until last winter, but when we return to Aldrant, I will find a way to create a space for you to swim.”
Efcrifs kjr mbwqifafis vfoijafv. Lf iloafv tlr tfjv jcv ibbxfv Xfhfii lc atf fsfr.
“Uifjrf vbc’a. P vbc’a kjca ab mjerf agbeyif obg batfgr pera yfmjerf bo wf.”
“Ktfc ifa’r ub ab atf ijxf abufatfg. Qtlif sbe’gf lc Utfgjlgj, sbe rtbeiv rklw jr sbe klrtfv.”
Jfgajlcis j gfjrbcjyif mbwqgbwlrf, yea atf lgbcs kjr ibra bc Efcrifs. Po atlr wjc kfgfc’a j Gexf, tf kbeiv ja ifjra oilmx j olcufg bc tlr obgftfjv… Pwjulclcu remt beagjufber yftjnlbg, Efcrifs cbvvfv jr lo tf mbeivc’a gfrlra.
Instead of putting on wet clothes again, Rensley donned a robe that was easy to remove. Gezell didn’t change into separate clothes, but Rensley also grabbed his. Without the need to traverse crowded hallways, there was a path from the balcony of the guest room leading down to the lake when the window was opened.
It had been a while since he stepped onto a balcony. While people in Cornia sometimes took naps on balconies to feel the mountain breeze, there were not many buildings in Aldrant, where the temperature was low throughout the year, that provided spaces for catching outside winds. Walking along the flower-scented promenade, the twisted feeling he had started to experience seemed to lift. Rensley smiled, looking at the man walking beside him.
“Your Grace, your attire has become much lighter.”
“It’s not as cold here as in the north.”
Despite growing up in the north and disliking the cold, Gezell seemed not to feel the warmth even after coming to the much warmer Pheraira. There were no thick fur collars or gloves made of black fur, but formalities couldn’t be ignored. Today, Gezell wore a thick blue robe with a fabric thinner than usual, but the same Aldrant insignia was delicately engraved on the robe, as always.
Accustomed to seeing him always in black, the slightly brighter color made him look as if he had escaped from a solemn night into a fresh dawn. After walking for a while, the sparkling lake at the end of the path, between the trees, revealed itself before the two.
“Your Grace… it’s amazing!”
“Indeed, it looks even larger up close than it did from the castle.”
It was a lake vast enough to build a palace on if filled with soil.
Up close, the water, so transparent that the bottom could be seen, appeared as blue as the sea from afar. Although the center of the lake seemed quite deep, the terrain sloped gently from the water’s edge towards the center, making it seem easy to play even for those less skilled at swimming.
“Molbessa is great, but I always felt a bit disappointed because the sea is far away. With this, I won’t feel lacking in water activities, even if it’s not as good as the sea.”
While Rensley was marveling continuously, Gezell stood by the water and gestured into the air. Having noticed the motion indicating the activation of magical incantations, Rensley curiously stared at him, wondering what he was about to do.
After hearing the sound of large waves, a serene lake now had waves reminiscent of the sea or a river. Water rose in a whirlwind from one side, shooting into the air before falling down again. It was a mystical waterfall created without any physical support.
Rensley’s mouth slightly opened as he stared at the surreal scene. However, Gezell furrowed his brow slightly.
“Waterfalls are simple, but fountains require craftsmanship, so it might take a bit more time than you think.”
“No, Your Grace. This is more than enough! You don’t need to use more magic.”
“But didn’t I promise to make a fountain for you?”
“It’s okay. It’s not necessary. It’s already fantastic as it is.”
Rensley hurriedly stopped trying to remove his robe. Unlike the awkwardness of being in the bathhouse, where everyone was clothed, here at the lake, there were only the two of them, and, moreover, it was the lake inside the palace. Although it was far from the towers or pavilions where people stayed, surrounded by a small forest, Rensley couldn’t shake off the worry of whether it was appropriate to walk around barefoot in such a place.
“Is it really okay to swim here?”
“No need to worry. We’ve made all the preparations in advance, so enjoy swimming to your heart’s content.”
Certainly, it didn’t seem like a hastily arranged affair. On the table near the lakeside were fruits chilling on ice, grapes and plums, and cheese not yet cut, accompanied by a beautifully carved knife. It seemed to be a light snack prepared by attendants in advance for the leisure of guests visiting from distant lands.
A gazebo for rest, long chairs carved from stone, and a circular bed with mosquito netting and draped curtains were all set up, undoubtedly marking it as a noble’s retreat. Instead of immediately entering the water, Rensley, who had draped his robe over the bed’s shadow, stared at Gezell.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Why should I enter the water alone? Since I gave up on my friends and came, Your Grace should play with me.”
“Hmm…”
Clearly lacking any experience with outdoor clothing removal, Gezell just let out a short, awkward chuckle.
In contrast, people from Aldrant were generally lenient about exposure. Knights often casually undressed to just their undershirts regardless of gender, and when spring arrived, they didn’t hesitate to expose their bare skin to the sun. Until now, Rensley refrained from undressing in front of others not because Gezell disapproved, but simply because the weather was cold.
“Do the Aldrant royals pay careful attention to attire?”
“Not particularly. Princess doesn’t pay much mind to it…”
“Then go ahead. Did you forget? We agreed that I would teach you how to swim when you came on vacation. Since Your Grace is skilled in swordsmanship and martial arts, you’ll learn to swim quickly.”
“I need some mental preparation, so you go in first.”
“Do you really need mental preparation?”
Rensley burst into laughter and reluctantly stepped back.
“Alright, I understand. But don’t make me wait too long.”
Engaged in their playful banter, the scenery in front of Rensley was too enchanting. He shook his arms a few times to loosen up and descended the stairs leading to the lake, dipping his foot into the cold water.
The sunlight illuminated the water, creating golden shadows that sparkled on his skin. Rensley looked down at his foot and slowly immersed himself deeper into the water, first up to his knees, then waist, and finally, chest. From that point on, he lifted his feet from the bottom and extended himself, smoothly gliding through the water. As he swam, the gentle chill of the water enveloped him, and a spontaneous smile appeared on his face.
The surroundings were quiet, but the sounds of birds and insects from the nearby forest prevented it from feeling too silent. A gentle breeze wafted, tickling his wet hair. Despite being a lake, thanks to Gezell’s magic, it felt like swimming in a river or the sea.
After swimming on his stomach for a while, Rensley changed his position and floated on the water’s surface. With an unobstructed view, the sky above was filled with vibrant blue. Truly, surrendering his entire body to the dazzling sunlight after such a long time felt invigorating. As he extended his arms, the water from the magically created waterfall splashed onto him, prompting laughter. It felt as if he had entered a different world, beyond reality, just like when he first stepped into the Wolf’s Forest.
Until Gezell showed the lake from the window, Rensley was dissatisfied with this alternative. However, upon closer inspection, compared to the bustling public bathhouse, it was incomparable. Although anyone could enter with enough money, a place where one could monopolize the lake inside the royal palace might not come again in a lifetime.
‘It’s the best!’
It wasn’t just an alternative; it was the optimal choice. In an instant, everything became perfectly satisfying. Skipping towards the lakeside, Rensley played a rhythmic water drum. Gezell still watched him silently, without bothering to lift a corner of his cloak.
“Your Grace, I feel really good!”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“If you just come in and play with me, it will be a perfect time now.”
Gezell remained silent, just gazing at Rensley. When Rensley, shaking his foot lightly, looked up at him, Gezell revealed a somewhat bitter and complex smile.
“Indeed, such a place suits you well.”
“Such a place? A place like this suits anyone.”
He untied a strand of his long hair after loosening a tie from his sleeve, haphazardly securing it. Instead of entering the water, Gezell draped his cloak over Rensley’s clothes.
As he unbuttoned his top to expose his broad chest, it revealed unexpectedly large and firm muscles under the bright light. Wearing only the undershirt, with the top unbuttoned, it was difficult to predict the substantial and toned muscles that extended from the shoulders, chest, and muscular abdomen down to the firm hip bones and strong thighs.
Faced with someone who urged him to undress quickly, Rensley swallowed a dry spit, feeling that he shouldn’t see something he shouldn’t. Gezell not undressing immediately also meant that Rensley had never seen his bare body in bright light.
His face kept getting hotter. While Rensley had occasionally stood naked in front of him in the daylight, often being teased, the opposite had never happened. In the darkness, amidst the dim glow of candles or lanterns, when the bright light was cast upon his body, it became a vivid, pulsating, massive form that overwhelmed any observer with a level of intensity bordering on violence. The situation seemed unfamiliar to Gezell as well, and he looked over his own body.
“No one is watching, but it feels a bit awkward.”
“Oh, come here quickly. Once you’re in the water, you won’t have to worry.”
Rensley, who had been lying in the water, raised himself up and reached out his hand. Gezell chuckled softly, adopting an attitude reminiscent of escorting a lady.
“With the brave Grand Duchess, Aldrant will surely prosper in the future.”
“Even if it’s not me, with Your Grace here, Aldrant can only thrive.”
Instead of taking Rensley’s hand, Gezell walked into the water, embracing Rensley’s waist. Urged to come in quickly, Rensley took hesitant steps backward as Gezell approached, gradually entering the water.
Having reached a reasonably deep spot, Gezell pulled Rensley closer, embracing him tightly and lowering his head to meet Rensley’s eyes.
“Why do you keep trying to escape?”
Rensley looked up at him briefly, then averted his gaze. After repeating this a couple of times, Rensley’s eyes gradually reddened, and he covered his face with his hands, muttering something like a sigh.
“Oh, this can’t be…!”
“What are you talking about?”
Rensley quickly turned his head back to look Gezell in the eyes. The purple eyes, which had sparkled with joy during their water play, now seemed serious, almost threatening.
“Your Grace, from now on, please, please never undress in front of anyone else. Only in front of me. Promise.”
“…Even when changing clothes or bathing in front of attendants?”
“I can handle that. You’re a grown-up; you should be able to dress and bathe by yourself. It’s not a good habit to make others do everything for you.”
While not ignorant of the habits of royals who received assistance in every aspect of their lives, Rensley insisted.
While Rensley kept only his eyes above the cold water, cooling off, Gezell seemed to fully understand the meaning of Rensley’s words belatedly. Suppressing a laugh, he covered his mouth and nodded.
“I can’t resist the Duchess’s orders, so I’ll do as you say.”
“Don’t tease me.”
“I’m serious.”
Despite his playful tone, Rensley felt even more embarrassed. Just a while ago, he had protested against undressing in front of others, but now he was saying the same thing. Even if he received ridicule, he couldn’t argue against it.
No matter how impressive a man’s naked body may be, Rensley wouldn’t have felt this strange mix of envy and discomfort in the past. Gezell Jivendad, the man in question, had undeniably turned Rensley’s world upside down.
“Now let’s swim. How do you feel in the water?”
At times like this, the best way to divert attention was to change the subject. Gezell responded to Rensley’s question with a slightly awkward expression.
“I find it fascinating because I’ve never soaked my body in cold water before.”
“Well, hot springs are nice, but playing in cool water on a hot day is also enjoyable. Pheraira is close to Cornia, and the climate isn’t much different. It’s certainly getting hot in the afternoon. Now, I’ll catch you, so relax and lie down. Everyone tends to float in the water.”
Gezell, with an embarrassed look, glanced down at the water for a moment and then gradually sank his body. His long black hair danced gracefully in the water. Smiling, Rensley, who had been watching his stiff expression, grabbed Gezell’s shoulders.
“It seems you’re not very familiar with water.”
“I rarely touch it unless it’s time to wash. I often cross rivers or seas by boat, and if that’s not an option, I can simply walk on water.”
“Indeed, magic tends to make people lazy.”
Rensley led Gezell deeper into the water. As expected, Gezell, who had a talent for using his body, quickly adjusted to the water, moving comfortably after briefly covering his face and nose. The tall Gezell managed to touch the bottom even in a reasonably deep area, and later, he carried Rensley while walking.
Meeting each other in the sunlight underwater, amidst the cozy lover-like atmosphere usually seen among ice, snow, and blankets, felt unusual but equally blissful. While swimming, the two found themselves hidden in the shade of underwater trees and, unintentionally, their breaths synchronized as they kissed.
Rensley, with wet hair gently caressed and lips now warmed by each other’s tongues, smiled and asked quietly, “How is it, Your Grace? Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Didn’t I say it before? Since meeting you, everything has been nothing but enjoyable.”
Even Gezell’s faint smile seemed brighter than usual as he spoke. After spending a long time immersed in the cold water, even on a warm day, it started to feel chilly. The two came out of the water and sat on the chairs prepared for rest.
Despite not drying themselves, the warmth from the sun and the heat from the polished stones naturally dried their bodies. Rensley touched Gezell’s skin with the robe draped over him.
“It seems you’ve gotten a bit tan.”
“Really? Do you find it displeasing?”
“No. It looks good. You seem healthy. It might be good to get more sunlight even when we go back.”
After a long session of water play, they felt hungry. Rensley nibbled on cheese, grapes, and other snacks, and while he was at it, he asked what he had been curious about.
“Did you finish greeting His Majesty?”
“It was nothing special. Today was merely a courtesy call. After having dinner together tonight, there will be an official celebration banquet in a week. Ambassadors from various countries and prominent nobles will attend. We’ll formally introduce the Grand Duchess once again, stay briefly, and then return.”
“Did Ivet do well in acting?”
“Yes, naturally.”
“Well, considering she’s been raised as a princess for quite some time. Moreover, to others, it’s undoubtedly Lady Ivet Elbanes herself, right? It’s not exactly acting since it’s not a lie.”
Contrary to Rensley’s excited tone, Gezell’s expression and tone became firm.
“I wasn’t pleased to introduce someone else as the Grand Duchess. When we go back, you’ll be officially announced as the Grand Duchess before winter comes. Don’t relax too much.”
“I didn’t mean it that way….”
Perplexed, Rensley quickly grabbed Gezell’s hand, and as they moved toward the circular bed with semi-transparent curtains, it creaked.
“We’ve used up everything we had. If you have time to spare, take a nap here.”
“I really like this place.”
“Well, it’s beautiful, the water is clear, and there’s a bed with sweet wine, fruit, and a breeze. In Cornia, many open-air beds like this are used. Even in the palace, the deficit-stricken nobles used large beds like this in the garden for napping and lounging, but I haven’t enjoyed such luxury. The sunlight is nice, but I was curious about sleeping in a place like this.”
Listening to the enthusiastic response, Gezell, who had been silently observing, whispered discreetly.
“Do you really like Pheraira and the Imperial Palace? Do you want to stay here continuously?”
Rensley blinked. The intention behind such a daunting question seemed suspicious, especially since it was a straightforward inquiry with the obvious fact that he had to return to Aldrant.
“Well, if you say you like it, are you planning to leave me behind and go back?”
“Answer honestly.”
“Well… I like it, but I don’t want to live here indefinitely. I think of this as a sort of half-travel. It’s exciting because it’s a one-time thing but living in such a grand place….”
Rensley chuckled with a self-deprecating tone.
“I don’t know. You know I’m not someone with big ambitions. I’ve been hesitating to announce myself as the Grand Duchess, and….”
Perhaps resembling Gezell in not just preferences but also demeanor, Rensley wondered if Gezell, the ruler of the North, felt the same. A powerful sorcerer who possessed a formidable army and knights, capable of shapeshifting beyond being considered a human, he could potentially step beyond the lordship and kneel the continent to his command. Has Gezell ever harbored such ambitions?
Pheraira was not the empire it is now from the beginning. Pheraira was just one of the kingdoms that divided and devoured the land during the continent-wide war about 400 years ago.
Pheraira seized its current territory and position by winning in that war. In the early days, there were several repeated skirmishes, and even the current kingdoms lost and regained their status as independent states.
However, people became accustomed to the situation where Pheraira moved under the leadership of the Emperor, considering it more of an order than inequality, for a long time.
According to records, Aldrant did not participate in that war. It focused only on protecting Aldrant as a neutral country and, as always, fought against monsters, serving as the continent’s shield. Knowing that Aldrant was everyone’s shield, no kingdom, not even Pheraira, could easily disturb their neutrality.
After the dust settled from the continent’s magical battles, Aldrant acknowledged Pheraira as an empire without any resistance. To emphasize that they wouldn’t oppose the predetermined outcome, they referred to their ruler as the Grand Duke, showing respect to the emperor, and followed the established customs.
In a hushed voice, Rensley whispered, as if it might shatter into pieces, “Does Your Grace harbor ambitions?”
Such a conversation in the middle of the imperial palace.
If someone were to overhear, it would be a scandalous story. Even as he spoke, his heart pounded, feeling as if he were breaking a taboo.
“No.”
“Then why…”
“The power of a king is for the protection of Aldrant. I have never considered using it for any other purpose.”
Gezell answered decisively, as if peering into Rensley’s thoughts. Unusually, there was a hint of mischief on his face. The slightly mischievous touch added an unexpected danger to his usually calm and affectionate smile, making Rensley unable to look away from his face.
“But if you wish, I could consider it.”
“Oh, no, I dislike that. Being the Grand Duchess is frightening enough.”
Rejecting the terrifying proposal presented as a joke, Rensley cringed and changed the subject.
“I like it now. I feel like I’ve become an Aldrant person too.”
