Gezell had been released from the emperor’s presence around noon. It was after a long, tedious period, during which his appetite had waned. Having eaten only a ham sandwich and a few fruits for lunch, he tilted a teacup towards his lips, addressing his attendant.
“Prepare something sweet for snacking.”
The attendant, after a brief contemplation, lowered his head. “How about violet candies? They are snacks produced in abundance in the southern regions, including Pheraira. They are popular as gifts, so I’ll make sure to prepare a few bottles for you to take when you leave.”
“Good.”
It was a proposal that naturally came to mind, reminiscent of the time his fiancée eagerly picked violet flowers in spring. Though Rensley’s response was short and brusque, a smile played on his lips. Seeing him pleased, the attendant quickly instructed another servant to bring the candies.
The returning servant held several carefully crafted glass bottles. The bottles, transparent, were filled with violet candies. At first glance, they resembled dried grapes or blueberries, but upon closer inspection, it was clear they were intricately crafted sugar confections. Rensley might not have tasted them before, but if they were snacks produced in abundance in the southern regions, he probably had.
With the anticipation of meeting the emperor and engaging in a friendly conversation with the king of Cornia, the emperor allowed him a break until the evening meal, where he would face the emperor again. Checking the time, he realized that it was likely the joint training of the knights had already concluded.
“Summon Rensley Maelrosen of the Aldrant Knights. If the Grand Duke is looking for him, he’ll know the reason.”
Returning to his room and issuing the command, the attendant who had been attending to Gezell’s needs bowed and left. While leisurely resting, holding the candy bottle in his hand, the door opened again not long after the servant had left. A knight returned, and shortly afterward, the same servant came back. Before Gezell could inquire about the situation, the knight commander Anton entered.
“Your Grace, Maelrosen suffered an injury during training and is currently undergoing treatment. I will bring him once the treatment is complete.”
“What did you say?”
As Gezell stood up, Anton gestured for the attendant to leave.
“He got hurt, and you were there. What happened?”
“I apologize. The training wasn’t dangerous enough for Maelrosen to get injured seriously. It seems his attention momentarily slipped, resulting in a minor ankle injury. Please do not worry too much.”
“I’ll go see for myself. If Maelrosen is injured, I can’t just wait around.”
“You should wait. Maelrosen entrusted others with his duties. He will be pleased with the concern. Today, he seemed more fatigued than usual, perhaps pushing himself harder.”
Anton, walking down the steps of the main tower with Gezell, looked at him with a puzzled expression at the last statement.
“Did you observe the training? I haven’t seen you, but…”
“No, it happened when I left the bedroom in the morning.”
Although the Knight Commander was a confidant who shared many secrets, it seemed awkward to reveal the fact that he used scrying magic to observe his lover’s movements. Anton casually looked around, wearing a somewhat inscrutable expression even compared to Gezell, before changing the subject.
“King Felix of Cornia briefly visited the training grounds.”
“Nothing unusual, I hope?”
“He encountered Maelrosen. He expressed a desire to talk, so I obtained permission to arrange a separate meeting later. Afterward, he conversed briefly with the young members of the Cornian delegation and returned. Nothing else of note occurred.”
Now, the situation became clear. Meeting someone he found burdensome at a moment’s notice naturally unsettled Rensley. Although he nonchalantly said it was okay to meet, it was likely a conversation he was prepared for mentally.
“However, due to that encounter, the members learned that Maelrosen is of the Cornian royal lineage.”
“It doesn’t matter. We would have informed them soon anyway. It’s probably for the best.”
After completing their training, the knights were engaged in various duties, making the lodging relatively quiet. Gezell, sharing Rensley’s sentiments, wanted to accommodate him in his room every day, but Rensley insisted on staying with the other members until he formally became the Grand Duchess.
“I’ll go into the room alone.”
“Understood.”
After shooing away even Anton at the door, Gezell opened it. Rensley was alone in the empty room, peacefully asleep. A blue gemstone-adorned bracelet gleamed on his wrist, visible above the blanket.
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.
Gezell sat on the chair next to the bed. He didn’t want to deliberately wake the sleeping person due to fatigue. He intended to wait, even if it took hours, observing Rensley in his slumber. It would have been better if he had brought a book, but even without something to read, there was always something to think about. Perhaps tomorrow, reports from Frida sent from Aldrant would arrive.
Carefully lifting the bedcover to avoid waking him, Gezell revealed Rensley’s ankle, wrapped with bandages as Anton had mentioned. Contrary to common practice, he hadn’t applied a regular splint since, according to Anton, the injury wasn’t severe.
Magical healing is challenging for muscle injuries or fractures beneath the skin’s surface. Nevertheless, Gezell placed his hand on Rensley’s ankle and recited a short incantation. A warm light, accompanied by a comforting heat, emanated between his palm and the injured ankle.
“Ugh…”
It seemed attempting magical healing without waking him was unrealistic, as Rensley’s eyelids slowly opened, revealing a hint of discomfort. Gezell turned his head toward him.
“Your Grace.”
Rensley, looking surprised, quickly sat up. Gezell asked, meeting his gaze.
“What happened? A skilled individual like you getting injured during simple training.”
“I… I think I let my guard down a bit.”
Rensley alternated his gaze between Gezell’s face and the hand casting the healing spell, wearing an awkward expression. Gezell maintained a relaxed demeanor while explaining.
“I’m not particularly skilled in healing magic, and injuries like this are not easily mended with magic, especially compared to wounds inflicted by a dog bite. Still, it’s better than doing nothing.”
“It’s just a minor twist. It will heal quickly.”
Gradually, as the warmth between the skin and the healing hand subsided, Gezell withdrew his hand from the injured ankle. Once released from the firm grip, Rensley’s leg slid into the blanket.
Unlike the previous treatment, Rensley wasn’t fussing or pulling a shameful act, merely removing his leg from under the covers and wiping off a bit of sweat. Gezell tilted his head slightly, suppressing a chuckle but understanding. Given Rensley’s usual overflowing confidence in his swordsmanship, a minor injury during training today might be a bit embarrassing.
“Today, you seem surprisingly polite. Don’t worry about it. Even the best horses stumble, don’t they?”
“Yes.”
“When tired, sweet things are good, they say. I brought this to share with you.”
Gezell retrieved a glass bottle he had tucked inside his cloak. Opening it revealed violet-colored sugar cookies on his palm, emitting a sweet floral scent under his nose. Gezell offered it to Rensley.
“They say these candies are produced abundantly in the southern regions. Have you tried them before?”
“I’ve had them a couple of times. They’re quite expensive cookies.”
After briefly inspecting the violet-shaped purple candy, Rensley put it in his mouth. Rolling it in his mouth for a while, he started chewing, and the small sugar cookie quickly crumbled and disappeared in his mouth. After finishing the candy, Rensley smiled.
“Thank you. Thanks to your precious gift, my ankle will heal quickly.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Your Grace, I was planning to ask for permission later, but… since you came all the way here, I have one favor to ask.”
Gezell stood up from the chair and moved to the edge of the bed, bringing their faces closer.
“What is it? Speak.”
“Before returning to Aldrant, I would like to make a brief visit to Cornia. It has been a long time since I met my friends, and thoughts of my hometown have crossed my mind. I should be able to rejoin the group a few days before returning. Is that acceptable?”
“To Cornia? Is Sir Maelrosen planning to go alone?”
Gezell’s head tilted slightly in a somewhat puzzled manner. Rensley nodded, looking a bit tense.
“Yes. It’s a personal visit.”
“With the recent change in kingship, the situation might be precarious. Wouldn’t it be better to visit around this time next year rather than this year?”
“That’s why now seems to be a more appropriate time. In the early days of the new reign, people are generally optimistic. I’ve heard the atmosphere in Cornia is quite positive lately. Next year, it might change again.”
“There’s some logic to that, but…”
Gezell quietly extended his hand, grasping Rensley’s hand as if intending to shake hands, pulling it closer as if he might even kiss it.
“There is something I’m curious about before anything else.”
“What is…?”
Before Rensley could finish his sentence, a silver beam of light flashed like lightning between their joined hands. It swiftly twisted and contorted, winding around Rensley’s wrist like a water serpent. In an instant, the bound form gained substantial weight, and the constriction pressed both arms down forcefully.
Caught off guard by the sudden restraint, Rensley, with a pained expression, soon opened startled eyes, looking at Gezell. Gezell continued chanting the incantation.
“Your Grace?”
Despite Rensley calling out to Gezell, he only gazed down at him with increasingly cold eyes, ignoring the plea. The silvery restraint rapidly descended, encasing both arms and legs like a rigid shackle.
“Your Grace! Forgive me. If my request displeased you, let’s forget about it.”
Rensley desperately sought forgiveness, but Gezell remained indifferent, observing the affianced man bound to the bed. Gezell’s voice, now as dry as the northern desert’s shifting sands, asked, “So, who are you?”
“What are you talking about? I am Rensley Maelrosen, Your Grace.”
Instead of replying, Gezell reached behind him abruptly. The door opened with a loud bang, and Anton, who had been waiting outside, rushed in.
“What’s happening?”
“Arrest Rensley Maelrosen here and closely monitor him to prevent any escape.”
As Gezell gave the order, even Anton, who rarely seemed surprised, widened his eyes. Rensley, showing his cape and facing away, shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Your Grace! Why are you suddenly doing this!”
“Anton, I’ll handle this. Detain him and report back on what Cornia’s king and delegation are currently doing. I’ll be back in a moment, so make sure he doesn’t escape. I’ll arrange a meeting with Sir Maelrosen within today. See his response.”
“Understood.”
“…Your Grace, if my request seemed unpleasant, let’s consider it a misunderstanding.”
Ignoring Rensley’s desperate plea, Gezell looked at him with chilling eyes. Gezell quickly cast a paralysis spell to prevent the captive from making any rash moves. Though it might be a magician’s mischief beyond the capabilities of an ordinary person to handle, Anton, having withstood the trance of a high-level magical creature during a battle a few years ago, was unlikely to be easily deceived. Even if it was an attempt to deceive him, Anton wouldn’t take it lightly. He had followed the orders of his lord without questioning in the past.
Thinking about Rensley’s complaints that this magic was only to be used in absolutely necessary situations, as he imagined the image of a lost puppy or a child fumbling for directions, Gezell’s chest tightened. He continued to follow the line on the ground that appeared before him. The line extended to the training ground where the knights had their joint exercises in the morning and then…
“It’s been severed.”
At the abruptly severed end of the line, Gezell fell silent, his mouth agape, looking perplexed.
If the magic was still effective, they needed to find Rensley Maelrosen. If the magic had been dispelled, the line should not have existed in the first place.
It was cut in the middle. Gezell had never encountered such a situation. If the magic had been activated and then dispelled afterward? No, if that were the case, the sorcerer would have detected the dissipation of the dispelling magic.
Gezell immediately reached into the front of his clothes. He retrieved an item he carried around like an amulet, a small rocket-shaped object, and proceeded to chant a different spell. In the midst of the winter when the cold was biting, after wandering to find traces of the missing Grand Duchess, he hadn’t untied the knot made from Rensley Maelrosen’s hair. The hair on his palm would act as a compass, pointing to its owner.
However, the hair just spun around in place, not indicating any direction. It seemed as if this place was the destination.
“It’s similar to back then.”
Gezell clenched the shining hair in his hand and bit down on it. He stood still for a moment, lost in thought, then turned around. He had encountered an unexpected situation, similar to when he left Molbessa for what seemed like a vacation. His forehead naturally furrowed. His teeth made a grating sound inside his closed mouth, grinding against each other.
In an instant, Gezell returned to the accommodation where Rensley and Anton were. Approaching the bed with quick steps, he didn’t bother opening the door. Even seeing Gezell enter without opening the door, Anton didn’t show surprise.
“As you ordered, I was monitoring.”
Rensley, or rather the unidentified figure that had taken on Rensley’s appearance, seemed to struggle as if it had tried using magic. With a pleading expression, it looked up at Gezell. As Gezell’s face gradually grew colder, the figure entwined in the spell pleaded even more desperately.
“Your Grace, please tell me why you’re doing this. If I have committed an offense, I beg for your forgiveness.”
Anton also wore an expression of curiosity about the same matter. Gezell looked down at the bed without showing any emotion.
“Do you know the name of the Grand Duchess of Aldrant?”
Rensley blinked. Gezell’s eyebrows sharply furrowed at the sight of a fake expression being imitated. Delaying for just a little more time, the captive, who had been quiet, decided to speak.
“Is there anyone among the people of Aldrant who wouldn’t know? It is Lady Ivet Monte Elbanes.”
At that, even Anton widened his eyes in surprise.
Both of them remained silent, not responding. Sensing that something was wrong, the captive stopped pleading. When Gezell stared at the captor without any expression, Anton standing next to him quickly lowered his head.
“I made a mistake. I didn’t think there would be any problem since he got along well with Cornia’s soldiers from the beginning, given his long friendship with them.”
“No, I didn’t expect such a situation either. What about Cornia?”
“Nothing unusual there. King Felix is carrying out his scheduled activities, and the delegation is merely accompanying him. As of now, there are no significant developments to report. When I suggested arranging a meeting, King Felix just smiled and said to inform him whenever the time was set.”
“…He pretended not to know. What about on Cornia’s side?”
“There’s no intention to announce it externally. Once I understand the intention, I can’t disclose the situation from our side.”
Gezell silently stared at the imposter. The captive seemed to have decided not to make any further requests and stayed silent.
The fact that the King of Cornia could target Rensley was predictable by anyone. Gezell, who disliked others who harassed people without reason and promptly lost interest in those he didn’t like, found it difficult to understand this type of human.
Nevertheless, Gezell Jivendad had already ruled the northern territories for seven years. Realizing that predicting and dealing with human behavior through acquired information and experience was the most efficient, he did not make assumptions about situations and people based on whether he could understand them.
Gezell had occasionally seen individuals who harbored attachment to their targets to the point of resembling strong affection. No, it would be more accurate to say obsession rather than attachment. The expression on Rensley’s face, who turned pale just by hearing the name, revealed the magnitude of the ingrained anxiety. The malice Felix held against Rensley would be proportional to that anxiety.
At that time, Gezell believed there would be no occasion to meet again, so he could afford a few words to console Rensley. Even after encountering him at the palace, he hadn’t thought much about it. He had instructed the knights and squad leaders to ensure that Rensley Maelrosen did not end up alone or face King Cornia. That was all. Gezell never had any intention of blocking contact with the people of Cornia or ordering constant close protection. He had silently agreed with Rensley’s words that going to such lengths was unnecessary and unpleasant.
The direction was not wrong, but the problem was underestimating the danger. He had only thought about the possibility of tormenting Rensley from a hidden place, not going so far as to actively hide him, using magic to switch places and more.
The reason he didn’t consider extreme scenarios was simple—it wasn’t plausible. A king who was just ascending the throne and was preoccupied with his domestic and international reputation would not willingly face dangers to recreate the torment from his childhood.
“It’s unlikely. There must be another reason.”
“If there is a reason.”
“I don’t know as of now, but wouldn’t the person here know?”
Gezell looked down at the captive. Like a hidden sanctuary rising from the depths of a river, a golden light began to shimmer in the eyes, covered by black gloves after the arrival in the mild climate of Pereira.
“Anton, seat this person and guard the room so that others cannot enter. Strictly control and prevent any information from leaking outside.”
“Yes, understood.”
“First… Shall we peel off the outer shell without knowing the trick behind it?”
As Gezell began to memorize a new incantation, Anton standing nearby swallowed dryly. Although Anton, who had seen numerous interrogations of suspects or criminals, felt a sense of trepidation, it was extremely rare for the Duke himself to intervene.
Gezell Jivendad was undoubtedly a rational and moderate ruler who didn’t needlessly express anger. Thanks to his kindness even towards prisoners in the dungeons, the punishment and imprisonment system in Aldrant had changed significantly since he ascended to the throne.
However, occasionally, when significant incidents occurred, such as putting the northern guards at risk or leaking classified information, he personally participated in interrogations. Gezell’s record of interrogations had always been resolute, and until now, no one had endured the full extent of the Duke’s inquiry.
Thank you!
Gezell the badass hubby going into action 🫣
let’s punch felix in the face