Rensley opened his eyes on an early morning when the sun had not yet risen. In the north, the sun rises later and sets earlier than in Cornia, and people start moving in the darkness. Unaccustomed to winter mornings, it took Rensley a few days to get used to getting out of the warm blanket heated by body temperature.
The person quietly arranging clothes next to him greeted him with a smile, “Did you sleep well, Rensley?”
“Yes…”
Suppressing a yawn that came out without tension and wiping away the tears that had accumulated slightly, he greeted, “Mrs. Samlet, thank you for your hard work from early in the morning.”
“You could have slept a little longer. I must have been noisy.”
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“No, it’s okay. I have to get up anyway.”
The dress that Lady Samlet was tidying up was a luxurious one. Dark blue velvet and white silk decorations elegantly harmonized, and the puffed sleeves and outer parts were adorned with jewels and pearls, making it a dress made for a noble lady at a glance. The wedding dress for the future Duchess of Aldrant was placed between the two.
“Rensley, go take a bath. I’ve prepared it so you can do it in the bedroom.”
“I’m sorry. It’s bothersome.”
“Don’t mention it. Then, I’ll step out for a moment, so call me when you’re done.”
Mrs. Samlet smiled kindly and gave way. Originally, she would have personally bathed the princess’s body, scrubbed it thoroughly, and made it fragrant. Whether it was because she happened to be helping prepare to present a man from a foreign land with less noble blood as the future Duchess, even the smiling lady was undoubtedly astonished.
With a slightly guilty feeling, Rensley, carrying that emotion, sank into the small and deep wooden bathtub in the bathroom. It was quite nice to bathe immediately upon waking up. The hot water, the scent of herbs seeping out, the warm and humid air, and the small flames flickering beside, splattering sparks as they burned firewood. Especially at times like now, when facing a worrisome event, the bath seemed to have an effect of soothing the nerves that had become particularly sensitive.
Last night, he only heard stories, but Aldrant had facilities equipped with a large hot spring nearby, where water was drawn and used. It was said that not only royalty and nobility but also residents of the castle could freely use hot water. If it was a sea, river, or valley, it would have been familiar, but a spring where hot water naturally gushed out seemed mysterious to Rensley, who had only heard rumors and read about it.
Before the wedding day arrived, the Duke decided how to handle things afterward. The people who knew Rensley’s identity were soon to be the two people who would become a couple, and besides them, Lady Samlet, the leader of the Magic Order Larcof, and the commander of the knights Anton Sorel. He excluded high-ranking officials and only designated those who needed direct cooperation as subordinates.
At first, people were flustered and rushed around due to the unexpected circumstances. However, after hearing the reasons, they gathered their thoughts and showed understanding. Wanting to garner sympathy, Rensley slightly exaggerated and lamented about his situation, leading Lady Samlet to exclaim, “How much you must have endured silently all this time,” with tears in her eyes. When he first met her as Princess Ivet, she appeared as a seasoned and polite lady’s maid, but contrary to the first impression, she turned out to be emotionally rich.
Rensley made one request to them. During his stay here, they should treat him not as the Duchess or a noble, but just comfortably. Although the Duke addressed him as “Sir Maelrosen,” such titles and treatment were uncomfortable for Rensley. Even the attendants of the Cornia royal family called him Rensley. He had never experienced the role of a superior, directing people or having subordinates. Playing the role of an unfamiliar superior was out of the question.
Today at noon, as scheduled, Gezell Jivendad will hold a wedding ceremony with Ivet ‘Princess’ who came from Cornia. Although there is no law prohibiting marriage between individuals of the same sex, it is a rare occurrence, existing only as a historical precedent. Considering the future direction, it was a common opinion that there was no need to reveal Rensley’s true identity from the beginning.
Princess Ivet Elbanes, born weak, became frail due to a long journey and the cold weather, rarely getting out of bed. Therefore, after the wedding ceremony, she preferred to stay in the Duke’s room and not reveal herself to people. As the conspirators gathered, everyone agreed that there was no need to expose Rensley’s true self already when considering the situation where it was necessary to examine the future.
As planned, when Rensley first arrived at this castle, he would cover his face with a veil and wear a dress. However, this time, it wouldn’t be Cornia’s attire but Aldrant’s wedding dress.
Rensley submerged his face in water up to his forehead and blew bubbles. Puff, holding his breath for a moment, when he pulled his face out, his eyes widened, and his body became completely warm.
Perhaps due to anxiety about the future, his heart was getting colder. He needed to pull himself together. Rensley, who forcibly warmed his body and mind with hot water, dried his skin, put on a robe, and then pulled the cord next to the bed.
