Anton Sorel, the commander of the Aldrant Knights, entered Gezell’s office with a grave expression. Gezell’s countenance, still gloomy from the skirmish with the adversaries earlier today, didn’t brighten at the sight.
“Are you all right for the moment, Your Grace?”
“Hmm.”
Anton cleared his throat briefly and extended a few documents. Gezell took them, examining them quickly.
“What’s this?”
“We confiscated it from some soldiers who were observed. It seems there’s been talk of such things circulating among the troops recently.”
Gezell returned to the first page and began reading the sentences written there.
[Oh, Fateful destiny! Prince Rensley Maelrosen, even abandoned by his father, So far, in the distant north, Arrived on a vast and desolate plain. In the cold and profound night, Even the whispers of snowflakes fluttering gently offer him no solace today. The silver and majestic beauty crafted by the ice fairy only approaches as an unknown fear. If his identity is revealed, he may be banished and resign himself to the frozen fields, Rensley Maelrosen’s fate is now entrusted to the dice of the Aldrant deity…]
Having read that far, Gezell asked without a change in expression, “Who wrote this?”
“A well-known wandering poet happened to stay at Count Grundle’s estate before visiting Roudken, it’s said. Wanting to create a song based on Your Grace’s marriage story, he roamed around listening to people’s tales. Lately, he’s been performing even in places like taverns and squares, and it seems he’s gained tremendous popularity. The writing is a rendition of the lyrics by someone who heard the song. We’ll need to keep an eye on it, but from what we’ve confirmed so far, there’s nothing seditious or offensive.”
Gezell flipped through the pages, reading each one. The last page, instead of lyrics, contained different content accompanied by a playful illustration.
[The color of the ceremonial robe that the Grand Duchess will wear at the wedding ceremony?
- White 2. Blue 3. Red 4. Silver 5. None of the above
Anyone can participate in the bet with just one bronon!
Dividends for those who guess the color of the ceremonial robe worn by the Grand Duchess! Look forward to the next quiz!]
“That’s a flyer for the gambling trend going around these days. Since there’s not too much money involved or it doesn’t seem too risky, I thought we should keep an eye on it for now. What do you think?”
“…Fine. It’s probably a good idea to observe for now.”
“The exact location of the group organizing this hasn’t been pinpointed yet. They seem to be using the festival as a cover for their illicit gambling activities. If it gets too big, we might need to investigate.”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
Gezell neatly organized the papers and instructed Anton, “Feel free to investigate thoroughly. If you come across anything else, don’t tear it up or throw it away—bring it to me.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Gezell concluded his meeting with Anton and left the office. As he walked through the corridor leading to the backyard, the sunlight gleamed on the glass building. He silently entered through the slightly ajar door. The owner of the greenhouse, who had arrived earlier, stood in front of a tomato plant, holding a freshly picked fruit and examining it intently.
“Your Grace, have you finished your tasks?”
“Did I disturb you?”
“Not at all. Look at this.”
Gezell looked at the tomato that Rensley held out. It was a small, green fruit not yet ripe for eating.
Rensley, gazing down at the tomato, began murmuring in an unknowable language—a truly mysterious language even to Gezell, who was proficient in various magical spells.
Guided by a spell that seemed like a song and a breath, the small green fruit swelled in Rensley’s hand, gradually turning red. Rensley, holding the fully ripened tomato, smiled with satisfaction.
“Now I can do this much too. Learning from a proper teacher makes a difference, it seems.”
While the use of magic to enhance plant growth was occasionally employed in agriculture, Rensley’s method differed from what Gezell knew. Gezell sincerely admired as he accepted the tomato.
“Magic that nurtures living things requires considerable training. It seems Elementalists can do such things from the basic stages.”
“Really? Your Grace, in the past, you revived a withered flower, didn’t you?”
“You can’t revive something dead with magic. I merely gave a bit of vitality to something wilting. That’s not magic; it’s a physical technique. What Maelrosen showed is a much more advanced magic.”
“Try it, see if it tastes good.”
Gezell took a bite of the tomato. With a small, satisfying sound, the taste of vitality itself spread in his mouth. The rich, sweet flavor and refreshing acidity were no different from tomatoes grown under abundant sunlight. Perhaps it was because the person reciting the spell was the same. Gezell shared his appreciation.
“It’s excellent. Delicious.”
“Just touching the soil gives me energy. Maybe I’ve been cooped up too much lately, as Ivet mentioned. It doesn’t suit me.”
“Is everything going well with the plan you discussed with Princess Ivet?”
“Hmm… I’m not sure if it’s going well, but there don’t seem to be any major issues.”
Rensley picked a few more ripe fruits and continued speaking. Amin had mentioned that Elementalists could communicate with all things in the world. However, the ability to communicate only ensured the possibility of obtaining results; it didn’t guarantee that the spirits would necessarily fulfill one’s intentions. Even if they could convey their intentions to the spirits, it didn’t mean they could peer into people’s true feelings.
“Tonight, I’ll make something delicious with these. I haven’t stepped into the kitchen in a while, but I mustered the courage to go in for a change.”
“Will you continue cooking even after becoming the Grand Duchess?”
“Why not? Haven’t you heard the story of the queen who spread her homeland’s culinary culture far and wide? Your Grace, please understand. I wasn’t originally raised as royalty. Even if I become the Grand Duchess, I want to continue doing what I can.”
“Do as you wish. If you want to keep cooking, it’s okay to build a separate kitchen for the Grand Duchess.”
Rensley smiled awkwardly at those words. It might be convenient, but, well, if he built a kitchen befitting that title, it would come with expensive tools and materials. Assistants would also be assigned to help. He didn’t want to cook with people following his every move, hovering over him every time he picked up a ladle.
After gathering his courage and before heading to the kitchen for the first time in a while, Rensley realized he needed to create a rather substantial excuse. Taking a deep breath, he stood outside the door and knocked.
“Hello.”
Reyna, who was standing in front of a copper pot, gave Rensley a brief glance but nothing more. She looked back at the pot, offering a soulless greeting.
“What brings the Grand Duchess to this humble kitchen?”
“I’ll borrow one of the ovens, Reyna.”
“Aren’t all the ovens in the Grand Palace the property of the Grand Duchess? Feel free to use them wherever you like. If it’s inconvenient, we can all step aside.”
“Reyna, it’s not even the wedding ceremony yet, don’t be so… “
“Hey, everyone! The Grand Duchess wants to cook for himself, so the kitchen might be too cramped. It would be more comfortable for him so we all have to step aside.”
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.
As the head chef shouted, the cooks and assistant servants stopped what they were doing and immediately put down pots and pans from the fire. The orderly line rushing out of the exit, reminiscent of a military formation, evoked thoughts of an army.
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Lf ofia rbggs obg mjerlcu j vlraegyjcmf lc atf xlamtfc obg pera bcf atlcu. Ljv tf yffc abb tjras lc vfmlvlcu ab mbbx rbwfatlcu tlwrfio lcrafjv bo qgfqjglcu obbv lc tlr gbbw jr ereji? Mffilcu wfijcmtbilm, Efcrifs weaafgfv ab tlwrfio.
“If they don’t give me a chance to speak, there’s no way to make amends.”
He couldn’t help but feel sorry for that one act, thinking of himself as nothing more than a novice knight who used to sneak into the kitchen for snacks. However, if that were the case, it might be for the better. Rensley unpacked the bundle he had brought and placed the items on the shared shelf. Despite the unfriendly looks, he couldn’t bring himself to discard what he had brought.
Sensing the situation and realizing he might be in the way, Rensley decided to change his plans and headed back to his room. He needed to disappear quickly so that the original occupants of the kitchen could resume their work.
Rensley thought about the plants growing in the greenhouse. Even during his time attached to Felix, during the days when he was a spectacle in the palace, and even now as he faced a new type of challenge, the plants inside the greenhouse continued to thrive, seemingly unaware of the troubles surrounding them. Humans were but small pebbles in the vast stream of life. Why did Gezell’s words come to mind?
He took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. Stan had given it to him. According to Roudken, the story of Gezell and Rensley, sung as an epic by the bard, was gaining popularity not only within the castle but also outside its walls.
‘It’s interesting. I never thought my fate could be so theatrical.’
The siblings who loved excitement each devised a plan. Rensley suggested using interactive games to naturally generate positive interest in the wedding, while Ivet proposed turning their love story into a song. The material included strategic marriages and same-sex relationships, and the fact that all of it was true was enough to guarantee success.
Rensley, who often wandered around Gezell’s library, searching for adventure novels and romance stories that the owner himself never read, understood his sister’s strategy well. It wasn’t spreading lies, and there was no ethical issue.
However, watching stories inflated into tragedies or comedies made him feel awkward rather than entertained. Unable to read to the end, he put it back into his pocket.
‘Indeed, people who don’t know me might find such stories or bets enjoyable, but…’
Inside Roudken Grand Castle, the people who were close to Rensley and spent every day with him, the comrades who shared laughter and sorrow, wouldn’t be swayed by such methods. To them, Rensley wasn’t just the protagonist of a story but a guest, a neighbor, a friend, and a colleague. It was frustrating not to be given the chance to sincerely apologize and share his side of the story.
Despite the opposition from the people, the wedding preparations were underway. In the end, as Gezell firmly stated, marriage was something they were doing.
How sincere Gezell was about this wedding could be seen in the wedding attire. The tailors from various royal and contractual dressmakers were competitively preparing several outfits for Rensley. According to the procedure, after making several outfits, Gezell would choose the one he liked the most. The Grand Duke of Aldrant was even fervently pursuing the acquisition of a wedding dress.
In the end, Rensley gathered all the ingredients and headed to the kitchen. After taking a few steps, he felt a movement in a corner of the corridor, like a rabbit hiding in the woods when encountering a person.
“Tia.”
Rensley called out the name of his friend who often served as his drinking and talking companion in the kitchen. Following Reyna’s orders and going out together, it seemed Tia didn’t go far and was surveying the surroundings.
However, even after waiting for a while, there was no response from the hidden friend. If she wanted to avoid him, there was no choice but to let it be. In the end, Rensley sighed.
“Since the kitchen is all yours, go back in quickly. You shouldn’t cause trouble for the kitchen work because of me.”
He didn’t expect much, but his energy drained away. Rensley urged himself to quickly return to his room with the basket of ingredients. Passing through the corridor and turning into a corner, he heard the sound of people bustling back into the kitchen. This way, it seemed more like a plague than people.
Perhaps due to exhaustion, his steps slowed down. Thump, thump, ascending the stairs, he suddenly heard a voice from a distance.
“Ren!”
Having ascended almost an entire flight of stairs, Rensley halted his steps. He stood awkwardly amidst the bustling footsteps and Tia, a kitchen friend who had rushed up breathlessly, looked up at him.
“Ren, just a moment.”
He had guessed the reason she called him. He was slightly taken aback by the more intense reaction than he expected.
“Tia, calm down. You’re out of breath.”
“Thanks for this!”
She greeted him by suddenly holding out something in her hand. It was one of the items from the bundle. Gifts Rensley had bought from the Molbessa Square Emporium for kitchen friends.
While it might be the case for commoners no matter where they lived, among the people of Aldrant at the end of the continent, many spent their entire lives without ever venturing to different regions. The tales of using magic to travel long distances were stories for those involved in state affairs, wealthy merchants, or a small number of nobles with considerable wealth.
To embark on a journey, one needed both temporal and material resources, and permission from the authorities had to be obtained before leaving. Therefore, for ordinary people whose days were busy, it was just empty talk.
Although Rensley had bought many gifts this time, he hadn’t been able to share them due to the chaotic atmosphere upon his return. Even so, he hoped to share souvenirs with his unpredictable friends in the future.
“Do you like it?”
“It’s so pretty. I’ve never received such a beautiful thing before. Thank you so much…”
“It’s not expensive. Besides, the embedded jewels are already mine as the Grand Duke’s gift, so it’s too plain for the Grand Duchess, don’t you think?”
“What are you talking about? Even a single piece of colored glass can be quite expensive.”
The gift prepared for Tia was a hairpin adorned with fake gems. Although she tied up or braided her long, lush hair when working, she liked to decorate it with pretty ribbons or flowers when socializing with people.
Reyna, who always suffered in the kitchen, received several bottles of local liquor from the well-known distillery, and to the servants who often did the dishes, Rensley gave skincare products made with fragrant oils to prevent their hands from chapping. For a colleague who loved flowers, he prepared a decorative item made by drying flowers that bloomed only in the south. To the cook who was curious about Molbessa’s kitchen tools, he gifted the desired equipment.
Snacks that could be shared by everyone were not overlooked. Originally, he had bought these items to distribute them individually to people, but since the situation became chaotic, he had attached name tags to each item and left them.
“Everyone is feeling sorry and doesn’t know what to do now… I came because I felt I should talk about it too.”
“I did lie. There’s no need for you or anyone else to feel sorry.”
Rensley placed the food ingredient basket he had been holding on the railing and descended the stairs.
“Let’s see how well it suits you. I’ll put it in.”
The hairpin slipped out of Tia’s hand. Looking down at her tightly gathered brown hair, Rensley pinned it to the side, then descended a few more steps to look up at her. Tia, adorned with the sparkling hairpin, blushed shyly.
“As expected, I have an eye for choosing items. It really suits you. Even the best princesses in the world wouldn’t beat you, Tia.”
“You’re good with words. Ren, do you remember the day of the knight induction ceremony when we danced on the dining table? That day was really fun.”
“Of course. Now that I’ve become the Grand Duchess, I can’t just climb onto the table without manners. Those good times are all gone, right?”
Rensley, who answered with a creaky voice, eventually let out a bitter laugh.
“You always admired the veiled Grand Duchess. It must have been more shocking to find out that it was me. Still, if you want, I’ll talk to Lady Samlet to see if you can work as a maid instead of in the kitchen. Anyone should be able to do what they want if possible.”
“No, imagining the Grand Duchess was like playing. I just complained verbally; I don’t dislike what I do. I like cooking. I wasn’t surprised because of that…”
Tia mumbled for a moment, then changed her expression, as if something fun had come to mind.
“The reason Reyna is mad at you is not just because you lied.”
“…Then?”
“While you were away, Princess Frida compared your cooking to Reyna’s and told her to learn cooking again from you. She was eager to make a fuss when you returned, but now it’s impossible. Think about Reyna’s personality. How upset do you think she is now?”
“Ah…”
“Besides, all the things we said to you during that time… revealing rumors about the Grand Duke and complaints about the upper-class people. It turns out you were the Grand Duchess from the beginning. People can’t help but avoid you. It’s not because they hate you, but because… they don’t know what to do.”
Her words were all valid.
Ivet’s words were also correct. If Rensley Maelrosen, the liar, wanted to be understood, he needed to step forward, shout, and clarify his position, not hide in his room and mutter about talking or using a pen to explain.
Gifts for stable and paddock people, gifts for laundry workers, gifts for craftsmen or warehouse keepers, and even toys for children often encountered were all bought. Today, he left them only for the kitchen workers, but he planned to go around and leave them for others tomorrow. However, it seemed that it wasn’t a time to be cautious about people’s reactions.
“Tia, I think I need to go back to the kitchen.”
“Now?”
“Yeah, right now.”
Rensley headed to the kitchen with Tia. People who saw Rensley walking and talking with others for the first time in a long time as he passed through the corridor glanced at him. As they opened the door with a clunk, the kitchen hastily fell silent. The people who had been chatting lively while holding gifts in their hands were clearly seen hiding items in their apron pockets and smoothing their expressions.
Rensley stiffened his expression and went straight to Reyna without hesitation.
“…What is it again, Grand Duchess?”
“Reyna, the cuisine in the south and north is quite different.”
Reyna blinked in surprise.
“Of course, that’s natural. Even within Aldrant, the taste of food varies by region, by family, and even between the royal kitchen and the Grand Duke’s residence. The palace cuisine should be appropriate for its status.”
“Right. I don’t know how to make high-class banquet dishes. It all started because I wanted to show the Grand Duke the taste of Cornia’s cuisine. And His Grace seems to like Cornian cuisine quite a bit.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“From now on, I’ll be making Cornian-style tomato soup. Please bring out the largest pot. We’ll be making it outside, not in here.”
“Outside?”
Reyna frowned. With a suspicious expression about his intentions, Rensley asked, “Is it not allowed?”
“Is it an order?”
“…Yes. If necessary, I’ll give the order.”
“If Your Grace orders, I can only follow.”
Suddenly, a large pot was set up in the spacious courtyard of the Roudken Grand Residence. The outdoor large-capacity pot, used when going hunting or setting up a camp for several days to engage in battles, had not been used for quite some time since Gezell ascended to the throne.
While people lit the fire and set up the pot, Rensley went back into the greenhouse to harvest various vegetables as much as possible. Reyna’s eyes widened at the sight of unfamiliar southern raw vegetables.
“Where did these come from? They aren’t from our kitchen or garden.”
“These are new crops that His Grace has been growing experimentally in the courtyard. They’re things that are abundant in the south.”
Reyna chuckled.
“The taste can be different because the ingredients are different! It’s no wonder people who have never worked in the kitchen say such things, huh?”
Even without explicit instructions, Rensley, who had already heard the whole story, couldn’t be unaware that this was Reyna’s scheme. Well, it couldn’t be helped. Just because of this one thing, he might have earned the animosity of even a maid like Reyna. After all, as much as the chef makes food that goes into his mouth, there’s a limit to how much resentment a servant can endure.
He put butter in the large pot, followed by finely sliced onions. The blazing wood fire, a large pot, chunks of butter going in, and a large amount of onions. It was a perfect harmony. As the onions cooked to a brown color, a delicious smell that bloomed in an instant spread widely, like a baseless rumor.
People who were busy with their work here and there stopped and subtly sent curious glances or began to wander around. Is there a bait in the world as enticing as delicious food? Food that appeases the tongue can even melt a frozen heart. Perhaps being a great chef is a profession even more magnificent than being an Elementalist. Rensley grumbled while sautéing the ingredients.
“Ah, it would be nice to have more meat. Bacon or ham would be good.”
“Ham? If it’s ham, it’s okay. It’s stored in the warehouse right now… well, if Chef allows, I can take some out. It’s up to you, whether to bring it or not.”
The warehouse keeper, who manages the ingredients, hinted that he could hear. Reyna snorted and replied.
“If the Grand Duchess orders, why bother telling me? I’m not responsible! Do whatever you want, whether you bring it or not!”
Not long after, a well-aged ham, emitting a savory aroma just by smelling it, was handed over to Rensley’s hands in chunks. As he thickly sliced and added it to the pot, the sizzling sound of the ham being crisply cooked began to stimulate his ears.
The unfamiliar vegetables aroused people’s curiosity. One of the onlookers, who had been gradually approaching, asked Rensley, “Wouldn’t it taste even better if you put turnips in… right?”
“Sure. Since it’s a mixed soup anyway, the more, the tastier!”
Upon Rensley’s words, fresh turnips were promptly brought over. As they were chopped and added to the pot, the moisture in the pot boiled, spreading an even richer aroma.
“If it’s a mixed soup, how about adding this?”
“How about this?”
Sausages, carrots, potatoes, large pumpkins, spinach, chunks of fish… Suddenly, all sorts of ingredients started pouring in. The large pot gradually became more abundant.
There is an old story. In a poor village, a traveler who had run out of provisions arrived. Despite begging for food because he was extremely hungry, no one in the village was willing to share their food. In desperation, the traveler, who was on the brink of starving, spread the rumor that he had a magical stone that could make delicious soup and borrowed a large pot in the center of the village square.
The traveler, who was boiling the stone in the pot filled only with water, pretended to taste it and mumbled. If only there were a little meat, if only there were a little carrot, if only there were a little onion, if only there were a bit of salt and pepper, this soup would be even more delicious…
At that moment, the people in the village, who were watching the magical stone soup being completed, began to bring various ingredients one by one, and the soup, boiled with all the ingredients, became an unparalleled delicacy. From the day they all shared the soup filled in the large pot, the people in the village became kinder to each other, and the soup boiled with the magical stone became a local specialty that couldn’t be found anywhere else.
When the soup in the large pot was sufficiently flavorful, it was close to dinner time. Rensley, holding a bowl, generously ladled the steaming soup.
“Now, the first bowl!”
Even the workers who had finished their tasks were gathering to prepare for a break. The eyes of the crowd were all focused on Rensley’s fingertips.
“Head Chef Reyna! If Chef Reyna hadn’t given permission, we wouldn’t have been able to make this soup today.”
“What are you saying? This humble chef simply followed the orders of the Grand Duchess.”
Although she said that, her expression with the bowl and spoon in hand was solemn. Trying southern regional cuisine she had never tasted before, different from her cooking style…
Reyna tasted the soup, reddened by the tomatoes, and then took a bite with various ingredients like meat and vegetables. Her expression became as complex as the soup with its diverse flavors. Without saying a word, Rensley spoke to her first.
“It might be unfamiliar, but it’s the taste of Cornia. What I make is all commoner’s food, so it might not suit Lady Reyna’s sophisticated taste.”
In a timely manner, Tia handed her a glass of wine. After gulping down the wine, Reyna returned the empty glass to Tia, and then handed the empty bowl to Rensley, smiling.
“It’s definitely not to my taste. The flavor is too plain and the aroma is simple. It has depth, but without boiling the soup for so long, it wouldn’t make sense.”
“….”
“But, being a royal palace chef, there’s no choice but to cook according to the preferences of the one we serve. To cater to the taste of the Grand Duchess, who hails from the south and has a commoner’s palate, I have no choice but to learn how to make the local dishes.”
Oh. Without knowing the detailed background, some people instinctively clapped as if Reyna’s words were a signal. Following Reyna’s lead, Rensley and several other chefs diligently ladled out the soup, and people eagerly received soup bowls to taste.
“What’s this? I’ve never tasted anything like this before.”
“Ugh, it’s too tangy for me.”
“I love it! It’s a unique taste that suits my palate perfectly.”
“But why are we suddenly serving food today? What’s the occasion?”
As people began expressing their opinions, a vigorous herald, rolling several large barrels made of wood, appeared and shouted, “This is the drink bestowed by the Grand Duke. Everyone, please enjoy it.”
People who were initially delighted by tasting unfamiliar food cheered loudly. What could be more important than the reason? Drinking from the barrel like this was an experience that was hard to come by unless it was a big festival or party.
The impromptu soup tasting turned into a banquet sanctioned by the Grand Duke. People gathered around and started grilling various meats and vegetables on a large bonfire. Even before the sun had completely set, singing and dancing broke out.
“Oh, fateful destiny!”
“Grand Duchess, is the content of this song really true?”
Some people followed the song they had heard outside the castle and asked about the story. In front of the pot that caused a bigger sensation than expected, Rensley stood still and looked up at the tower of the Grand Duke’s bedroom. Of course, the picturesque view of the top floor of the tower was not visible from here.
“Grand Duchess!”
“Just call me casually today.”
“Yeah, Rensi! Have a drink too! We won’t get a chance like this after celebrating the wedding, right?”
One of the stable keepers thrust a glass filled with liquor toward him. Rensley accepted it and gulped it down without taking a breath. After downing several glasses, he threw the empty glass away and shouted confidently.
“That’s right! After celebrating the wedding, we won’t get a chance like this. Who’s dancing with me!”
Me! Me! The women who were enjoying the banquet raised their hands as if they had been waiting. Rensley was the first to grab Tia’s hand, who was fixing the hairpin he had gifted her.
“May I request a dance, Miss?”
Tia laughed with a chuckle, then hit Rensley on the back before finally taking his hand. They headed towards the bonfire, which was starting to blaze more brightly.
As the music played by the musicians matured and the evening passed into night, the never-ending party in the lively garden was watched from the tall window of the tower by someone who chuckled and looked up.
“The tide has risen quite a bit. Should I encourage the future Grand Duchess to let loose a bit more? He’s already dancing with several partners; may I tempt him with alcohol too?”
Seated by the fireplace, casually sipping wine without approaching the window, Gezell responded.
“As long as this situation is resolved, that should be enough, don’t you think?”
“Surprisingly. I thought you would be more desperate for your Grand Duchess, going to the extent of defying the opposition of many people to celebrate the wedding.”
“My lady, I have my own urgency.”
Gezell tilted the glass once again.
“Lately, due to the wedding issue, the attention of the Court of Malos has been entirely on other people. If I can remedy this situation, I can naturally cooperate.”
Upon hearing this, Frida rolled her eyes as if expressing annoyance. She reached out to Gezell.
“Don’t just sit there so sullenly. Pour me a drink too.”
Gezell rose and approached her. Carefully pouring grape wine into the finely crafted metal cup, the two cousins looked down at the outside scenery with expressionless faces.
People were dancing by the large fire, larger than a person’s height. The unplanned outdoor celebration seemed to invigorate people who had been freed by spring. Among the dancers was, of course, Rensley. As if determined, after finishing a dance with one person, he emptied a glass of wine and immediately started dancing with someone else. Watching this quietly, Gezell spoke.
“My lady, to be honest, when I went to Pheraira, I almost neglected the Duke’s duties.”
“I’m aware.”
Frida’s indifferent response prompted Gezell to continue.
“But strangely… I still felt it would be alright. If I had explained the situation to you at that time, you would have probably told me to do as I pleased. You, Anton, the Court of Malos…”
“Why would that be strange? I think it’s okay for someone as diligent as you to occasionally act on your own. No matter how much of a Duke you are, a Duke is still a person, isn’t he?”
Although Gezell’s words were unusually long, Frida’s attitude remained unchanged. With an impassive expression, she responded to Gezell’s detailed explanation. Observing Frida’s unchanging demeanor, Gezell nodded his head.
“Yes. So… I’ve come to realize that I’ve received enough affection and support from many people more than I thought.”
“Hmm.”
“I always thought I couldn’t become a bright and amusing person like Sir Maelrosen due to various differences in circumstances… But it’s not just that; it’s also because of inherent temperament differences.”
“Of course. You had peculiar aspects since you were young. It’s not something to blame others for.”
Frida pointed at Rensley with her chin.
“Look at your future Grand Duchess. Do you think he would have become like you just because he was locked in the library when he was young?”
Gezell only chuckled at this moment. Seeing her younger cousin’s smile, Frida, who had been silently gazing at the outside scenery for a while, smiled slightly as she raised her eyebrows.
“Oh, even Anton was drawn into this.”
“Ah, it seems Princess Ivet brought him. They even danced together at the Imperial Palace ball.”
“…Is that so?”
Hmm. Frida made a short hum, but that was all.
As the bonfire seemed about to go out, new logs were thrown in to rekindle the flames. Even as the night grew deeper, the impromptu gathering in the central garden showed no signs of ending, soaking in the spring night of Aldrant.
nice 😘
I’m happy for Ren 🙂
Noooooo not the end🥲 I wasn’t prepared for this but I do love that they have a happy ending!