The marble, cut into a round shape about the size of an adult’s fist, snugly fit into place in the center of the mechanical device. As the magician directed his magical energy into it, the seemingly ordinary stone object began to emit a shimmering light.
Beep, beep, beeeeeep… The noise, akin to the sound of an inexperienced musician playing a flute, resonated. Among the onlookers observing the process, murmurs and occasional voices could be heard. Although it was difficult to discern what was being said, it was undoubtedly human voices.
“We did it!”
Someone among the spectators exclaimed in excitement. However, the cheers were short-lived as the voices transmitted through the connected receiver were soon cut off. The light surrounding the marble was also extinguished.
In the midst of the fluctuating crowd, Aldrant’s Grand Duke, Gezell Jivendad, furrowed his brow slightly.
“Another failure.”
“Nevertheless, some degree of audio transmission has been achieved. If we can address the instability during magical energy conversion a bit more, success is imminent.”
At Larcof’s words, Gezell silently opened a thick book lying next to him. The pages were filled with notes and underlines from numerous readings.
As the royal magicians had stated, the long-term research might be slow, but it consistently showed promising results. Although the outcome did not always meet expectations, the investment had yielded sufficient returns.
Recently, the royal magicians had been devoted to researching a communication magic that could reduce the time lag from Roudken to the Tyrgavem mine. While the mine was undoubtedly one of Aldrant’s most critical resources, it was distant from the city and located in the mountains, making it challenging to receive immediate information in case of accidents or sudden monster invasions.
Throughout history, rulers of Aldrant had pondered over the fact that they could only deal with post-event situations at the important mine. However, if this research succeeded, they would be able to monitor the situation in the Tyrgavem mine from the heart of Roudken Castle. It would be an unparalleled advancement in managing and overseeing the mine, providing an invaluable leap forward.
“Your Grace, it’s time for dinner.”
Around the time when heated discussions were underway among the magicians regarding the notable experimental results, the door to the underground research lab opened, and Samlet, along with several servants, entered. Although a dinner table had been set as usual, Gezell did not cast a glance at it and quietly continued reading.
“Leave it. I’ll come up slowly.”
However, as usual, Samlet did not immediately leave.
Deep in thought about the experiment results, Gezell finally turned his head after a while, realizing that Samlet had something more to say.
“What’s the matter?”
“Your Grace, it’s been more than ten days since the wedding ceremony.” She lowered her voice as if whispering.
Gezell absentmindedly reviewed the dates. Had time really passed so quickly? Unless there was something special, he had been living a routine of going back and forth between the laboratory and his bedroom without realizing the passage of time. Lately, he had been even more immersed in his research on transmission magic.
But the difference between being busier or less busy was only a matter of degree. It had been the same routine ever since Gezell Jivendad took the position of the lord. Without any sudden events, he had lived a mundane life. He couldn’t fathom why the subject of the wedding came up now, so he continued flipping through the pages, seemingly unchanged.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Your Grace, you are well aware of the chaotic state of affairs, but it might be nice if you visited the Grand Duchess’s chamber occasionally.”
Larcof, who was enjoying sausage and cheese between slices of bread, also approached as if remembering something. He, too, lowered his voice so that others couldn’t hear.
“Come to think of it, that’s true. Since the wedding, you’ve been doing nothing but researching here every day. After the ceremony, we couldn’t even discuss his future properly. It wouldn’t hurt to visit him occasionally.”
Gezell slowly blinked his eyes, looking at the two.
“Does that imply that something is lacking in the reception? The Grand Duchess manages his own affairs, and his room should be comfortable enough.”
“It’s not about that…”
As if hesitating in her thoughts, Samlet faltered in her words and then emphasized, locking eyes with Gezell.
“Spending your time like a sinner, confined to your bedroom, meeting only with me and a few attendants.”
“…It might be boring. If he avoids contact with people and stays only in his bedroom, it’s best, but if necessary, he could at least put on the formal attire and take a stroll around the castle.”
“Even so, the fact that he can only talk to me with his face covered and exclusively in his bedroom remains unchanged.”
Gezell looked at her without responding. She sighed as if frustrated, then glanced at the book on Gezell’s lap.
“Your Grace, not everyone is satisfied with studying and reading books alone.”
He already knew that. The other Jivendad, who had been sent to the fortress at the northernmost tip for the defense of the city wall, had said similar things. Gezell looked down for a moment, closed the book, and then stood up. For whatever reason, he had accepted the fact that he needed to set aside time for the reception of guests and now, for a moment, it was not difficult to do so.
“Alright. Then let’s have the meal in the Grand Duchess’s chamber. Lead the way there.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Leaving the puzzled lady-in-waiting behind, Gezell left the laboratory and climbed the spiral staircase, followed by his attendants.
Between the Duke’s bedroom, office, and the underground chamber, a moving device had been installed to allow easy access. However, until recently, there was no reason to traverse between them, and the Grand Duchess’s bedroom did not have any such device installed. So, one had to walk there directly.
Ascending from the underground to the first floor, Gezell finally noticed the weather outside. Having entered the laboratory early in the morning, it was already dark outside. Standing still, he muttered while looking out the window.
“It’s raining.”
“Yes, it started raining a little while ago.”
As soon as the attendant finished speaking, a distant sound of thunder followed. While Aldrant was more accustomed to snow than rain, occasional rainfall was not unheard of. During such times, thunder inevitably accompanied the rain. The sky would start groaning, and soon lightning would illuminate the night above the Black Forest and the snowy mountains.
Upon arriving at the Grand Duchess’s bedroom, Gezell once again dismissed the attendants.
“Don’t come close until I call for you. When the meal is ready, knock on the door from outside.”
“Understood.”
Creak. The heavy door opened. Gezell entered the room quietly.
The Grand Duchess’s bedroom looked almost the same as when he first met the owner. Firewood was burning in the fireplace, and candles illuminated the room to a moderate brightness. The curtains draped over the bedposts were tightly closed, sealing the room in silence.
… Rensley Maelrosen seemed to be asleep. Although it was still early for a good night’s sleep, for someone with nothing specific to do, whether it was a late nap or an early bedtime, it was not unusual.
Gezell hesitated, standing in one place. Despite Gezell’s unexpected visit, which was based on the mention of a formal wedding ceremony, if Rensley Maelrosen was sleeping, he didn’t want to wake him up. Upon reflection, visiting without any prior notice had made him an unwelcome guest.
‘This is a behavior that goes against courtesy.’
Gezell turned quietly toward the door. Next time, it would be better to announce and then visit. He raised his hand to the doorknob.
“Ugh, it’s suddenly pouring, what a mess.”
At that moment, the stagnant air in the room suddenly shook. A cheerful voice, overflowing with complaints, rushed in like raindrops. The window, which seemed securely closed, suddenly opened, and through it, a person began awkwardly crawling inside. The intruder, who had been groaning while squeezing into the narrow window, eventually tumbled down.
Hitting the hard floor, the intruder didn’t seem to mind much. Tapping his knees briskly, he stood up. Although the room appeared dim due to not being brightly lit, the wet blond hair reflected the light from the fireplace, sparkling from a distance.
“It’s cold, so cold. I thought it was just snowing, but it’s raining too. Too bad. If I hadn’t fallen over, today would have been a winning game…”
His muttering ceased abruptly. Like a statue, his limbs, which had been moving gracefully, froze. It was as if a stiffness spell had been cast on him. He stood there, frozen, resembling a deer caught in the eyes of a hunter. Gezell, whose violet eyes met the intruder’s gaze, silently observed the unexpected visitor.
There was no veil covering his face, no grand duchess’s dress. Like the first time they met in the basement, Rensley stood frozen like a statue, dressed in commoner attire suitable for a man to wear, with water dripping steadily from the hem of his clothes and the ends of his hair.
When they stood facing each other in silence, without anyone breaking the silence, a knock echoed from outside.
“Your Grace, the meal is ready.”
“Leave it there,” Gezell replied curtly to the maid’s announcement and belatedly shifted his gaze. As he approached, Rensley remained motionless in his place.
Although his shoulders twitched slightly when Gezell came closer, he neither stepped back nor attempted to flee. After getting very close, there was a slight tremor in his shoulders, but he neither stumbled nor tried to escape. Gezell quickly spoke as he observed Rensley trying to catch his breath.
“Do not prostrate yourself.”
Rensley, who had been in a posture of pleading for mercy by prostrating flat again, hesitated and froze. His awkwardly bent body slowly straightened, and his bowed head lifted.
The eyes that had been darting quickly left and right, as if unsure where to focus, finally lowered to the ground. The lips that had been quivering began to move rapidly.
“Sorry. It’s just too boring to be alone in the room…lonely, not boring. Today was the first time! It’s definitely not something that happens often.”
“Didn’t you say just a while ago that ‘today’ was the first time I lost?”
Rensley’s head gradually tilted downward. As the angle of his bowed face changed, his voice also gradually lowered.
“Well…actually, it’s the second time. Please believe me. I swear on my honor that it won’t happen more than that.”
“Did you go out and gamble?”
“G-Gamble! No, it was just a game. Not betting money or anything…”
Achoo. Rensley paused in his speech and let out a small sneeze. The thoroughly soaked clothes and hair became more noticeable.
Gezell reached for a large, thick bath towel hanging near the empty bathtub. As he draped it over the damp blonde hair and wiped away the moisture, Rensley stood silently, blinking his eyes.
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’ll go near the fireplace. Please change your clothes.”
“Yes, yes…”
Rensley nodded and stood in front of the wall fireplace. Perhaps left behind when he went out, a robe for indoor use was draped over the back of a comfortable chair.
Under the scrutinizing gaze, as if being watched, Rensley hesitated and fumbled, like a child trying to undress for the first time, unbuttoning his clothes clumsily. As he pushed aside the thick outer garment, the tunic shirt, sticking to his body due to rainwater, was revealed. The skin showed through the thin and light fabric, appearing slightly translucent.
Gezell furrowed his brows slightly. Rensley still seemed unaware of the local weather conditions. Wearing just an overcoat and a thin shirt—what kind of attire was that for an evening in the rain?
Unable to watch any longer, Rensley hesitated and resumed removing his outer garment.
“Sh-should I not undress?”
It was an incomprehensible sound. Instead of answering, Gezell returned with a question.
“How do you expect to change into new clothes without taking off what you’re wearing?”
“Your Grace, you may look elsewhere. It’s not appropriate for one man to see another man’s naked body…”
“All human bodies are the same. There’s no distinction between bodies worth looking at and those that aren’t.”
Although Rensley couldn’t hide his embarrassment, he eventually turned away and continued to undress. As he removed his shirt, the damp, sleek back was revealed. Pulling down his pants, his extended legs and clinging buttocks came into view. Despite being somewhat slender, it was evident that his body was well-toned. The pale and thin fabric revealed glimpses of the adult skin beneath.
Gezell lightly frowned. Rensley Maelrosen still seemed unfamiliar with the local weather. Going outside in such attire on a rainy evening—was that what he mentioned?
After roughly drying off his body and donning a loose robe, Rensley turned back, wearing an expression that seemed to ask, ‘Is it alright now?’
Gezell moved a step and advised, “Sit closer to the fire.”
Rensley nodded and approached the fireplace. In the meantime, Gezell opened the door, and the maids brought in the set table.
The table was laden with a more diverse and luxurious array of food than usual. As someone with little interest in eating, Gezell didn’t find the sight particularly pleasing, but there was something unknown about it. Perhaps the maids had gone to extra lengths, thinking Rensley might enjoy the meal.
As they pushed the table closer to the fireplace, the man who had been melting into the fire turned his head. With eyes full of curiosity about ‘why you were here’, a gaze that suggested a strong desire to know, he looked at Gezell.
“I received a suggestion to occasionally visit a guest’s room, and it seemed like a good idea.”
“Such considerate kindness! Your Grace, I truly appreciate it.”
“It must have been an uncomfortable visit for Sir Maelrosen.”
“No, Your Grace. No, no,” Rensley shook his head and bowed deeply. “I truly don’t know what words of apology would be sufficient. Like the grace and kindness you bestowed upon a humble wretch like me, as vast as the sky and as deep as the sea, I thoughtlessly and recklessly…”
“Enough, let’s start the meal,” Gezell said, sitting down and pushing the table. Leaning his elbows on the armrest, he rested his chin on the back of his hand.
“There’s no issue with going out. However, didn’t you once get noticed by others when you were moving around through the window? If such an incident were to happen again, it would be troublesome.”
“Oh, I know. That’s why this time, I made sure to set up a barrier around the backyard, where the window is visible, using the leftover wood. I built a fence that can be opened and closed, and stacked straw, especially to prevent children from coming in recklessly…”
Gezell paused, doubtful about whether Rensley had indeed limited his outdoor activities to just twice. However, he refrained from asking further. What’s done is done, and as long as it hasn’t been revealed to the public, it is a matter of being cautious in the future.
When Rensley fell silent after his explanation, the conversation between them came to a halt. Dinner commenced in silence, accompanied by the distinct sounds of the ticking clock and the crackling of the fireplace, unusually audible today.
Rensley consumed bread, cheese, a few sausages, and tea in succession. Despite the maids preparing an abundant feast, he didn’t eat much. Similarly, Gezell, who tasted a few dishes, soon gave up on the meal and stood up.
“Well then, rest. Next time, I’ll inform you in advance before coming.”
“Already leaving?”
Rensley stood up abruptly. Gezell nodded, adjusting his cloak.
“It might be more comfortable for you to rest alone. However, I insist on one thing. In the future, inform the chambermaid before going out and act as a Grand Duchess should.”
“Please wait, Your Grace. Lady Samlet knows nothing. Please don’t confront her about my actions without my knowledge. I beg you.”
Gezell had no intention of questioning her from the beginning. If she had known about sneaking out of the bedroom, she wouldn’t have suggested going to meet the Grand Duchess. The most significant mistake was not assigning a bodyguard separately and leaving the supervision of a Duke’s wife to one chambermaid, Gezell Jivendad.
While it might seem inconvenient to assign a bodyguard to someone who would be in the room all day, today’s events suggested a need for reconsideration. It was a momentary decision, considering future events. Rensley’s complexion fluctuated rapidly in the silence. Sensing his silent determination, Gezell quickly spoke up.
“Do not prostrate yourself.”
At that, an expression of uncertainty turned towards Gezell. ‘No need for that.’ Just as he was about to say that he had no intention of questioning Lady Samlet, a thunderous boom, shaking the world, enveloped the space between them.
Gezell, looking at the closed window, walked over and opened the wooden shutters. At that moment, lightning flashed. In a fleeting moment, a silvery light covered everything, even the inside of the bedroom.
After a momentary pause, the sound of the sky tearing apart echoed again. It was a massive sound, as if shaking even the fortress-like castle that had stood firm for centuries.
“It seems like it’s starting to pour down in earnest.”
When it rained, thunder and lightning were common, but today’s thunderstorm seemed more extensive than usual. Gezell closed the window and drew the thick curtains. Although the sound of the sky splitting could still be heard in the room, it made a slight difference.
“It will rain all night. Although rain is infrequent in Aldrant, when it does come, it lasts quite a while and often comes with thunder and lightning. It might be a bit noisy, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“Yes…”
Rensley, appearing surprised, kept his gaze fixed on the closed window. Gezell suddenly became curious.
“Is the climate during rainy seasons different from Cornia’s?”
Gezell had a broad interest in various fields of knowledge, but most of what he knew was theoretical. Despite his recent ability to survey places using magic without temporal displacement, it was limited to nearby areas. He hadn’t expanded his reach to Tyrgavem Mines yet.
“Oh, yes. It’s different. In Cornia, even when it rains, the temperature doesn’t drop much, and it doesn’t last long. When it rains in Cornia, adults usually take shelter, but children often play in the rain. I liked playing in the rain when I was a child. It was fascinating to see the water constantly pouring. We’d create puddles and splash around, and of course, there would be thunder and lightning occasionally, but not as much as this…”
His explanation, which had been enthusiastic, came to a halt. Another thunderous roar, like an attempt to break the world, echoed, interrupting his words.
Rensley looked towards the closed window, and as the rain began to fall, he seemed to be taken aback. Gezell wondered if he wanted to express his surprise at seeing such a large thunderstorm.
“I can cast a spell to help. No, although I can’t erase the sound itself, I can temporarily numb your hearing. You should be able to sleep peacefully for the night.”
“….”
“If you wish, I can cast it for you.”
As expected, it seemed to be a thoughtful suggestion, and it looked like he was changing the direction of his hesitation. After briefly contemplating which option would be better, Rensley narrowed his eyes slightly and asked.
“Can you not hear any other sounds besides thunder?”
“Yes, that’s correct. It should wear off by tomorrow. You’ll be plunged into complete silence for just one night.”
“That sounds a bit scary….”
It was just getting quieter; what was so frightening about it? Nevertheless, without explicitly asking, Gezell observed the man in front of him as if he were considering something.
Of course, there were potential dangers in using a magic that numbed the senses. In the case of the suggested auditory paralysis, there was a risk of not being aware of what was happening around, potentially leading to danger. If there were a fire or a thief, not being able to realize it while continuing to sleep could be a significant problem.
However, this was the bedroom of the Grand Duke in the Roudken Castle. Even if Rensley Maelrosen himself didn’t pay attention, there were attendants, knights, and guards around him to protect him from danger.
“Just because you can’t hear surrounding noises for a night doesn’t mean there will be any danger. If you’re worried, we can reinforce the guards.”
“No, that’s not what I meant… being too quiet makes it feel like I’m alone.”
“Rensley Maelrosen sleeping alone in the bedroom is not about feelings but a fact.”
“Yes, you’re right. That’s what I meant, but…”
Rensley mumbled and rubbed his cheek with his palm as if he were feeling uneasy. At that moment, lightning once again interrupted their conversation. Kwaagwang! It was louder than any before.
Whether this intense sound brought a change in Rensley Maelrosen’s emotions or not, Gezell’s gaze toward the man stiffened. After a few hesitant steps, Rensley approached closer, lightly lifted his chin, and with a firm attitude, declared as if making a statement.
“Grand Duke, I have never slept alone on a night with lightning. I don’t like thunder and lightning.”
“…Is that so.”
Gezell tilted his head slightly, as if contemplating.
“It’s troublesome. It doesn’t happen often, but the lightning in Aldrant is always like this.”
“If you allow, I would like to spend tonight as Rensley Maelrosen outside.”
“Outside? Where?”
“I have friends in Roudken. If I ask, they would accommodate me for a night.”
Gezell stared at him in silence. Despite Rensley Maelrosen swearing an oath on his honor that his secrets were only twice, Gezell couldn’t help but wonder if there were more hidden secrets. However, he put those thoughts aside and continued the conversation.
“I don’t know how much longer you’ll stay here, but even now, there’s no certainty. Is it a solution to sleep outside whenever it rains? It doesn’t seem like a resolution.”
“Today is an exception, but in the future, I’ll try to adapt to the weather here.”
“Even if you couldn’t sleep alone at night until now in Cornia, it won’t be easy to adapt to the weather here… but…”
The young lord of Roudken found himself in a short dilemma. Taking care of Samlet’s affairs meant looking after Rensley Maelrosen’s miscellaneous daily life, but he couldn’t issue a command for the young man to spend the night alone in a room.
Larcof, a mage who dedicated himself to studying day and night whenever he felt inclined, especially towards natural forces like lightning, might want to immerse himself in research on a day like today. Roudken did not want to take away his time for such matters.
Anton, the captain of the knights, had a family to take care of. Asking him to return to the barracks to handle a guest’s escort on a rainy night, rather than his duties as a lord, was not appropriate.
Given the limited number of people who knew the true identity of the Grand Duchess, there was no need for prolonged deliberation to reach a conclusion.
“Then let’s sleep together tonight.”
“Yes! Thank you very much… What?”
Politely bowing to express gratitude, Rensley was taken aback as Gezell took off his cloak.
“If you need someone to sleep well with, I can handle that much.”
“But… It’s bothering Your Grace for such a trivial matter…”
“Sleep is sleep, no matter where. There’s no need to be bothered. Considering frequent coming and going for this kind of situation would be more troublesome.”
Originally, Gezell had planned to spend more time in the study after the meal. However, the Duke’s schedule occasionally involved unexpected events. While it was against his nature to willingly accept such situations, it was unavoidable.
The clock indicated that it was past eight in the evening. Peasants, who conserved lamp oil, might be going to bed soon, but for Gezell, who enjoyed reading and studying, it was still quite early.
Considering whether to have the librarian bring the books here, Gezell abandoned the idea. Would he be able to enjoy reading peacefully next to someone who disliked thunderstorms? There seemed to be little else to do besides going to bed early.
“If you don’t have any special business, let’s get ready for bed. By the time we wake up, the rain should have stopped.”
“Ah… understood.”
Rensley nodded and approached the fireplace. Near the hearth, covering the protruding item with a black cloth, Rensley wet the cloth. An iron pot filled with charcoal was revealed. He picked up a few pieces with tongs and transferred them to another metal bowl with a handle.
Gezell, who was planning to call a maid to prepare for sleep, watched Rensley, who was busy without saying a word, and asked belatedly, “What are you doing?”
“I need to light the charcoal. I’m going to put it in the brazier. It’s that commendable thing that warms the bed throughout the night.”
Gezell’s brow furrowed slightly.
He didn’t think about the attendants neglecting their duties and slacking off. However, having accepted a guest who knew the true identity of the Grand Duchess, it seemed Gezell was unaware that such negligence was occurring. Lighting charcoal needed to be done separately in the heating room and then brought to the Grand Duchess’s room.
“…Have you been personally warming the bed all this time?”
“Well, Lady Samlet and others wanted to do it for me, but I thought it would be a bother for them to do it late at night. I’m not a real Grand Duchess, is there any need to bother so many people for me? If other maids, who are not Lady Samlet, happen to notice, I’ll have to use a veil each time, which is also bothersome… It’s not a difficult task, but I can handle it myself. Lighting charcoal is surprisingly fun.”
With a smile, Rensley’s response froze as if he suddenly realized something. “I insisted on doing it. They naturally tried to stop me, but I felt uncomfortable in my heart… I hope you won’t scold the maids for this.”
While the two were chatting, the charcoal ignited into a blazing red, and Rensley, observing Gezell’s reaction, used the tongs to retrieve it again. During the time it took to cool the charcoal for use on the bed, both Gezell and Rensley remained silent.
Rensley, as the maids usually did, patted the bed with an iron-wrapped hotplate inside the quilt. If he were alone, he would have simply covered the bed roughly and tidied up, but today, for the guest, he put in extra effort. Moving around the bed busily, changing its position here and there to evenly distribute the heat throughout the large bed.
“All set, Your Grace. You can lie down whenever you like now.”
Rensley took the hotplate out from under the quilt, covering the bed with a satisfied expression. Gezell, who had been observing him, approached. There were many things he wanted to ask, but without any confirmation from the person in question, he kept silent.
Now, Gezell had a new question. He realized that his judgment had been momentarily clouded by the intriguing stories Rensley Maelrosen had shared, given the interesting circumstances and revelations. He hadn’t doubted from the beginning, which seemed odd. Even if it was a substitute for sending a princess to a distant and harsh land, there was no need to use a member of the royal family. Regardless of knowing the truth, as long as he conducted the wedding ceremony, the true identity of Rensley Maelrosen didn’t matter. However, the pure doubt about truth and falsehood led Gezell to question whether the claim of being a prince’s secretary was also a lie.
At that moment, the sky roared in preparation. Rensley, who was cleaning up the charcoal and washing his hands and face, approached Gezell, startled. “It seems thunder is coming again.”
His prediction was correct. As the mighty sounds echoed, resembling the preparation for a thunderous roar, Gezell could feel Rensley’s breath as he stood nearby, swallowing hard. Gezell could see the pupils looking toward the closed window, and the long eyelashes quivering slightly. Now that the stormy sounds had subsided, Gezell silently observed him.
As the thunder faded away, Gezell spoke softly, “Thunder and lightning are just natural phenomena. There is no evil in the light or sound, and as long as we are inside the castle, there is no risk of accidents.”
“I understand. It’s just that the thunder is so loud… It’s not that I’m scared, but this kind of big thunder and lightning is my first time, so I was surprised.”
As the thunderous noise receded, Rensley glanced at Gezell with embarrassment. Though he looked plump standing there, Gezell noticed how awkward it must have been for him. Still, before Gezell could speak, Rensley glanced at him.
“How about we go to bed now?”
“Agreed. Please go to bed first.”
As soon as Gezell finished speaking, Rensley approached the bed and threw himself onto it. The meticulously prepared bed was as soft and warm as freshly baked bread from the oven. The tension eased, as if wearing armor capable of repelling any attack, and the courage to face the night in defiance of the thunder emerged.
The warmth enveloping his body, the plush pillow, the soft fur, and blanket pulled up to his chin—there was no defensive gear, just warm and cozy items, yet it felt like being protected by the most powerful force in the world. It might be a whimsical illusion, but who cares? Rensley reassured himself with this sweet misconception.
By the time the sky began its preparations for another roar, Gezell, who had finished preparing for bed, also entered the bed. Rensley, slightly surprised, moved aside and lay down.
The bed designated for the Duchess was spacious enough for two adult men to lie comfortably without touching each other. Gezell, not lying completely but propping himself up with his upper body at an angle, asked, “Shall I close the bed curtains?”
“It’s okay. Tonight, a little light might be better. Oh, do you have trouble sleeping without darkness?”
“No, I sleep well even in front of a fireplace.”
At his words, Rensley couldn’t help but laugh unintentionally, recalling the image he saw when he went down to the basement.
Gezell, the Duke, sitting comfortably in front of the fireplace, reading documents. If there were cats or dogs instead of the difficult writing on the document, it would have been a very peaceful scene.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Ah… I…”
Rensley quickly covered it up, “I’m happy that Your Grace is sleeping with me.”
Even though Gezell said there was no need to close the curtains, Gezell did not lie down but continued to stand and looked down at Rensley. Rensley also looked up at him. In the dim light, his pumpkin-colored eyes seemed even deeper, resembling the soft and mellow color of black tea.
After taking off his cloak and official robes and lying on the bed, Duke Gezell Jivendad seemed more comfortable and less formal than a moment ago. Actually, he had no protection whatsoever, covering himself with a quilt that could not protect him at all. Just like the act of covering himself with a quilt that could not protect him and driving away the fear in his heart, Rensley, without any guard, accepted the illusion created by the unique situation, with candlelight, curtain shadows, and more.
“All right.”
Gezell, who had no other response, slowly opened his mouth.
“Shall we sleep together again tomorrow?”
“What?”
Surprised by the unexpected proposal, Rensley widened his eyes. The one who spoke seemed to have spoken without much thought as if he didn’t care.
‘I haven’t been able to get used to sleeping alone for a long time… If Your Garce prefers to sleep together, that’s fine with me.’
“No, Your Grace. I don’t want to bother you for a long time. It’s just because of the thunder today. Originally, I used to live alone. Even now, despite appearances, I used to dream of becoming a knight.”
Rensley was startled and shook his head. No matter how relaxed the atmosphere was compared to usual, how could he comfortably close his eyes every night sharing a bed with this huge and rough lord? Perhaps he might develop insomnia, something he only heard about.
“Knight?” Gezell raised his arm, propped up his head with his hand, and leaned down. Rensley thought he had said something unnecessary, but it was spilled water. Rensley chuckled and brushed it off.
“That’s when I was a child. Is it common for nobles to appoint a servant, who hasn’t received proper education, as a knight? After realizing that there were many corrupt knights, I lost interest.”
“Is the treatment of enemies and servants so different in Cornia?”
“Well… Can’t you tell just by looking at me? Aren’t they similar everywhere?”
The returned gaze was not very convincing.
‘Why is he suddenly asking this?’
Only now did Rensley feel a bit tense. Gezell seemed to sense it and did not hide his inner thoughts.
“It seems like you’re not used to receiving privilages as a person of the royal family.”
“Oh, that… Actually, I’ve almost never received it. Although I was acknowledged by the king’s bloodline and lived within the royal city, I was practically treated as a servant. I was acknowledged as a princess by the king due to the lack of daughters and given the Elbanes castle, but I couldn’t use the castle without permission.”
Rensley shrugged while lying down.
“To be honest, Cornia’s royal family isn’t fortunate. The children born to the current queen are cute, but I think it’s lucky that I didn’t become a disgusting human, as they treated me like a servant and discriminated against me. It’s not the commoners and servants, but the royalty and nobility who treated me poorly. The current crown prince, in particular, is trash. If I were to talk about the atrocities he committed, we wouldn’t be done even if we stayed up all night. Why they placed such a person on the throne as the crown prince… Cornia’s people are the only ones to be pitied. He will undoubtedly become a tyrant remembered in history later on.”
As Rensley spoke faster, he suddenly closed his mouth and lowered his gaze.
“I talked too much about useless things. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. As the Crown Prince of Cornia, he can’t be entirely unrelated to Aldrant. His name is Felix, right?”
“Yes. Why is it that Aldrants is not very discriminatory against the commoners?”
“Because of the harsh environment, children often died in the past. Therefore, there was no room for differences between commoners. Adultery is judged, but there is no discrimination based on origin.”
“I see…”
Bam! Another thunderclap resounded. Rensley, who had momentarily forgotten about the outside weather due to the quiet conversation with Gezell, was startled and pulled up the blanket with a short cry.
After that, his ears became hot. The man who had just said he wanted to be a knight and had become an adult was afraid of ‘natural phenomena.’ It was not something to be proud of.
It became difficult to hide the fact that he was scared, and Rensley slowly pulled down the blanket that had covered him from head to toe. Then, with a gaze that was calm until now, Gezell looked at Rensley.
“I, too, didn’t hate thunder like this from the beginning… The crown prince, Pe—… that guy once threatened to punish me by tying me to a tree in the castle courtyard when thunder struck. Isn’t he crazy to do that when lightning could hit the tree? Do you know what’s even more terrifying? The tree I was tied to actually caught fire when it was struck by lightning!”
“So, what happened?”
Even Gezell seemed a bit surprised as he asked. Accidents where a tall tree was struck by lightning and caught fire or collapsed occasionally happened even in Aldrant, which had vast plains and many trees. Most of the time, only the tree suffered damage, but there were cases where nearby lumberjacks or hunters were entangled and suffered minor or major injuries.
But to be tied to a tree and struck by lightning…
“Fortunately, only the tree broke, and I wasn’t hurt at all.”
“….”
“Oh, don’t believe me? Many people think I’m bragging when they hear this story, but I swear on my honor. Even I and the people were surprised. It was when I was young, and I was so shocked that I fainted for several days and nights. I really thought I was going to die. Still, that guy only got a few lectures from the etiquette teacher and that was it. Can you believe it? I was tied to a tree, and it was struck by lightning, but he just got a scolding from the etiquette teacher. I was unscathed solely because of my good luck!”
Gezell nodded as if he understood the bizarre situation. Instead of questioning the truth of the story further, he raised an eyebrow as if saying he couldn’t comprehend.
“Certainly, you’re an unusual person. Such behavior can’t result in any meaningful punishment.”
“Of course not! He did it just because he wanted to harass me for no reason. It wasn’t just me; he did it to Ivet as well.”
“Why would someone harass another person without any reason?”
“That’s what I’m saying! So, he’s not normal but a crazy guy.”
Now that Gezell seemed to understand to some extent, he nodded. When he drew a simple line in the air with his finger, the curtain suddenly fluttered, and the wooden door inside the glass window opened with a creak.
Like a stage where a play had just ended, the rainy night sky, which had been carefully covered, was revealed in front of the two men. The distant sky flashed white, making the world momentarily bright. Rensley, who had been speaking energetically, became silent, and his voice lost its vigor.
“Your Grace… Do you, by any chance, also want to harass me…?”
“It won’t be scary if we see it together.”
Gezell approached a bit more. Rensley, who was lying down, felt Gezell’s chest against his shoulder.
The rumbling sound continued immediately. This time, Rensley stopped short of flipping the blanket and instead flinched with his body. While he still disliked thunder and lightning, his attention was now more focused on Gezell’s inexplicable actions. However, the man who had pressed his body against him seemed completely unperturbed and calmly spoke.
“Look. The sound comes after the light. So, it’s better not to be surprised by the sound but by what you can see.”
“…Well, that’s true.”
“The people of Aldrant like thunderstorms. I hope you can understand, as even the Duke spent time here.”
While people who aren’t afraid of thunder and lightning are common, what could be the reason for actually liking it? Especially on a night like tonight, when thunder in the dark disturbs sleep.
Rensley looked out the window with a puzzled expression. The sky, now silent, was pitch black. A low and soothing voice settled into his ears.
“The first king who founded Aldrant was said to be born from a lightning strike.”
“…Born from lightning?”
“This is an ancient story from the time when there was no Roudken Castle. Back then, creatures from the northern forest and sea invaded human lands more frequently than they do now, killing and tormenting people. Until Aldrant was established, this place was a land where refugees and fugitives gathered.”
Unconsciously, Rensley began to listen attentively to his story. The person speaking seemed to be forgotten for a moment, and the low, clear voice had a comforting effect on the human heart. Despite the chill characteristic of the northern region, which had felt like a biting wind before arriving at the castle, it no longer felt cold buried under the warm blanket.
“Among the gathered people was a highly esteemed general who had been scorned and driven out of his homeland. He realized on a stormy night that the creatures did not invade the land where people gathered when thunder and lightning struck.”
“…Really, on nights when lightning strikes, monsters don’t invade?”
“Yes. It doesn’t rain often, but there has never been an intrusion by creatures beyond the barrier on such weather.”
Upon hearing this, the thunder, which had been frightening until a moment ago, felt somewhat like an ally. When Rensley closed his mouth, Gezell, who had been waiting for a moment’s pause, continued his story.
“One night, on a day when lightning struck, the general set out to find the place where lightning struck. After a strenuous journey, he finally found his destination. There, he discovered a spring where lightning had struck the ground, and it had created a pool shining silver.”
Listening intently to the story, Rensley turned his head to look at the speaker.
“Absurd, isn’t it? Lightning turning into a spring?”
“It’s an ancient story.”
Oh, right. This is not a real event but a myth of Aldrant. Understanding this, Rensley nodded his head again.
“He believed that by carrying the water from the spring, he could protect people from danger. However, the spring made of lightning was different from regular water, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t contain it in a container. In his futile efforts, he eventually fell into the spring.”
“…So, did he die?”
“No. The chosen one in the spring was reborn. He took on the appearance of a human but became a being half divine, gaining the power to freely use lightning to protect the land and people. He returned to where people lived, established Aldrant, and became the first king to invite and care for the people. He shook the land to create a river that could carry the lightning far and became the mighty Silver River in Aldrant.”
‘The river, huh.’ Having just arrived in the north, Rensley hadn’t ventured outside Roudken yet. Not only had he not seen outside Roudken, but he hadn’t even explored beyond the Grand Castle. On the night when he crossed the cold and dry fields, tears streaming down his face, it felt like a desolate land where no living creature could survive, much like the barren land beyond Roudken. Yet, considering the proximity to the sea, there would naturally be rivers or streams here as well.
Rensley had always loved swimming in the sea or rivers on clear and hot summer days. The sight of the sun-dazzled surface of the water and the clear view of the sandy bottom underneath were enchanting.
When would he be able to undress again, bask in the sun, and feel the water against his skin? Thinking that he might never again visit the beautiful waterside he loved since childhood made him feel a sense of loss.
“You probably haven’t seen the river yet, but when you look at the Silver River from afar, it appears silver. Some say it’s because a type of silver called Membril is distributed on the riverbed, while others attribute it to the climate of this place. However, the people of Olendrant prefer the story that the river originated from lightning.”
‘The one who rules the Black Forest and the Silver River, obedient to the duty of divine domination…’
The proclamation spoken on the day of the ritual was still lingering in a corner of Rensley’s memory. As he directed his gaze out the window, the sky suddenly sparkled.
The long streaks of light fragmented, like crevices between tightly packed houses, like narrow paths created by seams. It flickered, revealing itself before concealing again, and each time, the sky rumbled like a beast before letting out a roar.
The thinning light quickly turned into a massive beam, piercing the ground. Subsequently, a thunderous sound erupted, and the bedroom was once again illuminated. However, this time, Rensley did not avert his gaze, nor did he startle and hide under the covers.
The lightning bolts appeared like a waterfall, pouring down. The brilliant and cool light dyed the scorched ground silver, and like the Milky Way, it began to flow smoothly. Now, even Rensley could imagine the scene.
“This story explains why the people of Aldrant like lightning. To survive a lightning strike, they say today’s weather is a welcoming greeting from the northern land, a land enchanted by words.”
“….”
“Is it still frightening?”
Instead of answering Gezell’s question, Rensley locked eyes with him. After hesitating to respond, he suddenly blurted out, “No.”
To confess the fear he had harbored for so long so quickly. This made the previously confessed horror seem exaggerated or even false. Rensley felt a twinge of embarrassment at the rapid change in his emotions.
‘…Well, isn’t it good if I can face it without fear from now on?’
In the place where embarrassment lingered, a stronger feeling of joy surged. Rensley turned back towards Gezell.
“Can Your Grace also control lightning at will?”
“If I could, I would have stopped the lightning for the ceremony by now.”
Gezell’s tone remained consistently serious, making it difficult for Rensley to distinguish whether he was joking or speaking earnestly. Rensley, not bothering to conceal his laughter, greeted him.
“Thank you for your words, Your Grace.”
“I’m glad the story was helpful. Now, I’ll close the window again.”
Gezell gestured, and the open wooden window closed, with the curtains swishing shut. Having leaned towards Rensley with his upper body supported by his hands while sitting, Gezell returned to his place. He lay down on the wide pillow.
“Well then, good night.”
“Yes.”
Both of them had prepared to sleep on the same bed. Gezell soon closed his eyes, and after that, there was no more exchange of words.
In the dimly lit darkness, illuminated only by candlelight, Rensley blinked his eyes. Although he was accustomed to sharing a bed with others, it was challenging to fall asleep as usual when the bedmate was the Duke of Aldrant. It was different from the usual friends who danced together, drank together, and sprawled across a landlord’s bed after getting tired of going home. After all, those friends, who may have fallen asleep after dancing or playing cards all night, could never be like Gezell Jivendad.
He lay stiffly, attempting not to disturb the sleep of the Duke. Unable to toss and turn as he dared not disturb the Duke’s rest, Rensley lay still, holding his breath. The strange tingling sensation on his shoulder, where Gezell’s firm chest and warmth had touched, was the only result of Rensley’s slightly provocative action.
Even after falling asleep, the thunderous sounds did not cease. Each time, he flinched and was surprised, but it was merely a reaction to the sudden loud noise. The deep-seated fear that used to make Rensley uneasy on stormy nights was gradually fading, even as the thunder continued to roll.
Oh my, the Duke is sweet !