Violet eyes flickered with light and quickly concealed it, blinking rapidly several times while lips remained tightly sealed, not forming a pout.
Just ten minutes ago, Rensley Maelrosen had been muttering to himself expressions like “boring,” “tedious,” and “want to go out.” He had rolled around on the bed, sat on the chair for a while, paced from one end to the other, and even played the roles of two characters in a play, reciting lines to himself.
Now, the man who had acted like that was suddenly silent, behaving as if he had lost his voice. Perhaps he didn’t understand his own words. Gezell asked for clarification.
“Was my statement difficult?”
Rensley’s lips slowly parted. However, his tone and voice differed from what Gezell had anticipated.
“Oh, no. It wasn’t difficult, but your words, well, I couldn’t quite grasp them…”
“I will say it again. If you wish, you may take the entrance exam for the Royal Guard. You mentioned proficiency in swordsmanship and horsemanship.”
Gezell paused briefly, looking at Rensley’s face to confirm whether the other party understood his words.
“Roudken’s Royal Guard is always seeking excellent members. If you have such talent as you mentioned, I thought it would be a waste for you to spend time only in the bedroom.”
“But…”
Rensley still wore a puzzled expression. He hesitated silently, then spoke with a diminished voice, as if discouraged.
“But if I do that… what about the position of the Grand Duchess? At that time, everyone said that until the divorce or abdication is publicly announced, I should take on the role of the Grand Duchess…”
“The Grand Duchess from Cornia is weak and confined to the bedroom all day. Only a few, including the lady-in-waiting and a few authorized people, can enter the bedroom.”
“…”
Finally seeming to understand, Gezell continued his explanation.
“Of course, sometimes there are events where the Grand Duchess must officially accompany. At those times, it should be sufficient to cast a transformation spell and cover your face with a veil. No one has seen the face of the Grand Duchess properly yet, so there’s no need to worry. Although the Grand Duchess of Aldrant doesn’t wear a veil… you can attribute it to the long-standing habit of the Cornian princess, and there shouldn’t be any problem.”
The frozen expression softened. Rensley, who had been as stiff as a frozen fish, now wore a playful smile, relaxing with a newfound ease.
“It was a lie. In truth, there is no such custom in Cornia.”
“I see. However, since we don’t know about Cornia’s customs, the likelihood of the lie being exposed is very low.”
“Your Grace’s words are all correct.”
Rensley responded with an even brighter smile. Gazing at each other in silence for quite a while, Gezell gestured towards the comfortable chair placed in front of the fireplace.
“Please, have a seat. Let’s discuss this in more detail.”
As Rensley sat by the fireside, his face softened. The eyes that had been rigid with questions and suspicions were now filled with a relaxed curiosity and approval as he looked at Gezell.
The flames cast a golden light into Rensley’s eyes, making them appear like dark rubies or amethyst gemstones. With a look of uncertainty about where to start, Rensley closed his mouth, waiting for Gezell’s words. Gezell, after observing his face quietly, suddenly began to explain as if someone who had just come to his senses.
“If you pass the entrance exam… as I originally suggested, you can live as Rensley Maelrosen, just like an ordinary resident. In that case, you’ll need a separate room for Sir Maelrosen, not the Grand Duchess’s room.”
“If you give me some time, I will gather the stipend and find a place to live as soon as possible.”
“No, even after passing, you must stay in the castle. This way, you can immediately take on the role of the Grand Duchess when needed. Sir Maelrosen is known as an attendant of the Grand Duchess, and being a guest from a distant country, people won’t find it strange if the lord of the castle provides accommodation.”
Gezell reached out towards the small desk on one side of the bedroom. Before his hand touched it, the notebook and pen that were lying on it flew into the air and landed on Gezell’s lap. Without waiting, Gezell unfolded the leather-bound notebook.
“Oh.”
A small sigh of surprise leaked out from the opposite side. Gezell briefly looked down at the leather-covered notebook, which had been opened for an explanation. He naturally expected blank pages, but inside the cover were recent notes and scribbles scattered chaotically.
<I want to eat something delicious, Celestine Market’s mushroom pie, cream fritters, rose flower cake, onion soup, oxtail stew, wine tastes different, bored, snow keeps falling, I wonder if the people of Cornia are doing well, I want to bask in the sunlight…>
Intermittent muttering in a fragmented tone, written in a script that seemed to fly off the page, accompanied by small drawings of animals, people, and landscapes. Although it was difficult to evaluate the artistic merit of the drawings made with only a pen and without other colors, they were not bad.
“I scribbled when I was bored… please don’t take it too seriously. It’s just doodling without much thought.”
Rensley’s cheeks and ears were lightly tinged. Gezell nodded silently, flipping through the pages until blank ones appeared.
Fixing his pen and pulling the nearby side table closer, Gezell placed the notebook on it. He explained to Rensley while sketching a rough layout of the castle.
“Here, the Grand Duchess’s bedroom is on the fourth floor, and my bedroom is on the top floor of the main tower, the fifth floor. If we create a room for Sir Maelrosen, you can use one of the guest rooms on the second floor, perhaps the one at the end. Although we haven’t set up transportation devices between rooms now, it would be convenient to have them in each room for easy movement in the future.”
Listening to Gezell’s explanation, Rensley’s eyes widened slightly with excitement, and he asked.
“By transportation devices, are you referring to that fascinating stone slab in the Duke’s room?”
“Yes, that’s correct. If there is direct access from Sir Maelrosen’s room to the Grand Duchess’s room and my room, you can discreetly fulfill the role of the Grand Duchess without attracting attention. It will also be convenient when there are discussions to be had occasionally.”
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.
“To the Grand Duke’s bedroom? It feels like I shouldn’t just enter freely… If we have that device, can anyone enter the Grand Duke’s bedroom? Isn’t it risky?”
“We’ll agree to access only when we have matters to discuss. My room has security measures, so you don’t need to worry about that aspect, Lord.”
“Magical transportation devices…”
Rensley muttered quietly, looking down at the rough castle layout that Gezell had drawn, focusing only on the necessary parts. Although his words decreased, his eyes sparkled, showing a hint of excitement.
Gezell maintained silence to give him time to contemplate. The guest from Cornia seemed not to need much time to organize his thoughts, as he lifted his head after a short while.
“I don’t know how to express my gratitude for your generous favor. If given the opportunity, I will do my best not to disappoint you, even if I have to pass the test.”
In Rensley’s expression, there was gratitude, and in his eyes, determination overflowed. Gezell, gazing at him slowly, blinked and covered the notebook.
“There is no reason for me to be disappointed if you fail the test.”
“Oh, yes. That’s true, but…”
Gezell stood up. Having secured the agreement, only the proceedings remained.
“I will inform Sir Sorel, the commander of the knights, about Sir Maelrosen’s intentions. Since Lord mentioned preparing for the entrance exam, it would be good for the three of us to discuss it together. How about we go to the office for a moment?”
“Yes. I’ll prepare quickly!”
Rensley hurriedly stood up and hastily discarded the shirt he was wearing, throwing it carefreely. As he considered the presence of the Grand Duke watching from behind, he picked up the fallen shirt from the floor.
“I was about to tidy up immediately.”
“Keep it for now and instruct the maids later.”
Fortunately, Gezell seemed not to pay much attention to Rensley’s behavior. After all, someone of the Grand Duke’s caliber wouldn’t bother scrutinizing the actions of a gourmet. Despite his own excitement at the unexpected proposal, Rensley felt a moment of confusion at Gezell’s indifferent attitude. But Gezell was momentarily perplexed by the offer and quickly returned to his composed demeanor.
He had said that there was no reason for him to be disappointed if Rensley failed, but most people were not as rational as Gezell Jivendad. While he had claimed not to be disappointed if the foreigner failed, there would undoubtedly be gossip within the knight order speculating about Gezell’s vision and judgment. Such a situation was something Gezell wanted to avoid at all costs.
Undressing in front of the Grand Duke was awkward, but it was something Rensley had experienced before. He quickly discarded his shirt, leaving only one undergarment clinging to his broad thighs.
Unlike Cornia’s dresses, which emphasized a thin fabric and had loose sleeves and waist, Aldrant dresses were thicker, and the sleeves and waist were more generous, not highlighting the body shape. The simple design made it easier for someone with a male physique to appear as a woman.
Dressing in a dress was a first since the ceremony. At that time, the ceremonial dress was ornate, and there were many details that needed to be adjusted by hand to complete the appearance. The dress he was about to wear now was relatively simple and served as everyday attire. At this point, it seemed like he could easily put it on without the assistance of maids.
…but…
“Your Grace, please wait a moment. The ribbon is at the back, so it may take a little time to put on.”
Rensley’s tone became anxious. He felt uneasy making the Grand Duke wait just to put on clothes. Why didn’t Lady Samlet prepare a dress with the ribbon in the front?
As impatience grew, his usually nimble hands seemed to fumble more than usual. While struggling to thread the leather straps through the holes on both sides of the fabric, Gezell, who had been sitting and waiting, stood up.
“Yes, it would be better for Your Grace to go to the office first.”
Gezell muttered inwardly, approaching Rensley, who was busy putting on the dress, rather than waiting for him to come to the bedroom.
“Turn around.”
Rensley blinked, looking at the man standing in front of him. After a moment of silence, Rensley, who understood the implied meaning, was startled and lowered his head.
“No, Your Grace! I’ll do it. If waiting bores you, please go to the office first. I’ll call Lady Samlet.”
“It’s not good for me to attract too much attention now. Let’s quietly go about our business without calling a maid.”
Even a brief consideration confirmed the wisdom of his words. Rensley hesitated for a moment but turned around. Due to the improperly fastened dress, his back was clearly visible through the gap in the fabric.
Despite the chilly weather outside, the room, filled with the warmth from the fireplace all day, was not cold at all. Even though he was walking around naked, the bedroom was warm. However, at this moment, the exposed skin felt unusually cold.
Was Gezell Jivendad, usually composed and neat, casting a chilly gaze down at the somewhat awkward man’s back? Rensley felt a slight tension, but he didn’t have the courage to look back.
Perhaps, while Gezell estimated the length of the straps around the waist, the silence that followed made Rensley nearly gasp. The unexpected feeling of someone’s fingers suddenly sliding over bare flesh was too sensitive. His body trembled briefly. As if Gezell sensed it, his voice came from behind.
“I apologize. It seems difficult not to touch your body while trying to tie it without touching.”
“It’s okay. Please don’t mind.”
His face felt warm, but Rensley answered as if nothing had happened. Even though he was embarrassed by his own reaction to the mere touch of a man’s hand, he tried not to show it.
He hoped Gezell wouldn’t misunderstand. Rensley Maelrosen wasn’t such a timid person. Currently, everything, the environment, the situation, was still unfamiliar, making him constantly cautious, but his usual character was not like this.
As the two men became more accustomed to each other through a few touches, the sensation of Gezell Jivendad’s hand passing over Rensley’s back was not uncomfortable, but rather, it made the person receiving it feel relaxed.
After a few times, when it became familiar, Gezell’s hand gliding over Rensley’s back felt not only non-displeasing but also soothing, as if the warmth enveloped the body gradually.
When the dress completely covered its owner’s back, a short sentence was uttered.
“It’s done.”
Half lost in thought, Rensley finally snapped back to reality and turned around. Despite personally tying the ribbon at the back, Gezell’s expression revealed no emotion. People like him are the most difficult to read. Rensley respectfully bowed to him, bending his slender waist.
“Thank you sincerely, Your Grace. I will make sure to prepare clothes with front-facing ribbons for you later.”
“It’s not something significant; there’s no need to be grateful.”
“Still… Thank you.”
Rensley bowed again and covered his head with the veil. Although not transparent, beneath the dark fabric, the golden shimmer of his blond hair and the purple hue of his eyes were concealed like a hidden painting.
Even in the not particularly bright bedroom, the veil made it uncomfortable to look ahead. Despite unconsciously furrowing his brows and glancing around, the man standing in front of him extended his hand.
“Hold on. It would be a problem if you were to fall.”
Although Rensley wanted to say he was fine, descending the stairs in his current state felt precarious. Rensley silently took Gezell’s hand. The touch conveyed a warmth that eased the anxiety of leaving the room as the Grand Duchess.
Side by side, they exited the room and walked through the corridor. A guard who had been standing at a distance lowered his head in a polite greeting. Even with the veil, it felt like they were surprising the guards, who remained silent.
The office was on the first floor, the busiest place for people moving around in the castle. For various reasons, the attention of those passing through the castle had been overtly directed at the Grand Duchess, who revealed her appearance for the first time in almost two weeks since the wedding ceremony.
Even with the lowered volume, the excited voices reached Rensley’s ears from time to time.
“Oh, how long has it been? The poor Grand Duchess. They say she lived in a warm country, and she couldn’t withstand the cold here, weakening her body severely. She looked so healthy on the day of the wedding ceremony. It’s even more pitiful now.”
“That’s right. Looking at her still wearing a veil, it seems the rumors are true. She seems so frail that I’m worried if she can produce a heir safely.”
Rolling his eyes under the veil, Rensley felt the reality of the elaborate deception he was playing on the people of this country. Whether Gezell heard the conversations or not, he remained composed with an indifferent expression.
They finally arrived at the office, holding hands until the end. The Grand Duke sternly instructed not to let anyone else in and summoned the commander of the knights.
“You can now remove the veil.”
Rensley nodded and took off the veil. Even though it wasn’t hot, there was a slight sweat on his forehead. It suddenly occurred to him how he was deceiving everyone in this country.
“Anton has arrived.”
“Come in.”
Knight Commander Anton entered the office. Stepping forward, he noticed Rensley inside the office a beat later. His gaze shifted between Rensley’s face and the dress he was wearing, seemingly perplexed and awkward. Despite his formal bow, the knight commander soon composed himself and greeted courteously.
“It’s been a while, Sir Maelrosen.”
“Likewise, Commander.”
Awkwardness permeated Rensley as well. After the brief exchange of greetings, Anton turned his head. Although it would have been more appropriate to address the person directly, he opted to go through the lord’s mouth.
“Sir Maelrosen, have you agreed to take the entrance exam?”
“Yes. So please explain the process to him.”
In the end, the two had no choice but to talk directly. Anton, clearing his throat quietly, approached the seated Rensley. His expression was stern.
“The Royal Knights of Aldrant not only play a role in defending Aldrant from external threats but also carry out the mission of protecting His Grace from close quarters as his trusted aides.”
Anton began the explanation. Even before getting to the main topic, Rensley held his breath, suspecting that he wasn’t merely being given a soldier’s position.
“Therefore, the entrance exam doesn’t end in one go. After the written exam, only those who pass it proceed to the assessment through sparring and mounted combat, judging whether they can handle knight duties. And it won’t be easy.”
“…Written exam…?”
Rensley asked, taken aback by the unexpected words. Wasn’t being a knight about showing loyalty to one’s lord and being skilled in combat?
Anton, with an appropriate tone, responded.
“Of course. Moreover, for Sir Maelrosen, who comes from a different country, this process is even more necessary. How could you have affection for Aldrant without knowledge of it? And how can you be loyal to His Grace without having affection for Aldrant?”
The words were logical. Rensley shut his mouth, swallowing his breath. Anton, not waiting for Rensley to recover from his confusion, continued with the exam guidance.
“The history and culture of Aldrant are essential. Geography, the characteristics of each region, and knowledge of prominent families other than His Grace’s kin must be memorized. After passing, you’ll need to learn personal information about His Grace for your duties as a guard.”
“Ah… haha. That’s right. Everything you say is correct.”
“In fact, the regular entrance exams recently concluded. The exam you, Sir Maelrosen, will take is a special one ordered by His Grace. It’s said that you boast excellent swordsmanship and equestrian skills, and considering your esteemed status, we would like to accommodate your convenience as much as possible.”
Although he had never boasted about it… Rensley had somehow gathered and presented his usefulness here, desperately trying to fit in.
Glancing at Gezell, his expression returned to an innocuous blank. Whether the Duke had genuinely spoken those words or if the Knight Commander had interpreted them in his own way, Rensley had no way of knowing.
“Presenting myself before the commander, my skills are greatly lacking. However, I will do my best to meet the standards of the knights.”
“How much time do you need for preparation?”
Before Rensley could finish his humble words, the commander interrupted with a question. Unable to answer immediately, Rensley pondered inwardly. Well, how many thick books would he need to read even if he poured over them? A month? Two months? Wouldn’t that be too long?
“What is the usual preparation period for other applicants?”
“It varies from person to person, but since the entrance exam is once a year, you can take that into consideration.”
Dark clouds began to gather in Rensley’s mind. If the exam happened once a year, it meant that preparation would likely take a similar amount of time.
He quickly grasped the situation. Although the Duke wanted him to take the entrance exam, the Knight Commander was overtly expressing his disapproval. The voice in his mind echoed, suggesting, ‘Follow His Grace’s command, but if you have integrity, decline on your own at this point.’
‘Well, in this case…’
Thinking of this sudden, fortuitous opportunity, Rensley laughed bitterly. Although the initial excitement had dwindled, it wouldn’t hurt to experience a moment of thrill during these dull and stifling times. Moreover, if the already completed exam were to be reopened just for him, wouldn’t it be appropriate to call it a special exam or an unfair entrance?
Considering the reasonable excuse he could conjure to reject the proposed offer he had already agreed to, Rensley chose his words with a wry smile.
“A week.” At that moment, a voice that didn’t belong to either of them suddenly interjected. Both Rensley and Anton turned their heads simultaneously.
The person who had been silently listening to the conversation until now casually added, “A week should be sufficient. Let’s schedule the exam for a week from now.”
“What?”
The perplexed person was none other than the examinee himself, Rensley Maelrosen. Gezell, with an indifferent expression, spoke as if nonchalantly responding to the unspoken awkwardness.
“I am aware of the content of the knight entrance exam. If you focus on studying, a week should be enough.”
Though the Knight Commander’s expression momentarily tightened with words he seemed ready to say, it lasted only for an instant. He pressed his lips together, suppressing his opinion.
“In that case, I will prepare for the exam a week from now. Please refer to this for the relevant subjects.”
Anton handed Rensley a small scroll from his bosom. Unfolding it carefully, Rensley found a comprehensive list of exam subjects, including history, culture, geography, theoretical aspects of mercenary tactics and combat skills, and the lineage of the Orlant royal family and noble houses, just as previously discussed.
‘How am I supposed to study all of this in just a week…?’
Rensley felt overwhelmed. While he wouldn’t boast about it, he had never had any intention of studying at a desk, and talent was also something he sorely lacked. Nevertheless, as a descendant of the royal family, he attended various classes taught by the royal tutors, not because of any desire but to avoid being ignorant. However, those classes were often dull, and he would nod off, earning him scoldings. Moreover, since the other students were the royal children, the classroom became a place of torment and mockery, making it increasingly unpleasant.
In the judgment of the higher-ups who believed that he need not study much if he could avoid defacing the royal face, Rensley was liberated from the tedious class hours at around the age of sixteen. Since then, he continued to enjoy reading, but it was mostly adventurous travelogues, interesting stories about love and war—hardly qualifying as serious study.
Unable to say anything, Rensley stared blankly at the scroll in his hands. However, Gezell snatched it away assertively, declaring, “All relevant textbooks are available in the castle tower’s library. Let’s start studying from tonight.”
‘How am I supposed to study all this in just a week?’
Rensley was dumbfounded. Although he enjoyed reading, it was mainly for pleasure, and the idea of academic study had never crossed his mind. The sudden suggestion of an entrance exam threw him into confusion.
Gezell continued with determination, “I know the content of the knight entrance exam. If you focus on studying, a week should be enough.”
Rensley thought to himself, ‘Even if I stay up all night every night starting today, it seems impossible to finish within a week, Your Grace…’
‘Isn’t that right, Commander?’
Rensley sought agreement within himself as he glanced up at Anton. In response, the expression on Anton’s face, which had seemed full of enmity just a moment ago, softened. He furrowed his brow slightly, and then his eyes conveyed a subtle agreement and sympathy.
Unable to openly express his lament in front of Gezell, who had opened the closed door for him, Rensley let out a faint sigh.
Once you’ve mentioned money, there’s no turning back. Just as the rules of a gambling den hidden in a corner of the market had their own principles, so did the proposals of a monarch for a country. Rensley clenched his fist and made a pledge to himself.
“I will do my best.”
“That’s the spirit.”
Rensley couldn’t respond to those words and blinked. It seemed that Gezell had smiled a little, just a tiny bit, after all.
‘Is it just my imagination, Commander?’
Turning his head, Rensley looked at Anton. The Knight Commander, who seemed somewhat surprised, quickly rearranged his expression when their eyes met.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Best of luck with your preparations, Sir Maelrosen.”
Anton bowed his head in farewell and, with his crimson cloak fluttering, stepped back. Watching his retreating figure for a moment, Gezell, who had looked somewhat adversarial just before, turned to Rensley.
“Let’s start studying right away.”
Husband opened back door for his wife 😆. Lol
But 1 week ? Sir Are you sure its not according to your standards but to his standards you Nerd ? 🤓Sir knight don’t be so baised towards rensley! He’s going to be your future 2nd lord. So be careful 💅.
My man just pitted his wife badly
A week 😂
Gezzell, are you punishing your wife or what?!