The special private tutoring session that the Lord of Aldrant dedicated for only one person continued until midnight.
It was the first time in Rensley Maelrosen’s short life that he had managed to plow through such a thick book in just one day. The late hour of the night didn’t matter as he delved into his studies, aided not only by the mysterious magical potion but also by the effective guidance of a skilled teacher.
Though one might experience a temporary improvement in memory and concentration, it wasn’t plausible to smoothly understand complex and challenging stories like adventure novels just because of that. However, even the parts that seemed a bit difficult became clear quickly after listening to the explanations from Duke Gezell.
Having a simple meal in the laboratory without taking a proper break, they continued the lengthy lessons. At some point, Gezell, seeming to regain his senses, checked the time on the clock and decided to call it a night. Rensley, considering this newfound obedience, stood up, nodding along. He had become the first disciple to obediently follow the teacher’s instructions from the beginning of his life. Gezell kindly told him to review what they had studied today until tomorrow since they could probably continue in the afternoon.
“Do you retire for the night now, Your Grace?”
“I plan to spend the night here. Sir Maelrosen, return to your room and get some rest.”
With Gezell’s consideration, Rensley had decided his determination for the next day until the very end of the lesson. Returning to the Duke’s bedroom, he lay down, thinking about the day. Rensley had lost count of how many times he had tossed and turned before sitting up abruptly.
He glanced at the clock near the fireplace. Though Rensley still didn’t know how to read it properly, he could estimate the passage of time by the position of the clock hands.
‘Why is this happening…?’
Even if he experienced unfair situations in life, felt frustrated and sad, or even cried himself to sleep, Rensley had never been unable to sleep at night. Today, he had used his brain more than ever before, even working on problems he hadn’t thought about in a long time.
Moreover, unlike the earlier concentration that left no room for distractions while studying alone or with Gezell, now, lying alone in bed, various events and thoughts flooded his mind. Happy moments, sad times, exciting adventures, frightening experiences, moments of anger, and worrisome situations all jumbled together. This kind of feeling was new to him.
‘Is it because of that potion?’
Rensley, leaning on a large pillow, murmured absentmindedly. Gezell had only mentioned that it was a potion that helped with studying; he hadn’t explained that it was a potion for staying awake at night. It would have been better if he had given at least a hint.
Rensley was tormented by unfamiliar restlessness, a turbulent wave of confusing emotions. He felt uneasy. Closing his eyes and attempting to sleep, he couldn’t endure it any longer and abruptly stood up.
He wrapped himself in a velvet indoor coat over his night robe and covered himself with a veil. Since it was midnight, there wouldn’t be many people on the first floor. In the deep, quiet night, eerily magnifying the opening of doors, Rensley cautiously walked through the corridors. Startled, the guards, who had been whispering among themselves, greeted him.
“Your Grace, where are you going this late at night?”
Though he had left his bedroom half-impulsively, it was a mistake. Rensley couldn’t speak now. He belatedly realized he had committed yet another rash act.
However, the guards didn’t seem to find Rensley’s silence particularly odd. Seeing Rensley standing in silence, one of them spoke first.
“Your Grace, no matter what the command is, it’s not suitable for you to go alone at night. We will accompany you.”
It was fortunate that they didn’t inquire about the situation. Rensley nodded his head in agreement. Perhaps, to the guards, his silent compliance seemed more dignified than explaining verbally. As Rensley started walking again, a guard holding a lantern walked beside him on each side.
“This should be sufficient.”
Arriving at the door of the underground laboratory, Rensley raised his hand to signal his intentions. The guards seemed to understand the meaning behind his actions without asking questions. They wore somewhat puzzled expressions for a moment, as if they had witnessed an unexpected spectacle, then bowed and withdrew.
Alone now, Rensley hesitated at the last moment. It was a daring decision. The Duke might be asleep; would it be okay to enter?
But if the strange insomnia was indeed because of the potion, then only the Duke could resolve this situation. Rensley reluctantly knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
The voice was clear, devoid of any sign of drowsiness. With a sigh of relief, Rensley slowly turned the doorknob.
Through the slightly open door, he saw a rigid expression on the other side, as if disturbed by the interruption of his private time. Rensley, without yielding, opened the door completely.
When they faced each other, the Duke’s hardened forehead and sharp eyes softened ever so slightly. Rensley, while removing his stifling veil, sensed a subtle change in the Duke’s expression. As Rensley was unveiling, the Duke, who had been sitting in front of the fireplace, stood up and approached.
“Sir Maelrosen, is something the matter?”
“Apologies for disturbing your rest.”
“More than two hours have passed since you went up to your bedroom. Haven’t you gone to bed yet?”
Seeing his face, a surge of emotions suddenly overwhelmed Rensley. He hadn’t known that being unable to sleep at night could be so agonizing, having never experienced such a thing. Unintentionally, he began to cry, but caught himself and quickly composed his expression.
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 went to bed as soon as I got to my room, but I can’t seem to fall asleep.”
“Do you usually have trouble sleeping?”
“No, I’m known for being able to fall asleep in noisy places, just like the bustling market floor…”
Looking somewhat bewildered, Rensley raised an eyebrow and asked the question that had been on his mind.
“Could this also be the effect of the genius potion?”
“…It might be. Is this the first time you’ve taken a potion concocted by a genius with magic?”
“Yes. In Cornia, I’ve never…”
“The potency of the potion might be too strong. Please have a seat.”
Giving up his comfortable chair to Rensley, Gezell approached a large desk with various vials neatly arranged.
“Just wait a moment. I’ll make an antidote right away.”
Instead of sitting in the armchair, Rensley stood a bit apart, watching Gezell concoct the potion. Gezell skillfully mixed different potions, occasionally reciting an incantation. The opaque solution faintly glowed and changed color each time it reacted in the glass bottle.
Caught up in the darkness of the impending deadline to complete a week’s worth of study during the day, Rensley couldn’t properly observe the process of Gezell making the potion. The refined and skilled movements, free from any unnecessary actions, seemed to contain intellectual and inexplicable beauty with each simple gesture.
As Rensley stared, captivated, it seemed that Gezell had finished brewing the potion as he turned his head.
“People’s tolerance may vary, so I should have carefully assessed your condition. My mistake.”
“No, I’m usually immune to almost anything I eat. It’s frustrating that my body suddenly acts up after taking a potion specially made by Your Grace.”
“Did you experience symptoms like a fever or trembling hands?”
“Yes, probably…”
Rensley’s words trailed off hazily. Gezell, who had quietly approached, was now touching Rensley’s forehead with his hand.
The contact wasn’t unusual. Initially, he used to communicate by writing letters with his fingers in the palm of Gezell’s hand. When Rensley disguised himself as the Duchess, they often held hands and walked for quite a while, just during this day. However, now Gezell’s large, dry palm felt unusually unfamiliar. Perhaps it was colder than usual due to the lack of warmth.
Rensley tightly sealed his lips and held his breath. The hand that had covered his forehead paused for a moment before moving away.
“There’s a mild fever. It seems to be a side effect of the potion.”
“I-is that so?”
“Don’t harm your body. Please take it quickly, go to sleep, and think of another solution tomorrow.”
“But without that potion, I’ll fail the exam.”
“Let’s adjust the potion first, and then consider other options.”
Gezell pondered for a moment and nodded to himself as if convincing himself.
“If it’s too difficult, let’s aim for next year.”
The next day, Rensley, who had gone to bed late, woke up only after the sun had reached its zenith. After hastily washing up, he reviewed the book he had read the day before, as instructed by the Duke. Flipping through a few pages, Rensley let out a deep sigh, dropping his head onto the book.
Despite having studied everything, there was no feeling of comprehension in his mind, unlike the day before. It seemed he had turned from the genius Rensley Maelrosen to the dim-witted Rensley Maelrosen. Indeed, the delusion that he could finish studying for the exam within a week without that potion was an impossible fantasy.
“The Duke has arrived.”
The voice of a guard was heard outside the bedroom door, and it swung open. Gezell Jivendad, who had finished his official duties, entered.
Like a broken wing, Rensley’s enthusiasm plummeted. Instead of reading the book, he had been doodling on a blank notebook. He quickly closed the notebook and stood up as Gezell approached. Gezell came closer, looked down at the desk, and then glanced at Rensley with eyes that understood the situation.
“Having trouble studying?”
“…I think I really need that potion.”
Nodding, Gezell inserted his hand into the cloak. In his hand, revealed again, was a small vial.
“I changed the combination a bit. I’ve reduced the dosage, so let’s hope there are no side effects today.”
Rensley nodded quickly. Last night, he had complained about the insomnia he experienced for the first time, but he preferred experiencing side effects to failing the exam he had been given the chance to take.
After drinking the potion and waiting for a moment, a similar sensation to the previous night returned. His mind cleared, his thoughts accelerated, and even his vision brightened.
“I feel fine.”
Looking up at Gezell with newfound energy, Rensley smiled. However, Gezell didn’t immediately sit across from him but rather observed him intently.
Even after sitting down, he didn’t forget to offer some advice.
“If, by any chance, you experience different symptoms than usual, don’t hesitate to tell me.”
“Yes. I’m not good at enduring such things, so don’t worry.”
Gezell opened a new book. “Adventurer David’s Journey to the End of the Continent.” Rensley’s eyes sparkled at the word ‘adventure.’
“Is this a book written by an adventurer? It seems interesting.”
“It’s a travelogue left by someone who visited Aldrant a long time ago. It’s quite extensive, and even people in Aldrant study a lot from this book. Although written by an outsider, there might be errors, but you can correct them while reading.”
“I really love adventure novels. Your Grace mentioned that you’ve hardly left Aldran, but I’ve also never left Cornia. That’s why I’ve always been curious about how it would feel to wander around the vast continent. Although I did travel quite a bit when I came to Aldrant this time, it felt more like being transported as luggage than actual travel. Due to those watchful eyes, I couldn’t freely wander around. When Your Grace truly finds a Duchess, I will have to leave Aldrant, and at that time, I might want to travel like these adventurers or poets.”
Listening quietly to Rensley’s long story, Gezell, while unfolding the book, gave a concise response.
“Even if a new Duchess comes, Sir Maelrosen doesn’t have to leave. Didn’t you say you want to live as a citizen of Aldrant? To achieve that, you’re preparing for this exam, right?”
“Yes, of course! That would be the best outcome! Right. I’ll work hard even to obtain residency in Roudken.”
Rensley confidently looked up from the book with a pen in his hand.
The second day of tutoring had begun. The potion worked as expected, and studying progressed smoothly. This time, it seemed he could prepare for the exam without any problems. Rensley Maelrosen believed that the bright sun would finally shine on the future of Rensley Maelrosen.
However, that night, Rensley was troubled not by insomnia but by a severe headache, and he had no choice but to seek out Gezell again, even at a late hour.
After carefully examining Rensley’s condition, Gezell, after serious contemplation, came to a conclusion.
“It seems it won’t work. It’s better not to use the potion.”
“What about the exam then?”
“For now, let’s try without the potion. As I mentioned yesterday, even if you fail, the entrance exam will be held again next year.”
Upon hearing this, Rensley hesitated and couldn’t respond immediately. Gezell, who was preparing a headache remedy to alleviate Rensley’s pain, seemed to sense an uncomfortable silence. He turned a straightforward gaze toward Rensley, asking why.
Rensley finally spoke cautiously, “Even if I fail the entrance exam, can I still stay here until next year?”
“…”
“At that time, the Commander of the Knights and the Chief Mage suggested continuing the deception for a few months, having a secret wedding, and then fabricating a reason for me to step down. Since then, I would leave Roudken, and when Your Grace truly finds a new Duchess, everything will be normalized without any problems…”
The reasons were created as needed. Having already spread rumors that the Duke Consort’s health had deteriorated significantly, it would be acceptable for him to leave Aldrant for recovery or, in extreme cases, to hold a fake funeral for safety.
If the news of the servant sent to the northern lands falling ill and dying reached Cornia, it would be a relief for them, and Rensley would gain the freedom he no longer had to hesitate about.
Divorcing due to misconduct was also allowed. Royal marriages were mainly conducted for strategic purposes, and divorces and remarriages were not uncommon for similar reasons. Although there were conditions such as obtaining the consent of the church and the approval of the imperial emperor, divorces generally occurred easily if a reasonable justification was provided.
Gezell also did not immediately react to Rensley’s story. He seemed to concentrate on making a new headache remedy for a while, and only after the potion was completed did he answer Rensley’s question.
“How to handle Sir Maelrosen’s disposal is something I will decide, not others.”
“…”
“You are my accepted guest. As I said from the beginning, if you trust and rely on me, I will do my best.”
Rensley couldn’t lift his lowered gaze. He felt that he had made a mistake, thinking that he had never doubted the authority he held as a sovereign. He apologized cautiously.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace. It seems I said something unnecessary. Even if you think of me as an unworthy guest, someone who doesn’t know how to be grateful for the leniency you’ve shown and speaks thoughtless words, please understand…”
“Lift your head. Stop bowing down like that.”
The firm tone resembled the carved walls of Roudken. Rensley, unable to resist any longer, stood up.
Instead of offering the medicine, Gezell silently looked down at Rensley. Unable to guess what he was thinking, Rensley huddled down secretly.
Gezell had been deceived and treated with contempt, almost insulted, by a foreign king, yet the person had accepted him. Always kind and polite, and he opened the closed door of the exam for him. Why did things become so difficult so quickly?
No, in fact, Rensley knew the reason.
The fact remained that the reins of Rensley Maelrosen were in Gezell’s grasp. Even before a kind master, a slave lies flat. Whether to kill or spare, bend or break, the unspoken implication was to let them do as they pleased.
Even with his small whims, Rensley’s fate could be tossed and turned anytime, anywhere.
“I apologize.”
Having nothing else to say, Rensley apologized briefly. Gezell didn’t utter a word.
The hand holding the glass bottle approached. He waited for Rensley to finish the medicine, then took the empty bottle and, after a brief silence, spoke.
“Was it always like this in Cornia?”
“Huh?”
“Did you naturally bow your head so easily in front of people? Even if you are a servant, Sir Maelrosen is undeniably the king’s son, aren’t you?”
“Oh, no. It wasn’t like that…”
Honestly, sometimes it was.
Rensley wasn’t the type to insist on preserving his pride in front of people whose only concern was raising their noses. When he was young, he stubbornly resisted in moments of frustration and injustice, but over time, Rensley learned that it only made things difficult and tiring for both parties.
If necessary, he would humble himself in front of them. Later, he would mock the substanceless arrogance of royalty and nobility while having a drink with friends, and when waking up from a hangover, he would brush off the feelings from the previous day as if they were someone else’s problems.
But as the Duke’s words reminded him, he was also a son of the king. In front of people from the same royal family, especially the notorious Crown Prince and some close aides, Rensley would obediently bow down. Just as Rensley Maelrosen didn’t easily diminish in stature in front of anyone, neither did Rensley Maelrosen easily become subservient in front of someone.
Chosen as a sacrificial lamb instead of Ivet and embarking on a long journey to Aldrant, thoughts had silently taken root in the depths of his heart without him realizing it. Reluctantly, Rensley opened his mouth.
“…As you said, I am also a part of the royal family, and while I may not be equal to the legitimate children, I didn’t think this kind of life was bad. Thinking about not being able to do what I want isn’t a big deal. In a world where countless people are struggling to make a living, not having to worry about food and shelter alone is a blessed life. I thought that was enough, and as the King’s son, I believed I had fulfilled my duties.”
Rensley’s voice murmured like a soliloquy. Gezell’s face, which was gradually darkening, did not respond immediately. Rensley was taken aback, raising his head as if startled when Gezell slowly reached out his hand. Gezell quickly withdrew the outstretched hand.
When Rensley opened his eyes wide and approached Gezell, a resolute determination, like a seasoned general before a battle, settled on his face.
“I will be careful. I think my confidence wavered because of the unexpected traps. It’s not suitable for someone attempting the knight’s exam to be like this.”
“Right.”
“Even without magic, I’ll prepare diligently. I originally intended to do so from the beginning! I’ll stop speaking weakly.”
“Alright. Sounds good.”
Gezell’s response seemed to have a faint smile, but it could also be Rensley’s imagination. Tonight, Rensley had to wear a veil, and the night was dark. Gezell escorted him to the Duchess’s bedroom and checked one last time.
“Is the headache okay?”
Rensley nodded. Perhaps due to his natural inclination to respond well to medicine or the excellent effect of Gezell’s concoction, the headache had completely disappeared without a trace.
Thank you so much for the chapter ❤️
you’re welcome~ (づ๑•ᴗ•๑)づ♡
Others will think the Duchess went to the Duke’s study cause she was feeling unwell and the Duke looked after her and that’s so sweet