The next day, the entrance ceremony for the knights was quite different from what Rensley had expected. Despite imagining a solemn and serious occasion for the induction ceremony of the knights guarding the lord, the reality was far from it. The formal induction test had already concluded, and now, after the time when the induction ceremony should have taken place for everyone, they were having another one specifically for him, which made Rensley feel apologetic for inconveniencing others.
“Three more beers here!”
“And three more chicken legs!”
“I want to dance with you next time.”
However, once the post-ceremony celebration began, all feelings of apology evaporated. The lively noise persistently rang in the ears, filling the air with cheerful chatter. The knights, having finished their induction ceremony, moved to the guest banquet hall. From midday to late evening, they indulged in an uninterrupted party, consuming food and drink, dancing, and singing. Rensley, too, was caught up in the festive atmosphere, laughing loudly since the start of the celebration.
Of course, there was a serious moment. After their training for the day, Commander Anton Sorel gathered all the knights. On the north platform, in front of the banners adorned with the emblem of the royal family of Jivendad on the left and the lightning pattern of the knights on the right, Sorel called Rensley forward. The knights raised their spears high as Rensley, beneath the roof of spears, stood before Commander Sorel. After exchanging greetings as a knight, Rensley signed his name in the roster of the knights.
Whether it was always like this or because it was a short induction ceremony for one person, the Duke did not attend. As people danced and reveled, a woman who was dancing with the knights teased, “What if monsters suddenly attack? What will you do?”
A knight responded, “Have we ever failed to stop them?” In Aldrant, one could become a knight regardless of noble status or gender, and the Duke’s claim that it was not Aldrant’s way to corrupt talent with prejudice was not an empty promise.
As the crowd grew larger, people who knew how to handle instruments took turns playing music, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of melodies. After eating their fill and drinking enough to get slightly intoxicated, people bombarded Rensley with questions.
“Rensi, are the songs from Cornia different from here?”
“Definitely. Want to hear one?”
“And the dances? Are they different too?”
“Different dances too. Want me to teach you? Should I get up?”
People applauded when Rensley announced that he would teach Cornian dances. Climbing onto the table as a makeshift stage, he said, “I’m going up!” A few women from the crowd quickly raised their hands, volunteering to join. Rensley hesitated for a moment, then grabbed the arm of Tia, a worker from the kitchen, and pulled her up. Laughing, she wrapped herself around Rensley. Holding hands and waists, they stood close together.
“Okay, like this. One, two, three.” Following the rhythm and counting, they moved their feet. Even though they were dancing on the tabletop, no one complained about the lack of decorum. The sounds of dishes clashing, people laughing, and hands clapping echoed through the banquet hall.
“It looks great!”
“Rensi, just find a good woman here and get married!” Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Rensley’s movements suddenly froze at the mention of the word ‘marriage.’ The lively sounds of people laughing, the music in the banquet hall, and the clinking of glasses all seemed to fade into nothingness. Suddenly, he stopped moving; standing still as if feeling dizzy, like someone who just felt a sudden bout of vertigo. Tia, who had danced with him, asked with concern, “Ren, are you okay? Are you drunk?”
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.
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“I’m going to get some fresh air.”
“Be careful not to catch a cold.” Walking away from the bustling noise for a while, he reached the entrance gate of the Jivendad Castle. Leaning against the cold door, he pressed his flushed cheek against it.
Perhaps it was because it had been a while and he got overly excited. Even though he could now live as an ordinary person, Rensley was still too overwhelmed, and losing control after getting excited once wasn’t good. Feeling the cold wind against his face, he seemed to regain his composure. Rensley looked up at the star-filled night sky of the north, the starlight clear and cold.
It was a beautiful scene, but it felt even colder in the chilly silver light. Rensley turned his eyes to the kitchen window, where the light was still on. After drinking a lot of alcohol and engaging in a mix of eating and drinking, he subtly felt hungry. Rensley approached the kitchen and opened the door. The head chef, Reyna, had already finished work, but a few remaining cooks were still busy working for the knights’ celebration.
“Hello. Need some help?”
“Oh, Ren. You’re a knight now, no need to work in the kitchen.”
“Still, it’s for the knights’ celebration. The food has run out in the banquet hall. I’ll quickly make something to take over.”
“Sure. We’d appreciate that if you do.” The people in the banquet hall were already in a mood where they only filled their stomachs with drinks, and no one suspected a thing.
Rensley discreetly searched through the kitchen counter, gathering suitable ingredients. There happened to be freshly roasted chicken. Checking the taste before marinating, he quickly grabbed some chicken pieces, melted butter in a sturdy pan, added a bit of bacon, and fried them together until they became crispy, almost like frying.
When the savory aroma began to tickle the nose, he added carrots, shallots, and mushrooms, sautéing them together. After seasoning with salt, the sweet fragrance from the vegetables cooked in oil added to the mouth-watering aroma.
Unfortunately, there were no tomatoes again today, but there was nothing to be done about it. Rensley poured a little chicken broth made from chicken bones over the ingredients and added a bit of cooking wine. He then covered the pan with a lid, ensuring that thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves were not forgotten.
Originally, it would take a while for the dish to reach its full flavor, but today, Rensley decided to cut down on his usual meticulousness. His stomach was growling, and staying too long in front of the oven would attract the attention of other cooks. Rensley transferred the deliciously simmered chicken dish onto a large plate. He also grabbed a fork and knife.
“I’ll take this then!”
“Sure, Rensi. Congratulations on joining the knights. If you’re hungry, feel free to come by anytime.”
“Thanks, everyone. I’ll come again.” Closing the kitchen door and heading down the corridor, his steps quickened. The smell of freshly cooked chicken stirred his already growling stomach, but Rensley resisted touching the food.
Returning to the banquet hall and showing his dish to his knight comrades would be great, but… He remembered someone who came to mind when he had been cooking. Even though he declared loudly that he would cook anytime, there hadn’t been an opportunity.
‘Is he in the lab today? Or in the bedroom?’ Either way, now he could move around freely without worrying about others’ eyes. Rensley first headed towards the laboratory. Perhaps it was due to the lively atmosphere of the celebration, or the slight influence of the alcohol, but unlike yesterday when it was difficult to meet his eyes, today he felt a courage as if he could face him as usual.
Although he covered the dish, he gently knocked on the door just in case the food on the plate spilled or scattered. However, there was no response from inside.
He remembered encountering the sleeping Duke when he opened the closed door of the lab once. Thinking it might happen again, he tried pushing the door, but it was locked today.
Rensley stood for a moment, holding the doorknob. Although the underground lab was not only the Duke’s space but also a workspace where various wizards came and went during the day, the current situation of the locked door felt strange. Perhaps he had mistakenly thought of it as a comfortable meeting place where he could freely meet him at any time, even though there were no spectators.
As if being watched by others, Rensley smiled casually and went back up the stairs.
‘If it’s not the lab, he might be in the bedroom. It’s around the time when he just finished dinner, and he usually doesn’t eat much, so this should be enough.’
Upon reaching the top floor of the main tower, a guard fixed his gaze and blocked Rensley.
“What’s the matter?”
“I’m Rensley Maelrosen of the Knights. I’d like to briefly deliver a message.”
“The Duke is already in his bedroom. If you want to see him, get permission from Commander Sorel.”
“Oh, can’t a knight see his lord without permission?”
“Seeing him freely without permission is only possible from the rank of chief steward and above.”
Rensley nodded and turned away.
Come to think of it, how many knights were there, including trainees like him? If everyone could freely meet him whenever they wanted, it would cause a significant issue in security.
The reason Rensley was able to meet him freely until now was that he pretended to be the Duke’s consort, hidden behind a dress and veil. Not being the Duke’s consort, Rensley Maelrosen was just an ordinary resident of Roudken, unable to meet the ruler of this country without the permission of higher-ups. The position he had longed for.
Finally returning to his room, Rensley put the chicken dish on the table and pulled a chair to sit down. Despite his hunger, he briefly considered whether he should eat alone and get it over with.
‘Oh, right.’
Magic teleportation!
Rensley set up a corner in his room and remembered the Duke’s gift covered with cloth. It was a good opportunity to try it out since he had never used it before.
‘However, is it okay to use it anytime I need it?’ While knocking on a door is possible, this device doesn’t even have a door attached to it…
After a moment of hesitation, Rensley approached the device with the plate in hand. If he had to ask for permission every time, it wouldn’t have been installed in the first place. Since the one who advised him to use it freely was Duke Gezell, Rensley decided to put aside his worries.
He took out the power-activated pendant that Gezell had prepared from the drawer. Standing in front of the device, he felt a bit anxious about the state of the chicken dish he had skillfully prepared after such a long time.
“I wonder if the food will be ruined when it goes through this device… There shouldn’t be such side effects, right?”
Holding the tightly covered plate, he brought the pendant to the device. The sensation of plummeting from a high place instantly engulfed his entire body.
TL/N
Hiiii! 🌟 Happy Yalda Night! 🌙 As a Persian, I’m thrilled to be celebrating this special night filled with joy, warmth, and togetherness. 🎉 Sending you good vibes and hoping we can all share in the joy of this beautiful tradition! 🥳✨
Quick note: Yalda Night, also known as Shab-e Yalda, marks the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Families and friends gather to enjoy delicious food, share stories, and celebrate the triumph of light over darkness. 🌌🔥 Wishing you a radiant and festive Yalda Night! 🌹🌟
Thank you for the update
Thank u for ur support (/^-^(^ ^*)/
he do all only to deviler food.
Rensley’s 1st thought to share his craft with someone even when he’s so hungry , if this is not love than what it is 😭
I believe in you mah boy !!
Hope you enjoyed your festival , they are such a sweet reason for loved ones to get together 💗. Tysm for Uploading ☺️
thank you it was great~ and I’m glad you enjoyed this (⺣◡⺣)♡
It was nice to learn about Yalda Night, didn’t know about it, thanks for sharing it with us!! I’m some days late just, Happy Yalda Night!
thank youu(⺣◡⺣)♡