Knock, knock, knock.
At a time when the sun had moved far to the west, someone knocked on the door. Rensley, who had changed into comfortable clothes and was lying on the bed reading a novel borrowed from the library, quickly got up.
“Come in.”
Discussions about the defense of the battlements seemed to have lasted quite a while. Anticipating the visitor, Rensley immediately granted permission for entry.
After all, this castle belonged to one person. Even though the courteous Duke always knocked when entering Rensley’s room, except for the times he suddenly appeared with magic, Rensley didn’t mind it.
“Is it finished now…”
But Rensley’s words were cut off. The unexpected visitor waiting in front of the open door was not who he expected. Rensley quickly raised his hand to his chest.
“Commander.”
The guest was Anton, still in his uniform. Rensley took a step aside and gestured inside the room.
“What’s the matter? Please come in.”
“No, I didn’t come to talk in the room.”
Anton shook his head briefly, refusing Rensley’s invitation. Then why? Rensley, feeling puzzled, asked about his intentions with his expression.
“I’m sorry for the suddenness, but can you accompany me for a short inspection after training is over? We don’t need to go outside the castle walls, so it won’t take long.”
“Oh, yes! Anytime. I’ll get ready quickly.”
“Wait in front of the stable.”
Rensley nodded and quickly put on the clothes he had taken off. Wearing padded upper and lower garments, a makeshift protective guard, and a cloak with the emblem of the Order, he felt a belated worry.
Why take a trainee knight for an inspection? The inspection was just an excuse, and an awkward atmosphere lingered, suggesting there was something else to discuss. Commander Anton was a person intimately involved in governing the country, unlike the maids who took care of daily life or the wizards immersed in research. Rensley fully understood the reason to fear the Duke’s influence. He had prepared himself mentally. A little scolding couldn’t be helped.
Anton was one of the few who knew the true identity of the Duchess. Considering the situation, Rensley sighed softly. Reflecting on it, he had been excessively careless in a place almost as open as a field, doing things that shouldn’t be done…
The commander had a peculiar expression on his face. As an expert at hiding his feelings behind a stiff expression, he was someone who couldn’t hide the characteristic stiffness just before saying something unpleasant. ‘Well, he must have seen how we were in the greenhouse during the day.’
Rensley softly sighed again. Considering the nature of the secluded place, he had been too reckless. Even if it was a privilege of the king, it was not the role of an apprentice knight from a foreign land. Rensley was prepared for a scolding.
It wasn’t really an inspection, after all. Rensley nodded in his mind.
The residential area of Roudken was neatly organized. Perhaps due to the cold climate, the roofs of each house were sturdy, and smoke from well-maintained chimneys rose into the evening air, as if dispelling the bad dream of the terrifying night spent in the dreadful forest. The village, where ordinary people lived, seemed peaceful.
Considering it was still winter, the daylight hours in Aldrant had become quite long compared to when he first arrived. While walking and watching the sunset that had not yet hidden its tail, Anton spoke.
“Maelrosen.”
“Yes.”
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.
Clip-clop, clip-clop. The horses they rode were moving slowly. There was no difficulty in carrying on a conversation, and it was hard for others to eavesdrop on their discussion.
“Ktf gfjrbc P’w rjslcu atlr, Zjfigbrfc, lr atja P tbqf sbe kbc’a wlrecvfgrajcv.”
“Mffi ogff ab rqfjx sbeg wlcv.”
“Ca olgra, P nlfkfv sbe lc j cfujalnf iluta. Snfc atbeut la kjr j vfmfqalbc, sbe bmmeqlfv j qbrlalbc nfgs mibrf ab atf Gexf. P atbeuta sbe wluta ajxf jvnjcajuf bo atja qbrlalbc, oijaafglcu atf Gexf jcv gfmflnlcu rqfmlji ojnbgr.”
“Well… That doesn’t seem entirely wrong, does it?”
Rensley replied with a smile, and Anton responded with a bitter smile.
“I’ve personally experienced that you are a sincere and good fellow. Whether it was due to circumstances during your induction or not, you’re diligent in training, get along well with other comrades, and your skills are considerable. Honestly speaking, as a commander, you’re a talent I don’t want to lose. The Duke saw you accurately.”
“Commander, suddenly showering me with praise makes me feel awkward.”
Although he pretended not to notice, anxiety grew within him. Anton Sorel was not someone who spoke unnecessary words. There must be a reason for him to unexpectedly offer praise. Rensley looked around, waiting for Anton’s next words.
“I don’t mean to talk about your attitude.”
Only then did Rensley turn to him. Anton was already staring at Rensley.
“I know that you’ve become close to the Duke.”
Anton didn’t beat around the bush. Like a long, sharp spear thrusting directly to the point. Rensley remained silent.
“Maelrosen, I’m not saying this for the safety of the Duke. The person I’m worried about is you.”
“…”
“Assigning meaning to every favor given by the lord, it is impossible to maintain clarity. The Duke is the Duke, and the servant is the servant. From the perspective of the person above, all positions below look the same. They can take what they want in any form, so they don’t attach great meaning to the method. But for those below, positions and names matter. Once you enter that level, it’s clear who becomes uncomfortable and troubled. I don’t want to see you shaken or struggling for such reasons.”
Rensley silently adjusted the reins. Anton succinctly summarized the worries that were difficult for him to organize.
With a gaze sent to the sky that was gradually losing its redness and turning deep blue, Rensley quietly acknowledged… He had harbored a secret desire for the name that was temporarily given to him.
Initially, unable to imagine even in his wildest dreams, he found himself placing an out-of-place man next to him, who seemed unsuitable for the scenario. In truth, Rensley had no confidence in carrying that name. Yet, even so, this contradiction remained unavoidable. Rensley Maelrosen was nothing more than an obscure figure lingering in a vaguely low place.
“…”
“Although the Duke may not directly tell you this, it’s good for you to know. Among the nobles, discussions about a new Duchess have already begun. The current Duchess seems to be in poor health and may not be able to move, let alone bear a successor. So, instead of delaying any longer, they’re suggesting we proceed with a new marriage. The first marriage is a tradition where the emperor sends the bride and it is a significant event, but this won’t be the same. It’s enough for us to identify a bride first, and then, after obtaining permission, it’s sufficient.”
‘…So, things are progressing as we initially planned without our intervention.’
“Today, the portrait of the new Duchess candidate arrived. The youngest princess of Sidesburn, a small country close to Aldrant, is being mentioned. Although His Grace is currently rejecting the courtship of his subjects, it’s only a matter of time. Once he gives permission, things will proceed quickly.”
Rensley’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t hide the awkward twist of his lips. Just like when he found the answer to a riddle, a memory of a strange object he had seen in the office came to mind. It was about the size of a picture frame, elegantly wrapped in velvet cloth… Anton’s expression held nothing but pity. Faced with his compassion, Rensley couldn’t even feign humility; he fell silent.
“When spring comes…”
Anton was the first to speak again.
“His Grace and the new Duchess must go to pay respects to the Emperor together. It’s also an unavoidable tradition and custom.”
“Even if you resist, there’s a deadline. In a month or two, Aldrant’s season will change.”
At those words, Rensley could finally smile belatedly. The sensation of one side of his chest cooling while the other warmed up was peculiar amidst the freezing air.
“Worry not, Commander. I’m aware that there’s a set deadline. I’ve also informed His Grace accordingly. Let’s enjoy the pleasant moments until the arrival of the new Duchess.”
“I mentioned it, but I’m not concerned about His Grace’s safety. Matters like marriage are trivial for him.”
“I’ll tidy things up before spring comes, just as you said. Everything.”
While Rensley, who now had a relaxed expression, was gazing at the dimming sky, Anton’s eyes still held an undiminished depth. Rensley felt Anton’s concern was genuine and smiled faintly. It was a strange place, this northern country.
“Thank you, Commander. I genuinely appreciate your concern. I’ll be careful not to tarnish the honor of the Knights.”
“…Serving closely to a lord can be a rough experience. If you handle the conclusion well, it might even turn out to be a valuable experience.”
Anton turned his head. Though he was gazing into the far distance, it seemed like he was looking at something beyond.
Although Rensley wasn’t much younger than Gezell, he was still a youth. However, the expression on his upright profile seemed as solid as that of an elderly man. Rensley could no longer say anything. It was embarrassing that he had been summoned for such a trivial matter as an individual meeting during a potential emergency.
“Shall we head back now? The meeting must be ending soon.”
“Yes, Commander.”
The two turned their heads. By the time the non-official inspection was over, the sky had completely darkened. While walking through the corridors, Rensley seemed to wander aimlessly. There were many places to go, but none of them appealed to him.
Eventually, while walking northward through the corridor to the greenhouse, intending to check the field once again, Rensley sensed the footsteps of those coming from behind. Thinking he was alone on a rarely-used path, Rensley was slightly taken aback and stepped aside.
“Thank you.”
The two servants bowed briefly as they walked ahead. The familiar red velvet also passed by Rensley. For a while, he stood still, as if stuck in place. He silently followed the path they had taken. The servants, who headed to the backyard, entered the ceremonial building used for archery training and locked the door. Rensley approached the locked door and exhaled a breath with a hiss.
“Lock looks like this… What on earth…”
The walls of the people of Aldrant, who consider monsters as their greatest foes, are directed towards the unknown side that cannot be seen from here. People, especially the residents within the castle, hardly suspect one another. Even places like the Duke’s residence or the office don’t seem to have strict security, so why would a building like this be different?
Rensley took out a hairpin attached to his cloak and bent it. Inserting it into the keyhole, he focused on the sensation in his hand as he turned it. With a soft click and a slight resistance, the lock opened. Silently, he slipped through the open door like a child playing hide and seek.
The royal archery range, unseen since the end of the training, was colder than before. There were no braziers burning, and a few dark lamps on the wall only dispelled darkness in patches. Rensley squinted his eyes, passing by the extinguished hearth, weapons, armor, and shields hung on the wall, and ascended the stairs that he hadn’t climbed before. The second floor seemed to be used as an attic for storing unused items of the royal family. It was messy, not a carefully organized place for storing valuable items.
‘Considering the state of the lock, it’s no wonder.’
Amidst the worn-out items, the red velvet wrapping just placed there stood out as if it were the only thing catching light. Rensley approached it step by step.
The neatly tied knot seemed untouched as if it had never been untied; he observed it quietly for a moment before reaching out. The soft knot unraveled smoothly, and as the fabric slid, the figure hidden within was revealed.
Perhaps an excellent artist had devoted much effort to the painting. Even with only a small lamp illuminating it, the beautiful portrait magically brightened the surroundings.
The princess, her cheeks lightly flushed, held a fan adorned with intricate patterns. She wore a green dress, and with a face adorned with a shy yet graceful smile, she looked at Rensley. Her long blonde hair was carefully arranged. Rensley sat in front of the painting and spoke to the princess inside the frame.
“Wait a bit. I’ll take the princess’s painting from here soon, so don’t resent me too much. Even if you seem a bit aloof at first, once the wedding ceremony is over, you’ll treat me more kindly than anyone else.”
Because he was a person of thorough duty. Even if he resisted now, he wouldn’t prolong the situation until spring, as Anton had said.
By then, the princess in the painting would become the real Duchess. Gezell Jivendad would escort her, holding her small hand. To the wedding ceremony venue, to the underground research lab, to the bedroom of the Duke and Duchess.
Now that he knew how to kiss and had learned the pleasures of the night, he might enjoy the first night with the princess from the very beginning. Thinking this far, Rensley chuckled.
“So, where should Rensley Maelrosen be on that day?”
Should he stand at the door to guard the first night of the newlyweds? Or should he go to a tavern after a long time and celebrate the end of the short play with His Grace the Duke?
Seeing the portrait of the princess who would become the new Duchess, Rensley realized how absurd his assurance that the Duke and Duchess, not to mention the child born between them, would be kept safe was.
“Really, my head was completely empty. Rensley Maelrosen, how did you think such a thing would be possible?”
Even if he restrains his feelings and only regards Duke Gezell as his lord, from the perspective of the Duchess, he is just an adulterous man stealing her husband’s night ahead. If he places such a person by his side, pretending to be a devoted knight and sending her a gentle smile, it means the Duke and he are colluding to deceive her. It would be more honest to openly fool around with the lord. If caught later, he could receive a scolding like a thief, get slapped, and be chased out of the castle with no room to argue.
Rensley got up from his seat and descended the stairs. He came out to the backyard and this time opened the door to the greenhouse. Curious if it would be cold at night, he infused magic, and indeed, the inside of the glass greenhouse, designed to utilize only sunlight, was quite warm.
The tomatoes, which had been sun-drying on the window sill during the day, seemed to have moved a bit. Rensley threw the tomatoes like a toy, catching them repeatedly in his hands. After doing this several times, he wiped off the peel on his sleeve and took a bite. The unripe tomato was tangy and bitter. It was completely different from the man’s lips that he had tasted here during the day.
Nevertheless, after chewing on the bitter tomato a few more times, Rensley swallowed it and then buried the remaining pulp in the soil. Rensley’s face, while patting the soil gently, remained expressionless.
‘Your Grace.
Your Grace, do you truly like me?
I understand even if you don’t answer. There’s no one who can pour so much sincerity into someone they don’t like. Moreover, you’re not the kind of person to pretend to be interested in something you’re not. If I were a princess, even if I were in a position to come here on behalf of someone else, wouldn’t you have made me the real Duchess by now?
You would have introduced me to others without hesitation, discussed the country’s affairs together, and planned for the future. By now, you would have talked about going to meet the Emperor together when spring comes.
You always asked me to accompany you for a stroll when spring comes. There’s nothing I can’t do. As a knight, I can easily follow along with your wishes.’
Perhaps, as the commander said, there might not be much difference between him and the Duchess in the eyes of the Duke. After all, both names mean that you belong to him.
“…Will these seeds sprout like this?”
Mumbling to himself, Rensley stood up. He clapped his hands and looked up at the night sky visible beyond the glass wall for a moment.
He picked a few tomatoes. Even unripe tomatoes taste different when fried in oil. When taste buds are dull, there’s nothing like such a special dish.
TL/N Soooo… this was supposed to be a New Year’s gift but I couldn’t finish it on time so here it is now… This is how I pictured Gezell and Rensley (in my style and honestly before I saw the official art lol)
Noo this Angst!!! Ó╭╮Ò
My poor Rensley . Gezell must also be in lot of pressure. They just got together , it’s their honeymoon period 😥
you’re so hardworking guys tysm . Art is muahh 😘 . You drew this?
thank you as always and yes, I drew this 😆💛
Wohh not only your translations are top class, you also draw so beautifully 🤩
❤️ too
Thank youuuuuu QAQ
yes, beautiful drawing❤
thank youuuu <3333
Thank you for translating ❤️
ur welcomeee😍💛