After several cloudy days, a sunny morning finally arrived. It happened to be the day of the banquet.
Despite the banquet, Rensley’s morning routine remained unchanged. The laborers of Roudken were visibly busy preparing for the evening banquet, but the knight training proceeded as usual after the morning exercises. However, from the training onward, the knights’ activities changed. People from other regions and some foreign ambassadors were visiting one after another to attend the long-awaited Duke’s banquet. There were also merchants and dignitaries who came from the vicinity upon hearing the rumors of a grand event at the castle.
Considering the need to strengthen security inside and outside the castle, everyone was scheduled to be involved in practical tasks today, except for one person.
“I apologize, Commander. I’m the only one exempted during this busy time.”
“It’s not an exemption since you’re entrusted with a much more important mission.”
After finishing the training and seeing fellow knights move to their designated guard positions, Rensley apologized to Commander Anton in a subdued voice. Anton, who was meticulously inspecting his sword, glanced briefly but attentively at Rensley’s expression, then chuckled silently with an expression of satisfaction.
“Looks like you’re in a good mood. Have you settled your feelings?”
“I settled them a while ago.”
Rensley smiled modestly, and the commander nodded in agreement. He seemed as relieved as Rensley.
“Your apprenticeship period will be over next month. By then, people will address you not as anyone else but as Knight Rensley Maelrosen of the Knight Order. I hope you’re looking forward to it.”
“Commander, I swear no one is looking forward to that as much as I am.”
“Go on. Don’t be late.”
Anton lightly patted Rensley’s shoulder as if boosting his spirits. After exchanging greetings, Rensley turned and ran back with Marilyn.
On days when a grand banquet was held at the castle, the lord sometimes shared food and drink with the commoners. Today, even outside the Duke’s castle, the streets were livelier than usual, whether due to gifts from Gezell to the people or just the presence of foreign visitors.
After finishing their training, the knights formed groups to patrol various parts of the town. Since the apprentice knights were assigned to guard outside the castle, each of them dispersed to their respective areas, leaving only Rensley to use the excuse of searching for the escort knights from his homeland and returning to the castle.
‘…Why do I feel subtly nervous?’
He rotated his stiff shoulders a couple of times. He also took a few deep breaths. Performing the role of the Duchess officially after the wedding ceremony was a first for him.
Before the impending wedding, he had moved without much thought, driven by the circumstances. Focused on surviving here somehow, he had played the role of the Duchess nonchalantly, not fearing the consequences. Now, however, it felt heavy to act out a false performance in the place that had become his home.
“Hey, you. Why are you being so stubborn today of all days? Get in there, come on!”
Trying to suppress his uneasy feelings, Rensley suddenly stopped. A man was struggling with a horse in front of Max’s tavern, a place he often visited. Rensley approached them.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, hello, Sir Knight! It’s nothing. This guy just refuses to go into the tavern.”
Judging by his attire, the man causing trouble was not from Aldrant but an outsider. Rensley smiled and took a small sachet from inside his cloak.
“You’ve come from a distant place, haven’t you? Sometimes people can’t adapt to the different weather and air. Smell this sachet. It’s made from dried herbs and has a significant effect on the nerves of horses. It might help.”
“Oh, I couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you for speaking to me, noble knight.”
“Oh, no need to mention it. I’m not that noble.”
Rensley elegantly swept the back of his neck. To unfamiliar eyes, he might appear as a young man dressed in the cloak of the royal knights, resembling a high-ranking noble.
The merchant placed Rensley’s sachet under the horse’s nose, and the agitated breath of the previously restless horse gradually calmed down. The merchant alternated between the peculiar fragrance and glancing at Rensley before noticeably gentling the reins and leading the horse into the stable.
“We’ve won. It was a bit tricky because the stubborn creature resisted, despite the cold weather.”
“If you’re a merchant, your luggage seems quite simple. People usually decorate their belongings, even if modestly, when traveling this far north.”
“Our group is staying at an inn separately. I was in a hurry and came for a quick drink, but then this horse was being difficult. The atmosphere is quite pleasant today, perhaps due to the grand banquet.”
Since they were reinforcing security, Rensley briefly examined the merchant’s belongings and the surroundings, but only ordinary merchant goods were found. Rensley mounted his horse again. After exchanging well wishes for a safe journey, he increased his pace towards the Duke’s castle.
Upon reaching the castle, Rensley passed through the second-floor guest rooms and went up to the Duchess’s bedroom. Lady Samlet, the chief maid who had arrived earlier, hectically attended to him without a moment to spare.
“You’re late. Hurry, Rensley! I have to groom you alone because the Duchess needs ample time for her preparations.”
“I’m sorry. Something came up on the way here.”
“Quickly, take a bath. You’ve been riding outside, so you need to wash off the dust. I’ve prepared the bathwater for you.”
Even though he had never met her, if Rensley’s birth mother were alive, she would likely be around the same age as the lady in waiting. It could be attributed to her role as a court maid, but her ease in assisting a male like Rensley with his grooming might also be due to the age difference.
The atmosphere in Aldrant itself was somewhat different from Cornia. Even in Cornia, where pleasure-seekers were abundant, there was a tendency to distinguish between men and women in public places, but here, sometimes, men and women would casually reveal bare skin even within the knight training grounds. Rensley was occasionally surprised.
Anyway, Rensley’s situation was different from a local’s. Even if she were his foster mother, she was a woman… Though he easily undressed in front of other males, it was a bit awkward to do so in front of her.
“What are you doing, Rensley? I’ve prepared the bathwater.”
“Madam is right next to me. How can I take a bath like this?”
“Oh dear? I didn’t know you’d be embarrassed about that. My eldest son is older than Rensley. Just do it today. You’re busy.”
“Still.”
With a laugh, Lady Samlet deftly handed him a dressing gown. She opened the door with a playful expression as if seeing her own son, and spoke.
“Well, there’s nothing to be done. Go ahead and wash. I’ll call you when it’s time.”
“I’ll be quick!”
Rensley quickly undressed and immersed himself in the warm water filling the tub. The subtle fragrance of dried herbs and perfumed oil, as always, mixed with the rising steam. This scent was somewhat similar to the Duke’s scent that became more apparent in the evenings. As he breathed in deeply, the tension and restlessness melted away into the water.
A small, muffled laughter escaped his lips. There was nothing unusual about the horse he had seen on the road just now.
After hastily finishing his bath, the procedures continued, similar to the preparations for the wedding. He carefully applied makeup and donned a dress. The additional effort of attaching a wig due to impulsively cutting his hair added to the preparation time.
No matter how much makeup he applied or combed his hair, there remained an awkwardness when fully exposing his face and body. However, when he put on the long veil that draped down to his chest, the masculine contours that had been noticeable all over suddenly seemed elegant, resembling a slender noblewoman.
After drinking the potion prepared by Larcof, which changed his voice, he completed the transformation spell. Initially worried that his voice might not return, he now marveled at the high-pitched voice that came out whenever he opened his mouth, humming a frivolous tune of a catchy song.
Lady Samlet kindly remarked, “Just wait a little longer. His Grace will soon come to take the Duchess.”
“Yes. Madam, please go ahead. You’re likely busy because of the banquet, so you don’t have to wait here for me.”
“That’s impossible. It’s my duty to serve the Duchess until the end.”
“Madam, we agreed that you would only address me as Rensley.”
She awkwardly smiled at his words. Nevertheless, despite her adamant refusal, Rensley gently persuaded her and sent her out of the bedroom.
Finally alone, Rensley grasped the doorknob and took a long, deep breath. Despite the quiet northern atmosphere resonating both inside and outside the castle on this unusually lively day, for others, it might just be a boisterous banquet day. However, for Rensley, it was different.
He swiftly lifted the veil covering his face and approached the desk. Opening a drawer, he retrieved a notebook hidden deep inside. After various scribbles and erasures, he had written long passages, with multiple pages marked by crossed-out lines.
Once the banquet ends tonight, Rensley Maelrosen’s only task would be to vacate his position before the arrival of the new Duchess. As much as he thought of himself as audacious, it seemed he had overestimated his ability to distribute his own fate. Despite surrounding the Duke as if to stay by his side, there was no confidence within him to guard the Duke’s side pretending to be nothing but a Duchess. Though he encircled the Duke, he had long decided to leave Aldrant to ensure that the Duke would not seek him further.
Looking back, from the departure from Cornia, everything had been a series of unexpected circumstances. But in the end, life returns to its normal course. When he first arrived in this country, his head was full of plans to not be discovered and to escape. Though he took a detour on the road, he arrived at the same point.
Judging from the results, one could argue that he wasted time, but Rensley did not consider the encounters on the way back as futile. Had he ever spent days meaningfully like these in his life?
The memories created by Duke Gezell in the desolate winter land were engraved densely in his heart, like the shimmering reflection on a summer river. No, perhaps it was more similar to the warmth and crimson hues of the bonfire they shared than that dazzling light. When he left, even if he left, he wanted to express his gratitude to the man who had given him precious days.
Therefore, after deciding to leave, he had been writing letters intermittently. However, until now, he had only interacted with people spontaneously, and he realized for the first time that he had no talent for writing. Though his speech was not awkward, when it came to writing a letter, why did each word feel so awkward and cumbersome? He had repeated writing and erasing several times and still hadn’t finished.
There was no time now. After the banquet tonight, he might leave at any time. Although he hadn’t formulated specific plans yet, he needed to be on constant alert and prepare for any openings from now on. Rensley contemplated for a moment and then hid the notebook inside the decoration of the dress skirt.
Knock, knock. As soon as he removed his hand from the skirt, the sound of knocking on the door echoed. Rensley quickly responded, “Yes!” The door opened silently, revealing the person who had been waiting.
The man was dressed in the same unchanging black monochrome attire, but perhaps because it was a formal outfit for the banquet, it exuded a more splendid feel than usual. Rensley couldn’t help but smile and speak before thinking further.
“Your Grace.”
“…Seeing you like this, you look like a different person.”
“Isn’t it better than my male appearance? Oh, look at this. I even changed my voice with magic.”
At that, Gezell sternly nodded. “Whether you are a man or a woman, it doesn’t matter at all.”
‘Why doesn’t it matter? If I were a woman, Your Grace might have proposed to me sooner.’
Although he wanted to retort like that, he muttered it inwardly. Instead, Rensley shifted his gaze and threw a hint.
“Don’t lie. During the wedding ceremony, you left the bedroom as soon as my voice returned to normal.”
At those words, Gezell’s expression stiffened. The usually calm pumpkin-colored eyes flickered. Rensley quietly reminisced, wondering if he had ever seen his eyes waver like this before.
‘This is awkward. I shouldn’t have let such a strange sight linger. There shouldn’t be any more unseen sides, but I can’t help feeling regretful.’
As Rensley stared at him with a complex emotion, Gezell furrowed his brow lightly and asserted with certainty.
“It can’t be. The situation must have coincidentally aligned that way.”
“Really? I distinctly remember. That day, just like this, you took off my crown and unveiled me, and we stayed in the bedroom together. As soon as my voice returned, you solemnly left for the laboratory.”
“That’s just a story of coincidence. If it were intentional, wouldn’t I remember that moment too?”
Gezell’s eyebrows narrowed further. Unable to find words, he stared back at Rensley, his mouth tightened.
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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Rensley smiled as if dazzled by the light. Imagine confessing that he finds it difficult to leave when facing the king of a country with thousands of soldiers, and everyone would surely laugh.
“Alright. I’ll think of it as a coincidence. Now let’s go down. People are waiting.”
“Sir Maelrosen, it truly was a coincidence.”
“I got it. Well, properly cover me with the veil then.”
He still had an uneasy expression, but instead of insisting further, Gezell closed his mouth. Extending his hand, he tidied the veil draped behind Rensley’s forehead. During the wedding ceremony, he wore a quite large crown, but today, he only adorned a small tiara and the forehead jewelry known as Phironiel.
Rensley closed his eyes. Thin veils slid over his face layer by layer like wings, and when he opened his eyes, Gezell, the Grand Duke, looked faintly beyond the mist, like a person in the distance.
“Since you won’t see well, please hold my hand.”
He unexpectedly touched Rensley’s hand, surprising him. When climbing up and down the dark stairs, he always extended his hand as if to offer a staff.
Polite and gentle, that hand, when left alone in the deep night, became greedily exploring, touching every nook and cranny inside the clothes. It probed into places Rensley had never thought anyone else would touch. Rensley, smiling behind the veil, took his hand. He touched the neat nails and the firm knuckles. The wide palm was soft, but just below the thumb, where it met the index finger, there was a slight callus.
From beginning to end, everything seemed to start from this hand. If they couldn’t meet again, if memories of this place gradually faded over time, wouldn’t his beautiful hand be the last to come to mind? Walking side by side, Gezell faintly smiled.
“Your handplay is quite severe today.”
“Is it ticklish?”
He shook his head. Smiling, they moved slowly, and when the guards greeted them and bowed their heads, their expressions hardened.
They descended all the stairs and approached the central hall. It was exactly where the congratulations banquet was held. The hall, usually not as lively as the vibrant center of the kingdom, was now filled with ornate decorations, music, and the lively energy of people.
The music, which had been flowing calmly, changed. It was a performance announcing the arrival of the Grand Duke and his wife. Seated at the table, people who had been gathering and talking turned their attention to the couple hosting the celebration.
“Your Grace, thank you for inviting us like this today.”
The first to offer greetings was a mature man among the guests. Even without Gezell’s separate explanation, Rensley could tell who he was. He was the ambassador sent by the Emperor of Pheraira.
The Emperor, ruling over the entire continent, sends ambassadors to understand the local situations in each country. Naturally, even Aldrant has an ambassador from Pheraira stationed, and not only from Pheraira but also from various other countries involved in the trade.
Ambassadors staying in the north, including Cornia, had less access to the royal palace compared to other countries. Although the continent they covered was vast, politically, Aldrant had a somewhat advantageous position, showing its distinctive features.
“I regret not having more opportunities to host you all more frequently. I hope everyone has a delightful time today.”
In response to Gezell’s words, he lightly expressed his gratitude and this time turned slightly towards Rensley, extending his greetings.
“Your Grace, I heard that your health deteriorated significantly due to the cold climate in the north. It is truly fortunate and an honor to meet you like this. Thank you for organizing such an event.”
“I feel embarrassed for not fulfilling my role as the Grand Duchess of a small country properly. Please…”
Rensley’s quite elegant words were interrupted. Rensley covered his mouth and bowed his head. Cough, cough. As the dry cough continued, the ambassador who had offered greetings, along with all the guests in the hall, looked concerned. The cheerful atmosphere that had prevailed froze like ice.
Among them, Gezell was notably flustered. He bowed and whispered to Rensley.
“Are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine. I apologize for causing concern, Your Grace…”
Rensley’s voice, after finally suppressing the cough, trembled like a withering petal. He gently touched Gezell’s shoulder, who had approached, and immediately stood up straight. Smiling behind the veil, he made an effort to address the audience in a cheerful tone.
“I apologize for showing an unsightly appearance. It’s just a little cough; my body is fine, so let’s all have a pleasant time today. This event was organized for that purpose, so let’s set aside minor worries.”
“We are deeply moved by Your Grace’s kind and generous heart. We sincerely wish for your speedy recovery.”
To change the atmosphere in the hall, new music began to play. People momentarily relaxed with the cheerful melody and quickly tilted their glasses and engaged in conversations. People began to emerge onto the hall floor, even before the meal was served, to dance. Gezell still wore a concerned expression that he couldn’t shake off until the music started.
“Is it really okay? If you’re not feeling well and attending against your will, it’s better to go back. We can hold the banquet another time.”
“What are you saying, Your Grace? Of course, it’s just an act. I’m known as the Grand Duchess who can’t properly go in and out due to poor health. Today, miraculously, I’ve come to the banquet because my condition improved a bit.”
Covering his mouth with a fan and whispering quickly, Gezell’s eyes widened slightly before he sat down. He hid his laughter behind a beautifully crafted metal goblet.
“I’m sorry. I’m so foolish.”
“Everyone has their strengths. There’s no need to blame yourself.”
The future is the future. Rensley looked around the hall relatively calmly. Even though he played the role of the main character at the wedding celebration, at that time, he had no rights in this place. Watching people drinking and dancing, he recalled the time he wandered aimlessly with envy.
With a warm heart, Rensley threw glances around the hall, and only belatedly did he feel someone’s gaze and turned to look. Gezell, the Grand Duke, directly met his eyes. Even through the thin veil, there was no tremor in his gaze. He extended his hand.
“Grand Duchess, would you like to dance with me?”
Today, it wasn’t Rensley Maelrosen, but Ivet Elbanes. In fact, he was still deceiving people by pretending to be the absent princess, but at least today, he was the real owner of this place. This banquet would be the last gift prepared by the Grand Duke for him.
“Sure.”
Rensley placed his hand on top of Gezell’s hand. As they stood up, a gentle excitement passed through the hall like a spring breeze. Even those who had been dancing moved to the sidelines, making way for the widest space.
Slowly descending the low steps, the two stood facing each other in the center of the hall. Gezell whispered low enough for Rensley to hear.
“It’s a bit awkward for me to dance in front of so many people for the first time.”
“You’ve practiced enough. You can do it.”
The orchestra continued the momentarily paused performance. It was Cornia’s dance, which Rensley had requested in advance.
The shadows of the two people standing in the center of the hall swayed slightly under the chandelier light hanging from the high ceiling. The chandelier, which had been unused for a while, was brought down by servants, carefully dusted and cleaned, and long, neat new candles were inserted and lit.
Not only the large central chandelier but also the auxiliary lighting and lamps hanging on the side and walls were all lit with candles. The night in the winter fortress of Roudken, which had rarely been illuminated, was now surrounded by pleasant murmurs and warm heat.
The beginning of the piece was slow and heavy as if gradually descending. People unfamiliar with dance might complain that the dance was dark, like a dirge, but those who frequently danced knew that a slow tempo was a preparation for sensuality. Perhaps due to the unfamiliar melody, people watched the two in silence.
The couple facing each other exchanged greetings with a slight distance between them. When Rensley placed his hand on the hem of his dress and slightly lowered his body, Gezell faithfully put into practice what he had learned. Rensley smiled behind the veil as Gezell kissed the back of his hand and extended a gesture of greeting.
Believing that he could adjust a relationship that had never experienced love or marriage according to his will, was it arrogance or immaturity? Faced with the awkwardness before a poorly executed hand kiss, the answer pointed more towards the latter. Blaming everything on immaturity even felt charming. It might be just a biased affection for the young Rensley, but that was fine too. There was little time left for resentment or reproach.
They took steps closer, holding hands. As they slowly moved their feet, the mood of the music changed. People who had been silently watching the dance began to exchange whispers and occasionally clap their hands as the slow and dark tone gradually brightened and became cheerful.
Gezell, who had been stepping in unison, grabbed Rensley’s waist, and Rensley placed his hand on Gezell’s shoulder. As Rensley’s body leaped into the air, a joyous cheer erupted among the spectators. Rensley, gracefully descending with his dress billowing, whispered softly.
“You’re doing well. Everyone really likes it.”
“I see.”
“How does it feel, Your Grace, to dance in front of people?”
The string instruments created a sweet yet lively melody. Instead of answering, Gezell lifted Rensley again.
It was rare for an older man to be lifted high by someone else. Memories of the joyful moments when palace servants carried him on horseback during his childhood or lifted him to play reappeared spontaneously. The feeling of returning to a child’s state was always enjoyable. Rensley smiled broadly, but the veiled laughter would have been visible only to Gezell in front of him.
This time, he didn’t put Rensley down immediately. While still holding Rensley, he slowly turned around in place. This movement might have looked more like an explicit expression of affection than a dance. Laughter mixed with embarrassment could be heard in the audience’s reactions.
When Rensley’s feet touched the ground, Gezell lifted him for the third time. Without moving from his spot, he turned around a few times while holding Rensley. However, Rensley’s feet did not touch the ground, and only the gaze of the two, who were close together, met up and down.
The musicians adjusted the tempo to match the movements of the two. Rensley lowered his eyes halfway. As the music and dance slowed down simultaneously, time seemed to slow down as well.
Amidst the approving whispers of the surrounding people, the glances of those watching the first dance of the newlywed Duke and Duchess, the colorful lights that captured the sunlight stored during the bright day and adorned the ceiling, and the unexpected lively atmosphere of the night in Roudken, which had been quietly sinking like a frozen swamp…
Everything seemed perfectly arranged for this moment. The biting wind outside the castle walls, any future events, couldn’t invade this moment.
Rensley slowly lowered his head to touch foreheads with Gezell. The feather-light veil swayed greatly even with small movements, enveloping the faces of the two.
Among the numerous gazes watching them, Rensley couldn’t resist and whispered.
“I love you, Your Grace.”
A momentary confusion passed over Gezell’s face, but soon, only a smile deepened. Rensley’s laughter also blossomed in response. The arm holding Rensley tightened, and their bodies came even closer.
Their lips met with the veil in between. The smooth and soft sensation was not their skin or lips but rather the thin silk, yet the warmth felt genuine. The voices of the people were now nearing cheers.
When his feet finally touched the ground, Rensley blinked as if waking up from a long dream. The music accelerated again, and the two continued the choreography more precisely than before.
“Blessings to the Guardian and his companion!”
“Glory to Aldrant!”
As the Duke and Duchess finished their dance and stepped back, people applauded and shouted blessings in unison. Some spectators who had been watching eagerly came forward to imitate the new dance they had just witnessed. It was inevitable that there were people with keen eyes and quick feet who already skillfully mimicked the dance.
“Your Grace, was the dance we just saw the dance of Cornia? Please teach us as well.”
“It seems Your Grace has recovered a lot, and I am genuinely delighted. I will continue to pray for endless blessings for Your Grace. Starting tomorrow, I will go to the church every morning to pray for your happiness.”
The newlywed couple had to take some time to talk with the guests. Since it was a long-awaited grand feast, many people wanted to exchange greetings with the Duke and Duchess.
While Gezell conversed with ambassadors, courtiers, and distant lords who had visited the capital for the first time in a while, Rensley, surrounded by several people, smiled behind the veil and fan, covering her face as much as possible.
“I haven’t done anything as the Duchess even after celebrating the wedding, so I don’t know how to respond to such a warm welcome. Since my strength is lacking, I ask everyone to take good care of His Grace in the future.”
“What are you saying? Even if you say that, everyone in Aldrant knows that you two get along well. Do you know how much people talk about His Grace changing a lot? A person who was only interested in politics and magic now dancing in front of people, something unimaginable in the past. Isn’t that right, Madam?”
“That’s right. Everyone who visits the palace says that Your Grace has really brightened up these days. And who do you think is responsible for that? You don’t need to worry hastily. Your Grace is already doing more than enough for Aldrant.”
It was unavoidable to be pleased with the compliments. Although worries followed immediately, Rensley responded with laughter, moving among the people.
“Where is Sir Maelrosen, the knight named Maelrosen?”
“Maelrosen? Why are you looking for him?”
The distant conversation that could be heard was at that moment.
Rensley quickly turned around. Among the guards escorting the banquet hall, a man asking about Rensley’s whereabouts was visible. The place where they stood was dim, and with the veil, it was challenging to see clearly. Rensley approached them slowly, and the voice became clearer.
“He’s not a suspicious person. He has a permit. I entered for this event as a merchant to deliver something to Sir Maelrosen.”
“I don’t know. Each knight has a different mission. I’m not a member of the knighthood…”
Rensley could barely confirm his face. It was the merchant he had met in front of Max’s tavern.
He quickly recalled the conversation they had. Had he mentioned his name? Even if he tried to remember in detail, he had no memory of introducing himself. A grumbling sound reached Rensley’s ears as the merchant, who had failed to find his whereabouts, complained to himself.
“I should have asked the knight I met during the day. Why didn’t I think of that? Oh, dear…”
Rensley glanced over at where Gezell was. People who had met the king for the first time seemed to linger for a while and were busy discussing. Because of the crowd, Gezell’s figure was not clearly visible from where Rensley stood.
About to hurry after the merchant, Rensley hesitated. There was no guarantee that Gezell, the Duke, was not paying attention to him. This place was in the middle of the castle in Roudken, and numerous guards and escort knights were monitoring every corner. Thinking of Gezell, who unknowingly knew all the details of his daily life, Rensley became cautious.
Instead of going further, Rensley gestured quietly to the guard who was talking to the merchant. Responding promptly to his lord’s call, the guard nodded and bowed.
“Do you have a moment?”
“What is it, Your Grace?”
“Bring the man from earlier. He seemed curious about stories from my hometown. I’m curious about the reason.”
Rensley Maelrosen being a knight from the same place as the Duchess was a widely known story within the castle. The guard immediately nodded and called the merchant, who was walking away.
“Uh, um, why did you look for me, Your Grace?”
The merchant, frozen with tension upon hearing that the Duchess himself sought him, was visibly nervous. Rensley smoothly guided him to a less noticeable spot in the bustling banquet hall. Covering his face with the fan, he spoke in a low voice.
“Rensley Maelrosen is a knight from Cornia, same as me. He is in charge of my personal guard. Why are you looking for him?”
“Oh, I see! In that case, could you arrange a meeting after the banquet is over? I came to deliver goods for this event, and my colleague on the upper floor said he knows Sir Maelrosen and asked if we could meet.”
“Colleague?”
Was it someone from the time when they lived in Cornia? Celestine, the capital, was bustling with various upper-class and merchants, and Rensley had several acquaintances among them.
“What’s your colleague’s name?”
“Her name is Daria.”
It was an unfamiliar name. Rensley, furrowing his brow as he tried to recall, covered his face with the fan and asked for more details.
“He said he met Sir Maelrosen in a place called Kunkara. He said he would know if I mentioned it.”
Rensley’s eyes widened. Temporarily holding his breath and keeping his expression hidden with the fan, he spoke to the merchant.
“Where are you staying? I’ll send Sir Maelrosen as soon as the banquet is over.”
“It might be hard to find if I mention the inn’s name… You would know the tavern called ‘Rose Goblet.’ It’s in the central area. I’ll wait there. Please let him know. We have another contract to attend to tomorrow morning, so I would appreciate it if you could confirm.”
About to agree, Rensley hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“If it’s not urgent, can you wait inside the castle? He’ll be sent as soon as the banquet is over. Did you come by horse?”
“Yes. There’s a carriage in the stable.”
“On a day like today, there may be other guests in the stable. They’ll provide a horse and drinks. It’s better to meet Sir Maelrosen there.”
“Yes, yes. I understand. I’ll wait there tonight. In case he can’t make it…”
“Don’t leave until morning.”
Feeling uncomfortable in the presence of a high-ranking figure, the merchant, glancing cautiously, quickly left. Rensley stood in one place for a moment before moving through the crowd.
People who had thought they were seeing a frail Duchess were again surrounding Rensley, offering various greetings and flattery. Smiling and brushing off their words, Rensley trembled with anticipation.
Although Rensley had several half-siblings, only one person was considered a true blood relative. Together, they often enjoyed adventurous games, exploring every nook and cranny of the palace where hands didn’t reach, performing impromptu plays in secluded warehouses filled with unused materials and tools.
They once promised to explore the world together, imagining the unseen lands. Kunkara was the fictional name of the continent they created, and Daria was Ivet’s pseudonym from their play. Well, that made sense. A princess who had escaped from the castle wouldn’t be living under her real name.
‘You’ve really ventured out of Cornia. I hope you’ve been well.’
Whether the pounding in his chest was due to tension or excitement, Rensley couldn’t tell. Perhaps it was because of the veil covering his face, but the bustling banquet hall suddenly felt uncomfortably warm.
The dizziness blurred his vision even more. Rensley, truly fatigued rather than feigning, politely excused himself from the crowd and approached the Duke. It seemed challenging to penetrate through the people standing around him, so Rensley called him from a distance.
“Your Grace.”
Not confident that his voice would reach, he called out softly, almost like muttering. Gezell, who was engaged in conversation, immediately stood up and turned towards him. After saying a few words to the people around him, Gezell approached Rensley.
“Sir Maelrosen, what’s the matter?”
“I find the dress a bit uncomfortable, so I thought I’d take a short break in a quiet place. May I leave my seat?”
“Of course. With so many dignitaries invited, it might be challenging to go up immediately… take a break in the bedroom first.”
“How much longer do you think you’ll need to be here?”
“I’ll probably need to stay here for about an hour. If you’re tired, you can go to sleep first.”
A light peck on the forehead. Rensley lowered his head.
“I’ll come back in about an hour. I don’t want to end my first ball like this. I want to dance once more.”
“Well, since you love parties, it must be a pity to end it so soon. Please, go ahead. I’ll wait for you in the ballroom.”
After Gezell returned to his seat, some maids followed the Duke. Rensley clenched his fist inside his sleeve, took a deep breath, and suppressed the throbbing in his chest.
From now on, he had to seize the opportunity whenever it came. He had thought that it would come, but he hadn’t expected it to happen so suddenly like an oracle telling him to leave before being enchanted by the beautiful night.
Following the stern order from the Duchess, other servants left with greetings. As soon as he entered the bedroom, Rensley sighed deeply. Smiling energetically, Lady Samlet looked at him.
“Tired, Rensley? But the dance with the Duke was splendid! I don’t know how intensely I watched it from the side. Why didn’t such a dance exist when I was young?”
“Thank you, my lady. It was enjoyable to dance, but pretending to be the Duchess in front of people drains my energy quickly. I thought it would be fun, but it’s more challenging than I expected.”
“Shall I pour you a drink? It might help you relax.”
“No, thank you. On a day like today, I shouldn’t risk getting drunk.”
“Well then, turn around. I’ll loosen your waistband. Even a short rest will help you enjoy the ball later. Change into comfortable clothes and when you want to return to the ballroom, we can dress you up again. Oh, since it turned out this way, how about trying the second dress from last time when you go out again?”
The lady remained lively as ever, seemingly unaffected by the fatigue of the party. Rensley, with a sly smile on his lips, peeked through.
“You said His Grace didn’t approve of that dress.”
“If Rensley wears it, do you think he’ll really be angry?”
Rensley imagined the irritated Gezell Jivendad. It wasn’t easy because he had never seen him angry before.
Unaware of the impending incident that would be incomparable to wearing a forbidden dress, the Duchess remained unperturbed. He removed the makeup, took off the wig, and skillfully undid the knots and buttons on the dress.
Lastly, while Rensley, in more casual attire, looked away, she straightened out the wrinkles in the dress. Rensley, looking at her in such a manner, suddenly spoke.
“Thank you.”
“Huh? What for?”
“You’ve been kind to me from the beginning. I know it’s not because of His Grace’s orders.”
Surprised by the sudden expression of gratitude, Lady Samlet blinked with a puzzled look. Rensley smirked playfully.
“Is it because I’m handsome and cute? Rensley Maelrosen, a man who you can’t help but be kind to! Although I’ve worn a dress a few times in front of you, my masculine charm hasn’t gone anywhere.”
“Are you teasing me again? Really, you… Yes, you’re right. I treated you well because you’re as cute and handsome as my son. Satisfied?”
The lady playfully chuckled at Rensley who pretended to laugh and hung the dress on a clothes hanger. She straightened the hanging clothes on the stand and then glanced at the clock.
“When the short hand points to this number, an hour has passed. I’ll teach you how to read the clock after the party ends.”
“I can probably figure that out now. Please go down. You’re busy. I’ll call you back in about an hour.”
“If you’re very tired, continue to rest. Rensley, everyone knows you have a weak constitution, so there won’t be rumors about you not returning to the ballroom.”
“I’ll rest for a bit. Goodnight, my lady.”
Lady Samlet nodded once and left the bedroom. Waiting for her footsteps to completely fade away behind the closed door, Rensley immediately got up.
If he had to leave at any moment, he thought it would be better to leave from the backyard rather than the Duchess’s bedroom. Whether leaving from the bedroom or the guest rooms, he would have to pass through the central hall, making it difficult to slip away unnoticed by people. Especially on a day like today.
He had brought some extra gold taken from the stipend, accumulated money, a change of clothes, discreetly prepared combat magical tools, and dried meat-like emergency rations to the greenhouse. The bedroom and guest rooms were frequented by squires and other members of the Knight Order, but only Rensley and Duke Gezell used the greenhouse. Moreover, the backyard with the greenhouse allowed easy access to the stables through the back gate, making it the optimal place to hide belongings.
‘Surely, I won’t have to return to the Duchess’s bedroom right before leaving…’
Even though he was alone now, an eerie sense of being watched lingered, as if someone might be observing. Rensley moved discreetly and swiftly. He put on a robe worn for sleep when lying on large cushions and pushed it into the bedding inside the bedcovers. He pulled out a bit of the cuff to make it visible, and then, Lady Samlet had placed a wig on the dress, which he now brought over and tousled onto the pillow.
It was a crude deception, but when all the candles illuminating the bedroom were extinguished, the situation changed. In the dim room, visible only near the bedside or the door, he appeared as nothing more than someone who had fallen asleep.
Lastly, dressed in ordinary clothes instead of the Knight Order’s armor, he put on a thick fur coat and a fur-trimmed cloak that covered up to his mouth. He pressed the hat firmly onto his head. Gloves and boots were also secured.
With only his eyes peeping out, his face was entirely covered, making it almost indistinguishable from a disguise. Rensley’s eyes widened as he checked mentally for anything missing.
‘Oh! The letter.’
In the end, he hadn’t finished writing the letter. Rensley approached the dress hanging in front of him and fumbled inside the large skirt ornamented like a pocket. After a few movements, Rensley’s forehead furrowed deeply, and he slowly stood up, biting his tongue.
‘Ha, I knew it. I should have just left it here.’
He had thought that it would be better to separate it from his body and leave it, but it was a misjudgment. If he had dropped it during the dance with Duke Gezell, it would have been noticeable since there weren’t many people in the hall. But the floor was undoubtedly clean. Perhaps, he had carelessly left it somewhere while chatting with people.
Brushing his cheek as he contemplated, Rensley quickly gave up. The item was covered in meaningless scribbles, and it would be challenging to recognize what it was even if someone found it. Trying to find the note by going downstairs again when they cleaned up after the party would not be wise.
Rensley picked up a piece of paper that had been placed on the desk for notes, hastily scribbled a few lines, folded the hastily written letter, placed it securely in his pocket, and, relying on the dim light from a small lamp, quietly approached the window.
It was pitch dark outside. If it were daytime, he would have easily slipped away, but now, even a slight sprain of the ankle could lead to various difficulties in the future.
‘I haven’t used this entrance for a while…’
Rensley, with a small lamp in one hand and a dagger in the other, descended by feeling the gap with the dagger. He cautiously estimated the shape of the brick that touched the ball of his foot, carefully feeling his way down the wall. His body tensed with excitement, and the cold night wind couldn’t freeze Rensley’s hands.
There were moments when he almost misstepped, but Rensley managed to reach the ground unharmed. The distant sound of music from the party faintly reached his ears.
Suppressing his footsteps, he stealthily moved forward. As noisy as it was inside the castle, there would likely be workers moving around more than usual outside.
However, Rensley’s tension soon eased. The backyard was as quiet as it had been on other days, with no signs of people. The frost-covered ground made a soft sound with every step. The smoothly opened door of the newly built glass greenhouse signaled his safe arrival.
Entering the greenhouse, Rensley surveyed the crops first. Inside the greenhouse, there was an unusual warmth for the northern lands, accompanied by the earthy scent of the soil and the fresh fragrance of various herbs growing healthily, including tomatoes, eggplants, pumpkins, and leafy vegetables.
Rensley picked a few tomatoes, where the mix of green and red hues had just begun, and placed them on the windowsill. They would ripen in a few days, and then he could clean them and enjoy a meal.
‘I never got to cook for the Duke using tomatoes after all.’
Sighing, Rensley took out the newly written letter from his pocket. Though it was more like a brief note than a proper letter, it was better than leaving without saying anything.
Rensley placed the note under the table with a watering can on it. He wasn’t sure if Gezell would discover this note but placing it in the greenhouse seemed more likely to catch the Duke’s attention than leaving it in the bedroom, which would soon be frequented by the attendants.
He had hidden his travel belongings in the greenhouse, among the farming tools on a shelf. With the baggage on his shoulders, Rensley decisively headed towards the exit.
Before closing the door, he turned back just once. Recalling the memory of embracing and kissing Gezell here just a while ago, he reviewed it one last time. The sensation of soft lips and a moist tongue was as vivid as the fresh aroma of growing plants. The feeling of a stuffy nose and a fluttering heart remained.
As the person who had wished for the spring inside not to end, Rensley was now trying to put an end to it with his own hands. He couldn’t even keep the promise of making something truly delicious when the tomatoes ripened. Instead of repaying the favor to the benefactor of life, he was turning his back to him.
Rensley closed the door and turned away. His quick steps soon turned into a hurried jog. Silently and swiftly vaulting over the quite high wall like a shadow, the backyard fell into silence as if no one had ever visited.
Near Roudken’s stables today, there was an atmosphere reminiscent of a tavern. Several large bonfires were lit here and there, and around the fires, guests, stable hands, cart drivers, and even residents who had come to watch gathered. While sipping on drinks or warm soup, they chatted and enjoyed the festive mood. Despite having a waiting room for stable hands, those who wanted to enjoy the lively atmosphere braved the cold, shuttling between inside and outside.
“Are you the one looking for me?”
The merchant Rensley was looking for happened to be slightly away from the crowd, smoking a pipe. The man, who turned his head at the familiar voice, wrinkled his forehead in surprise.
“No, sir! Sir, you…”
“It’s an interesting coincidence. I am Rensley Maelrosen.”
Approaching him, Rensley shook hands with the man. Keeping his voice low enough not to be heard by others, he explained that they needed to leave the castle immediately and promised to explain outside.
The merchant, with a slightly puzzled look, met Rensley’s gaze. However, like someone who had wandered around and experienced various things everywhere, he didn’t seem flustered and nodded his head in agreement with Rensley’s decision rather than delving into the detailed circumstances.
Rensley followed him after a few moments. The merchant handed a numbered ticket to the stable master, and the stable master, who had been drinking with guests, reluctantly brought out a carriage. Rensley, who had barely greeted him, silently expressed his gratitude to the stable master. Occasionally, they had exchanged stories.
Hans, the leader of the stable hands, could be heard shouting from inside the waiting room. He seemed quite drunk. Rensley, likewise, silently greeted him in his mind.
Next was Marilyn. During their journey to Aldrant, Marilyn, who had fallen ill, didn’t need to be taken on a journey with an uncertain future. Since Duke Gezell was particularly fond of her, Marilyn would continue to be well cared for in this place.
“Please get on.”
Rensley climbed onto the carriage like the merchant’s party. The luggage compartment of the carriage was surrounded by thick cloth treated with oil to block the wind. As he settled in deep inside, the merchant pulled the reins. With a click, the horse started moving, urged on by the low urging, and the carriage began its journey.
Every step was swift and smooth without any hitches. Rensley sat in anticipation, holding his breath, waiting for the carriage to pass through the castle gate. The carriage paused briefly, and Rensley heard a conversation between the merchant, who had reached the front of the Duke’s castle gate, and the gatekeeper.
Glancing into the luggage compartment, the gatekeeper nonchalantly asked, “Traveling with companions?”
The merchant replied, “Yes. I couldn’t manage alone due to the heavy baggage.”
The gatekeeper responded, “You’ve had a hard journey. Be careful on your way back.”
The gatekeeper turned away. Rensley, grateful for Aldrant’s lax security, adjusted his posture, sweeping his chest clean. Then, another set of hoofbeats approached from behind. “Is the guest leaving the castle now?” Rensley was momentarily startled by the voice that followed. Cold sweat broke out on his back, but the conversation continued outside the carriage.
“Didn’t they reinforce the guards today? You can hardly call this guarding with such lax attention.”
“Apologies, Commander Sorel.”
The merchant bowed, apologizing to the gatekeeper who scolded him.
“Yes, yes, Sir. I was about to leave after finishing my business. Usually, people either leave immediately after finishing their business or spend the night and leave. Leaving the castle at this uncertain time is unusual.”
“There are others waiting outside the castle. They plan to leave at dawn, so I’m joining them.”
Rensley felt a chill run down his spine as the owner of the voice jumped off the carriage. He pulled his coat collar higher and bowed his head. The cloth that covered the luggage compartment fluttered as it was briefly lifted.
“Show your face too.”
“…”
“The security is tight due to the banquet. Cooperate and show yourself quickly.”
There was no choice. Rensley reluctantly turned his head. At that moment, the man outside and Rensley made eye contact. Both men remained silent, exchanging glances. Security had to be thorough for verification, but Rensley kept his face covered with the collar, and the man did not demand to reveal his entire face.
It was a brief confrontation, blinking a few times. Tension, as if the sound of blood rushing in his ears was audible, lasted only a moment. When Rensley’s face turned pale, the man outside the carriage asked in a hoarse voice, “Do you have to go?”
Numerous answers came to mind, but not a single one could be uttered. While Rensley remained silent, while the merchant, sensing that the question was for him, responded calmly.
“Yes, Sir. We have another trade appointment scheduled immediately. We were planning to deliver the goods and leave without delay. However, we ended up talking here and there, and it got late into the night. We still have very little time.”
“Looks fine. You may pass.”
After saying that, the man closed the entrance to the luggage compartment. Rensley, with a reluctant nod, turned his head. As the person standing outside was about to leave, he heard the man ask, his voice somewhat hoarse, “Must you go?”
Unable to resist, Rensley hesitated with a bowed head. The merchant, thinking the question was directed at him again, answered discreetly, “Yes, Sir. We must leave soon for another trade. We have no time to spare. We apologize for the inconvenience. We appreciate your understanding.”
“May your journey be safe.”
“Thank you.”
As the farewells concluded, the sound of the castle gate opening resonated. The carriage started moving, and with the click-clack of hooves, the horse pulled the carriage forward, gradually leaving Roudken Ducal Castle behind.
‘It’s like when I first arrived here, on a dark night, carried in a carriage.’
Rensley recalled the biting cold he first experienced, opening a small ventilation window at the back of the tent. Roudken Ducal Castle was getting farther away.
The banquet hall buzzed with lively people enjoying themselves. Anton Sorel, having completed his external inspection, entered the castle. Grand Duke Gezell was surrounded by a few people, appearing to have just freed himself from the crowd, exchanging greetings. The lord who noticed the arrival of the knight commander at the banquet hall sent a nod of acknowledgment.
“On days like this, the knights have it tougher. You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all. It’s part of the job.”
Anton glanced at the seated Gezell for a moment before excusing himself.
“What about the Duchess?”
“Dressed in an unfamiliar gown, it seems he got tired of spending time in front of people. He mentioned wanting to rest for an hour and went up to his bedroom.”
While the two were conversing, Lady Samlet approached. When Gezell looked at her with a questioning gaze, she bowed lightly, as if she had already received an order.
“Your Grace, it seems the Duchess has rested and fallen asleep. I thought it would be best not to wake her immediately. What should I do?”
At this, Gezell’s eyes softened slightly, and his lips formed a gentle curve. It was a warm smile, a rare opportunity for his subordinates to witness. Both Anton and Lady Samlet momentarily forgot to speak as they gazed at him.
“It’s better not to wake her. As soon as the banquet is settled, I will go up to the bedroom myself. Let her rest deeply for now.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Anton, perhaps it’s time for you to stop mingling with people at the banquet. Considering the quietness so far, it seems there won’t be anything special tonight.”
“…Very well.”
Anton bowed and stepped back. As he turned around, he saw the Grand Duke, momentarily alone, taking out a small mirror. However, before he could look into the mirror, people approached, and Gezell, fulfilling his role as the lord, had to greet them. Anton observed this before also approaching and beginning to greet the people.
O M G THE ANGST STRIKES ! 😰
I’m kind of glad Anton spotted him before escaping , it’s like there’s one less person he’s lying to 😢☹️😣
Gezell going to receive biggest shock of his life 💔
Thank you so much. These long chapters are blissful to me but it must be very hard for you guys. 💕
thank you for your support~ honestly Ohno is the busiest, cleaning up my messQAQ <333
Oh no ! 😯
goosebumps at the whispered “I love you”… oh maaan and he leeeft 😢😳😖
The unpleasant surprise he will get from seeing dear Rensley gone, wonder what he’ll do
Thanks for the chapter!!!
ur welcomeee💛💛