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Chapter 13
It was at that exact moment, just as Ronin was about to open his mouth in embarrassment at Callion’s rapidly shifting expression.
“Your Grace?”
“We are getting off, so don’t rush me.”
Answering his adjutant casually, Callion let out a soft sigh. He couldn’t even bring himself to take the cloth Ronin was holding out.
‘If he did this on purpose, he’s really making a fool out of me. To order a Duke around to do something a servant should be doing, and with such a brazen face.’
But arguing here would only cause him more trouble. Callion was the one who wanted to enter the Grand Duchy as quickly as possible. Ultimately, suppressing his temper, Callion spoke in a tight voice.
“…Take my hand and step down. You are technically the Grand Duchess; we can’t have you stumbling and falling out of the carriage.”
Only then did Ronin realize that Callion had extended his left hand to assist him. This time, he couldn’t even hide his bewilderment. His face turning bright red, Ronin took Callion’s hand, having already set down the cloth that had caused so many misunderstandings.
Out of consideration for the ailing Ronin, Callion stepped down from the carriage slowly. Thanks to this, the standing knights and servants were able to thoroughly observe the rumored ‘Alistair.’
‘Wow, they say the Alistair family secures the Empress’s seat based on looks alone… Now I see where that rumor came from.’
‘How can someone’s skin be that white? It looks exactly like bread dough prepared before going into the oven!’
‘No, how can a waist be just a handful? Are you telling me that a waist that slender holds the exact same organs as mine?’
No one dared to utter such words out loud, but they were deeply surprised by the sight of Ronin. He was completely different from the Northerners, who possessed large frames and rough skin.
Callion suppressed the stirring atmosphere with a sharp look before releasing their interlaced fingers, as Ronin had finally stepped onto the ground from the last step.
Stepping onto solid ground for the first time in nearly a day, Ronin looked around with a dazed sensation.
‘So this is the Leofric fief…’
Even the air touching the tip of his nose was different. It was a cold that couldn’t even be compared to the capital.
‘Furthermore, this castle wall…’
The wall, referred to as the ‘Black Wall’ or the ‘Iron Wall,’ was a pitch-black color as if it had been artificially dyed. There were rumors that the wall had been built in black following the ‘Black Wolf,’ the symbol of the Leofric family, but the truth of it remained unknown.
There were other things different from the capital as well—the sharp mountain peaks visible in the distance, and the white snow piled up wherever one looked.
‘We really have arrived in the North, at the Leofric fief.’
Though they had arrived in the North in just a day, the distance between the capital and the North was originally not that close. It was a distance that would take a full three days of riding at a mocking, breakneck pace.
However, those participating in this expedition were rigorously trained knights. They had rushed toward the North, barely scraping by with meals on horseback, all to return to their hometown and their people.
Ronin’s gaze drifted toward the gathered crowd.
‘…Those must be the people of the Leofric family.’
Befitting Northerners, they possessed large builds, and wearing thick overcoats made them appear even larger. Moreover, they stared at Ronin with the blunt expressions characteristic of Northerners, causing even Ronin—who had braced himself for this kind of treatment—to freeze under their gaze.
‘I knew the treatment of an Alistair in the North wouldn’t be favorable, but to think it would be to this extent…’
It felt as though he had dropped straight into the middle of enemy territory. Only then did Ronin truly feel that he had arrived in the North, at Leofric.
Before he could even look for Pam, the only person from the capital, a single individual walked out from among the crowd. He was exceptionally tidy compared to the others standing by, displaying a demeanor quite different from the typical solemnity of knights.
‘To make a comparison, he feels rather similar to a Madame. He looks to be around the same age, too.’
Ronin’s body froze automatically—an instinctive movement drilled into him by years of strict education. Callion looked at that display for a brief second before shifting his gaze away.
“Your Highness, you have crossed a long distance; you must be weary. I am Conrad, the butler of the Leofric family.”
‘Ah, as expected. That’s why I felt he was different from a knight and similar to a Madame.’
While Ronin processed this, Conrad quickly organized the situation. The items brought as a dowry, the horses exhausted from running all day, and the disheveled knights all moved in perfect order under his direction. Both Conrad, who delivered the orders, and those who followed them appeared thoroughly accustomed to it.
‘I heard Sir Leofric spends most of his time on the battlefield.’
If so, someone would have been needed to manage the estate during the Lord’s absence.
‘Normally, a Grand Duchess or an elder Omega of the family would take charge of those matters… but there is no one left to manage the household in the North.’
The position of the Grand Duchess had been vacant for a long time, and he had heard that the previous Grand Duchess passed away when Sir Leofric was young. Therefore, this man named Conrad had likely handled these affairs instead.
At that moment, his eyes locked straight with Conrad’s. The butler observed Ronin with a peculiar gaze before offering a bright smile. It was a smile that made it entirely impossible to guess what he was thinking.
Ronin unconsciously looked around. He was instinctively searching for Callion. Regardless of the circumstances, Callion was his husband and his Alpha.
However, Callion had already vanished. Before the bewildered Ronin stood Conrad, who had stepped closer.
“Your Highness, I will escort you to your quarters. Please follow me this way.”
He couldn’t just stand there like a folding screen forever. Ronin managed to squeeze out a polite smile.
If there was any silver lining, it was that Pam quickly took her place right beside him. It wasn’t out of a desire to worry over or protect Ronin, but rather because she absolutely refused to be left alone among the Northerners. Regardless, it was a relief for Ronin.
Thus, the two followed Conrad into the castle.
He had felt it when looking from the outside, but the interior of the Northern castle was constructed exactly like a fortress. After passing by several similar-looking locations, he reached a point where he was confused about where they had come from and where they were going. Ronin focused his mind sharply.
While it was highly unlikely, if Conrad were to abandon him, he might truly become a lost child. Pam, standing beside him, didn’t say a word, seemingly tense as well.
‘For Pam’s sake, I need to keep myself together.’
It was just as he turned a corner with that thought in mind.
A long hallway appeared. It had a completely different atmosphere from the hallways they had passed through so far. Instead of heavy, thick curtains, these windows were adorned with pale ivory drapes. Whether it was due to the bright curtains or the candlelight lining the floor, the atmosphere was significantly brighter.
‘The flooring is different, too.’
Taking a step forward, Ronin noticed the change keenly. Until now, the creaking sound of old wooden frames had grated on his ears with every step, but that wasn’t the case here. That was likely…
‘Is it because of that?’
At the end of the hallway, right in the center of a noticeably well-kept space, hung a single portrait. As if enchanted, Ronin walked toward it.
The woman in the portrait was smiling quietly. The corners of her lips barely moved, but her eyes were warmly crinkled. Long eyelashes, soft golden hair, and cheeks slightly flushed as if touched by sunlight…
The painting style was precise and delicate. Every strand of hair, the creases of her collar, and above all, the affection of the person who painted her was fully evident.
