RR 15

Chapter : 15

Tris brushed the snow from himself before opening the heavy door. Thud, thump. Thump. The snow piled up by a hand’s breadth fell to the ground. With the New Year, winter had deepened, and it seemed to snow almost every day.

“You’ve arrived.”

Tris lifted his head. It was Ron. Tris nodded and asked,

“Is it all right for you to be up and about now?”

Ron gave a small smile and nodded. Ron was one of Duke Aike’s illegitimate sons and had been badly injured while managing the stables.

“That’s a relief. Still, don’t overdo it. I’ve heard that when cold wind gets into your bones, it hurts a lot.”

Ron replied,

“Thank you for your concern.”

“That way of talking… You can speak more casually here.”

“How could I? I’m grateful enough that you brought me to Dello Castle.”

Tris chuckled and pushed open the heavy door. As if someone had been waiting, a figure came running up.

“Brother!”

It was Idella. Tris narrowed his eyes in displeasure and scolded her.

“With this much snow, why did you come all the way here?”

Startled by the sudden scolding, Idella pouted and stopped in her tracks. Tris frowned as he glared at her. The snow was piled up to thigh height. To come from the main castle to Dello Castle, one had to pass along a mountain slope, a path that caused worry every year because of avalanches. They had been continuously building wooden walls, but the project was so large that it still wasn’t finished. And yet she had forced her way through that road. His worry turned into anger.

“When will you ever grow up?”

At his continued reproach, Idella scrunched up her face and said,

“Oh, stop it already. Anyway, I got here safely, didn’t I?”

She complained to Ron, who was standing behind Tris.

“Ron, tell my brother to stop nagging me.”

“I already heard plenty outside, Lady Idella.”

“Oh, come on. Seriously. I came all this way because I missed him.”

After taking off his cape, Tris strode into the hall. Thanks to the blazing fireplace, it was pleasantly warm. Watching him pass by coldly in front of her, Idella’s resentment burst out. There was a reason she had come all this way…

Hmph! Stomping her feet, Idella said,

“Fine. I’ll go. I can just go back, right?”

Tris reached out and grabbed the arm of the sulking Idella.

“Where do you think you’re going? It’s already dark. I’ll take you back tomorrow.”

“Are you going to keep nagging me?”

With a playful grin, Tris suddenly pulled her into his arms and said,

“I’ve already said it all, you little troublemaker.”

Ho ho ho. Idella laughed happily and hugged Tris tightly.

“I really missed you. I thought your confinement would end in a month, but I didn’t think you’d be here all winter.”

“There’s plenty to do here too.”

“Then were you avoiding coming on purpose?”

“Maybe.”

“Tsk, that’s so mean. Without you, the main castle feels empty.”

“You still have Aden and Tommy.”

“Brother Aden is an arrogant idiot, and Brother Tommy is a pathetic idiot.”

“That’s enough. I told you not to badmouth them like that.”

“Tsk. I badmouth them because they deserve it.”

Aden and Tommy were different from Tris. Though they seemed to care for Idella, when it really mattered, they treated her like a trivial woman. She had learned that all too well this time. When she’d been stunned by the sudden news, Aden had said:

<Even if you don’t like it, what can you do? It’s your duty, so you have to follow it no matter what.>

And Tommy had added, annoyingly:

<That’s right. There’s no helping it.>

Until now, she hadn’t understood why Tris’s nickname was “the odd one.” But after this incident, she knew. If Tris had been there, he would never have said such things. A way of thinking different from other nobles—that was why Tris was called a weirdo.

Setting Idella down, Tris asked,

“By the way, did you get permission to come?”

“Of course. How else would I have come?”

Tris smiled and patted her head.

“Did you come alone?”

Just then, Runi appeared from the kitchen.

“No. Rok brought her here and then left, Sir Tris.”

“Runi.”

Runi bowed her head in greeting.

“It’s been a while.”

Runi was two years older than Tris and another of Duke Aike’s illegitimate children. The duke had three bastards: Runi, Ron, and Sean. Runi, at twenty-two, had married a commoner and already had a child. Ron managed the stables, and Sean did all sorts of odd jobs.

When Tris had come up to Dello Castle, he had deliberately brought Ron with him for the sake of his recovery. Back at the main castle, no one took care of him, so if left alone, he would surely have worsened.

Tris approached Runi and gave her a light hug in greeting.

“I’m glad you look well.”

“It’s thanks to you. You must be hungry. Please wait just a little.”

“Do I get to taste Runi’s stew?”

“Hehe. Yes. Go wash up first.”

“All right.”

As Tris headed up to the second floor, Idella let out a quiet sigh. Seeing that, Runi approached her and whispered,

“Are you really not going to tell him?”

With brows drawn together as if she were about to cry, Idella said,

“How could I? If I tell him, it’s obvious what he’ll say. I’ll just see his face like I promised Father and then go.”

“But Lady Idella…”

“It’s okay, Runi. I’ve already accepted it.”

“Still…”

Rubbing her eyes, which had turned red before she knew it, Idella said,

“Stop.”

Left with no choice, Runi lowered her head and returned to the kitchen, muttering to herself,

“Damn it… this is so upsetting.”

Idella was to be married. And her future husband held only the title of viscount. It was a title she felt unworthy of a duke’s daughter—but that wasn’t all. The man was old. Not just old, but older even than Duke Aike himself. He was Viscount Lorem.

When the news had first come, Duchess Marie had jumped up in opposition.

<Don’t talk nonsense. Why should we send our Idella to such an old man? Are you trying to build ties with Yohas? You hated that woman too!>

<I hate her, that’s exactly why. If Viscount Lorem dies like this, Maser will inherit the title. I don’t want to see that either. If Idella bears Viscount Lorem a son, I’ll end up ruling his lands.>

<Yohas isn’t an ordinary fox. Do you think she’ll just let that happen?>

<She will. Otherwise why would she be called the kindly Yohas? She’s desperate to become queen—how could she argue against her father’s decision?>

<Even so… my God, what if she can’t bear a son? What if Viscount Lorem can’t even perform as a man?>

<I’ve already thought of something.>

At those words, Duchess Marie’s face turned white.

<You don’t mean…?>

<I hope it won’t come to that.>

<You’re insane. You’ve really gone mad. Do you have to go this far? Don’t you feel sorry for Idella?>

<Be quiet!>

Duke Aike’s shout echoed even outside.

<Didn’t I tell you how much Tris and I suffered this time? Use that empty head of yours to think for once! We were on the verge of being swallowed by the king, and you’re making a fuss over something so small! If Lorem dies, she can just remarry—why all this uproar?>

Idella’s marriage was like a raging storm, but Duke Aike had strictly sealed everyone’s mouths.

<If anyone tells Tris about this, I’ll kill them.>

Even now, thinking of Duke Aike’s eyes darkened by obsession with power made her body tremble. He truly would kill. Anyone who interfered with his plans would not be spared. Duchess Marie had been forced into silence as well.

He had never treated Duchess Marie so cruelly before, but that day was different. She had been completely subdued. After that, she didn’t say a single word. No—she couldn’t. Duke Aike had become a tyrant.

Tears welled up in Runi’s eyes too. From the moment she was born a bastard, her life had been unhappy. Even though her father was a duke, an illegitimate child was worth less than a commoner. So she had always envied Tris and Idella—their status. But now she realized there was no need to envy them. At least she herself had a loving husband and children. But Idella… she was being sold off.

Perhaps because she resembled Tris, Idella, unlike Aden and Tommy, held no prejudice against the bastards. She treated Runi well and never looked down on Ron or Sean. It wasn’t easy to accept and understand them like that, so they all truly cherished the siblings. That was why Idella’s situation felt so heartbreaking.

When Idella first said she was going to Dello Castle, Runi had secretly hoped. If Tris learned the truth, he would never stay still. But to say she wouldn’t tell him… Haah… Runi let out a sigh as if the ground might cave in.

Laughter never ceased throughout dinner. Crackling went the firewood, and Idella’s face glowed red in the firelight as she chatted nonstop, making Tris laugh.

“So then I said…”

Even after the meal, the hall was still filled with warm laughter. Tris leaned back against the chair, his legs up on the table, listening to Idella’s endless chatter. Thanks to her, he learned every little thing that had happened in the village while he’d been away from the main castle.

At last, Idella sighed.

“Ah, this is so nice. It’s been a while since I laughed and talked this much.”

“Your throat’s hoarse. Want some ginger tea?”

As Tris stood up and asked, Idella waved her hands.

“No, I want to talk more. I guess it’s because I finally get to see you.”

“There’ll be other chances. For now, wait. By tomorrow morning you might not even have a voice.”

Runi stood and said,

“Then I’ll bring it.”

“No, I know this place better. Just stay here.”

As Tris walked into the kitchen, Runi glanced at Idella, unable to give up.

Please, tell him. Ask him to stop the marriage.

Idella smiled faintly and followed Tris into the kitchen. But instead of speaking, she silently wrapped her arms tightly around him from behind.