TDOT~19

Chapter 19 

 A Noble Guest

Daniel wiped the sweat from his chin with the back of his hand, annoyed. He had only wanted to scare her a little, not make her nod like that.

“Suddenly, I feel unwell and can’t do my duty tonight. I’m sorry.”

Just thinking about the neat little letter he received that night still made him shiver.

Ricardo, who had been watching from a distance, picked up the ball that had rolled away and came over.

“I think you’re ready to start sword training now. Not bad at all. Actually, it’s great.”

Daniel took a deep breath and wiped off more sweat. In the distance, another tree fell with a loud crash. The noise was constant these days. Ricardo stared at the sound, and Daniel’s voice was sharp.

“Are the mercenaries really training?”

“Of course! We’re working them hard. Don’t worry, my lord. I’ll make them as strong as the legendary Teuton knights.”

“Teuton, huh? You’re always out there chopping wood instead of training in the yard.”

“That’s all part of the training.”

Daniel didn’t really care much about having a group of official knights. He trusted real mercenaries more than fancy nobles who only pretended to know how to fight.

“I’ll let you try, but if you embarrass me even once, I won’t forgive you. If you’re not confident, forget being knights and just stay mercenaries.”

Ricardo had never asked for anything before, so Daniel didn’t refuse him this time.

“Svergen nobles would never serve a half-blood duke. Just make us your knights. My father made this mercenary group himself, and I trust them with my life.”

Dominic said Daniel’s father’s loyal friend wanted to stay by Daniel’s side until the end, calling it true devotion.

“It’s best to live comfortably, but I guess that’s impossible now,” Dominic grumbled.

Daniel watched Ricardo fix his clothes and smiled kindly, just like when he taught young Daniel how to skin a bear.

“When else will I ever be called ‘Sir’? Besides, I’ll be the leader of the richest estate’s knights. That’s good money in the long run.”

Daniel drew his sword, enjoying the feeling in his wrist.

A strong wind blew. Frida held her hat tightly as the wind shook the sunshade. Dominic pointed to the thick forest.

“The fastest way to the port is through that mountain. The left leads to Weimar, and the right to Altas. Either way, the distance to the port is about the same.”

Frida imagined the sea beyond the trees. Her stomach hurt a little from her period, but the fresh scent of the woods made her feel better.

“Beyond Altas is the new capital of the Lyngen Empire, right?”

“Yes. The Altas mountains mark the border between Lyngen and Svergen. It’s such a big range, nobody will care if you cut through it. If you build the road, I recommend that side—unless you just don’t build it at all.”

Dominic was exhausted from working with the duchess, running errands and camping outside for three days. He glanced at Muriel, who was quietly shading Frida from the sun.

Frida pointed in the opposite direction.

“No, I’ll build the road that way.”

“But that way leads to Weimar and could cause a land dispute.”

“Exactly.”

Dominic looked confused.

“Think about it, Dominic. If Utrecht builds a road to the port, who loses the most?”

Dominic sighed.

“Weimar, of course. They used to control all the business here, but not anymore.”

Frida clapped her hands.

“See? That’s why I chose Weimar’s side.”

If the road went to Altas, only Utrecht would benefit. If it went to Weimar, they might help pay for it or cooperate, making business better for both.

Dominic was tired just thinking about it.

A blue flag with the white Nordic cross came riding toward them—Svergen’s royal symbol. Frida spoke in a cold voice.

“The royal family is finally here…”

“They must know what we’re doing,” Dominic finished.

Daniel read the royal letter, his face as calm as always. After reading, he handed it to Frida.

“The royal family is sending a rat to watch us.”

“A rat?”

“Who is it?”

Daniel answered, “Baron Stefan Boild.”

Dominic tried to remember, “Boild… Boild…”

Muriel, standing quietly, answered quickly:

“He was my third brother’s classmate at Chelino University and the tutor of Duke Beitzen’s son.”

Daniel nodded.

“That’s right. The baron’s wife is from the Chamberlain family.”

Dominic realized it too.

“That old man Chamberlain! He’s still working for the Empress Dowager? If he went to Chelino, he must be good at writing secret letters.”

As Dominic was about to ask if the road construction would continue, Frida read the letter aloud:

“To thank the Duchess of Richard for her hard work in caring for the estate alone, we send a talented steward to help. Please accept this gift from your loving brother.”

Frida’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Daniel. He remembered seeing that same look when he told her about the gold coins. Why was she so happy about this royal spy?

“He’s a graduate of Chelino University, Duke! And he even taught the Beitzen family!”

Daniel didn’t seem impressed, so Frida stepped forward.

“He can read and write, Duke. That means we’ll have a noble in Utrecht who can handle documents.”

Dominic jumped in with excitement.

“Tell him to come right away, Duke! He’s not a rat—he’s a noble guest, a lifesaver!”