Chapter 16 – Back to the North (Part 1)

Reubellina kept thinking about Tartenon’s words inside the carriage heading to the North. Although she had bid a hasty farewell to the Duke and left with Tartenon, she wanted to fully understand the meaning of what he had said earlier.

“Could it be…”

As she thought deeply, a terrifying thought came to mind. After all, the imperial family had a precedent.

Reubellina decided to ask Tartenon directly, as he could resolve her doubts. It was fortunate that they were riding the carriage together. She had avoided asking to prevent any awkwardness, but her curiosity was killing her.

Resolute, Reubellina looked Tartenon straight in the eyes.

“What you said at the Duke’s residence earlier, is it true?”

“What do you mean?”

“That the Emperor’s personality would never allow the second prince to ascend the throne.”

“Oh, that.”

Tartenon answered nonchalantly.

“I meant it literally. The second prince will never survive.”

“Do you really think the Emperor would kill Inferno?”

“He already killed the deposed crown prince. The first time is hard, but the second time is easier.”

“But he was such a cherished son…”

“In the face of power, there is no family.”

A slightly bitter voice was heard. Reubellina moved closer to the somewhat melancholic Tartenon. As they sat side by side instead of facing each other, Tartenon whispered calmly.

“I was the same, wasn’t I?”

“Still…”

“You would be too. If you had a sibling and someone to inherit the Asillious Duchy, wouldn’t it become competitive?”

“I suppose.”

A noble without a title was useless. That was the common thought. However, only one person per family could hold a title. They were not a family with only one heir like the Asillious Duchy. Nobles who lived in constant competition each had their own hardships. The imperial family was no different.

“The reason heirs don’t immediately challenge the authority of the current head of the family is because of issues like this. If there are multiple heirs, they don’t have to tolerate an heir who tries to infringe on the head’s authority.”

Reubellina recalled a now-obsolete law. The law that only men could inherit was changed by the previous emperor, who felt threatened in his position, just like the current emperor. It wasn’t due to some grand reason like advocating gender equality. The law was changed because a powerful person needed it.

“Then the second prince…”

“He will either live a life that’s not worth living or lose his life. We’ll hear about it later from the North.”

Tartenon’s head turned so quickly that it made a swishing sound. In that moment when Reubellina flinched and couldn’t move, Tartenon whispered as he gently bit her earlobe.

“Why are you so concerned about the second prince?”

“No, it’s not that…!”

“Really?”

The sound of flesh moving sensuously was explicit. Reubellina tried to move away with her face turning red. However, Tartenon’s hand gripped her waist, not letting go. As she wriggled to escape, Tartenon asked again.

“Are you really that concerned about the second prince?”

“No, I said it’s not like that!”

“Then why ask such things?”

Reubellina thought it was inevitable if it was the fate of the imperial family. She was only worried that the Emperor, after killing the second prince, might turn his attention to the North.

But Reubellina’s thoughts couldn’t be voiced. Tartenon’s red tongue had invaded her mouth.

The invader that softly penetrated her mouth roamed freely. His tongue, thicker and firmer than hers, bound her, making it hard to breathe. Time and breath seemed to stop. Reubellina grasped Tartenon’s collar with her trembling hand.

Noticing her fingers trembling slightly as they gripped his clothes, Tartenon pushed even more aggressively. When he finally pulled away, licking her lips, Reubellina could breathe again. Tartenon, seeing her flushed face, pressed his lips against hers and murmured.

“Think more about me, Reubellina.”

“…”

She wanted to say that she always thought of him. That she asked out of concern for the North, not for Inferno, and because she worried about where he was. But her lips wouldn’t move. Tartenon lightly bit her lower lip and then let go.

“And someday, I hope you’ll tell me.”

“Tell you what…?”

“That you love me.”

Reubellina blinked. Her golden eyes, revealed as her eyelids closed and opened, were a marvel. At least Tartenon thought so.

He loved everything about her. He loved even the Reubellina who didn’t respond to his heartfelt confession, and he loved her confident self.

He loved the Reubellina who spoke without hesitation at the Duke’s residence, and he loved the Reubellina who cursed in the palace. He loved everything about her.

‘Though you don’t know my feelings.’

Unable to urge her for an answer, Tartenon chose to keep silent. Hoping that someday she would return those words to him. Thus, time flowed for Tartenon and Reubellina.

After that, the situation in the capital changed rapidly.

All the nobles who supported Monterno were rooted out, falsely accused, and had their assets confiscated. The North grew increasingly wealthy, no longer needing to beg for money from the capital. They amassed so much gold that they didn’t need to ask other nobles for help or wait for imperial support.

The Emperor’s health deteriorated rapidly, and Selena took over his duties. As expected, Inferno lost his life at the Emperor’s hands. Although the nobles knew, they chose to remain silent.

The people of the capital thought highly of the Northern knights who punished the traitors. But whether their thoughts changed or not, the people of the North didn’t care. The North was always a place where the same routine occurred.

Here, Reubellina was revered as the Grand Duchess. Recognized not as a lady from the capital but as a true Northerner, she was always busy.

Tartenon casually slept in the same bed with Reubellina, ate at the same place, and shared memories together. But still, Reubellina remained silent. She never said she loved him.

Can you know without hearing the words ‘I love you’?

That was hypocrisy. How could one be sure of someone’s feelings without hearing those words? Tartenon couldn’t say anything against the thoughts that crept into his mind.

Though Reubellina’s actions and demeanor suggested she cared for him, Tartenon couldn’t be sure. Having been betrayed too many times, it was natural for him. Thus, time dragged on for both Tartenon and Reubellina. As even Reubellina began to feel frustrated, the third anniversary of their contract approached.

***

‘Tomorrow marks three years.’

Reubellina pondered while looking out the window. Tartenon had once said he hoped she would tell him she loved him, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

At first, she intended to return those words when he confessed. But since that day, Tartenon hadn’t told her he loved her.

She had tried to say it on various occasions, but the timing was always off. As the Grand Duke of the North, he was busy, and Reubellina was equally occupied. By the time she finished reviewing documents from the Northern branch of the Musen Trade and overseeing the internal affairs of Speraum Castle, it was already nightfall. Tartenon came in even later and left earlier than her.

Occasionally, they would share a deep kiss when they met. But that was all. Whenever Tartenon tried to take it further, Reubellina would quickly pull away.

The other northern nobles, unaware that their marriage was a contract, would tease them about when they were going to have an heir. Though they could laugh off these jokes without a problem, the relationship between Reubellina and Tartenon did not progress.

‘Should I just go for it?’

Reubellina would think about making the first move, but then she would remember the Duke of Asillious and change her mind. She had started many things and moved forward in many ways, but this was the first time something wasn’t getting resolved.

Reubellina bit her lip. Time had passed while she was busy managing the northern territories, and she hadn’t been able to seize the moment. Determined, she clenched her fist, vowing to tell him she loved him today.