Chapter 4 – To The North (Part 1)

Reubellina was frantic. They were leaving tomorrow, so she had done a little bit of everything, but it still wasn’t enough. While Sandy moved about, checking things off, Reubellina headed for the garden.

“Teryn.”

“Yes, my lady.”

When she quietly called out a name in the garden, a person appeared in front of her.

“How is the progress on the northern trading post?”

“We’ve already purchased a building in the North. But, my lady…”

Teryn, who usually never spoke back to her, trailed off.

“There’s really nothing up in the North.”

“I’m aware.”

“The cost to open up the route the trading post uses is quite substantial.”

“That doesn’t matter either.”

“My lady, the people of the trading post are worried…”

“Is there anyone daring to oppose my decision?”

Reubellina’s voice turned cold as she spoke firmly to Teryn.

“The Mysen trading post was built from start to finish with my money. Surely they know that I can reclaim the authority I’ve entrusted to those managing it at any time?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Then follow my decision.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Oh, and bring me the list of those who opposed my idea to establish a branch in the North.”

“Do you mean the list of those who openly opposed it?”

“No, include those who tacitly agreed with the opposition as well.”

Before leaving for the North, she had to remove all the dangerous elements in the capital. The Mysen trading post was something she built on her own, without any help from her family. While it was true that she grew its size through dealings with the Duke of Asillious’ trading post, it was still her own, so it didn’t matter.

“Once you have the list today, expel them all immediately.”

“I will inform the deputy leader.”

“Come back to me in 3 days.”

“Understood.”

Once Teryn disappeared, Reubellina gritted her teeth.

‘I knew it would come to this.’

The trading post had come this far thanks to her wit and ability. It was time to show those who didn’t truly understand that fact who the real owner of the Mysen trading post was.

Since she had set up various mechanisms to operate the trading post, they couldn’t move recklessly.

‘I need to get ahead of the imperial family before they uncover the trading post’s true identity.’

Running two trading posts from one family was illegal. Therefore, she established the Mysen trading post using someone else’s name. Additionally, she had placed the working deputy leader in the highest position within the trading post and hid in his shadow.

However, once she got married and moved to the North, becoming independent from the Duke of Asillious, there would be no problem. She had already discussed this with the deputy leader. After she moved to the North and successfully married Tartenon, the deputy leader, who was masquerading as the trading post leader, would transfer the leadership back to Reubellina.

‘But I must choose the timing carefully.’

She had hidden it for years, so she didn’t think it would be exposed immediately, but a long tail can get stepped on.

If she married into royalty, it wouldn’t matter. The property would eventually belong to the imperial family anyway. But now, the situation has changed. Her wealth was moving to the North, which was the region the imperial family was most wary of.

Reubellina had to root out and eliminate all the dangerous elements within a day. She had entrusted full authority to the deputy leader, but she doubted if he could handle it properly.

‘No, I must trust him.’

Otherwise, she would be perpetually uneasy. Although the deputy leader was someone she had taken in during her childhood, reducing the likelihood of betrayal, she still assigned Teryn to monitor him. She had made preparations in multiple layers, so there should be no issues. The human heart was untrustworthy, but Reubellina pushed her anxiety aside.

“Miss, we’re ready to go!”

Sandy ran into the garden to inform her that the preparations were complete. Reubellina looked up and down at her attire. Fortunately, she was wearing light casual clothes instead of a fancy dress.

“Are you going as you are?”

“Just prepare a robe for me.”

“Yes!”

Reubellina left the garden and headed to the reception room. The servants of the Duke of Asillious were already lined up. As soon as they saw Reubellina, they bowed deeply.

“Have a safe journey, my lady!”

“We wish you a safe arrival in the North.”

The servants offered their goodbyes one by one. Reubellina felt her eyes moisten and forced a graceful smile. Tartenon quietly waited for her at the end of the path. Sandy draped a robe over Reubellina’s shoulders and stood behind her.

“Reubellina.”

“Father.”

The Duke tightly grasped her hand.

“Be careful.”

“Don’t worry too much.”

With a small smile, Reubellina replied to the Duke, whose face was filled with worry. Her words brought a forced smile to the Duke as well. Tartenon’s solemn words then fell upon the concerned Duke, who was sending his daughter to a distant place.

“I’ll send someone as soon as we arrive in the North.”

“I trust that Your Highness will take good care of her.”

The Duke spoke with a tone of entreaty, to which Tartenon nodded. Reubellina tightly grasped the Duke’s hand, which was full of concern for her.

“I’ll be back soon.”

‘After all, it’s only for three years.’

In 3 years, after divorcing Tartenon and returning to the capital from the North,  she would be the heir apparent to Duke Asilius and eligible to take the ducal seat. It was better to remain in the family and enjoy the rights of a Duchess than to be relegated to the imperial family.

Hence, only a limited number of people from the Duchy of Asillious would accompany her to the North. Since she planned to return anyway, there was no need to bring many people along.

As Reubellina glanced around, she noticed the kitchen staff wiping their tears in the distance. It wasn’t just the kitchen staff; everyone she knew, whether familiar faces or not, was sniffling. This showed how much the Asillious household servants cared for her.

Finally, her eyes misting over, she smiled brightly and spoke.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Have a safe journey!”

Before boarding the carriage, Reubellina was escorted by Tartenon. The sight of the Grand Duke of the North, known as the Iron-Blooded Duke, smiling warmly and extending his hand to her, drew the envy of onlookers.

All the servants of the Duchy watched their departure with tearful eyes. If it weren’t for the strict instructions from the steward to keep their mouths shut, word would have spread that a beautiful couple had left the capital to much admiration.