I Broke Off My Engagement Then Got Married - Chapter 4 - To The North (Part 3)
Chapter 4 – To The North (Part 3)
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As she gathered the money amid the jeers of the other knights, she did not realize that Tartenon was watching her, smiling as she took the money.
Tossing the now heavy pouch up and catching it, she looked around the suddenly silent area and, meeting Tartenonโs gaze, dropped the pouch to the ground.
A soft thud was heard, but the knights couldnโt even breathe. Such was the intimidating aura of Tartenon.
Heather, receiving Tartenonโs sharp gaze, glanced around nervously. Her comrades pretended not to notice her and looked away.
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โYou dare place bets on the future lady of the North?โ
โOh no, Your Highness. It wasnโt a bet.โ
โThen what was it?โ
โIt was merely a reward for my accurate prediction. Right?โย
Heather shouted, and the other knights, though silent, nodded vigorously.
โA prediction?โ
โA prediction that the future lady of the North would possess a very generous heart and great consideration.โ
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Everyone was impressed by Heatherโs eloquence in speaking so nonchalantly in front of Tartenon. She was the only one present who could speak so boldly before him. There was another similar character at Speraum Castle in the North, but here, it was just Heather.
โAnd was your prediction correct?โ
โOf course. Thanks to the gracious future Grand Duchess, my pouch is quite full.โ
Heather shook the money pouch, the jingling of the coins making an appealing sound to anyone listening.
Tartenon did not feel annoyed by Heather, who proudly declared they had gained a remarkable lady. Though he initially intended to give a stern scolding, it seemed unnecessary. Most predictions were wrong, and only Heatherโs belief in his chosen one had proven accurate.
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โDo the rest of you have no tongues?โ
โWe are sorry!โ
The knights who had remained silent shouted in unison towards Tartenon. Betting on the behavior of the future Grand Duchess implied a lack of trust in their master, Tartenon.
โAt worst, itโs treason.โ
โWe could be dragged into ten days of training and beaten.โ
โSpecial training awaits us as soon as we reach the North.โ
Some knights felt dizzy at the bleak future. Tartenon looked each of them in the eye and warned them in a low voice.
โShe is the one I chose.โ
โWe will remember that!โ
There was no need to say more. With that one statement, Tartenon conveyed his opinion. Anyone who opposed his choice would face immediate execution.
Understanding the implied threat, the knights felt the hairs on their necks stand up and cold sweat trickle down their backs. They had narrowly avoided crossing the river of death by their masterโs sword.
In the serious atmosphere, only Heather casually rode her horse towards Tartenon.
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โBy the way, Your Highness, what about that woman before?โ
Heather had noticed the difference in how Tartenon treated Reubellina and Bellaruse. Recognizing Tartenonโs sensitivity regarding Reubellina, Heather nodded as if she understood everything.
โWhatโs with that look?โ
โI know everything, Your Highness. Donโt worry too much. My lips are sealed.โ
โWhat do you think you know?โ
“I know that our Grand Duke has an unrequited love……Ugh!โ
Tartenon’s sword pointed under Heather’s chin.
โShut up.โ
โWould you really stab me?โ
“You may not be able to speak, but your sword skills are still there, right?”
“Oh, you can’t be serious…….”
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Heather read Tartenon’s emotions in his eyes. Along with a warning not to open her mouth anymore.
As she froze on the spot in surprise, Tartenon sheathed his sword. It was a necessary show of strength for Heather and her sister, who sometimes crossed the line.
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โLina has made her decision, so we continue on our way.โ
โYes, Your Highness!โ
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Tartenon smiled satisfactorily at the resounding reply and rode his horse alongside the carriage. Heather let out a small laugh, thinking that anyone watching would mistake him for a guard knight. Then the knights gathered around Heather.
โWhatโs going on?โ
โYeah, whatโs up?โ
Everyone noticed Tartenonโs unusual demeanor. They watched him closely as he stayed by Reubellina’s carriage, whispering amongst themselves.
โIs our lord finally settling down?โ
โLetโs be honest. I’ve never seen a man with a more stony eye for a woman than the Commander .”
โExactly. Thatโs why I was so suspicious.โ
Heather stepped in.
โTo be honest, the previous woman was too much, wasnโt she?โ
“That’s true.”
Everyone agreed in unison. The knights who had escorted Bellaruse during Tartenon’s visit to the capital were all shaking their heads. Bellaruse had been a constant headache.
โIn hindsight, she was just a decoy.โ
โA decoy?โ
โYou know what I mean.โ
Heather lowered her voice. As the knights leaned in, she whispered even quieter.
โA fake to hide the real one.โ
โReally?โ
โHave you ever seen the commander treat a woman this well?โ
โNever.โ
Just asking about meals during the journey to the North showed great consideration. Many nobles had wanted to travel with Tartenon to the North, but all had been left behind.
โAnd now heโs willing to prepare meals even if it means camping out.โ
โImpossible.โ
โRight, given who our commander is.โ
Known for his prowess with the sword and his formidable presence, Tartenonโs path was one of strength and endurance. All the knights who followed him had been through rigorous training. Weak individuals had no place by his side, having endured countless physical trials disguised as training.
The knights gathered here had all experienced this. For them, a kind Tartenon was unimaginable.
โLook at him now. Heโs practically dripping with honey.โ
โHoney? Thatโs the last thing that fits our commander.โ
โI know, but look at him.โ
Heather gestured with her chin. The knights turned their eyes towards Tartenon, who was riding beside the carriage. There was indeed something different about him, a small, subtle change only those close to him could notice.
โWhatโs that?โ
โIs he smiling?โ
Their commander was not one to smile without reason, at least not to them. Yet, there he was, smiling. His silver hair blew beautifully in the wind, but they had seen enough people lose limbs for speaking out of turn, so they remained silent and rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
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Through the slightly open window of the carriage, they saw Reubellinaโs white face. Tartenon said something softly to her. It was impossible to make out what was being said in that sweet-sounding voice, but the meaning was clear to the knights around them.
โThis is insane.โ
โGave me chills.โ
Heather murmured, and a knight rolled up his sleeve, revealing goosebumps on his thick arm. It was Neon, known as the second-in-command of the Northern Knights.
Heather smacked Neonโs arm and whispered.
โSo, the lady in that carriage is at least important to His Highness.โ
โExactly.โ
โSo what should we do?โ
โServe her with all our hearts and souls.โ
โExactly. Thatโs the spirit!โ
Heather snapped her fingers, and the knights shouted in agreement. Their loyalty towards the new lady of the North surged at that moment.
Hearing their words, Tartenon smirked. He appreciated how quickly his loyal knights caught on.
The quiet forest path continued without incident as they rode along.
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โA village is in sight!โ
Leaving the capital and passing through the forest, they occasionally stopped by a small village. Although there was a fairly large inn, it was a bit shabby for nobles to stay in. Neon went ahead to assess the situation and reported back to Tartenon.
โThey have rooms that can accommodate us. Fortunately, there are no other guests today.โ
โNot a single traveler, even though itโs not yet winter?โ
โThatโs correct.โ
It was unusual. A cold glint passed through Tartenonโs eyes, and Neon also became more vigilant.
โAnd the innkeeper?โ
โItโs not the usual person we see.โ
โIs that so?โ
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Tartenonโs blue eyes turned towards the inn. If they chose to stay elsewhere, they would have to travel five more hours by carriage. The horses needed rest, and to relieve the knights’ fatigue before they continued, spending the night here was their only option.
โUh, Your Highness?โ
โDo you have a suggestion?โ
โIt feels like weโre walking into a monsterโs lair.โ
Neonโs instincts were as sharp as his muscles were strong. Tartenon nodded slightly at his words. It didnโt feel right.
โBruelin!โ
โYes, Your Highness.โ
Tartenon gestured to Bruelin, who was on standby.
โHave the horses, knights, and porters rest.โ
โUnderstood.โ
“Neon, go and organize a search party.”
โIโll make sure weโre not detected.โ
Neon placed his fist over his chest and bowed. Heather watched him and then smiled as she spoke to Tartenon.
โShall I go escort our lady then?โ
Tartenon frowned slightly but sighed at Heatherโs mischievous grin. She was the only female knight present, after all. Tartenon briefly considered whether her younger sister would have been a better choice but then gave her the order.
โGo and escort Lina.โ
โYes, sir!โ
As the knights dispersed with their orders, Tartenon shouted loudly.
โWeโre staying here tonight!โ
The cold wind slapped his cheek, but Tartenon was resolute. If there was trouble, he would confront it and continue to the North.
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