Chapter 4 – To The North (Part 3)

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 Tartenon’s gaze, dropped the pouch to the ground.

A soft thud was heard, but the knights couldn’t even breathe. Such was the intimidating aura of Tartenon.

Heather, receiving Tartenon’s sharp gaze, glanced around nervously. Her comrades pretended not to notice her and looked away.

“You dare place bets on the future lady of the North?”

“Oh no, Your Highness. It wasn’t a bet.”

“Then what was it?”

“It was merely a reward for my accurate prediction. Right?” 

Heather shouted, and the other knights, though silent, nodded vigorously.

“A prediction?”

“A prediction that the future lady of the North would possess a very generous heart and great consideration.”

Everyone was impressed by Heather’s 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.

“And was your prediction correct?”

“Of course. Thanks to the gracious future Grand Duchess, my pouch is quite full.”

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 Heather’s belief in his chosen one had proven accurate.

“Do the rest of you have no tongues?”

“We are sorry!”

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.

‘At worst, it’s treason.’

‘We could be dragged into ten days of training and beaten.’

‘Special training awaits us as soon as we reach the North.’

Some knights felt dizzy at the bleak future. Tartenon looked each of them in the eye and warned them in a low voice.

“She is the one I chose.”

“We will remember that!”

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 master’s sword.

In the serious atmosphere, only Heather casually rode her horse towards Tartenon.

“By the way, Your Highness, what about that woman before?”

Heather had noticed the difference in how Tartenon treated Reubellina and Bellaruse. Recognizing Tartenon’s sensitivity regarding Reubellina, Heather nodded as if she understood everything.

“What’s with that look?”

“I know everything, Your Highness. Don’t worry too much. My lips are sealed.”

“What do you think you know?”

“I know that our Grand Duke has an unrequited love……Ugh!”

Tartenon’s sword pointed under Heather’s chin.

“Shut up.”

“Would you really stab me?”

“You may not be able to speak, but your sword skills are still there, right?”

“Oh, you can’t be serious…….”

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.

“Lina has made her decision, so we continue on our way.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

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.

“What’s going on?”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

Everyone noticed Tartenon’s unusual demeanor. They watched him closely as he stayed by Reubellina’s carriage, whispering amongst themselves.

“Is our lord finally settling down?”

“Let’s be honest. I’ve never seen a man with a more stony eye for a woman than the Commander .”

“Exactly. That’s why I was so suspicious.”

Heather stepped in.

“To be honest, the previous woman was too much, wasn’t she?”

“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.

“In hindsight, she was just a decoy.”

“A decoy?”

“You know what I mean.”

Heather lowered her voice. As the knights leaned in, she whispered even quieter.

“A fake to hide the real one.”

“Really?”

“Have you ever seen the commander treat a woman this well?”

“Never.”

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.

“And now he’s willing to prepare meals even if it means camping out.”

“Impossible.”

“Right, given who our commander is.”

Known for his prowess with the sword and his formidable presence, Tartenon’s 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.

“Look at him now. He’s practically dripping with honey.”

“Honey? That’s the last thing that fits our commander.”

“I know, but look at him.”

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.

“What’s that?”

“Is he smiling?”

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.

Through the slightly open window of the carriage, they saw Reubellina’s 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.

“This is insane.”

“Gave me chills.”

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 Neon’s arm and whispered.

“So, the lady in that carriage is at least important to His Highness.”

“Exactly.”

“So what should we do?”

“Serve her with all our hearts and souls.”

“Exactly. That’s the spirit!”

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.

“A village is in sight!”

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.

“They have rooms that can accommodate us. Fortunately, there are no other guests today.”

“Not a single traveler, even though it’s not yet winter?”

“That’s correct.”

It was unusual. A cold glint passed through Tartenon’s eyes, and Neon also became more vigilant.

“And the innkeeper?”

“It’s not the usual person we see.”

“Is that so?”

Tartenon’s 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.

“Uh, Your Highness?”

“Do you have a suggestion?”

“It feels like we’re walking into a monster’s lair.”

Neon’s instincts were as sharp as his muscles were strong. Tartenon nodded slightly at his words. It didn’t feel right.

“Bruelin!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Tartenon gestured to Bruelin, who was on standby.

“Have the horses, knights, and porters rest.”

“Understood.”

“Neon, go and organize a search party.”

“I’ll make sure we’re not detected.”

Neon placed his fist over his chest and bowed. Heather watched him and then smiled as she spoke to Tartenon.

“Shall I go escort our lady then?”

Tartenon frowned slightly but sighed at Heather’s 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.

“Go and escort Lina.”

“Yes, sir!”

As the knights dispersed with their orders, Tartenon shouted loudly.

“We’re staying here tonight!”

The cold wind slapped his cheek, but Tartenon was resolute. If there was trouble, he would confront it and continue to the North.