Chapter 5 – The Northern Speraum (Part 6)

If she hadn’t heard that someone had arrived outside the study, Reubellina would have asked Hemil to act as a messenger to the capital to handle this situation.

“Count Phineus has arrived!”

Reubellina’s lips curled up at the urgent shout.

‘Finally, he’s here.’

She had been wondering why he hadn’t arrived yet.

She spoke without hesitation.

“Let him in.”

As Reubellina gave permission, a man with a mustache muttered excuses as he entered.

‘I had high hopes, but what an idiot.’

His attitude was completely different from what she had expected. Given how much he had profited in the Grand Duke’s castle, she had expected a more thorough and impassive person.

“I’m told my daughter was disrespectful to you, Your Grace. I apologize.”

‘Look at this?’

Reubellina furrowed her brow but soon plastered on a subtle smile.

“It’s fortunate that you recognize her disrespect. I thought there wasn’t a proper noble in the North.”

“Please feel free to speak comfortably.”

“Really? Well, then…”

Though Count Phineus’s face fell, Reubellina paid it no mind.

“Something bigger than disrespect has happened, Count.”

“I’m curious to know what it is.”

“You’ll be surprised when you hear. It turns out that Countess Phineus is in possession of a red diamond!”

“A Red… Diamond?”

Count Phineus paled slightly but remained composed. It was a confident demeanor, perhaps indicating he still had a trump card.

‘I thought he would grovel, but…’

“Do you recognize the Red Diamond, Your Grace?”

‘What kind of bullshit is this?’

Reubellina widened her eyes. The corners of her eyes rose at the nuance of how she could possibly know the difference between a ruby and a red diamond, then fell back into place.

“The Count seems to have forgotten which house I come from.”

“…….”

Count Phineus’s eyebrows twitched. At his attitude of ‘What do I care which family you’re from?’, Reubellina suppressed a derisive laugh. She didn’t want to admit that the nobility in the North was so incompetent. If she did, it would mean that Tartenon, who was deceived by such a stupid person, was even more foolish.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

It was a matter of pride. It was about the choice she had made in selecting Tartenon.

“Do you not know the Duke Asillious?”

“Ah, yes.”

The Count’s hesitant reply earned Reubellina’s glare.

‘This one is definitely not it.’

It wasn’t Phineus who had sucked up the Spernaum’s money in the North. No, it couldn’t be him.

She studied Count Phineus carefully, but he didn’t really seem to know her family name. Reubellina swallowed a sigh as she watched Count Phineus look so stupid that she wanted to raise her hand and ruffle her hair.

Army, watching from the sidelines, was also puzzled. It had never occurred to him that a nobleman could be so ignorant of the Duke Asillious.

Sensing Reubellina’s bewilderment, the servants observing the situation also blinked their eyes.

***

“Reubellina must have met Count Phineus by now.”

As they rode through the quiet forest, Bruelin spoke to Tartenon, who was riding beside him.

“Will that be alright? She might be flustered by his foolishness.”

“It can’t be helped. That’s why I’m not leaving him alone.”

“What about the one behind him?”

“Now that the empty spot beside me has been filled, it’s time to deal with him.”

Tartenon’s words silenced Bruelin. The Northern nobles were already acting on the instructions of a family other than Speraum. Tartenon had also been gradually tightening the noose around those behind them.

When Reubellina arrived at the Speraum Castle, she surprisingly looked at the internal documents first. He had wanted to resolve the issues before her arrival, but she had started taking action immediately upon arriving.

“Your Grace the Grand Duchess has been diligent and…….”

“That’s why your workload has decreased, Bruelin.”

“Though I like it, I’m worried it might interfere with His Grace’s plans.”

“Either way, as long as it’s in the direction of expelling them, it’s fine.”

Tartenon replied nonchalantly. Even if his image would be slightly tarnished by this incident, it would be fine as long as Reubellina could firmly establish herself as the Grand Duchess of the North. Given the Northern people’s tendency to reject outsiders, Reubellina would find it difficult to integrate if she didn’t demonstrate any special abilities.

“Are you really okay with it?”

“It doesn’t matter. As my wife’s status rises, my own reputation will naturally increase as well.”

Bruelin was surprised by Tartenon’s calm response but didn’t show it. For Tartenon, who valued authority most as the Grand Duke of the North, to yield for Reubellina meant a lot.

Bruelin vowed never to upset Reubellina. If he were to enrage or displease her, whom Tartenon was accommodating to that degree, Bruelin’s future would be as good as sinking into the abyss.

“It may be difficult for Her Grace to solve everything alone.”

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It means she needs my help.”

“…….”

It was just yesterday that he had cursed and given punitive training, disguised as practice, to the knights who failed to properly handle their duties. Seeing Tartenon’s lenient attitude towards Reubellina, Bruelin once again made a firm resolution. He would never dare to anger Reubellina.

“There are people nearby.”

“What?”

Tartenon, who was surveying the surroundings, drew his sword. Those wandering near the border of the territory were likely bandits or thieves. Tartenon was not one to overlook those who threatened his subjects. Bruelin also drew his sword.

“Lately, there seem to be many outsiders wandering around.”

“With me being in the capital, Speraum must have seemed an easy target.”

“I highly doubt that.”

Bruelin assured Tartenon that it was impossible, but Tartenon wasn’t listening to him. Facing Tartenon’s eyes filled with murderous intent, Bruelin silently prayed for the safety of the knights resting in the castle.

Determined not to let the fact that he had misspoken slip out, Bruelin remained silent and followed the rapidly riding Tartenon. At the end of their path were merchants and villagers carrying goods, threatened by thieves.

“Merchants?”

“Seems like it!”

Tartenon struck first with his sword. Bruelin also moved, determined not to fall behind. Bruelin needed to keep some of the thieves alive to uncover the mastermind before Tartenon’s sword claimed them all. But there were already more lying on the ground than standing.

“Your Grace! Please, go easy…!”

Hearing Bruelin’s voice, the blue eyes filled with bloodlust shifted. Suddenly finding himself face-to-face with Tartenon, Bruelin discreetly averted his gaze.

Glancing around, he spotted a thief writhing under Tartenon’s foot after jumping off a horse. Bruelin dragged the barely breathing thief, trying to avoid Tartenon’s sword.

Even as Bruelin slapped a thief’s cheek and asked where he was from, Tartenon’s sword did not rest. The ground was soaked with crimson blood, and he continued to move until only the villagers remained.

“Your Grace! I’ve found out!”

When Bruelin, who had been rummaging from afar, rushed back saying he found out who was behind it, everything had already been settled. All the thieves were lying on the ground, and Tartenon’s energetic aura had subsided, so it seemed natural that a peaceful conclusion would follow.

However, the problem was that the villagers Tartenon had rescued were also frozen.

“Are you okay?”

Tartenon asked directly, but the villagers with trembling eyes could not even respond properly. Realizing the situation, Bruelin stepped forward and checked on the quivering villagers.

“The Grand Duke has come to rescue you.”

“W-wow, wow!”

About five villagers cheered half-heartedly. Tartenon paid no heed to their awkward cheer.

The merchants, who had kept their distance, gradually emerged with their belongings and joined the villagers. The apparent leader of the merchants bowed before Tartenon.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“They don’t seem to be Phineus’s people, do they?”

“No, they’re not.”

“Then whose people are they?”

“They’re from the capital.”

“From Asillious Trading?”

“No, from Musen Trading.”

At the unexpected revelation, Bruelin’s eyes widened in surprise. That’s why their attire looked slightly different from the Northern villagers. Only then did Bruelin realize how fortunate it was that they had rescued these people.

‘At least there’s something to say to the Grand Duchess of the North now.’

While Tartenon could not ignore the dangerous individuals within his territory, the other knights had their limits. Unlike the ever-ready Tartenon, their stamina had its constraints.

While Tartenon could not ignore the dangerous individuals within his territory, the other knights had their limits. Unlike the ever-ready Tartenon, their stamina had its constraints.

“Musen Trading?”

“They’ve come to see the Duke of Asillious heir.”