Chapter 6 – Changes in Emotion (Part 6)

Armur was deliberately moving slowly, gathering the opinions of the servants about Reubellina. There was much talk about Northern customs and a general dissatisfaction with welcoming a lady from outside the North. 

The servants couldn’t openly express this, so they whispered among themselves. Armur, seasoned in dealing with people, easily understood their sentiments. He remained silent in response to Reubellina’s cold reply.

Her red lips parted again, and she spoke a single sentence.

“It would be detrimental, not following the customs of the North.”

Reubellina was a woman who should occupy the highest position in the North. Her disregard for Tartenon’s only remaining relative, Viverna, was having a negative impact on the Northerners. The reason was that Reubellina hadn’t paid her respects to Viverna upon her arrival in the North.

‘Of course, commoners wouldn’t think that way unless someone was leading the public opinion.’

It seemed necessary that she meet Viverna.

‘After the wedding, that is.’

There was no need to meet her beforehand. Once she married Tartenon, Reubellina would be the second-highest-ranking person in the North. There was no advantage to giving in early and meeting Viverna before securing her position.

“What will you do?”

“Armur.”

“Yes, Leader.”

With just the two of them, Armur addressed her by her title as leader instead of calling her by ‘Your Grace’.

“What do you think of money?”

Armur blinked at Reubellina’s sudden question, unable to gauge her intention before she continued.

“Money is power, strength, and capability. And I am a person with such money.”

“Ah, yes.”

Armur’s eyes fixed on her as he realized she was speaking earnestly.

“I’m not just someone with a little money, but someone with a lot. Enough to buy several estates in the North. They don’t like me? That’s ridiculous.”

Armur nodded in agreement, understanding that one reason the servants felt free to talk was that they didn’t truly know the extent of her wealth.

“I agree with you, Leader.”

“So there’s no need to worry about their thoughts right now. What I wanted to know is whether there is someone who has instilled such thoughts in those people.”

“Ah, I see.”

Reubellina handed Armur a document and continued calmly.

“And my answer is ‘yes’.”

“And what do you propose to do about it?”

“What else? I can’t just let those who dare to meddle in my land go unchecked, can I?”

“Of course not.”

Armur agreed with her. Reubellina gestured lightly for him to bow, and she picked up her fan and stood. Tomorrow would finally be the wedding day.

‘It took longer than I thought.’

Tartenon had mentioned the marriage so casually that Reubellina thought all the preparations were done, but that was not the case. It was Reubellina who had prepared more since coming to the North. Now that more guests would be flocking to the North, she had to make every possible preparation.

Nobles from the South and East had already arrived. Some from the capital had arrived, and a messenger had informed her that Duke Asillious would arrive this evening. Reubellina was puzzled that nobles from farther away arrived earlier than those closer from the North.

But now she understood. It was Viverna who must have been spreading tales to the Northern estates.

“I guess she was pretty upset about losing the cinnamon and sugar.”

“Pardon?”

“The payment, how is it being handled?”

“Oh, I plan to send it via the merchant guild’s promissory notes and the central bank’s check.”

“No.”

Reubellina whispered to Armur.

“Bring all of it in cash.”

“What? But the weight of the gold coins will be enormous.”

“Even so, in cash, on the day of the wedding tomorrow.”

“Ah, understood.”

A perceptive subordinate didn’t need many words. Reubellina planned to receive the payment for sugar and cinnamon in gold coins and display the chest at the wedding reception to flaunt the wealth of the North. The price of sugar and cinnamon was astronomical, more than enough to pay for the knights’ shirts with plenty to spare.

‘It will eventually be spent in the capital anyway. It’s too late to claim ownership later.’

She had never met Viverna face-to-face but somehow felt a sense of familiarity. To donate so much money to the North without any compensation, if this person is not a true Northerner, then who is?

Smiling broadly to herself, Reubellina went outside. The servants, seeing Reubellina with a happy expression, bowed their heads.

Walking with confidence, Reubellina confirmed that Armur had disappeared in another direction before moving towards Tartenon’s study. She didn’t forget to acknowledge the faces of the servants politely bowing as she passed through the corridor.

There were some servants with discontented expressions, but the majority seemed pleased. The reason was obvious. Just yesterday, Reubellina had paid special bonuses to the Grand Duke’s servants to celebrate the wedding. This money came from her personal funds.

‘I hope they’d at least become a bit friendlier, even if they didn’t shed tears of gratitude.’

Having heard various rumors through Sandy, Reubellina decided to wait a bit longer. But even after giving them time, the servants still did not seem to recognize who the true power was, so she felt the need to set an example.

“Consider yourselves lucky that I’m not a Northerner.”

Reubellina murmured quietly.

If she were from the North, she would have unhesitatingly identified and dismissed the discontented servants. But because she came from elsewhere, she suppressed her impulse.

“Shall I announce your arrival?”

If she were a Northerner, she would have ensured that the servants standing so stiffly without greeting the future Grand Duchess would not even dare to lift their heads. It was regrettable that she couldn’t do that right away.

A servant, feeling a chill from Reubellina’s expressionless face, coughed and spoke again.

“Your Grace is here!”

As Reubellina entered, Tartenon tore his eyes away from the documents. Even Bruelin, who had been explaining something diligently by his side, respectfully bowed when he saw Reubellina.

‘Yes, that’s how it should be.’

“Lina.”

A tender tone reached her ears. When Tartenon’s eyes widened and his lips curled up, Reubellina felt her breath catch.

‘No, why is he so handsome!’

It was a curse to trouble someone’s heart like this.

Blushing for no reason, Reubellina unfolded her fan and covered her face. Noticing Reubellina suddenly opening the fan, Tartenon raised his eyebrows questioningly but did not say anything.

“Musen’s Northern branch brought the shirts. I told them to bring them to the knights’ quarters.”

“I’ll go there right away!”

Bruelin dropped the documents he was holding and rushed out. Reubellina smiled as she watched his departing figure. It was when she turned her gaze back that she found Tartenon staring at her intently.

“Why?”

“You looked too pleased watching Bruelin.”

“Pardon?”

“I thought you might be interested in Bruelin.”

“What are you saying?”

Reubellina lowered the fan she was holding. She thought it was a joke, but couldn’t close her mouth at Tartenon’s serious gaze. Folding the fan loudly, Reubellina forced a smile.

“Are you jealous?”

“Jealous?”

“Yes, jealous.”

Tartenon remained silent for a moment. Reubellina’s fingertips grew cold at his contemplative demeanor. She had just come to inform him about the payment for the sugar and cinnamon, but this situation had turned awkward.