Epilogue (Part 2)

As he came out to the main gate of the Grand Duke’s residence, the knights summoned by his call were waiting. Tartenon mounted the horse prepared for him.

His beloved horse neighed, but it calmed down when Tartenon stroked its mane. The waiting knights hurriedly mounted their horses and followed behind him as he led the way.

The journey to the border with a party of just over twenty was smooth. This was because Tartenon extremely disliked outsiders causing trouble in his territory and didn’t tolerate ruffians creating disturbances. Knowing his disposition, the knights patrolled to prevent problems before they arose, ensuring nothing caught their eye.

‘Damn it.’

If there had been any noticeable problems, Tartenon, who intended to punish Heather and Hemil by making them run twenty laps around the training ground and perform a thousand strikes, relaxed his gaze.

“In that case, I’ll have to make them deal with the barbarians directly.”

“Pardon?”

Hearing Tartenon’s muttering, Hemil approached and asked, but Tartenon responded with a light shake of his head. He couldn’t openly say he intended to punish them. Especially since the punishment stemmed from a trivial jealousy, it was better not to voice it.

Hemil felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up at the serious expression of his lord. Whenever Tartenon showed that expression, the intensity of training increased several fold.

Hemil, who slowly retreated behind Tartenon, whispered to Heather.

“His Grace seems to be in a bad mood.”

“He’s always been in a bad mood. When was he ever in a good mood?”

“That’s why I told you to stop.”

“What can I do? It’s interesting. Grace’s expressions become varied when it involves Lady Reubellina. When else will I see such a sight?”

Hemil shook his head at Heather, who shrugged and spoke playfully.

Though they shared the same blood, Hemil could never understand Heather’s playful nature. Why was she so mischievous?

‘Even Father never properly scolded her, so what can I do.’

Still, he couldn’t help but worry. Knowing Tartenon’s personality, it was clear he would repay any slight severalfold. Despite the barbarians’ invasion, the fact that he specifically ordered them to join the expedition foreshadowed the inevitable future.

***

Reubellina tried to open her eyes, which wouldn’t open, fumbling with her hands.

‘By now, there should be something to touch.’

Reubellina, who enjoyed Tartenon’s gentle embrace and back rubs when she reached out her hand, was startled when she found nothing to touch.

Sitting up straight, a sharp pain rose from below, but she had no time to care about it. Tartenon was gone.

“Where did he go?”

Since they shared a bedroom, Tartenon always told her where he was going if he left. Thinking there might be a note, she rummaged through the bedside table but found nothing. Reubellina pulled the bell rope.

“You called, Lady Reubellina.”

“Where is Tartenon?”

Though Reubellina’s abrupt question might have caused confusion, Paddington answered calmly.

“He led the knights out upon hearing news of barbarians at the border.”

“This early?”

“Yes.”

Hearing that, Reubellina couldn’t help but wonder. It wasn’t winter, nor was it a season lacking food, so why invade now?

‘Something’s strange.’

Suspecting another reason, Reubellina didn’t hesitate. When she gestured, Paddington bowed politely and left, soon replaced by Sandy.

“You must have been tired.”

“Oh, yes.”

Seeing the red marks left on her body, Sandy, smiling brightly, attended to her. A maid’s power came from the master they served, and the better Reubellina’s relationship with Tartenon, the more authority Sandy’s words carried. The servants who followed Reubellina from the Duke’s house were recently walking with a bit of pride.

As Reubellina managed the northern internal affairs well and was loved by Tartenon, it was natural for them to hold their heads high. However, Sandy tried not to become arrogant. Many in the Grand Duke’s residence were watching her actions, and improper behavior could tarnish Reubellina’s reputation.

“His Grace left early this morning.”

“I heard.”

“He went to inspect the border. Do you think he will return soon?”

“It depends on the situation.”

Reubellina had a premonition that this situation wouldn’t be easily resolved. After pondering for a moment, she clapped her hands loudly.

“Shall we tour the territory today?”

“What? But the knights have followed His Grace.”

“There must be some knights left.”

“Without Sir Heather and Sir Hemil, wouldn’t it be better to stay?”

“Precisely because they’re not here, I want to go out.”

Heather and Hemil were overly cautious about guarding her. Heather seemed somewhat more relaxed, but after hearing something from Tartenon, she wouldn’t leave her side. Reubellina decided to take this opportunity to go out into the territory and listen to the stories of the residents properly.

Since she had never seen a resident come to the castle to plead their grievances, she couldn’t judge whether Speraum was a good place to live or not.

‘It was different at the Duke’s estate.’

In the Duchy of Asillious, if there was a problem in the territory, residents could come directly to plead their grievances. However, Speraum was different from the Asillious territory, so she couldn’t hear directly from the residents. Reubellina, who had always regretted this, decided not to miss this chance with Tartenon away.

“Where is Sir Fleur?”

“Oh, he happens to be here.”

A few days ago, the Duke of Asillious, curious about Reubellina’s well-being, had sent Fleur. It felt a bit awkward to ask Sir Fleur, who had also come to inspect the Asillious trade guild, to escort her, but it might actually be better.

‘I also have something to say to the butler.’

Reubellina smiled and told Sandy.

“Go and bring Sir Fleur.”

***

Reubellina’s outing went smoothly. This was possible because Tartenon, who could oppose her opinion, was not at the Grand Duke’s residence. With the Grand Duke and his close aides all gone to the border, there was no one to block Reubellina’s way.

‘With Heather and Hemil gone, it’s all clear.’

Reubellina, now dressed in a light dress, approached Fleur, who was waiting for her.

“If you’re ready, I will escort you.”

Fleur, who was escorting Reubellina, mounted his horse. Since they had to move quickly before Tartenon returned, Reubellina rode out into the territory.

The wind hitting her face was cool, and the leaves were green. It was quite a good season, but such greenery couldn’t be seen for long in the North. It was colder than the capital.

“Seeing it like this, the North is beautiful too.”

Fleur, by her side, responded to Reubellina’s muttering.

“I thought it would always snow in the North.”

“Yes. The North is a good place to live.”

“Isn’t it thanks to Your Ladyship and His Grace the Grand Duke?”

“It’s all thanks to what I learned from my father.”

Reubellina hadn’t achieved it alone. Although she had poured money into the North, she could only plan to use that money effectively thanks to the education from the Duke of Asillious. It was the Duke who taught her to manage the internal affairs of the Duchy properly after she lost her mother early.

No head of a noble family directly taught their daughter. But Reubellina was different. She received her father’s love and grew up to be a confident person because of it.

“The Duke is also an amazing person.”

Pride was evident in Fleur’s voice. Reubellina couldn’t help but smile at him. The people of the Duchy of Asillious were always like that. No matter what happened, they gave her and the Duke their unwavering affection.

‘It’s thanks to people like them that I could grow up well.’

As she slowly rode, listening to the clattering of hooves, Reubellina turned her eyes. Upon leaving Speraum Castle, she noticed a somewhat secluded forest path.

Looking at the densely grown trees, Reubellina suddenly felt a sense of fear. She wondered if entering such a dark place would cause her to be swallowed by the darkness.

‘Well, Tartenon will save me.’

Still, having Tartenon around soon dispelled her fear. Although he wasn’t by her side now, Reubellina believed. She believed he would always come running to be with her.

“Something seems off.”

At that moment, Fleur blocked her path. There was a bloodstain where his sword pointed. They hadn’t gone far from the castle, yet they encountered such a sight. Reubellina suppressed her pounding heart and looked around.

‘My intuition was right!’

There were dangerous places even in the North. She thought there might be bandits or robbers if they followed this forest path. And they might have taken someone hostage.

Thinking she might rescue them and return to Speraum Castle, Reubellina shrugged her shoulders.

“It would be best not to go, Your Ladyship.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

When the skilled knight Fleur warned her, Reubellina stopped her horse. Knowing that Tartenon was most concerned about her safety, Reubellina didn’t want to take unnecessary risks. Thoughts were just thoughts, and reality was different.