Chapter 98

The carriage stopped in front of our mansion in the capital.

It had been after nearly two full days of traveling.

We had taken breaks along the way, stepping out of the carriage to rest, but as expected, the distance between the capital and the north was considerable.

However, for some reason, it felt like time passed much faster than when we had left the capital.

There was simply no time to be bored inside the carriage.

When I fell asleep from exhaustion, it was already the next day, and on the following day, just being with him alone made it impossible not to do anything.

I was thoroughly satisfied that his warmth never seemed to fade.

Soon, I stepped out of the carriage, feeling proud and overwhelmed with emotion.

It was already past evening.

Though it had been less than ten days since we left for the north, it felt like much more time had passed.

After taking a long look at the mansion in the capital, I entered with his arm linked to mine.

“…Huff, Master! Madam!”

“Hello? We’re back.”

“Oh my, please, come in! Everyone, come quick! The Master and Madam have returned!”

The first servant to spot us hurriedly called for the others in a fluster.

Although everyone knew we would return safely, the exact timing was unknown, so the air was filled with excitement and joy.

Soon enough, the other servants, along with Eloise, came rushing out from somewhere.

“Master!”

“Madam!”

“You’re just getting back now?”

Eloise’s wide eyes darted back and forth between Alec and me.

Still holding Alec’s arm, I walked inside.

“Have you been well? How’s Mother?”

“You’re finally here.”

At that moment, I heard my mother-in-law’s voice from the central staircase leading to the second floor in the hall.

Looking up, I saw her gracefully walking down in a silk nightgown.

Just from looking at her face, I could tell how comfortably she had been living all this time.

Her smooth complexion was practically glowing.

‘She must have been living in utter luxury and comfort.’

Perhaps that’s why, for once, her gaze towards me held no trace of discontent.

Just then, Andrew, who had followed us inside, stepped forward.

Andrew was to stay at our mansion for the time being. In any case, it was clear that upon returning to his own residence, even the servants would be scattered.

Andrew removed his hat and gave a brief bow to my mother-in-law.

“It’s been a while, Grand Duchess Brent. You may not remember me, but I am Andrew Mondelie.”

“…Ah!”

It was Eloise who screamed.

It seemed she recognized who Andrew was.

My mother-in-law flinched slightly but soon approached us again.

“Of course I remember. Count Mondely. I thought you died in the north, but here you are, alive.”

“I owe it all to Alec and Louise. They saved me when I was on the verge of death… sniff.”

Tears suddenly welled up in Andrew’s eyes, as if memories of our encounter in the wilds had flooded back.

Eloise was wide-eyed, rendered speechless, while my mother-in-law, maintaining her usual poised demeanor, instructed the servants.

“Prepare a room for our guest.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“So, has everyone had dinner yet?”

“No, Mother. I think we could use something to eat.”

“Then, let’s all change and gather in the dining hall. We haven’t eaten either.”

“All right.”

Alec and I headed up to the second floor where our bedroom was, and Andrew followed the servant who was leading him.

I could feel Eloise’s wide eyes continuing to flit between us and Andrew.

Later, when we gathered again in the dining hall, we began a lavish meal.

Just talking about what had happened in the north took up quite a bit of time.

We told stories about seeing Wiltsbrook Castle firsthand, which, far from resembling Dracula’s, overwhelmed us with its grandeur; being attacked and captured by the wilds where we found Andrew; and how we brought back the legendary Hiliberry fruit in exchange for receiving a bear pelt as a reward.

Although we had stayed in the north for less than a week, excluding the travel time to and from the capital, so much had happened.

Throughout our storytelling, Eloise’s mouth remained agape, seemingly unable to close.

“Did you visit another world or something, not the north?”

“The north is kind of like that.”

“There’s really a place like that in the Rilt Empire?”

“If you’re curious, why don’t you come along next time?”

I asked with a smirk, pulling one side of my lips.

Eloise’s eyes widened even further before she shyly averted her gaze.

In hindsight, the events in the north felt almost like an adventure from a dream, so surreal and beyond reality.

When we had finished recounting most of our northern adventures, I asked, “So, how have you two been while we were gone?”

My mother-in-law replied with a coy smile, “Oh, nothing much. It’s been comfortable, especially here in the capital.”

“…”

Even without a detailed explanation, I had a pretty good idea of how they had been living.

I took the opportunity to ask about the atmosphere in the capital, something I had been curious about.

“But how have the people been? Are things still the same?”

This time, Eloise chimed in.

“Everything’s been pretty normal here. Even when you and Alec saved Count Mondely and nearly got killed by a polar bear, life went on as usual.”

“Really? Did you visit the tearoom or attend any balls?”

“I only went to the tearoom and opera house with Mother. People talked a lot about you and Alec. I guess they were curious whether you’d return or not. But after about a week, that talk faded away, and I didn’t hear anything more.”

“Is that so? You didn’t tell anyone we’d return?”

“Well, I mentioned it when someone asked, but they didn’t seem to believe it.”

“I suppose that makes sense.”

I gave Eloise a slight smile.

It seemed that shortly after we left for the north, there had been a lot of talk about us in social circles.

Even though Eloise said confidently that he would return, they probably considered it just a futile hope held by family.

I felt like I understood the general atmosphere.

After finishing my meal, I checked the mail that had piled up.

Alec, unable to refuse Andrew’s suggestion, had gone to the drawing room to have a drink.

Would there be a suitable invitation to reappear in society?

As I skimmed through the letters, thinking that the sooner the date, the better, my eyes landed on one particular invitation.

It was for a ball being held tomorrow evening.

Judging by the host and the venue, it seemed like quite a large gathering.

I tucked the invitation for the ball into my pocket and returned the rest of the mail to the holder.

Just as I thought about taking a bath and turned around, I was startled by Eloise’s sudden appearance.

“You scared me.”

How long has he been standing there?

Eloise, unfazed by my reaction, took a step closer with bright, intent eyes.

“Sister, I have something to ask you.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“What does a polar bear hide look like? Did you bring one?”

A polar bear hide?

Why was Eloise asking about a polar bear hide?

Judging by the look in his eyes, he seemed to be thinking of making a shawl out of it.

I couldn’t let something so precious be wasted like that.

But I knew exactly how to dissuade her easily.

“Ask Alec.”

“I asked you because I don’t want to talk to brother.”

“If you can’t even do that, how do you expect to get a polar bear hide?”

“I’m not actually going to take it. I just wanted to see it.”

Eloise blinked innocently, but her true intentions were all too obvious.

I was already well aware of the expressions and behavior Eloise displayed when she wanted something.

‘I never thought she’d be interested in a polar bear hide…’

Could this be an unexpected opportunity?

I had been thinking that there was something Eloise could help with here in the north.

There was no one better suited than her to sway the northern youths, both girls and boys, to the lord’s side.

If I could lure Eloise to the north with the promise of a polar bear hide, it could be quite useful.

I smiled faintly.

“If you come to Wiltsbrook Castle, you can see one. In fact, I might even give you one as a gift to commemorate your visit to the north.”

I finished speaking and smiled at Eloise, but his expression turned cold.

“I’m never going to the north. Just to make it clear again, I will never go. It’s a countryside and cold on top of that — I hate it the most.”

“I see. That’s unfortunate.”

I raised my eyebrows as if disappointed, but then smoothly lifted the corners of my mouth again.

“But if you wore a polar bear hide, you’d certainly outshine all the other noble girls your age.”

“…What?”

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories