Chapter 10 –  The Master of the North (Part 2)

Northerners were generally taller and larger than other imperial citizens, and among them, Letban and Knox were particularly large. So it was inevitable that Ria appeared smaller and more delicate in their eyes.

Though it might be hard to believe, Knox was making quite an effort. He was well aware of how much pressure his stern appearance, large build, deep voice, and rough demeanor could exert on others.

“Um….”

“Yes?”

“I heard the north has closed its doors…. Is it okay for me to be here?”

At Ria’s cautious question, Letban glanced slightly at Knox. Although everyone knew the north had closed its doors, no one brought it up directly in front of them. This was partly because they didn’t meet outsiders often, but mostly because no one dared to speak of the reason, which most vaguely guessed, for fear of the consequences.

The story of losing his cherished only daughter and the son-in-law he regarded as a son was too frightening to bring up.

“With your condition, where would you go in this harsh winter? Just focus on getting well. I brought you here, so it’s only right that I take responsibility.”

“…Thank you.”

Fortunately, Knox responded without any noticeable change in expression, making Ria’s worry seem unfounded. Letban internally sighed with relief. However, Ria’s continued questioning made him tense up again. The only consolation was that this time it wasn’t such a sensitive topic.

“Um…, I’m sorry to ask again, but how did you know about me?”

“Just because we blocked the gates doesn’t mean we blocked our ears. Doing something that foolish would leave us unsure of when the fortress might fall. We hear all the news from the Empire and can find out anything.”

Knox let out a deflated laugh as he watched Ria blink at him with wide eyes, as if wondering what part of his answer was surprising. He then crossed his arms and tapped his forearm with his index finger.

As he said, he was fully aware of even the most recent news from the Empire. This naturally included information about the four people desperately searching for Ria. However, from the moment he entered the room, he hadn’t mentioned anything related to them.

Because, above all else, her stability was the priority.

‘…Priority, my foot. It’s just an excuse to rationalize.’

Knox clenched his fingers into a fist and roughly ran his hand over his face as the illusion overlaid on Ria’s image. When he cleared his temporarily darkened vision, her hazel eyes were looking back at him instead of the illusion.

Knox momentarily averted his gaze without realizing it. The guilt of seeing the dead in the living prodded at his conscience. But he took a steady breath, ensuring his expression remained unchanged, and returned his gaze to her.

Thanks to the composure built over years, no one noticed the turmoil in his heart during these actions, as his expression did not betray him.

“I have a few questions.”

“Yes.”

“What is your connection to the temple?”

“…Pardon?”

“The person who tried to abduct you was connected to the temple. I’m asking if you know why someone from such a devout and holy place would commit an act like kidnapping.”

However, the heavy pressure that suddenly filled the room, along with the question that seemed to interrogate her, was so fierce that even Ria could sense the overflowing anger behind it. The ferocity was enough to make her body tense, even though the anger wasn’t directed at her.

“I, um…, I don’t know. A monster suddenly appeared during the hunting festival, and I was kidnapped while escaping…, so I just ran away again.”

Ria answered slowly to avoid stammering. She felt that if she stammered or appeared awkward, that anger might be directed at her.

“Is that all?”

“Yes.”

Moreover, she had a secret she couldn’t tell. Even if he already knew about her ability and brought it up first, she had resolved to feign ignorance and deny any connection. She was grateful that her ability to think had improved since earlier.

‘I must hide my ability. I’m thankful for being saved, but if they know about it, who knows how they’ll react? I don’t know them well enough yet. I’ve had enough of blindly trusting and being betrayed.’

The incident with Countess Figo, regardless of everything, had taught her a lesson. Even if it later turned out to be a plan to avoid suspicion, the fact that there was a hint of impure intention in the beginning was undeniable.

Knox, meeting her unwavering gaze as if it were the truth, finally rose from his chair.

“Alright. If that’s what you say, then it must be so. For now, focus solely on getting better. Letban will bring medicine daily. If you need anything, ask that maid.”

Before Ria, who was bewildered by his unexpectedly quick acceptance, could express her gratitude, Knox left the room with long strides. As the door closed behind him, and his steps quickly reached the end of the hallway, a slight change appeared on his previously expressionless face.

“Find out why the temple wanted to take that child.”

A voice accepting the command echoed briefly and firmly in the air of the hallway.

＊ ＊ ＊

The dedication of the Marquis’ household was truly remarkable. Simply because the Marquis had brought her, they took great care to ensure Ria could focus solely on her recovery. Thanks to their efforts, Ria’s condition improved to the point where, four days after waking up, she could sit up without assistance.

“Your recovery is progressing quickly, and you’ll likely be able to move around in a few days. Please be patient for just a little longer.”

“That’s fine. I’m not that restless. It’s not the first time I haven’t been able to move my legs.”

“…Pardon?”

Letban, who was examining her, and Ennie, the maid assigned to assist her, both looked puzzled, as if they had misheard her calm tone. Ria, surprised at the words that slipped out naturally, hurriedly tried to cover it up.

“Oh, um…. There was an incident. I wasn’t very healthy to begin with. I was told I’d soon be perfectly healthy….”

“…….”

“But it seems like that might be difficult.”

Having vaguely anticipated that she wouldn’t return in perfect condition while looking for an opportunity to escape after being kidnapped, her tone remained calm. Though those listening couldn’t feel the same.

“…The North has many good medicinal herbs, so you’ll regain your health soon.”

Feeling a familiar pang of sympathy, Letban took a deep breath and offered comfort in the same calm tone, pretending it was nothing. Then he took out the medicine and repeated what Ennie had told him over the past few days.

“I heard you have trouble sleeping. Ennie is quite worried.”

Ennie nodded vigorously beside him, confirming his words. Still unfamiliar with their kindness, Ria scratched her cheek awkwardly. The attentive care was a bit overwhelming for her.

However, she didn’t ask them to stop or say it was burdensome because she had realized from the first day that they were doing for her what they couldn’t do for someone else.

To be honest, she was curious about the existence of the person they saw beyond her. But she couldn’t bring herself to ask, as their eyes were always filled with sadness and longing when they looked at her.

Moreover, if this person evoked such feelings in the many people of the Marquis’ household, they must have been someone closely related to this family, so she decided not to delve into it. After all, she wasn’t someone who would stay here permanently.

In fact, they were simply exchanging what they needed—Ria needed treatment, and the Marquis household needed someone to remind them of the person they missed—so it wasn’t all that bad. Thinking of it that way eased the burden.

“It’s just…, I have a little trouble falling asleep.”

“…….”

“Really. So you don’t need to worry too much.”

In response to her calm tone, Letban let out a deep sigh inwardly. The woman he had observed for the past few days was quite a mystery to him.

Despite her unwell condition, she never failed to express her gratitude for his time, apologizing for taking up his busy schedule whenever he brought her medicine. She also thanked the servants for their service, which they were obliged to provide as part of their duties.

According to Ennie, who stayed by her side all day, Ria even told her that since she couldn’t move anyway, she should take some personal time unless she absolutely needed to assist her.

Letban couldn’t easily understand any of this. Even in the North, where the atmosphere was more closed off and the nobility was closer to their servants than in the capital, there were boundaries. Servants attending to their masters was a given, not something to be questioned.

Initially, he briefly suspected she might have ulterior motives. But since she neither left the room nor could leave, that wasn’t the case. Besides, meeting the head of the household hadn’t been her intention either, as she was unconscious at the time.

His curiosity about her grew gradually, and the decisive catalyst was the servants’ remarks that she resembled his mother, who had died in an accident 13 years ago. Having been only five years old at the time, he had very few memories of his parents, which intensified his curiosity.

After that, despite his tight schedule as the young master, he carved out about 30 minutes after meals to visit her. With the excuse of bringing medicine, it wasn’t unusual.

However, the more he interacted with her, the more a peculiar feeling stirred within him. Finally, today, he was able to define that feeling.