Chapter 9. When You Get Along with Your Husband

* * *

The northern sky was exceptionally clear and high.

Tatiana watched a winter bird soaring above the group’s heads. It was truly a free and magnificent flight. The sight momentarily made her forget the fatigue of their journey.

However, the castle gate remained firmly closed.

As the waiting time lengthened, confusion gradually blossomed in her mind.

‘Are we perhaps too shabby-looking?’

That wasn’t the case.

Despite having traveled here at an incredible speed, the group maintained a fairly decent appearance.

Above all, the fortress guards seemed to recognize the First Prince’s face. This was despite not having shown a single seal that could prove their identity.

Their eyes reflected bewilderment rather than wariness.

Then why weren’t they opening the gates immediately? Did they appear as too aggressive a group to their eyes?

Tatiana took a sweeping glance at the assassins standing in formation. This seemed like a more reasonable guess.

But she had heard that they had exchanged communications beforehand. They hadn’t barged in without any prior contact. One way or another, if the North ultimately refused to open the gates, they would be in trouble.

Gideon had openly told Tatiana that he would make the North his base, which was in some ways no different from political asylum.

At this point, there wasn’t enough time to gather forces elsewhere and attempt a comeback.

Just as anxiety and worry began to sprout in Tatiana’s heart, the area around the fortress suddenly became busy. The sound of turning pulleys was heard, and the gates began to open.

Tatiana unconsciously grabbed Gideon’s sleeve. It wasn’t out of fear or tension, but with the thought of fleeing together if necessary.

Gideon stared at her firm grip for a moment, then smirked as he read her intentions perfectly.

He felt confused about whether he should tell her she was worrying unnecessarily, or thank her for this loyalty to protect her husband’s life in any situation. So he decided to express both feelings with a single gesture.

He gently removed Tatiana’s hand and put his arm around her shoulders.

Finally, the gates opened completely, and as if to fill the empty space, a dusty wind rose hazily.

Tatiana narrowed her eyes to secure her vision. Then she saw several soldiers and a robust man standing in their midst.

His silver hair closely resembled the northern season. Judging by his calm demeanor and the aura he emanated, he was no ordinary person.

And Tatiana could confirm the man’s identity from Gideon’s murmur.

“He came out himself.”

It was Grand Duke Rigor of the North.

The reason he had made the First Prince’s party wait briefly was to serve as their guide from the lowest point at the edge of the fortress. Without a proxy, he was fulfilling the courtesy of a vassal welcoming his lord.

“I greet Your Highness the First Prince.”

Gideon nodded briefly, encouraging him to rise, and the Grand Duke also paid his respects to Tatiana.

“I greet you for the first time, Your Highness. You must have had a difficult journey to this harsh place.”

She responded with a subtle smile. It was her public smile, one she wore like a mask when she had nothing particular to say.

In truth, there was a somewhat uncomfortable background between the Grand Duke and Tatiana. This snow-covered field, though beautiful, was the land where Sir Bloom and the Royal Guard had lost their lives.

Grand Duke Rigor seemed aware of this and expressed his regrets once more.

“Though we cannot undo the past, I hope you find some comfort during your stay in the North. We will do our utmost to ensure you lack nothing.”

“……”

“And…… I hope you will help our northern people greatly.”

After saying this, the Grand Duke gazed intently at Tatiana’s sword and her magic stone necklace. He appeared to have already heard all the rumors about Tatiana.

Tatiana didn’t find his subtle intentions and expectations burdensome or unpleasant. Rather, she appreciated his honesty.

She smiled again. It was a more natural smile than before. The Grand Duke then paid his respects to Princess Scarlet and briefly exchanged greetings with Gideon’s aides.

The atmosphere was peaceful, with no one being sharp or nitpicking. Watching this process, Tatiana whispered to Gideon.

“The atmosphere isn’t as bad as I thought?”

“What, did you think we would fight or something?”

Both sides had already exchanged letters multiple times to coordinate their opinions. Gideon had stayed here for a few days early in their marriage and had become acquainted with the northern people. Tatiana was aware of this, but…….

“Your Highness isn’t exactly the sociable type.”

She could somewhat imagine how her husband had spoken and behaved when he came here. And Gideon, instead of giving a proper answer, just smiled.

Perhaps he also found it difficult to deny Tatiana’s words. It was an assessment that often circulated in aristocratic social circles.

Wasn’t personality the only aspect people could criticize about the First Prince, who possessed an excellent mind, the ability to read situations, and even swordsmanship skills? They said he was impenetrable even to a needle.

But while slightly better than Gideon, the Grand Duke wasn’t of an easy-going disposition either. There was just one common ground between the two men.

That the monster situation was urgent and that the chain of distrust between the royal family and the North needed to be broken in their generation.

After exchanging greetings with the aides, the Grand Duke’s side returned to Gideon. Then, gesturing to guide the party into the fortress, he spoke.

“We have prepared a military review, Your Highness.”

“Let’s skip that.”

A military review where soldiers in formation display their spirit is certainly a spectacular sight, but it requires considerable time and effort. Since they hadn’t come for a pleasure trip or inspection, it was necessary to have the flexibility to skip cumbersome procedures.

However, Gideon’s aide hurriedly approached and advised,

“It would be better to accept it. It will remain as a symbolic meaning that the principality stands with Your Highness.”

After contemplation, Gideon finally nodded in agreement, and Tatiana, watching him, thought that regardless of whether it was a military review or anything else, they should first unpack inside the fortress. There was a pregnant woman among their party. Rest was the priority before anything went wrong.

But this concern proved unnecessary. When Tatiana looked toward the princess, she had an expression like someone in a daze. Then suddenly, her eyes lit up as she whispered,

“My goodness, sister-in-law, what is happening here.”

“What? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“No, no. I mean Grand Duke Rigor.”

Tatiana flinched and lowered her voice as well.

“What about the Grand Duke?”

“He’s incredibly handsome.”

“……”

“Was the previous Grand Duke a handsome man? I’ve never heard anything about that?”

Scarlet tilted her head, and Tatiana rolled her eyes with an “Oh my……” Of course, it was true that the Grand Duke possessed quite a fine appearance, but she wondered if this was really the time for such comments.

“I’m going to tell Sir Browning everything.”

“Tell him what?”

“What a married woman is doing right now.”

However, Scarlet’s attitude remained utterly confident. She even questioned Tatiana’s statement as if finding it difficult to agree,

“Does marriage suddenly paralyze your eyes? Are married women not allowed to objectively say that a handsome man is handsome?”

“……”

Left speechless, Tatiana looked at Gideon as if searching for reinforcement. But if she had chosen someone to help her, she had picked very, very wrong. Gideon, who had been quietly listening, suddenly narrowed his eyes like someone struck by a strange suspicion.

“Titi, what do you think?”

“About what? If he’s handsome?”

“No. What do you think of that man’s forearm muscles?”

“……”

What a preposterous question.

The siblings were taking turns making strange comments from both sides.

Yet more absurdly, Tatiana had indeed taken note of Grand Duke Rigor’s physique. Not out of personal interest, but due to a professional habit as a swordswoman, industry trend awareness, sense of calling, something like that. Really.

The northerners had remarkably good physiques. Not just the Grand Duke, but even the ordinary guards.

Typically, outer fortress guards are assigned to those with good builds for show, but even considering that, the result was the same.

Simply put, people with good shoulders and broad chests like Gideon were quite common here.

‘People from cold regions are said to have larger skeletons, that must be true. But why is my husband, who is from the capital……’

Why had his muscles and skeleton developed to this extent?

The Ainsler family, who had settled in the center of Valter and hadn’t moved an inch for hundreds of years, were the epitome of capital natives.

Tatiana was momentarily lost in thought before reaching this conclusion, While genetics and environment have significant influences, there are clearly many areas yet to be discovered.

However, absorbed in her deep thoughts, she forgot to answer her husband’s question.

When she didn’t respond to his joking remark, Gideon felt strangely uncomfortable and persistently inquired,

“So what do you think the Grand Duke’s forearm muscles are like?”