Chapter 52

The next morning, as usual, Lady Boiled came to Frieda’s room. Normally, Frieda would have been neatly dressed and waiting for her, but today she sat by the bed with a dazed expression. Matilda, startled, placed her hand on Frieda’s forehead.

“Lady, are you not feeling well? Oh, you have a fever.”

As Matilda turned to get a wet cloth, Frieda grabbed her hand.

“Matilda, why... why is this happening?”

Frieda looked slightly dazed. Just yesterday, she was overflowing with energy to the point of being a worry. Why is she like this? Matilda sat on the bed to check on Frieda.

“Did something happen? People said His Highness the Duke returned last night. Did you meet him?”

Did you meet him? Did you just meet him?

“That person. The Duke...”

Didn’t he leave without even saying goodbye because he found me annoying and disliked me? But what did he say yesterday?

“If I say he regrets leaving you behind, would you believe it?”

Her husband is acting strange. Did he hit his head again? Should I have asked Dominic what happened at the hunting grounds first? It felt as if Daniel’s hand was still cupping her cheek, making her face hot.

“That person. He said he regrets leaving me behind.”

Those words... they mean he... that he... While Frieda hesitated, Matilda grabbed her hand and smiled brightly.

“Oh. His Highness must have come to his senses after being away for so long. I told you, he would definitely regret leaving such a beautiful wife behind.”

“But it’s strange, Matilda. The person who didn’t contact me for the past fortnight suddenly says something like that.”

Matilda, who had brought a comb from the console by the bed, chuckled as she brushed Frieda’s hair.

“Men are naturally reluctant to admit their feelings and have a tendency to be stubborn. This is especially true for someone like His Highness, who is always in the public eye.”

Matilda bared her teeth and growled playfully.

“Once they show any weakness, they’ll be torn apart. So, they hide their true feelings more and more. The noble ladies of Celino used to call the Duke ‘The Impenetrable Duke Richard.’”

I wondered what kind of married life the Impenetrable Duke Richard would have, but I never expected to see such an amusing game. Frieda, lost in thought, perked up at the story she had never heard from Daniel.

“Matilda, have you met the Duke before?”

“Yes. His Highness may not remember me, but I saw him every time he came to Schendal Castle. There were parties when His Highness returned victorious from battles. I often attended with Lady Chamberlain, and His Highness was there too.”

Duke Richard was famous for making the atmosphere grim even at his own victory parties. He always sat with the same expression, cold and without a smile, which only made the noble ladies swoon. Many tried to win his heart, but most gave up and withered. Even Lady Chamberlain, who disapproved of such behavior, was interested in the Duke’s scandals. She laughed heartily when she heard that he ignored Countess Scheideman’s proposal.

“I’m not sure if that can be called ‘attending.’”

“Parties?”

“Yes. The Emperor always...”

Knock, knock. Just as Matilda was about to start speaking, there was a knock on the door of the duchess’s bedroom.

“Stay here, Lady. I’ll go check.”

Matilda went out and soon returned with an excited look, pulling back the bed curtains.

“Lady, get up quickly. His Highness has sent someone to invite you to breakfast.”

“Breakfast?”

Daniel did say that last night. Have breakfast together and take a walk.

‘But... did I agree to that?’

She couldn’t remember what she had said in the confusion. While Frieda was recalling yesterday’s events, Matilda opened the wardrobe and the window.

“Come on, let’s get ready properly and melt the Impenetrable Duke. Trust me, Lady.”

Matilda turned to Frieda with a smile, and despite her serious demeanor, Frieda couldn’t help but laugh.

***

Daniel and his party returned with an enormous catch. The valley was bustling early in the morning as they skinned the animals and prepared the meat.

“Be careful not to damage the hides. They’ll be our new boots this winter. Hey, you there. I’ve told you several times to remove all the innards to prevent decay. Do it properly.”

The mercenaries followed Dominic’s instructions efficiently. Stefan sighed in admiration.

“This is really something.”

Henrik, stretching, approached Stefan.

“What’s so impressive? Ugh, my body aches. I finally got to sleep in a comfortable bed after a long time, and now it’s so noisy.”

Henrik’s joints cracked with each stretch.

“Did our steward do a good job of spying while the lord was away? Shouldn’t we send a message to Schendal Castle soon? They must be curious.”

Henrik, stretching his arms and cracking his joints, asked again.

“So, what’s so impressive? Is it serious?”

“If you want to hear my answer, shouldn’t you close your mouth and open your ears first, Lord Updyke?”

Even during the carriage ride, Henrik noticed that the new steward of Mühheim Castle was not an ordinary prickly person.

“Haha. Anyway, he’s got some spirit.”

Henrik leaned in playfully and patted Stefan’s shoulder.

‘Sigh... Who did the Margrave entrust with his children’s education?’

Even though Henrik’s family was not prominent, Stefan was still a baron. Not knowing basic etiquette was surprising. The future knights gathered in the valley were no different from the pitiful state of the Viscount.

“I’m worried.”

Henrik’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“About the mercenaries. Once they are knighted, they will no longer be mercenaries but knights of Duke Richard. But they still haven’t shed their old habits and don’t even try to learn etiquette. This is a serious problem. They’ll become a laughingstock among other nobles.”

“Ah...”

Henrik slowly nodded and looked at the mercenaries covered in animal blood. Compared to the polished and neatly dressed knights who belonged in a ballroom, they certainly didn’t look like knights. But so what?

“Have you ever seen these men fight?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Have you seen any battles?”

“No, I’ve only stayed in Celino.”

“Of course. Even if the entire empire is in turmoil over who will take Schendal Castle, they always resolve it outside the capital before entering.”

Henrik stepped forward with a smirk.

“Baron Boiled. Do you think the nobles in the capital can live without ever experiencing a battle because of whom?”

Henrik’s gaze, fixed on the valley, shifted to the sky as the dawn broke. The sunrise in Altas was more magnificent than in the eastern region guarded by the Margrave, making it worth watching. Despite Dominic’s likely shock, Henrik was starting to like this place.

‘There’s plenty of good game, beautiful scenery...’

His gaze then fell on a window of Marian Hall.

‘And the people are interesting. Should I plant a stake here?’

Everyone would be amazed if he did. Thinking of the crack that would appear on Daniel’s usually stoic face made Henrik unable to suppress a laugh. He chuckled and spoke.

“Do you think the smooth-talking, backstabbing types who fill the royal army are better? They’re either suggesting battles or seducing women.”

Henrik’s smile vanished instantly, and he turned to Stefan with a cold, sharp expression.

“Not at all. Your safety is thanks to those scruffy men. In real battles, only skill matters. If you try to act like a knight who won’t be bitten by a wolf, you’ll end up like that deer, with your throat slit.”

This was the first time Stefan had seen Henrik without a playful expression since they met. Despite Henrik’s often unruly behavior, Stefan had never seen him this serious, making him seem like a different person.

“Especially around someone like Daniel, who attacks not only the enemy but also allies. Etiquette is meaningless. Only skill matters. Being a laughingstock is better than dying, right?”

“What do you mean by attacking allies? Who would...”

Henrik waved his hand dismissively, patted Stefan’s shoulder, and walked past him.

“Enough. Let’s go have breakfast. If I keep looking at this, I might feel sick even at the sight of food.”

Stefan, walking quickly to keep up with Henrik, reminded him of the correct direction.

“Scadi Hall is that way.”

Due to the lack of a banquet hall in the ducal castle, they had been eating in their respective rooms.

“Next week, the inner castle’s banquet hall will be ready, so you can continue eating in your quarters until then.”

“No. Let’s just eat in the kitchen today. The duchess is eating there, so why can’t I?”

Stefan’s pace quickened in surprise.

“Yes? But Lord Viscount is a guest...”

“Don’t be so formal, steward. I’ve heard enough nagging from my father. Let it go.”

Henrik, entering the first-floor corridor, tilted his head at the busy servants.

“What’s going on? Why is it so chaotic here this morning?”

Stefan, also puzzled by the unusual morning scene, looked around.

“Gentlemen, what are you doing here?”

At the sound of a cheerful voice, Henrik’s mouth dropped open in surprise.

“W-Who is that woman?”

***

A hawk gliding gracefully in the sky suddenly began to descend rapidly. Upon spotting Daniel standing on the terrace, the hawk slowed down and circled in the air, as if demanding attention. Despite the sharp cry of the hawk, Daniel’s gaze remained fixed on the distant snow-capped mountains. He remained unperturbed by the bustling activity behind him.

“Lord, everything is ready.”

Daniel nodded slightly, and the people dispersed. Amid the chaotic footsteps, he sensed a familiar one approaching him urgently. When the steps stopped, Daniel, still looking ahead, spoke calmly.

“Speak.”

“There is something you need to see, my lord.”

Detecting a hint of discomfort in Dominic’s voice, Daniel turned his shoulders. Dominic, who had rushed to wash, smelled of fresh water and blood.

“Do I have to see it now?”

“You must.”

Daniel, now fully turned, crossed his arms and faced Dominic. His face clearly showed his reluctance to have his peaceful morning disturbed, but Dominic did not back down. Glancing at the table set for breakfast nearby, Dominic had a peculiar expression.

“It’s also related to the person who will soon sit there.”

Daniel extended his arm, and Dominic handed him a letter. As Daniel scanned the letter, he quickly found the problematic name.

“...Matilda?”