Chapter 37

“Don’t you think Her Highness might be feeling uncomfortable sleeping alone?” Ivetsa spoke cautiously. “She’s only been in Rotiara for a week, and it takes time to adjust.”

“Indeed. Keep a close watch on the Princess and inform me of any developments.”

As Rezette gave a brief instruction and began to leave, Ivetsa hastily added, “Even during the day, it seemed like Her Highness yearned for human companionship. She deliberately went downstairs to spend time with others.”

The longing for human warmth. Rezette recalled the tale of the princess confining herself to her bedroom despite living her entire life in the grand Argan.

“Perhaps I should encourage her to explore the territory at least,” Rezette pondered.

Recently, Rotiara Castle had been bustling day after day. The halls hosted daily celebrations to commemorate the end of the war and the safe return of the army. The streets were alive with festivities that had been ongoing for several days.

Rezette was well aware that whenever people gathered, they would inevitably discuss the princess of Argan. The princess, hailing from a fallen kingdom and known as the disciple of the Great Dragon Sameshita, made for a captivating subject, ensuring no shortage of provocative remarks.

Furthermore, rumors had a way of spreading like wildfire. It wouldn’t be long before the princess’s reputation, having been sold as an offering even in the capital, reached the ears of Rotiara’s residents.

Since Rezette didn’t want to turn the princess into a spectacle for the public, he had no intention of letting her wander freely outside. If it were up to him, he wouldn’t even consider allowing her to explore the territory.

After all, Rotiara Castle was already vast, offering plenty of unique sights within its walls. There was no need to take unnecessary risks by sending her beyond the castle’s confines.

Rezette was on the verge of reaching this conclusion when Ivetsa cautiously interjected, “We shouldn’t rely solely on the servants for communication. If Your Highness takes the time to ensure the Princess doesn’t feel lonely, she will adjust soon. It seems like she longs for companionship, perhaps even a husband.”

“Are you suggesting something?” Rezette inquired.

“Even without saying a word, certain things become apparent when you are in her presence,” Ivetsa explained.

‘She needs me. While it may be a maid’s flattering request, there’s no harm in hearing it,’ Rezette thought.

‘Should I accompany her outside?’

If he accompanied her personally, there would be no room for idle gossip or any potential danger. Rezette was inclined to believe that he could allow at least that much.

Observing Rezette’s hesitation, Ivetsa swiftly pressed on.

“For instance, wouldn’t it be a good idea for you to head down to the study instead of remaining here? The Princess went downstairs to see Her Highness, but your paths never crossed.”

“…Fine, I understand,” Rezette conceded.

“Great, this way to the door…”

Rezette squinted his eyes slightly.

“A door? What door?”

“Um? It’s the door to the staircase that directly leads to Your Highness’s study.”

Only upon witnessing the maid’s perplexed expression did Rezette finally recall the existence of that door. The staircase connecting the lord’s bedroom to the study was a passage he had long neglected, as many years had passed since he last set foot in this bedroom.

“She went in there?”

“Yes, yes…”

The door to the study had been treated almost like a wall, rarely utilized.

There appeared to be a side table and a safe positioned in front of it, but even with a rough estimation, it didn’t seem like something she could have opened alone from the inside.

Rezette hardened his expression and strode confidently into the bedroom, then pulled open the door partially concealed by curtains.

The dimly lit corridor stretched out before him, resembling the gaping maw of a distant creature. Rezette’s countenance vanished from his face.

***

The firmly sealed door swung open, revealing a flood of bright light that washed over Elise’s face. Startled, she instinctively shielded her eyes and hesitated to retreat.

“No, I heard some constant rustling, and when I opened it, I thought a mouse had sneaked in. Your Highness, why are you here?”

Fortunately, the person standing before her was someone Elise recognized. The sight of a familiar face filled her with joy.

“Lord Ruben?”

“Yes, it’s been a while.” Ruben scratched his head and took a step back from the door. “For now, please come out. This staircase, or rather, the path that leads directly to the upper level… I suppose it hasn’t been used in quite some time, so it must have gotten blocked.”

“Thank you.” Elise tightly grasped the handle of her staff and entered the study.

“Thank goodness. I’m relieved that I didn’t have to witness you struggling in the middle of the stairs.”

Only after he let out a sigh of relief did Elise’s mind shift to her disheveled hair and imperfect appearance. She stole a sidelong glance at her reflection in the glass window. While it wasn’t embarrassing enough to be ashamed of in front of others, it still fell short of a graceful appearance.

However, Ruben Diark had already seen her in a far more disheveled and unkempt state than she was in now. Unless she was in the presence of Rezette Kyrstan, there was no need for her to strive for a pristine appearance.

“Have you come to see His Highness?” Ruben inquired.

“Yes, that was my intention. Since he wasn’t in the study and the door wouldn’t open, I was contemplating going up the stairs.”

“The staircase is quite dark. It would have been wise to bring a light with you.”

“It didn’t occur to me. Has the Duke gone out?”

Ruben shrugged his shoulders and cocked his head to the side.

“Well, I also stopped by to check, but since Sover isn’t here, I reckon he may have gone for a territorial inspection. Alternatively, he could be at the training grounds in front of the castle where the knights reside. Would you like to go and see?”

“Now?” Elise questioned.

“If you desire. Have you explored the castle yet?”

Elise hesitated for a moment before nodding her head. Since there was little to occupy her time within the castle, she saw no harm in enjoying some fresh air. With a sense of enthusiasm, she promptly followed Ruben.

“The mighty military strength is one of Rotiara’s prides! You’ve come to Rotiara, but can you simply overlook the castle and move on?” Ruben Diark, a cheerful and spirited knight, exclaimed. Elise had mistakenly assumed that all knights were as cold and indifferent as Rezette, but it seemed she had been mistaken. Among all the people she had encountered in Rotiara, Ruben was the most talkative and engaging.

“The size of the castle is truly impressive, isn’t it?” Elise complimented.

“There are a lot of people here, you see. It’s nearly impossible to train a force of around two thousand soldiers in a typical territory. But this is Rotiara, and our lord is the Duke, so it becomes possible,” Ruben explained.

Whenever Elise posed a question, she received lively and animated responses that would last for minutes. Thanks to Ruben’s constant chatter, Elise didn’t feel the need to hold back or feel awkward.

Before she knew it, the topic shifted to Rezette Kyrstan.

“It doesn’t happen often, but there are times when His Highness personally becomes a sparring partner. The knights of Rotiara go wild and eagerly jump in. It’s like facing an insurmountable mountain, but that’s the kind of spirit we have—to challenge the impossible,” Ruben shared.

“Don’t you get injured?” Elise asked in concern.

“Oh, could one get injured during a sparring match? It’s just part of our daily life,” Ruben replied casually.

“Daily life?” Elise responded, surprised. The words “injury” and a man with an iron-like physique seemed incompatible, like water and oil.

Ruben nonchalantly scratched his chin.

“Well, he’s my lord, but he’s quite rigid, so he treats sparring as if it were a real battle. There’s no way to take it easy on him.”

“Ah…”

“Some knights even persisted without admitting defeat until they were on the brink of collapse. Haha, poor Jacob ended up like a well-kneaded dough. Oh, but of course…”

As Ruben cheerfully recounted the story, he suddenly noticed Elise’s presence and glanced at her.

“Of course, it must be hard for the Princess to imagine.”

It appeared that frequent injuries were not a common occurrence for Rezette. Elise inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, yet at the same time, she found his intense sparring style to be quite fitting for him.

“I suppose so. He seems rather cold-hearted.”

“Oh, cold-hearted, you say? He actually pays special attention to Your Highness. He can be gentle and kind.”

“Is that how he comes across?”

“Yes. To us, he’s like a sword. At times, it feels as if he’s a dragon, sending shivers down our spines. If we happen to cross paths with him during those moments, it’s like bidding farewell to the world… Although, such instances are rare. By the way, when I look at Your Highness, well, you’re like a perfectly ripe peach, so delicate that one might hesitate to touch.”

Was it like being a ripe peach that would wither within a week of arriving at the castle? Elise couldn’t help but feel as if all the peaches in the world had turned into dried-up seeds.

As they made their way through the courtyard of the main tower, Elise couldn’t help but silently snort in amusement. They were now approaching the castle where the knights resided, and it exuded a distinct atmosphere compared to the main tower.

“This is where the knights who guard the castle reside. We have about five knights and roughly fifty soldiers stationed here. The rest stay at the military grounds outside the triple defense line in the north, where soldier training takes place. We don’t need to walk there since we have to descend outside the castle walls. This way leads to the stable,” Ruben explained.

In the stable, Elise spotted familiar horses. One particular large black warhorse was being groomed by the stablekeeper as it munched on hay. Filled with joy, Elise approached the horse.

“Hello, it’s nice to see you again,” she greeted with a warm heart.

“Oh, Your Highness. It’s risky to touch him carelessly…” Ruben hurriedly reached out his hand, but it awkwardly froze in mid-air.