“…Something feels off about this.”
Even though it was the cloak she always wore, today it seemed so awkward.
Adele frowned in dissatisfaction.
She flicked the cloak multiple times before sighing and fiddling with the fur on her shoulder.
The letter that had arrived earlier was from Robert Taylor, saying he would soon arrive in the North.
She felt it was insulting to say he would come in summer yet now only arriving in winter, but she didn’t think too badly of it.
After all, she didn’t have much to do this winter.
Using that as an excuse to keep him here would work out just fine.
The reason for keeping him here? Adele smiled faintly.
It was partly because she liked him, but she also knew there were many secrets he was hiding.
She had no intention of letting him go until she heard them, so it felt like he was voluntarily walking into the wolf’s mouth.
Woof—
When the wolf beside her barked, Adele understood and patted its head before moving.
It wasn’t often that she went out to greet someone like this.
Lothos had disappeared saying he had something to do, leaving her to go alone, but that was fine.
In fact, Robert should be grateful for this.
It wasn’t every day that a Grand Duchess acted so personally.
Just as she was about to head outside, a strange question popped into her mind, causing a peculiar expression on Adele’s face.
…Now that she thought about it, wasn’t there really no need to go out to greet him?
Why was she getting ready to leave?
Whenever she got involved with Robert Taylor, it felt like she was swept along for the ride.
And that secret… didn’t she have far too many things she didn’t know?
Feeling a bit annoyed and hesitant to go, she let out a sigh and set off.
This winter might be busy; she thought that being busy might be better.
Because then she wouldn’t have to think these useless thoughts.
#
It was better not to take a carriage in the North.
Having realized this early on, she hadn’t packed much but still found the wolf-pulled sled to be rather precarious.
Would they make it before the sun set at this slow pace?
As she recalled the contents of the earlier letter, worry began to creep in.
He did say he would arrive soon, but didn’t it seem like it would take a bit longer?
Given Adele’s personality, it was highly likely she had sent someone to make him wait.
He wouldn’t actually be late, would he? With that thought in mind, she continued on, and soon enough, she could see the sun beginning to set.
In the distance, she could spot a line of people waiting for them, so she stopped the sled and began to approach them.
While apologizing for being late, she tried to bow her head slightly when she spotted someone.
Suddenly, her footsteps halted abruptly.
In the distance, a woman waiting atop a wolf had a very familiar face.
Staring blankly for a moment, she then saw the woman riding the wolf approach her with heavy steps, opening her mouth.
A sharp gaze that seemed slightly angry landed on her.
“You’ve got some nerve. I always thought you were different, but you actually made me wait.”
“…I had no idea you would be out here.”
“I came by once. I was bored.”
Adele replied nonchalantly, shaking her head in disbelief.
He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe it.
“How long have you been waiting?” With an awkward smile, he turned to Adele, who then tapped the wolf on its back and spoke up.
“You should take responsibility for making me wait. So, I’m curious—how long do you plan to stay?”
“I’ll probably stay for about a month. It’s an unofficial visit, but I have things to discuss as a member of Taylor.”
“As a member of Taylor, that’s not really my concern.”
What would I be if the Grand Duchess had no interest in that?
Adele clicked her tongue as if my words were boring, then her eyes sparkled as she glanced at the sword hanging at her waist.
I figured she would be interested in that.
Since I had already shown her what I could do last time, I thought there would be at least one chance to fight, but her reaction came faster than I expected.
“So you’ve brought your sword this time. Do you think you’ll need it?”
“It’s for self-defense. You never know when it might come in handy.”
“Are you saying you won’t run away this time? Good, then let’s get on. We can talk while we ride.”
Adele said this while patting her saddle, then she turned her back to me and gestured.
Was she telling me to get on behind her? I looked at her with confusion, and she replied curtly, sounding annoyed.
“What are you doing? Get on the back. If I keep riding alone, I feel like I’ll die from boredom.”
“…Do I have to?”
“Are you suggesting I take someone else? Don’t make me repeat myself, just get on.”
With that, she tapped the saddle again, resulting in a bitter smile from me.
I didn’t expect her to actually want me to ride behind her, but as I mounted up and settled in, Adele gave the signal to depart.
I had ridden wolves before, but riding behind Adele was quite a peculiar experience.
The snow swirling around didn’t touch me at all, and I found myself dazedly feeling the wind while watching her fluttering cloak.
Soon, we would be entering Adele’s territory, and indeed, a massive winter fortress loomed ahead.
This fortress, built with the magic of ice, had a tendency to regenerate itself, no matter how damaged it became.
It stood as a barrier against outsiders for over a thousand years; this was one reason the North wasn’t frequently invaded by other immigrant tribes.
It was impressively grand, leaving even me and the other attendants wide-eyed.
“Nowadays, incursions into the territory aren’t common, so that wall isn’t used much. I don’t expect there will be any issues while the prince is here.”
“That’s a relief.”
The reason I had brought a sword wasn’t complicated.
I didn’t think my arrival would deter the winter campaign against the immigrant tribes; I figured it would go ahead as planned.
I intended to follow along. Integrating into this Northern group was part of my original plan.
Building camaraderie with Adele would have to happen through belonging to this group.
Although Adele was the leader of the North, it would be good to have proper connections with leaders like Lothos.
If it weren’t for Lothos, maybe it would be Toby.
If those who had been with Adele during her mercenary days recognized me, establishing my position in the North would be a piece of cake.
If those who were doing it recognize me, establishing my standing in the North would be easy.
Honestly, showing my strength was the easiest thing to do.
I may not be able to use magic power for a long time yet, but I should still be able to finish off most people in just a few exchanges.
If necessary, there wouldn’t be any problem showing a bit of my skill.
Besides…
When I glanced at Adele, she was focused on holding the reins and didn’t say anything more.
I assumed Adele was also thinking about my strength in her own way.
I was grateful she didn’t pry into it, but sooner or later, I would have to explain it to her.
I believe there’s no such thing as an eternal secret.
Having decided to save a woman named Adele Igrit, I thought it would be right to share a bit of my secrets with her.
Whether she believes in reincarnation or not.
Given Adele’s character, there’s a high chance she would dismiss it as nonsense, but still, wouldn’t it be a bit easier to be at ease together if I shared it?
Of course, there was no need to speak of it right away. After a little time passed, when she finally feels a sense of crisis about betrayal.
Only then would I be able to talk about it.
Snowflakes falling from the cloudy sky touched my forehead.
Startled by the sudden chill, I frowned and then found myself quietly looking up at the sky, chuckling.
I could finally feel that I had arrived in the North.
It was only then that I realized my body draped in fur was trembling from the cold, and I smiled faintly at the light scent of blood in the air.
This was a place where I once could feel the most at ease, where I fled from my family and finally met a woman named Adele.
– This is unexpected; I didn’t think that Prince Robert Taylor would be here.
– …Please, spare me.
I couldn’t even remember how many times it had been, but I was definitely here.
As I quietly watched the snow falling into my palm, I soon clenched it into a fist.
I had returned here.
This time not to run away, but to head back there again and change everything.
And for my eternal rest.
The North is cold and chilly.
Corpses roam, unable to find their resting place, and wolves dig through the snow piled up to their necks in search of prey.
Between people, blood always flows, but such things were quite familiar to me.
Buuuu—
The familiar faces that greeted me with the sound of a horn were all faces I recognized.
My subordinates from Adele’s mercenary group and those who fought alongside me to subjugate the immigrant tribe.
But to them now, I was just a foreigner.
After a brief bitter taste in my mouth, I got off the wolf and offered a handshake.
The foremost, Lothos, looked slightly surprised when I extended my hand and shook it.
Rather than bowing our heads, we shook hands; this one form of greeting I certainly remembered.
“Oh, do you know the greetings of the North?”
Lothos asked, and I replied with a grin.
“I know them well. Very much.”
Was this the third time? Lothos’s hand was still soft.
A hand that didn’t quite match the North, but was the kind that would feel out of place if absent.
It was a hand befitting a disappointed person.
“Here is where you’ll be staying. You won’t go and complain, will you?”
“…Can I be honest?”
“Of course.”
“I didn’t think I was such an important guest.”
The room Adele showed me was more luxurious than I had imagined.
I had been to Adele’s room a few times before, so I knew it well, but it wasn’t as splendid as the room I was to stay in.
Leather was everywhere, and the bedding on the bed was made of such high-quality material that you’d expect to see it at a palace.
Adele seemed a bit surprised too; she pressed down on the bed I was going to lie on and spoke.
“Actually, I didn’t prepare this; Lothos said he would take care of it. I left him alone for once, and now I wonder what he’s thinking.”
Lothos often had a knack for misunderstanding things in weird ways.
I thought this might be one of those cases, but it was hard to guess what he was actually thinking.
I had expected he would feel something about seeing me last time, but I never imagined he would prepare something so elaborate.
“It should be fine.”
After thinking for a moment, Adele shrugged her shoulders as if it wouldn’t matter much.
In truth, it really didn’t matter.
It was just a burden; if Adele said it was no issue, that would be the end of it.
As she made her way to the door, ready to leave, Adele turned to me and said,
“I just realized I forgot to say something.”
“What do you mean?”
“…Thank you for coming all the way here, Duke Taylor. It’s been a while since we had a guest.”
Did she just remember that I came from the capital?
Given that most people find it quite difficult to come to the North, it was understandable for her to say that.
However, I felt awkward about the title she used; while it was appropriate in the capital, I didn’t want to be called “Prince” here.
I quietly watched Adele turn around and added,
“You can call me Robert. Here, isn’t the Grand Duke the highest authority?”
Adele might not remember, but she always called me Robert.
I liked that title because it was considerate of her, knowing I wasn’t fond of the name Taylor.
Adele, staring at me, gave a small grin and nodded.
“Right, Robert. See you in a bit.”
Leaning against the door, Adele said that and then left, closing the door behind her softly.
I stood still, watching the gently closing door.
Feeling my heart flutter at having been called that name after such a long time was strange.
After blinking for a moment, I quietly got up and looked around the room.
Compared to the shabby room I remembered, this place was the epitome of luxury.
The scenery was something you would rarely see in the impoverished North, and it was quite delightful to think about what Lothos had in mind.
Although a lot had changed since my previous room, being here oddly made me feel at ease.
I hung a sword on the wall and as I looked around, a faint smile crept onto my lips.
…To be honest, this place felt better than home.
Much better—so much that you couldn’t even compare.
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