episode_0023

It was a dinner party at the Beaurne House, which always boasted grandeur. Eleanor had initially thought it couldn’t get any better, but her opinion changed after the Changbaek couple arrived.

It wasn’t just an increase in quantity. Something had been added to the seasonings used; even though it was the same tender steak, the richness of flavors dancing in her mouth had changed. Yet, the new aroma felt oddly familiar.

Listening to conversations between her mother and the chef, it seemed they had brought spices often used in the West. It made Eleanor wonder if these were the spices she had liked in the past.

And today’s dining table, visited by the prospective son-in-law of the Changbaek couple, surpassed Eleanor’s expectations once again.

Amidst the array of dishes constantly appearing on the table, the vibrant colors and intense aromas, Dimitri and Daphne, as well as even Eleanor herself, were taken aback.

So much food… what will we do with the leftovers?

However, as she took a bite of the canapé topped with beef served as an appetizer, those worries melted away like ice.

Hehehe. It’s so delicious; everything will work out somehow!

Unlike the relaxed individuals around her, Dimitri gazed at the dishes before him, his expression serious as he subtly raised a toast.

“It certainly seems abundant in the West. This is a table setting unimaginable in our Duke’s household.”

With a mix of admiration and critique in his words, Obert gently tilted the wine glass in his hand.

“While we’ve heard about the severity of the situation in the North, is it really that bad?”

“To be honest, we barely made it through last winter, but this upcoming one… sigh. I’m not sure myself.”

Dimitri picked up his wine glass, following the gaze of the newcomer.

“The Knights manage to scrape by selling monster materials, but the common folk supporting them are starving…”

His voice, previously confident, now faltered. As Dimitri swirled the wine glass back and forth, frustration filled his face.

The North had always faced various issues compared to other regions.

Difficult terrain made farming challenging, self-sufficiency was hard, and transportation remained underdeveloped.

Naturally, the footsteps of traders dwindled, and the prices of necessities, especially food, were significantly higher than elsewhere.

Though they had erected barriers to fend off descending monsters, it was a tale from centuries ago. Neglected areas lacked maintenance, with structures crumbling here and there, leading to occasional monster invasions into villages.

Among the pressing issues, the most dangerous was the exodus of commoners.

While the Knights guarding the walls attracted energetic individuals seeking the Duke’s prestige and martial prowess, the commoners were different.

No one came seeking refuge. Many left due to hardships.

Over half of the blacksmiths in the central hub of the North, Verberitz, had departed last winter. Consequently, there was a shortage of labor to repair damaged armaments.

They managed somehow for now, but if more people left, the city’s basic foundation would crumble. In such a scenario, there would be no way to sustain those remaining or any reason to defend the land.

Obert gazed solemnly at Dimitri.

He, too, was a lord governing a territory and commanding its defenses. He understood the importance of supplies and infrastructure better than anyone else. Thus, with just a brief lament from the Duke, he immediately grasped how dire the situation in the North truly was.

“I’ve heard rumors, but I didn’t realize things were this dire. Wasn’t there any mention in the Imperial Court or the Council?”

“Descending to the capital, I tried my best in my own way, but it was difficult in many ways.

As if electrified, Obert roughly brought the wine glass to his lips. In contrast, Dmitri calmly continued to swirl his overflowing wine glass around.

Clank-

“Well, that’s true. Those who are only concerned with their own bellies won’t move.”

With a stern expression, Obert placed the wine glass he held in his hand on the table as if throwing it down. Amidst the dull thud of the fist hitting the table, Dmitri cautiously spoke up.

“It’s a generous invitation, and I apologize for bringing up such a gloomy topic, Your Grace.”

“No, no! After all, aren’t we in the same position? You must stop the monsters coming down, while we have to fend off the heretics crossing the mountains.”

Chuckling, Obert replied reassuringly, “It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”

However, within that exchange, he was diligently tapping away at a calculator while looking into the dark eyes of his future son-in-law. The lands in the north were where his precious daughter and grandchildren would reside and rule. As a father, he couldn’t just stand by and watch them fall into ruin.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.

Historically, the north was closer to the west. Geographically speaking, that was the case. Although the empire was divided into east, west, south, and north based on the capital, in reality, it was more accurate to say northwest instead of just north.

Meeting the Duke on the train to the capital was not merely a coincidence.

Lately, the activities of the heretics had been unsettling. If the north were to fall, the west would immediately be in danger.

“I will try to help in any way I can.”

“Really? I hope I’m not asking too much.”

Hesitating, Dmitri made a reluctant remark. However, his performance was convincing enough that Obert was easily swayed.

“Haha. It’s about helping each other in times of need. If the gluttons in the capital don’t act, we in the west will provide support independently, so don’t worry. Now, please, go ahead and eat.”

As Obert’s hearty laughter filled the air, Dmitri and Daphne exchanged glances surreptitiously. Their silent communication resembled a successful strategy between two chess players by the roadside.

However, Lady Byungbaek looked disdainfully at her husband, who was laughing boisterously and disregarding etiquette at the dining table. Her daughter was captivated by the delicate fillet mignon.

“On another note, how do you feel about our daughter, Your Grace?”

With a relieved expression, Dmitri finally stopped swirling the wine in his mouth, took a sip, and then sprayed it out upon hearing Byungbaek’s words.

#.

She was truly a peculiar woman. Dmitri’s black hair swayed gently to the side.

The youngest daughter of Byungbaek, whom he had met at the mansion’s entrance, was in a completely different atmosphere from the one on the ballroom balcony.

Like other noble ladies, she greeted herself and Daphne with a somewhat reserved attitude.

Resembling the younger sister left behind in the north, the cute and charming girl had transformed into a quiet and shy lady.

Even at the formal dinner with the Byungbaek couple, she only elegantly moved the cutlery in her hand, showing no other side of herself.

Even when they were left alone at the dessert table after the meal, she remained a somewhat reserved and shy young lady. She only occasionally responded to questions, never initiating conversation herself.

In an attempt to break the awkward atmosphere, Dmitri brought up a topic.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Then, who do you think would win in a fight between a troll and an ogre? Can the dull axe of an ogre keep up with the regenerative abilities of a troll? Or not? Would it just die if its throat were cut?”

The somewhat shy and demure young lady transformed into a different persona she had not shown before.

Without missing a beat, Dmitri responded after a brief pause to her innocently sunny voice.

“Perhaps the trolls would prevail. While trolls are known for their formidable regenerative powers, the real strength lies in the powerful momentum when they wield something in their hands.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Her platinum blonde hair gently cascaded down as her eyes sparkled with youthful curiosity.

Unconsciously, Dmitri found himself smiling as he spoke, “Young lady, swinging their arms is no joke. Approaching them closely can make your heart race at the sound of the wind. Knights encountering trolls for the first time have been known to wet themselves at that sound.”

The words he just spoke were clearly not suitable for a lady’s ears.

Though living freely according to her own desires now, Dmitri, as the eldest son of the Ducal family, had been rigorously trained in etiquette. He was well aware that his recent words were impolite.

However, gazing into her sky-blue eyes resembling a sunny spring day, his lips moved involuntarily.

“Oh… So among the monsters in the North that you faced, are trolls the strongest?”

“If we’re just comparing, there are wyverns soaring in the sky and dragons slumbering within mountains. Moreover, trolls, despite their solitary nature and lack of high intelligence, easily prey on packs like dire wolves, orcs, and even savage tribes.”

Indeed, she was undeniably a different person now.

Mixing in exclamations from the Western lands occasionally while laughing cheerfully, she was not the easily teased girl seen in the palace ballroom nor the somewhat shy and demure lady encountered at the entrance.

“Oh, right. Your Highness, this is a slightly different topic… Are goblins as ruthless and vicious as rumored? If one were kidnapped by goblins, would they face death until the end… Oh, no… Ahem.”

Her fair skin began to blush. Though unsure what “yas” meant or what Western dialect it referred to, seeing her cute blushing cheeks made it clear that it wasn’t a word fit for a lady’s lips.

“Goblins aren’t as vicious as you might think. They’re similar to savages or perhaps a bit less. They’re inherently timid creatures. Unless in a group, they tend to flee upon encountering humans.”

“Then why did you single-handedly sweep through a goblin village back then?”

“Haha… Well, you see, the scouts I went to find weren’t around, and it was unbearably cold, so I was feeling a bit feverish.”

Was it due to embarrassment or simply the chilling spring breeze?

While her cheeks continued to flush, she grinned and playfully supported his words.

Women he had known previously didn’t particularly enjoy such tales.

Of course, due to his status as a Duke and his appearance, all the women he had met feigned interest with polite smiles while listening.

Behind those smiles, boredom was all that could be seen.

But the woman before him was different. Her pure laughter seemed devoid of any impurities. Having lived as she pleased, meeting various people and learning along the way, he couldn’t be mistaken.

This woman was unlike any Eleanor had encountered before.

And perhaps she wouldn’t be the last.

“Yes, I would like to visit that northern land.”

On her chest, in front of a large white ribbon, she faced him with tiny hands, wearing an expression full of excitement.

Unintentionally, Dmitri blurted out without thinking, “Then when will you come visit us at our Verbritz Castle?”

After uttering those words, he regretted it immediately.

Inviting a lady to the estate of an unmarried noble, his own castle at that. If it were centuries ago, it would have been akin to proposing right now.

Perhaps it was fortunate. The pure young lady before him seemed utterly disinterested in such matters. She simply clapped lightly with her delicate hands, a look of amusement on her face.

“Are you serious? Can I really come visit? You’re not just saying that, right?”

Not sure. Well, somehow it will work out.

Dmitri chuckled and nodded slightly, “Of course. If the daughter of the West visits, the North will always welcome her.”

It wasn’t a false statement. Now the savior of the North would become the West.

Concealing his feelings, Dmitri rose from his seat. He gently removed the black jacket draped over his shoulders and placed it over the young lady’s bare legs beneath her skirt.

“The spring breeze is quite chilly. My dear, if you have more to discuss, let’s continue inside.”