episode_0039

“…Kyle Gongja discarded the pattern he obtained in the second evaluation round on the ground… That’s not like him, it’s a strange behavior.”

“I left a warning about that.”

“Anyway, handle any disturbances that may arise during the Engagement Tournament according to your judgment. After the face-to-face meeting is over, I need to briefly visit the capital for urgent matters.”

“Yes.”

With that, Gelwood finished his report and left the Duke’s office.

He chose not to report the Academy’s displeasure, fearing the Duke’s anger.

He understood that from the Academy’s perspective, it was an uncomfortable position to receive personal leniency from the king but not from the Academy’s head.

Infiltrating the sacred and just realm of learning under false pretenses was indeed wrong.

Moreover, the 2nd headmaster of the Royal Academy was one of the five Dukes of Elperion Kingdom.

He couldn’t push the investigation further, even if it went against his conscience.

Realizing this, the Duke had ordered a cautious investigation.

However, apart from that, Gelwood found the Academy’s attitude during the investigation process somewhat suspicious.

As the nature dictates, closed systems tend to breed corruption.

Closed places prefer concealing the truth over revealing it, and they favor maintenance over change.

Perhaps that was the reason.

It felt ominous.

The psychological instability that Remyan Winterfell was currently experiencing seemed to be related to that ‘concealing behavior.’

Gelwood had known her since she was a newborn baby.

Although he didn’t care for her like his own child, he wasn’t oblivious enough not to notice the radical changes in her caretaker.

What he had been tolerating was simply his complete trust in her caretaker.

He believed that Remyan Winterfell would lead the Engagement Tournament wisely.

If that trust wavered, he needed to take preventive measures to avoid any unforeseen consequences.

Especially after last night, when Remyan had torn Elden’s letter to shreds in a fit of rage, Gelwood was deeply concerned.

Initially, he thought that Elden’s withdrawal as the final candidate had won her favor.

He considered it a brilliant strategy from a candidate with a very low chance of winning.

As if to prove that, Remyan had shown great interest in Elden, and supporting them didn’t go against the spirit of the Engagement Tournament.

The ultimate purpose of the Engagement Tournament was to find ‘love’ that moved one’s heart.

It was just a process for that, and as long as the process wasn’t excessive and didn’t undermine the dignity of the Engagement Tournament, there was no problem.

Both the eldest daughter and son of the Duke had gone through the same process and successfully concluded the Engagement Tournament.

However.

In the second evaluation round, Remyan committed a breach of conduct that should not have been done to the final candidates, which was so rude and absurd that it lowered the dignity of the Engagement Tournament.

Moreover, she had shown inappropriate behavior that should not have been seen that night.

Her behavior of tearing up Elden Gongja’s polite letter and going berserk showed that she was no longer a woman seeking love.

And thus, Gelwood was convinced.

His belief was misplaced.

The lukewarm attitude of the Royal Academy.

Remyan’s attitude of trying to force withdrawals.

There was a growing suspicion that the Engagement Tournament might not be just about finding a sense of engagement.

Instead of escalating the situation by reporting unconfirmed speculations to the Duke, Gelwood chose to quietly investigate and rectify the situation as he arrived at his office.

The Duke had also instructed the same.

In his absence, Gelwood was to handle any disturbances based on his own judgment.

The first thing he needed to do was.

“I should separate the observer.”

It should have been done earlier.

No matter how competent the observer may be, the risk of exposure in a crowded and limited space, the fact that a long tail can eventually be stepped on, had been emphasized, but it was a task that had not been done due to the stubbornness of the Grand Duchess who wanted to know the reason for the change.

If it were to be revealed that the evaluation team had been officially removed and a secret observer had been attached, it was natural to receive external criticism.

It was time to stop taking unnecessary risks in the unstable pride of Remyang.

Moreover, instead of knowing the reason for the change, only useless reports were being repeated.

Thinking so, Gelwood was guarding the study until late at night.

Midnight was the appointed time.

The time to receive the report of the day’s close surveillance was midnight, and Gelwood sighed as the observer who did not show up even after passing that time.

“Hmm….”

He had never missed the appointed time before.

He was someone who had paid a lot of money and was worth the hire.

He was about to give the final report and notify the end of the mission.

Why is there no news?

Why is it that there is no news now of all times?

What does that mean?

“…Could it be.”

And so, he could only wander around the study all night, filled with anxiety over the unheard news.

**

“Finally, the morning of the face-to-face meeting has dawned. Miss.”

The morning of the face-to-face meeting, known as the Flower of the Honorary Match, had dawned.

It was a perfect morning with sunny and warm sunshine, a clear blue sky without a single cloud, the cheerful chirping of birds, mild temperatures, and no wind to ruin the dress and setting.

Remyang sat in front of the dressing table to get ready.

Marian, who was examining her complexion reflected in the mirror, inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, after taking a day off for rest and stability and having proper meals yesterday, the lady’s face, which had become quite pale, had regained its glow.

“Indeed. The face-to-face meeting is really starting.”

Of course, it couldn’t be as bright and cheerful as before, but this was enough to pass as the appearance that would be revealed to the world for the first time through the face-to-face meeting.

The main dressing and dress settings of the Third Grand Duchess had always been Marian’s responsibility.

She was determined to create a goddess today with her exceptional skills.

With renewed determination, Marian skillfully started Remyang’s makeup.

Using a heated bronze rod, she curled her hair and applied red flower juice to her lips.

“As expected, there is no failure in Miss’s beauty, right?”

Marian, who had sculpted a goddess with her skilled hands, praised her enthusiastically.

Knowing that she was trying to lift her spirits, Remyang forced a smile.

She vowed to break free from revenge and resentment today.

She had already fallen into that trap and failed to show herself in the second evaluation, and the night before, she had even shown a disgraceful appearance in front of Duke Gelwood.

She didn’t want to repeat the same mistake.

That’s why she wanted to focus on taking the first official step towards the world today.

Even if it was difficult.

“Are you nervous?”

Marian, who was combing the beautifully arranged white hair with her hands, asked.

“I am. Very nervous.”

“Hehe. Don’t be too nervous. Everyone will cheer when they see you, Miss.”

“….”

The human heart is truly cunning and fickle.

Just now, she had vowed to break free from revenge, but at the mention of ‘everyone’ by Marian, Eldeen came to mind reflexively, which was truly a ridiculous thought.

What face would he make?

Would knowing his true identity and running away lend credibility to his expressionless face?

Or would it lead to a new phase of astonishment?

He was curious.

Simply curious.

About what kind of reaction he would receive.

And.

“I hope they won’t… fail to recognize me.”

He had that worry.

For some reason, it felt disappointing.

He had hinted at it during the first and second evaluation battles, but that was years ago.

It was only natural for the memories of the one who suffered damage to be hazy compared to the memories of the one who caused the damage.

Furthermore, back then he had red hair, but now it was white.

In his heart, he wanted to dye it red again, but since this meeting was taking place in front of the people, he couldn’t do that, which was regrettable.

He only hoped that they would remember and recognize him.

And by doing so, he hoped they would understand the significance of the first and second evaluation battles.

Because from now on, it would be the real game.

Up until now, it had only been a preliminary skirmish.

“Ta-da!”

Marion announced proudly that his preparations were complete, while Remyan silently gazed at his reflection in the mirror.

It was time for him to wear the white fox mask that had become his symbol and face the world.

Today, he would greet them with a smile.

With that determination in mind, Remyan, wearing the mask, stood up from his seat.

The flower of the Covenant Battle.

It was time for him to proudly bloom it.

It was time to announce the existence of Remyan Winterfell to the people.

But…

“What? The observer suddenly disappeared?”

The news of the observer’s disappearance that suddenly reached his ears put a damper on his confident departure.

A hesitant step before even taking one.

For some reason, it felt like an uneasy start.

**

“Wow, how many people are here?”

In the central square of the Grand Castle.

The area around the tall platform was crowded with a multitude of people, to the point where there were easily less than 1,000 people squeezed in, and I was standing between them and the platform.

With the Three Regrets by my side.

Looking at them all dressed up, they still seemed hopeful for victory.

The reason I stood in the front row with them was simple.

It was just to match the excitement of the Northern Festival.

The generous and lenient feeling of a generous and lenient withdrawer who had waited eagerly for this moment, not related to Remyan’s revenge drama, made me stand here.

Moreover.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

For the emotional moment when my youngest daughter would greet the world for the first time, Duke Logan Winterfell was seated to the left of the platform.

There was no reason to be absent unless you were crazy.

And no matter how good a hand you had, if you couldn’t use it at the right time, it was as good as nothing.

That’s why I was standing in the square with the Three Regrets.

And.

With Lady Rollpanmuri, who wanted to see her favorite novel’s protagonist with her own eyes.

As I turned my gaze, I saw Ariel, with eyes full of expectation, shining in the crowd.

Unfortunately.

“…We met just a few days ago. Ariel.”

Ariel, who had complained about almost not recognizing Erinshia with her white hair, saying that white hair suited her better, and had pushed me to meet her if I had the chance.

Are you going to fulfill that wish now?

Heh.

After smiling along with the cheerful Ariel, I looked up at the platform.

A moment later.

“The great Winterfell Duke’s third duchess, Remyan Winterfell-!”

The ceremony of the Covenant Battle’s flower had begun.