IRBSGHC 06

Episode 06

“A young Jeremy… I don’t really remember him…”

Her first encounter with the child had long since faded into the recesses of her memory. Perhaps that was only natural.

Elia had been dazed and unwell back then, overcome by motion sickness, cold, and the constant intake of Melanesia. Her body ached, her mind foggy.

“We’ve arrived. This is my domain, and it is also where you will live from now on.”

“Yes… over there, the villagers are gathering.”

Elia blinked and then smiled softly. Outside the sturdy walls that circled the settlement like a fortress, a large wooden gate stood wide open.

The villagers, numerous and curious, moved about as if greeting Felix and his wife.

‘I hadn’t noticed back then, but Felix truly commanded their trust here.’

Among them, Elia spotted a tiny child waving at her. The gesture reminded her so strongly of Jeremy that she waved back.

“But everyone is dressed too lightly… They must be freezing.”

“They’re already used to this damned cold. You should worry about yourself.”

“I… see.”

Elia nodded politely, though she knew there was no way to ever truly acclimate to the bitter northern winter.

‘I’ll have to figure out how to deal with this freezing weather…’

A sense of unease settled in her chest.

As she glanced around the village, her eyes were drawn to a magnificent, lofty castle far off in the distance, shimmering in shades of blue.

The carriage approached it swiftly, the driver shouting as he looked toward the walls:

“His Grace, the Duke, approaches!”

At his cry, the thick, sturdy drawbridge began to descend.

The Artizen Castle could not be entered unless the bridge was lowered—its surrounding moat and defensive design made it impervious to intruders.

Thud!

The bridge landed with a deep, resonant sound, echoing through the courtyard. Elia’s heart beat in tandem with it.

This second chance… this time, I’ll protect those I love. I’ll live a happy life with them.

The carriage passed through the castle gates. Felix disembarked first, taking Elia’s hand.

She held it tightly, stepping forward with him into the castle she had dreamed of for so long.

Snow fell in heavy flakes. Frost clung to every surface, and the name Frozen Lands suddenly made perfect sense.

Inside, the staff waited in line, their breath visible in the icy air.

“Welcome. I am Andrew Hubert, the chief steward of Artizen Castle. You may call me Andrew.”

With neatly combed silver hair and thick, dark eyebrows above a smooth forehead, he radiated competence.

‘At least here, in this harsh northern land, he is the most capable person.’

He served as Felix’s intelligence network and managed nearly all domestic affairs in the north. Far from an ordinary steward, he was extraordinary.

‘Even the household matters I had neglected in the north, he had been handling almost entirely.’

Elia observed him carefully. Despite the freezing weather, Andrew wore a black suit with pristine white gloves, one hand held respectfully to his chest as he bowed.

“This is His Grace’s son, Jeremy Lloyd.”

The steward stepped back and presented the child, who had been standing just behind him.

Elia’s eyes softened at the sight. The child seemed almost unreal, like a fragment of a dream she feared to wake from.

Jeremy was smaller than she imagined.

“Jeremy Lloyd?”

The child barely reached her waist, his thin frame delicate and slight. Seeing him, memories of the past Jeremy surged within her, making her heart ache.

He tilted his head, lips pouting slightly, as if displeased with his appearance.

Short limbs, soft, plump cheeks tinged with pink—he was irresistibly endearing.

“Hello, Jeremy!”

Elia bent down to meet his eyes. The sudden proximity made the boy flush, turning his face away in embarrassment.

The sight was unbearably cute. His deep green eyes flickered with uncertainty, yet curiosity peeked through.

“I’m Elia. It’s so wonderful to meet you.”

She smiled warmly, letting her hand brush gently through his thick pink hair.

“Why are your cheeks so red? Are you cold?”

“Ah, no!”

At the moment her hand brushed his cheek, he flinched, hiding behind the steward. Elia hesitated, stepping back slightly.

“Hmm. Jeremy seems quite shy,” Andrew explained politely.

“He’s surprised by a stranger. We’ll take it slowly, won’t we?”

Elia’s gentle smile eased the tension, though the steward coughed nervously at her composure. Her gaze remained fixed on the child.

‘He was even prettier when he was younger…’

She wanted to reach out and pinch those soft cheeks, to savor the moment she had once wasted. Back then, she hadn’t realized how much this little one craved her attention, and she had ignored him.

At thirteen, Jeremy had gone to the academy, yet he had always written to her. Though he never sent letters to Felix, he always wrote to her:

“Dear Mother,
The empire has warmed slightly, though the north is still cold. Here, I made friends with a girl who reminds me of you. She’s always teasing me, but she’s my only true friend.
I’m well. I hope you are too. If you have time, please send me a letter.”

Elia had pushed him away, terrified of the past wounds his presence reminded her of.

‘I wanted to be loved by the marquis, so I used to watch him and tread carefully. Such foolishness…’

“Shall we end the introductions for now? I will show Madam to her room.”

Elia forced herself to look away from Jeremy.

“Greetings, madam. I am your temporary maid. Please call me Yuri. I look forward to serving you.”

Yuri was someone she already knew—her devoted maid from her previous life.

‘Even back then, she had a sharp mind.’

Unlike her experiences at the marquis’s house, the people of Artizen Castle had never treated her poorly for her past. The staff and the villagers held the ducal family in sincere regard.

Following Yuri, Elia stepped deeper into the castle.

‘I refused anyone’s touch when I first arrived… I’d never experienced care like this in the marquis household.’

It seemed everyone at Artizen carried genuine affection for the ducal family. The staff were dedicated, and the northern villagers trusted them.

“I’ll handle your things, madam. Please change your clothes first.”

“Thank you, Yuri.”

“No need. It’s my duty.”

Yuri handed her a soft, light negligee—white with delicate frills. Elia noticed that Yuri had brought it instead of the dresses she had carried herself.

‘When I first came to the north, I didn’t notice… the room is warm, the fireplace still radiates heat. Everything has been prepared.’

Elia realized the care had been Felix’s orders.

‘I had no idea…’

Her memory of him as cold and unfeeling seemed to waver as she understood the depth of his concern. A smile crept onto her lips, unbidden.

“I should thank His Grace as well.”

“Of course, madam! He’ll be pleased.”

Yuri wrapped her in a warm cloak. The room was cozy, the fire casting comforting heat. For sixteen years she had lived with them, yet now, so much seemed new.

‘The windows are smaller than usual to keep out the cold, the curtains thick. The castle is larger than the marquis’s house, but still desolate… yet everything is familiar.’

Elia clenched her hands tightly, steadying her beating heart.

This time, I won’t hesitate. I won’t waste any more time.

She would be Felix’s support, the rock he could lean on.

And to Jeremy, she would be a warm, reliable mother.