Chapter 51
Early in the morning, as soon as the day broke, I walked outside with Russell.
“I’ll guide Your Majesty,” said an attendant.
Holding a stick in one hand and Russell’s hand in the other, I followed along.
After winding through a maze-like path until I lost all sense of direction, we finally stepped outside.
The air was damp and humid. I immediately realized this was a garden.
‘No wonder—the scent of marigolds is so strong.’
Just when I started to lose track of how far we had walked, Russell, still holding my hand, spoke.
“Fiana. Just twenty more steps, and Your Majesty will be there.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
As we approached those twenty steps, someone, likely an aide, whispered quietly.
“Your Majesty, Duke Glacies and that… one have arrived.”
“I see. I’m aware.”
A soft yet authoritative voice. I sensed that His Majesty had turned to look in our direction.
“Sorry for calling you out here so early in the morning.”
“It’s fine. Were you well, Your Majesty?”
“Mm.”
His short affirmation drew closer with each step.
‘He has watchful eyes, so he can’t get straight to the point.’
A chilly breeze blew. Just as His Majesty was choosing his words to get to the matter at hand, someone suddenly spoke.
“Thirteen. Thirteen humans are watching you.”
“…What? Thirteen?”
The moment I realized the voice came from the tree, I felt all the gazes on me. I felt both embarrassed and awkward.
The tree had never spoken to me unless I initiated it—but this was definitely its voice.
The unfamiliar gazes kept pouring in. I hurriedly spoke.
“I-I’m sorry, Your Majesty. That is…”
“Your Majesty, since the poison from the Rain hasn’t completely worn off, we would appreciate it if you could keep it brief.”
His Majesty cleared his throat. The words that followed were brief.
“The kingdom will soon send a peace delegation to the empire.”
Russell had been right. I swallowed dryly and focused on His Majesty’s words.
“What happened in the archipelago has nothing to do with the kingdom. We will send the crown prince here to foster goodwill again.”
“The crown prince? That one?”
“Yes.”
To follow the conversation, I recalled information about the crown prince of the Cassius Kingdom.
He was one of the Martial Magic faction, but unlike the elderly current king who pursued peace, the crown prince had a different temperament.
“Before visiting the archipelago, the delegation will stay at Glacies Castle, and I would like to appoint you as envoys to handle this matter.”
“In that case, I have a request for a reward.”
At Russell’s request, His Majesty quietly chuckled.
“You seem confident in handling it. Already asking for a reward. What is it?”
“Magic. I can’t speak of it now.”
His Majesty sounded puzzled. My heart skipped a beat.
‘Even His Majesty wouldn’t have known that magic to hear the voice of trees might exist.’
Russell responded with a meaningful laugh.
“It might exist.”
“I see. Once this matter is resolved, I will prepare what you wish to know about magic. But….”
I felt His Majesty’s gaze shift toward me.
‘Why suddenly me?’
At that moment, His Majesty made a declaration.
“Russell and those nearby, step back. I have something to say to my duchess alone.”
Russell didn’t respond. Just as I was trying to guess what he might be thinking, His Majesty let out a soft laugh.
“It won’t take long. Less than five minutes.”
“…Understood.”
Russell had indeed been cautious.
I felt a pang of regret as the warmth of his hand left mine. At that moment, Russell lightly tapped my shoulder.
“Go.”
“…Yes.”
Leave it to me, Russell. Even this brief gesture firmly conveyed his trust.
Russell’s footsteps gradually faded. Once they could no longer be heard, His Majesty spoke first.
“This garden is a special one that I particularly cherish within the royal grounds. Few in the palace even know of it.”
That meant it was perfect for a private conversation.
‘Then these gazes must be from hidden watchers.’
Calling someone here so discreetly instead of publicly confirms that what Russell said last night was true.
‘But if it was about handling the Cassius Kingdom issue, it wouldn’t be strange for Russell to be here.’
His Majesty had carefully arranged for us to be alone, sending a certain signal. I took a deep breath.
“I never thought the day would come when he would show such deep trust. The duchess is truly admirable.”
“My thanks, Your Majesty.”
“Yes. Have you uncovered Russell’s secret?”
“Yes, I have.”
Beware of Russell. This wasn’t about hostility, but rather a caution after observing his background and temperament.
‘His Majesty said he was like a lone wolf with nothing to bite.’
His Majesty must have seen that side of Russell too.
“I have one question.”
“Go ahead.”
“I heard from Your Majesty… that you and she said if the duke succeeded, he would be entrusted with the North. Is that true?”
“It is true.”
The candid answer made me bite my lower lip slightly.
“And if the duke… fails to adapt to the North?”
“Anyone who survived the darkness of the empire can surely govern the North.”
His Majesty answered firmly.
At that moment, I heard the thin sound of water trickling over leaves.
‘The sound of water… a watering can?’
So it was truly his cherished garden. I could hear His Majesty’s voice along with the soft sound of water moistening the dry soil.
“The royal family needs only the capable. Otherwise, they are simply left behind.”
Why are nobles so inhuman? I had once survived on just bread and soup, thankful for each day.
‘Even a small act of kindness can keep a person alive.’
Just as someone I never even saw or knew the fate of had once told me. That memory had become a driving force in my life.
“…I have one more question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Did you… truly love Russell and his mother?”
There was no answer. Perhaps I had asked something unnecessary. Maybe His Majesty doesn’t engage in matters of love.
‘But Russell described himself as worthless.’
That sounded as if he believed he shouldn’t have been born.
I heard the faint sound of His Majesty setting down the watering can.
“…Remi was incredibly beautiful, but in some ways, unpredictable.”
Ah, so Russell’s mother’s name was Remi. His nostalgic voice made me listen closely.
‘He seems to be restraining his emotions.’
How should I describe this feeling? It was more than simple longing; the nostalgia was profound.
“I met her decades ago, inside the palace. Even when alone with me, Remi never bowed her head. That left an impression.”
I did not respond. It seemed His Majesty had been completely captivated by Russell’s mother, who never bowed, even in front of him.
“We often met under the pretense of official matters. But Remi said that one day, this would end. I asked her to become the Rain, but… she refused, saying it would betray her order, and left me.”
“And when she returned…?”
“Yes.”
His voice trembled ever so slightly.
“She came to the palace voluntarily and told me then. The child she carried in her womb was undoubtedly mine.”
