Chapter 53
“Night is coming.”
I pressed my face against the carriage window and stretched out my hand as we traveled north.
Thanks to that, I could sense the passing of the day through the smells, temperature, and humidity. I could tell that after several hours of travel, we had finally arrived in the cold northern region.
By the time I realized we had passed through the castle gates, I also sensed the presence of countless people—so many it was impossible to count.
“We’ve arrived, Grand Duchess.”
Creak.
Prater opened the carriage door as he spoke.
Just as I reached out to lift myself from the seat, Russell, sitting opposite me, quickly made his way out of the carriage.
It was ridiculous, but I understood why he had acted so hastily.
“Take your time coming down.”
“Thank you.”
As I stepped outside, the chill made my shoulders shiver.
I could see my breath in the cold air. Somehow, the northern region, which had always felt strange and icy to me, now felt welcoming.
“It’s definitely cold, but the air somehow feels cozy.”
The air that had once seemed desolate and biting now felt strangely familiar and comforting.
“Welcome.”
Everyone bowed respectfully. People of Glacies Castle had always shown me respect, but now it felt different—overwhelming and somewhat unfamiliar.
“I’ll have to get used to it. But this new title will take some time to get used to.”
Even without seeing them, I could tell that everyone’s discipline was firmly in place.
“The atmosphere clearly treats me as the Grand Duchess now.”
In my previous life, I had been treated like a sewer rat, and in this one, as a worthless noblewoman.
Just as I hesitated at this unfamiliar treatment, someone placed a hand on my back.
“Let me take your cloak.”
“Ah… yes, please.”
Asha spoke in a strangely formal tone as well.
“Asha was originally part of the Glacies Knights. I’d forgotten.”
For some reason, my chest tingled. Even though we hadn’t formally held the wedding, everyone was already treating me as the Grand Duchess.
I wondered what Russell thought. I turned my attention toward him.
“How did things go while I was away?”
“Ah… Your Grace, about that…”
“Summarize it and report back to me.”
Russell handled everyone with practiced ease.
“I’ll have to do the same.”
As I took a step forward with my heart feeling heavier than usual, Asha stopped me.
“Piana, wait a moment. All the servants in the castle are out here.”
“Servants?”
I was surprised by the unexpected scale. Perhaps at Asha’s signal, they all bowed toward me and called out:
“Welcome, Grand Duchess!”
What on earth was going on?
As I stood there in shock, others came closer to me.
“You must be tired. We’ve prepared a warm bath for you.”
“Are your feet sore? We’ve prepared soft shoes made of sheep’s wool.”
“…Thank you.”
Following their guidance, I walked into the castle. I responded politely, but inside, my heart was still racing.
“Everything seems orderly, yet somehow it isn’t.”
And in this situation, I still had to inquire about the Kingdom of Casus and its Crown Prince.
It felt like the day would stretch endlessly.
“Today was really hectic.”
As soon as I arrived at the castle, Asha and the attendants helped me bathe. They scrubbed my body with sponges in warm water scented with aromatic oils.
Afterward, they assisted me so thoroughly that I didn’t have to lift a finger.
“I never imagined I’d be treated like this, neither in my past life nor this one…”
It would take some time to adjust. I instructed the attendants who were trailing behind me.
“You may leave now. I have something to discuss with Asha alone.”
They replied politely while bowing their heads.
“Understood. May the blessings of the Mother Wolf be with you.”
Once their footsteps faded, I exhaled.
Tap, tap.
The sound of my cane striking the floor echoed softly. I asked Asha:
“Asha, what happened with the attack on Glacies Castle the other day?”
“The knights stationed at the castle dealt with it. The bodies were thrown off a cliff, so there’s no chance anyone survived.”
“I see.”
Yet, why did it leave me feeling uneasy?
“Something feels off.”
Just as I was about to enter my room, Asha stopped me.
“Ah… This isn’t your room!”
“Huh? Not here?”
I asked, puzzled. The balance and the steps clearly indicated it was the right room.
“Since you were appointed Grand Duchess, your room has been changed. All your belongings were moved there as well.”
“Really…?”
“Really! This time, I’m not lying.”
Of course, there was no reason to doubt her. She had always been sincere, even when taking night watch.
“Then guide me to the new room.”
“Yes! Right away.”
There was a subtle note of pleasure in Asha’s voice.
“I hope they aren’t plotting anything.”
Following Asha, I entered an unfamiliar room.
The sound of burning firewood was comforting. The relocated room was warm and cozy.
“But what’s this fragrance?”
It was a scent I had never smelled before. Cozy and comforting, with a hint of tart citrus that felt soothing.
“A fragrance that relaxes both body and mind.”
Just as I was exploring the room with all my senses, Asha suddenly exclaimed:
“I’ll be going now! Have a good night!”
“Wait, Asha!”
Thump!
For some reason, she slammed the door and left, her footsteps fading away.
“She looks suspicious, but I suppose there’s nothing I can do.”
Tap, tap.
I followed the scent with my cane, stopping as soon as something hit it and running my hand over it.
“A flower pot?”
The leaves and petals were soft as down, and the soil damp as if just watered.
“I don’t know what kind of flowers these are, but the scent is comforting.”
Creak.
As I tried to recall the flowers from my previous life, the door opened.
“Asha?”
The owner of the footsteps didn’t answer and stopped moving.
Above all, the sound of water droplets hitting the floor could be heard discreetly.
Droplets running down the skin and hitting the floor with soft plinks.
And then a sigh.
“These footsteps, this presence, this scent…”
He hesitated, then finally spoke with a tone of uncertainty:
“Why are you in my room?”
“Eh? But I was told this was my new room.”
“Who said your room was changed…?”
He spoke with disbelief. An unbearably awkward silence followed, as he probably tried to figure out who had done this.
I was the first to break the silence.
“So they moved it without asking me!”
It seemed that Asha and the attendants had conspired to move my belongings.
Technically, it wasn’t a lie that the Grand Duchess’s room was different from my previous one. It made sense for the Duke and his wife to share a room.
Even Russell seemed surprised, judging by his reaction.
“He probably didn’t know since he was receiving reports right after I arrived.”
I felt my mind nearly scatter from embarrassment.
“I-I’ll leave now!”
“Wait… You…”
Thump, thump.
As I brushed past Russell’s shoulder with my hurried footsteps, my foot slipped on the carpet.
“Ah!”
Reflexively, I shut my eyes as I felt a floating sensation.
Crash!
Contrary to my expectations of sharp pain, I was instead enveloped in warm, solid contact.
“Ugh…”
I inhaled the dust and coughed a few times before regaining my composure and rising.
I hadn’t hit my head, yet I felt dizzy.
The thought that Russell had caught me dominated my mind.
“Are you okay?”
He was only wearing a towel. Firm, warm skin pressed against my chest.
Perhaps because he held the back of my head, I felt a dull sound in my ear.
“My heartbeat…”
It felt as if time had stopped. I couldn’t bring myself to speak.
Was it my heart racing right now…?
