Chapter: 11
At the resounding noise, the two of them simultaneously turned to look in the same direction. A young man in a tailcoat was riding toward them on horseback.
‘That person…?’
As he came close enough for his face to be seen clearly, Jeanne recognized him. It was Gaston, the steward who occasionally visited Claude at the military academy.
She didn’t know much about him, but every time they met, he left a strong impression.
[Young Master! I told you to come back for the banquet this week! Why are you still at school?]
[I said I couldn’t go because I have too much homework.]
[Since when have you been so diligent with homework? Honestly, you’re just avoiding the banquet, aren’t you?]
[No, I’m not.]
[No, really. Do you think I only see you every once in a while? I know you dislike it, but if you skip again, what will happen to Your Highness and His Excellency’s positions?]
Whenever she happened to see Claude at school, she would always scold him. At first, Jeanne had wondered if it was really okay for her to speak to her master like that, but not long after, she learned that the two had known each other since childhood and understood the closeness between them.
Gaston reached them in no time, dismounted his horse, and strode straight up to Claude.
“Where on earth did you go without saying a word?!”
“Oh! How did you know I was here?”
“Of course, I was reported to… no, that’s not the point right now!”
“Calm down. You’ll hurt your neck if you keep going like that.”
“Do you know how surprised I was when I woke up and you weren’t here?!”
“Cedric and Laurent went too, so why worry?”
“Then at least leave a note! Do you know what I thought when I searched the entire estate and couldn’t find you?!”
“Sorry. I forgot in my rush to leave.”
Claude smiled brightly and lightly patted Gaston on the shoulder.
“…There are some things you shouldn’t forget…”
Muttering to himself, Gaston gritted his teeth. Jeanne, quietly watching the exchange, couldn’t help but poke Claude on the shoulder.
“Hey.”
“Hmm?”
“Did you leave without saying a word?”
“Yeah.”
“……”
At that moment, Jeanne sincerely wanted to comfort Gaston.
‘Yeah, I know. That determination to endure with clenched teeth!’
But perhaps from years of serving him, Gaston soon took a deep breath and calmed himself.
“Please, next time, inform me in advance. I feel like even if I lived hundreds of years, it still wouldn’t be enough.”
“Got it.”
Claude answered with a cheerful smile, but Gaston narrowed his eyes as if he still didn’t quite believe it. Spotting Jeanne standing beside Claude, he hurriedly bowed, flustered.
“I apologize for showing such a pathetic side of myself. And it’s been a while, Mademoiselle Leclerc.”
“Indeed. I hope you’ve been well.”
“By the way, what brings you here?”
Gaston asked with a face that was half pleased and half curious.
“I’m here to apply to the Laurent Knights.”
“Oh! Is that so!”
Gaston’s expression brightened, as if happy to see a familiar face.
‘We weren’t that close…’
Though puzzled, Jeanne felt pleased to be welcomed.
“Welcome to Laurent. If it’s Mademoiselle Leclerc, you should have no problem joining. And Your Highness, please hurry back. Work has piled up while you were away.”
“Got it. I’ll go.”
Claude let out an exasperated sigh at Gaston’s urging and walked toward the tree where his horse was tied, brushing his neck. Jeanne sensed that their journey together had come to an end.
‘Claude will return to the castle, so we’ll part ways here, right?’
Her gaze naturally fell on the white castle topped with cobalt blue roofs. Even from afar, its scale was immense.
When Jeanne first decided to go to Laurent, she had wanted to ask if she could stay at the castle for a few days before the entrance exam. But she gave up, recalling the noble ladies who always caused friction at the start of each new semester.
[I heard that the Laurent Castle was shaped by the spirits of Lake Leman, using water and earth. If it’s such a beautiful castle, I’d love to see it.]
[Oh my, you haven’t seen it yet? I saw Laurent Castle with my own eyes following my father. It was so beautiful it dazzled me. I might ask my father to schedule a visit to greet the Grand Duke and Duchess next time.]
[That’s odd. You were with the Viscount then. Why didn’t you pay your respects earlier? Perhaps the Grand Duke and Duchess didn’t want to meet you?]
[It wouldn’t be polite to visit suddenly without prior notice.]
[Even now, you don’t look particularly polite.]
Claude wasn’t even there, yet these rivalries were playing out. None of the ladies involved had apparently seen Laurent Castle firsthand. From that moment, Jeanne had stamped Laurent Castle in her mind as a place even nobles couldn’t enter recklessly.
The reason was more than that. If a single piece of gossip leaked, it would spread instantly from noble society to popular newspapers. If it became known that a commoner woman had entered a castle where nobles weren’t allowed, countless scandals would follow.
‘I’d like to use the friend’s connection once more, but that would ruin Claude’s reputation.’
If she hadn’t met Claude along the way, she wouldn’t have arrived at Laurent yet. She decided to count herself lucky for having made the trip comfortably and without sleeping outside, thanks to her friend’s help.
“Did you enjoy the lake?”
Jeanne said with a look that showed she had no lingering regrets and climbed onto her horse.
“Then I’ll be off. Be careful on your way back.”
“Where are you going?”
“Where else? I need to find an inn.”
Claude frowned and bit his lip, clearly puzzled.
“You studied well, but you’re always second best.”
“Why bring up second best here?”
Claude chuckled as if to say, “You really don’t know?”
“You insist on finding an inn even though there are over a hundred empty rooms in the castle. That’s why, you fool.”
“Hey, who’s the fool? I’m doing this for your sake.”
“What do you mean?”
“If rumors spread that a commoner woman entered a castle where even nobles can’t go, think about what would happen to your reputation.”
Jeanne replied curtly, not realizing she had restrained her request, and Claude smiled as if he finally understood.
“You worry too much.”
“……?”
“What noble would dare damage the Grand Duke of Laurent’s reputation? Do you know what would happen to them?”
“……You were really obnoxious just now, you know?”
“I’m just saying you don’t need to worry about my reputation. So you can decide whether to accept the invitation or not.”
Seeing Claude dismiss her concerns in one go, Jeanne kept her mouth shut. She felt foolish for having thought that way.
‘I’ve been invited, he said not to worry about his reputation, there’s a comfortable, spacious room with meals, and even a large space for sword practice…’
There was no reason to refuse anymore. Jeanne turned her horse toward the castle.
“What are you waiting for? Let’s go. Move!”
“She’s so excited.”
Watching Jeanne as excited as a child going on an outing, Claude muttered to himself with a helpless smile.
The three of them rode up the steep hill.
At the top, a road stretched straight toward Laurent Castle’s main gate. On both sides, squarely trimmed trees stood like soldiers welcoming their lord.
At the end of the road, the massive castle appeared, its roofs covered with cobalt blue, pointing sharply toward the sky. Jeanne’s mouth fell open. Its size rivaled that of the Brien Royal Palace, and she had heard that the cobalt blue dye used for the roofs cost as much as a month’s salary for a knight per small vial.
‘How much money did they spend building this?’
Lost in thought, they passed the main gate. Servants were lined up in front of the mansion, waiting for their lord’s return.
When Claude stopped, they bowed deeply to welcome him. As Jeanne and Claude dismounted, the coachman ran to take their horses to the stables, and one attendant carried Jeanne’s luggage into the mansion.
Claude approached Jeanne like greeting a VIP and held out his hand.
“Welcome to the Laurent Mansion, Mademoiselle Jeanne Leclerc.”
Jeanne stared at his hand blankly.
“…What do you want me to do?”
“I expected you’d say that.”
Claude stretched out his arm, gently took her hand, and gracefully lowered his body like a sleek black panther drinking water, drawing her hand toward him.
A soft smack sounded as he kissed the back of her hand, echoing through the air.
