NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18
18.
“I’ve never seen Duke Lucanov and Duke Schurantz so surprised during my time at the Imperial Palace.”
Alberto chuckled as he set down the bundle of books.
The previously bare desk was now stacked with towers of thick books. Ignoring the suffocating pile obstructing my view, I opened my mouth.
“I… ahem. I’m surprised as well. I’ve heard it’s never been selected in 500 years.”
Most gathered at the Training Grounds could only stare at the Calion in my hand, speechless.
Even Iris’ stoic expression wavered as her mouth slightly opened. How much more surprised were the others?
Alberto joyfully kept stacking more books, creating a second tower smoothly.
Fixating on the growing tower, I spoke.
“Alberto.”
He turned his busy hand away from stacking books.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Is there something you wish to say?”
I conveyed the discomfort lingering inside my mouth to Alberto.
“Must I use honorifics without exception? Even if…”
“Your Majesty.”
In response to my question, Alberto spoke with a grave expression.
“In this empire, the only being that can treat His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke lightly is Her Majesty the Empress alone. All imperial citizens are beneath Her Majesty the Empress and His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke. This includes the two dukes and even a saint of the church without exception.”
The Chamberlain’s stern gaze aimed at me.
“One must always bear this in mind and adapt accordingly. One must govern as the Grand Duke of the Empire and consort to Her Majesty, not as Baron Caen anymore. This is what the position of Grand Duke entails. It is also clearly stated in the Imperial Law.”
With Alberto’s firm words, I let out a small sigh.
Having been born into nobility in this world and lived for 20 years, I had somewhat adapted to the class society.
However, due to memories from my past life, addressing someone older or more experienced with honorifics felt rather awkward.
While I had become comfortable dealing with ordinary people, a slight discomfort lingered.
“…I understand. Chamberlain. Though, I’d like to be informal in private out of respect for my mentor. Surely, you wouldn’t prevent even this?”
At my offered compromise, Alberto lightly chuckled.
“Yes, of course. Do as you wish.”
“Understood, Sir Alberto.”
Without needing to decide who went first, we both lightly chuckled then turned our gaze away.
The place of my first audience with the Empress. Now, I was in the Audience Chamber of the Empress with Alberto.
Should we now call it our shared Audience Chamber?
It felt spacious and empty when I briefly saw it then.
However, with my desk and its surroundings being occupied by various books, it now had a somewhat lively feel.
After inspecting the originally silent Audience Chamber, I inquired Alberto about future plans.
“The next immediate agenda among the planned schedule is the national tour, you said?”
While tidying up the Audience Chamber with Rani who was bustling about, Alberto picked up a paper that had fallen to the floor and nodded.
“Discussions are ongoing at the Inner Palace and Foreign Palace about the composition of the escort troops. Departure is scheduled for a week from now.”
“A week… Considering it involves the movement of a large number of people, the preparation period seems rather tight.”
This national tour was an event to grandly announce the marriage between Iris and myself to the citizens of the empire.
On a large scale, it was about ingraining my face into the minds of the citizens, and on a smaller scale, it was a trip to warn the nobles of each region.
This person is Her Majesty’s husband. Be careful from now on.
If you don’t want to fall.
It roughly meant this.
In this world, information starting from the capital took quite an effort for the messengers to rush sweating to the outskirts.
Although there is a method to draw portraits conveniently and send them out through messengers, it would be wasteful to use them who are already busy.
To showcase the prestige of the royal family in various places and to warn against any disloyal thoughts.
It has been a custom for the royal couple to travel around the country immediately after marriage.
“Normally, at least a month of preparation is required…”
Leaving the sentence hanging, Alberto found something in the pile of documents and handed it over.
At the top of the document was written “Observation Report of the Celestial Viewing Tower.”
“According to the astronomers of Huoyue Palace, it is the season when the black rain will fall soon. There have been premonitory signs reported from various regions.”
“Black rain?”
As I slowly scanned through the complex diagrams and symbols in the observational report, I continued speaking.
“So, that’s why we’re rushing the schedule.”
“If any of those monstrosities appear during the tour, it would be a major disaster. Departing a week from now allows us to return to the capital before the black rain starts.”
At Alberto’s words, I nodded.
I’m not too familiar with the Eastern Continent, but the Western Continent has some strange monsters roaming around.
So-called ‘altered monsters.’
They primarily appear in the northern and southern parts of the Western Continent.
They occasionally show up in the Ruben’s forest near the northern area, where regular soldiers have to attack in groups while knights can handle them a bit more easily due to their tough build and vitality.
The Altain Empire rarely encounters them unless it’s the northern Duke’s domain where the frontlines are formed. However, when the unusual phenomenon of black rain occurs, it’s a different story.
Black rain results in the creation of altered monsters.
“What should we do? First, let’s send official documents to the local lords and mercenary guilds to prepare in advance. That will help minimize the damage.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll pass it on to the Inner Palace.”
With that conclusion, Alberto bowed politely and left the Audience Chamber.
*
A week passed in a whirlwind, marking the departure day for the national tour.
The tour was planned to start from the western regions, move through the southern regions, and then return to the capital via the eastern regions. Therefore, all the western gates of the capital were entirely open to ensure the smooth departure of the lengthy tour group.
Along the main road stretched knights, soldiers, and various experts including maids.
The ornate carriage Iris and I would ride in, along with countless other carriages following behind, were filled with various supplies to be distributed in the visiting regions.
‘Won’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain.’
The sky was a deep blue with leisurely floating white clouds, as if showing a smooth journey ahead.
I glanced over the street while waiting for Iris in front of the carriage.
The street was full of imperial citizens due to the significant commotion.
The capital residents quietly watched the long and magnificent convoy.
There was a faint tension in the people’s expressions. Their eyes would glance at the tour group, but mostly remained fixed on the ground.
There were no smiles or signs of joy anywhere.
“…”
Shaking my head, I turned my gaze towards the noise coming from the distance.
Iris walking through the palace grounds flanked by her guards.
It was the uniform she wore at the inauguration ceremony. She wasn’t wearing the veil.
Thanks to that, Iris’ appearance was fully revealed, and her transparent silver hair and purple eyes shimmered brilliantly in the light.
As Iris appeared, the imperial citizens who were nervously watching fell under her spell and stared at her in awe.
‘She is quite beautiful, isn’t she?’
After exchanging a light greeting with Iris, we got into the carriage.
Nodding to the knight serving as the carriage driver, he vigorously swung his arm.
“Buooouuuu—”
The long echoing trumpets sounded as soldiers hoisted up the imperial flag.
The flag fluttered strongly in the wind as the long convoy of the tour group slowly began to move forward with the sound of horse hooves.
Departure began, passing through a street blanketed in silence.
*
Starting in the west and moving through the south, the tour group was warmly welcomed by the lords in each region.
When the group visited, they distributed various supplies carefully prepared at the palace, and the citizens seemed pleased and welcomed them, at least on the surface.
Time quickly passed, and the tour group arrived at the large eastern city of Pental. They enjoyed a simple festival hosted by the mayor who was managing Pental in place of Duke Lucanov.
After a three-day rest, the tour group continued their journey and arrived at the Hassen Baronetcy in the northeast. On my request, the tour group stayed in the Baronetcy while Iris and I headed towards Ruben with a separate escort.
“Clatter. Clatter.”
The supreme carriage, true to its reputation, was completely smooth and comfortable without any sense of shock. The soundproofing was also excellent.
Despite spending most of the long schedule in the carriage, my body didn’t feel any discomfort. The condition of the carriage was truly top-notch. However…
“…”
“…”
Surprisingly, the number of conversations I had with Iris could be counted on one hand.
“Good morning. Would you like to have breakfast? Is there any place making you uncomfortable?”
“Good night.”
That was the most memorable conversation I had with Iris throughout that long period.
“…”
Iris was very quiet, just as her exterior exuded.
Most of the time, she was engrossed in reading complex books unless someone initiated a conversation. Even when addressed, her responses were terse, and it was difficult to keep the dialogue going.
Come to think of it, the speech she gave at the inauguration ceremony was probably the longest conversation she’s ever had.
Looking at Iris who was currently reading a book.
Even the calm posture of reading quietly with downturned eyes looked like a painting.
This person is my wife.
Despite all the hardships I endured in my previous life, I get the feeling I’m being rewarded.
“Still…”
Are we really a married couple?
It’s filled with unfamiliarity as if we’re meeting for the first time.
I haven’t experienced romance before. I was too busy with work in my past life, so I don’t know what to talk about.
What book are you reading? How’s your mood today?
“Huff…”
“?”
Today, I realized for the first time how loud my breathing sounds in such a quiet space.
Iris took her eyes off the book and looked at me.
“That…”
Here’s my chance to start a conversation. I have to say something.
“…There is nothing.”
As I met Iris’ purple gaze, I suddenly lost my words.
In response to my silly answer, she went back to her book.
The silence returned. I turned my head to look outside the carriage window.
“It’s not easy.”
Iris’ calm yet seemingly emotionless purple eyes.
Her personality isn’t entirely cold, but how should I describe it?
Her complicated emotions were tightly pressed down.
An impression of someone who didn’t just guard against others but actively blocked out emotions.
Such complex thoughts arose, and I closed my eyes.
The reason I forcibly included Ruben in the national tour schedule was not particularly significant.
I wanted to show Iris the landscape I used to see.
The clear and open scenery that gave me peace of mind in Ruben.
Perhaps, it could be a change of scenery for her who has only lived in the palace.
“If only you like it…”
*
A distant feeling of a sunset in a rural village.
The view of Ruben upon returning after a long time was unchanged.
I had already informed Malcom, the village representative, about my planned visit to Ruben.
Fortunately, there was no one making a fuss to welcome us, and the village remained quiet and peaceful as always.
Iris was carefully observing every detail of Ruben.
Her crimson hair flowed slightly as the evening light settled on her head.
With her fingers lightly holding her hair, she looked at me intently.
“Your Majesty, allow me to guide you.”
I nodded, and only Iris accompanied me as we headed towards the fields of Ruben.
Under the wide open sky, countless heads of rice swayed gently.
The vast fields gleamed golden in the evening light, preserving its appearance even after such a long time.
Turning my gaze momentarily, I saw Iris quietly admiring the view.
Her slightly widened eyes indicated she seemed to enjoy it.
“I find… this scenery quite appealing.”
After silently gazing at the golden fields, she finally spoke.
“Life hasn’t been easy. I worried about sustenance and struggled for a better life. I have even questioned why I must live such a life, feeling defeated.”
And also lost precious connections.
I paused momentarily in my disjointed speech.
As the wind blew, the fields swayed, and the rustling sound drifted between us.
I suppressed the memory that suddenly arose and continued speaking.
“Every day, my thoughts were so convoluted that I felt my head might burst open. But when I saw this scenery, it helped me settle my mind. After all, we must keep living. As time went by, good things came along, and I created joyful memories too.”
I looked at Iris.
“I don’t know what thoughts you harbor within. But everyone has their share of struggles and worries. That’s why I wanted to show you this place, Your Majesty.”
I carefully extended my hand towards her.
As the chilly autumn winds blew, her hair gently fluttered.
The radiant evening light softly enveloped Iris and myself.
“I wish to see this scenery together with you in the future. Iris.”
Our eyes met through her violet gaze.
Her transparent eyes reflected my face slightly. I wonder what expression I’m wearing right now.
She stared at me quietly, then gently grabbed the hand I extended and nodded.
“It seems the sun is about to set. Since it’s getting cold, let’s return.”
With our backs to the glowing evening light and the golden fields, we started walking away.
Iris’ small and delicate hand was rather cold.
Adjusting our strides, I cautiously held the hand she had placed in mine.
*
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