***
Victor Morte couldn’t sleep.
Thankfully it wasn’t as serious as before. His heart didn’t beat like crazy, and his body no longer became sensitive.
He just couldn’t sleep.
Like so many people who couldn’t sleep out of sadness and worry.
And the Grand Duke knew why.
“These days, Madame’s popularity has been skyrocketing.”
A vassal opened his mouth.
Early in the morning, his office was full of vassals who had gathered for a meeting. In front of them was a bundle of reports. It was a mountain of papers showing how much Amarion had accomplished in the first week of subjugation.
Another added.
“They defeated the Hydras alone and cut down the Orcs that were blocking the food warehouse, right?”
“They also rescued miners who were being chased by sandworms and trapped in the mines. I heard from the miners who came to my estate to buy food.”
“The wacky Baron Yulwald complimented her, so she must have been amazing.”
Victor rubbed his chin and skimmed through the report. It wasn’t very pleasant to listen to men talk about his wife, but they were praising Amarion, so he let it go.
The vassal with an impressive beard grinned.
“After the subjugation, you promised a grand banquet, didn’t you? My wife is going crazy over it.”
“When a schedule is set, you must let us know. I have to order clothes from our seamstress before everyone else.”
Victor smiled softly and nodded his head.
Most of them were newly selected vassals, who previously refused to enter the castle because they did not like politics. Most of them were scholars who were devoted to research. They were called in because the castle’s work was at a standstill.
And they cleaned up the situation faster than expected. Repair of waterways and roofs, maintenance of walls, budget for expenses and distribution of food. The books, which had been messed up by their predecessors, were also sorted out.
The meeting was soon over.
Sir Carlz asked as soon as the vassals had left.
“What is it that you are dissatisfied with, that you have that expression on your face?”
Victor looked at his Chief of Staff. He clicked his tongue.
“Why is everyone so interested in Marion?”
“She is our hostess. It’s only natural that we care.”
Then Carlz said something stupid.
“However, thanks to this subjugation, Madame’s reputation has risen, so I’m happy.”
Victor turned away without answering.
Of course, it was fortunate. Because she was not familiar with internal affairs, his retainers used to have an ambiguous attitude toward Amarion.
But she proved her abilities in a different way. Now, at least there wouldn’t be any who accused Amarion of incompetence. It was really fortunate.
More than anything…
[Your people thanked me. I’m happy.]
“…I don’t care if you are happy.”
Victor picked up a paper from the corner of the desk. He had re-read it dozens of times.
Unanswered questions lingered in his mind.
‘Are you still angry?’
‘Its okay for you to write me a letter now?’
‘Do I dare write a reply?’
‘If I tell you I can’t sleep because I’m worried, will you come back…?’
He had a sudden urge.
All urgent work was now done. Carlz was able to handle reports, and most of the patients of Cataleon were healed, so Diederick was able to manage them. There were no guests looking for the Grand Duke, and the Emperor had not sent a messenger.
And he couldn’t sleep.
“The situation in Fidelburg was not properly reported.”
“Yeah. It seems that even the situation of Fidelburg is difficult to gauge because there are so many monsters.”
“It will be dangerous.”
Carlz understood his Master’s words and widened his eyes.
“No, my Lord. Madame told me to keep you in the castle…!”
“What’s the point if I can’t sleep?”
Victor exhaled. He put the letter into a drawer and stood up.
The subjugation army had been traveling for a week, but Fidelburg could be reached in three to four days if they rode at full force. His body would be able to endure that amount of time without sleeping properly…
The knight quickly realized that his Master could not be stopped. Carlz, who glared at Victor fiercely, finally exhaled.
“…A man who rushes will look unattractive.”
“I do not care. After all, she found out about everything.”
Victor smiled bitterly and grabbed his cloak. The servants were instructed, and a bag with food, medicine, gold, and clothes was prepared.
After thinking about it, he grabbed three volumes of from the library and put them in his bag. The servants didn’t dare to say anything. Recently their master had been tired, and this was the most alive he had looked since Amarion left.
At the front door, Diederick bowed to see off his Master.
“Good luck, your highness. Please give Madame our regards.”
Victor nodded his head.
Soon, the figure wrapped in jet-black robes moved away.
＊ ＊ ＊
“This is…?”
“Fidelburg, Madame.”
After a hard journey, they finally reached Fidelburg.
Fidelburg was much more barren than she expected. The castle built in the crevice of a rocky mountain was like a fortress, and the moat was dug so that a drawbridge was the only entrance. It must have been built at a time when war was in full swing on the continent.
Even if Orcs attacked, it would be easy to stop them.
Nevertheless, security was very strict. No torches were lit, so moonlight was the only thing illuminating the knights’ way.
As they made their way along the dark road to the front gate, a guard shouted.
“Tell us where you belong to!”
“This is the subjugation force sent by the Grand Duke! Thirty senior knights, a healer, and her highness the Grand Duchess are here!”
“Is that your voice, Leonard?”
Suddenly, someone interrupted. Sir Leonard recognized the voice and raised his head.
“Ulan?”
“Right! I wonder if there was a banshee mimicking a human voice.”
Another man gave a loud command.
“Lower the gates!”
Soon the drawbridge came down.
‘You know him?’
Even though Amarion was surprised, she quickly entered the castle.
People in light armour approached. They looked like the castle guard. The man in the lead took off his helmet and grabbed Leonard’s hand happily.
“How long has it been, brother? I almost forgot your face.”
“I’m sorry, I should’ve come more often.”
Leonard bowed his head as if apologizing. But the man slapped his back.
“What do you have to apologize for? The young lady will be delighted.”
“That’s good.”
Leonard smiled and introduced the man to them.
“This is Ulan Ball, Captain of the Fidelburg guard. He has been in charge of policing since I was a child.”
“Hello. It’s an honor to meet you, Madame.”
The captain bowed sternly. He looked like a cheerful middle-aged gentleman, but he was modest in his posture.
They exchanged greetings.
“Nice to meet you, Sir Ulan. I wish you all the best in the future.”
“Aye! We will do our best to help in any way! Then I will bring you to the Lord right away.”
Ulan spoke as he mounted his horse. They followed him to the castle.
The road was very rough. Few monsters could have scaled the wall, but everyone was silent and lights were nowhere to be found. Markets and pubs were likewise closed.
‘Why?’
Ulan explained as she looked around.
“Because of Griffins. At night, they target lights. There are too many of them, so I recommend reducing light as much as possible.”
“Are they hard to deal with even with your guards?”
Morte had a lot of griffins everywhere, so the guards should know how to deal with them.
Besides, she heard that Fidelburg’s guards were quite high-level.
The captain sighed.
“You will see it tomorrow. Oh, here we are.”
The castle appeared in front of them. They dismounted their horses and entered the darkened castle.
The lord of the castle, Count Fidelburg, was in the lobby.
According to Leonard, he was a close aide to the previous Grand Duke and a vassal with excellent administrative skills. He had also been protecting the Eastern part of Morte for a long time, so he had a lot of influence… although he hadn’t stopped by the Grand Duke’s castle at all lately.
True to his reputation, the Count was a dignified gentleman with long, gray hair. The Count examined Amarion through his monocle and bowed politely.
“I see you, Madame. Forgive me for being rude and not greeting you at the gate.”
“It’s okay, Count. You’ve been through a lot.”
“It’s crazy.”
The Count turned his grey eyes to the side. Leonard immediately bowed his head.
“Long time no see, Count Fidelburg.”
The Count did not answer for a long time.
‘Huh?’
Amarion blinked and looked at the Count and Leonard alternately. She could see Leonard’s troubled breathing. In the distance, the knights were making a pitiful expression.
“You have worked hard to get here, Sir.”
“…Yes.”
“Madame, I’ve prepared a bed for you, so please take a break and unwind, and I’ll post a report tomorrow morning.”
Count Fidelburg spoke in a cold tone and disappeared. It was polite, but cold.
Was he angry? Sir Raoul clicked his tongue.
“I knew it. Of course, he is angry, leaving his precious daughter alone for such a long time.”
“The Count is famous for loving his daughter very much… Her fiancée has been wandering around the battlefield for years, and nobles of Morte have been whispering.”
“Still, our young lady is always determined.”
Leonard raised his head suddenly at Ulan’s words. Seeing the glimmer of hope on his blunt face, the captain said quickly.
“The lady is in her office now. She is very tired these days. Thankfully she is not sick. See her tomorrow.”
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Leonard nodded his head with a brief sigh.
Soon the servants of the castle arrived and tended to the wounded, while the rest headed to their accommodations.
***
Kofi shop updated till chapter 70.