Chapter 29

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 29

Chapter Title: Shadows of the Viscount

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Aden had gleaned much from the stories Ilrin poured out bit by bit each night.

Ilrin hadn't hidden how she'd lived in the Arlen estate, either.

Still, her stance held a certain ambiguity.

Aden, who had always faced just two choices—slash with his sword or hold back—found it hard to understand.

She seemed to despise her father, yet she didn't appear eager to stab him dead even if handed a blade.

Even if she faced Viscount Arlen again now, even if he spewed even harsher abuse than before, she would simply plug her ears rather than silence his mouth.

It wasn't because she loved the viscount.

She harbored a strange fear toward him.

"Ten years from now?"

At the odd question, Ilrin sank into thought.

The sudden notion that crossed her mind was simply that she might still be alive.

"Yes. If it's complicated, I can help you more."

Aden rose from his chair and circled behind her, embracing her.

He whispered softly into her ear.

"If Viscount Arlen, ten years hence, has risen to far greater honor and status than now, living in luxury, what do you think you'd feel?"

The first emotion to surge would be discomfort.

Ilrin pressed her lips into a firm line.

Aden chuckled.

"Do you still hold any familial affection for him?"

'Have you ever dreamed of me?'

She had discarded that when leaving the estate.

Ilrin shook her head.

"Then it doesn't matter how much worse he gets."

Aden gazed at her, his voice gentle.

It's not a bad thing, either.

He pressed a kiss to her hair as he spoke.

"Do what Ilrin wants. Do whatever your heart desires. No matter what you do, once you've seen my face, you can't leave the Winter Lands."

His whispering voice was unbearably sweet.

Ilrin understood what he meant.

He phrased it like a threat, but it was the opposite.

No matter what you do, I won't let you go.

So go ahead freely and do as you please.

"If it's difficult, you can decide in the capital. It won't be too late."

Ilrin lowered her gaze slightly.

It would be a lie to say she'd never harbored ill thoughts toward her un-fatherly father and the estate underlings who had turned her years there into hell.

She didn't wish them well.

She had stayed put in the estate only because she had nowhere else to go.

But now was different.

She hoped that ten years from now, they would be in utter ruin.

Ilrin was startled by the abrupt thought.

Aden took her clenched fist in his and said,

"Ilrin isn't a bad person."

They're the bad ones.

"If you're still anxious, that's fine."

Aden hugged her tightly.

"If you go to the capital with me, I'll show you just how bad I can be."

Ilrin thought, As long as you're not that bad. Right?

Most folk of the Winter Lands had never left its borders.

Long ago, the Milton Tribe had held sway to the southeast, pushing human settlements deep inland even within the Winter Lands.

A thousand years ago, before the Milton Tribe's peak power, Biplten Castle had stood closer to the capital.

Now, that site lay as abandoned ruins.

Afterward, Winter folk gradually distanced themselves from the capital.

It varied by the reigning duke's temperament, but the general mindset was that the capital and winter were worlds apart.

To them, the Winter Duke being one of the empire's citizens was a trivial, forgettable fact.

No matter how mighty the capital's emperor, he couldn't reach the winter.

Winter had its own laws.

Of course, the manpower and supplies needed to reach the capital were no small feat, so only those of considerable status could even attempt it.

Few had the courage to brave the blizzards.

Besides, the Winter Lands' self-sufficiency was better than the capital folk imagined, so there was little reason to care.

Thus, to Winter folk, the capital was an unknown realm.

The Delroz maids were no different.

They had never dreamed of visiting the capital in their lifetimes.

So the sudden order threw them into chaos.

[Select personnel to attend Madam in the capital.]

Up to the previous duchess's era, a few maids had experience traveling there.

The late Duke of Biplten had dealings with the capital.

But not Aden.

In his generation, those with capital experience had all but vanished.

"What about Sien? She's close in age to Madam..."

"She hasn't served Madam long enough."

This sparked heated debate among the maids over the grave duty of attending the capital-born Madam.

True to Delroz form, which never forced orders, the maids each had a fair choice.

Go to the capital, or not.

Of course, Etra, who oversaw Madam's entourage, had no such option.

She suddenly had to bone up on capital studies.

"Isn't this too thick?"

The day before departure, maids with even scant capital knowledge gathered on one side to sort Ilrin's luggage.

Ilrin had assumed a few changes of clothes, like when she came in winter, would suffice.

But to the maids, that was absurd.

Skin care products alone numbered more than a couple.

Even if Madam claimed no need for skincare, they had to pack anyway.

For underlings, if their charge needed one item, packing ten was proper duty.

"How about this coat?"

Delroz maid Nesi held up a thick outer coat.

Not as padded as Winter Lands garb, but thick enough to survive capital winter.

"Isn't it too thin?"

But Mito, fingering it, shook her head.

She had fetched it from the back of the dressing room.

Clothing fit for late January or early February here.

When true cold hadn't set in.

"How about this?"

"Isn't that too thick?"

"Then how thin should we go?"

Nesi and Mito fell into confusion.

"The capital has winter too."

"Is their winter like our April?"

They ended up bickering.

But Winter folk debating the capital yielded no answers.

"Need help with that?"

At the sudden voice, Nesi and Mito, deep in argument, scowled.

"No touching Madam's things without permission."

"Get Etra's approval first."

"You're right. Understood."

The calm, measured tone felt familiar.

The two maids glanced back casually—and recoiled in horror.

Ilrin was nodding and turning away.

"Oh no, Madam!"

Nesi and Mito managed to catch Madam before she reached Etra.

"We're so sorry!"

"It's fine."

Ilrin smiled.

They must have mistaken her for another novice maid.

"Are these the clothes for the capital trip?"

Ilrin pointed to the piled garments.

Nesi bowed deeply.

"Yes, Madam. Since the capital has winter, we prepared thicker ones."

Ilrin examined the maids' selections.

Slightly light for Winter Lands, but far too heavy for the capital.

"These..."

Even nobles didn't bundle so thickly in winter.

The higher the status, the more they endured discomfort for style.

Eyeing the plump, almost cute coats, Ilrin chose her words.

"They seem... rather like Winter Lands clothing."

Nesi and Mito exchanged glances at her words.

"Too thick?"

"Yes. Something lighter would suit the capital better."

Ilrin said carefully, scanning the dressing room.

"Could you show me clothes for the mildest weather first?"

The maids led her to the back.

Brand-new garments hung in rows, untouched, awaiting an owner.

"These clothes..."

Worn by the late duchess? Ilrin inspected them closely.

If she was the previous Duchess, Aden's mother, she'd have been middle-aged.

She must have dressed youthfully, Ilrin thought.

"All for Madam."

"Newly prepared."

"Pardon?"

Ilrin reflexively asked again.

Seeing her shock, Nesi and Mito exchanged looks.

Then stammered,

"Well... we prepared them soon after you arrived, Madam."

Ilrin gaped blankly.

She hadn't checked all, but most in the dressing room looked women's wear.

"...Everything here?"

Even in Winter Lands, wardrobes changed by season.

Winter dominated, but Biplten divided into January through April: February mildest, April fiercest.

Some distinction.

Yet they'd already bought full sets for all months?

"If none please you, we'll fetch others."

Mito stammered, fidgeting visibly.

Snapping to, Ilrin raised a hand to stop her.

"No. I was just surprised..."

By how much there was.

She reassured the maids again.

"Call us anytime for needed garments."

"Or anything else!"

Not fully eased, Nesi quickly added to Mito's words.

Ilrin smiled at the maids eager to provide more for Madam.

"It's fine, truly."

More than enough already.

She meant it sincerely.

Not empty words.

Even if clothes and items fell short, Delroz's willingness sufficed her.

"Which do you like?"

Her brightening face restored their cheer.

Ilrin, browsing, picked far thinner than their choices.

Few so light in the dressing room.

They likely hadn't gauged a capital person's cold tolerance.

"Since it's for Esid Merchant Group business, we'll head to one of their buildings... This should do for starters. If we stay long, we can buy more."

Ilrin said cautiously.

Then flinched.

"Ah... Is there no allocated budget for this trip, or..."

Mito shook her head firmly.

"Of course not! His Grace ordered full preparation, no lacks."

Ilrin pictured Aden at her words.

'If you go to the capital with me, I'll show you just how bad I can be.'

She'd decided impulsively on his words, but some unease lingered.

What would she say when facing her father—that man?