“Are you going to fight?”
The surrounding atmosphere changed in an instant with just one word.
Just to celebrate the birth of a new lord of Valmonde, the head of a family that was both a rival and enemy from Rowen would travel all the way to the far north, something that had never been thought of between the two families.
Furthermore, Rowen had recently experienced a civil war with the Pagos region. Never before had the people of the territory wished for reconciliation between Vermont and Temnes. Just as the political landscape of the kingdom changed when the former Queen Sylvia and the Duchess of Temnes were sisters.
This time, the Duchess of Temnes was the sister of the Duke of Vermont.
With high expectations, Claudel’s party arrived, and those who had been warmly watching the planned meeting between relatives froze when they saw Irena and Kaian fighting.
‘Damn it. Temnes and Vermont are like that.’
When the same thought crossed everyone’s mind.
“No way. You’re not as stupid as you’re worried about.”
Irena said lightly with a relaxed face.
“I just wondered if you remembered what I told you before.”
In the end, she frowned slightly at the fact that Kaian had acted like someone who had never learned manners even though she had invited him as a guest.
“Thank you for finding the Castle de Valmonde. This way.”
“Thank you for the hospitality.”
Only then did the people around, who had been watching without knowing what to do, sigh deeply in relief.
‘Ugh. Is it really okay?’
I thought that neither Irena nor Kaian could believe it, but I couldn’t show it.
I had to swallow a thousand sighs internally until Kaian, who had been following Irena, turned around and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, hesitating in embarrassment and nervousness.
Leonie’s eyes widened as she looked out the small window of the carriage.
In front of the imposingly large outer gate, flags with the family emblem engraved on them were draped on both sides, and soldiers lined up.
Behind them, girls holding long baskets that could fit a fist were chatting among themselves, and when the carriage passed, they quickly waved and scattered flower pollen.
“Oh, there’s a greeting.”
Evan and Leonie arrived at the castle of Valmonde on purpose with a delay from Kaian and Claudel.
The purpose of this event was to make it known that Irena had become the lord of Valmonde and was completely independent of the Kingdom of Oberon, so it was going to be a grand event.
However, Evan was the younger brother of the previous Duke who had been ousted by Irena. Furthermore, he was also a pure-blooded Vermont, so the situation was somewhat ambiguous. The Duke of Vermont had announced that Irena would become his successor due to his mental illness worsening from overwork and old age while on a campaign, but not everyone believed it.
Since Irena did not inherit the position smoothly, Evan’s appearance itself could have been an opportunity for a power struggle within Valmonde.
Originally, Irena sent the formal invitation to Valmonde Castle to the Duke and Duchess of Temnes.
“Let’s go together.”
When Evan said nonchalantly, Kaian and Claudel were surprised.
“Really?”
“Why? Is there anywhere I can’t go?”
When Claudel asked, he responded as if it was nothing. Kaian nodded while looking at Evan.
“We’re fine. We’ll prepare so we can leave together.”
“Hmph.”
They were leaving with a young baby.
No matter how carefully the nanny and wet nurse looked after Julien, could they really trust them?
It would be nice to have a few more adults to watch over him and pay close attention to him.
However, they couldn’t leave Julien at Rowen Castle, and Kaian said that if they were going to go, they had to take him with them.
Since Claudel had been indebted to Irena in many ways when she escaped from the castle, she wanted to attend and give her strength somehow.
So, taking Julien with her to Valmonde was the only option.
On top of that, traveling with her parents, who she had separated from when she was young and had no other memories of!
It was natural for Claudel to be excited and happy.
However, if they arrived at the castle at the same time, more attention would be drawn to them and Evan’s presence would be highlighted, so they had arranged for Evan and Leonie to arrive after the Duke and Duchess of Temnes entered the castle.
Just to celebrate the birth of a new lord of Valmonde, the head of a family that was both a rival and enemy from Rowen would travel all the way to the far north, something that had never been thought of between the two families.
Furthermore, Rowen had recently experienced a civil war with the Pagos region. Never before had the people of the territory wished for reconciliation between Vermont and Temnes. Just as the political landscape of the kingdom changed when the former Queen Sylvia and the Duchess of Temnes were sisters.
This time, the Duchess of Temnes was the sister of the Duke of Vermont.
With high expectations, Claudel’s party arrived, and those who had been warmly watching the planned meeting between relatives froze when they saw Irena and Kaian fighting.
‘Damn it. Temnes and Vermont are like that.’
When the same thought crossed everyone’s mind.
“No way. You’re not as stupid as you’re worried about.”
Irena said lightly with a relaxed face.
“I just wondered if you remembered what I told you before.”
In the end, she frowned slightly at the fact that Kaian had acted like someone who had never learned manners even though she had invited him as a guest.
“Thank you for finding the Castle de Valmonde. This way.”
“Thank you for the hospitality.”
Only then did the people around, who had been watching without knowing what to do, sigh deeply in relief.
‘Ugh. Is it really okay?’
I thought that neither Irena nor Kaian could believe it, but I couldn’t show it.
I had to swallow a thousand sighs internally until Kaian, who had been following Irena, turned around and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, hesitating in embarrassment and nervousness.
***
Leonie’s eyes widened as she looked out the small window of the carriage.
In front of the imposingly large outer gate, flags with the family emblem engraved on them were draped on both sides, and soldiers lined up.
Behind them, girls holding long baskets that could fit a fist were chatting among themselves, and when the carriage passed, they quickly waved and scattered flower pollen.
“Oh, there’s a greeting.”
Evan and Leonie arrived at the castle of Valmonde on purpose with a delay from Kaian and Claudel.
The purpose of this event was to make it known that Irena had become the lord of Valmonde and was completely independent of the Kingdom of Oberon, so it was going to be a grand event.
However, Evan was the younger brother of the previous Duke who had been ousted by Irena. Furthermore, he was also a pure-blooded Vermont, so the situation was somewhat ambiguous. The Duke of Vermont had announced that Irena would become his successor due to his mental illness worsening from overwork and old age while on a campaign, but not everyone believed it.
Since Irena did not inherit the position smoothly, Evan’s appearance itself could have been an opportunity for a power struggle within Valmonde.
Originally, Irena sent the formal invitation to Valmonde Castle to the Duke and Duchess of Temnes.
“Let’s go together.”
When Evan said nonchalantly, Kaian and Claudel were surprised.
“Really?”
“Why? Is there anywhere I can’t go?”
When Claudel asked, he responded as if it was nothing. Kaian nodded while looking at Evan.
“We’re fine. We’ll prepare so we can leave together.”
“Hmph.”
They were leaving with a young baby.
No matter how carefully the nanny and wet nurse looked after Julien, could they really trust them?
It would be nice to have a few more adults to watch over him and pay close attention to him.
However, they couldn’t leave Julien at Rowen Castle, and Kaian said that if they were going to go, they had to take him with them.
Since Claudel had been indebted to Irena in many ways when she escaped from the castle, she wanted to attend and give her strength somehow.
So, taking Julien with her to Valmonde was the only option.
On top of that, traveling with her parents, who she had separated from when she was young and had no other memories of!
It was natural for Claudel to be excited and happy.
However, if they arrived at the castle at the same time, more attention would be drawn to them and Evan’s presence would be highlighted, so they had arranged for Evan and Leonie to arrive after the Duke and Duchess of Temnes entered the castle.
When the carriage stopped, servants opened the door outside. Evan got out first and held Leonie’s hand, and Irena greeted them happily.
“Uncle. Aunt. Thank you for coming such a long way.”
There was a huge uproar at Valmonde Castle when Evan, who had been buried in the castle crypt after a formal funeral, showed up alive.
The previous Duke of Vermont had mistakenly reported the news of his death on the continent of Sol, but many were suspicious of Irena’s decision to become a Duke.
So many people were watching their relationship closely, but when Irena unexpectedly treated him as the ‘elder of the family’, it was so appropriate that everyone who was watching agreed.
“Thank you for welcoming me.”
Unlike Evan, who responded with a sense of distance despite being her uncle, Leonie gently hugged her and let go.
“I didn’t know you would come out like this to welcome me.”
“Of course, it’s my job, Auntie.”
Irena smiled and added quietly so that only she could hear.
“Especially since you didn’t hold the wedding ceremony at the castle.”
“Uncle. Aunt. Thank you for coming such a long way.”
There was a huge uproar at Valmonde Castle when Evan, who had been buried in the castle crypt after a formal funeral, showed up alive.
The previous Duke of Vermont had mistakenly reported the news of his death on the continent of Sol, but many were suspicious of Irena’s decision to become a Duke.
So many people were watching their relationship closely, but when Irena unexpectedly treated him as the ‘elder of the family’, it was so appropriate that everyone who was watching agreed.
“Thank you for welcoming me.”
Unlike Evan, who responded with a sense of distance despite being her uncle, Leonie gently hugged her and let go.
“I didn’t know you would come out like this to welcome me.”
“Of course, it’s my job, Auntie.”
Irena smiled and added quietly so that only she could hear.
“Especially since you didn’t hold the wedding ceremony at the castle.”
How could she be so considerate? Leonie’s heart warmed at Irena’s hospitality.
Leonie thought that if she was going to take Julien, she should go with him and help him, but she didn’t feel like doing it.
Born and raised as a child of a hidden tree in the village of Plogne, she had never left the village.
Her neighbor Hannah said she didn’t know what people were doing and went to the castle of Valmonde to receive the baptism of ice, but she, the fruit of Arbor, could not leave the village of Plogne. However, she arrived at the castle after suffering through her burns and was insulted and kicked out. She was stabbed one after another with the news that Evan had died, that she could not be recognized as his wife, and above all, that she did not look like a proper mother to Claudel.
Leonie thought that if she was going to take Julien, she should go with him and help him, but she didn’t feel like doing it.
Born and raised as a child of a hidden tree in the village of Plogne, she had never left the village.
Her neighbor Hannah said she didn’t know what people were doing and went to the castle of Valmonde to receive the baptism of ice, but she, the fruit of Arbor, could not leave the village of Plogne. However, she arrived at the castle after suffering through her burns and was insulted and kicked out. She was stabbed one after another with the news that Evan had died, that she could not be recognized as his wife, and above all, that she did not look like a proper mother to Claudel.
When she arrived at the castle of Valmonde, she was worried that she would tremble with a disgusted face.
‘Still, I think it was a good decision to come.’
‘Still, I think it was a good decision to come.’
It was really nice to see Claudel and Irena caring for each other.
Although she didn’t do much for Claudel while she was growing up, she was able to travel together, make memories, and take care of Julien. Still, she felt happy that she could do something for her daughter.
There were many times when Kaian and Claudel, who had gone for a walk in the resting village, did not return for a long time, so she took responsibility and paid more attention to Julien.
While the women were respecting each other with noble hearts,
'We arrived at the castle without any problems.'
Evan had other thoughts on his own.
The castle of Valmonde was the Vermont family itself. Becoming the lord of the castle meant owning everything in Vermont. How could he possibly set foot in the place that was originally his brother's?
'If you wait for an opportunity, you have to take risks.'
He planned to take Leonie, Claudel, and Julien and escape to the Sol Continent through the port when the time was right.
Although she didn’t do much for Claudel while she was growing up, she was able to travel together, make memories, and take care of Julien. Still, she felt happy that she could do something for her daughter.
There were many times when Kaian and Claudel, who had gone for a walk in the resting village, did not return for a long time, so she took responsibility and paid more attention to Julien.
While the women were respecting each other with noble hearts,
'We arrived at the castle without any problems.'
Evan had other thoughts on his own.
The castle of Valmonde was the Vermont family itself. Becoming the lord of the castle meant owning everything in Vermont. How could he possibly set foot in the place that was originally his brother's?
'If you wait for an opportunity, you have to take risks.'
He planned to take Leonie, Claudel, and Julien and escape to the Sol Continent through the port when the time was right.
There were so many men in the world. Why would the son of my enemy dare to covet my daughter?
He barely held back his instinctive rejection whenever he saw Kaian, watching Leonie and Claudel's expressions.
'What can I do if I don't like something?'
It was not easy for him, who had grown old, to cover up his feelings for Temnes, whom he had been hostile to all his life.
Wasn’t it justified to hate Temnes the moment he was born as a Vermont?
Navigation was Vermont’s.
In any case, if he left for the Sol Continent, it would be difficult to track him from Temnes.
Rohan could reach the Sol Continent via the East-West Route, but it would take two or three times longer than using the North Sea.
Even if Kaian were to chase him, he would have already hidden everyone somewhere in the unknown Sol Continent.
Evan smiled contentedly at the thought of hitting Kaian on the back of the head and taking his daughter and grandchild away.
Seeing him like that, Leonie and Irena, who could not read his dark intentions, smiled brightly and headed toward the castle.
“Yes. So they all arrived?”
The Duke of Vermont muttered as he looked into the air.
“Evan, too?”
It was a sight that would make anyone look crazy, but surprisingly, a small answer was heard.
“Yes. That’s right.”
The place where he was confined was where there was a problem with the succession or a political enemy in the family.
The not-so-small space had separate bedrooms, a study, and a living room, but the low ceiling and the thick, opaque glass windows were small and high, creating a stuffy atmosphere. The reason he installed various devices there was because he was so suspicious and worried, and he never dreamed that he would actually use them.
In any case, the Duke of Vermont was moving his loyalists around even now that his daughter, Irena, was called the Duke of Vermont.
“Is the Valmonde Independence Day celebration well-prepared?”
“Of course.”
“Isn’t that where it’s supposed to be?”
“Traditionally, it’s held on the ice of the lake. There’s no other place where people can gather.”
When things seemed to be going smoothly as he had ordered, the Duke of Vermont raised the corners of his lips in satisfaction.
“Yes. Come back with good news next time.”
Soon, the small sound that had to be listened to disappeared.
Then, a heavy silence came over him, where nothing could be heard or felt except for the Duke of Vermont’s breathing.
However, today, even the silence that drove people crazy felt fine.
The Duke of Vermont snickered with a face filled with joy.
“You made me like this. Do you think you guys would be comfortable?”
He barely held back his instinctive rejection whenever he saw Kaian, watching Leonie and Claudel's expressions.
'What can I do if I don't like something?'
It was not easy for him, who had grown old, to cover up his feelings for Temnes, whom he had been hostile to all his life.
Wasn’t it justified to hate Temnes the moment he was born as a Vermont?
Navigation was Vermont’s.
In any case, if he left for the Sol Continent, it would be difficult to track him from Temnes.
Rohan could reach the Sol Continent via the East-West Route, but it would take two or three times longer than using the North Sea.
Even if Kaian were to chase him, he would have already hidden everyone somewhere in the unknown Sol Continent.
Evan smiled contentedly at the thought of hitting Kaian on the back of the head and taking his daughter and grandchild away.
Seeing him like that, Leonie and Irena, who could not read his dark intentions, smiled brightly and headed toward the castle.
***
“Yes. So they all arrived?”
The Duke of Vermont muttered as he looked into the air.
“Evan, too?”
It was a sight that would make anyone look crazy, but surprisingly, a small answer was heard.
“Yes. That’s right.”
The place where he was confined was where there was a problem with the succession or a political enemy in the family.
The not-so-small space had separate bedrooms, a study, and a living room, but the low ceiling and the thick, opaque glass windows were small and high, creating a stuffy atmosphere. The reason he installed various devices there was because he was so suspicious and worried, and he never dreamed that he would actually use them.
In any case, the Duke of Vermont was moving his loyalists around even now that his daughter, Irena, was called the Duke of Vermont.
“Is the Valmonde Independence Day celebration well-prepared?”
“Of course.”
“Isn’t that where it’s supposed to be?”
“Traditionally, it’s held on the ice of the lake. There’s no other place where people can gather.”
When things seemed to be going smoothly as he had ordered, the Duke of Vermont raised the corners of his lips in satisfaction.
“Yes. Come back with good news next time.”
Soon, the small sound that had to be listened to disappeared.
Then, a heavy silence came over him, where nothing could be heard or felt except for the Duke of Vermont’s breathing.
However, today, even the silence that drove people crazy felt fine.
The Duke of Vermont snickered with a face filled with joy.
“You made me like this. Do you think you guys would be comfortable?”
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