“Are you heading to the warm region again?” The knight of Delrose was surprised, as it wasn’t the first time the winter duke had ventured out to such a distant location. It was a risky journey that required extensive preparations and utmost caution, especially for someone as important as the center of Biflten. It was the duty of the lower ranks to ensure their lord’s safety, so the knights had no reason to complain.
“But isn’t his Majesty occupied with affairs of state?” Emil, the knight’s captain, advised caution, and Aegis, who had already been convinced by Aden, listened attentively.
“Nevertheless, the journey to the warm region is necessary,” Aegis replied.
“But His Majesty…” Emil began to argue, but Aegis interjected with the best argument he could muster.
“He was requested to bring the Lady to the warm region.”
“Who on earth is making such a request?” The words were both respectful and scornful, and Emil corrected himself with a quivering voice. “I mean,” he cleared his throat, “Who asked for the Lady?”
Aegis explained the situation, stating that the request came from a duke, and it would be difficult to refuse on the surface of Acid’s upper echelon. There were two options: either the Lady would attend the party alone, using her position as “Acid’s Distribution Manager,” or the winter duke would accompany her to the party as Biflten’s duke.
No Delrose would ever allow a fragile Lady to travel alone, and eventually, Emil was convinced for the same reasons as Aegis, and became silent.
And so, the journey to the sun was decided once again.
***
The arrangements for the trip to the warmer region were swiftly completed. Having visited several times before, Ilyin had become familiar with the process. Additionally, as there was no need to select a maid accustomed to the sun in Delrose, the time required for recruiting personnel and preparing goods was significantly reduced. Before she knew it, the maids had become proficient enough to handle the preparations without Ilyin’s assistance. This newfound freedom allowed Ilyin to have a little more leisure time.
“Grandmother.”
“Oh, my dear, you’re here.”
Despite the hustle and bustle of the preparations, Bertha’s room was relatively quiet. Nevertheless, she had some company in the form of a few maids who always stayed by her side on the seventh floor, as she was a guest of Delrose. However, on this day, some of the maids had left their positions. Bertha had obtained permission beforehand to be informed of any important news, and so she was aware that Ilyin was going to the warm region.
“Are you going out again? You must be busy. What brings you here, my dear?” Bertha gestured to take a seat, despite her words.
Ilyin smiled and sat down carefully, responding in a soft voice, “Perhaps, grandmother, would you like to come with me?”
Bertha teased her, “As expected, my dear finds this grandmother troublesome.”
Ilyin laughed, knowing that Bertha was just being playful. Being with Bertha always brought a smile to her face. Bertha was someone who understood her in a way that Aden couldn’t. She could talk to Bertha about her premonitions and anxiety in a way that made her feel truly understood. Although Aden had also been able to share dreams with her using the power of the Red Cloth, it was Bertha who could empathize with her fears and concerns the most.
“If you want to go, I was thinking of suggesting that we go together. We’re also going with Den this time,” Ilyin proposed.
Ilyin always wanted to ensure Bertha was comfortable, and spending time in a place where her grandmother felt at ease was a priority. Bertha’s broad smile was a testament to her contentment.
“Even if the Winter Duke comes with us, he won’t bring sunlight like last time, right?” she remarked. Aden had made use of his abilities on every occasion they visited the sun, yet the temperature never rose enough for the sun’s rays to penetrate the clouds. The only time it did was when Ilyin had lost consciousness.
“Then let Grandmother enjoy her summer vacation,” Bertha leaned back in her plush armchair. Ilyin smiled as she stared fondly at Bertha, sitting in front of the fireplace, covered with a soft blanket, looking comfortable. She decided to stop worrying about Bertha for a while.
“I’ll be back in a bit,” Ilyin said. “If anyone mistreats you here, make sure to call me,” she said, making the maid standing next to her stiffen at her words.
“Are you heading to the warm region again?” The knight of Delrose was surprised, as it wasn’t the first time the winter duke had ventured out to such a distant location. It was a risky journey that required extensive preparations and utmost caution, especially for someone as important as the center of Biflten. It was the duty of the lower ranks to ensure their lord’s safety, so the knights had no reason to complain.
“But isn’t his Majesty occupied with affairs of state?” Emil, the knight’s captain, advised caution, and Aegis, who had already been convinced by Aden, listened attentively.
“Nevertheless, the journey to the warm region is necessary,” Aegis replied.
“But His Majesty…” Emil began to argue, but Aegis interjected with the best argument he could muster.
“He was requested to bring the Lady to the warm region.”
“Who on earth is making such a request?” The words were both respectful and scornful, and Emil corrected himself with a quivering voice. “I mean,” he cleared his throat, “Who asked for the Lady?”
Aegis explained the situation, stating that the request came from a duke, and it would be difficult to refuse on the surface of Acid’s upper echelon. There were two options: either the Lady would attend the party alone, using her position as “Acid’s Distribution Manager,” or the winter duke would accompany her to the party as Biflten’s duke.
No Delrose would ever allow a fragile Lady to travel alone, and eventually, Emil was convinced for the same reasons as Aegis, and became silent.
And so, the journey to the sun was decided once again.
***
The arrangements for the trip to the warmer region were swiftly completed. Having visited several times before, Ilyin had become familiar with the process. Additionally, as there was no need to select a maid accustomed to the sun in Delrose, the time required for recruiting personnel and preparing goods was significantly reduced. Before she knew it, the maids had become proficient enough to handle the preparations without Ilyin’s assistance. This newfound freedom allowed Ilyin to have a little more leisure time.
“Grandmother.”
“Oh, my dear, you’re here.”
Despite the hustle and bustle of the preparations, Bertha’s room was relatively quiet. Nevertheless, she had some company in the form of a few maids who always stayed by her side on the seventh floor, as she was a guest of Delrose. However, on this day, some of the maids had left their positions. Bertha had obtained permission beforehand to be informed of any important news, and so she was aware that Ilyin was going to the warm region.
“Are you going out again? You must be busy. What brings you here, my dear?” Bertha gestured to take a seat, despite her words.
Ilyin smiled and sat down carefully, responding in a soft voice, “Perhaps, grandmother, would you like to come with me?”
Bertha teased her, “As expected, my dear finds this grandmother troublesome.”
Ilyin laughed, knowing that Bertha was just being playful. Being with Bertha always brought a smile to her face. Bertha was someone who understood her in a way that Aden couldn’t. She could talk to Bertha about her premonitions and anxiety in a way that made her feel truly understood. Although Aden had also been able to share dreams with her using the power of the Red Cloth, it was Bertha who could empathize with her fears and concerns the most.
“If you want to go, I was thinking of suggesting that we go together. We’re also going with Den this time,” Ilyin proposed.
Ilyin always wanted to ensure Bertha was comfortable, and spending time in a place where her grandmother felt at ease was a priority. Bertha’s broad smile was a testament to her contentment.
“Even if the Winter Duke comes with us, he won’t bring sunlight like last time, right?” she remarked. Aden had made use of his abilities on every occasion they visited the sun, yet the temperature never rose enough for the sun’s rays to penetrate the clouds. The only time it did was when Ilyin had lost consciousness.
“Then let Grandmother enjoy her summer vacation,” Bertha leaned back in her plush armchair. Ilyin smiled as she stared fondly at Bertha, sitting in front of the fireplace, covered with a soft blanket, looking comfortable. She decided to stop worrying about Bertha for a while.
“I’ll be back in a bit,” Ilyin said. “If anyone mistreats you here, make sure to call me,” she said, making the maid standing next to her stiffen at her words.
