“In the past, when there was still sunlight in the winter region, there were also monsters, you know?” Eli remarked while pouring hot water into her teacup. Ilyin nodded, recalling the information she had discovered during her research on Biflten’s history.
“It is said that monsters could inhabit hot regions as well. Therefore, during the winter when monsters were not constrained by weather, there were frequent attacks by winter monsters in the warm region.”
“Ah…” Ilyin pondered, realizing the implications. She raised her teacup. “So, Biflten was entrusted with the responsibility of fending off the monsters from the north.”
If the people of the warm region were unable to handle the monsters in this region, it made sense for them to enter into a “contract” with Biflten instead of issuing “orders.” Without the support of Biflten, the empire would be defenseless.
“That’s correct,” confirmed Eli with a mischievous smile. Ilyin fell into deep thought as she took a sip of her tea.
A contract. Biflten’s role was to prevent the winter monsters from descending into the wam region. In that case, there must have been something the imperial family provided to Biflten in return.
“What did they receive in exchange?” Ilyin inquired.
“Some degree of independence,” responded Eli. “It wouldn’t be practical to seek permission from the imperial family every time knights need to venture far north to hunt monsters.”
“Ah…” Ilyin nodded, understanding the reasoning.
“Of course, that’s merely a nominal reason. Over time, it has evolved into a state that is nearly equivalent to a principality,” Eli explained further.
Indeed, Biflten operated under a distinct governing system. Ilyin nodded slowly, absorbing the information.
“So, was this mansion built at the request of the imperial family?” she asked.
“That’s correct,” Eli confirmed. It was also the desire of the previous dukes, signifying their intention to maintain a friendly relationship and avoid going against the imperial family.
Ilyin tilted her head slightly, contemplating the situation. As far as she knew, the current owners had no intention of opposing that will.
Above all, a winter duke was essential during the winter season. While the duke showed generosity to their own people, they were merciless toward those outside their circle. The same principle applied to the people of the warm region.
Furthermore, expanding their influence to the warm region before winter stabilized would be futile. It would only increase the territory that required protection from monsters.
“Madam, it’s the steward, Daroni,” came a voice from outside the door. Ilyin blinked in surprise. The steward? Ah.
“I suppose he was the one managing the mansion while it was vacant,” Eli said.
“It seems so,” she replied, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Ilyin gestured for Daroni to enter, opening the door.
“It’s an honor to meet you,” she greeted the steward respectfully.
Daroni, an elderly man, entered accompanied by Etra. They had designated the corridor outside the door as “Delrose’s domain.”
Although the only occupants of this mansion were Delrose, they had set aside a separate space exclusively for the Delrose of the 7th floor. It also served as the residence for Ilyin and Aden, naturally.
It was only logical for security to become more stringent as trained personnel concentrated in one location.
“I have completed my tasks and returned,” Etra announced, standing beside Daroni. Ilyin smiled mischievously. On occasions like this, Etra seemed more like a knight than a maid.
“I have been managing the mansion in the owner’s absence. If it’s not too much trouble, may I introduce the others as well?” Daroni’s words were polite, and despite their length, they were far from tedious to listen to.
“Of course,” Ilyin replied. It was only natural for the mistress of the mansion to familiarize herself with the staff. Some noblewomen entrusted the overall management to subordinates responsible for running the mansion, but Ilyin had a different perspective. They were Delrose, after all.
“You need not worry about that. The initial selection criteria were for those who desired to reside in the warm region and those who did not have to return to the winter region. Of course, if they ever wish, they can immediately return to the winter region.”
Observing the eager nods from the servants standing behind Daroni, it became clear that they all shared the same conditions. Indeed, even after spending a considerable time in the warm region, Delrose remained Delrose, and their enthusiastic responses reminded Ilyin of the dedicated maids back in the Delrose mansion.
Ilyin smiled. “Well, that’s fortunate.”
“No need to worry. Thank you for your concern,” Daroni replied with a warm smile in response to her laughter. He had silently managed the Delrose mansion that the owner had visited several decades ago.
The last time he had the privilege of serving the owner was during the previous winter duke’s reign. With the current winter duke, Aden, not venturing into the warmer region, Daroni could no longer see him in person. However, that did not mean there was no communication. A covert network of regular contacts was maintained, keeping Daroni informed that the owner had married a bride from the warm region.
Yet, he remained in the dark about the nature of this woman. Being a long-serving member of Delrose, Daroni felt a sense of unease knowing that the bride hailed from a noble background. Having accompanied the previous winter duke on his visits to social circles and the imperial palace, Daroni had firsthand experience of the vices and malice prevalent among the nobility, which left him quite apprehensive.
Nevertheless, it appeared that he could set aside his concerns. The rumors that occasionally reached his ears were not baseless or mere wishes. The noble lady who had become the mistress of Delrose and Biflten was indeed, as the rumors suggested, not only stunning in appearance but also possessed a beautiful heart.
“We acknowledge our shortcomings in serving the bride from the warm region. However, we assure you that we will wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to her service,” Daroni greeted with utmost politeness.
“In the past, when there was still sunlight in the winter region, there were also monsters, you know?” Eli remarked while pouring hot water into her teacup. Ilyin nodded, recalling the information she had discovered during her research on Biflten’s history.
“It is said that monsters could inhabit hot regions as well. Therefore, during the winter when monsters were not constrained by weather, there were frequent attacks by winter monsters in the warm region.”
“Ah…” Ilyin pondered, realizing the implications. She raised her teacup. “So, Biflten was entrusted with the responsibility of fending off the monsters from the north.”
If the people of the warm region were unable to handle the monsters in this region, it made sense for them to enter into a “contract” with Biflten instead of issuing “orders.” Without the support of Biflten, the empire would be defenseless.
“That’s correct,” confirmed Eli with a mischievous smile. Ilyin fell into deep thought as she took a sip of her tea.
A contract. Biflten’s role was to prevent the winter monsters from descending into the wam region. In that case, there must have been something the imperial family provided to Biflten in return.
“What did they receive in exchange?” Ilyin inquired.
“Some degree of independence,” responded Eli. “It wouldn’t be practical to seek permission from the imperial family every time knights need to venture far north to hunt monsters.”
“Ah…” Ilyin nodded, understanding the reasoning.
“Of course, that’s merely a nominal reason. Over time, it has evolved into a state that is nearly equivalent to a principality,” Eli explained further.
Indeed, Biflten operated under a distinct governing system. Ilyin nodded slowly, absorbing the information.
“So, was this mansion built at the request of the imperial family?” she asked.
“That’s correct,” Eli confirmed. It was also the desire of the previous dukes, signifying their intention to maintain a friendly relationship and avoid going against the imperial family.
Ilyin tilted her head slightly, contemplating the situation. As far as she knew, the current owners had no intention of opposing that will.
Above all, a winter duke was essential during the winter season. While the duke showed generosity to their own people, they were merciless toward those outside their circle. The same principle applied to the people of the warm region.
Furthermore, expanding their influence to the warm region before winter stabilized would be futile. It would only increase the territory that required protection from monsters.
“Madam, it’s the steward, Daroni,” came a voice from outside the door. Ilyin blinked in surprise. The steward? Ah.
“I suppose he was the one managing the mansion while it was vacant,” Eli said.
“It seems so,” she replied, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Ilyin gestured for Daroni to enter, opening the door.
“It’s an honor to meet you,” she greeted the steward respectfully.
Daroni, an elderly man, entered accompanied by Etra. They had designated the corridor outside the door as “Delrose’s domain.”
Although the only occupants of this mansion were Delrose, they had set aside a separate space exclusively for the Delrose of the 7th floor. It also served as the residence for Ilyin and Aden, naturally.
It was only logical for security to become more stringent as trained personnel concentrated in one location.
“I have completed my tasks and returned,” Etra announced, standing beside Daroni. Ilyin smiled mischievously. On occasions like this, Etra seemed more like a knight than a maid.
“I have been managing the mansion in the owner’s absence. If it’s not too much trouble, may I introduce the others as well?” Daroni’s words were polite, and despite their length, they were far from tedious to listen to.
“Of course,” Ilyin replied. It was only natural for the mistress of the mansion to familiarize herself with the staff. Some noblewomen entrusted the overall management to subordinates responsible for running the mansion, but Ilyin had a different perspective. They were Delrose, after all.
“You need not worry about that. The initial selection criteria were for those who desired to reside in the warm region and those who did not have to return to the winter region. Of course, if they ever wish, they can immediately return to the winter region.”
Observing the eager nods from the servants standing behind Daroni, it became clear that they all shared the same conditions. Indeed, even after spending a considerable time in the warm region, Delrose remained Delrose, and their enthusiastic responses reminded Ilyin of the dedicated maids back in the Delrose mansion.
Ilyin smiled. “Well, that’s fortunate.”
“No need to worry. Thank you for your concern,” Daroni replied with a warm smile in response to her laughter. He had silently managed the Delrose mansion that the owner had visited several decades ago.
The last time he had the privilege of serving the owner was during the previous winter duke’s reign. With the current winter duke, Aden, not venturing into the warmer region, Daroni could no longer see him in person. However, that did not mean there was no communication. A covert network of regular contacts was maintained, keeping Daroni informed that the owner had married a bride from the warm region.
Yet, he remained in the dark about the nature of this woman. Being a long-serving member of Delrose, Daroni felt a sense of unease knowing that the bride hailed from a noble background. Having accompanied the previous winter duke on his visits to social circles and the imperial palace, Daroni had firsthand experience of the vices and malice prevalent among the nobility, which left him quite apprehensive.
Nevertheless, it appeared that he could set aside his concerns. The rumors that occasionally reached his ears were not baseless or mere wishes. The noble lady who had become the mistress of Delrose and Biflten was indeed, as the rumors suggested, not only stunning in appearance but also possessed a beautiful heart.
“We acknowledge our shortcomings in serving the bride from the warm region. However, we assure you that we will wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to her service,” Daroni greeted with utmost politeness.
