Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 61

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As the Grand Duke’s carriage arrived at the rear garden of the imperial palace, Marquis Sohoan dismounted from his horse and approached the Grand Duke.

“Thank you for enduring the long journey, Your Grace.”

The palace’s rear garden, sculpted with the wisdom and history of countless people, was as grand as one would expect.

The garden, filled with vibrant flowers, short trees, and a small fountain, combined with a carefully maintained waterway, created a serene and refreshing atmosphere.

After leisurely taking in his surroundings, the Grand Duke opened the carriage door and stepped out.

“Thank you, Marquis Sohoan. Thanks to you, I’ve arrived at the palace without any trouble.”

“You flatter me, Your Grace.”

“But where is His Majesty? I expected him to come greet me, yet I don’t see him. I was planning to pay my respects and settle in.”

At the Grand Duke’s question, Marquis Sohoan hesitated momentarily.

Up until then, he’d seemed merely tense, but now his expression grew visibly stiff.

The Grand Duke had been observant from the moment he entered the palace grounds, and when he passed through the central gate, a certain possibility crossed his mind.

‘The young and somewhat green Marquis Sohoan, a reception guard that isn’t particularly large, and court servants and maids who are difficult to spot.’

On the surface, the welcome ceremony was flawless, yet there were gaps.

‘It seems that the Emperor may not be present in the palace.’

But he kept this guess to himself.

Marquis Sohoan nervously glanced around before bowing to the Grand Duke.

“Please excuse me for a moment, Your Grace. I’ll go check on the situation. I’m terribly sorry, but please wait here briefly.”

“Of course, Marquis Sohoan. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

After a polite bow, Marquis Sohoan quickly mounted his horse and sped away.

The knights from the northern order, who had been on edge even before arriving in the capital, stood at attention in the garden, showing no signs of restlessness despite being the only ones left.

Irtel leaned in towards the Grand Duke and whispered.

“It’s far too quiet here, Your Grace.”

“Indeed, deathly silent.”

The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes as he scanned his surroundings.

Just then, a horse neighed in the distance, and shortly after, a middle-aged man entered the garden.

“Oh my, Your Grace, the Grand Duke! Who would have expected you’d arrive so early and wait!”

He called out loudly, bowing his head to the Grand Duke.

The Grand Duke recognized his face and acknowledged him.

“It’s been a while, Deputy Chamberlain Jollen.”

“It has indeed, Your Grace Asnel. We did send word, but it seems it went amiss! His Majesty the Emperor specifically instructed us to make every effort to welcome you!”

Jollen chuckled awkwardly as he explained the situation to the Grand Duke.

“Typically, the hunting festival is held at this time, isn’t it? The opening ceremony is set for tonight, and His Majesty planned to welcome you personally and join you. But wouldn’t you know it, a Tianhyangjo appeared just yesterday.”

“A Tianhyangjo?”

“Yes, and as soon as His Majesty received the report, he left the palace, instructing us to greet you with utmost care. Unfortunately, it seems there was a miscommunication. Please, I hope Your Grace can forgive us for this misunderstanding.”

From inside the carriage, Ed listened to this exchange and thought:

‘Ah, this must be one of those situations.’

…Training an untamed beast.

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The hunting festival was a major event rooted in the history of the empire’s first emperor, who had slain a massive creature called a Tianhyangjo.

It was held on a mountain some distance from the palace.

According to records, the Tianhyangjo looked like a flying dinosaur, with a head as hard as rock.

Its four large wings could create massive sandstorms with a single flap.

Acid-like venom would drip from its large mouth, and anything caught in its sharp teeth, even objects as strong as steel, would be shattered beyond recognition.

Attempts to subdue it with massive catapults had failed, and even the combined efforts of mages and knights had been fruitless.

The legendary feat of the first emperor, who fought and defeated such a beast alone, has been remembered by many over the ages.

The Tianhyangjo was famous for that reason.

It was recorded in the chronicles of the first emperor’s life, gracing the first page of the Empire’s Bestiary.

But after the record of the first emperor’s conquest, it hadn’t been seen again.

‘So this legendary creature has supposedly appeared?’

Ed perked up his ears to the conversation outside the carriage.

It couldn’t be.

If such a creature had shown up in the original story, he would surely have remembered.

A beast of that level wouldn’t have been merely mentioned in passing; it would have unfolded into a major storyline.

Moreover, if a Tianhyangjo had truly appeared, the palace wouldn’t be this quiet.

Records described the Tianhyangjo, the king of monsters, as leaving devastation beyond imagination.

It was said to level mountains, tear up the earth, and split seas with its movements.

So Ed thought:

‘…They’re messing with the Grand Duke.’

The Grand Duke’s voice grew cold at the mention of the Tianhyangjo’s appearance.

“Is His Majesty safe?”

“Of course, Your Grace! There’s no need to worry! As soon as His Majesty received word of the Tianhyangjo, he sprang into action, and wouldn’t you know it, that creature disappeared in a flash!”

“….”

“The Tianhyangjo must have realized it could not stand against the Empire’s sun and fled! They scoured the hunting grounds throughout the night, yet there’s been no sign of it.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, however, the glorious Emperor spent the entire night at the hunting grounds, standing guard should it return. His Majesty deeply regrets being unable to welcome you in person.”

Chamberlain Jollen raised his voice, a blue vein pulsing on his neck each time he praised the Emperor.

“So here I am to escort you, Your Grace! You can trust me to lead the way! I will take you straight to the hunting grounds! Lord Ronen will accompany us as well!”

“Does His Majesty wish for Ronen to attend the hunting festival?”

“Indeed! His Majesty has longed to reunite with his kin and eagerly anticipates meeting you both at the festival!”

The Grand Duke studied Jollen for a moment before speaking.

“…It is moving to know that His Majesty holds us so close to his heart.”

Jollen beamed as he responded to the Grand Duke’s words.

“Precisely! How could mere words in the Imperial language possibly convey His Majesty’s kind and gracious nature? The Emperor’s benevolence transcends description!”

“I know well how devoted Deputy Chamberlain Jollen is to His Majesty.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. So please, if there are any shortcomings on my part, I ask for your understanding and forbearance as you consider His Majesty’s deep intentions.”

Jollen gave a slight bow, to which the Grand Duke gave a small nod.

“Then I’ll leave it in your hands, Chamberlain Jollen.”

The carriage moved smoothly.

The Grand Duke leaned his arm against the carriage window frame, gazing at Jollen as they entered the dense forest.

His gaze was relaxed, yet he exchanged glances with Irtel, who was guarding the carriage, showing he was keenly aware of their surroundings.

Ronen, exhausted from the long journey, dozed off, leaning against the Grand Duke.

Initially confused by the events that unfolded at the imperial palace, he had visibly relaxed after grasping Jollen’s explanation.

He tried to shake off sleep but continued to nod off, unable to stay awake.

The Grand Duke glanced outside, then, with a faint smile, lightly stroked Ronen’s head.

He adjusted his posture so Ronen could lean more comfortably on him.

As the carriage jolted along the forest path, he pulled Ronen a little closer, giving him a sense of security.

After setting up his belongings in the imperial palace, the Grand Duke had left the northern knights there, taking only a select few with him.

Ed was among them.

Sitting across from the Grand Duke and gazing out the carriage window, Ed thought to himself:

“This feels like a tangled web of truth and lies.”

Reports of the celestial bird’s appearance were false, and even the claim of sending advance messengers seemed fabricated.

The emperor’s intention in summoning Ronen to the hunting grounds was unclear, but it appeared to be a ploy to redirect public attention since the Grand Duke’s search for his younger brother had drawn much interest.

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