* * *
‘Since I can heal His Grace through touch, I should be able to project this feeling outward… But why is it not working?’
“At this rate, my teacher might give up on me, and I’ll be left behind.”
“You’re already a top student. What’s there to worry about?”
Ed let out a small chuckle, feeling the water grow warm.
The Grand Duke had adjusted the temperature with magic.
“I wish I could use my powers as effortlessly as you.”
“Just holding your hand like this fills me with strength.”
The Grand Duke’s soothing words calmed Ed, who closed his eyes and focused again.
Despite his busy schedule, the Grand Duke made time for Ed, and Ed never missed a day of training, diligently following his teacher’s guidance.
One day, Ed felt something small yet significant flow out from his fingertips.
It happened as the Grand Duke held his hand and advised him to push his energy outward.
Though it was faint, Ed saw the water ripple softly. Excited, he turned his head back.
“Your Grace, did you see that?”
The Grand Duke’s eyes curved gently as he smiled and kissed the crown of Ed’s head.
“See? I told you, Ed. You can do it.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Ed held the Grand Duke’s hand again, repeatedly savoring the feeling.
A few days later, in the afternoon, a messenger from the Emperor arrived at the Northern Castle.
“A royal messenger has arrived from the Imperial Palace,” reported Irtel.
The Grand Duke recalled the Emperor’s first letter. It had been a fortnight since that initial correspondence.
During that time, newspapers had heavily covered the Emperor’s supposed relentless search for the Grand Duchess.
Two days prior, the headlines had proclaimed:
“The Emperor’s Noble Quest for the Empire’s Stability”
“Emperor Fez Locates the Grand Duchess”
“The Veiled Grand Duchess, Soon to Be Revealed?”
The Grand Duke thought as he skimmed through the papers:
‘For the Emperor who massacred the Zelda tribe to present a fake, he’ll need elaborate measures. He wouldn’t rashly claim his discovery to be the real one.’
Lifting his gaze, the Grand Duke asked Irtel, “Where is the messenger?”
“In the audience chamber.”
“Then I’ll meet him.”
“Yes, I’ll make the preparations.”
After soothing the bitter taste in his mouth with tea, the Grand Duke rose from his seat.
When he descended to the audience chamber, the messenger handed over a letter.
Contrary to the Grand Duke’s expectations of a pompous declaration, the message was simple.
An invitation to a banquet praying for the Empire’s peace.
Awaiting your presence, Grand Duke Asnel Linden.
A surprisingly succinct invitation, unlike Emperor Fez’s usual style.
‘The banquet is scheduled for ten days from now. That must be the date he’s targeting.’
After carefully reviewing the brief contents, the Grand Duke summoned his closest knights to his office that evening.
“We leave for the Imperial City in three days.”
From early morning, Ronen was busy running around the Northern Castle.
“Jaynon! Where’s the cushion shaped like Roa? It’s not in the carriage!”
“Here it is, Young Master Ronen!”
“Great! Also, don’t forget the blanket and chocolates… Oh, and the gray coat too.”
It was the day the Grand Duke’s party was departing for the Imperial City.
“Be careful, Young Master! You’ll trip running like that!”
“Okay, I will!”
“You always say that, but don’t mean it.”
Jaynon was equally busy, juggling Ronen’s trail, checking the luggage, and managing reports from the staff.
Today, even ten bodies wouldn’t suffice.
“How much time do we have until departure? Oh no, Jaynon! It might rain, so we’ll need raincoats too!”
“I’ve already packed them and placed them in the carriage trunk.”
“Good! But with so many bags, it might be hard to find things. Should we label them?”
“That’s a great idea, Young Master.”
Outside, Ed emerged with his packed bags and smiled at the sight of Roa and a fox riding on a dragon’s back, flapping its wings.
They seemed to be seeing the Grand Duke off.
‘Even the creatures must know His Grace will be away for a while.’
As Ed approached the carriage, Ronen ran up to him energetically.
“Ed! Are you all set?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Leaving the Northern Castle for over a week… Do you think we packed enough?”
Ronen’s face was filled with concern as he loaded the luggage.
Ed met his gaze and reassured him.
“Thanks to your meticulous preparations, we have more than enough.”
While the Grand Duke traveled to the Imperial City, Ronen was entrusted with guarding the Northern Castle.
“I wish I could go with you.”
“I wish you could too, Young Master, but we can’t leave the Northern Castle unattended. I’ll be back right after visiting the Imperial City.”
“Alright.”
“If you guard the Northern Castle well, I’ll bring back plenty of gifts.”
“Got it, Ed!”
Ronen nodded vigorously, and Ed gave a faint smile.
As he tried to place his bag onto the carriage, Irtel, who had appeared out of nowhere, offered to help.
“Thank you, Sir Irtel.”
“As soon as His Majesty comes out, we’ll leave. If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll get it ready right away.”
Irtel’s gaze, as he checked the horses, knights, and the baggage loaded onto the carriage, carried an air of tension.
Since the Emperor had arranged the banquet and invited the Duke, Irtel had become more sharp than usual.
The banquet was not only an opportunity to introduce the Duke’s wife but also a chance to attack the northern fortress, which had become vulnerable due to the Duke’s absence.
Because of this, Irtel had increased the intensity of the knights’ training.
Ed knew he had also repeatedly checked the patrols and the troop placements around the fortress.
“I feel really secure having Sir Irtel with us on this journey.”
“……”
Irtel, who had lowered his gaze, furrowed his brows for a moment before relaxing them.
“Likewise.”
The quiet Irtel did not speak further, but with a softened expression, he went to inspect the knights’ weapons.
Ed stood by the carriage, waiting for the Duke.
He could clearly picture Irtel meticulously confirming the defenses of the northern fortress.
“Brother!”
As he was picturing the feeling of gathering strength within himself, Ronen’s voice rang out.
When Ed looked up, he saw Ronen running toward the Duke, with Roa following behind him.
There was also a dragon leaping up from the back of a fox.
He could also see Irtel, Jaynon, Tence, and the other northern servants and knights, all of whom were looking at them.
The sight was so warm and beautiful that it left a vivid imprint in his mind.
Thoughts began to form like budding flowers, pushing through Ed’s consciousness.
‘My world, my home, my family.’
All of this meant one thing: the North.
The carriage departed from the fortress and traveled tirelessly for two days.
* * *
I am so happy for Ed