* * *

Although it wasn’t an especially short distance, to Irtel it felt close enough that one could reach it with a single leap.

Seeing Irtel’s thoughtful expression, Ed’s eyes lit up, expecting to be given some sort of task.

“Well, how about starting with ten laps around the field as a warm-up? There’s nothing specific to assign right now, but it’s always good to be physically prepared to handle whatever comes your way.”

“Ah…”

“Or maybe some push-ups would be a good start. Building up some muscle in your arms and legs will make running easier too.”

Ed bit back a groan at Irtel’s serious suggestion, bowed briefly, and then made a hasty retreat.

Back in his room, he pondered deeply.

‘It’s probably because I don’t have a clear official role and am known only as Young Master Ronen’s personal attendant.’

If that’s the case…

Ed took a calming breath.

It seemed he needed to have a word with the Grand Duke.

---

It was Ed’s first time seeking out the Grand Duke’s chambers in the northern castle.

Just the act of knocking on the door made him nervous, and he hesitated several times before finally managing a soft knock.

“Your Grace, it’s Ed. May I come in?”

“Yes, come in.”

Hearing the warm voice from within, Ed cracked open the door and stepped inside.

The Grand Duke appeared to be working, with the head butler standing beside him.

“What’s the matter, Ed? Did something happen?”

“I’m sorry if I interrupted your work. If it’s not urgent, I can wait outside until you’re done.”

“No, Ed. I’ve told you that you’re always welcome, so feel free to speak. What brings you here?”

Ed opened his mouth to explain, but with both the Grand Duke and the head butler’s curious gazes fixed on him, he suddenly found it hard to begin.

‘The head butler is someone who’s managed the northern castle alongside His Grace since his childhood.’

It wasn’t uncommon to see the Grand Duke consulting the head butler about matters large and small whenever he returned to the northern castle, almost as if the two shared not only responsibilities but even personal concerns.

Facing such a distinguished elder, Ed felt as if he were a new recruit, timidly asking for his first assignment.

‘I want to become someone whom His Grace trusts, like the head butler.’

Ed felt himself shrinking a bit under their gaze but steeled his resolve.

“Well, it’s been a few days since I arrived at the northern castle,” he started.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I was wondering if there might be any tasks I could take on.”

Hearing Ed’s question, the Grand Duke tilted his head slightly.

“I thought looking after Ronen kept you quite busy.”

“Young Master Ronen is so well-behaved and gentle that there’s not much for me to worry about. Besides, there are many others here who also help look after him.”

Ed’s eyes shone as he asked if there was any work he could do to assist His Grace, like Jaynon or Tens.

The Grand Duke rose from his chair.

He looked at Ed’s earnest expression.

‘I had hoped he would take his time to adjust to life in the north, as he still seemed tired from the journey.’

But here he was, asking for work.

Ed had always taken pride in his responsibilities back at the Count’s estate.

Wanting to give him some space seemed to have made him uneasy instead.

The Grand Duke’s heart grew heavy as he realized this.

He let out a soft sigh and turned to the head butler.

“You heard that, didn’t you, Head Butler? Is there any work we can assign Ed?”

The head butler, who had been listening silently, observed the Grand Duke’s mood before answering.

“Of course, there is.”

Ed’s eyes sparkled with hope, expecting the head butler, who had long managed the northern castle, to find him the perfect task.

“But there’s a procedure we must go through first.”

“A procedure? What sort of procedure?”

“There’s no issue with giving Ed tasks, but the ways of life here in the north are quite different from those of the southern Count’s estate. Ed is Young Master Ronen’s attendant, after all.”

“Indeed.”

“So I suggest Ed take some time to learn the ways of the north. Young Master Ronen is still young, and he will learn much from having Ed by his side.”

Ed nodded, thinking the head butler’s point was fair, and waited for the Grand Duke’s response.

After a moment of contemplation, the Grand Duke nodded.

“Very well, Ed. It looks like you’ll have to do some studying. Are you up for it?”

---

‘His Grace said I could start lessons as soon as I was ready.’

As he organized his notebook and writing materials, Ed thought deeply.

‘I’ll probably have a strict tutor or an experienced official from the northern castle teaching me. But since both His Grace and the head butler are expecting a lot, I’ll have to work hard, even if it’s difficult.’

The thought of having to learn something new after a long time felt burdensome, but Ed resolved himself, remembering the image of the Grand Duke with the head butler.

Just then, the door opened, and Ronen came in.

“Ed! Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, Young Master. Did you sleep well too?”

“Yep! Oh, and my brother said to tell you to come to the drawing room after you finish breakfast.”

“The drawing room?”

“Yeah, so let’s eat together and go.”

Expecting to study in a library or his room, Ed was puzzled.

‘Is this lesson not going to be private?’

His confusion only grew when he entered the drawing room.

Spread across the table were luxurious fabrics in a variety of colors, and for some reason, the Grand Duke, who should have been working in his office, was sitting on the sofa.

“Welcome, Ronen. And Ed.”

“Oh? Brother, you’re here too? What’s all this?”

Ed listened to Ronen and the Grand Duke’s conversation, bewildered.

‘I was told I’d be learning about northern customs today, but what are all these fabrics?’

“We have something to take care of today.”

“Wow, Brother! These fabrics are gorgeous! Ed, don’t just stand there; come and feel them. They’re so soft, and the colors are beautiful!”

“Oh, okay, Young Master.”

As Ed closed the door and stepped inside, he took in the sight around him.

Beside the piles of fine wool and elegant silks stood the castle tailor, who had introduced himself a few days ago.

He was flipping through a book of jewelry designs while discussing options with the Grand Duke.

“We can always match the gems to the fabric you choose, Your Grace. Please feel free to pick any jewelry design that catches your eye.”

“I see.”

As Ed carefully observed the atmosphere in the drawing room, he spoke up cautiously when the duke’s hand stopped turning the pages of a booklet.

“Um, Your Grace. Weren’t we supposed to start learning about the duties of the northern castle today?”

The mood was definitely not what he had expected, and Ed, clutching his notebook and pen, darted his eyes around, feeling out of place.

The duke, who had been looking down at the booklet, lifted his head and gestured to Ed, still awkwardly standing at the edge of the room.

“Today’s lesson is about the clothing of the northern residents. Come over here, Ed, and observe the kinds of fabrics the tailor chooses. You need to know which materials are used for making clothes in such a cold climate.”

“Oh…”

Ed glanced nervously at the luxurious fabrics, too fine to touch, and then hurried over.

As he got closer, the tailor motioned him to sit on the sofa and draped various fabrics over his shoulders.

“Styles like Ed’s – lean and tall – suit darker colors well. However, since the days are short in northern winters, how about preparing some brighter clothes too?”

“Then let’s have both prepared.”

Listening intently to the conversation between the duke and the tailor, Ed began to wonder if this really was part of his lesson.

‘Is this… really what I’m supposed to be learning? It just feels like a fitting session between a customer and a shopkeeper.’

While Ed puzzled over it, the duke continued chatting with the tailor quite amiably.

“How about this one, brother?”

At that moment, Ronen walked over with a new fabric in hand, joining the conversation.

The tailor smiled, approving.

“Master Ronan, you have an excellent eye.”

“Well, with the colors decided, shall we choose accessories to match?”

Watching the three of them together, Ed couldn’t help but think something about this was… off.

“…”

His eyes drifted to the growing collection of clothes hung around the room.

* * *