Chapter 106
“Ho, the East Palace garden has changed so much I hardly recognize it. It was bare last year, but now, with glass lanterns hung, it’s dazzlingly beautiful.”
“Oh my! The soup is engraved with our family crest. Does this mean it’s a soup made with carrots from our estate? How attentive.”
“Advisor, this way, please. Let me introduce you to Lady Rodier. Lady Rodier, the advisor here is a graduate of that southern academy! Isn’t that impressive?”
White Swan Castle quickly filled up each day with the constant arrival of new guests.
Nerys, as the person overseeing the Harvest Festival, was extremely busy, but she still made sure not to neglect any guests. The guests all spoke in unison, expressing their admiration for her hospitality.
In truth, if she weren’t so busy, they might have spent the whole day chattering in her ear about how refreshing it was to be received with a blend of southern and central customs, and how much they appreciated the delicate attention.
Nerys didn’t think they were truly as pleased as they said. After all, she wasn’t from this place, so she couldn’t possibly follow all their unspoken rules.
However, it was a fact that they were remarkably kind to her. In the fleeting expressions of delight and surprise that occasionally crossed their faces, there was a light that could only be called genuine.
‘Why?’
Nerys found them strange. In a gathering of random people—especially those with no particular reason to win her favor—she was always ostracized and excluded.
So naturally, she’d expected the same thing this time. Why was it different?
‘Is it because of the rumors?’
That rumor that she was a direct descendant of Hero Elandria?
But what benefit could such an old bloodline offer them now?
Whatever the reason, the guests seemed happy. And they took the Harvest Festival more seriously than anyone she’d seen participate before.
“This year, our region’s apples will win, just watch!”
“When it comes to apples, nothing beats our Ridolen! Let’s see who gets the last laugh!”
There was even a contest to pick the finest apple among those submitted from each region of Maindulante.
“We have to set the tone at the first night’s ball. I refuse to let my fiancé ask another woman to dance!”
“My child is attending the evening ball for the first time this year after turning sixteen. If you don’t mind, could your son be her partner…?”
There were balls held every few days for the guests’ enjoyment.
“If I catch a sable this year, I’ll be sure to make you a winter coat, madam.”
“Let’s see if you don’t get so distracted by rare animals that you don’t catch a single one this time.”
Even hunting was very popular here, tied closely to practical needs.
Every guest took part in at least one event, and there wasn’t a single person who seemed unenthusiastic. Sometimes their competitiveness sparked arguments, but it never got out of hand.
Still, to keep them a little distracted, Nerys would, when needed, divide the guests into groups for card games or tea times.
At last, when there was nothing left to entertain them, Nerys called for Ellen and made a suggestion.
“Ellen, do you think you could tidy up the West Palace garden?”
The West Palace garden was a small courtyard, and with a professional’s touch, it could quickly become a lovely space.
Since guests could just tour the garden without entering the West Palace itself, there were no safety concerns. In fact, the main palace overlooked it, so it had always bothered her a little.
It was a casual suggestion, but Ellen looked flustered.
“I’m not sure what to do, miss. I think you should ask His Grace the Grand Duke about the West Palace garden.”
Until now, Cledwyn had never said anything no matter how Nerys decorated the castle. When she wanted to hang lanterns in the bleak East Palace garden because it was too barren for lush plants, when she suggested bringing out a new tapestry for the main hall because the old one was worn, when she ordered new runners for the banquet hall—he’d always just said, “No need to ask, do as you please.”
She wasn’t proposing a major overhaul, just a bit of tidying up. But since the West Palace garden belonged to Cledwyn’s palace, there was no problem asking him.
“Really? I’ll do that.”
❖ ❖ ❖
“Leave the West Palace garden alone.”
During one of her frequent visits to report to Cledwyn’s office, he told Nerys this.
It was unexpected. Nerys tilted her head.
“Is there a particular reason? The other gardens have all been tidied, and we have enough hands.”
“It’s better to leave that one alone.”
By now, Nerys could distinguish Cledwyn’s expression when he was absolutely against something, when he was prepared to give permission, and when he was negative for now but persuadable.
It was a skill she’d acquired from hundreds of visits to his office and exchanging opinions with him.
Her accuracy was so high that other officials would discreetly ask her about their lord’s mood.
‘It’s not really that hard to tell.’
From the look in Cledwyn’s eyes now, it seemed that if she insisted on the West Palace garden, he wouldn’t oppose her to the end.
But there was no real need to insist on it, so Nerys nodded and backed down.
“Alright.”
“Anything else?”
“The tournament has over four hundred entrants. That’s about what we expected since people are coming from all over Maindulante, but there are more disturbances in the city than I thought.”
“Against commoners? Or amongst themselves?”
“Both. Two incidents involving commoners reported so far. Twenty-one cases of fights between people from regions with traditionally bad blood.”
“Ten times as many.”
“It’s probably even more. If commoners suffer, they report it right away, but when it’s just between themselves, they sometimes settle it privately.”
Nerys had only ever witnessed a life-or-death duel once in her previous life. Even in the south, knights quarreled often, but most problems were resolved quietly, and there weren’t many who openly displayed hostility in front of others.
But people here were so hot-tempered that whenever members of rival families crossed paths, they’d immediately clash. Knife fights were common.
“If your blood runs hot and you want to risk your life, that’s your business, but if you cause a disturbance among the common folk or create trouble, you’ll be disqualified from the tournament. And if you deliberately harm a participant from another region and interfere with the competition, it’s straight to prison.”
“Understood.”
“Anything else?”
“No. Are you busy? Should I go?”
“No, let’s take a breather.”
If Nerys hadn’t known that Cledwyn handled even more work than she did, she might have found his comment irritating.
“If you want to rest, you can rest by yourself.”
“We could rest together, couldn’t we? Why not?”
Well, there really was no reason two people couldn’t rest together… It was about time for a short break anyway.
It happened to be tea time. Nerys glanced at Dora.
“Dora, bring us some tea.”
“No, not tea.”
As soon as Nerys gave the order, Dora turned to go, but Cledwyn stopped her. Sitting at his desk, he grinned and looked up at Nerys.
“Let’s get some air.”
“The balcony? Sure.”
For the first time today, Cledwyn looked genuinely stunned.
For her, ‘taking a breather’ meant a brief rest—just enough time to drink a cup of tea. And ‘to drink’ literally meant pouring tea from the pot into her cup and draining it at once.
It was a habit she’d naturally picked up in her previous life, when there was always a lot to do and she wasn’t very skilled yet.
Leaving the room would have just wasted time. Cledwyn was busy too, so shouldn’t they be saving time? Nerys blinked, not understanding his intent.
“How are we supposed to take a breather on the balcony? Are we just going to take one breath and come right back?”
“Isn’t that how people usually do it?”
“No one does that.”
But that’s exactly what I did… Even Nellusion and Camille said it seemed perfectly reasonable when they saw me take a break.
Nerys wondered if she’d said something ‘strange’ again, different from other people.
But Cledwyn didn’t look at her as if she was strange. He just kept smiling as he got up from his seat.
“Let’s walk a little. You’ve been working since this morning, haven’t you?”
“I took a walk this morning with Lord and Lady Posbury.”
“Not that. That was work, wasn’t it?”
“Walking is still walking.”
“Well, if you really don’t want to walk with me, you can keep saying so.”
It wasn’t that. She just felt a little awkward.
Nerys tilted her head and answered.
“I don’t mind. I just don’t know why we’re walking all of a sudden.”
“People need breaks, and right now, there are two people here who need one. Taking a short walk outside is a good way to do that. Isn’t that enough?”
“Nothing wrong with that. Okay, let’s go.”
Nerys didn’t hesitate and turned to leave. Cledwyn quickly caught up to her and walked by her side.
As they left Cledwyn’s office and stepped into the main courtyard, they saw guests enjoying the sunshine. Hilbrin, out for a walk with his wife and their eight-year-old daughter, noticed the two and greeted them.
“Your Grace. Advisor.”
“Madam, Miss Giverta, Lord Hilbrin.”
Cledwyn gave them a small nod, and Nerys greeted each by name. Hilbrin’s eyes sparkled with happiness at that.
“Are you two out for a walk together?”
“That’s right.”
So what was this supposed to look like? Nerys responded matter-of-factly. Hilbrin’s wife nudged her husband in the side with her elbow.
“This is nice to— oof! Why are you doing that?”
Hilbrin, who had gotten worked up, fell silent after his wife jabbed him in the ribs two more times. Their daughter, Giverta, gave her father a disapproving look.
Nerys didn’t really understand any of it. She figured it was probably some private family joke or custom.
“Well then, you two enjoy your walk.”
Hilbrin’s wife was a very kind person. She smiled warmly at both Cledwyn and Nerys, then led her husband and daughter away.
But Hilbrin wasn’t the only one who recognized them. Nobles who spotted the land’s most powerful man and his right hand all brightened and greeted them, only to be jabbed in the ribs, have their ears yanked, or get their toes stepped on by a family member or companion.
“The weather is wonderful today, Your Grace. Oof!”
“Who do you think will win this tournament— hic!”
“If you have a moment, perhaps— aaagh!”
Was this some kind of Maindulante custom? Was it considered rude to talk to others during a walk? Was that why people kept getting scolded?
Nerys kept tilting her head in confusion, but Cledwyn just smiled without explanation.
By the time they finished their walk and returned to their offices, she still didn’t understand anything.
But she didn’t feel bad.
