The escort diligently headed north. Upon entering Nordish territory, the temperature dropped dramatically as if by magic. Accordingly, clothing naturally became thicker.
Eunice, tightly wrapping her fur-lined coat around herself, quietly took in the flowing scenery outside the window.
It was an entirely white world.
This was a rare sight not found in southern countries with relatively mild winters. In the south, snow was something that scattered like millet and immediately melted away upon touching the ground.
Here it piles up like thick velvet.
She found it simply fascinating. It was like stepping into a painter’s canvas.
“So this is the land of winter.”
Winter was such a beautiful season.
The more she looked, the more wondrous it became. Perhaps because this was the land where she would live from now on, every unfamiliar scene created ripples in her heart.
How to put it? Though they say you can’t predict the future even a step ahead, she had a feeling she would fall in love with this place deeply, very deeply.
「 A cruel monster without blood or tears. Ironically, only he could unify the North because he was so fierce and merciless. He subjugated people through power and fear.」
Were the rumors circulating in the south true? Did the people of Nordish really fear Johannes?
This question had stirred in her mind throughout the journey whenever she had a moment to think.
After all, Eunice was confused because every aspect of him she had seen over the past few days had been unexpected.
The gentle and human side he showed during conversations. The respect and loyalty the knights showed him. Johannes giving instructions with a strict face.
While he looked terrifyingly intimidating when expressionless, when he smiled, he couldn’t be more beautiful.
But beyond all that, Johannes carried the weight of his years. A rough and unrefined, raw scent emanated from him.
Perhaps he had come to his current position after passing through cruel and merciless seasons.
Before she knew it, the red sunset was coloring the whole world in mysterious hues. The escort passed through gray walls and entered Berzan. For a land described as barren, it didn’t look that way at all.
“It’s magnificent.”
The clustered brick houses captured her vision. Snow was piled softly on the dark gray pointed roofs that had captured her heart. Along both sides of the well-maintained roads, she could see snow that someone had diligently cleared.
The faces of people welcoming the escort with waving hands showed no signs of poverty. Nor fear.
‘It looks like a good place to live.’
This was truly unexpected. Considering how frightened she had been when first receiving the marriage order, it really was.
A gentle smile unconsciously bloomed on Eunice’s lips. Perhaps a better future than expected awaited her…
When they arrived at the palace, the carriage came to a stop. Through the window, she could see Johannes waving away the knights as if saying he would handle it himself. Soon he approached and opened the door.
“Welcome to Berzan.”
“Thank you.”
Placing her hand on his outstretched one, Eunice stepped out of the carriage.
Cold air enveloped her skin. With each breath, white mist formed between her teeth, then scattered into the air repeatedly.
Raising her head, she was captivated by the majestic palace. Eunice couldn’t help but admire it. It was a rugged yet strong castle. She felt a solidity that seemed capable of protecting anyone from the bitter cold.
“Are you cold?”
Turning her head at the casual question, she found Johannes gazing at her intently.
Eunice hastily composed her expression. She felt embarrassed, thinking she must have looked foolish while sightseeing.
“No, I’m fine. More importantly, this is truly a splendid city.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Johannes’s blue eyes trembled slightly as he said this. As if he had been concerned all along about how she would perceive this city.
‘Why? Why is he treating me with such attentiveness?’
‘Wasn’t I just a randomly selected partner between Kandel and Tranche? Probably because Johannes was more attracted to Kandel’s lands.’
Perhaps he was curious about how a kingdom he had spent years building would appear to an outsider’s eyes. Eunice held her breath as she followed him.
Upon entering the palace, a cozy light welcomed her. The chandeliers hanging from high ceilings and tapestries decorating the walls impressed themselves on her retina overwhelmingly.
Swords and shields, kneeling subjects, a hero receiving loyalty oaths with a valiant posture. The images woven into the tapestry seemed to commemorate the achievements of the founding king, Johannes.
“Welcome to the Kingdom of Nordish. I am Glenton Rochester, the chancellor of this country.”
At the clear voice, Eunice’s gaze, which had been admiring Johannes’s imposing figure on the high wall, shifted downward.
In the middle of the great hall, a man with navy blue long hair was displaying a distinct presence. Perhaps due to his glasses, he gave off a gentle yet intellectual impression.
Behind him, dozens of maids and guards stood in line without a single inch of error. Eunice lifted the hem of her dress slightly and offered a dignified greeting.
“I am Eunice von Pavlone. Thank you for welcoming me, Lord Glenton.”
“I am truly pleased to meet you as well.”
It was a voice that sounded meaningful.
Beyond customary greetings, it contained a strangely warm temperature. As if he genuinely welcomed her arrival.
Feeling her heart gently stirring, Eunice looked at the chancellor who was closing the distance to her with firm steps.
“My Lady.”
Smoothly taking Eunice’s hand, Glenton elegantly bent his waist and kissed the back of her hand. Eunice somehow couldn’t move.
‘Ah, how should I describe this feeling?’
It felt like something buried deep in her heart was being touched.
“To cross the Land of Death with such a small body. Was your journey not too difficult?”
As Glenton slowly straightened his back, their gazes intertwined. The dark hazel eyes visible beyond his glasses seemed to shine as vividly as a predator’s.
Thinking she should revise her first impression of gentleness, Eunice slightly curled up the corners of her lips.
“Thanks to His Majesty’s consideration, I came comfortably.”
“That’s fortunate.”
‘But why is he looking at me so persistently?’
Eunice felt uncomfortable under the observer’s gaze that seemed to examine even her fine hairs. It was amazing how a mere look could constrict someone like this.
“Get away from my bride.”
It was then that a childish voice flew between them.
Thanks to this, Eunice escaped from the persistent gaze and felt her breathing ease, but the next moment she shrank even more. Johannes was coldly glaring at them.
Glenton protested as if wronged.
“What did I do wrong?”
“Your greeting is too long.”
At these absurd words, Eunice blinked. Was the greeting long? She wasn’t sure.
As she pondered over the greeting with Glenton in confusion, a slick voice resonated in her ear.
“Oh my, I couldn’t help it. I felt some attraction toward Her Ladyship.”
“…!”
Did this chancellor eat something wrong?
Eunice’s eyes widened in surprise. Despite making such a dangerous statement, Glenton was utterly nonchalant. No, beyond nonchalance, he even grinned impudently while looking at Johannes.
Is this man not afraid of Johannes?
“My Lady.”
“Yes?”
Having been cautiously watching Johannes with the feeling of walking a tightrope, she turned her head back to Glenton. He curved his eyes deeply.
“Is it just me? Don’t you feel like we’ve met somewhere before?”
“Ah…”
This man was definitely crazy. Or he had multiple lives.
Yet the reason she couldn’t immediately draw a line by saying no was because Eunice felt the same way.
“How strange. I felt that way too…”
At that moment, a sudden chill was felt from beside her. As if the walls surrounding the palace had disappeared.
Eunice dared not check beside her. She was afraid to see Johannes’s expression.
But Glenton tactlessly continued to run his mouth. Eunice wished she could glue his mouth shut if possible.
“It seems we are destined after all. Destined to be close.”
“Haha… You mean professionally, right?”
Professionally? Was that supposed to be damage control?
As she closed her eyes tightly, overwhelmed by a sense of despair, Johannes roughly struck Glenton’s chest.
“Ugh!”
“Move your filthy body away.”
Eunice’s mouth fell open in bewilderment.
To humiliate the chancellor with so many eyes watching. Seeing the maids and guards lowering their heads and pretending not to see, her heart sank.
In reality, this was a frequent squabble that everyone was hiding their smiles about, but Eunice had no way of knowing that.
Glenton clutched his painful area and raised his voice.
“How could you hit the solar plexus! I’ve said this many times, but I can endure this only because it’s me.”
“You have to endure it. You seem destined to live your life being hit by me.”
Lightly ignoring the indignant chancellor, Johannes wrapped his arm around Eunice’s shoulders. As he tried to leave the great hall, Glenton stopped him with a chilling voice.
“Where do you think you’re slipping away to? There’s a mountain of documents waiting for Your Majesty.”
Through the hand on her shoulder, Eunice felt Johannes flinch. Wondering what this situation was about, her green eyes rolled.
“Don’t joke around. I just arrived.”
“What do I care? I’m tired from handling all the things you postponed and left behind.”
“Even so, that’s too much.”
“The family heads are in an uproar. Instead of thinking about resolving it quickly…”
“Glenton!”
At the noticeably stiff exclamation, Eunice felt it through her skin. That he was trying to hide something.
“Go up first.”
As expected.
Hastily giving a brief order, Johannes nodded slightly to one of the maids. This meant to guide the future queen to her bedroom first.
Eunice quietly held her breath. A premonition that life in Nordish wouldn’t be entirely smooth stirred her heart chaotically.
