As we moved further north in the empire, the weather grew colder. White breath rose like a haze when exhaling.

It’s only October, yet it’s this cold. Irene was already worried about how much colder it would be when winter truly began.

Ah, I should first consider how to survive until then.

And before that, think about ways to escape.

Irene leaned against the carriage, looking at Kalos who was talking with Dewey a few steps away.

After spending ten days together, she seemed to have adapted, as Kalos no longer felt as scary and frightening as when they first met. The fact that he hadn’t done anything to her also played a part.

He did do something strange in Montreau, but that was only once. He hadn’t done anything since then, and instead, he even personally stepped in to save her when she was in danger.

‘He even treated my wounds himself.’

Not only that. He provided her with nice clothes and fed her delicious food until she was full. Given the situation, the wariness that had been as high as castle walls was slowly crumbling.

“Irene.”

…Still, I’m scared.

Irene flinched and hunched her shoulders when Kalos called her name. However, she didn’t avoid his gaze or step back like before.

Kalos strode over to Irene and said,

“We need to arrive at Esper territory today, so it seems we’ll have to ride horses directly.”

“Horses?”

“Yes. It’s faster to ride horses directly than to use the carriage.”

“That may be true, but I don’t know how to ride a horse.”

Basically, horseback riding was a sport for nobles. There was no way Irene, a mere commoner who had been confined to her home all her life, could ride a horse.

“Don’t worry. You’ll be riding with me.”

“Ah.”

As Irene let out a short exclamation, Kalos’s eyebrows raised slightly.

“It seems you don’t trust my horseback riding skills.”

“Ah, no! It’s not that, I’m just worried I might be a burden…”

“Don’t worry about it at all.”

With that brief reply, something fluttered in front of her eyes and soon settled on Irene’s head and shoulders. It was a thick robe that blocked the biting wind.

“It’ll be cold when riding the horse, so wear this.”

See. He’s being unusually kind. Irene thanked him in a small voice while wrapping the robe around herself.

While Irene and Kalos were conversing, Dewey prepared one of the horses that had been pulling the carriage for them to ride.

When all preparations were complete, Kalos grabbed Irene’s waist and lifted her up.

“Ah!”

Suddenly finding herself on the horse, Irene startled and tightly gripped the reins. Her upper body was bent like a bow.

“Straighten your back. Chest out too.”

Kalos, who had mounted behind her, directly corrected Irene’s posture. Following his instructions, she soon found herself leaning her back and head against his chest.

“Do I really have to stay like this?”

“Yes. If you hunch your upper body out of fear, you’re more likely to fall off, so just lean back comfortably.”

Is that even possible? Her heart was pounding just from slight contact, how could she possibly be comfortable?

Still, it was better than falling off, so Irene tried her best not to mind Kalos and focused on looking straight ahead.

The horse carrying them stepped forward vigorously. Riding on horseback, she could clearly feel the biting wind brushing past her clothes.

Irene wasn’t cold thanks to the thick robe Kalos had given her, but he wasn’t. He was only wearing a thin coat that provided no protection against the cold.

“Aren’t you cold?”

When she asked out of concern, a low chuckle spread above her head.

“Are you worried about me?”

It was true that she was worried, but being asked like that made her feel awkward. Irene unnecessarily gripped the reins tightly.

“I’m not cold. Are you cold?”

“No. The robe is warm, so I’m not cold at all.”

“That’s good. Once we reach Esper territory, it will be warmer, so just bear with it a little longer if you’re cold.”

It will be warmer when we reach the territory? Did he misspeak the name of the castle?

“We should arrive in about half a day. If it gets too hard, just tell me. We can take breaks.”

“Okay.”

After that, there wasn’t much conversation between them. Even during their brief rest, Kalos and Irene sat a little distance apart, looking in different directions.

After riding for a while like that, they finally emerged from the forest. Not far away, imposing castle walls could be seen.

Irene immediately realized that must be Esper territory, without needing to be told. The castle walls stretched on endlessly, proving that Dewey’s words about the territory being larger than the capital were no lie.

We’re about to enter Esper territory now. Although she knew this was coming, now that the situation was at hand, she felt nervous. Irene swallowed dryly and slowly parted her lips.

“…Can I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“What should I… do in Esper territory?”

It was a slightly modified version of asking why he had brought her along. If she knew what kind of work he would have her do, she would also know the real purpose for bringing her.

I just hope it’s nothing strange. As her tension increased further, her mouth went completely dry.

Irene anxiously waited for Kalos’s answer.

But Kalos didn’t say anything for a long time.

Is it difficult for him to answer? Or does he not want to answer?

As Irene grew tired of waiting and was about to ask which it was, Kalos opened his mouth.

“You can do whatever you want.”

The sound of leaves rustling in the wind blended with his voice, echoing desolately.

“Except for running away, that is.”

*

Irene thought Kalos had mistakenly referred to Esper Castle as the territory, but that wasn’t the case.

As soon as they passed the sturdy castle walls surrounding the territory, a gentle spring-like air enveloped her body. Hadn’t they said Esper territory was too cold for crops to grow? Was that a lie?

‘That can’t be.’

It wasn’t just anyone who had said it, but Dewey.

Then why was it so warm here? Surely they couldn’t have activated temperature control magic devices throughout the entire territory.

Irene looked around curiously. The streets bustling with people were full of vitality. It was a scene that couldn’t be found in Silas territory, where only about 100 households lived.

The big city really is different. While she was admiring the territory, they soon arrived at Esper Castle.

As Kalos approached, the guards immediately lowered the drawbridge. Clop, clop. The sound of hooves echoed unusually loudly.

The first emotion Irene felt upon entering the castle was that it took her breath away. The castle, which rose up seemingly endlessly, looked as if it might collapse and crush her at any moment.

That’s not to say that Esper Castle looked old or shabby. It was extremely solid and imposing, but that’s why it felt even more intimidating. It also gave off a bleak feeling.

As Irene unconsciously shrank back, Kalos asked,

“Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“No. It’s not that…”

“Master.”

Just then, a woman’s voice was heard. Turning towards it, she saw a blonde woman wearing dark navy clothes and a tall man wearing clothes in a slightly lighter shade of blue.

As the man approached, Kalos handed him the reins and dismounted from the horse. Then he held out both hands towards Irene.

“Come here.”

He meant to embrace and help her down. Irene didn’t want to, but since she wasn’t confident about getting down on her own, she had no choice but to entrust herself to his hands.

“Jessie.”

When Kalos called her name, the woman, Jessie, quickly approached. Kalos formally introduced Jessie to Irene.

“Her name is Jessie. She will be your maid from now on, so if you need anything, you can tell her.”

“My… maid?”

Irene was dumbfounded at being given treatment usually reserved for nobles and asked again, to which Kalos nodded.

Still not believing it, Irene slowly blinked and turned to look at Jessie. Meeting Irene’s wavering blue eyes, Jessie smiled prettily, her eyes curving like crescent moons.

“Pleased to meet you, my lady. My name is Jessie. I will do my utmost to ensure you have no inconveniences during your stay at Esper Castle.”

I really got a maid. Irene’s mouth naturally opened at receiving such unexpected luxury.

“Then I’ll guide you to your room, my lady. Please follow me.”

Irene didn’t immediately follow Jessie, but turned to look at Kalos. Kalos made a chin gesture as if telling her to go ahead and follow.

Only then did Irene start walking, following Jessie into the castle.

The ceilings so high she had to crane her neck, corridors as wide as fields. And marble floors polished so clean not a speck of dust could be seen, along with lavish wall decorations – the castle interior was extremely large and splendid.

“This Esper Castle is largely divided into the main castle and the inner castle. There are several other buildings as well, but you’ll rarely have occasion to go there, my lady, so I’ll explain about them if you ever need to go.”

Irene, who had been absentmindedly admiring the castle interior, perked up her ears and listened attentively as Jessie began explaining about the castle.

“You’ll be using the bedroom at the far end of the east corridor on the 4th floor, my lady. For reference, the master’s bedroom is at the end of the west corridor on the 4th floor.”

Why is she telling me the location of Kalos’s bedroom?

When Irene stared blankly at this inexplicable information, Jessie just responded with a slight smile.

After listening to explanations for quite some time, they finally arrived at the bedroom at the far end of the east corridor on the 4th floor.

Unlike the grand and splendid castle interior, the bedroom was cute and cozy with its pure white canopy adorned with lots of lace, pink bed, and fluffy carpet. It was like a room a fairy tale princess would live in.

“Is it really alright for me to stay in such a nice place?”

“Of course.”

Jessie answered as if wondering why she would even ask such an obvious question.

“You are someone precious to the master, after all.”

It was a strange thing to say.

Me, precious to that man?

Thinking Jessie must be mistaken, Irene was about to correct her when Jessie continued speaking first.

“You are free to go anywhere in the castle except for the master’s personal spaces, my lady.”

“Does that mean… I can’t go outside the castle?”

“No. You can go out if you receive the master’s permission.”

It was as good as saying she couldn’t go out. After all, there was no way Kalos would permit Irene to go out.

“If you want to look around the territory, shall I ask the master?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Irene declined, as the outcome was obvious, and if she asked about such things, Kalos might realize her desire to escape, which would be a big problem.

“Then I’ll prepare bath water so you can wash up.”

Jessie, who had been heading towards the bathroom, suddenly let out a short exclamation as if remembering something and stopped abruptly.

“Ah, there’s one more thing I should have mentioned but forgot.”

Jessie turned around with a serious expression on her face.

“The top of the northern tower is dangerous, so please never go up there, my lady.”

To Irene’s ears, Jessie’s warning sounded like this:

There’s some secret hidden at the top of the northern tower, so never go up there.