Chapter 7
The farther north in the empire they traveled, the colder the weather became. Every breath formed a white mist that rose like heat waves.
It was only October, yet it felt this cold. Irene already worried about how freezing it would get once winter fully set in.
Ah… first, she had to figure out how to survive until then.
And before that, she had to think about a way to escape.
Leaning against the carriage, Irene looked at Karlos, who was a few steps away talking with Dewey.
Perhaps she had grown accustomed to him over the past ten days, because Karlos no longer felt overwhelmingly terrifying like when they first met. Part of it was that he hadn’t done anything to harm her.
He had acted strangely back in Montro, but that had happened only once. Since then, he hadn’t caused any trouble and had even stepped in personally whenever she was in danger.
‘He even treated my injuries himself…’
Not only that, he had provided her with fine clothes and hearty meals. Given these circumstances, her guard—once as tall as a castle wall—slowly began to crumble.
“Irene.”
…She was still scared.
When Karlos said her name, Irene flinched and drew her shoulders in. Still, she didn’t avert her gaze or step back like she used to.
Karlos strode toward her and spoke.
“We need to reach the Esper territory today, so we’ll have to ride horseback directly.”
“Horseback?”
“Yes. Riding is faster than the carriage.”
“That may be, but I don’t know how to ride.”
Riding was primarily a sport for nobles. As a commoner who had spent her entire life confined at home, there was no way Irene could handle a horse.
“Don’t worry. You’ll ride with me.”
“Oh.”
Irene let out a short breath, and Karlos’ eyebrows arched slightly.
“You don’t trust my riding skills, it seems.”
“No, that’s not it! I’m just worried I might be a burden…”
“Not at all. Don’t worry.”
As he spoke, something fluttered before her eyes and soon settled over her head and shoulders: a thick robe that shielded her from the biting wind.
“It’ll be cold on the horse. Wear this.”
See? He’s being ridiculously considerate. Irene closed the robe around her and whispered a quiet thank you.
While Irene and Karlos talked, Dewey had prepared a horse from the carriage team for them to ride.
Once everything was ready, Karlos grabbed Irene’s waist and lifted her effortlessly onto the horse.
“Ah!”
Startled, she clutched the reins tightly, her upper body bent forward like a bow.
“Straighten your back. Chest up.”
Karlos, seated behind her, corrected her posture. Following his instructions, she found herself leaning against his chest and shoulders without realizing it.
“Do I have to stay like this?”
“Yes. Leaning forward in fear increases the risk of falling, so relax against me.”
Is that even possible? Her heart was pounding just from touching him, but it was better than falling. Irene tried to ignore him and focus straight ahead.
The horse surged forward. The cold wind cut through her clothes as they rode. Thanks to the thick robe, Irene wasn’t cold, but Karlos wasn’t dressed for the cold, wearing only a thin coat.
“Aren’t you cold?”
She asked out of concern, and a low chuckle came from above.
“Worried about me?”
She had been worried, but his teasing made her feel embarrassed. She gripped the reins tighter.
“Not cold. Are you?”
“No, the robe keeps me completely warm.”
“Good. You’ll warm up once we reach the Esper territory, so endure a little if it’s cold until then.”
Warm once they arrived? Had she misunderstood where the castle was?
“We’ll arrive in half a day. If it’s too much, tell me. We can take a break.”
“Okay.”
After that, little conversation passed between them. Even during a brief rest, Karlos and Irene sat slightly apart, looking in different directions.
After a long ride, they finally left the forest. Not far ahead, a majestic castle wall came into view.
Even without being told, Irene immediately recognized it as the Esper territory. Dewey’s words that it was larger than the capital were no exaggeration—the walls stretched endlessly.
They were about to enter the Esper territory. Though she had expected it, now that it was happening, Irene’s nerves tensed. Swallowing nervously, she parted her lips.
“…May I ask you something?”
“Yes?”
“What should I do in the Esper territory?”
It was a softened version of the question of why he had brought her along. Knowing what he intended for her would reveal the true purpose.
She hoped it wouldn’t be something strange. Anxiety made her mouth dry.
Irene waited nervously for Karlos’ reply.
But he remained silent for a long time.
Was it difficult to answer? Or did he simply not want to?
Exhausted from waiting, she prepared to ask again when he finally spoke.
“You may do whatever you want.”
The rustling of leaves in the wind echoed eerily with his words.
“Everything except running away.”
Irene had assumed Karlos had mistakenly called the castle a territory, but he had not.
As soon as they passed through the sturdy walls surrounding the territory, the mild spring-like air embraced her. She had heard the Esper territory was so cold crops could barely grow—was that a lie?
‘It can’t be,’ she reasoned. Dewey had told her, after all.
Still, she wondered why it was so warm. Surely the entire territory hadn’t been equipped with temperature control magic.
Irene looked around in wonder. The bustling streets were full of life—a sight she had never seen in the small Silas territory of about a hundred households.
Truly, large cities were different. As she marveled, they arrived at the Esper castle.
The guards immediately lowered the drawbridge at Karlos’ approach. Clack, clack—the horse hooves echoed unusually loud.
Once inside, the first thing Irene felt was suffocation. The towering castle seemed ready to collapse and crush her at any moment.
Not that the Esper castle looked old or shabby. It was grand and imposing, which made it even more overwhelming. The space felt almost bleak.
When Irene unconsciously shrank back, Karlos asked,
“Are you hurt?”
“No, not that…”
“Mistress.”
At that moment, a woman’s voice called out. Irene turned to see a blonde woman in deep navy clothing, and a taller man wearing a slightly lighter blue outfit.
As the man approached, Karlos handed him the reins and dismounted. Then he extended both hands toward Irene.
“Come here.”
He intended to carry her down. Though reluctant, she had no choice but to trust him.
“Jesse.”
When Karlos called her, the woman ran forward. He formally introduced her to Irene.
“Her name is Jesse. She will attend to you, so if you need anything, tell her.”
“Attend to me…?”
Irene was stunned. Noble-level treatment—she could hardly believe it. Karlos nodded in confirmation.
Still skeptical, she slowly blinked and looked at Jesse. Jesse’s gentle smile met her wavering blue eyes.
“Pleased to meet you, milady. I’m Jesse. I will do my utmost to ensure your stay at Esper Castle is comfortable.”
A real maid! Irene’s mouth naturally opened in surprise at this unexpected luxury.
“I’ll show you to your room. Please follow me.”
Irene paused to glance at Karlos before following. He nodded, silently urging her onward.
They entered the castle, a vast space with ceilings high enough to crane one’s neck, wide corridors, spotless marble floors, and ornate decorations.
“Esper Castle is divided into the main keep and the inner keep. There are other buildings, but you won’t need to visit them. If you do, I’ll explain then.”
Irene, distracted by the grandeur, perked up to listen.
“You’ll use the bedroom at the east end of the 4th-floor corridor. The master’s bedroom is at the west end.”
Why mention Karlos’ bedroom?
Irene stared blankly, and Jesse simply smiled.
Soon, they arrived at the bedroom at the east end of the 4th-floor corridor. White lace canopies, a pink bed, and a fluffy carpet—the room was quaint compared to the grand castle. A princess-like chamber.
“Do I really get to stay in a place like this?”
“Of course.”
Jesse replied as if it were obvious.
“You are precious to the master.”
Strange. She was supposed to be precious to him?
Irene opened her mouth to correct the misunderstanding, but Jesse continued.
“Except for the master’s private quarters, you may go anywhere in the castle freely.”
“So… I can’t go outside?”
“You can, with the master’s permission.”
In other words, no. Karlos would never allow her out.
“If you want to see the territory, should I ask the master?”
“No, it’s fine.”
She rejected the offer. If she asked, Karlos might sense her desire to escape. Better not to risk it.
“Then I’ll prepare your bath.”
Heading toward the bathroom, Jesse suddenly paused, as if remembering something.
“Ah, I forgot to mention one thing.”
Turning back, her expression grew serious.
“Never go to the top of the northern tower, milady. It’s dangerous.”
To Irene, it sounded like a warning: do not go to the northern tower’s top—some secret was hidden there.
