STLECM 18

                                                                  CHAPTER 18

The next day, after spending a night at an inn in Laksen, Etisha stood before the warp portal with a renewed heart. This time, she was finally heading to the North.

“I’m ready.”

Etisha took a deep breath. As Cayenne stepped beside her, the magic circle on the floor activated and began to shine brilliantly.

“They’ve probably been waiting for us since yesterday, right? I hope they’re not too worried.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already informed my aide.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. He should be there to meet us by now.”

Soon, the magic circle turned completely white.

A dazzling light surged upward, and Etisha felt as if she were floating in the sky. Her body seemed to cast off its physical constraints, leaving only her pure soul to ascend.

In the very next moment, when she opened her eyes, a white snowfield stretched out before her.

A vast land blanketed in snow.

“Ah…!”

A breath of admiration escaped her lips, forming a soft white cloud in the cold air. The drop in temperature made the air chilly and the wind sharp. Her shoulders involuntarily tensed up.

Etisha stretched out her arm and caught a falling snowflake. The pure white flake melted the instant it touched her hand. It was a joy she could never experience in the warm capital of the empire.

This is the Duchy of Wintel…!

As she took in the wide-open landscape and stubborn northern weather, everything began to feel real.

I really did escape from the Heinz estate.

Etisha looked around with fresh eyes, marveling at everything. Every step she took felt new. Her footprints left marks in the snow, and beside her stood Cayenne.

No one here will torment me. No sister, no parents.

With that thought, even a small pebble on the roadside looked special.

I’m never going back to that house.

Her heart suddenly surged with excitement and nervousness.

Etisha gazed at the endless snowfield and the swirling snowflakes with a sense of escape. For the first time, she was truly savoring her freedom.

“Lady Etisha. It’s cold. Please come over here.”

Though Cayenne called her, Etisha was too mesmerized to even feel the cold. Her face, filled with pure joy, resembled the expression she had yesterday in front of the candy shop.

“…”

To be so happy over something so small—Cayenne stared at her silently. Just then, Valdefram, the aide who had come to meet them, appeared behind them.

“Duke. You’ve arrived.”

And then, another person—Dite, with her golden hair flowing down, rushed up to Cayenne and embraced him.

“Cayenne! You’re late. I was waiting.”

Dite looked at Cayenne with subtle, affectionate eyes. Any ordinary man would have been captivated by her gaze.

“It’s a good thing you made it. Let’s hurry to the castle. The banquet preparations are already complete.”

“Banquet? What are you talking about?”

“Your mother planned a banquet. As soon as she heard about your engagement.”

“…Mother did?”

“Yes. The invited guests should be arriving soon.”

Dite turned toward Etisha and said proudly,

“And Cayenne, be happy for me. I’ve finally been allowed to attend. Lady Cyrilese invited me herself.”

At the sound of the commotion, Etisha turned her head. Her eyes met Dite’s, and she stopped in her tracks.

Dite…?

Dite, nestled in Cayenne’s arms, looked dazzling and beautiful.

When did she arrive? And… that pose…

Etisha silently stared at the two of them before lowering her gaze. The budding hope in her heart had vanished, and once again, a heavy stone pressed down on her chest.

Right… of course. The Duke has Dite.

Etisha felt like a fool.

She had never planned to interfere in their relationship, and yet, despite knowing this would happen, it still stung.

Wanting to know him… to grow close to him? Why did I even wish for something so foolish?

It had been a mistake.

That’s not how it should be. My role is just to be the fake Duchess, nothing more…

Etisha wiped the bitter smile from her face and tried to shake off her discomfort. The sweet taste of yesterday’s candy had vanished, leaving only the dull bitterness of chewed-up leaves in her mouth.

Noticing her expression, Cayenne left Dite’s side and approached her.

“Lady Etisha.”

“…Duke.”

“I’m not sure if you heard. My mother is holding a banquet today.”

“A banquet…?”

“Yes. Normally, there would’ve been a day to prepare, but since we arrived late, everything’s a bit rushed. You’ll need to attend as well. Will you be alright?”

Cayenne asked for her opinion. Etisha quietly looked at his face before slowly closing her eyes.

“Yes… I’ll be fine.”

After all, Etisha was someone who was going to die soon.

The ones who would remain in this world were Cayenne and Dite—not her.

That’s right. I’m fine. As long as the two of them are happy together for a long time, that’s enough for me.

Etisha’s stomach churned. She didn’t know if her magic was surging again or if it was just heartache.

If anything, I should be grateful to Duke Cayenne and Dite.

The snowy plains, the freedom she felt…

It was thanks to their love that Etisha had gotten this chance. If Cayenne hadn’t had a mistress—if he hadn’t needed a fake Duchess, if they hadn’t entered a contract marriage—

I might never have escaped the Heinz estate.

Cayenne, Dite—they were all people she should thank.

They were nothing less than saviors.

Etisha closed her eyes and let out a faint sigh. Her warm breath vanished into the cold air like a fleeting dream.

“I’ll attend the banquet—as the future Duchess of Wintel.”

She would perform her role perfectly, without the slightest flaw.

Etisha steeled herself silently.

Soon after, Etisha boarded a carriage bound for the Wintel estate.

Although the warp portal was located within Wintel territory, it wasn’t in the front yard, so they had to travel by carriage. It was proof of how vast the North—and Wintel’s domain—truly was.

During the ride, Etisha couldn’t tear her eyes away from the window. The snowy scenery, the architecture different from the capital—everything was fascinating, and she never felt bored.

The walls around the territory are incredibly high.

Compared to the imperial palace in the capital, the walls were at least twice as tall. And it wasn’t just one wall—there were three layers, like scars from a long-ended war.

And that… is that a mountain?

In the center of the territory stood a sharp, black mountain. Its peak was covered in white—presumably snow—but the base remained its original dark color.

I’ve never heard of a black mountain here.

Etisha asked Cayenne,

“Duke, what’s the name of that mountain?”

Cayenne followed her finger pointing out the window, then smiled faintly.

“You’ll find out when we get closer.”

The mystery didn’t last long. Soon, Etisha’s blue eyes lit up with awe.

“Wow… my goodness…”

What she had thought was a towering black mountain slowly revealed its true form as they approached.

A jet-black castle that pierced the sky.

It was Wintel Castle.

Etisha gently clenched her fist and brought it to her lips, blinking wide-eyed. As they passed the guards and entered the grounds, there was almost too much to take in.

Banners embroidered with intricate designs fluttered across the castle. Rows of well-trained knights stood in formation. The front yard was so vast it felt more like a forest than a garden.

Everyone in the castle—knights, servants, and maids—moved with sharp precision. They all seemed to have received some form of formal training.

This place was a world unto itself—like a small star named Wintel.

“We’ve arrived, Duke. Given the time, you’ll need to change into your banquet attire right away.”

As the carriage stopped in front of the main castle, Valdefram opened the door. He adjusted his collar, clearly more tense than usual with the impending banquet.

“Right. I trust nothing happened in my absence.”

“No, everything went according to your instructions.”

“Good. Once the banquet your mother prepared is over, I’ll have further orders. Come see me afterward.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Cayenne then reached out to Etisha to help her down. But before she could move, a slender, pale hand took Cayenne’s first.

“Thank you, Cayenne.”

Dite smiled and took Cayenne’s hand, stepping out of the carriage. Etisha hesitated for a moment, then got out by herself, without his help.

Cayenne watched her briefly, but Etisha didn’t notice his gaze.

“Hehe, I suppose we should all go get ready. I need to change into my dress, too. Lady Cyrilese bought me a new one.”

Dite turned to Etisha and murmured softly,

“Lady Cyrilese really takes care of me. Sometimes she treats me like her own daughter… I’ve always been indebted to her.”

“…”

“Oh dear, I’m dawdling. I’ll see you at the party, Baroness Etisha.”

With that, Dite gracefully walked past Etisha and disappeared into the castle.

Her elegant steps made it seem like she owned the place. This grand, majestic castle, still unfamiliar to Etisha, felt like home to Dite.

Lady Cyrilese looks after her…?

Then, even as a mistress, she’d been accepted by the family?

What’s more, Dite had been a commoner. Yet she was invited to a banquet hosted by the Wintel family…

What’s going on? I still don’t understand.

Cayenne had said Dite was a stain on the Wintel name. But from Dite’s words, Cayenne’s mother, the former Duchess Cyrilese, seemed to treasure her.

Hmm… I’ll understand once I attend the banquet. About Dite, and about Lady Cyrilese.

Etisha straightened her posture and opened her clear blue eyes wide.

Dite was on her mind, of course—but what truly mattered now was Cayenne’s mother: Lady Cyrilese.