[So El told you not to learn healing magic either?]
Yuria flailed her hands dramatically toward Adrienne, clearly agitated.
It was odd. Even though she wasn’t speaking aloud, just signing, the energy felt different depending on who was doing it. Yuria’s sign language, for instance, felt loud and frantic.
Pfft.
“Your Highness, are you seriously laughing right now?”
[Just a little…]
“The Archduke is truly too much.”
Yuria pouted at Adrienne, whose lips curved in a helpless smile.
[So, did you deliver the remedy to Ena?]
“Yes. Ena’s father asked me to pass along his thanks to Your Highness.”
[No need for thanks. I’m just worried—the farmland’s too close to the rocky mountains, and they’ve suffered a lot.]
“Well, it’s the closest to the stone range. But the castle has been dispatching knights frequently these days.”
[That’s good to hear. It seems the Archduke is kind to his people.]
A faint, bitter smile tugged at Adrienne’s lips.
“I’m not so sure about that.”
[What do you mean? You’re not so sure?]
“There used to be a salt mine over there. That’s why there have been so many dispatches—to search for it.”
[A salt mine?]
“Yes. But it’s proving difficult to find. All they know is that it’s somewhere in the stone range.”
[If they find it, Rantschka might finally have a chance.]
“Right? Salt may not be as valuable as gold, but it’s still incredibly important. If they discover the mine, it could open up opportunities for trade.”
It wouldn’t be easy, but trade routes could be established somehow. Adrienne had heard just how big a difference natural resources made between territories. If they could mine salt within the territory, even this barren land could start to thrive.
Just like Tehevia had, after discovering its gold mine.
[In any case, I’m relieved the knights’ reach extends even to the farthest corners of the domain, all thanks to that salt mine.]
“If they manage to start extracting salt from it, do you think Rantschka could become as prosperous as Tehevia?”
[Hmm. At the very least, they won’t have to worry about food or medicine anymore.]
“True. The crops that grow in this barren land are limited, after all. And with the Forest of Darkness cutting off supply routes, food is hard to bring in.”
[They’ll need money to recruit more knights. Without money, no one from neighboring territories will volunteer for the order.]
In the end, it all came down to money. And right now, the only potential source of revenue was the salt mine. That must be why Lukas was so desperate to find it.
“I hope they find it soon.”
[Yes. I truly hope so.]
Adrienne nodded with a smile. But that faint smile quickly crumbled and faded.
“I hate everyone from Tehevia. To be honest, I hate you so much, it doesn’t even matter whether you’re mute or not.”
She had thought she wanted nothing anymore—but perhaps she had. Those cruel words, Lukas’s cold eyes, had burrowed deep into her chest, leaving Adrienne in pain.
She was nothing. Whether in Tehevia or here in Rantschka, she was a worthless existence. That harsh truth began to quietly eat away at her.
[Your Highness, what’s wrong?]
Yuria tapped Adrienne’s arm and signed to her with worry in her eyes.
[Yuria… What if I don’t belong here either?]
[Don’t you remember? When we left Crown Castle, you said you’d find your place here in Rantschka.]
[Do you think I still can?]
[Of course, Your Highness.]
Yuria smiled brightly, trying to reassure her.
____________𔒝 ࿆ ꫂ ၴႅၴ __________
Rantschka Castle couldn’t compare to Crown Castle or even Tereze Castle, but it was still larger than most castles built on elevated terrain.
Originally, there had been nothing but the castle itself perched atop a sheer cliff. But as people began to migrate there, they carved the cliff and built homes for the people, shaping it into what it was today.
Adrienne liked it here more than the ornate Tereze Castle. It was rough, but solid and reliable. And the Black Knights who guarded it were more dependable than any knight order she had seen.
They never wasted time. They took shifts patrolling the territory, and used the rest of their time to train in tactics and combat.
They even helped the farmers—digging wells, inspecting fields, and sometimes lending a hand with farming itself.
Lukas wasn’t a ruler who lorded over his people, and the citizens of Rantschka were used to that kind of governance. It was a territory where egalitarian, free relationships were possible. It felt like a whole different world.
And that was only possible because Lukas was born of a concubine.
His mother had been a serf. It was such a well-known fact that even children across the empire knew of it. But Adrienne didn’t care about that. One’s birth wasn’t something they could choose.
Just as Adrienne herself hadn’t chosen to be born of the cursed Kiel bloodline.
[Something’s wrong. What’s going on?]
Yuria rushed in, her face pale. Startled, Adrienne turned away from the window and looked at her.
“Barbarians have breached the border!”
Her lips moved even faster than her hands, a clear sign of panic.
Barbarians. An attack. It was something they should’ve been prepared for, and yet Adrienne’s heart thudded with anxiety.
[Have they reached the castle?]
“The knights patrolling the farmland were attacked earlier today. Before they could even react, the enemy reached the base of the fortress. Now, every single Black Knight—except those guarding the castle—has mobilized.”
[Including the Archduke?]
“Yes. The Archduke and the mage both. Sir Jackson said the numbers are overwhelming.”
Jackson often manned the watchtower outside the castle, and had previously taught military tactics to the knight order.
People called Jackson Biola, captain of the Black Knights, the Archduke’s right hand.
“I’m scared. Since I came to Rantschka, we’ve never had a battle this big…”
Yuria bit her nails nervously.
[I need to go see El, Yuria.]
“The healer?”
[There will be many wounded after the battle.]
“But—”
[This is wartime, Yuria.]
Ignoring Yuria’s objections, Adrienne left the room, and Yuria quickly followed behind her.
“Your Highness, where are you headed?”
Jeord blocked Adrienne’s path and enunciated his words slowly so she could understand.
[To El.]
“You’re going to the healer.”
[There will be many wounded. I must help.]
“Ah…”
[Please don’t stop me, Jeord. This is my duty—and it’s necessary.]
“What did she say?”
Jeord turned to Yuria.
“Her Highness says it’s her duty. That it’s necessary.”
“Some farmers were injured before they made it to the shelter. Let’s go.”
As Yuria interpreted Jeord’s words, Adrienne nodded and resumed walking.
[I didn’t know there was a shelter inside the castle.]
While helping El with treatments, Adrienne signed to Jeord, who turned to Yuria, still closely watching Adrienne.
“She says she didn’t know about the shelter.”
“Well… With frequent invasions, it seemed necessary. The castle is large, and there are plenty of empty rooms.”
[And compared to other cities or territories, Rantschka has far fewer farmers.]
After confirming Yuria’s translation, Adrienne signed again to Jeord.
“It’s dangerous.”
Yuria translated again, and Jeord nodded in agreement.
[Still… I hope not too many knights are hurt.]
“The Black Knights are the best in the Empire. They’ll be fine, Your Highness.”
Despite Yuria not translating that time, Jeord replied smoothly. Yuria’s eyes widened in surprise.
[Yuria, what is it?]
“Well… Jeord responded even though I didn’t interpret anything.”
“I guess I’ve come to understand Her Highness a little now.”
Jeord pressed his index finger to his lips and gave Adrienne a small smile.
[Jeord, does that mean you trust me now?]
“She’s asking if you trust her now.”
“Ah… I’m sorry, Your Highness. But that’s… a different matter.”
[You’re honest, Jeord. You’re right. Trusting and knowing are not the same.]
Adrienne read his lips and laughed, seeing Jeord’s awkward expression.
“She says you’re honest, and that you’re right—trust and knowledge are different.”
“You understand why I don’t trust you?”
[Of course. You’re not ‘my’ person, Jeord. You belong to the Archduke. But even so… I think I’m beginning to understand you.]
A steady, reliable man. And beneath that, someone warm and generous.
Someone who resembled this fortress—Rantschka.
A gentle light flickered in Adrienne’s gaze as she looked at Jeord. And somehow, even without Yuria’s translation, Jeord understood exactly what she meant.
Maybe…
Maybe even Lukas would someday become a place she could stay.
