RODH Chapter 34
by Brie34.
While Seor and Lucian were engaged in what could only be described as a foot-stomping contest disguised as a dance, Ian and Nevan successfully escaped the mine.
Nevan entrusted Ian’s care to Luke.
“See to Lord Ruben.”
Luke held a magic device up to Ian’s nose and mouth as he spoke.
“This is an oxygen mask used by the miners.”
“What about His Grace? Is he alright?”
Nevan looked fine on the surface, but Ian couldn’t help asking just in case.
Luke grinned as he replied.
“We’re trained to operate even in high-altitude environments, so we’re perfectly fine.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Now grab onto my arm, firmly.”
With Luke’s support, Ian finally managed to make it out of the mine.
Nevan said he would stay behind to sweep the interior of the tunnels with his knights, including Klain.
‘I hope nothing else goes wrong…’
On the way back to the Grand Duke’s estate, Ian was once again escorted by a herd of deer.
Luke, excited all over again by the sight, launched into another enthusiastic speech about the One Who Brings Spring.
“Good heavens, Ian.”
Having heard the news ahead of time, my father pulled me into a tight embrace.
His voice was thick with worry as he scanned me from head to toe, asking,
“Are you hurt anywhere? Do you feel unwell?”
“I’m fine, Father. Not a single scratch on me.”
“Oh, thank the gods. Ian, you don’t know how anxious I was thinking something might’ve happened to you…”
“Please calm down, Father. Thanks to His Grace the Grand Duke’s swift response, I came out completely unscathed.”
“Then that’s a relief.”
As I guided my father back to his room, I continued reassuring him—though he couldn’t seem to let go of his worry.
It pained me a little to see how much more anxious he’d grown with age.
“Please get some rest now, Father.”
Just as I opened the door and was about to leave, my father asked,
“Ian, have you truly made up your mind about breaking off the engagement?”
I answered without hesitation.
“Yes. His Highness the Crown Prince may not agree, but I don’t want to marry someone I don’t love.”
“Then I shall make your intentions clear to His Majesty.”
“Father?”
Sitting down on the sofa, Duke Ruben’s expression was firm.
“I’ll bring it up when His Majesty is in good spirits. I’ll handle it, so don’t go starting a fight with the Crown Prince.”
“Understood, Father.”
“Good. And if you feel unwell at all, promise me you’ll tell someone right away, Ian. Got it?”
“Yes, I promise.”
With that, I left the room and walked down the corridor.
The fact that Father was taking such initiative meant he intended to resolve this quickly.
He must’ve wanted to take this burden off my shoulders after everything that happened today.
And honestly? I was grateful for that.
I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of face Seor would make when he got the official breakup notice.
But that thought didn’t last long.
All my attention turned to Nevan, who arrived soon after—covered in blood.
“Are you hurt?!”
Startled, I rushed down the stairs and nearly slipped.
Nevan caught me just in time—another jolt of that electric shock shot through me, and he quickly pulled his hand away again.
Left awkwardly swaying in place, I looked up at him.
He couldn’t even meet my eyes as he mumbled,
“I’m not hurt. I just… look awful.”
“You don’t look awful.”
I forced myself to sound composed, complimenting him instead—saying his appearance reflected the Northern spirit.
Nevan’s expression shifted.
That hardened, composed face suddenly took on an innocent look—and just like that, my heart skipped a beat.
What is this now?
Was it from standing in the cold wind too long?
Luke, apparently finding the whole thing amusing, was smirking like a fool—until Klain stepped on his foot, making him yelp.
Klain said curtly,
“Let’s get washed up first, then talk.”
For some reason, Klain’s voice sounded especially grumpy.
Freshly washed, Nevan smelled faintly of herbs—a clean, green scent.
It was his pheromone.
He must like bathing.
There’s nothing better than the scent of pheromones that only come out when someone is in a good mood.
Unable to help himself, Ian found his gaze tracing Nevan’s profile.
When scolding, Nevan had looked cold and dark, like a frozen winter lake. But now, under those long lashes, his clear, bright crimson eyes sparkled like jewels.
The faint flush on his cheeks somehow made him look even more beautiful today.
Nevan noticed Ian staring and turned his gaze away.
The shy boyish expression quickly vanished, replaced by the stern, composed face of the Grand Duke of Kirias.
“We encountered a few more monsters on the way back.”
Nevan’s tone carried a hint of unease at the fact that monsters were appearing even outside of a wave season.
But his next words suggested something more than just worry.
“Fortunately, there were no casualties. Early summer is usually when monsters are weaker, but… how should I say this…”
“Were the monsters different than usual?”
At Ian’s question, Nevan nodded.
“Yes. They were about half as strong as they should’ve been for this time of year. And… it felt almost as if they were under some kind of spell.”
Nevan said it was the first time he’d seen monsters, who normally attacked first without hesitation, actually flee.
At that moment, Klain spoke up.
“It could be because they haven’t yet formed a proper pack, Your Grace.”
“That’s possible.”
Luke, who had been munching on sweets, suddenly jumped in.
“But have you ever seen a sasquatch herd together? I’m telling you, this is because the One Who Brings Spring is here!”
Feeling burdened by Luke’s eager gaze, Ian forced a polite smile.
Nevan then said,
“Sir Luke, explain more about the One Who Brings Spring.”
Given the invitation, Luke set his scone down and began,
“The records we have about the One Who Brings Spring were based on what a rather eccentric traveler told us. First of all, they say the One Who Brings Spring is always born in the springtime.”
“And?”
“And they say a pure-hearted deer will recognize them first. They can weaken the monsters’ power, and they are free even from death…”
Klain, clearly fed up, scoffed.
“Who’s free from death in this world? Legends are just that—legends. That eccentric probably made it all up!”
“That’s not true! Berkast? Berchitos? Whatever his name was—he said he asked a great sage directly and got the answer!”
Luke, worked up like a drunken man, raised his voice.
Klain raised his voice too.
Nevan sighed briefly and told them to stop.
Only then did the two lower their voices, though the sparks between them didn’t subside.
Showing such childish behavior in front of a guest… will Ian be disappointed?
Nevan turned to look at Ian.
But Ian’s face had gone deathly pale.
Like snow that could melt away at any moment.
Startled, Nevan called his name.
“Ian.”
Ian came back to himself and looked at Nevan.
Realizing his mistake, Nevan immediately apologized.
“Forgive me. I used your name without permission because you didn’t look well. Please excuse me.”
“It’s fine. Please feel free to call me Ian, Your Grace. I am not of higher rank than you.”
“Then I’ll call you Lord Ian.”
“Yes.”
“……”
“……”
No more conversation followed, but Luke, still half-arguing with Klain, smiled to himself in satisfaction.
Inwardly, he prayed fervently.
‘Late Grand Duke, Late Grand Duchess, please—please bring these two beautiful people together. Free Kirias from this ancient curse at last.’
Due to an unexpected accident, I ended up spending the night at the Grand Duke’s estate.
So much had happened today that I couldn’t fall asleep.
The monsters were one thing, but what really lingered in my mind was…
“Forgive me for the offense.”
That, and the soft touch of Nevan’s lips.
It had happened when my mind was hazy, so I couldn’t remember it clearly—but the warmth that passed through the thinnest layer of skin was vivid.
No—heat was a better word for it than warmth.
But then, why was I still thinking about this?
Surely I didn’t like Nevan or anything.
Falling for someone just because you’ve seen their face a few times doesn’t make any sense…
No—if I’m being honest, who wouldn’t fall for Nevan’s face?
I’ve met my fair share of handsome jerks, pretty trash, and seemingly perfect scumbags, so I usually don’t react anymore. But the way my heart kept stirring—it was starting to get a bit dangerous.
What does Nevan think of me?
When that thought crossed my mind, I suddenly sat upright in bed.
“Don’t think stupid things, Ian Pearl Ruben. His Grace probably doesn’t think anything at all.”
It felt ridiculous to be getting worked up all by myself. I walked over to the window to cool my thoughts.
Even though it was early summer, the falling snow was mesmerizing. But my gaze shifted to a familiar silhouette.
Nevan, training in thin clothing.
I recalled our conversation back at House Ruben’s estate, and my feet began to move on their own.
Before I realized it, I had thrown on a rabbit-fur cloak and was already heading down the staircase landing.
“The front gate’s under repair, so…”
When I opened the back door, an icy chill rushed in.
Was this the same kind of cold Nevan once described as “normal” weather in the North?
If so, then there was no doubt—Nevan really didn’t feel the cold like normal people.
Clenching my jaw to stop it from trembling, I crossed the back garden toward where Nevan was.
This time, it was Nevan who spotted me first.
“Lord Ian.”
“Your Grace, you’re training… even in this weather?”
I was about to ask if he didn’t deserve to rest after taking down monsters today, but Nevan spoke first.
“I’ve never missed this training, not once, since I was nine years old.”