RODH Chapter 63

63.

As expected, the letter wasn’t from Nevan.

[To the Young Lord of Ruben,

This is Luke.

Surely you haven’t forgotten me?

Just in case you don’t remember, let me remind you—I’m the one who gave you that mint chocolate when we came to greet you last time.]

The letter’s sender was none other than Luke.

Unlike most Northerners, Luke was quite talkative.

For reasons unknown, he had written in surprising detail about Nevan’s current situation, and through that, I learned several things I hadn’t known.

(…Omitted)

Anyway, with the restoration work and preparations for winter, both His Grace and we retainers are unbelievably busy—our eyes are practically falling out.

Still, we can’t skip Seed Ferost.

Ah, right. You might not know much about Seed Ferost, so I’ll explain.

Seed Ferost is a festival where we offer tribute to Anna Tuatla, the northern spirit.

It’s far grander and more famous than the Goldenberry Festival, so I really hope you’ll attend.

I’ve enclosed an invitation with this letter.]

Inside the envelope, I found a rolled-up piece of parchment.

It was tightly tied with red thread—clearly the invitation Luke had mentioned.

Just then, Bain approached and asked,

“Who sent the letter?”

“It’s from Luke, one of the Northern retainers who helped me last time.”

“Then I’m sure he included something about His Grace the Grand Duke too?”

For a moment, I wondered if Bain had a third eye hidden on top of his head.

“How did you know?”

“Heh. If one of the Grand Duke’s retainers is fond of you, of course they’d mention His Grace’s whereabouts.”

“Wow, Bain. You seem really smart today.”

I gave him genuine applause.

Bain scratched the back of his head shyly and continued,

“Well, in any case, why not try doing what he says? You’ve got nothing to lose.”

“He sent me an invitation. It’s to something called Seed Ferost—must be a famous Northern festival.”

“Never heard of it, but it sounds fun!”

I hadn’t even said I’d go yet, but Bain already looked excited.

“But His Grace told me not to come to the North…”

“He didn’t mean it. I’d bet my entire life savings on it!”

“Really?”

Bain’s pupils wavered.

I let out a quiet chuckle and said,

“Don’t bet things like that.”

“Anyway, it’ll be cold up there, so this time… Ah! What about wearing that silver fox fur cloak His Grace gave you for your coming-of-age ceremony?”

Would he be happy if I wore it?

I recalled what happened at Samhain.

That see-through shirt—Lucian had been the only one to object.

And now Bain whispered like the devil on my shoulder,

“He’ll definitely love it.”

* * *

The journey to the North wasn’t difficult.

According to the newspaper, ever since the Demon Lord had been defeated, the number of monsters had actually decreased.

Thankfully, there were no articles about me.

Bain, seated across from me, glanced at the bottom of the paper and said,

“I thought there wouldn’t be any festivals during winter, but the Holy Festival is coming up.”

“Mm, right.”

If the North has Seed Ferost, then the south-central region has the Holy Festival.

Both involve offering tribute to a god, but naturally, they don’t worship the same deity.

I opened the newspaper wider so Bain could read it more easily.

After reading an article, Bain spoke up again.

“Looks like Sir Hubert won’t be attending this year’s Holy Festival.”

“Then who is?”

“It says his second son, Lord Alex, will be attending instead.”

Bain rubbed his arm, probably recalling the incident when someone had broken into our room uninvited.

“He looks like someone the ladies would really like, so why would he do something so creepy?”

“People with too much ambition focus on just one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Promotion.”

“Can you even get promoted beyond Imperial Deputy Commander of the Knights?”

“He could become a Holy Knight Commander. If he’s attending the Holy Festival as a representative knight, he’s probably aiming for that.”

“Wow… I’ve got no ambition at all, so even if they offered me that position, I’d probably turn it down.”

Though I said all that to sound knowledgeable, truthfully, I didn’t know much about Holy Knights either.

House Ruben was never a particularly devout family to begin with.

The Emperor was the same.

“My lord, we’re almost there.”

There were a surprising number of people gathered outside the estate.

Because of that, a herd of deer watched us from a distant cliffside.

Avoiding their unnerving stares, I stepped down from the carriage, and Luke came running up in a flash.

“Young Lord! You really came! Thank you so much!”

“No, thank you for inviting me.”

After a nearly arm-wrenching handshake, we entered the estate.

I had to push my way through more people than usual, as the area was much livelier than normal.

“Whew, it’s really crowded,” Bain said.

Luke grinned and replied,

“That’s because this is a large festival, and even folks who live outside the estate come to join.”

“People who live outside the estate?”

“There aren’t many, but some still live in tribal groups.”

Now that he mentioned it, I had seen a few people on the way here with unique facial tattoos and ornaments.

As we passed through the main gate of the Grand Duke’s estate, I felt myself tense up.

I couldn’t help but worry—Nevan could appear from anywhere.

And his words echoed again in my mind:

[Do not come to the North.]

What exactly did that warning mean?

What was Nevan feeling when he insisted that I must read a letter that could easily be seen as rude depending on interpretation?

Lost in thought, I suddenly flinched when Luke’s face appeared right in front of mine.

He quickly stepped back, embarrassed.

“His Grace has gone out for a hunt. Today is the day we offer tribute to Anna Tuatla.”

“Ah, I see.”

My shoulders, which had been stiff with tension, eased a little.

Noticing the subtle shift, Bain leaned in and whispered,

“When he returns, I’ll make sure you two have some time to speak privately.”

“Thanks.”

On the way here, Bain had encouraged me to hear Nevan’s true feelings face-to-face.

‘There are things that just don’t come across in a letter. Like body language, for example.’

Everyone knows that crossing your arms usually means anxiety or displeasure.

But Nevan was someone who showed almost no facial expressions or physical gestures at all.

Worried, I recalled what Bain had said,

‘Even the slightest hint is enough—try to draw out his emotions!’

Easier said than done…

As I waited in the drawing room, I kept wondering whether Bain’s strategy would actually work.

* * *

What could those words—like a warning—have truly meant?

What was Nevan thinking when he insisted I read a letter that, depending on how you took it, could come off as rude?

Lost in those thoughts, I flinched when Luke suddenly leaned in close.

Embarrassed, Luke quickly stepped back and said,

“His Grace has gone out hunting. Today is the day we offer tribute to Anna Tuatla.”

“Ah, I see.”

The tension in my stiff shoulders finally began to ease.

Noticing the change, Bain whispered,

“When he returns, I’ll make sure you have a moment alone.”

“Thanks.”

During the trip, Bain had encouraged me to speak with Nevan face-to-face.

‘Some things just don’t come through in a letter—like body language, for example.’

Everyone knows that crossing your arms means you’re anxious or upset.

But Nevan—he rarely showed any facial expressions or body language at all.

When I voiced my concern, Bain had said,

‘Even something tiny is enough. Just try to draw out his emotions!’

Easier said than done…

I spent my time in the drawing room, wondering if Bain’s strategy would actually work.

After a long wait, Nevan returned with Klain.

The two pairs of eyes turned to me like I was something foreign.

For a moment, I shrank back—only to quickly recover and greet him with energy.

“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”

“Yes. Young Lord Ruben.”

So now he wouldn’t even call me “Lord Ian.”

It stung.

That’s when Bain suddenly stood, clutching his stomach.

“Oww, owww… I must’ve eaten too many snacks on the way. Um, Sir Knight, do you know where the physician might be?”

“Why are you asking me…?”

“Klain. Go with him.”

Klain clearly looked flustered, but after a beat, he understood Nevan’s intention and left the room with Bain.

The door closed, leaving the two of us alone.

The silence hung heavy, as if neither of us wanted to speak first.

Then Nevan said,

“Why did you come to the North?”

It felt like another arrow straight to my gut.

But I couldn’t back down—not after receiving an invitation, not after Bain worked so hard to give me this chance.

“Why did you change your mind so suddenly? Are people supposed to be this fickle?”

“Please go back.”

“I’m not done talking!”

I paused, letting the ringing in my head settle, then continued.

What about all the letters we’d exchanged? What did they mean?

Nevan showed not the slightest change in expression.

“I have no interest in you, Young Lord.”

A lie.

“Really? You have no interest at all?”

“None.”

“Then why don’t you just throw me out?”

“You’re an invited guest.”

“A guest… Is that all I am to you?”

“……”

Everything I had felt for Nevan seemed to crumble in that moment.

Why are you pushing me away?

What did I do wrong?

With eyes glistening, I asked him,

“That message telling me not to come to the North… I heard that’s Northern for cutting someone off.”

“……”

“My etiquette tutor told me. But I don’t understand. After all the letters we exchanged…”

As I rambled on, Nevan’s gaze stayed locked in one place—my palm.

The wound must’ve been worse than he expected. It was still bandaged.

He couldn’t calm himself.

Finally, he looked up, his red eyes darker than usual.

“Is your wound all right?”

The sudden question threw me off.

I answered bluntly.

“It hurts.”

“……”

“It still stings whenever I try to grab something.”

It was meant to say, So what? What do you want to do about it?

But then, Nevan abruptly stood and grabbed my wrist.

I didn’t budge.

“What are you doing?”

“You need treatment.”

“I don’t. I don’t want it.”

“Young Lord Ruben.”

“Don’t touch my wrist again. Unless you want to get your foot broken.”

Maybe that warning worked, because Nevan let go.

With the faint scent of fresh grass lingering, he spoke.

“I didn’t mean it.”

“But the letter—you did mean that.”

“I…”

“Why is it always me clinging to you?”

Even without that warm, soothing pheromone of his, the one that always reminded me of fresh spring grass, I still would’ve liked Nevan.

It wasn’t just about being an alpha.

He was someone who looked like he needed to be embraced.

And I’ve always been weak to people like that.

Finally, the tears began to fall.

“I shouldn’t have met you, Your Grace. And as for this so-called ‘bringer of spring’…”

Ian’s voice faltered, his sentence left unfinished—

Because Nevan silenced him with a kiss.