Translated by Wook
Edited by Wook
“It’s my first time meeting you. I’m Rena Ruber from the South.”
At the sudden voice that was like the pouring of cold water, people looked at Rena with terrified eyes.
In the middle of a fun moment, she just jumped in and introduced herself.
The incoming gazes were not pretty, but Rena didn’t mind and faced Lynn. Then she bent her back slightly, placing her hand above her chest.
“I got a lot of help earlier. Thank you very much.”
As the Southern Representative bowed her head, everyone became speechless.
Lynn, who was also surprised, glanced at the Southern Duke. Not surprisingly, the Southern Duke had his eyes wide open.
‘What are you doing…’
In the midst of the confusion, Lynn saw Rena’s smile and realized. She was trying to create an opportunity for him.
“… I didn’t need you to greet me,” he muttered coldly, acknowledging Rena’s intention.
He then looked back at his subjects as if he had lost interest, and spoke, “We’re heading back.”
He almost had to have an ugly fight with the Northern Prince, but thanks to Rena, a way out opened up naturally.
As he left the scene, Rubid became furious and tried to catch him.
“Where are you going…!”
“Mr. Rubid.”
But again, Rena stopped Rubid.
Rubid stopped talking at the unfamiliar address and looked at Rena.
“Mr. Rubid?”
“One has to keep their dignity. If they have no dignity to begin with, then at least standard politeness.”
“What is this cheeky…”
“Or shall we dance again?”
“What?”
“It just so happens that there’s an empty space here as well.”
Rena glanced at the crack as she said that. She meant to throw him over there, like how she threw him into the champagne lake yesterday.
An icy smile appeared on Rubid’s face at Rena’s provocation.
“Well, I still have things to settle with you.”
Recalling the humiliation of the day before, Rubid grinded his teeth and gritted his teeth.
“I’m so annoyed that there are dogs snooping around…”
“It’s up to you to raise a dog.”
Then another intruder intervened. It was Clavis.
“If you train it well, it can be useful in many ways, although it won’t be that easy,” Clavis said while stroking Rubid’s head.
Rubid smirked at the sudden childish treatment and slapped Clavis’ hand away. Then, as he let go of his irritation, Clavis grabbed Rubid’s chin and whispered,
“Young Rubid, you should stop now. You are busy, aren’t you?”
Rubid, who turned his head, belatedly found the back of the Northern Duke.
Eura was leaving Doom Palace, leaving his younger brother alone.
Seeing this, Rubid was perplexed for a moment. Then he gritted his teeth and shot Rena another look.
“You won’t get away with this.”
Rubid put the matter aside and turned his body around.
As Rubid strode away, Clavis whispered with a smile.
“Isn’t it cute? He’s been training steadily, but he still doesn’t understand himself.”
Clavis said so and turned to Rena. Then he moved closer to Rena and greeted her quietly.
“Hello, Miss Rena. Long time no see.”
His voice was full of affection.
“Did you miss me?”
Clavis lowered his voice so that the Southerners couldn’t hear him, but his gesture was so suspicious to anyone who could see.
Rena didn’t answer. She just smiled awkwardly and gently bit herself.
As Rena tried to turn, Clavis grabbed her arm. Rena paused at the touch, then she spoke calmly,
“Let me go.”
“Can’t you just shake me off?”
“I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”
When Rena finally answered, Clavis’ smile deepened.
Although they were already close, he took one step closer to Rena, like a person who is fascinated and attracted, like a seductive person.
He said mournfully, as if he had forgotten the presence of others’ eyes.
“I missed you so much.”
“And why is that?”
“Because you’re special.”
“Then we’re in trouble. I’ve only seen your face a few times, and you’re already pretending to be this friendly.”
“If you say that, it will make me really want to get to know you.”
Rena signed and laughed at his courtship.
“I’m sorry then, what should we do?”
Then, she suddenly smiled and replied in a low voice,
“Because I’m not interested in you.”
Rena glared sharply at him before turning around.
Clavis, who was struck by her gaze, bit his lip. However, it wasn’t a look of shame or anger. It was a look of bliss.
***
It was night when Rena returned to her room.
Ordinary people would’ve been tired from the schedule from early in the morning, but Rena was not tired and went to change her clothes first. When she was in front of the mirror, she thought about whether to put on a shawl or not.
Uni, who was watching her, rattled her candy bottle and put one candy into her mouth.
“You’re putting in so much effort.”
“Pretend that you didn’t see it. I merely watch Uni eating candy at this hour.”
In response to her lady, Uni first closed the candy bottle.
“By the way, wouldn’t it be difficult if someone sees you and Mr. Lynn together?”
“Difficult? For me?”
“No, for Mr. Lynn.”
This time, Rena paused.
She thought for a moment, and then put down the bright ivory shawl and chose a dark turquoise one.
As Uni grinned at the sight, Rena changed the subject for no reason.
“Is there no poison in the candy?”
“It’s a little suspicious. Since earlier today, my cheeks are chapped and my throat is tingling… Is this poison?”
“… Stop chewing candy and drink water. Also, brush your teeth carefully.”
Uni replied yes, and let go of the candy bottle she had been holding tightly. Then she said nonchalantly.
“The person I met must be the butler, right?”
“Yes, probably right.”
“It was a bit surprising. I thought they’d send a maid or a younger man.”
“Because they can’t increase the number of people who know the secret.”
At Rena’s calm explanation, Uni pouted her lips.
“I think I will meet him more in the future, what should I talk about?”
“Just tell him anything he wants to know.”
When Uni asked, Rena pondered for a moment before correcting her, with a soft smile on her face.
“Except for the fact that I go out for a walk every night.”
After she said those words, she jumped off the balcony as she did every night.
.
.
.
Rena came down to the garden and thought for a moment.
What will she do if Rena Ruber is caught meeting Lignan Aetherner in the garden late at night?
In conclusion, nothing will happen to Rena.
There is a possibility that the Southern Duke will admonish her, the nobles may babble, and the Northern may become offensive, but those things don’t matter to Rena.
So it will be like nothing ever happened.
But what about Lynn?
A duke with many flaws, many enemies, and even many things to protect. ‘Is it safe for you to meet me?’
That’s unlikely. ‘Still, what kind of person are you, Rena Ruber, to decide to keep meeting each other?’
Rena swallowed a laugh and walked across the dark garden.
And she found him in the thick forest, under the faint moonlight, without fail.
“You came out today.”
“You, as well.”
Rena stopped her steps and greeted first, and Lynn, who had been waiting for her, answered with a calm voice.
Met again. They didn’t set the time and place, but when night came, they naturally found each other.
Besides, today was somehow different from usual.
Whether it was because they had to pretend they didn’t know each other even when they saw each other during the day or because of the unexpected help they received from each other, it was a little more special than usual.
Although it is not yet possible to define how this feels, the two were just relieved to see each other again.
When Lynn just stared and didn’t say anything, Rena tried her luck again.
“Thank you for saving me earlier.”
“That’s what I’m going to say.”
“Then do it, Mr. Lynn.”
When Rena urged her to say thank you, Lynn stopped smiling at her, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden.
He smiled so easily. Like a fool.
Lynn quickly erased his smile and spoke in a polite, calm voice.
“When I saw the uniform, I finally fully digested that you are the representative of the South.”
“I was surprised to see Lynn acting like a dog, as well.”
“A dog…”
“Oh, were you the son of a bitch?”
“That’s what it is in any case.”
“Right, they’re both dogs anyway, and a puppy is cute.”
“…Are you doing this on purpose now?”
[In past chapter, I translated “son of a bitch” as “prick” because it sounds too harsh and did not expect we will see wordplays like this here :lmaocry: I will changed every “prick” in the previous chapters and in the future it will be “SoaB”. Sorry for the inconvenience.]
As Lynn doubted her intentions, Rena smiled innocently.
Lynn, who was looking at her face, turned his head so as not to smile. But he failed. He eventually burst into laughter and shook his head.
Soon the two began to walk slowly.
Silence was well suited for this atmosphere, a lake garden lit by the moonlight. But they felt awkward at each other’s silence. Lynn, who felt the increasingly awkward atmosphere, opened his mouth again.
“Is your wound okay?”
“Was I hurt?”
“Your neck.”
Rena was about to say something, but then she said ‘ah’, and touched her neck.
The day felt so long that she had forgotten that the emperor had a sword at her neck.
Rena traced the shallow wound and recalled the emperor’s cold eyes.
“Her Majesty the Emperor was a far more strange person than I thought.”
“It’s not good to be close to her.”
When saying that, Lynn’s voice was cold, so Rena pretended to be surprised.
“Does the Duke also gossip about Her Majesty the Emperor?”
“Well, more or less.”
“But, you’re still unharmed.”
“Because I’m being trusted.”
The Eastern Duke was famous for listening to the emperor. It was because he had to receive the emperor’s favor to survive among the pure-blooded dukes.
And Lynn was even more despised for that. A traitor who is loyal to the emperor for his own safety even after his homeland is trampled on. Some criticized this attitude more than his background.
With those few words, Rena felt the contradiction that Lynn embraced. But she pretended to be ignorant and said lightly,
“So I guess you will work hard to conquer the Tomb.”
“It should be.”
“Mr. Lynn, will you be going by yourself?”
At Rena’s question, Lynn was troubled for a moment.
‘Can I share this information with the representative of the South? When the situation is good, she’s a competitor, and when the situation is bad, she’s an opponent.’
He only pondered for a moment before nodding his head.
“It could be considered as doing footwork.”
“This time, too?”
Lynn nodded again as she asked.
“Will you be going instead of the Southern Duke?”
“Yes, I was called on that condition from the beginning.”
“Will you be okay?”
“Are you worried about me?”
Rena’s smile brightened at Lynn’s question. So Lynn hurriedly added more.
“I’m not questioning your skills. It’s just…”
“It’s just?”
“The knights look unstable…”
Lynn said so and looked around for a moment.
Talking about the level of the Southern Knights in front of the Southern Representative, he couldn’t deny even if she wanted to say that he was picking a fight with them. However, contrary to his concerns, Rena readily admitted it.
“Ah, so it was that bad today?”
Today, the Southern Knights were at the bottom place when the path was opened in the Doom Palace.
There were quite a few wounded even though they were not the vanguards like the North. Some panicked, some fell, and some got hurt. Everyone didn’t say it, but Rena had seen the ferocity.
“I heard that the Southern Knights have a lot of experience.”
“That’s true, and they’re all gone…”
The South was a battlefield until only half a year ago, and there were inevitably many seasoned knights. First of all, all who were alive must be warriors with thick bones.
But for some reason, all the knights she saw earlier were inexperienced. They were too young, and decidedly, there was no face that Rena recognized. It meant that they were not the ones who guarded the front in the last war.
‘He told me to be in the middle, so I thought it was a one-time job.’
Rena laughed bitterly as she remembered what the Southern Duke had said in the morning.
The strong old man told her not to fall behind, so she wondered why she was here. But when she saw the level of the knights, she finally understood. They were a mess that couldn’t be used, let alone trying to be in the middle place.
‘Then again, if one has to use a mercenary as their representative, there’s no way the knights are decent.’
Even so, Rena was quite upset at the Southern Duke who pretended to be innocent, but soon forgave him generously.
“It will be fine, though.”
“It would be completely different from fighting on the ground.”
“It’s gonna work out somehow, right?”
Lynn’s eyes narrowed at Rena’s carelessness.
The place they’re going to go is the home of the dead.
Everything is veiled in the Tomb, where no one has been except the emperor.
No matter how prepared you are, to have such a relaxed attitude in the face of an unexplored area is just…
“Will you really be okay?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Lynn’s voice was full of doubt. His voice wasn’t filled with sarcasm for Rena’s complacency, but curiosity about her inner thoughts.
Rena caught his eyes and burst into laughter.
“Don’t worry, everything will be alright.”
Rena said so, sparing no further reply. No matter how pretty he is, Rena thought it was still too early to tell him this.
The path to the Tomb was opened today.
The dukes and the knights hesitated at the opening of the path in the middle of the Imperial Palace, and the fact that they had to occupy that strange place.
Because of that, Rena was a little troubled.
‘Everyone is scared and worried. Is it abnormal to think that it is nice to see the red sky and the black land?’
There was no other reason why Rena could feel so relaxed.
It’s because she’s already been there.
There, at the Tomb, was the place where Rena had spent her childhood.
Translated by Wook
Edited by Wook
“It’s my first time meeting you. I’m Rena Ruber from the South.”
At the sudden voice that was like the pouring of cold water, people looked at Rena with terrified eyes.
In the middle of a fun moment, she just jumped in and introduced herself.
The incoming gazes were not pretty, but Rena didn’t mind and faced Lynn. Then she bent her back slightly, placing her hand above her chest.
“I got a lot of help earlier. Thank you very much.”
As the Southern Representative bowed her head, everyone became speechless.
Lynn, who was also surprised, glanced at the Southern Duke. Not surprisingly, the Southern Duke had his eyes wide open.
‘What are you doing…’
In the midst of the confusion, Lynn saw Rena’s smile and realized. She was trying to create an opportunity for him.
“… I didn’t need you to greet me,” he muttered coldly, acknowledging Rena’s intention.
He then looked back at his subjects as if he had lost interest, and spoke, “We’re heading back.”
He almost had to have an ugly fight with the Northern Prince, but thanks to Rena, a way out opened up naturally.
As he left the scene, Rubid became furious and tried to catch him.
“Where are you going…!”
“Mr. Rubid.”
But again, Rena stopped Rubid.
Rubid stopped talking at the unfamiliar address and looked at Rena.
“Mr. Rubid?”
“One has to keep their dignity. If they have no dignity to begin with, then at least standard politeness.”
“What is this cheeky…”
“Or shall we dance again?”
“What?”
“It just so happens that there’s an empty space here as well.”
Rena glanced at the crack as she said that. She meant to throw him over there, like how she threw him into the champagne lake yesterday.
An icy smile appeared on Rubid’s face at Rena’s provocation.
“Well, I still have things to settle with you.”
Recalling the humiliation of the day before, Rubid grinded his teeth and gritted his teeth.
“I’m so annoyed that there are dogs snooping around…”
“It’s up to you to raise a dog.”
Then another intruder intervened. It was Clavis.
“If you train it well, it can be useful in many ways, although it won’t be that easy,” Clavis said while stroking Rubid’s head.
Rubid smirked at the sudden childish treatment and slapped Clavis’ hand away. Then, as he let go of his irritation, Clavis grabbed Rubid’s chin and whispered,
“Young Rubid, you should stop now. You are busy, aren’t you?”
Rubid, who turned his head, belatedly found the back of the Northern Duke.
Eura was leaving Doom Palace, leaving his younger brother alone.
Seeing this, Rubid was perplexed for a moment. Then he gritted his teeth and shot Rena another look.
“You won’t get away with this.”
Rubid put the matter aside and turned his body around.
As Rubid strode away, Clavis whispered with a smile.
“Isn’t it cute? He’s been training steadily, but he still doesn’t understand himself.”
Clavis said so and turned to Rena. Then he moved closer to Rena and greeted her quietly.
“Hello, Miss Rena. Long time no see.”
His voice was full of affection.
“Did you miss me?”
Clavis lowered his voice so that the Southerners couldn’t hear him, but his gesture was so suspicious to anyone who could see.
Rena didn’t answer. She just smiled awkwardly and gently bit herself.
As Rena tried to turn, Clavis grabbed her arm. Rena paused at the touch, then she spoke calmly,
“Let me go.”
“Can’t you just shake me off?”
“I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”
When Rena finally answered, Clavis’ smile deepened.
Although they were already close, he took one step closer to Rena, like a person who is fascinated and attracted, like a seductive person.
He said mournfully, as if he had forgotten the presence of others’ eyes.
“I missed you so much.”
“And why is that?”
“Because you’re special.”
“Then we’re in trouble. I’ve only seen your face a few times, and you’re already pretending to be this friendly.”
“If you say that, it will make me really want to get to know you.”
Rena signed and laughed at his courtship.
“I’m sorry then, what should we do?”
Then, she suddenly smiled and replied in a low voice,
“Because I’m not interested in you.”
Rena glared sharply at him before turning around.
Clavis, who was struck by her gaze, bit his lip. However, it wasn’t a look of shame or anger. It was a look of bliss.
***
It was night when Rena returned to her room.
Ordinary people would’ve been tired from the schedule from early in the morning, but Rena was not tired and went to change her clothes first. When she was in front of the mirror, she thought about whether to put on a shawl or not.
Uni, who was watching her, rattled her candy bottle and put one candy into her mouth.
“You’re putting in so much effort.”
“Pretend that you didn’t see it. I merely watch Uni eating candy at this hour.”
In response to her lady, Uni first closed the candy bottle.
“By the way, wouldn’t it be difficult if someone sees you and Mr. Lynn together?”
“Difficult? For me?”
“No, for Mr. Lynn.”
This time, Rena paused.
She thought for a moment, and then put down the bright ivory shawl and chose a dark turquoise one.
As Uni grinned at the sight, Rena changed the subject for no reason.
“Is there no poison in the candy?”
“It’s a little suspicious. Since earlier today, my cheeks are chapped and my throat is tingling… Is this poison?”
“… Stop chewing candy and drink water. Also, brush your teeth carefully.”
Uni replied yes, and let go of the candy bottle she had been holding tightly. Then she said nonchalantly.
“The person I met must be the butler, right?”
“Yes, probably right.”
“It was a bit surprising. I thought they’d send a maid or a younger man.”
“Because they can’t increase the number of people who know the secret.”
At Rena’s calm explanation, Uni pouted her lips.
“I think I will meet him more in the future, what should I talk about?”
“Just tell him anything he wants to know.”
When Uni asked, Rena pondered for a moment before correcting her, with a soft smile on her face.
“Except for the fact that I go out for a walk every night.”
After she said those words, she jumped off the balcony as she did every night.
.
.
.
Rena came down to the garden and thought for a moment.
What will she do if Rena Ruber is caught meeting Lignan Aetherner in the garden late at night?
In conclusion, nothing will happen to Rena.
There is a possibility that the Southern Duke will admonish her, the nobles may babble, and the Northern may become offensive, but those things don’t matter to Rena.
So it will be like nothing ever happened.
But what about Lynn?
A duke with many flaws, many enemies, and even many things to protect. ‘Is it safe for you to meet me?’
That’s unlikely. ‘Still, what kind of person are you, Rena Ruber, to decide to keep meeting each other?’
Rena swallowed a laugh and walked across the dark garden.
And she found him in the thick forest, under the faint moonlight, without fail.
“You came out today.”
“You, as well.”
Rena stopped her steps and greeted first, and Lynn, who had been waiting for her, answered with a calm voice.
Met again. They didn’t set the time and place, but when night came, they naturally found each other.
Besides, today was somehow different from usual.
Whether it was because they had to pretend they didn’t know each other even when they saw each other during the day or because of the unexpected help they received from each other, it was a little more special than usual.
Although it is not yet possible to define how this feels, the two were just relieved to see each other again.
When Lynn just stared and didn’t say anything, Rena tried her luck again.
“Thank you for saving me earlier.”
“That’s what I’m going to say.”
“Then do it, Mr. Lynn.”
When Rena urged her to say thank you, Lynn stopped smiling at her, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden.
He smiled so easily. Like a fool.
Lynn quickly erased his smile and spoke in a polite, calm voice.
“When I saw the uniform, I finally fully digested that you are the representative of the South.”
“I was surprised to see Lynn acting like a dog, as well.”
“A dog…”
“Oh, were you the son of a bitch?”
“That’s what it is in any case.”
“Right, they’re both dogs anyway, and a puppy is cute.”
“…Are you doing this on purpose now?”
[In past chapter, I translated “son of a bitch” as “prick” because it sounds too harsh and did not expect we will see wordplays like this here :lmaocry: I will changed every “prick” in the previous chapters and in the future it will be “SoaB”. Sorry for the inconvenience.]
As Lynn doubted her intentions, Rena smiled innocently.
Lynn, who was looking at her face, turned his head so as not to smile. But he failed. He eventually burst into laughter and shook his head.
Soon the two began to walk slowly.
Silence was well suited for this atmosphere, a lake garden lit by the moonlight. But they felt awkward at each other’s silence. Lynn, who felt the increasingly awkward atmosphere, opened his mouth again.
“Is your wound okay?”
“Was I hurt?”
“Your neck.”
Rena was about to say something, but then she said ‘ah’, and touched her neck.
The day felt so long that she had forgotten that the emperor had a sword at her neck.
Rena traced the shallow wound and recalled the emperor’s cold eyes.
“Her Majesty the Emperor was a far more strange person than I thought.”
“It’s not good to be close to her.”
When saying that, Lynn’s voice was cold, so Rena pretended to be surprised.
“Does the Duke also gossip about Her Majesty the Emperor?”
“Well, more or less.”
“But, you’re still unharmed.”
“Because I’m being trusted.”
The Eastern Duke was famous for listening to the emperor. It was because he had to receive the emperor’s favor to survive among the pure-blooded dukes.
And Lynn was even more despised for that. A traitor who is loyal to the emperor for his own safety even after his homeland is trampled on. Some criticized this attitude more than his background.
With those few words, Rena felt the contradiction that Lynn embraced. But she pretended to be ignorant and said lightly,
“So I guess you will work hard to conquer the Tomb.”
“It should be.”
“Mr. Lynn, will you be going by yourself?”
At Rena’s question, Lynn was troubled for a moment.
‘Can I share this information with the representative of the South? When the situation is good, she’s a competitor, and when the situation is bad, she’s an opponent.’
He only pondered for a moment before nodding his head.
“It could be considered as doing footwork.”
“This time, too?”
Lynn nodded again as she asked.
“Will you be going instead of the Southern Duke?”
“Yes, I was called on that condition from the beginning.”
“Will you be okay?”
“Are you worried about me?”
Rena’s smile brightened at Lynn’s question. So Lynn hurriedly added more.
“I’m not questioning your skills. It’s just…”
“It’s just?”
“The knights look unstable…”
Lynn said so and looked around for a moment.
Talking about the level of the Southern Knights in front of the Southern Representative, he couldn’t deny even if she wanted to say that he was picking a fight with them. However, contrary to his concerns, Rena readily admitted it.
“Ah, so it was that bad today?”
Today, the Southern Knights were at the bottom place when the path was opened in the Doom Palace.
There were quite a few wounded even though they were not the vanguards like the North. Some panicked, some fell, and some got hurt. Everyone didn’t say it, but Rena had seen the ferocity.
“I heard that the Southern Knights have a lot of experience.”
“That’s true, and they’re all gone…”
The South was a battlefield until only half a year ago, and there were inevitably many seasoned knights. First of all, all who were alive must be warriors with thick bones.
But for some reason, all the knights she saw earlier were inexperienced. They were too young, and decidedly, there was no face that Rena recognized. It meant that they were not the ones who guarded the front in the last war.
‘He told me to be in the middle, so I thought it was a one-time job.’
Rena laughed bitterly as she remembered what the Southern Duke had said in the morning.
The strong old man told her not to fall behind, so she wondered why she was here. But when she saw the level of the knights, she finally understood. They were a mess that couldn’t be used, let alone trying to be in the middle place.
‘Then again, if one has to use a mercenary as their representative, there’s no way the knights are decent.’
Even so, Rena was quite upset at the Southern Duke who pretended to be innocent, but soon forgave him generously.
“It will be fine, though.”
“It would be completely different from fighting on the ground.”
“It’s gonna work out somehow, right?”
Lynn’s eyes narrowed at Rena’s carelessness.
The place they’re going to go is the home of the dead.
Everything is veiled in the Tomb, where no one has been except the emperor.
No matter how prepared you are, to have such a relaxed attitude in the face of an unexplored area is just…
“Will you really be okay?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Lynn’s voice was full of doubt. His voice wasn’t filled with sarcasm for Rena’s complacency, but curiosity about her inner thoughts.
Rena caught his eyes and burst into laughter.
“Don’t worry, everything will be alright.”
Rena said so, sparing no further reply. No matter how pretty he is, Rena thought it was still too early to tell him this.
The path to the Tomb was opened today.
The dukes and the knights hesitated at the opening of the path in the middle of the Imperial Palace, and the fact that they had to occupy that strange place.
Because of that, Rena was a little troubled.
‘Everyone is scared and worried. Is it abnormal to think that it is nice to see the red sky and the black land?’
There was no other reason why Rena could feel so relaxed.
It’s because she’s already been there.
There, at the Tomb, was the place where Rena had spent her childhood.
