Proofreader: somnium

Even in summer, the wind was cool. Artizea sat by the window and looked at the green mountain in the distance.

Last time here, she experienced the Northern winter.

Compared to that winter, when people’s lives could only be endured, and they felt great just to be alive in the terrifying stronghold, the summer was cool but not cold.

Even so, the mountain light looked more dark blue than green. The ice cap of the steep Thold Mountains was so dazzlingly white that even the sunlight here seemed to be reflected from it.

Artizea thought that this must be the reason the Northerners were humble. There is a barrier in front of them too great to be arrogant.

No one here will ever make the mistake and think that they can rule everything as they pleased.

‘Maybe, it’s better to let the children come more often,’

This time it was especially to visit Evron’s family grave, and to introduce the children to the North. But she thought it would be rare for her to come again.

However, when the children are a little older, it might be good to let them stay in the North for a while.

Artizea knew best how important it was to see the land where the people lived with their own eyes.

It would be good not just going to the North, but the West and South as well.

In the West, they had to look around the fortresses, castles and monasteries built against the endless wheat fields and monster waves, and the villages scattered around it.

In the South, they must experience the blessed climate, the salt crystal coast of Duchy Riagan, and above all, the always lively and vibrant port.

‘Since Miss Lysia is in the West, it’ll be fine if I send them out early. I might as well ask Brother Colton to take care of the journey.’

It would be better to go to the Southern part with her. Even young Yucis can go to the South.

The Empress Dowager will also be pleased. She has always wanted the children to visit at the family grave of Duchy Riagan.

The climate is nice too, so it would be good for her to recuperate there, too, for a few months. After a long time, she wanted to see Natalia.

‘There is no one to trust in the East.’

Artizea thought carefully, flipping through the thoughts in her head.

The East was still a messy land. They took control of the Eastern Army and prevented the war, but the seeds of discord proposed and sown by Emperor Gregor remained.

‘It might be okay if I don’t send them to the East. Rather, leaning in that direction would cause concern.’

Should the East learn of their lost pride? She wasn’t sure if that was necessary for the future or not.

Dignity comes to the people who have lived the life given to them to the best of their ability.

At first glance, there was an idea that crossed her mind. But before Artizea could confirm it, her door was opened.

Cedric popped his head in.

“Tia, your clothes are thin.”

That was the first thing he said. Artizea stood up. Hazel put a thick cloak over her shoulder.

“It’s okay. It’s not cold yet.”

“It’s okay here, but the mountain breeze is cold.”

From the beginning, wearing thick clothes didn’t seem like a suggestion. Cedric opened the overcoat made of cloth stuffed inside with short fur to Artizea.

Artizea walked over to him and pushed her arms through the coat as he put them on.

“What about the kids? Were they having a good time?”

“There seemed to be no problem. Ticia makes friends quickly.”

“What a relief.”

Most of the children brought to this castle now are the children of Cedric’s childhood playmates.

Cedric refused to do so, but Artizea wanted to make them friends with Leticia.

Like Cedric, those children will be the greatest asset to Leticia in the future.

It’s not just about getting a good servant. Even when Leticia is at the Palace, it will help her understand properly all kinds of people from distant lands.

Cedric held out his arm. Artizea put her arms around his and walked slowly.

Cedric asked again when she wanted to talk about what she had thought before.

“This winter, you’re escaping to the South?”

“Isn’t it good for the children’s education to experience a new environment? Yucis is still too young, but it will be a good learning experience for Ticia. Because the world is changing the fastest.”

“I see. Well, in the South, public security is pretty stable these days.”

“I want to meet Her Highness Natalia while I am there. It will be a great experience to meet the Royal Family of another country safely. By the way, why are you speaking in such a harsh tone?”

“No.”

“What do you mean no?”

There were rumors that the king of the kingdom, who was not yet married, had an affair with a married woman, and Cedric could not say it even if his mouth was torn.

It wasn’t that he cared about it. Never.

It was because it was Marchioness Camellia who was being mentioned as the other person in the rumor.

Artizea completely misunderstood his thoughts.

“I am not talking about the issue of bestowing Duchy Riagan to Yucis. It is still too early.”

“I know.”

Then what’s the problem? Artizea tilted her head.

Cedric turned around without knowing it.

“In winter, I will be lonely by myself.”

“You have to be so busy that you won’t feel it.”

Cedric, speechless, shut his mouth and made a sad face.

Artizea smiled.

“Not only because of Ticia’s education, but also because I want to show Yucis a wider world.”

“I agree with that. By the way, I have never been to the South.”

“It’s too late for Lord Cedric. If you want to travel, you should have done that in the past. How are they going to handle the Emperor’s procession in the South?”

“.....”

“Unless you want to make a multilateral summit.”

“Just thinking about it makes me feel like a pile of work will be poured over my head, so I’ll bear with it.”

Cedric sighed. Artizea said,n(0)vel(b)(j)(n)served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l-B1n.

“I hope to send them to the West once in the next year or the year after that.”

“That’s good, too. The West is really a place that expands your horizons just by looking at it.”

“So is the North.”

“Is that so?”

“It was an unimaginable landscape for those who lived only in the Capital.”

Cedric was silent for a moment in thought. Artizea said, thinking he knew better than she did,

“First, let Ticia experience the North well.”

“Is that an order?”

“What do you mean by an order? I can’t do it in the North, so of course Lord Cedric should do it well. Even Yucis probably won’t be able to go with you.”

Cedric smiled shyly.

“Actually, I was just going to take Ticia and go here and there for a while.”

“I see. But can Ticia ride a northern horse?”

“It is still difficult. It will be possible when she is twelve years old.”

“Lord Cedric is also taking a long break, and you don’t know when you will come to the North again, so do a lot of them.”

“Yes.”

Cedric laughed. Artizea added briefly,

“.... It’s good to meet people from the East, too.”

“I’m thinking about it, too.”

They both knew whom they were talking about, but they didn’t say their name.

Both children were in front of the carriage. Yucis, who became round with his wool robe and woolen hat, raised his arms that were clasped by Mel.

“Mom! Mom! I see thing strange today!”

“Strange?”

“A big brother three eyes!”

Yucis said excitedly. What Yucis liked the most was observing new objects and phenomena and organizing them in his own way.

Artizea smiled. Yucis struggled, reaching out his arms to hug Artizea.

Cedric embraced him instead. Even though Yucis was still young and his development was slower than Leticia, it was too much for Artizea’s arm.

“That big brother and mom also three eyes, and aunt four arms! Strongest in town!”

Then, Yucis looked at Cedric and said,

“Taller than Dad.”

“It could be, why?”

“Dowant to.”

Yucis began to cry. Cedric put on a strange face.

Although he was on the tall side, there were plenty of people in the North who were as tall or taller than him. If it was Karam, it needs no mention. There was also a knight that Yucis knew.

So, Yucis’s reaction was surprising.

“Do you think that if you are small, you are weak?”

Artizea asked with a smile. Yucis nodded his head with his finger in his mouth.

“But then, is Mom weaker than Dad?”

“Uh.....”

The child, who was confused about the meaning of the word weak, fell into agony.

He himself was smaller than Leticia, so he was weaker than Leticia. Although his Mom is an adult, he was told that her body was weak.

But when she asks if she was weaker than his Dad, it doesn’t seem like it.

“No, Dad is stronger than your friend’s aunt.”

Cedric said sternly.

Artizea made an absurd face. Even Mel, who rarely changes her expression, moved her eyebrows and corners of her mouth at the same time.

Cedric coughed. He knew it was childish.

“Mom! Dad! Look at this! I found something amazing!”

At that moment, Leticia, who was squatting by the wheel of the carriage, fussing alone, ran over to her, screaming at what she had found.

Artizea looked at Leticia curiously. And she was horrified to see Leticia gently clasping her hands together.

“Ticia, don’t open your hand.”

“The shell is completely white, but it’s rainbow-colored!”

Without heeding the warning, Leticia put her hand out in front of Artizea. A bug the size of her thumb flew from her palm.

“Kyaak!”

Artizea reflexively screamed.

Cedric grabbed the bug with one hand before it ran towards her face.

“Ticia, your Mom doesn’t like things like this.”

Cedric sighed.

Artizea glanced at his hand clenched into a fist. Leticia said in a sad voice,

“It was really pretty.”

“Dad will look after it.”

Cedric sneaked a glance at her secretly before looking at Leticia’s eyes, and took Leticia’s hand with the other hand and walked away.

Artizea secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and got on the carriage with Yucis first.