A New Beginning

“Good heavens! Who would’ve thought such a day would come…”

“Indeed, it was a shock, but surely it was with the duchy’s and Father Thomas’s permission.”

“It’s based on church law! Church law! Haha, farewell, cursed convent! Even if my father beats me, I’m never coming back!”

Adelin excitedly pulled out an old bag.

But soon, realizing there was little to pack and no suitable clothes to change into, she grew dejected.

“I don’t have a single coin, and these clothes I wore when I came here as a child are too small to wear now.”

“True. Is it alright to go back home still wearing the Holy Sister’s habit?”

Muttering, Iselin took off her nun’s habit to try squeezing into an old dress. Looking at her lovely figure, Adelin flashed a mischievous grin.

“The convent is something else, isn’t it? We entered as children, and now we leave as young women?”

“You’re saying that in a situation like this?”

“Why not, Iselin? There’s no one to judge us now, and we’re no longer Holy Sisters!”

With a playful laugh, Adelin pushed the underwear-clad Iselin onto the bed. As Iselin panicked, Adelin leaned toward her lips.

Clunk!

The door swung wide open.

“Eek!!!”

“Ahh! We’re sorry! Not the punishment room!”

The two hurriedly pulled apart, but it was already a suspiciously compromising scene to anyone watching.

“My, what are you two doing?”

“Lys, Holy Sister Lyset? No, just Lyset!?”

As Iselin frantically grabbed her habit to put it back on, Adelin scratched her head with an embarrassed laugh.

“You two, just now!”

“Haha! It was just a joke, hahaha. By the way, are you here to pack your things too, Lyset?”

Lyset nodded.

Suddenly, a heavy atmosphere settled between them.

“Right. Now we have to head to Hardanger, but where are you from, Lyset?”

“I don’t have anywhere to go, so I’m heading to the castle for now. I just came to grab my things.”

“The castle? Are you going to become a handmaid or something?”

Adelin asked, startled. But Iselin, realizing something, gave a slight smile.

“This beautiful Lyset has finally found her place.”

“Her place?”

“Is that not right, Lyset?”

Lyset nodded, her face flushed.

“Goodness, a fairy tale is really coming true.”

Iselin smiled, stood up, and hugged Lyset. Tears welled up in Lyset’s eyes.

“Thank you so much, Adelin, Iselin. And even Holy Sister Roze, though she’s not here.”

“We’re the ones who are more grateful. Still, with the four of us together, this convent life was somehow bearable, wasn’t it?”

Adelin, too, teared up as she stroked Lyset’s hair.

The three shared memories of the past for a while. Adelin and Iselin told Lyset to find them in Rozendal Village if she ever came to the Hardanger region, even writing “Rozendal” on a piece of paper.

“Oh, by the way, the knights at the door are giving travel funds to those returning home. They say if you sign the register, you’ll get enough money, along with a notice about this incident and a letter of identity. Hurry and go!”

“Oh my! That’s wonderful! I was dreading going home in this holy sister’s habit! Let’s go get it quick—things like this run out if you’re late!”

Adelin grabbed Iselin’s hand, jumped up, and rushed out.

Left alone, Lyset opened her drawer and took out an old box from within. From it, she pulled out a bone necklace she had made as a child and worn during ceremonies, and she put it around her neck.

‘Now, I won’t hide anymore.’

Addressing the assembled troops about tomorrow’s dawn campaign (though outwardly, the target was still the Grandelvald Duchy), Christoph ordered Morten and Fynel to oversee preparations and discipline once more.

“Now it should be fine to enter, yes?”

Unsette bowed her head slightly to Morten and Fynel as if asking for permission, then gestured to open another door of the arena.

When the guards opened the door, a robust unit adorned with bear, fox, and reindeer furs over their armor marched in majestically. Their round shields, axes, swords, and spears were sharply honed. The ruggedness of their old-fashioned helmets, revealing both eyes, was enough to display their combat prowess.

“These are…”

Christoph, Morten, and Fynel looked at them with tension. The raw, barbaric strength still vividly emanating, their sturdy waists, thick arms, and legs were exactly like the ancient warriors of this land.

The commander at the front dismounted, removed his helmet, and approached. His hair tied back and his red beard braided in strands were striking.

“Big sister Unsette! It’s been a long time indeed.”

“My brother, Gestrun! You truly have the aura of a great warrior now.”

Unsette smiled and kissed the man’s cheek. Then she turned to introduce him.

“This is the entire force of my family, the House of Wigrid. They were summoned to guard this castle after the campaign. Gestrun, kneel and declare your name.”

Gestrun knelt, holding his helmet.

“Gestrun, second son of the House of Wigrid from Telemark, who defeated the Godard tribe and impaled their chieftain Harvald’s head on a spear, and whose axe has felled countless enemies.

“I have brought 200 men to protect the castle of the Nastrand Duchy, so may the Duke, the Knight Commander, and the Guard Commander set aside their worries and spread the wings of the eagle.”

Christoph nodded as if reassured. Morten and Fynel also smiled, as if a burden had been lifted.

“Raise your head, Sir Gestrun. Are you not my uncle?”

At Christoph’s words, Gestrun burst into hearty laughter, stood, and warmly embraced Christoph.

“You’ve grown so much, Christoph. I don’t know if you remember, but when you were only as tall as my waist, I came to this castle and taught you how to wield a sword.”

“Gestrun! He’s the Duke now, so mind your manners in front of everyone.”

“Come now, sister. A man’s manners come from the tip of his sword. Hahaha.”

Morten and Fynel burst into laughter as well.

“Then, we will brief Sir Gestrun on the castle’s defenses and troop placements.”

“Do so. The troops have traveled far, so order them to rest for now. Once the handover is complete, you and my uncle should come to the banquet hall, even if late. I’ll be waiting.”

Fynel and Morten bowed and led Gestrun away.

Christoph and Unsette gave brief praise to the House of Wigrid’s troops before heading to the banquet hall.

The banquet continued late into the night.

For those who had come to genuinely celebrate his coronation, today’s events were undoubtedly an unforeseen, monumental upheaval.

Thus, everyone focused their attention on Christoph’s every move, trying to discern the meaning behind his words.

Christoph, too, had to answer the silent questions of many and clarify their doubts. It was fortunate that Morten, Fynel, and Gestrun arrived, even late.

The towering hero Gestrun, a head taller than others, downed a small keg of ale in one go, heating up the atmosphere and allowing the banquet to conclude on a high note. Unsette, now Duchess Unsette as the Duke’s mother, proposed a toast for tomorrow’s campaign, marking the end of the official events.

“Then, I’ll see you at dawn tomorrow.”

Morten and Fynel bowed to Christoph and left. For Morten, it would be a rare moment to spend with his family.

“Son, you should rest early tonight. Even seasoned men often can’t sleep and stay up all night before their first campaign.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll head in now.”

“Good. Be ready for tomorrow’s dawn campaign.”

Christoph raised his hand in a brief farewell to the crowd and left the banquet hall. Outside the door, Hilde quietly waited and greeted him.

“Well done, Lord Christoph.”

“You worked harder, Hilde. By the way, where is she?”

“She? Who do you mean?”

Hilde deliberately asked with a playful smile, as if she didn’t know.

“Hahaha, so Hilde can smile like that too. I mean Lyset. My woman.”

“You’re already using that term. You’ve truly become an adult now, Lord Christoph—no, Duke Christoph.”

“It’s just the first step. From tomorrow, it’s the beginning as a Duke and as a man.”

“At Lady Unsette’s orders, the inner room, previously used as her reception chamber, was quickly prepared as a bedroom for Lady Lyset. She’s there now.”

“Hmm…”

“Since it’s not yet a formal marriage, after all. Still, Lady Unsette seems to have taken a liking to Lady Lyset, as she gifted her cherished clothes and many accessories. She even personally chose the bed and furniture.”

“I’m truly grateful. Things are going so well it almost feels strange. Of course, I have to do my part best.”

Before he knew it, Christoph arrived at Lyset’s door with Hilde and bowed his head to her.

“Hilde, who has watched over me as a nursemaid until now, thank you so much. Even though I’ve become the Duke, my gratitude toward you will never change.”

“No, it’s I who feel fulfilled, seeing you become such a splendid adult.”

“I know today is your last day as my nursemaid. So, please take this.”

Christoph took out a pouch of gold coins he had prepared separately.

“It can’t replace everything, but I hope you can now spend peaceful times with your family.”

“So much, so many?”

“It’s not as much as the care you’ve given me. And since I leave for the campaign at dawn tomorrow, we won’t see each other for a while. Still, I’ll personally invite you to my wedding later.”

“Thank you, Duke Christoph.”

With tearful eyes, Hilde thanked Christoph and disappeared into the darkness.

Christoph gazed at her retreating figure for a while, then adjusted his clothes and knocked on the door.

Knock knock knock.

“It’s Christoph. I’m coming in.”

As he opened the door and entered, Lyset, who had been standing by the window gazing at the moonlight, turned around.

The beautiful dress, a mix of blue and sky blue, perfectly complemented her black hair and fair skin.

Her small, red lips parted.

“Lord Christoph, I was waiting for you.”

Christoph closed the door quietly.