Episode 85. Rain, and the Deer (4)
The Lord's Castle stood tall atop the highest hill at the heart of Expeer, visible from anywhere in the city.
Seeing the massive castle up close, the oppressive grandeur inspired awe. It looked like a fortress supporting people in this harsh forest climate.
The Lord's residence in my hometown wasn't such a magnificent palace-like castle-just a moderately large, ornate mansion-so this felt refreshingly new.
As the two women approached the castle entrance, the Lord's soldiers crossed their weapons to block the gate and halted us.
"Halt. What business brings you to the Lord's Castle?"
"We've come to request an audience with the Lords. Are both of them present?"
"Do you have an appointment with the Lords?"
"We don't. We've been staying in the city due to the rain, so we thought to pay our respects while here. If you tell them Rita Karyen has arrived, they'll know."
"Hmm. I'll relay the message. Wait here."
The soldier opened a small door beside the gate, instructed a servant inside, then resumed his post.
True to soldiers directly serving the Lord, they maintained impeccable discipline while performing their duties. Their equipment also outshone that of the City Gate guards.
I felt mischievously tempted to test if I could disrupt their composure, but remembering my guest status, I restrained myself.
It's a pity I had to reduce my chest and hips to fit into hastily bought clothes. Judging by the soldiers stealing glances at our faces, had I used Charm in my original form, they'd have lost all decorum and swooned. What a waste.
Soon, the small door reopened as the servant relayed a message. The soldier nodded, lowered his weapon, and swung the castle gates wide open.
"Both Lords are present. They've granted your audience. You're unarmed, I presume?"
"Of course. Then."
Rita and I stepped onto the red carpet and entered the Lord's Castle. Contrary to its sturdy fortress exterior, the interior resembled a lavish royal palace.
I tried acting nonchalant, but being surrounded by wealth and power made me inexplicably tense. Logically, I knew there was no need to feel intimidated, but my longer life as a tax-paying commoner had ingrained habits that wouldn't fade easily.
Noticing my discomfort, Rita released my hand and linked arms with me instead.
"Don't cower."
"Rita..."
"Hold your head high and don't suppress your presence. You're visiting as my companion-my pride. Don't demean yourself."
Her heartfelt encouragement lifted my spirits and confidence.
Sometimes before sleep, I'd wonder-like everyone does at least once in their lives-is this all a dream? Could the life I'm living be an illusion?
I'd imagine suddenly waking to find the succubus who turned me into a demon asking, "Did you have a nice dream?" What if everything until now was just her hallucination?
Such delusions arose because my acquired power and abilities felt absurdly excessive. The overwhelming luck and happiness made doubt inevitable.
It felt like the world revolved around me-convenient beyond reason, like the third-rate hero tales I'd idly read at church. Stories where someone gains power by chance, then claims fame, wealth, and honor.
Whenever sinking into self-doubt, my loved ones-those I love and who love me-would wake me from nightmares.
As long as they're by my side, I vowed to walk this path even if it proves to be a fleeting dream.
I might fall into the swamp again, but that's fine. My family will wake me once more. Then I'll simply dream another pleasant dream.
"Heh, why that silly smile, Triae? Now you're making me smile too."
"...Just thinking happy thoughts to calm myself."
* * *
Since our visit was unannounced, it took considerable time before we were escorted.
Eventually, an elderly butler with a handsome white mustache approached, offering polite yet formal greetings.
"Welcome to Expeer Castle, Rita Karyen-nim."
"Thank you for permitting our visit. Where may the Lords be?"
"Please direct your gratitude to the Lords when you meet them. They were in private talks but decided to take a break upon hearing of your arrival. They await you in the parlor."
Hmm... This old man completely ignored me, addressing only Rita.
While we did visit in Rita's name, shouldn't normal etiquette involve acknowledging both guests?
Whatever. No need to care. We're only here to meet the Lords-no point wasting emotions on a butler.
I know my worth, and Rita knows it. Why bother with those who don't? When superiors recognize me, inferiors will follow suit. So I stayed composed.
"Please follow me. I'll escort you to the Lords. Should you need anything or wish to go elsewhere in the castle, inform me."
"Understood."
A roundabout pressure implying "uninvited guests should just leave after their business." How petty.
But I partly understood their sentiment. With leaders from feuding families meeting privately, the staff must be on edge.
Not that we owed them consideration. Silently, we followed the butler upstairs to the castle's higher floors.
After climbing three floors, the butler stopped before the innermost room. He knocked lightly, then bowed beside the door.
"The Lords await inside. Please mind your conduct."
"No need for concern. Then."
Creeeak-
Thick doors opened, revealing a brightly lit parlor under chandeliers.
The room glittered with luxurious furniture, walls and floors of polished marble. A fireplace stood between two balcony doors, flanked by facing sofas across a low, wide table.
On one sofa, a man and woman sat shoulder-to-shoulder. They rose upon our entry.
"Ah, Rita-nim! How delightful to see you again."
"The honor is mine that you still remember me, Lady Capulet."
"You may call me Julia as before. My position changed, not our relationship."
"Thank you, Julia-yang."
The Lord named Julia-who greeted Rita first-had golden hair and green eyes like Expeer's surrounding forests.
Petite with a youthful face, she seemed barely past adolescence. Yet her resolute, intelligent gaze carried Lord-worthy charisma.
Behind her, a handsome black-haired man continued the greetings.
"Julia, must we leave Rita-nim standing? Rita-nim, a pleasure. Please sit."
"Thank you for welcoming our sudden visit, Count Montague."
"Please address me casually. Titles like Count or Lord still feel awkward-especially from you..."
"Understood, Roman."
Lord Roman stood tall and broad-shouldered-a striking figure.
Though slightly boyish, his dignified bearing made Julia-despite equal status-seem childlike in comparison.
Both Lords sat after greeting Rita. Rumors suggested they despised facing each other, yet seeing them share a sofa made me question if tales were exaggerated.
Once Rita's greetings concluded, both Lords' attention turned to me. Before they could ask, Rita swiftly introduced me.
"Triae, greet them. These are Expeer's two Lords-Roman Montague and Julia Capulet-nim. Allow me to introduce Triae-my companion."
"...Pardon?"
Both Lords froze upon hearing their acquaintance's sudden marriage news, momentarily speechless-as was I.
I hadn't expected such a blunt revelation... Lord Roman recovered first, smiling.
"Congratulations. I'd wondered who'd dare claim someone as beautiful as Rita-nim-never imagined another woman..."
"I know it's shocking. But we love each other sincerely and chose openness. You're the first we've told."
"First... Then you trust us that deeply."
Same-sex love and marriage weren't illegal here, but being uncommon, open declaration remained difficult.
The Lords seemed touched by Rita's trust-their gazes now held emotion.
Julia-yang's eyes sparkled as she alternated staring at us, resembling a teenage girl reading forbidden romance novels.
Not just youthful in face-her heart remained girlish too. How did someone like her end up in bloody power struggles? Were rumors mistaken?
"Roman, with them..."
"We can speak. Rita-nim has always been trustworthy-so must her companion be."
After whispering, the Lords faced us with serious smiles.
"Since Rita-nim trusted us with joyful news, we must reciprocate. We'll share a secret-but it mustn't leave this room."
"I don't know what it concerns, but I vow silence."
Rita's promise sufficed-the Lords nodded without awaiting my response.
Having just met them, I deemed silence more polite than intrusion.
After hesitant pauses and Julia-yang's flushed cheeks, Roman-nim finally spoke.
"We-Julia and I-love each other. On the festival's final day, before all citizens, we'll announce our engagement... and end Expeer's long conflict."