Chapter 14: Just a Small Gesture.
After finishing my shopping, I returned to the ducal residence, my hands full of gifts as I stepped down from the carriage.
For Sir Lucas, whom I'd almost forgotten, I picked out the most expensive capital-brewed liquor from a bustling liquor shop in the main street. I had no idea what he liked, but old folks always loved fancy booze like this, so I figured it was the perfect gift.
The moment I entered the residence, I dropped off the rest of the presents in my room and headed straight to the factory with Luna in tow.
"Sir, this is the latest precision lens used by the capital's engineers. And this is a top-grade lubricant set."
Old man Garrett held the lens up to the light, beaming like a kid in a candy store. I'd given the empire's finest tools to a technician who'd been ignored his whole life—he looked ready to chew through gears for me now. Next, I handed Captain Wolff a leather arm guard and some aroma oil said to ease muscle pain. He smiled and thanked me warmly.
With that, everyone's fondness for me would keep trending upward. All that was left was Betty and Sir Lucas.
Dinnertime.
Chandelier light stretched long shadows beneath the high ceiling, and Betty was cutting her food with her usual flawless posture. Of course, her steak was dusted generously with Winter Rose Pepper. Her movements were precise, her expression unchanging. I chewed my salad, biding my time.
Now's the moment.
Seizing the gap when the servants stepped away to fetch more wine, I whispered as I carefully pulled a small box from my pocket.
"Betty, I have something for you."
I slipped my hand under the table, stealthily offering the box near her knee.
Tap.
My fingertip brushed the hem of her dress, and Betty's fork froze mid-air. Her gaze slowly drifted down to my hand beneath the table.
"...Your Highness, are you sexually harassing me right now?"
"Don't say something that'll get us in trouble. Luna's watching."
At my hushed voice, Betty furrowed her brow ever so slightly but snatched the box from my hand anyway. She opened it carefully on her lap. In that instant, the red glow from inside reflected in her eyes.
Ah, well, both being red, it probably didn't actually show, but you get the idea. Nestled in the box was a brooch crafted from ruby carved like a rose.
"...What is this?"
"A bribe. As the majority shareholder, our first settlement exceeded 2,000 gold coins. Not sure if it'll suit you, but I thought it matched your eyes perfectly, Lady."
Betty stared holes into the brooch. Normally, she'd snap something like "Don't indulge in luxuries." But this time, her silence stretched on. She traced the brooch's edge with her fingertip, then looked back at me. Her eyes were deeper, more complex than usual.
"Your Highness truly is a strange one. I'm controlling and surveilling you, even holding your treasure hostage... and yet you want to give me gifts like this?"
"Merchants always treat their best patrons the best. Consider it payment for 'protecting' me."
At my cheeky reply, Betty let out a tiny snort of laughter—the most human reaction I'd seen from her since arriving in the north.
"...Well, since you've given it, I'll accept it graciously. But don't get the wrong idea. This brooch won't get your book back."
"Wow, you're ice cold."
"Still, if you post good profits next month too, I might return it."
"For real? No take-backs."
Her words were cool, but she tucked the box deep into her bosom before picking up her fork again. I didn't miss how the tips of her ears flushed the faintest pink. Smiling in satisfaction, I took a huge bite of my steak.
After dinner, I pondered how to deliver the gift to Sir Lucas.
It's late—maybe tomorrow when I see him?
That's when it happened. A man claiming to be Sir Lucas's servant requested an audience, and I told him to come in.
"Your Highness, it's been too long. I'm Sir Lucas's valet. My lord invites you for a drink tonight, after so long. Do you have time?"
"Of course. I've been craving one myself. Let's head out now."
Nice timing!
I nodded eagerly, grabbed the gift liquor, and made for the annex. Lucas's annex, my first visit in nearly a month, was still shrouded in eerie quiet. Sir Lucas greeted me at the door with his kindly smile.
"Welcome, Your Highness. I hear business has you run off your feet. Thank you for humoring this old man's request."
"Nonsense—when you call, I come. Lucky for you, I brought some fine capital liquor as a gift."
I set the premium brew on the table. Sir Lucas chuckled as he filled our glasses.
"How have things been at the Winterfell residence? I worry the beds are too firm or the servants haven't suited your tastes. Stuck here in the annex, I feel I've neglected you."
His voice was as warm and gentle as ever.
If only Betty treated me this kindly.
"Not at all. Everyone's been so good to me, it's comfier than the palace. But you, Sir Lucas—is the annex too lonely?"
"Hoho, us old folks thrive on quiet. My only worry is whether our Beatrice is making excessive demands of you. She's so dutiful, she sometimes burdens those around her."
Sir Lucas smiled benignly and refilled my glass.
"You're remarkable, Your Highness. Adapting to this frigid north, and now running a business? I hear Winter Rose Pepper is booming."
"Haha, yes. We had solid revenue this month, and it should grow even more."
Wonder if he'd like it? Betty loves it—sprinkles it on everything.
"Our Beatrice is truly blessed to have a husband like you. If there's any discomfort in the territory or anything I can assist with, just say the word. This old uncle will help as much as he can."
Warm well-wishes and inquiries continued.
"Your Highness, with the wine's courage, may I share an ancient Winterfell tale?"
"Yes, I love stories like that."
Suddenly, Sir Lucas's voice dropped lower. The study candles flickered, casting his shadow long across the room.
"Your Highness, long ago, in the far distant past... deep in the mountains where blizzards never ceased, there was a tiny village. So remote, the villagers trembled daily from hunger and cold."
He paused, sipping his drink.
"One day, a lost traveler arrived. He brought wondrous tools and wisdom the villagers had never seen. With his knowledge, he taught them to sprout seeds from frozen soil, bringing prosperity. They called him the 'Heaven-sent Savior' and feasted in his honor every day."
A strange smile played on Lucas's lips. The candlelight shadowed half his face, making his eyes gleam oddly.
"But Your Highness, tragedy comes with fullness. As time passed and the villagers mastered his techniques, exhausting his 'new wisdom'... their eyes changed. The meat and wine they served him began to feel like a waste."
His voice sank further. The room felt instantly colder, like an illusion.
"Finally, on an especially brutal winter night, the villagers took torches and sickles to his lodging. Silently, oh so silently, they drove him to the cliff behind the village. He screamed for mercy, but their faces were blank as they replied, 'We no longer need you.'"
Sir Lucas set down his glass and fixed me with a stare, whispering,
"The village prospered on without him. They filled their bellies with his legacy and forgot he ever existed. His corpse lay buried under snow, cooling eternally."
Finished, Sir Lucas regarded me with shining red eyes.
"What do you think of the tale? Ah, just pondering its lesson, of course."
I thought it over carefully before replying.
"I..."