Wait, Are We Going to War or Something?
Led by Luna's frantic hands as she helped me into my formal attire, I stepped out to the main gate of the duke's residence, where an atmosphere like the calm before the storm already hung in the air.
The first thing that caught my eye was Be ti, no longer in that glamorous dress from earlier but decked out in the black uniform of the Winter Guard knights. Silver epaulets gleamed coldly on her shoulders, and the longsword at her waist looked ready to draw blood at any moment, exuding raw intimidation. In front of her stood the Winter Guard knights, arrayed in perfect ranks and files, clad in black armor with hardened gazes as if they were marching off to war.
Wait, are we seriously heading into battle right now?
Be ti scanned me up and down as I approached, a strange smile curling her lips in apparent satisfaction.
"You've arrived, Rian. The formal wear suits you perfectly. More than enough to welcome back your 'precious guest.'"
"Ah, yeah. Thanks. You look great in that uniform too, Be ti."
She gave a short nod at my response, then unleashed a sharp cry toward the waiting knights.
"From this moment, we go to greet uninvited guests from the imperial palace. Show the imperial knights the full might of Winterfell. Make them regret whatever they dare to covet!"
Sir Wolf, standing at the front of the knights, drew his sword and bellowed.
"Let's show them the power of Winterfell!"
"Show them! Show them!" The knights' roars echoed through the duke's residence.
Be ti brought her horse right up beside me.
"Rian, mount this one."
I couldn't help but hesitate at the sight of the massive black steed she was straddling.
"Rian, why aren't you mounting? We're short on time."
Of course I want to ride a cool horse like that at least once.
But as a modern guy, there was no way I knew how to ride.
"...Um, Be ti. Truth is, I've been scared of horses since I was little. Couldn't we take a carriage instead?"
I tried to come up with an excuse, pulling the most pitiful, delicate expression I could muster, but Be ti's eyebrow didn't even twitch. Instead, her eyes narrowed, radiating an indescribable pressure.
"A carriage is too slow. If you're scared, ride behind me. My horse is smart enough to carry two adults across the snowy mountains without breaking a sweat."
"I think a carriage would be fine for me..."
"Mount up. That's an order."
Under her firm tone, I caved and grabbed her hand to climb onto the horse's back. The moment I settled behind her, she pulled my arms around her waist.
"Hold on tight and don't let go. I won't take responsibility if you fall."
"Y-yeah..."
To survive, I wrapped my arms tightly around her slender waist. Through the thick uniform, her unexpectedly warm body heat seeped through. And from her back pressed against my chest, I could feel the steady, powerful rhythm of her heartbeat. It was almost like her heart and mine were connected.
Be ti shuddered faintly for a moment as my hands encircled her waist, then spurred the horse forward. How long had we been racing across the snowy plains? Suddenly, she raised her right hand in a halt signal, and the horse slowed as the view opened up.
In the distance stood a knight order in gleaming silver and gold armor, perfectly arrayed. The Imperial Palace's 2nd Guard Knights. At their center sat a woman on horseback, chin haughtily raised.
Golden hair like mine, and piercing blue eyes.
Ah... so that's my big sis.
That's right, Rian! That's your big sis, the 2nd Imperial Princess Eleanor von Luminares! A total weirdo who read military strategy books instead of playing with dolls as a kid. The moment she came of age, she led knights into countless real battles and became a brilliant commander. She's famous for doting on you terribly... Huh? But her eyes look pretty intense right now, don't they?
Be ti and Princess Eleanor advanced to the center, each leaving their knights behind. The tension was thick enough to freeze the falling snow. Amid it all, Be ti was the first to bow formally.
"Beatrice de Winterfell, lady of Winterfell, greets Her Highness Eleanor von Luminares, 2nd Imperial Princess."
Eleanor gave a slight nod in return. But her gaze wasn't on Be ti—it was fixed on me, clinging to her back.
"Pleased to meet you, Winterfell lady. Sorry for showing up unannounced without prior notice. I heard while I was away on dispatch that my precious little brother had come north to be the next duke consort in this frozen land."
Thorns laced Eleanor's voice. She looked at me with pity and affection, calling out.
"Rian! Come back with sis. What are you doing suffering in this barren wasteland? You're not even of age yet—you don't need to get married. I'll talk to Mom and Dad for you, so don't worry."
At that moment, Be ti gripped the back of my hand, which was around her waist. It felt like a silent warning: Move even an inch, and you're dead. Overpowered by her aura, I forced an awkward smile and replied.
"Haha... Sis, I appreciate the worry, but I like it here. At first I thought it was cold, but the air's so crisp and refreshing. Winterfell suits me perfectly."
Eleanor's blue eyes shook with shock.
"What...? Rian, what did you just say? You're... choosing the Winterfell lady over your own sister?"
"No, that's not—"
As I fumbled for an excuse, Be ti cut in coldly, still gripping my hand tight as she stared down Eleanor.
"I'm glad Your Highness likes it here. Though an uninvited guest, as my fiancé's sister, you'll be treated as a guest of Winterfell. Shall we head to the duke's residence? We can't keep standing in this cold wind."
Eleanor ground her teeth at Be ti's words.
"...Fine. Thanks for the invitation. We'll talk slowly at the duke's residence."
The march back was pure hell. Princess Eleanor spurred her white horse to ride right beside Be ti's. The imperial knights and Winter Guard mixed in the procession made for a spectacular sight, but stuck in the middle, I was dying inside.
"Rian, are you really okay? That woman's not forcing you to stay, is she? Look how white your hand is from her grip."
Eleanor glared at Be ti's hand over mine and snapped. Be ti, as if waiting, yanked my arm around her waist even tighter.
"No need to worry, Your Highness. Rian fears horses, so I'm just being extra considerate. For my future husband, this level of closeness is only natural, isn't it?"
Be ti's voice dripped with triumphant arrogance. She turned her head slightly, whispering so close to my ear that her breath tickled.
"Right, Rian? Hold tighter so sis doesn't worry. You don't want to fall."
This isn't consideration—it's torture...
Flames shot from Eleanor's eyes. She sped up to cut in front of us, shouting.
"Husband? What shameless nonsense to a boy not even of age! And Rian? Rian! Come to sis right now. My horse runs much smoother than that brute of a black stallion."
"No, sis... I'm really fine. Behind Be ti feels safest."
"Be ti..."
Shocked at hearing us use nicknames, her blue eyes twitched, and she crushed the reins in her grip. But instinctually, I had to side with Be ti. Picking sis's side here would mean the duke's underground dungeon opening for me tonight.
At my words, I felt Be ti's heartbeat quicken ever so slightly. Satisfied, she intertwined her fingers with mine, locking them. Right at the front of the marching column, with servants and knights watching, she was openly staking her claim on me like a prized possession. Sis's murderous glare bored into the back of my head, while Be ti's scorching body heat flowed through my chest.
The duke's residence came into view. But I couldn't relax. The moment we entered, the real war between these two women over me would erupt inside Winterfell's massive fortress.
My possessive fiancée who wanted to own me, and my sister who wanted to take me back. I could almost hear their gazes clashing violently over my body. I swallowed dryly, leaned into Be ti, entrusted my whole body to her, and closed my eyes.
Whoa....... Rian, did you see that? The lady's possessiveness is off the charts in front of your sis!! That 'hands off my stuff' aura is no joke? Can you even sleep safely tonight? Hehe, hang in there! 🐶
Yeah, it'll work out somehow...