Let's Go South
"Let's go south."
"Have you truly decided, Your Grace?"
"Jamuchin, wouldn't it look better if the decision-maker went in person to hash out the details?"
"However, I worry the journey will be perilous for you, Your Grace."
"It's not just me going—plenty of others will be with me. No need to fret."
I'd made up my mind. Accept Marquis Roland von Bart's invitation. Of course, I had other motives, but I figured seeing the south with my own eyes was the best way to gauge the situation. Alfredo seemed to think otherwise, but that was another matter.
"Is Lord Reward here too?"
"Yes, Your Grace!"
"Hmm, you'll go with Leor. That alright?"
"As you wish!"
I didn't really need Lord Reward's permission, but Leor nodded beside him anyway. Leor had never been anywhere but the North, so it'd be a good experience. He might even end up staying in the south longer than the North, come to think of it.
"Hexon, you stay here and hold down the fort. I'll handle the major issues when I get back, but take care of all the tedious stuff yourself."
"Understood."
"If anything urgent comes up, I'll rush back right away. Don't slack off just because I'm gone."
The real reason for my decision was simple. It went back to dinner the night before.
Daniela let out a sigh. I asked what was wrong, but she changed the subject and refused to say.
Suddenly, homesickness crossed my mind. No matter how much better life got here, this wasn't her home.
"Actually, a letter came from Marquis von Bart."
"From Father?"
She flinched in surprise. Her fork clattered to the floor. The maids swept it up quickly, but her hand trembled slightly as it had gripped it.
"There's a banquet, and he asked if I'd come."
"Ah...."
I watched Daniela's expression. She had this habit—whenever the south came up, she'd freeze like a statue. She'd brush it off with short replies, claiming she wasn't thinking much.
"I'm thinking of going once, just this time. Don't know anyone there anyway."
"A-Are you going to the Imperial Capital?"
"Nah, probably to the Bart territory. Who knows, though—might swing by the capital too?"
"I see...."
I set my utensils down too.
"Wanna come with?"
"No."
I hadn't expected such an immediate refusal. It was so firm—the first time I'd seen her like that. She really felt like a Northerner now. No meant no, yes meant yes. If anything, I was the flustered one. I'd figured she'd say yes.
"This is for work, so don't worry."
But I'm a Northerner too. Stubborn to a fault. And I had a solid excuse.
"Coincidentally, there's a deal in the works. I'd like your help with it. That's not the only reason, of course, but I'll make sure there's nothing to worry about. Promise."
"Still no."
The maids murmured. Even Alfredo looked taken aback. In Winter Castle, only certain people could say "no." Especially when turning down an invitation—there needed to be a good reason. But this was different. Had she forgotten?
"Come with me."
"No."
"Please?"
Murmurs rippled through the room. Alfredo hurried over and whispered something in my ear, but I ignored him. Daniela was just as shocked, so the unrest included her feelings too.
In the end, I broke her stubbornness. Hope this didn't start rumors in the castle. Calling her a weird woman or something.
So, no choice—I decided to go. Back in our room, Daniela said nothing. Like she was protesting in silence. Was she sulking? Sure, she perked up when we talked about her trashy novels, but I couldn't get a single word out of her about the south.
I'd never been good at soothing hurt feelings. That was my biggest worry.
"When do you plan to depart, then?"
"We'll leave on schedule. No need to go too early—they'll have lodging ready."
"It's dangerous, Your Grace."
"Then book a few extra rooms. I'll sleep there, and Leor can bunk in mine."
And with that, the meeting wrapped up. The timeline was tight. The round trip was the real issue. We'd arrive for the banquet, chat with folks, maybe seal some deals after. Factoring that in, it was a short visit.
My contacts in the south scrambled into action, and word had reached Marquis von Bart too, it seemed. Rumors were spreading: the Grand Duke is coming. Jamuchin passed that along.
Black horses from the North pulled the carriages, with Leor and the guards riding alongside. A hefty team of staff came too.
As we set off for the south, crowds turned out to cheer and clap. It felt like a hero's welcome, a festival even. Four carriages and a swarm of knights rolled out slowly.
"How's it today?"
"...."
In the carriage heading south, Daniela stared blankly out the window. Her short blonde hair and blue eyes still shone, but something seemed dimmer, faded.
"First time heading south for me. Feels weird getting all this applause."
"Doesn't it just show how beloved you are, Your Grace?"
"If that's it, then great."
Her tone was stiff. Bart territory was quite a haul. We'd pass other nobles' lands, but the gates stood open. Knights had gone ahead to ensure it. No one blocks the Northern Grand Duke, or so they said.
I didn't know what to say.
"Your Grace, about this trip's schedule..."
"I'm listening."
Even as I heard reports, my eyes stayed on Daniela von Bart. Bart territory took nearly all day. We'd pause when tired, but never fully rested. I'd brought some trashy novels, but only Daniela read them. I was stuck dealing with the staff beside her.
We stopped at a relay station just inside Bart lands for the night. She wanted to see the streets, but the knights nixed it. Leor opposed hardest.
"I-It’s d-dangerous, and if tr-trouble arises, it’d v-viol-late N-Northern l-law."
"Can't we just look once?"
"Th-That’s only f-feasible in the N-North. B-Begging your p-pardon, Your Grace, but y-you must uphold y-your d-dignity."
The relay wasn't great. Jamuchin had nearly died griping about how cramped his booking was—I'd barely calmed him. Naturally, Daniela and I shared a room. Some debated separating us, but it resolved too easily. Leor's call again.
"W-We n-named her A-Anora, Your Grace."
"Beautiful name. And since Daniela named her, it shines even brighter."
"Th-Thank you."
Glance—Leor saluted Daniela too. She returned it awkwardly. Really awkward. Like it was her first time, and she looked embarrassed.
Now it was just Daniela and me in the room.
"Warm here. Guess the North's winters really are brutal."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. I'd love living somewhere like this."
"No, you wouldn't."
Still so firm. She lit up for other topics, though.
"What's wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're suddenly keeping your distance."
"I'm not."
"Your speech is all formal. Feels distant."
"You're imagining it."
Clumsy honorifics. Did she realize? Mimicking subordinates wouldn't sound right with me. Though if she called it manners, I'd have no comeback.
"Really?"
No more words followed. Not at dinner, not in the shower. Silence built a wall between us again.
"Um, Daniela."
"Your Grace."
"Daniela von Bart."
Sharing a room meant we'd face each other anyway. She'd asked to switch rooms, but it was denied. Simple reason: only if the Grand Duke allows it. Even then, not without direct orders. That looped back to me.
"What should I call you?"
"I-I'm Daniela von Bart."
"You sure?"
"W-Well..."
Technically true—she wasn't dead, so von Bart fit. But she knew. When I told her the letter's contents, that she couldn't use Bart anymore.
"That's why I let you use Wintergard."
"That's what I wanted to ask, Your Grace."
"Ask what?"
"How do you want to call me?"
I'd never thought about it.
"Am I Daniela Wintergard? Or should it be Daniela von Bart?"
"That's—"
"I don't mind dropping von Bart. But you know I can't just take Wintergard."
Tangible, intangible. In the Empire, it meant something. Taking a man's name meant joining his family.
Daniela officially becoming "Wintergard" would mean she was family.
"That's—"
"Your Grace. Am I just a guest? Really?"
I had no answer.