The Fragrance of Spring's Arrival
Of course I had to get it done. "It was a really big mistake."
I entered the room and mulled over that dizzying moment again. The nobles and ministers had erupted like wildfire. They'd gone all out to lock it down for good this time. Lord de Wintergard had even burst into tears. If James hadn't held him back from behind, it could've been a disaster. Hexon had straight-up tried to set a wedding date. Only after I vaguely promised to handle the schedule did they finally calm down. The banquet ended without a hitch, but still. There was plenty left to do.
I had to grant Lord de Wintergard an appropriate position, arrange for him to communicate directly with Daniela, and oh yeah—remind everyone there'd be a Grand Duchess. Unexpectedly, a ton of tasks remained.
"Are you tired, Your Grace?"
"Not that much. Just unexpectedly busy."
We'd all changed into comfortable clothes. Night had long since deepened over Winter Castle. Maids bustled about heating water for the Grand Duke's bath. At least there was some relief—they seemed pleased about tomorrow's holiday.
Before heading to shower, I'd come back to the room with Daniela and waited for the servants' preparations. I sorted documents at the desk in the luggage room again, pondering sentences for new papers. It was to issue the order for Daniela Wintergard's seal.
"But how did you prepare it so quickly?"
"The flag emblem?"
"Yes. How did such a huge flag come out of nowhere..."
"The staff worked hard. I picked the emblem on a whim, but it turned out pretty good, don't you think?"
Daniela nodded approvingly. In the South, women didn't get new emblems. They just used the family crest as is—no new designs. It emphasized family influence, and since houses merged, it avoided power-sharing issues, or so I'd heard. But the North was different. Any noblewoman who married could display her own emblem.
"Pansy. The purple flower."
"You liked that flower best in the garden."
"It suits you. Pansy."
I started writing the order. A seal stamped with the pansy emblem. Once imprinted on wax, anyone would know it came from Daniela Wintergard.
"Your seal will arrive soon too."
"Even a seal..."
I heard Daniela's sigh. Not one of exhaustion—more like tension laced with something else.
"You okay?"
"O-of course, Your Grace."
"Worried?"
A shaky exhale. I set down the order and approached Daniela, sitting by the bed. As I sat beside her, her trembling started. I rested a hand lightly on her shoulder; the tension transmitted straight through.
"C-can I really become the Grand Duchess?"
"No pressure. Even if you say no."
"Hoo..."
She hadn't trembled like this at the banquet, but "Grand Duchess" carried real weight. Not long ago, she'd been ready to give up everything. Before that, dumped by the Crown Prince at the academy. A lot had happened.
"I get it. Grand Duchess."
"If I just have a little time, I could adjust, right?"
"Of course!"
I took her hand and led her to the desk. The seal order was half-blank. I pushed the paper aside and fetched fresh parchment—proper vellum for northern official documents.
"There's something for you to do first as Grand Duchess Daniela."
"What is it? Huh?"
I sat her in the chair—reserved for the Grand Duke alone. Ink and pen for the Duke's use only. And the paper.
The task was simple. Any sentence would do, long or short. With her new flag emblem, she just needed to create a fitting motto.
"You need to add a motto to your flag emblem."
"M-me, write it?"
"Yep. Got any ideas?"
"Um, hmm."
Daniela pondered. Then Alfredo knocked—the bath was ready. I left her to head off, telling her to take her time thinking.
"Not bathing together?"
"Alfredo, later."
"You're married now anyway..."
"We take it slow, with time on our side."
"As expected of Your Grace."
In the bath, I scrubbed clean. Nice to use soap again after so long. Southern facilities were so poor I barely bothered washing. Felt grimy, but this hit the spot.
Back in the office, Daniela was scribbling on paper. I watched quietly from the door.
"Time for the Grand Duchess to bathe as well."
At Alfredo's words, Daniela jumped up. She said it wasn't done, but curiosity struck—like peeking at someone's diary. Amid the documents sat a lone sheet. Her name was first: Daniela von Bart... crossed out sloppily, replaced beside it with Daniela Wintergard. A bit sloppy, but calligraphy, I figured.
Several lines scratched out and rewritten. But one survived.
"Nice motto."
The fragrance of the pansy is the path of spring's arrival.
Pansies bloomed in spring, but the North's eternal cold made flowers rare. Reactors helped, yet pansies didn't grow here—common in the South. Folks had to stoop to see their modest clusters.
Northern pansy. The pansy's fragrance is spring's incoming path. Perfect.
"Y-Your Grace!"
While savoring it, Daniela returned. She said it wasn't finished, but it fit me perfectly.
Winter was harsh in the North. Northerners always awaited spring—a symbol of trials ended.
"It's too good, Daniela?"
"Ah, I can come up with better!"
"It suits me perfectly. Spring, of all things."
Daniela lunged for the paper. I held it overhead, reciting lines one by one. Others were fine, but this one gripped me. The pansy's fragrance is spring's incoming path. Spring was coming.
"How'd you know spring's the North's happiest season?"
"D-don't tease, give it here, Your Grace."
Whoosh—whoosh—her hands swiped at the air. But I couldn't. I'd decided on it inwardly. Unless something better came, nothing matched this pull.
"Seriously! Your Grace!"
"Wait. Why'd you mess up the name again?"
"Ah, not used to it yet."
"Wintergard. From now on."
I sat at the desk again, handing her the paper. Daniela stared piercingly at the words, eyes questioning if it was that good, savoring each letter. Her blonde hair was slightly damp, strands sticking to her cheek awkwardly. She'd tidied it somewhat. When she first arrived at Winter Castle, it was a ragged chop job. Now it looked neat. Back then, the lengths didn't match.
"You really seem like a Northerner now."
"Still a ways to go, Your Grace."
"Hair's short too."
She glanced, then back to the paper. Daniela set it on the desk and approached the bed. She couldn't beat my stubbornness. It was settled. Pansy emblem motto: the flower awaiting spring's path.
"We'll go with this."
I copied it onto fresh paper. This would become official. Wintergard beside my name—never thought it'd pass to another. Sender: Daniela Wintergard, scribed by Theodore von Ardorno Iphera Wintergard. Long name.
"Come here, Daniella?"
"Isn't it done?"
She stayed put on the bed, pouting like. Why? It was a great motto. Closer now—remember, morning was unfinished. Time to wrap that up.
"Take a look. Good?"
"Do what you want, Your Grace!"
"Come on."
I set the paper aside, approaching carefully. My ear neared her lips. As she leaned back, my arm blocked her. Wanted what morning denied. After all, what must be done...
"Why?"
"What must be done."
"Wh-what..."
"We agreed you'd call my name?"
Daniela's hand stroked my nape. Straight out of a cheap novel. To whisper love, she drew near. No need to say it—love permeates, not proclaimed from the lungs. In this moment, at least.
"Theodore."
"Yeah."
"Th-that's enough, right? Sp-space!"
Thud—she shoved. Normally it'd send me tumbling back; instead, I toppled forward off the bed. Crash. I grabbed her elbow, feigning pain with a groan, eyeing her reaction.
"A-are you okay, Your Grace?"
"Ugh—"
As she slid down, I yanked her arm. Off-balance, Daniela landed atop me, lips parting. Once more.
"What is this, Your Grace!"
The guards burst in suddenly. They froze at the sight. Even Alfredo rushed over.
"..."
"Out."
"S-sorry, Your Grace!"
Really annoying. This.