A Deed of Belonging and the Shadow of Orcs
While the servants of Wintervalt Grand Duchy Castle were reveling in their performance bonuses, the ducal couple was enjoying an intimate moment in the private chamber on the top floor.
On any other day, they would have been scarfing down sandwiches in the lord's office, waging war against mountains of paperwork. But tonight was different. They savored the warmth of the fireplace, clinking their crystal glasses together with a ching.
"It feels like the first time I've used a fireplace in the castle, Your Grace."
"Heh heh. It's been ages for me too."
On the table sat a steak meticulously prepared by the head chef and the finest champagne imported directly from the south. Kailan poured it for her himself, then raised his glass in a toast with a gentle voice.
"To the great financial minister of Wintervalt—and my beloved wife."
"I am deeply honored…."
Eleanor took a cautious sip of the champagne. Her cheeks, white as her eyes, flushed a soft rose pink. Fast. She seemed to be getting tipsy much quicker than usual. Probably thrilled by the romantic setup.
Kailan set down his glass and met her clear gaze.
"I've always hated the northern cold… but with you here, it doesn't seem so bad."
"…You embarrass me. For my part, I consider coming here the greatest fortune of my life."
Her eyes brimmed with deep affection for Kailan.
"From now on, I shall devote everything I have to Your Grace."
At her sincere confession, Kailan barely managed to keep his soft smile. Suppressing the urge to pounce like a beast.
Hah… She's my wife, but damn, she's too pretty and perfect. How could those imperial idiots let an angel like her go?
He felt like bowing toward the emperor's direction every day. Of course, he couldn't truly feel fondness for the man who'd tossed Eleanor into the frozen north with no ties.
Kailan smiled faintly and pulled a parchment sealed with red wax from his bosom, handing it to her.
"What is this, Your Grace?"
"Something important. Take your time reading it."
Eleanor carefully broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.
"Your Grace, you said we'd rest tonight, but here you are with more work… Huh?"
She fell silent as she scanned the contents. Her eyes widened, trembling violently. The tips of her fingers holding the parchment shook.
It wasn't an approval document or report he'd given her. It was the ownership deed for the prime commercial building in the heart of Wintervalt's new city—the largest one among those that continent's tycoons had bled over in a bidding war just recently.
Owner:
Eleanor von Wintervalt
"Y-Your… Grace…."
Tears welled up in Eleanor's eyes in an instant. She hurriedly wiped away the thick droplets with her sleeve before they could fall on the deed.
Kailan watched her with a pleased smile.
Heh heh. Yeah. Better than some fancy diamond ring—a five-story commercial building with fat monthly rents rolling in every month! Boom!
Of course, Wintervalt covered the duchess's food and shelter. But no one turned down extra pocket money.
Kailan was convinced she was moved by the fantasy of those steady rental incomes.
"Hic… sob…."
"That happy, huh? Heh heh. If there's anything else you want, just say the word."
"It's… not that… h-heugh!"
Eleanor clutched the deed to her chest and burst into childlike sobs.
"The name… my name…."
"Name?"
"Eleanor von… Wintervalt. Can someone like me… really bear the Wintervalt name…?"
"Of course. Were you planning to be the lady of Wintervalt and use a different family name? I'm hurt."
At Kailan's playfully teasing tone, Eleanor's shoulders trembled faintly.
"I've spent my whole life… belonging nowhere. Yet Your Grace embraces me so naturally…."
Unable to finish, she dissolved into fresh floods of tears.
"Hic…! Your Grace… Your Grace…."
Kailan had thought she was touched by the material gift. But no. Eleanor was moved not by the building's value, but by her new name on the paper.
The moment he heard her trembling sincerity, a pang twisted in Kailan's chest. His heart wouldn't calm. An overwhelming wave of affection crashed over him again and again, beyond words.
Have I ever seen a woman this foolishly kind…?
Kailan rose and approached her. He wrapped his arms around her sobbing shoulders. His large, rough hands gently stroked her platinum hair, but it wasn't enough to convey all his love.
"Eleanor."
His serious voice echoed in the chamber.
"Whether I'm sick or suffering, even if I grow old and frail—I swear to protect you for life."
Yes, Eleanor was no longer a shadow of the imperial family.
"For you are the radiant sun of Wintervalt."
Eleanor slowly looked up. Then she let out a small, relieved laugh.
"Hee hee… I can't imagine Your Grace ever weakening."
"With you always by my side supporting me, how could I lose my health? Ha ha."
Eleanor tucked the precious deed into a keepsake box. Then she stretched out her arms and pulled Kailan's sturdy neck into a tight embrace. Her blue eyes, still marked by tears, gazed up at him steadily. No longer shy—possessive desire swirled openly within.
"Prepare yourself, Your Grace. I shall never let you go."
Kailan smiled softly and drew her waist close.
"Heh heh. That's terrifyingly happy news."
"You're the one who made me this fearsome woman. So… you must take full responsibility tonight as well."
Their lips met. It was a night hot enough to melt the northern snows.
As Wintervalt's new city grew steadily, autumn swept across the continent. Though in the north, it was a blizzard of snow rather than falling leaves.
In the grand conference hall of Wintervalt Grand Duchy Castle, the retainers gathered early as always, energetically discussing territory management.
"Mm, the adventurer guild's budget for next quarter looks fine to approve."
Kailan was signing off on the documents with a relaxed expression when Walter Knight, guild master of the Wintervalt Direct Guild, stood with a grave face to report.
"Your Grace! Hans's silver-rank extermination party discovered an orc village while exploring a danger zone."
"The adventurers work hard. Anything special?"
"The orcs were already wiped out when they found it. They reported traces of survivors being dragged away."
"They took prisoners… Infighting between orc groups?"
"So it seems, Your Grace."
This was the season when northern orcs raided monster nests and human outposts to stockpile food. Yet they were wasting energy on internal turf wars?
At Kailan's order, Walter swiftly presented the guild's magic stone import ledger. Kailan's eyes sharpened as he scanned it.
Ordinarily, orc magic stones should spike among guild acquisitions this time of year.
No orc stones bought by the guild in the last week.
Orc infighting. And orc packs vanishing completely near Wintervalt.
There was only one conclusion these clues pointed to.
Kailan recalled the novel setting from his past life.
No way… the Orc Warlord's already started the tribal unification war?!
In the original story, northern orcs lived scattered in small tribes. Then a mutant 'Orc Warlord' with overwhelming intellect and power emerged, subjugating and absorbing all tribes by force to form a terrifying horde.
The issue was timing. Per canon, the unification war was a big event next winter.
Why a year early? Things were supposed to be quiet until the spring wedding next year!
Kailan's gaze drifted to the window. Crowds of people. The city was booming. At night, a warm sun even rose in the sky, illuminating it.
Oh crap.
Orcs preferred human flesh over monsters. And they'd gone out at night to piss, only to spot that sun rising. Under its bright glow, human presence teemed.
These pig bastards… cold and hungry, so they're squatting in my shiny new shops with early unification!
The butterfly effect advancing the original event by a year? Kailan's capitalist masterpiece: Wintervalt's new city!
"…Your Grace? You seem displeased."
The retainers, finishing their report, eyed Kailan's suddenly frozen demeanor.
Kailan rose slowly. His icy blue eyes blazed with unprecedented fury.
If I screw this up, tenants, shops, rents—all gone! Dare to dent my passive income dream!?
He slammed the table with a bang! and bellowed.
"Viscount Arjen!"
"Y-Yes, Your Grace!"
"Halt new city development! Divert all manpower to reinforcing the Northern Wall with steel timber and slime mucus! Alert all knight orders and the guild to raise alert levels!"
Cedric gasped at the sudden wartime declaration.
"Your Grace! Have you divined something?!"
"A herd of greedy pigs is coming. How dare they threaten Wintervalt's people without knowing their place…!"
"Ooooh…! Piercing unseen calamities, raging for the people…!"
"As you command, Your Grace!! We'll reinforce the wall at once!"