The Dragon's Northern Love
"The North back then was a brutally harsh environment, nearly impossible for people to survive in. The four seasons weren't distinct—winter dragged on endlessly, bringing extreme cold. It's said the dragon helped the northerners fend off monsters and overcome the chill. All because the dragon had fallen in love with a woman from the North at the time."
The woman the dragon loved? That part piqued my interest. I raised my hand and asked Xavier.
"Are there no records about that woman? Like her name?"
"Unfortunately, it's been too long, so almost no materials remain. We've only pieced together what we can from interpreting surviving steles and handed-down legends. She's presumed to have been a prominent woman leading one of the major northern tribes back then."
I suspected that woman was an ancestor of the ducal house. For the dragon to settle in the North because of her—what kind of incredible charm must she have had? And the dragon passing down its power to her descendants for centuries. I was living proof, a firsthand witness who would make a history buff like Xavier faint in shock. After all, I'd met that dragon in my dreams.
But for now, I kept my mouth shut.
"There's a theory that the Carpoem Ducal House descends directly from the dragon and that woman. Some northerners still believe the dragon will return one day to save them."
"Hmm. I see."
Xavier's eyes sparkled like a child's. That's when I recalled his role in the original story. As the crown prince's tutor, he lived up to his title as a once-in-a-century genius, exuding the flawless demeanor of a scholar. But in truth, he was just a know-it-all nerd. A southern history otaku obsessed with the North, no less. I wondered how he'd fared socially at the academy. Well, in the original, his deep ties to the crown prince stemmed from the North too—the prince's exploits there had earned Xavier's devoted counsel.
Anyway, his fascination with the North was a boon for me. I'd bleed him dry of knowledge, even more than the crown prince ever did. I flashed a grin and met his gaze.
"You really love the North, don't you, Teacher?"
"Yes, it's such a mysterious place. I'm thrilled at the prospect of conducting personal research there myself."
"Let me know if you need any help."
"Thank you, my lady."
I saw Xavier off as he hummed a cheerful tune. His excitement lifted my spirits too. To survive ahead, I needed not just martial prowess but knowledge as well. Xavier seemed like a strict teacher, so it wouldn't be easy, but I'd gain solid education from him. If I'd endured Korea's hellish exam system, I could handle ducal heir lessons no problem.
* * *
After a quick stop at the training grounds, I dined with the duke. Once the day's schedule wrapped up and I headed to my room, I turned to Ian, who'd shadowed me all day without fail.
"Good work today. Get some rest."
"Yes, my liege."
He really hadn't left my side all day—not even during meals or breaks. It was suffocating, but since it was his first day, I couldn't say anything. Sending him off now should make him rest on his own. Feeling a bit lighter, I watched him go and returned to my room.
"Miss, I've prepared dessert and strawberry milk for today as well."
"Good job, May."
May beamed at the praise and left the room. Confirming we were alone, I approached the table with the desserts and spoke into the empty air.
"You can come out now, Ren."
"Yes, my lady."
Ren emerged from behind the fluttering curtains, a shy smile on his face. Not long ago, he'd been trembling in fear, but now he approached with familiar steps. He plopped down at the table and immediately nibbled a raspberry macaron. Then, tilting his head, he asked in a puzzled tone,
"My lady, who's the person outside?"
"Outside? Who?"
"Someone's been standing in front of your room."
I hadn't sensed a thing? Bewildered, I stood from my seat. I'd dismissed all the maids, so no one should be lurking. Even a spy wouldn't circle so obviously.
Stepping out, I spotted an unexpected figure and widened my eyes.
"Ian? What are you doing here?"
It was Ian, still standing blankly in front of my door instead of leaving. He bowed his head at my incredulous look.
"Performing my duty."
"Your duty?"
"Yes. Protecting my liege."
My head throbbed. I pressed a hand to my forehead.
"I told you to go back."
"You did say that."
"Then why didn't you listen?"
"……."
I fixed him with a sharp glare, but his black eyes remained utterly unmoved.
"Ian, answer me."
Only then did he slowly speak.
"I apologize."
I sighed and crossed my arms. Ian clamped his mouth shut again. He seemed to have nothing more to say. My head ached terribly. I'd planned to deal with Ian gradually, but he was in worse shape than I'd thought. Just how deeply had those cultists brainwashed him?
"Ian Servbo, you'll collapse before you can protect me at this rate. Just go back already."
"I'm fine. I'm used to it."
"Used to it?"
"Yes."
Ian nodded solemnly. Unlike his calm demeanor, I couldn't stay composed. Used to 24-hour vigils without sleep or food? This was straight-up child abuse!
"That's just... No, if you're going to keep this up, come inside. Now."
"I can't..."
"That's an order, Ian Servbo."
My head spinning, I dragged him inside. But the moment we entered, regret hit me. Ren's here—what now? Luckily, Ren must have sensed the presence and cast an invisibility spell, vanishing from sight. Still, I couldn't leave him like that forever. I had crucial matters about the duke to discuss with Ren tonight. And I couldn't send Ian away either.
Fretting, I turned to Ian.
"Ian Servbo, I trust you'll keep my secrets. You will, right?"
"Of course."
As expected, he nodded without even knowing what secrets. His blind loyalty meant he'd obey me absolutely.
"Ren, you don't need to hide."
"Uh, but..."
"It's fine."
The unfamiliar voice from thin air made Ian draw his sword at startling speed. I shot him a word too.
"Ian, put the sword away."
"Who is that?"
Ian eyed the now-visible Ren warily. The boy's intensity was impressive. Pointing at the awkwardly standing Ren, I said,
"He's my secret. Name's Ren Magicus."
"Magicus?"
The Magicus clan must be infamous even among cultists. Impressed inwardly, I added,
"Yeah, he's a mage from the Magic Tower, helping me out."
"The Magicus are not trustworthy."
"I'll decide that. Ian Servbo."
The standoff ended surprisingly quickly. Ian obediently lowered his sword aimed at Ren. He hadn't fully dropped his guard, but he was watching my reaction—clearly not wanting to incur my wrath by harming Ren. It felt like I'd acquired a strangely obedient guard dog.
"I won't make you get along or anything—just don't fight."
"……."
"……."
I sat the silent boys at the table. But I'd only prepared dessert and strawberry milk for Ren, leaving nothing for Ian. It was too late to call a maid, and being caught with three people wouldn't look good. I handed Ian the bitter tea I'd planned to drink myself.
"Here, have this."
"I'm fine."
"Drink it. I haven't seen you eat anything all day."
Ian reluctantly took the cup from me. Watching this, Ren called out softly.
"L-Lady."
"Yeah?"
"Can I... have tea too?"
"You? Really?"
"Yes."
I stared at Ren in surprise—he was giving up strawberry milk for bitter tea?
"No, it's too bitter for you."
"It's okay. I can drink it."
Glancing at Ian, who hadn't touched his tea yet, I thought he didn't seem the sweet-tooth type either.
"Ian, want to try the strawberry milk instead?"
"Anything is fine for me."
"Alright then."
Fine, if they insisted. I swapped Ren's strawberry milk with Ian's tea. Ren eyed the steaming cup tensely, while Ian stared at the mysterious pink drink for a long moment. Arms crossed, I observed them.
Ren sipped first. Holding a mouthful of the strong, bitter tea, he froze, unsure whether to swallow. Told you so, I tsked inwardly.
"Ian, how's the taste?"
"……."
Ian had taken a sip of the strawberry milk, his face twisting oddly. No words, but his expression said it all. He didn't like sweets either. For a while, the only sound was crunching from the cookies brought with dessert. Ignoring the awkward air, I spoke up.
"Ren, how's the Magic Festival prep going?"
The Magic Festival was just a week away. Not just Ren and the Magic Tower mages, but everyone at the ducal residence was swamped. I was participating too, helping the duke with preparations—though for now, it was just handling minor tasks he assigned since I knew so little.
Ren was probably busier than me.
"Yes, we're working hard, but I'm still lacking..."
"You're assisting a senior mage with levitation magic, right?"
"Y-Yes."
The Magic Festival featured all sorts of magical displays, but the highlight was levitation magic. No people flew for safety, but dolls in various shapes soared through the air, performing tricks. It was especially popular with kids and always well-received. That meant heavy prep and skilled assistant mages.
"I'll be expecting great things."
Ren could pull it off. I smiled encouragingly.
"Yes! Please come watch, my lady!"
Ren's eyes sparkled, fists clenched in determination.
The Magic Tower master was using my mana to rewind the duke's time. To avoid notice, he cast subtle spells each time they met. It had been a week already.