ICM Chapter 133

From around noon, the area surrounding Igraine’s castle was filled with a festive atmosphere. For those who couldn’t enter the inner castle, festivities were held outside as well. The thin ice on the streets cracked under the midday sun and people’s footsteps, making even the cold unnoticeable.

 

The soldiers watched the musicians playing and people dancing merrily outside the fortress, licking their lips in anticipation. Since the wedding banquet would continue day and night for the next week, a prohibition on alcohol had been imposed on the castle’s soldiers.

 

Meanwhile, a small commotion arose at the gate. It was an argument between a porter trying to enter and the soldiers blocking his way.

 

“I need to get in right now!”

 

“Didn’t we notify everyone that all deliveries had to be completed yesterday?”

 

“I had too much work to do!”

 

As the porter’s voice grew louder, nearby soldiers and patrolling knights stopped and turned to look.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

“Oh, Captain.”

 

Pelburn gestured to the soldiers and knights who had gathered to see what was happening.

 

“There’s no time for gawking. Everyone return to your posts.”

 

Today was an important day announcing the union of two ducal houses that were like pillars of the empire. Small disturbances that could create gaps in security could not be tolerated. After confirming that the soldiers were reluctantly returning to their positions, Pelburn identified the source of the commotion.

 

“Who are you?”

 

“I’m a butcher. This is meat for today’s banquet, so it’ll be a disaster if I can’t get in now.”

 

“The castle is under access control all day today. That’s why we sent messengers to notify all outside visitors to finish their business by yesterday, didn’t we?”

 

“I heard that, but somehow…”

 

The order was so large that he couldn’t finish the butchering in time.

 

“So you’re causing this disturbance on such an auspicious day?”

 

“No exceptions will be allowed, Sir Coltern.”

 

A reply came from behind Pelburn’s questioning. When he turned around, Aegonite was approaching with two of Talion’s knights. They had heard the argument at the main gate earlier.

 

Talion was responsible for external security of the castle, while Igraine’s knights handled internal security. This was to prevent any gaps that might arise from people going easy on acquaintances.

 

Pelburn’s brow furrowed sharply upon seeing Aegonite.

 

“Please show some flexibility.”

 

“Small exceptions can lead to big accidents. You should know that.”

 

Aegonite glanced over the problematic butcher and soldier, then curtly addressed Pelburn.

 

“How obstinate.”

 

Though he muttered it like he was talking to himself, it was loud enough for those with sharp ears to hear.

 

Aegonite’s face crumpled. Though his face was full of dissatisfaction, instead of venting it on Pelburn, he turned to the butcher.

 

“Go back and come again early tomorrow.”

 

“It’s fresh meat. What if it spoils in the meantime?”

 

“Look at the weather. It won’t spoil in just one day, so don’t worry. If there are problems because the delivery couldn’t be made, come find Talion’s knight order. We’ll compensate you.”

 

“Hah.”

 

Pelburn let out a hollow laugh at Aegonite’s obstinate attitude. Somehow, Talion’s knights were completely different from their master. If they had resembled even half of half of Drushia, they would have been more flexible.

 

Still, he couldn’t show the spectacle of the two houses’ knight captains fighting on the wedding day. Pelburn suppressed his boiling frustration and spoke.

 

“Captain of Talion’s knights, no, Baron Delfino. Let’s do this.”

 

Aegonite had an attitude that said “go ahead and try if you have something to say.”

 

“Since it’s just a matter of getting the contents inside, let’s have the castle soldiers transport the meat and send the butcher back.”

 

“But I…”

 

The butcher’s face fell at being told to return without receiving payment.

 

“Come back for the payment later. I promise on my name. If there are problems, you can even report me or Talion’s knight captain.”

 

Though it seemed like he was asking for Aegonite’s permission, Pelburn had subtly seized the initiative.

 

“This much should be acceptable, shouldn’t it, Baron Delfino?”

 

Isn’t this a hundred times better than just saying no outright? Aegonite reluctantly nodded with a crumpled face. At his gesture, two soldiers who had been standing at a distance came running over.

 

The situation was resolved instantly. The meat safely entered the castle, and the butcher withdrew after receiving Pelburn’s renewed promise of payment.

 

The nearby soldiers glanced nervously between Pelburn and Aegonite. Having the knight captains of two houses that could hardly stand to be together in one place naturally aroused curiosity.

 

Seeing Aegonite about to leave, Pelburn remembered his purpose for coming.

 

“Young Duchess Igraine will go to Talion as soon as the ceremony ends. I will also participate in escorting the procession.”

 

Aegonite immediately frowned.

 

“That’s different from the Duke’s instructions. And use the proper title. Lady Igraine is now the Duchess of Talion.”

 

“She is someone who will become the Duke of Igraine. Marriage won’t change that.”

 

“She’s going directly to Talion territory. It’s proper to call her the Duchess of Talion.”

 

At the curt reply, heat rose to Pelburn’s face as well.

 

Even while snorting angrily, Pelburn suppressed his anger. Though they were both knight captains, his opponent was a nobleman with a formal title. He was of a different rank from Pelburn, who held only a subsidiary title.

 

But it was an issue that seemed trivial yet couldn’t be dismissed as trivial.

 

Pelburn felt like his future master was being stolen away and his nerves were on edge, while Aegonite was displeased that his master’s consort wouldn’t fully belong to the house.

 

Ashika’s departure to Talion territory immediately after the wedding was largely for safety reasons. Igraine territory had been peaceful for generations, and the castle wasn’t built for warfare, so it had many vulnerabilities. Therefore, escort duty after the wedding was entirely the responsibility of Talion knights, but Pelburn was inserting himself into it.

 

“Sigh. Let’s each handle the title issue as we see fit.”

 

Pelburn stepped back. He was the one who needed to join their side immediately.

 

“This is Duke Igraine’s command. Sir Berth and I will stay in Talion as the Young Duchess’s closest retainers.”

 

“I’ve heard about Sir Berth, but there are knights to be assigned from our side as well.”

 

“The Young Duchess isn’t even taking a few maids, just in case. Let’s not be too strict with someone like that.”

 

Pelburn’s plea was sincere.

 

Just because they were having a wedding didn’t mean the long-standing animosity between the two houses would disappear. Ashika had said she would go to Talion alone, fearing that if she took her people, they might become targets instead of her. That’s why Duke Igraine had stepped in.

 

Since it wasn’t wrong, Aegonite answered with a reluctant face.

 

“I’ll speak to the Duke.”

 

“This isn’t a matter to ask permission for. This is a notification. I can’t compromise on this either.”

 

Pelburn was firm. In the battle of wills where neither wanted to back down, even the surrounding air became tensely charged. People quietly moved away, and the soldiers guarding the gate deliberately ignored the two.

 

Unable to find anything more to say, Pelburn and Aegonite pressed their lips tightly shut and glared at each other.

 

…..

 

Ashika had been barely standing while leaning against the mirror for a while now. Though she had finished putting on the dress long ago, the back still wasn’t completely finished.

 

“Marilyn, is there much left?”

 

“Oh! Don’t move, my lady!”

 

“How can a dress become too small in just one month?”

 

Afraid of ruining her carefully arranged hair, Ashika couldn’t lean anywhere and could only grip the mirror while sighing.

 

“It’s… not that. It’ll be done soon, so please bear with it a little longer.”

 

The dress hadn’t become smaller; Ashika’s waist had gained weight. Unable to voice this fact, Marilyn carefully cut away part of the back seam stitch by stitch.

 

It was the work of reopening the pleats of a dress completed to fit perfectly and making it a looser size. Since it was a dress difficult to put on and take off, Ashika had ordered the work to be done while she wore it.

 

“I gained weight. Right? How much weight must I have gained to not be able to wear clothes in just a month?”

 

“It’s because we did the fitting when you were very thin, my lady.”

 

Originally, Ashika was born with a slender build. A month ago, she had lost even more weight and looked precarious. Not considering this when making the dress had caused this trouble.

 

Ashika’s ceremonial dress was made of pure white velvet to suit the cold winter weather. The entire fabric was densely embroidered with gold thread, reflecting the winter sunlight so brilliantly it was dazzling.

 

The train to be draped over the shoulders along with the decorations was hung in a designated space. It was so long it was more than four times the entire length of the dress, completely occupying one side of the floor. The beautiful train, with elaborate embroidery densely drawn like the dress, was so voluminous that one person could barely carry it all.

 

The maids were extremely careful with each step to avoid damaging the fabric and stepping on the carefully ironed and spread train and dress hem.

 

‘When will this end?’

 

She naturally sighed. Her legs trembled from standing with her back exposed, unable to sit or stand properly.

 

‘I’ll collapse before even entering the ceremony hall.’

 

It was the most patience-demanding task in Ashika’s life. The fortunate thing was that the dress was made in preparation for such situations.

 

“Sigh…”

 

Despite Ashika’s sighs, smiles never left the faces of the maids helping with preparations.

 

Her naturally flowing black hair was entwined with large and small flowers and jewels, and golden embroidery shone brilliantly on the pure white dress. Regardless of the pain Ashika felt, her appearance in full ceremonial attire was dazzling.

 

“Ah…”

 

A deep, low voice exhaled in admiration. Ashika, who had been leaning against the mirror, and the maids busily working turned around. The maids instantly let out small sighs like exclamations.

 

The one occupying the doorway was Drushia. The ceremonial outfit he wore bore the Talion family crest and was the opposite of Ashika’s—a black that didn’t let a single point of light penetrate.

 

The knight’s uniform, simpler than a tailcoat yet revealing Talion family tradition, had delicate embroidery sewn into it just like Ashika’s dress.

 

The uniform perfectly fitted his angular frame, bright golden hair and clear features contrasting with the black, and deep blue eyes holding the sea were breathtakingly beautiful.

 

The maids deliberately turned their gazes away to avoid being rude. Drushia, who had been entering, stood awkwardly gripping the door handle.

 

“Are you already finished preparing?”

 

Ashika’s voice was full of welcome. It was joy at having a moment’s respite.

 

“Drushia?”

 

“Ah? Mm.”

 

Drushia, who had been staring blankly in a daze, quietly covered his mouth. Unable to control the corners of his mouth rising involuntarily, his cheeks also flushed.

 

“What is it? What’s strange?”

 

Ashika subtly turned her body to hide her back that was being altered. Drushia still couldn’t do anything about his raised mouth corners and let out soft laughter.

 

“Hah… I thought the sun had descended into the room.”

 

Ashika shuddered involuntarily. Marilyn turned her head with a reddened face, and the maids standing back also smiled awkwardly.

 

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

 

“Why, too embarrassing? I could say even more.”

 

“Don’t, don’t do that.”

 

Ashika hurriedly waved her hands. Since he was such a shameless man, she was already afraid of what other embarrassing things he might say.

 

“Ah, right. My wife is weak to compliments.”

 

“Drushia.”

 

At her perplexed appearance, Drushia smiled even more broadly.