Winter Field Chapter 22

“It’s a little frightening, though…”

What could be frightening about simply becoming quiet? However, Gisel didn’t voice the question and instead observed the man before him as if studying him.

Of course, magic that numbs the senses does involve an element of danger. In the case of the auditory numbing spell he had just offered, one could fail to perceive events happening around them and fall into danger. If a fire broke out or a thief entered and one remained asleep without realizing, a serious incident would occur.

But this place was the Grand Duchess’s bedroom in the main tower of Loudkhen Castle. Even if Rensley Malosen himself did not pay attention to his surroundings, the attendants, knights, and guards were protecting him from danger.

“There is absolutely nothing that would put you, My Lord, in danger just because you cannot hear the sounds around you for one night. If you are worried, I will have the security reinforced.”

“No. That’s not what I meant… It’s just that, if it becomes that quiet, I feel like I’d be too alone.”

“The fact that Lord Malosen is alone in the bedroom is not a matter of feeling, but a fact.”

“That’s true. What you say is correct, but.”

Rensley murmured sheepishly, rubbing his cheek with his palm a couple of times. At that moment, lightning once again interjected into their conversation. CRACK-BOOM! It was an even louder sound than before.

Whether that violent noise brought about some change in Rensley Malosen’s state of mind, a resolute determination settled in his eyes as he looked at Gisel. He strode a few steps closer, then lifted his chin slightly and, as if making a declaration, suddenly shifted to an unnecessarily bold attitude and stated.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke, I have never slept alone on a night with lightning. I do not like thunder and lightning.”

“…Is that so.”

Gisel tilted his head slightly, as if deliberating.

“That is problematic. Though not frequent, Oldenland’s lightning is always like this.”

“If you will permit it, just for today, I would like to spend the night outside as Rensley Malosen.”

“Outside where.”

“I have made some friends in Loudkhen. If I ask, they will let me stay the night.”

Gisel faced him quietly. Doubts surfaced repeatedly as to whether Rensley Malosen’s secret outings, which he had sworn upon his honor about, had truly been only twice, but he set them aside and continued the conversation.

“I do not know how much longer you will be staying here, but at any rate, there is no set date as of now. Do you intend to go out and sleep elsewhere every time it rains? That is not a solution.”

“Today is like this, but I will make an effort to adapt to the weather here.”

“If you have been unable to sleep alone at night in Cornia until now, it seems it will not be easy…”

The young lord of Loudkhen fell into brief contemplation. The matter of Head Maid Samrit was merely to look after the various aspects of Rensley Malosen’s daily life; he could not order her to spend the night alone in a room with a young man.

Larkov was a mage who devoted himself to his studies at any hour he felt inclined, regardless of day or night. Lightning was a primal force of nature explored by many mages, so on a day like today, he would surely want to immerse himself in research all night, and Gisel had no wish to take his time away for a matter like this.

The Knight Commander Anton had a family to care for. Ordering such a man to return to the main tower on a rainy night, not for guard duty but to attend to a guest, was not something a sovereign should do.

Since the number of people who knew the Grand Duchess’s true identity was limited, there was no need for lengthy deliberation to reach a conclusion.

“Then let us sleep together tonight.”

“Yes! Thank you very much— Excuse me?”

Rensley, who had been bowing politely, snapped his head up. Gisel took off his cloak and hung it up.

“If you need someone to sleep with, I can take on that much.”

“Pardon? B-but… for Your Highness the Grand Duke to go to such trouble…”

“Sleep is sleep no matter where it is, so there is no reason for it to be troublesome. It seems that frequently considering going outside for such a reason would involve much more effort.”

Originally, he had planned to spend more time in the laboratory after finishing his meal, but sometimes unexpected matters intrude upon a lord’s schedule. He was not of a disposition to welcome such a situation, even with a lie, but it couldn’t be helped.

The clock hands indicated that it had passed eight in the evening. Commoners who wished to save lamp oil might be going to bed around now, but for Gisel, who enjoyed reading, it was still quite early.

He briefly considered telling an attendant to bring books here, but decided against it. Could he leisurely enjoy reading alone beside someone who disliked thunder and lightning and needed someone to sleep with? It seemed there would be nothing else to do but sleep early.

“If you have no particular business, let us prepare for bed. The rain will likely have stopped by the time we wake.”

“Ah… Understood.”

Rensley nodded and approached the fireplace. Beside the hearth, he lifted the black cloth covering a bulky object, revealing a bucket full of charcoal. Using tongs, he picked up a few pieces of charcoal, transferred them to another metal container with a handle, and brought it closer to the fire in the hearth.

Gisel, who had been about to call for a maid to prepare for bedtime, watched Rensley moving diligently in silence for a moment before asking belatedly.

“What are you doing?”

“I need to light the charcoal. I’m going to put it in the bed warmer. That admirable object that keeps the bed warm all night.”

Gisel’s brow furrowed faintly.

He had never thought of his maids as people who neglected their duties and were idle, yet he had not known they were showing such negligence toward a guest he had personally received. The charcoal should have been properly lit in the fire room and brought to the Grand Duchess’s room for use.

“…Have you been warming the bed yourself all this time?”

“Ah, Madam Samrit and the others tried to do it for me, but it seemed like an inconvenience for them late every night. I’m not actually the Grand Duchess, so is there any need to trouble so many people? And if maids other than Madam come and go, it’s bothersome having to wear the veil each time… It’s not such a difficult task, and I can certainly do this much on my own. Lighting the charcoal is surprisingly fun.”

The expression of Rensley, who had been replying with a smile, stiffened as if he had realized something with a start.

“I was the one who insisted on doing it. Naturally, they tried to stop me, but my heart was uneasy… I hope you won’t scold the maids over something like this.”

While the two conversed briefly, the charcoal had glowed red hot, and Rensley, watching Gisel’s reaction, picked it out again with the tongs. During the time it took for the charcoal to cool so it could be used to warm the bed, neither Gisel nor Rensley said a word.

Rensley placed the copper bed warmer under the blanket, just as the maids did, and rubbed the bed as though ironing it. If he were alone, he would have only roughly warmed the spot where he lay and then put it away, but today he took care for his guest. He moved the warmer here and there, busily shifting its position all around the large bed to spread the warmth evenly.

“It’s all done, Your Highness. You may lie down whenever you wish.”

Rensley pulled the bed warmer out from under the covers and pointed at the bed with a proud expression. Gisel stopped observing him and stepped closer. There were many things he wanted to ask, but as they were not matters to be confirmed with the person himself, he kept silent.

Judging solely by his actions, the man said to be the illegitimate son of the King of Cornia was no different from a commoner who acted timidly before a noble. In any case, if he had been a member of the royal family, even if he hadn’t received the same treatment as the legitimate children, he would have lived with at least one personal servant, so his attitude of being uncomfortable with being attended to also aroused a sense of puzzlement.

‘Could it be that even the claim of being an illegitimate son was not a lie?’

A new doubt now rose in Gisel’s mind. He realized that his objective judgment had been momentarily clouded, as he had found the moment Rensley Malosen disclosed his identity from behind the veil, and the circumstances he recounted, quite intriguing.

Come to think of it, it was strange not to have doubted from the beginning. If they had placed him there instead because they were reluctant to send a princess to a distant, barren country, would there even be a need to use a member of the royal family? Though it no longer mattered what his real status was, as the wedding ceremony had already been held despite knowing he had been deceived, a pure curiosity about truth and falsehood raised its head within Gisel.

Rumble… At that moment, the sky growled as if preparing to roar. Rensley, who had been putting away the charcoal container and washing his hands and face, flinched in surprise and came closer to Gisel’s side.