Chapter 7. How Many Days Has It Been Already?
At his words, Razel’s eyes widened.
‘The Grand Duchy of Windmore?’
The implication was clear.
Kylo had come to Crombel and been granted the title of Grand Duke of Windmore.
And she, his prospective wife, would soon become the Grand Duchess.
Stunned by the status that far exceeded her expectations, Razel was left in a daze.
She had figured that since he appeared before her as the commander leading the enemy forces, he must have secured a position in Crombel.
‘But if he received a grand ducal title, why is the territory in a place like this?’
Wasn’t this land far, far removed from any notion of abundance?
Kylo might have read her confusion, but he offered no further explanation and simply led her toward Windmore Castle.
Perhaps her questions didn’t matter to him at all.
“You’ve returned, Master.”
As they crossed the snow-covered garden and reached the castle entrance, a man with graying hair, who appeared to be the butler, approached.
He first greeted Kylo respectfully, then turned slightly to bow to Razel as well.
“Welcome to Windmore Castle, Lady Razel.”
Her eyes briefly widened at the fact that he knew her name.
It was an odd situation, but Razel returned the greeting.
No, maybe it wasn’t strange at all?
‘If bringing me here was planned, he might have told the castle staff about me in advance.’
Following them into the ancient castle, a scent like desolate dust under sunlight wafted through.
It was a short while later that Kylo released Razel’s hand, which he had been holding. She looked up at him with puzzled eyes.
But Kylo directed his cold voice only at the butler, not at her.
“I’d like you to show our guest the basic facilities of the castle.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
And then, without even glancing at her, he turned and walked in another direction.
‘He’s just… leaving like this?’
Suddenly feeling like an abandoned dog without its owner, Razel stared blankly at his retreating figure.
It was wishful thinking to expect him to personally show her around the castle interior…
“Please follow me, my lady.”
“…Alright.”
At the butler’s call, Razel followed him. In the quiet castle, which seemed to have few servants, the sound of her shoes echoed repeatedly.
Over the next few hours, she was introduced to the facilities of Windmore Castle.
‘But somehow, the more I see…’
…The more she looked, the more it struck her as nothing but a dilapidated castle.
She had hoped there might be some redeeming qualities hidden somewhere, but as expected, there were none.
With each inhale came dust, and with each exhale, the chill.
‘How am I supposed to live here?’
Razel thought with a mix of dismay and incredulity.
‘Well, it’s better than the coffin I was supposed to be in, so I know I shouldn’t be picky…’
What Razel truly couldn’t understand was that this was Windmore Castle, and that Kylo, a grand duke, was staying here with her.
For someone of his rank to live in such a harsh space?
“This will be the master’s study.”
“…I see.”
Razel thought that even the attic in her family home at Ephor Castle would be more modern than this.
When she saw the spiderwebs meticulously draped in the ceiling corners, she gave up on her visual expectations.
“It does seem a bit rundown, doesn’t it?”
The butler suddenly remarked, as they left Kylo’s study and walked down the hallway again.
Razel unwittingly wondered if her dissatisfaction had shown on her face, feeling embarrassed, but then she replied honestly.
“It’s not just a bit—it’s quite a lot.”
“Haha, my apologies. The truth is, this castle was abandoned for a long time and only began to be used after the master arrived…”
The butler said they would gradually improve it with the help of the servants.
Though in Razel’s eyes, there didn’t even seem to be many servants here.
She scanned the castle again and asked.
“How did Kylo… I mean, His Grace come to be granted this castle and this territory in the northernmost reaches?”
In contrast to the high status of a grand duchy, this place offered not luxury but only more hardship.
The elderly butler pondered for a moment before answering.
“I’m not entirely sure myself… but from what I’ve heard, the master chose this place himself. Only he and His Majesty the King would know the exact details.”
“…”
“Ah, this is the last place I’ll show you. It’s the room where you’ll stay during your time as our guest, my lady.”
Wrapping up the conversation in his serene voice, the butler led Razel to a certain room.
Surprisingly, it was better maintained and cleaner than the other areas.
After looking around, Razel responded in a small voice after a long pause.
“…Thank you.”
* * *
After seeing the dismal state of Windmore Castle, Razel had been constantly thinking about the tasks that would be assigned to her.
Perhaps the “hard work” Kylo mentioned really was menial chores like cleaning the castle.
Or maybe it encompassed both nighttime duties and chores.
But…
‘How many days has it been already?’
Nearly a week had passed since arriving at Windmore Castle, yet Razel hadn’t done a single menial task or nighttime duty.
Even Kylo himself hadn’t come to see her in that week.
The last memory she had of him was his back as he turned away after entrusting her to the butler on the day they arrived.
‘He called me his trophy, so it’s not strange to leave me unattended…’
Then what was all that about having a lot of work for me?
He was truly an incomprehensible man. Choosing this desolate region as his territory was another example.
‘Maybe it’s a good thing for me that Kylo hasn’t come around for a while…? I still don’t know how to act around him.’
With her chin resting on the windowsill, she stared blankly out the window.
Just then, there was a knock, and the castle servants came to find Razel.
“My lady, the clothes you ordered last time have arrived.”
Two or three maids stacked the dress boxes that had arrived in Razel’s room neatly.
Razel’s gaze followed the bustling maids.
…Why?
This was the behavior of Kylo’s that made Razel most want to peer into his mind.
‘He doesn’t come to see me, just keeps me shut up in this room… yet he has the finest clothes made for me and provides luxurious meals.’
So, why on earth?
Razel had only memories of treating him cruelly. Knowing she had no reason to receive such kindness, she was waiting for the punishment he would deliver.
It was bewildering to the point of leaving her speechless.
Was he fattening up a pig he was raising, to slaughter it when it looked its best?
‘Th-then, should I do my best to eat well and live comfortably…?’
She abandoned the foolish thought, realizing it didn’t make sense.
What was so appealing about her that Kylo would show such generosity?
“Would you like to try them on, my lady? I think they’ll suit you perfectly!”
“W-well, maybe…?”
Unable to resist the maids’ insistence, Razel began trying on the newly arrived dresses one by one.
The fabric felt twice as soft as the clothes she usually wore. It was immediately apparent that the finest materials had been used.
Moreover, the finishing touches and the intricate patterns were so precise. They were impressive enough to draw admiration.
‘Since he said he’d make me his wife… maybe he’s trying to at least preserve my dignity as his spouse. That could also reflect on Windmore’s prestige.’
As she received their attentions, Razel mustered the courage to speak.
She was terribly curious about his whereabouts, since he hadn’t come to see her in a week.
“There’s something I’d like to ask.”
“Yes, what is it you’re wondering?”
“Where is… His Grace right now?”
Having hesitantly posed the question, Razel bit her lip slightly.
The maid who heard it blinked before answering readily.
“His Grace has been away the whole time. He should be in the capital by now…”
An unexpected reply came.
Kylo hadn’t been avoiding Razel on purpose; he simply hadn’t been in the Windmore territory at all for a while.
“The capital? Why did he go there?”
“I’m not sure about the details, but considering he left just a few hours after returning with you, my lady, it seems he has urgent business.”
“…I see?”
Razel quietly closed her mouth.
He was no longer a lowly servant in her possession, so it made sense that he had matters to attend to.
Leaving without a word must have been because he felt no obligation to inform her of such things.
“More importantly, would you like to look in the mirror over here? It really suits you so well!”
“Lady Razel is so beautiful, after all.”
A ticklish feeling washed over Razel at the compliments.
Such enthusiastic praise was the first she’d heard since seven years ago, when Nora, her maid in Pelsio, used to chatter away.
Acting awkwardly like someone unaccustomed to compliments, the maids soon brought out a new dress to show her.
‘They’re probably fawning over me like this because I’m to become Kylo’s wife…’
To show such kindness to a woman from a defeated nation. They must not know that Razel was merely a trophy.
Razel lifted her head and gazed out the window where the cold wind howled. A barren, withered tree shook laboriously in the breeze.
Could it be that the servants here think Kylo loves her or something?
‘If that were the case, someone else should be here instead of me.’
This, too, Razel couldn’t understand.
Why had he brought her, and not her sister Ronedy…
It seemed like too great a loss for him to take just to marry her for revenge.
With a bitter feeling, Razel tried on another dress.
It was then, as thoughts of her family who had abandoned her made her mood even more sour.
Suddenly, there was a knock.
With no words following, not only Razel but the maids as well blinked in confusion.
One of the maids who had been tying the ribbon on her back stepped forward.
“I’ll go check, my lady.”
She went to the door and cautiously opened it with a suspicious glance. Then, her surprised voice cut across the room.
“Gasp, Y-Your Grace!”
Kylo?
Razel, who had been in front of the mirror, turned to look, and indeed, his silhouette was faintly visible beyond the door.
Since the maid had only cracked it open, she couldn’t see him fully.
In a flustered voice, the maid babbled about the situation inside to Kylo.
“My lady is still getting dressed. She just needs the ribbon tied, so if you could wait a moment…”
“No need.”
With a curt reply, Kylo pushed the door open and entered the room.
Razel, who had been waiting for the situation to resolve, gaped in shock.
“Y-you can’t just…!”
The maid trying to block the door jumped in alarm.
Unfazed, Kylo calmly surveyed the room littered with dress boxes and said.
“I’ll finish it up, so all of you leave.”
“Pardon? But Your Grace, how could you…”
“Don’t worry. I’ve done plenty of dressing assistance before.”
His gaze, which had been roaming the room, turned to Razel at that moment.
Their eyes met—the man she was seeing again after a week. For some reason, it sent a chill through her, and Razel’s complexion paled faintly.
Clutching the loose dress that hadn’t yet had its back tied, Razel swallowed dryly.
