Chapter 1
The kingdom where Winter was born had been a vassal kingdom of the empire for over 100 years.
The northern part of the kingdom was originally arid and difficult to cultivate. There were many monsters, and many died because of the long winter.
Therefore, the people of the kingdom took the swords, no matter who they were. Instead of embroidery, women learned to sew leather. They learned medicine as if they had memorized ancient songs.
When the long winter came, they shared food and hunted monsters attracted by their fires.
This is where she lived.
A place where you had to cut off your frozen hands and feet in order to survive.
At the end of this winter, a guest visited the palace. A wonderful name that was not appropriate for this kingdom at all.
Grand Duke Morte, the great conqueror of the empire.
His visit turned not only the capital upside down, but also the estate where she lived.
"Why did he come here?"
"Will he destroy us?"
“Or will he kill the king and crown himself?”
Listening to people's stories, she continued sharpening her sword.
“Whatever his purpose is, it has nothing to do with me.”
"This won't change anything for me."
"Your Majesty."
But now, she was in front of Walking Death.
“Come here, young lady.”
She awkwardly raised the hem of her skirt in a curve, and looked at the king who had summoned her. He looked old and weak.
So the man sitting to his right stood out more.
"The Walking Death" Victor Morty.
He was a lovely man, not a match for his name. He was tall, with broad shoulders, delicate facial features, and a slightly tanned complexion. Everything seemed more magnificent in contrast to the pale faces of the palace.
Although it was clear that he was tired from a long journey, the feeling of intimidation emanating from him clearly showed why he was a notorious knight throughout the continent.
She bowed her head again. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't figure out why she had been summoned.
She was not a well-known woman in the social world.
It was just a small aristocracy in the area. She had never worn a dress like this in her life.
I heard the king introduce it.
“This young lady is the best knight in our kingdom.”
"What?"
She raised her head for a moment.
“Is he looking for knights? Is the Grand Duke here to recruit soldiers?”
The Grand Duke looked at her without a word. His intense gaze swept her up and down.
"Do you know how to use a sword?" He asked her in a very gentle voice.
Not knowing how to answer, she grabbed the hem of her skirt. She didn't know how to explain to him that her swordsmanship skills were considered the best on the continent.
So, she said as much as she knew for sure.
"I know how to protect myself."
His sunken eyes stared at her intently. They fluttered in the torchlight.
"What's your name?"
"Amarion Amari, Your Majesty."
Victor Morty. I have a suggestion for you."
He got up slowly. Black robes followed behind him like waves of death as he approached. It seemed as if dark water was rising in the throne room.
He extended his hand towards her, “Will you marry me? I will give you the highest position of a lady in the empire.”
"What?"
She felt as if she had been hit on the head.
He made a suggestion.
“Grand Duke Morte, for me...”
***
There were reasons to reject his proposal.
Winter wasn't over yet, so there were many pending things that she had to complete after returning to her estate.
More importantly, she didn't know him.
But the moment he said those words, she had no choice.
He was a powerful imperial noble and she was only the daughter of a count from a vassal country.
There was a big difference in their situation.
“The difference between him and me...”
She couldn't refuse his proposal.
In addition, the huge dowry he would pay…
With this money, their terribly barren property would be able to get through several winters without much difficulty.
Compared to the lives that would be saved, sacrificing herself was a small price to pay.
Even if she had to walk in the grip of death.
Her life span was determined by the Fate Weaver, so it wouldn't make a difference if she accepted his proposal.
She extended her bruised hand to hold him.
“I will accept your proposal, Grand Duke.”
***
The winter in the kingdom was bitter. The wind blowing through the window was enough to freeze the wine in the room. The Grand Duke didn't seem to want to stay in a place like this anymore. Once the formal wedding vows were completed at the palace, a procession was organized to travel to the empire.
The Grand Duke spoke hurriedly.
"Let's leave. Get anything very important. You can come back later."
She didn't have anything to say, so she just got into the carriage. She had nothing to bring with her. She had no servant or belongings; She had nothing.
They left early in the morning. The procession leaving the capital was as quiet as a funeral ceremony.
I stared blankly out the window.
She didn't even have anyone to say goodbye to. It was so sudden that her parents couldn't come, and she didn't know anyone in the capital.
Tears were welling up in her eyes as she leaned against the cold window.
She thought she would be fine, as her estate could spend a few more years of winter comfortably with the dowry she received.
But the wedding procession and her wedding dress were a horror she had never witnessed before.
The sound of nearby horses and knights' armor could be heard. . The Grand Duke, who was in the leading carriage, gave the signal.
"Let's go."
At his signal, the procession began to move.
"And so I left for the Empire."
* * *
The journey will not be difficult.
Her kingdom and the empire bordered each other, so it wasn't a long journey. Furthermore, the kingdom's capital was located in the far south of the kingdom, which was close to the border.
Even this camper was more comfortable than any house I've ever stayed in.
“It's made of wood and it moves…”
She couldn't tell how it was so warm inside. The cold cannot be felt anywhere.
She didn't talk to anyone along the way. The knights were polite, but tried as little to socialize with her as possible, and her new husband, the Grand Duke, rode in another carriage for the entire journey, making it difficult to see his face.
Even in the hostels where they stayed, she lived alone.
It was good, but it was weird.
She was willing to spend the night with him in a shabby inn, because he had paid a generous dowry to take her.
But he was nowhere to be seen, neither in her room nor in the inn.
The next day, over breakfast, I asked the knights.
"Where did he sleep?" Grand Duke."
The knights answered with difficulty.
"He slept in another room."
"But I didn't see him at the inn anywhere?"
Suddenly, rumors about the Grand Duke of Death flashed in her mind. That he was a vampire, demon, or similar monster.
She had killed monsters all her life and was convinced that there was no such thing, but she also believed that it was compatible with them. With a solid body like a zelkova tree, thick shoulders, and tanned skin like a Southerner. The trip continued smoothly despite her questions.
On the way to the Empire, the party split in two, with most of the knights returning to the Morte Estate, and a handful of knights and two wagons heading to the capital. She could see the imperial capital through her curtained window.
The capital was dazzlingly colourful. From the wonderfully built walls, the beautiful white stone paved roads, to the active people. As a country girl who had never been to such a place before, she opened her mouth in awe and watched everything.
And the Palace of the Grand Duke of the Capital, well, you've never seen such a beautiful house before. It had walls lined with white marble, carved with beautiful carvings, and beautiful decorative windows. If she wanted to buy even half of this palace, it was clear that she would have to sell the entire Amari Estate.
She got out of the carriage and followed the Grand Duke to the palace.
The inside of the palace was even more magnificent than her original kingdom's palace. The high ceiling is decorated with decorative tiles, and on the soft carpet, incredibly expensive furniture is meticulously placed.
The butler and servants bowed their heads to greet her.
"Welcome, Grand Duchess."
It was an unusual address.
As if they had already received orders, the maids and servants opened the carriage door and brought in her luggage. She wanted to say that there weren't many, and that it was nice to meet them, but the Grand Duke entered the palace without saying a word.
She didn't know what to say, so she had no choice but to walk beside him.
• End of chapter •
To be continued •••
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