The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Victory Celebration

After the funeral, a feast will be held the following day until the winter departure from the castle.

The hospitality from the Oldrand family and the remaining provisions they brought are all distributed, and this feast serves both to mourn the deceased and renew the resolve to live strongly in the coming year. It is also a time to honor the warriors who protected the northern regions from Pluina and to pay tribute to comrades who were not present here.

At this moment, the social status of knights and soldiers is disregarded, and everyone is allowed to enjoy the same food and drink equally.

Receiving the goblet filled with wine offered by August, I notice that the same goblets have already been distributed to everyone present in the hall.

“This winter, everyone fought bravely. You were courageous, fierce, and above all, sincere. Thanks to your efforts, the northern region will be able to live without freezing or trembling in fear for the next year. The Oldrand family will never turn its back on your work. — Tonight, let us first quench our thirst, fill our bellies, and mourn the comrades who, like you, were brave, fierce, and sincere, but are not here with us.”

Everyone in the hall watches Alexis closely. As Alexis raises his goblet, everyone else does the same, lifting their goblets high.

“May we taste the wine nurtured by the northern lands again next year. Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Everyone drinks from their goblets in unison, and the hall quickly fills with the noise of the celebration. As people help themselves to the dishes laid out on the tables, the doors of the hall open, and a group of particularly strong laborers enters.

“From His Grace, the Duke, we have brought a whole roasted cow!”

With a cheer that rose from the crowd, everyone’s attention turned to the source of the commotion. Seizing the moment, Alexis slipped through a door at the back of the hall and left the scene.

Stepping outside, the stone castle felt even colder due to the contrast with the heat of the hall. As he walked towards his room, his elusive aide appeared out of nowhere.

“Sir, even though it’s within the winter castle, please don’t wander around alone without a guard.”

“On a night like this, it’s unlikely that any troublemakers will appear.”

“That kind of complacency is the most dangerous. I know you’re stronger than anyone else, but you don’t have eyes on the back of your head, so don’t be too careless…”

The overly confident guard, with an unusually serious expression, asked.

“You don’t have eyes on your back, do you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course, I don’t.”

“Sir, sometimes you turn around and cut down an attacker like a Sasurika coming from behind. How do you manage that?”

“With the amount of magical power I emit, it’s noticeable.”

“You’ve done the same with thieves, haven’t you?”

“With humans, it’s easier to sense their killing intent, so it’s more obvious.”

“…No, I think I’d actually be more convinced if you did have eyes on your back.”

The subordinate joked as he naturally followed a few steps behind Alexis.

“Sir, you’re not participating this year either?”

“You did join at the start.”

“Well, the feast can’t begin until you take the first sip of wine. Even with this being an informal gathering, it won’t start without you.”

“Can’t you keep quiet if you understand that?”

“If I don’t say it, who will?”

August’s comment was met with a wry smile.

It’s always been the case that Alexis, after fulfilling his duties, leaves promptly. Both Alexis and his father, August, were like that, so everyone accepts it as the norm.

“Even though it’s an informal gathering, having you there would make it difficult to cause a ruckus. Even if you say you wouldn’t get angry, it’s unlikely. I’ve selected some good food, so we’ll eat in my room instead. The wine’s already been delivered too.”

Saying this, August cheerfully showed a basket, wondering where he had procured it.

“I’ve also sliced the best parts of the calf.”

“You really are quite resourceful.”

“It’s my greatest strength.”

“Do as you like.”

“Yes, I’ll accompany you.”

Even in the midst of a battlefield that might turn into a deadly struggle, August’s tone remains unchanged when discussing the meat he procured.

As Alexis walks with his back turned, a faint, genuine smile forms on his lips towards his long-time escort knight who walks a little behind him. Yet even Alexis himself was unaware of this.

＊　＊　＊

The lord leading the way walked with a straight back and a dignified gait.

To anyone watching, he was undoubtedly the absolute ruler of the north, the Duke brimming with authority.

Exposure to strong magical power severely exhausts both body and mind. While healing magic from the temple can mend wounds and cleanse magical contamination, it cannot fully restore mental fatigue.

Even after surviving the battle with Pluina, many soldiers are affected for months, half a year, or even a year, and some are unable to return to the winter castle the following year.

Alexis, who was exposed to Pluina’s magical power up close, must be profoundly exhausted. The sight of him showing not the slightest sign of this burdens the knight who has stood by him for years.

—Truly, what a burdensome job they have.

People from the north generally have a tendency to restrain their emotions to some extent. Those like Bruno, who openly display their feelings of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, are quite rare.

This trait is even more pronounced among the members of the Oldrand family.

The former Duke, August, was also a man with a strong inclination toward this trait. He kept his heart closed off from others, maintained a distance from those around him, and lived by embodying the role of “Duke of Oldrand”.

We were raised on the constant reminder from our father that it was our role to support August in this manner.

That is why, when August, despite his nature, sought something driven by a genuine human emotion, no one dared to dissuade him. Instead, everyone supported his wish.

—Seeing a life like that up close, it’s understandable why things turned out this way.

When August sought something to fill the void of human weakness in Alexis, despite the future it might bring, he would undoubtedly wish for him to obtain it.

Yet Alexis, believing he has no need for personal happiness, even shuns reaching for it.

The master, who often seems burdened by losses, probably sees it as part of his role and something he must endure.

—Even so, Lady Marie has changed.

Marie, who had always kept her emotions hidden like a fortress encased in snow, has begun to openly express her feelings and smile as if spring had arrived after winter.

Perhaps, with Melfina by his side, this master might find it a bit easier to breathe.

Melfina is Alexis’s official wife. Though it’s a difficult situation, if it were to come to pass, it might be possible for Alexis to find happiness without hurting anyone or distorting anything.

Once such a hope is embraced, it’s hard to dispel.

“Sir.”

“What is it?”

As Alexis stopped and looked back over his shoulder, August trembled his lips and flashed a smile.

In a playful and light-hearted tone, he said,

“I’m really glad we made it through this year safely.”

“Winter is still ongoing, though.”

“It’s nothing to worry about. There’s always spring waiting beyond winter.”

Seeing it wasn’t a significant matter, Alexis resumed walking.

And that’s fine.

His role is to stay by his master’s side and protect him.

No matter what path it takes, August will see it through to the end. That is the path August von Carlisle has chosen.