I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 136

Edgar Billhark.

As of today, a woman officially takes over the position of the Master of the Grand Duke’s household.

She gained recognition through her recent achievements in Whitewood, but there were some aristocrats who considered her position to be an overreach.

Hence, some skeptics questioned what a newly matured princess could possibly understand, labeling her relationship with a mere man from an inconsequential family as just childish folly.

However, to those more familiar with the political landscape, such gossip would surely earn a laugh, as most believed it was a given that Billhark’s eldest son would become the second Master of the Robeheim Family.

This was likely why most people present were unable to comprehend the gravity of what was happening right before their eyes.

To think that a man widely expected to tie the knot with Ariel Robeheim would make an oath of subjugation.

If this rumor were shared with others, they’d be too stunned to even consider it a joke.

For them, the “oath of subjugation” was a testament of trust solely shared between a Master and their subordinate.

“Could it be that they weren’t really lovers…?”

“There’s no way! There are kids who saw them kiss at the coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Surely there must be a reason? But it really is a surprising sight.”

The murmurs around them grew louder.

Yet, Yulken, who had briefly stepped aside, neither intervened nor gave any sign of caution.

Instead, he seemed to enjoy the atmosphere, watching a pair of young lovers draw closer together with a slight smile.

Edgar approached Ariel, kneeling before her to bow reverently.

Honestly, he felt like bursting into laughter at any moment, but he managed to keep it under control.

As he covertly stole a glance at Ariel, sitting proudly in her chair, he caught a tiny twitch at the corner of her mouth.

‘Guess we’re both in the same boat.’

It made sense.

Having been inseparable since childhood, they knew well how to fit together.

‘She always sits like that, crossing her legs and resting her chin on her hand.’

Her posture, somewhat rigid yet striving to appear dignified, seemed adorable to Edgar.

Yet, he couldn’t help but feel awkward, especially since he was kneeling in front of a childhood friend he’d known for nearly eighteen years.

‘But I must fulfill my role.’

Even so, with his duty in mind, he suppressed his feelings and rose when permitted.

“……”

At that moment, Ariel, who had also stood up to face him, extended her hand toward Edgar.

It wasn’t a handshake; it was more like a gesture inviting a man to escort a lady.

As Edgar placed his hand over hers, she gently pulled him toward her.

At that moment, a woman standing nearby stepped forward and handed Ariel a tiny sword wrapped in red cloth, no bigger than a finger.

Though it bore no distinguishing features other than its size, it was anything but ordinary.

This was the very sword that symbolized the tradition of the oath of subjugation in the Robeheim Family.

‘Is that the Reponeo?’

Reponeo.

Translating roughly to “vessel for the soul.”

Although it was Edgar’s first time seeing the actual item, he had heard enough about the procedures leading to the oath to know what this object was.

A sword that could slice away a part of a person’s soul when soaked in blood. This was also a legacy of Elgrun.

“Edgar Billhark.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As the sword became evident, Ariel called out Edgar’s full name in a soft voice.

This was probably a first for her.

In response, Edgar likewise addressed the newly appointed Master of the Grand Duke’s household with her title, and as he did, a faint smile appeared on both their faces.

“From this very moment, you become my sword, and I shall be the pillar that supports you. Do you have any objections?”

“None whatsoever.”

“…Really?”

Ariel continued in a tone meant to assert seriousness, but she couldn’t help slipping back to her usual way of speaking at his firm reply.

It brought her genuine joy.

She briefly caught herself, regained her composure, and reached out to hold his hand once more.

In her right hand, she had somehow acquired the Reponeo.

“With this Reponeo, we shall bind our souls together. From this moment forth, your death shall be my death, and my death shall be your death. Do you have any objections?”

“None.”

Edgar’s resolute answer echoed once more.

As a result, Ariel channeled her magical power into the Reponeo and handed it over to Edgar.

Taking it, Edgar infused his own magical energy, causing the sword to emit a golden light before passing it back to Ariel.

The mingling of red and gold created a soft glow, and Ariel, who had been watching blankly, swiftly regained her senses and extended her hand toward Edgar.

Edgar offered his palm, facing the ceiling.

Cautiously stepping closer while holding the sword, she pressed the blade of the Reponeo against Edgar’s finger and applied a slight pressure.

With a soft sound of skin compressing, blood welled up, and the blood-soaked blade of the Reponeo began to shine brightly again.

“…Ugh.”

At that moment, Edgar felt something drain from him, causing him to momentarily wobble on his legs.

It was the sensation of a piece of his very soul being drawn out through the Reponeo, leaving him dazed for a brief moment.

Ariel looked worried for a moment, but when Edgar met her gaze with a reassuring smile, she quickly returned to her solemn demeanor.

“…Ugh.”

Then it was his turn to place the Reponeo against his own finger and apply gentle pressure, just as she had.

Blood oozed forth and seeped into the blade, just as it had with Edgar.

Seconds ticked by as they performed the ritual.

The combined magical power and pieces of their souls that the Reponeo absorbed began to lose its light before thrashing about as if in distress.

Eventually, the movement ceased, and a faint sound signaled the emergence of light somewhere, illuminating the two.

Realizing the light manifested on the backs of their hands, they both looked down to stare at their palms.

‘So, this is the token.’

The token of the oath of subjugation was said to illuminate the merging of their souls.

Though they didn’t know what the designs inside the circle meant, each felt their heart swell with a sense of fulfillment just by having the token imprinted upon them.

Meanwhile, the woman who received the Reponeo tied it back up in red cloth with a very thin silver thread.

Seeing this, Edgar took a step back and knelt once more, bowing his head.

Ariel, still standing, picked up the sword that had been resting on her chair and gently tapped his head and shoulder.

It resembled the ceremony of a knight’s appointment, though it was distinctly different.

This was the rite through which the Master of the Grand Duke’s household acknowledged him as a member of his retinue.

“Make the oath of subjugation.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As Edgar lifted his gaze and moved closer, kissing the back of Ariel’s hand, applause erupted from those watching.

Thus, the ceremony reached its conclusion.

With this, it was publicly known that he was now the right hand of the Grand Duke’s household.

This was the very moment Ariel had most desired.

‘It’s not enough.’

Yet, for some reason, Ariel felt that this alone was insufficient.

Surely, the oath of subjugation held immense value as a time-honored tradition of the Robeheim Family, but it left her questioning whether he truly belonged to her.

To put it more bluntly, it felt anticlimactic.

She pondered deeply about how she might convey to those around her that he truly belonged to her.

“…Your Grace?”

Noticing Ariel had suddenly grown silent, Edgar cautiously called out to her.

As soon as he did, Ariel’s expression changed dramatically, her eyes glinting with intensity.

Without warning, she seized his face with her hand, sending a chill down Edgar’s spine, as he felt he had seen this scene before.

Surely, what came next would be……

“……!?”

Just like he guessed.

Without any hesitation, just like at the coming-of-age ceremony—no, even more assertively—Ariel pressed her lips against his.

However, it wasn’t a passionate kiss; she quickly pulled back, offering Edgar a proud smile befitting the Master of the Grand Duke’s household, announcing to everyone around them.

“Hehe, now you really are…mine?”

The sounds of gasps and admiration erupted from all directions right after.

Thus, the two found themselves in a peculiar position of being both lovers and master and servant from this day forward.