I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 49

Ariel woke up a little early to finish her preparations for departure to Hespania.

As she expected, perhaps due to not having slept deeply the previous night, she checked her reflection in the mirror and noticed her eyes looked somewhat puffy.

Hastily washing up, she completed her light makeup without Shuri’s help.

Stepping out to get some fresh morning air, she headed toward the terrace and spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.

Taking a moment to catch her breath, she approached him with a composed expression and gently tapped him on the back.

“You’re up early.”

“What? You’re awake already? I was just about to come wake you.”

Edgar glanced at her from top to bottom, looking surprised.

The way he stared like that irked Ariel, so she skillfully maneuvered out of sight and lightly punched his shoulder.

“Ow!”

“Hey, stop being such a baby, you fool…!”

As Edgar let out a dramatic yelp as if he were about to drop dead from the blow, Ariel quickly scanned the surroundings, panicking, and scolded him.

She certainly felt like she had hit stone instead of him, so where was this ridiculous whining coming from?

As for Edgar, he was just feeling unjustly treated.

Unless she had imbued her punch with the Symbol of Dominion, the impact he felt didn’t make any sense.

No way was she using magical power just to play around with her childhood friend, but if that were the case, it was downright chilling.

“Ow, it still hurts… You really don’t know how strong your hands are.”

“How can you, someone who trains every day, be hurt by something like this?”

“What does training have to do with pain? Even Mr. Creed would die if he got stabbed in the belly.”

Did he really think that just because he trained all day, he wouldn’t get even a scratch from a sword?

After moving past their pointless bickering, shadows approached from behind.

“There you two are.”

“Did you sleep well last night?”

It was none other than Sally and Gria.

They had come outside for a stroll when they noticed some familiar figures, and unsurprisingly, it was Ariel’s group.

Surprised by the unexpected encounter, Ariel greeted them, and Edgar leaned on the railing, returning the pleasantries.

“Are you two staying until tomorrow?”

“Oh, we’re actually planning to return to Hespania today.”

“I see. Your outfits look so proper; I was wondering…”

Edgar glanced around in response to Gria’s comment, and indeed, the outfits of the people nearby varied slightly.

Some, like Edgar and Ariel, were dressed neatly for their departure, while others, like Sally and Gria, were dressed more casually.

It seemed those in the former group were heading back to their family homes today, while those in the latter group were still staying here.

Not having thought that far, Edgar’s expression turned to surprise when he heard Gria’s words.

Meanwhile, on the other end, Sally was sharing her disappointment.

Sally longs to become better friends with Ariel, the same age and the first peer she met at the ball, but they were now parting without a meaningful conversation.

“It seems the Princess of Robeheim has a lot on her plate and needs to hurry back… It’s a shame.”

“It isn’t like that. It’s just that my father had to leave for a bit, so I have to stay at home.”

“Your father refers to… His Highness Robeheim, right?”

Yulken Robeheim.

He is one of the most powerful figures in the Helbenior Empire and the current head of the Robeheim Family, known as the ruler of the North.

He is often referred to as the Iron-Blooded Ruler due to his ruthless actions against the invading tribes, admired by many.

Surely, no one in the noble families wouldn’t know that name.

Sally was also one of countless girls who admired Yulken’s achievements, having only heard of him by name.

“Yes, he is quite busy.”

“Indeed, I suppose that’s understandable. It must be tough for you, too, Princess.”

“It’s my duty as a family member.”

Though she said that, the bittersweet tinge in Ariel’s smile was noticeable enough for even someone like Sally, who didn’t know her very well.

To be a fifteen-year-old girl born into an only daughter and shouldering the responsibilities of her family early on is a weight that Sally, with her younger brother, could hardly imagine.

Sally suddenly grabbed Ariel’s hands tightly, raising the clasped hands to her chest, gazing at her with bright, sparkling eyes.

Then she said, “If you find the time for a cup of tea later, could you send us a letter? I’m quite disappointed that we didn’t get to talk properly.”

“I-I will. But this hand….”

Ariel stumbled over her words, flustered by the sudden physical contact, while it dawned on Sally that she had just startled Ariel, quickly pulling away her hand.

Soon after, Shuri, who had been looking for them, approached in the terrace.

She had wrapped up packing and preparing the carriage and now needed Ariel to confirm their departure time.

“Miss, the carriage is waiting outside the Imperial Palace. When shall we depart?”

“I’ll come right now. Edgar, let’s get going.”

“Has it really been that long? Alright.”

They seemed to have lost track of time while chatting.

Ariel’s modest belongings were split between Edgar and Shuri, and they exited the annex.

Sally and Gria insisted on seeing them off, arguing that they had formed a connection, but Ariel didn’t make an effort to stop them.

There’s a connection between people, and being too cold isn’t a good way to foster it.

It was a scene quite different from when they left Hespania.

Back then, all of the family retainers had come to see Ariel and her group off, but today it was just two.

“You can expect a letter from me, so let’s have tea again, Princess Dwalros.”

“Ah…! If it is not too much trouble, could you please address me by my name? And if possible, I’d like to call you Princess Robeheim as well.”

“I would like to ask the same.”

Having just become acquainted, it felt wrong to leave without changing how they addressed each other.

Especially since even if they promised to meet again, they didn’t know when that might be, so they wanted to change their titles now, like a token promising a future meeting.

“…Alright. Sally, Gria. Since we’ve gotten to this point, there’s no need for formal titles, right?”

“Of course! Ariel.”

“Let’s make sure to meet all three of us next time. I’ll be waiting for you, Ariel.”

How many people could call the daughter of a grand ducal family by her first name so casually?

With a look of delight, Sally eagerly nodded, and Gria echoed her hopes for their next meeting, bringing a gentle smile to Ariel’s lips.

Watching this scene from the sidelines, Edgar and Shuri quietly chuckled to themselves.

After all, it was rare for Ariel to open up like this to anyone on a first encounter.

Above all, they hadn’t even talked much, but perhaps that just meant Sally’s genuine feelings had reached her.

She was a girl who, despite pretending otherwise, had a warm heart.

“Take care, Ariel! We’ll see you again next time!”

“I’ll prepare some good tea, so if you get the chance, do visit the Jernin family as well.”

As the carriage set off, Ariel waved goodbye, and the two promised to meet again, waving back.

With that, the carriage swiftly vanished down the large road leading to the center of Hildak.

The two girls left behind sighed with longing, sharing amused smiles as they looked at each other.

They hoped that next time, they could share many more conversations.

* * * * * * *

Feeling the cool air coming through the opening in the carriage, Ariel stirred awake to find familiar scenery outside.

Just before they arrived, it seemed there had been a fresh snowfall, for the once-barren plains were now beautifully blanketed in snowflakes, resembling a painting.

Ariel loved this view.

In this moment, when everything in the world was covered in snow, everything felt equal.

The beautiful flowers, the towering great trees, the scattered cottages, the sharp spires—everything lay peacefully asleep under nature’s white blanket, with no need to argue over which was beautiful and which wasn’t.

“It must have snowed pretty well, huh? I hope it didn’t pile up at the castle.”

“Probably not. It disappears in an instant as soon as it falls.”

The Symbol of Dominion, when one really thinks about it, doesn’t control the weather itself.

It means they aren’t free from weather phenomena like falling snow or rain.

However, since it keeps the temperature mild, snow tends to either melt as soon as it hits the ground or becomes rain before it even falls.

So even though Ariel lived in Hespania, paradoxically, she hadn’t seen much of the snow piling up while spending a long time in the castle.

“We’ll be arriving soon. I wonder if Lady Helene is there?”

“I’m not sure. She might have gone where Father is… After all, Elpelt is at home.”

Ariel stared numbly out at the snow-covered plains as if it didn’t matter either way.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the castle gates of Hespania, quickly making its way across the main road to the Robeheim Family’s castle.

“Miss, should I prepare hot water as soon as we arrive?”

“Um, that’s alright. I’ll rest my eyes for a bit and get cleaned up afterward. Edgar, what about you?”

“I’ll just wait in my room. Call me if you need me.”

After all, he could see Ariel tomorrow or leave after confirming that she fell asleep.

As the three of them conversed about their schedules, the carriage came to a slow stop in front of the castle, with the guards who were stationed at the entrance rushing over to salute.

“Welcome back, Miss.”

“You’ve worked hard traveling such a long way.”

Ariel nodded with a smile at the guards’ words and asked about any happenings during her absence.

“Yes, thanks to your concern, there hasn’t been any trouble.”

“How about Mother? Has she gone to where Father is?”

At her question, the two guards widened their eyes and exchanged furtive glances, clearly hesitant to speak up.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Well, that is…”

There are certain facts that anyone associated with the Robeheim Family knows to some extent.

Even if they hadn’t seen it firsthand, they at least had eavesdropped on the stories.

Knowing this, the two were reluctant to speak, but they ultimately couldn’t keep it a secret forever.

In the end, the one who bravely broke the silence was a taller, leaner man.

“Actually, His Highness has returned.”

“…Father?”

“Yes.”

Only then did she understand why they had hesitated to answer and look at each other.

Edgar’s expression shifted at what he heard, and Shuri’s face darkened.

Ariel bit her lip, gazing down at the flowing water beneath her feet, then nodded subtly and brushed past the two guards.

It seemed it was still too early for her to rest peacefully.