Oblivion (Unawareness)
Heading to the northernmost part of the Tinley Kingdom, one finds land shaped like a coiled snake: the Duchy of Makari. Embracing rugged mountain ranges and stretching long east to west, the territory covered the kingdom like a lid, acting as a shield against the land of demons.
Crops did not grow on the cold, rocky cliffs of the mountain range, and the arid land spreading widely beneath it was also infertile.
No one knew whether the land had been infertile from the start or whether the population had gradually decreased due to the demons.
If there was one thing to see in such a place, it was the sacred stone, a mineral that glowed faintly with a mysterious golden light. Despite its grand name, meaning “holy stone,” this rare mineral only emitted a faint light.
The people of the Makari territory believed that the sacred stone truly brought good fortune and kept it as a decoration in every home, but this belief did not spread to the capital.
Therefore, few people came up to this barren place for the sacred stone, which did not generate much income. If commoners were like this, there was no need to mention nobles.
In fact, this insignificant and vast territory had not been coveted by anyone for decades and had only faithfully served the role of separating the demons from the kingdom. Occasionally, mercenaries and soldiers drafted from the kingdom came and went, and only one hideous stone fortress without any decorations stood tall on the mountainside.
It had only been two years since this uncivilized place began to be called a duchy.
As Santia’s horse passed the rough outer walls and entered the residential area, the residents of the territory, who were unexpectedly welcoming their lord, were in an uproar.
“The Duke has returned!”
“Hooray!”
“God, thank you. I survived this year too!”
“Hooray, Duke!”
A thunderous roar erupted countless times. Although the party consisted of only three horses, it was far from simple as long as Santia was present.
Unlike in the capital, where he was called the hero of the nation but received contempt rather than respect, Santia was a true hero in the Makari territory. The lords who had lived fighting demons on the front lines sincerely respected and loved Santia.
In the Makari territory, Santia Makari was everyone’s king in their hearts, envied even by the king.
As if to express their affectionate hearts, the rain that had been fiercely hitting the raincoat as they entered the territory gradually turned into snow and gently fell. The horse, slowing down to match the slowly falling snowflakes, passed through the cheering people and slowly went up to the castle.
As the rain subsided, Yulania also peeked her face out from under her cloak and looked at the scenery outside. White snow was thinly spread like powdered sugar over the triangular roofs. Because it was an area with heavy snowfall every winter, there were many sharply angled roofs.
Finally, reaching the inner castle walls, a man like a bear rushed out, his dark red hair flying.
“Duke! Duke! Welcome. How did you come so quickly!”
“Alban. It’s been a while.”
It was Alban, the butler who managed Makari Castle when Santia was away. Since Santia had spent very little time in the territory so far, he was practically the lord. Santia nodded in greeting and glanced down at Yulania in his arms.
“The outside air is cold. Be patient a little longer, even if it’s stuffy.”
Her nose and cheeks were red from the harsh winter wind of the Makari territory. Seeing that, Santia gently pressed her head into his arms.
“It’s okay. I feel like it’s clearing my head to breathe in the cold air.”
However, as if she had been quite stuffy, Yulania resisted his strength and stuck her face out again. The feeling of the cold air entering her lungs made her stomach, which had been churning, feel much calmer.
“Oh, Princess! You were here too! Are you well!”
Only then did Alban, who had discovered the hidden Yulania, laugh cheerfully and greet her. It wasn’t their first meeting.
Yulania smiled faintly at his naturally cheerful appearance and met his eyes.
“I’m well. You look healthy too.”
“Haha! Yes, I’m always healthy.”
Perhaps because he grew up in the Makari territory, where it was difficult to see nobles, Alban greeted Yulania with a pure face. It was a pleasant smile that made one forget even their worries.
Santia, who glanced down at Yulania, who was only sticking her face out to greet him, grabbed Alban, who was acting like a huge puppy.
“Go quickly and prepare a maid to serve the princess and a bath. She’s not well.”
“Gasp.”
On the other hand, Santia, who gave instructions to his subordinate without even saying hello after meeting him for the first time in a year, could be said to be quite heartless.
At his words, Alban widened his eyes in surprise. It was strange for a bear-like man to have rabbit eyes, but he really did. His red eyes followed Yulania, who was hiding.
Then, when Santia gestured towards the castle, he nodded resolutely and ran off.
“Yes, I’ll prepare it right away. Please come up slowly!”
Santia then slowly droves his horse up to the castle, and Haron and Bihan silently followed. Many employees who met him on the way to the castle gate greeted Santia with bright smiles.
He was soaked in the rain and looked shabby, and he even hid Yulania in his cloak, but no one cared. As he nodded in response to the greetings, he reached the castle gate, and another person rushed out.
“Oh, Duke! How could you treat our precious princess so roughly!”
“Roughly? I treated her very preciously.”
It was Merrilyn, the head maid of Makari Castle. Santia immediately retorted, but she made a fuss and poured out a torrent of nagging.
“Oh my, do you think the princess is like you, a beast? Not just anyone can ride such a sturdy warhorse!”
Yulania added a word, feeling like he was being scolded because of her.
“I’m fine. Thanks to him, I arrived safely.”
At those words, Merrilyn was momentarily startled and stepped back. The short and petite woman was frightened like a squirrel when she saw a typical noble from the capital. Yulania smiled quietly at the sight.
At that moment, Santia spread his palm and brought it in front of Yulania’s face. His unique scent and warmth came close, and the chill that had been lingering around her face disappeared. When she looked up in wonder, he quickly clenched his fist.
“You’re breathing out steam. Let’s go in.”
And with those sudden words, Santia scooped Yulania up and got off the horse.
Haron and Bihan, who followed, led Santia’s warhorse to the stable, and the couple followed the scurrying head maid into the castle.
Whether they knew in advance and lit the fire, the castle was filled with warm air from the lobby hall without even needing to go up to the bedroom. It was by no means easy to keep such a large and cold castle warm.
‘Perhaps Merrilyn prepared it in advance so that Santia wouldn’t be cold whenever he came.’
Feeling the warmth on her skin, Yulania stepped up to the upper floor. Unlike the entrance where the cold air leaked in as the doors opened and closed, the bedroom was filled with complete warmth.
Santia, who came up to the room she would use, left a short greeting in front of the door.
“Rest.”
Yulania nodded obediently with gratitude. He had come all the way to the territory because of urgent business, but he had come while suffering hardships that he didn’t have to because of her. She wanted to send him off as quickly as possible and not be a hindrance any longer.
After confirming that Yulania had entered the safe room, Santia immediately went back outside.
‘It seems really urgent.’
Since arriving at Makari Castle, Santia had been subtly restless. But it was a relief now.
Sitting on the soft bed, she felt like her body was melting. If she stayed quietly here, she wouldn’t interfere with her husband’s work.
Soon, a maid came to serve her.
“How are you feeling, Princess? I heard you were sick.”
“I’m much better.”
It was a child with beautifully braided curly brown hair. Yulania softened her face at the sight of her seemingly young age.
Perhaps relieved, the maid shyly held out a tray with a teacup, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“Please drink this first. It’s tea to calm your stomach. I was going to call a doctor, but… you said no…”
When Yulania smiled and picked up the teacup, the child glanced at her, looking at her. She seemed curious as to why they weren’t calling a doctor when the precious princess was sick.
“Don’t worry. A professional doctor will be here soon.”
When Yulania and Santia got married, the king had set several conditions.
One of them was, “Princess Yulania Tinley ailin’s health must only be examined by a royal physician.”
The reason was that her precious body could not be shown to just anyone. The couple understood and accepted it because it was a valid reason.
Royal physician Devon, who had heard the news, would be rushing over quickly with the knights.
Yulania smiled at the worried maid again.
