"Have you truly made your decision, Your Grace?"
"Zamuchin. Wouldn't it look better if the one with the authority to decide went in person and talked things over?"
"Yet I fear the road ahead may prove too treacherous for the Grand Duke to travel."
"It's not as though I'm going alone — several people will be accompanying me. There's no need to worry."
The decision was made.
He would accept the Marquess of Barth's invitation.
His true purpose lay elsewhere, of course, but he had judged that seeing the South firsthand was the best way to understand its actual state of affairs.
Alfredo seemed to have other thoughts on the matter. But that was a separate issue.
"Is Lord Riward here as well?"
"Yes! Your Grace."
"Mm. I'll be taking Leo along. That should be fine?"
"As you wish, Your Grace!"
Lord Riward's permission wasn't strictly necessary, but Leo, standing nearby, gave a nod as well.
Leo had never been anywhere outside the North either — it would be a good experience for him.
After all, Leo might end up spending more time in the South than in the North.
"Hexon, you'll stay here and hold my place for a while. Major matters I'll handle when I return, but take care of anything tedious on your own."
"As you command."
"If something urgent comes up, I'll turn back immediately. Don't let my absence make you slack."
The reason he had made up his mind was simple, really. It had been last evening's dinner. Daniela had sighed.
He had asked what was wrong, but she deflected and never gave him a proper answer.
It had brought homesickness to mind. No matter how much more comfortable her life had become, this was not Daniela's homeland.
"A letter came from the Marquess of Barth, as it happens."
"From my father?"
A visible flinch. Her fork clattered to the floor.
The maids swept it away at once, but the hand that had been holding it trembled faintly.
"There's a banquet. He's asking whether we'll attend."
"Ah…"
He watched her carefully.
It was something he noticed from time to time — whenever the South came up, Daniela seemed to freeze in place. She wouldn't say much, and she would make excuses about not thinking anything in particular.
"I was thinking of going once, at least. I don't know anyone there."
"You're going to the Imperial capital, Your Grace?"
"No, I think it'll be the Barth family's domain. Though who knows — it might extend to the capital as well."
"I see…"
He set down his utensils as well.
"Would you like to come with me, Daniela?"
"No."
He hadn't expected such an immediate answer.
He had never seen her so resolute before.
She was truly like a northerner now.
Wrong was wrong, and right was right. If anything, he was the one caught off guard.
He had assumed she would say yes.
"This is a business trip — there's nothing to worry about."
But he was a northerner too. He never backed down from stubbornness. And he had a perfectly reasonable justification.
"As it happens, I'm looking to negotiate a deal. I'd like you by my side to help. That's not the only reason, of course, but I'll make sure nothing troubling comes of it. Don't worry."
"Even so. No."
The maids stirred. Even Alfredo looked flustered.
In Winter Castle, the number of people who could say no was limited.
Even when declining someone's suggestion, a proper reason was expected. But this case was different. Had she forgotten?
"Come with me."
"No."
"I'm asking you."
Murmur — murmur —
Alfredo hurried to his side and leaned close to whisper something in his ear.
He made a deliberate effort to ignore it.
Daniela was just as startled — some of that stirring in the room was undoubtedly her own.
In the end, he managed to wear down her stubbornness.
He hoped this wouldn't start rumors around Winter Castle. Something about a strange woman, perhaps.
And so, with no other choice, the decision was made to go.
Back in the room, Daniela said nothing.
It was as though she were staging a silent protest. Was she sulking?
Though she had brightened up soon enough when the subject turned to pulp novels, chatting away cheerfully. He hadn't managed to bring up the South even once in any meaningful way.
He had never had occasion to coax someone out of a sulk before. That was his greatest concern.
"When shall we depart, Your Grace?"
"We'll leave according to the schedule. No need to arrive too early — they'll have lodgings prepared on their end."
"It is dangerous, Your Grace."
"Then arrange for a few extra rooms separately. I'll sleep there, and Leor can take the room where I'm staying."
And so the meeting concluded.
The timeline was quite tight. The journey itself — there and back — was the biggest problem.
If they arrived in time for the banquet, there would be conversations with many people, and negotiations could follow afterward.
Taking all of that into account, it was a remarkably short visit.
His people stationed in the South moved quickly, and the Marquess of Barth appeared to have caught wind of the mood.
The Grand Duke is coming.
Word of that rumor reached Zamuchin.
The North's black horses drew the carriages, and Leo and the personal guard set out together. A considerable number of staff accompanied them as well.
The moment they departed for the South, crowds poured out to applaud. It was nearly a reception — a festive atmosphere.
Four carriages and a great many knights set off at a measured pace.
"How are you feeling today?"
"…"
In the carriage heading south, Daniela stared blankly out the window.
Short golden hair, blue eyes — they still held their light.
The trouble was, that light seemed to be fading somehow.
"This is my first time going south. I'm not sure it warrants quite this much applause."
"Does it not simply mean that the Grand Duke is so dearly loved, Your Grace?"
"If that's what it is, I'm glad."
His tone was clipped.
The Barth domain was quite a distance away.
They had to pass through several other noble territories, but every gate stood open. Advance riders had gone ahead to ensure all gates were left open, apparently.
No one could block the path of the Grand Duke of the North, or so the saying went.
He wasn't sure what to say.
"Your Grace, regarding the itinerary for this visit—"
"I'm listening."
He listened to the briefing while keeping one eye on Daniela von Barth.
The journey to the Barth domain took nearly a full day.
They stopped briefly whenever fatigue set in, but the rest was never quite enough to recover fully.
He had brought along a few pulp novels, but Daniela was the only one actually reading. He was being run ragged by the staff on his side.
Upon entering the Barth domain, they decided to rest for a night at a waypoint. He had mentioned wanting to see the streets, but the knights were unanimously opposed.
Leo was the most opposed of all.
"It, it is d-dangerous, and should a p-problem arise, the N-North's regulations—"
"Surely I can take one look around?"
"Th-that is only p-possible within the North's own t-territory. With all due respect, the Grand Duke must m-maintain the Grand Duke's d-dignity."
The waypoint was not a particularly fine establishment. Zamuchin had nearly had a fit over how cramped it was — he had barely been talked down.
This time, too, Daniela and he naturally shared a room.
There had been some back-and-forth about whether they ought to be separated, but the conclusion came far too easily.
That, too, had been Leo's doing.
"I, I have named her Anora, Your Grace."
"A beautiful name. Since Daniela here chose it, it shines all the brighter."
"Th-thank you."
A glance —
Leo saluted not only him but Daniela as well.
Daniela received the salute with visible awkwardness.
Truly awkward. It was plain to see that this was her first time, and that she found it embarrassing.
Only Daniela and he remained in the room.
"It's warm here. The North's winters really are something else."
"Is that so, Your Grace?"
"Yes. I think I could live quite happily somewhere like this."
"That would not do."
Still resolute. She was so bright when any other subject came up.
"What's the matter?"
"What do you mean, Your Grace?"
"You've suddenly put distance between us."
"I have done no such thing."
"It shows in your speech from the start. The distance has grown all at once."
"You are mistaken, Your Grace."
Clumsy formality. Did she realize it herself?
That even if she mimicked the way the retainers in the North spoke, it would sound strange coming from her to him.
Though if she called it proper etiquette, he supposed he had nothing to say.
"Is that so?"
He couldn't find anything more to say. Not through dinner, not through washing up. Not a word.
The feeling of walls being rebuilt between them.
"Mm. Daniela."
"Your Grace."
"Daniela von Barth."
They were sharing a room — they had no choice but to face each other regardless.
Daniela had actually asked to be moved to a different room, but the request had been refused. The reason was simple.
The room could be changed if the Grand Duke permitted it, but not otherwise. And even if permission were granted, it could not be done unless he gave the order directly.
That answer had made its way back to him as well, naturally.
"What would you like me to call you?"
"I… I am Daniela von Barth."
"Are you certain?"
"That… that is—"
Daniela wasn't dead, so von Barth was technically correct. But she likely understood, in some vague way.
When he had told her the contents of that letter — that the name Barth was no longer one she could use.
"That's why I let you use it. Wintergard."
"There is something I have wanted to ask, Your Grace."
"What is it?"
"What would you like to call me?"
He had never thought about it.
"Am I truly Daniela Wintergard? Or should I be Daniela von Barth?"
"That's—"
"It makes no difference to me if I cannot use the Barth name. But surely you know that I cannot simply attach Wintergard to myself."
Tangible and intangible things alike.
In the Empire, at least, it would carry that meaning. Taking a man's name.
It meant becoming family. For Daniela to formally use 'Wintergard' —
It would mean Daniela had become family to House Wintergard.
"That's—"
"Your Grace. Am I truly a guest? Truly?"
He had no answer to give.