Belatedly leaving the bedroom, a spacious room came into view—so large it felt empty. The large grandfather clock in one corner indicated it was past ten o’clock.
‘…Waking up at this hour, I’ve been living in luxury.’
With thoughts as if observing someone else’s affairs, Roman approached the window.
The buildings, relatively grand and tall, as well as the roof styles and color schemes, felt quite different from the capital of his home country. At times like this, he would realize anew, “I’m in the northern territory.”
After finishing his meal in the dining room and returning, maids came over to help him change clothes. Brazenly receiving their service with composure, Roman, now wearing his overcoat, boarded a carriage he’d had prepared in advance.
Through the window, the scenery that had drawn closer came into view. It had already been two weeks since coming up to Eslen. For something decided on impulse, the days that followed had been quite satisfying. He didn’t know how the Grand Duke had hinted at it, but the castle staff all treated him with utmost courtesy, and he’d reunited with his former comrades from the Knights’ Order and heartily caught up with them.
Although he was living a life that was lazy to the point of being indulgent, Roman hadn’t forgotten his responsibilities. He’d posted a notice recruiting new guild members, and starting a few days ago, he’d even conducted brief interviews. That said, real progress would only be possible once the Grand Duke and Ruth returned, so he continued to enjoy unprecedented leisure day after day.
Arriving at the temporary office, Roman greeted the applicants with a leisurely smile. He’d secretly hoped many would come so he could fill time with this work, but as if mocking such thoughts, the interviews ended simply with just three people.
Going back to the castle would only be stifling, and all his former comrades were busy with work so there was no one to play with.
‘Can’t be helped.’
With an expression that showed it wasn’t unavoidable at all, Roman boarded the carriage again. The destination he conveyed to the coachman was a lake in the outskirts of Eslen. After spending time tearing off pieces of bread to throw to the flock of ducks leisurely swimming together, Roman returned to the plaza only after the sun had completely set. This time, the place he headed to was a tavern said to be frequented only by famous people.
Step, step—walking inside and pulling aside the curtain, customers who’d arrived earlier were sitting there. Bella, the only woman in the group, spoke with a smiling face.
“You’re a bit late today.”
“I was busy filling the ducks’ bellies.”
“What are you talking about?”
It seemed like a response treating it as some incomprehensible wordplay, but Roman didn’t particularly care. The man sitting and occupying another chair, Jesper, continued the conversation as if receiving a baton.
“Did you eat dinner?”
“Not yet.”
“Then you shouldn’t be sitting here like this.”
Jesper stretched out his arm and pulled on a cord hanging from the ceiling. The curtain was drawn aside once more and an attendant appeared, and shortly after, plates of food with steam rising from them filled the table.
“What are we betting for drinks with today?”
“I’m fine with anything.”
“Feeling confident, are we?”
“Watch me.”
While Roman enjoyed his meal, endless jokes and banter flowed among the others. The people sitting around the table now were those who had once been Roman’s colleagues.
Given Roman’s personality, there were hardly any with whom he’d kept in steady contact, but blending in and getting along with them like before didn’t require much time. When he’d sent a letter to Jesper on a whim, he’d brought along the guys they’d been close with back then, and upon learning that Roman was staying in Eslen for a while, they’d become his conversation partners almost every evening.
After a brief verbal sparring, today’s drinking bet was decided to be a card game. Everyone checked their allotted five cards with expressions more serious than ever, and soon a fierce battle of wits disguised as a game unfolded.
Checking the cards each person discarded and drew anew, calculating the cards opponents had discarded too.
The boisterous atmosphere changed in an instant. At other tables, the sounds of clinking glasses and hearty laughter continued even now, but here, as if this space alone was separate, a tense atmosphere flowed.
It wasn’t anything new. It was just for fun and the drink tab wouldn’t even be that much, but true to their nature as knights, they hated losing more than death itself.
After staring at her hand seriously for a while, Bella laid down three cards face-up. A quite confident tone followed.
“8, 9, 10 straight.”
Sighs flowed from two people’s mouths.
“Anyone else? Then I’ll—”
“Wait.”
Roman, who’d been leaning back against his chair, straightened his posture. Another five cards were laid side by side on the table.
“7, 8, 9, 10, J flush.”
Bella’s lips trembled. When she jumped up and flipped through the partially overlapping cards, they were indeed consecutive numbers all in the same suit.
“Wow, I’m going crazy. How is this even possible?”
Jesper, who’d given up on this round early, patted Bella’s shoulder.
“Give it up. His luck with these things has always been incredible.”
“It’s not luck, I used my brain.”
“Brain my ass.”
“Now, now, let’s calm down and move on to the next round.”
Gathering up the scattered cards, Roman volunteered as dealer. The tense atmosphere continued in the following rounds as well, and after exclamations and sighs, ultimately Barhan was decided to pay for the drinks, holding cards until the very end.
Coming outside laughing and chatting, darkness had already spread all around. Everyone scattered in different directions toward their destinations, and Roman decided to walk for a bit to aid digestion. Jesper, whose direction was the same, gladly joined him.
However, before taking even a few steps, Roman regretted his choice. As moisture suddenly brushed his cheek, he looked up at the sky to see dark clouds heavily overcast.
Whether it was his imagination or not, his ankle already felt like it was throbbing. Thinking it was good that he’d told the coachman to wait at the plaza near the palace, Roman quickened his pace a bit. Jesper, walking alongside him, threw out a question.
“When did you say you’re going back?”
“Why? Are you getting tired of playing with me every day?”
“Tired? I’m looking forward to evening every single day. The other guys probably all feel the same.”
“Isn’t it just because you like having fun?”
“…That could be it too.”
At the answer given while stroking his chin as if being serious, Roman let out a small laugh.
True to Jesper’s words, his former comrades had welcomed him more enthusiastically than expected. Despite meeting for the first time in nearly ten years, there was no awkwardness to be found. Though time had passed and everyone’s faces had changed slightly and they held important positions in Eslen, when just the comrades were together, their youthful, immature selves showed without filter.
Perhaps that was why. Words unconsciously slipped from Roman’s mouth.
“…Should I just come live here?”
“Then I’d be all for it. His Highness the Grand Duke would be happy too.”
After a moment, Jesper’s gaze belatedly turned this way.
“But what about the guild?”
“It’ll manage on its own.”
“…True. Seeing that you’re here now, it does seem to be fine.”
An exchange of jokes, and soon a more serious voice added.
“Nothing’s wrong, is there?”
It was something he could say because they’d lived together like family through thick and thin for a long time. Though his characteristic leisurely demeanor remained unchanged even now, there were moments when their eyes met that he seemed somehow tired.
“Nothing. Where else would you find someone living as comfortably as me?”
“…Then that’s a relief. Not as a joke but if you really do think about living here, come up anytime.”
Before he knew it, as he walked, he had reached a familiar crossroads. From here on, their directions diverged, so after exchanging brief farewells, Roman headed toward a carriage stationed at one side of the street.
It was only for a moment that he sat with his eyes closed amidst the rattling and shaking—Roman furrowed his brow and pressed his fingertips firmly against his temples. He had thought he might get through today without incident, but now that he was alone, the throbbing headache arrived without fail.
To make matters worse, the sound of rain grew even more intense. Roman let out a sigh like a groan and buried his face in his palms. The headache was annoying enough, but thinking that his ankles would ache all night long was utterly dreadful.
When Roman arrived at the palace, he dismissed the maids who offered to help him wash up and collapsed onto the bed. The more violently the rain beat against the windows, the worse his headache became. The throbbing pain in his head escalated until it felt like his eyes might pop out. It seemed impossible to sleep in this state, so he started to sit up when, with perfect timing, he heard a knock at the door.
“A guest has arrived to see you.”
His gaze, filled with puzzlement, turned toward the door.
…A guest?
For a moment he thought it might be Grand Duke Kailton, but he quickly dismissed the idea. If he had returned, the butler wouldn’t have used the word “guest.” And he was the type who would barge right in and throw the door open before politely announcing his arrival.
Roman got up and walked across the bedroom. When he opened the door, he saw the butler’s crown as he bowed his head slightly.
“A guest?”
