Chapter 34
The House of Huebener was the family of Dorian’s maternal great-grandfather. His mother had never carried the Huebener name, but under the influence of his grandmother and great-grandfather, she had lived half her life as a Huebener.
The Huebeners were like the sea. Broad-minded, they did not reveal the depths within themselves. Much like the countless creatures in the ocean, countless matters existed, yet outwardly all seemed calm.
Storms and tidal waves affected only part of the sea. Viewed as a whole, it was impossible to shake the entire ocean. Each member of the Huebener family was like that—an ocean in themselves.
Dorian lifted the glass the marquis had prepared for him and drank again.
It was easy to underestimate them because they were a quiet marquisate by the sea…
“The House of the Marquis is the House of the Marquis. Overstepping would be rude.”
Dorian put the glass down. Due to the empire’s structure, where there was only one ducal family, a marquis had influence comparable to a duke in other empires.
He couldn’t tell what the marquis was thinking, or whether he wanted a proper answer from Rohela. He only remembered the expression on her face when the marquis had posed a question.
An expression that suggested she already knew something.
“Still, I suppose he’d turn a blind eye to some research work, wouldn’t he?”
Dorian said this with a smile. Iba, standing nearby, placed a candlestick in the center of the table.
“I heard there’s an alchemist living near the Marquisate. I thought I’d like to have a conversation with them.”
Iba’s eyes sparkled like a morning star. At the sight, Hartman let out a sleepy sigh of relief.
“I’ll go as your guard.”
“And also take a look at the territory?”
“Yes.”
Hartman grinned. Dorian emptied the remaining drink from his glass with satisfaction. The sharp scent of alcohol rose to his throat.
“I’ll need to have a conversation with the Marquis.”
He could try to gauge what the marquis wanted. He fiddled with the glass, still cold from the drink.
In truth, it didn’t matter to him if Rohela did not become the marquis’ lady. He could simply compensate both the marquis and Rohela accordingly. He had sufficient wealth.
If Rohela failed to gain the title, it actually gave him more cards to play. With limited resources and knowledge, the best she could achieve was a titular barony without even a fief.
In that case, I could persuade her to stay at the ducal estate for safety’s sake.
Rohela might choose another path. Then all other options would simply have to be removed.
If she became unhappy because she couldn’t choose freely, he could make her believe she had chosen this herself.
She was affectionate, realistic, and adaptable to the circumstances given to her.
He was confident he could do it without being discovered, confident he could blind her with sweet words. But Dorian did not.
Why?
One cannot repay a benefactor with enmity.
It was a simple, logical conclusion. But he knew it wasn’t the whole truth. His mind still echoed with the words he had once spoken to her:
“You are undoubtedly a different person. That is cruel, both for you and for me.”
Why did I say that?
He had thought about it many times but could not easily find an answer. His heart had trembled when he spoke those words, trembling from fear.
It was not the existence of Archduchess Algoi or the crown prince that frightened him.
On the day he embraced his speechless younger sibling and buried an empty coffin, he, still a child, swore upon a god he might not even know existed:
He would spill the blood of those who had ruined the Brecht family onto this coffin.
He had no fear of them. The fact that the emperor was involved had already become clear when the train incident ended in nothing. Uncertain identities were irrelevant.
He would make sure their blood was on his hands.
Yet he had felt fear that day. Under the falling starlight, seeing her light green eyes glimmering in astonishment, he had felt a sudden chill.
Was he afraid of losing Rohela? Of losing the one who could open his younger sibling’s words?
Or was he projecting his mother onto her, like his sibling? Was he afraid the empty coffin might belong to her?
It was still hard to pinpoint this feeling exactly. Dorian gently traced the rim of his glass with his index finger.
He would understand someday if he spent time with her. And then, their contract would expire.
Dorian rose from his seat. Iba and Hartman placed their fists on their chests and bowed.
He approached the window and gazed at the dark sea.
“Then, let’s make Miss Rohela the marquis’ lady.”
Dorian’s lips curved in a fine line, though his gaze remained fixed somewhere beyond the horizon, where sky and sea merged.
The sound of waves reached him.
Whoosh—
The window, closed all night, was now open. I rubbed my eyes and sat up.
Sunlight sparkled through the window. In the distance, the sound of waves crashing white could be heard.
Did Iba open the window?
I walked over. With the dark navy blackout curtains pulled aside, only white lace curtains fluttered at the window.
“Wow…”
The sea stretched wide before my eyes. At night, nothing was visible, but now the dark water shimmered visibly. I leaned forward and felt the salty breeze on my face.
The sea is navy blue.
I had only seen the ocean five times in my previous life, all on orphanage picnics or school trips.
I had hoped to visit again as an adult, but life had other plans. No money for train or bus tickets, barely enough to survive.
Still, the sea here looked no different from the one in my memories, which eased my mind.
So that’s why seaweed was caught here too. Salmon live in cold waters. Though it doesn’t seem too cold.
At that moment, someone knocked at the door.
“Come in.”
I leaned against the windowsill. The door opened, and a voice spoke.
“You’re awake.”
“Iba!”
I turned to see Iba in uniform, hair neatly tied and glasses on. Anxiety crept up at her appearance.
“What time is it?”
“Half past ten.”
Iba approached casually. I ran my hands through my hair.
“Oh… then we should quickly prepare lunch…”
“The duke said lunch could be simple. You can take your time preparing.”
“And breakfast?”
“Don’t worry, there was none. Master Lewin hasn’t woken up either.”
Iba smiled warmly.
“…I see.”
I could have woken up, but at least I had slept well, so I kept quiet.
In hindsight, I should have suspected the time as soon as I awoke… the sky was unnaturally blue…
Accepting my oversleep humbly, I asked another question.
“Since you’re in uniform, where are you going?”
“Yes. I heard there’s an alchemist in the marquisate.”
Iba smiled brightly. I nodded. Alchemists, or chemists, were rare in this world.
To find one following her superior in a distant territory—how exciting that must be.
“How did you know there was an alchemist?”
“Our House of Artur publishes a magazine quarterly for alchemists. Since there aren’t many, they report research projects and achievements. If someone shares the same goals, they can collaborate.”
“I see.”
I remembered the dry ice idea from yesterday. It would be nice if someone were working on that.
“Are you going alone?”
“No, with Hartman.”
“Good idea. Probably not dangerous, but alone could be risky.”
I clenched my hands. Coming here had been safe, and Dorian had mentioned there was a magic user in the Marquis’ knights.
Hiram or Scarlet couldn’t get here as fast, either. Hiram could use magic stones, but their locations were only known to Dorian.
Thinking of Hiram made my fingertips tremble. Iba noticed keenly and took my hand.
“It’s okay. Nothing to fear.”
The sound of waves reached me. I smiled at Iba.
“Yes. Nothing to fear.”
I wondered about the duke’s estate. With key people away, hopefully nothing happened in the meantime. Other novels had spies in such situations.
Iba patted my hand twice and stepped back.
“We need to leave soon. How about lunch?”
“Could you tell them I’ll eat in my room?”
“Yes. The maids assigned by the Marquis will take care of you while I’m gone. There are no attendants, so it might be inconvenient, but I’ll be back soon.”
I nodded. Shortly after Iba closed the door, three maids entered.
A small table and chairs were set by the window. Lunch consisted of lobster soup, butter rolls with salt, cod steak, and seaweed salad.
Seated facing the window, I could enjoy the sea while eating. The maids left quietly afterward.
Don’t mind them.
I picked up my knife. I had never eaten seafood like this back in Korea. With sashimi and chili paste, it would be perfect. Once I inherited the title and all settled, I might even try making chili paste.
I cut the perfectly cooked cod filet. Though lunch was casual, dinner would likely be a formal gathering.
Thinking about yesterday’s atmosphere, I almost felt nauseous, so I tried to distract myself. Had Lewin seen the sea much? Did people here make sandcastles?
When I had time, maybe I could build a sandcastle with Lewin, or cover my body in sand for a sand bath. I scooped the soup and tasted it.
A rich, salty flavor spread through my mouth. Being by the sea made salt easily obtainable. The soup was salty, the bread too…
Wait, could I cure fish with salt?
