Chapter 177
Purity
The Spring Festival was not called a zoo for nothing.
In a gathering of around five hundred people, more than a hundred illicit affairs could be witnessed taking place.
By unspoken rule, everything that happened that day was supposed to be buried and forgotten.
Once people began discussing such incidents, matters would spiral out of control, becoming increasingly sordid and messy.
Therefore, the fact that this particular incident had begun to be discussed meant it was bound to develop into something equally sordid and messy.
Ferda read the letter that had arrived at Count Consilus’s estate.
Although it was written in formal language, its contents could be summarised simply and chillingly.
Arwon Wolfheart, a knight serving Count Consilus, had allegedly raped Ludmilla Purity, the third daughter of House Purity.
The letter further stated that members of House Purity were already on their way to Count Consilus’s castle to verify the truth.
“Is it true?”
Ferda slowly lifted his eyes from the letter.
The man standing before him like a criminal struggled to answer.
“…It is not true.”
“You did not sleep with her?”
“We did have relations, but… it was by mutual consent.”
“I thought as much.”
Ferda was not being sarcastic.
He genuinely could not imagine Arwon committing such an act.
From what he had seen of both Arwon and Ludmilla, neither appeared to have forced the other.
The reason House Purity had presented the matter so aggressively was simple.
“It seems they have another objective. What do you think it is?”
“The dowry.”
When noble families married off their daughters, it was customary to provide a dowry.
After marriage, the head of the husband’s household assumed responsibility for her, so the practice was considered only natural.
However, since nothing in the world was truly fair, the size of the dowry varied according to rank and circumstance.
The lower the husband’s family ranked compared to the bride’s, and the greater the bride’s side’s culpability, the larger the dowry became.
At present, Arwon was nothing more than a frontier knight.
If the allegation that he had raped a noblewoman were added to that, House Purity would not have to provide a dowry at all.
Instead, Arwon’s side might be forced to pay compensation.
“I apologize.”
“It will be fortunate if this can be resolved with an apology.”
Consilus released a deep sigh and covered his face with one hand.
After smacking his lips with a grave expression, he spoke again.
“Arwon.”
“Yes, my lord…”
“Can you take responsibility for that woman for the rest of your life?”
“…Pardon? By taking responsibility for her for the rest of my life, do you mean…”
“What other way is there to take responsibility for an innocent maiden?”
“O-Of course, since I sowed the seed, I should reap what I have sown, but I doubt matters will work out so conveniently…”
“Why would they not? I need only adopt you as my son.”
“M-Me?”
Arwon blinked.
Watching him, Ferda was reminded of Malcolm.
Consilus frowned.
“Why are you pretending not to know? Everyone in the knight order is already aware of it.”
“I truly did not know.”
Arwon had often heard the other knights jokingly call him their future young master.
He had naturally assumed it was merely banter among comrades.
Consilus clicked his tongue and turned to Ferda.
“Judging by this fool’s behavior, leaving the estate to him may bring calamity upon the entire Far East. I should simply hand him over to House Purity.”
“I agree.”
“N-No! Please do not abandon me!”
Consilus laughed in disbelief as Arwon panicked at the teasing.
Without wasting any more time, they immediately began the adoption proceedings.
“Arwon de Wolfheart. From this day forward, I adopt you into House Consilus and grant you the right of succession. Regent Ferda Valdrova shall bear witness to this declaration as the Princeps’ representative.”
Arwon drew his sword, laid it on the floor, and answered.
“I, Knight Arwon, swear to protect this land as a knight of the county. I shall honor the wishes of my adoptive father, never disgrace the family name, and bring glory to House Consilus.”
“Have you not already disgraced it?”
Consilus clicked his tongue as he replied mischievously.
“Normally, the succession ceremony should have been far grander, but matters have turned out this way…”
“…I apologize.”
Thus, their relationship changed from lord and retainer to father and son.
Yet nothing between them truly changed.
That was because they had already been as close as father and son.
A short while later, they received word that a group was approaching the Consilus estate.
The banner hanging from their standard bore the crest of House Purity, fluttering in the wind.
***
The concept of nobility in the North differed from that of other countries.
The Alliance of Northern Kingdoms had been formed less than a century ago, and it was only around that time that they had begun adopting familiar noble titles.
For that reason, the legitimacy and lineage of northern nobles were sometimes questioned.
House Purity, however, was a clan of warriors with a long history even within the northern alliance.
In the North, the closer one lived to the great wall, the closer one stood to death.
And warriors who stood closest to death were considered the most honorable.
House Purity was among the most prestigious noble houses in the North.
Those watching their procession from beyond the castle walls could sense it.
The warriors seemed to wear death like cloaks, turning even the warm spring sunlight into frost.
Among the men with black hair and fearsome expressions, one man with graying hair and beard stood out.
He was Valery Purity, the head of House Purity.
A warrior recognized another warrior, and a true warrior was recognized by all.
Though he was now an old man leaning on a cane, everyone knew that he had once stood at the very edge of death.
The most out-of-place person among them was Lady Ludmilla Purity.
Surrounded by grim-faced men, she spotted Arwon and waved at him with a bright smile.
Arwon looked at her with complicated emotions.
“I greet the lord of House Purity, great guardian of the snowy mountains and protector of the allied kingdoms.”
Consilus offered a formal greeting.
The head of House Purity responded with equal courtesy.
“I greet the lord of House Consilus, who protects the Cerdes Continent from the Demonic Lands.”
He then turned his gaze toward Ferda.
“And I finally have the pleasure of meeting Regent Ferda Valdrova.”
“It is an honor to meet you, my lord. This is our first meeting since the Grand Council.”
“We did not exchange so much as a greeting back then. Can that truly be called a meeting?”
“The atmosphere was so murderous that I found myself watching my surroundings.”
“…You made such a groundbreaking declaration, yet you claim you were being cautious. How shameless.”
“So you were watching your surroundings…”
Valery Purity chuckled.
“Let us get to the matter at hand. Whether we decide who lives or dies, we should settle it like nobles, should we not?”
“Indeed. This way, please.”
Count Consilus welcomed them and led them into his manor.
After some casual conversation, Consilus found an opening, patted Arwon on the back, and brought up the subject.
“This young man is Arwon Wolfheart.”
“Hmm…”
A sharp light gleamed beneath Valery’s age-worn eyelids.
Arwon felt a chill run through his entire body.
“Imperial men tend to be unreliable, so I expected him to be some frivolous womanizer. It appears the Far East is different.”
“We live in a place where a single mistake can turn everything into a bloodbath. How could we be the same as those in the central provinces?”
“‘Those in the central provinces’! I like the sound of that!”
Valery laughed heartily.
Consilus joined him with a chuckle before speaking carefully.
“Though he has grown up in this harsh land, Arwon is a young man who believes in chivalry. He holds firmly to the conviction that the elderly, women, and children must be protected.”
It was an indirect way of saying that Arwon was no shameless rapist.
Valery waved his hand dismissively.
“You need not worry. I already know the allegation is false. Nor is this some dishonorable scheme to increase the dowry. Ludmilla told me herself that he is the man she loves.”
“Then why did you make such an accusation…?”
“For health reasons, my eldest son has been handling most of my duties lately. The man standing behind me on the right is my eldest. The one on the left is my second son.”
The enormous warriors who had been introduced offered their greetings.
Their gazes toward Consilus were rough but respectful.
The only looks capable of chilling one’s spine were the ones they directed at Arwon.
It was rather curious.
The two men certainly resembled brothers.
But once Ludmilla was included among them, one could not help wondering whether they were truly related by blood.
“The two brothers seem to treasure their youngest sister.”
“Please understand. My eldest and second daughters both took after me. They were so combative that they often fought even with these hulking brutes. But Ludmilla alone was the very image of her late mother. She embroidered and mended our worn training clothes and even packed our lunches. She was more of a mother to us than our own mother ever was.”
“Please stop saying things like that.”
Ludmilla hid her face in embarrassment.
Consilus chuckled.
“She is a fine young lady with a warm love for her family. I hope matters proceed smoothly toward marriage.”
“I feel the same.”
If the current head of the family had no intention of strongly opposing the match, it meant things would proceed smoothly.
“Speaking of which…”
Valery Purity looked at Arwon.
“Since you will soon become family, may I hear your resolve?”
“My resolve…”
Arwon swallowed hard before answering.
“I will not disgrace the name of my adoptive father, House Consilus, nor that of my future father-in-law, House Purity. I will protect Ludmilla as my lifelong companion.”
“You have spirit, at least.”
Valery nodded in satisfaction.
“I am satisfied, but I cannot say the same for the man who will become the next head of our family.”
Valery glanced over his shoulder.
“You know how slow-witted I am. Unless I test someone with my own body, I cannot understand them at all.”
Igor Purity, the heir to the duchy, grinned and flexed his fingers to loosen his joints.
Crack!
Crack!
“What about you, Second? You use your head a little more, do you not?”
“Perhaps it is because I took an arrow to the head last year, but I also find words rather difficult to understand.”
Sergei Purity, the great warrior, began stretching as well.
Crack!
Pop!
“Is that so? Then…”
Respecting the opinions of his two sons, Valery said,
“Why not allow the future heads of our houses to deepen their friendship?”
“I agree. Would that not be appropriate, future lord of House Consilus?”
Igor wore the face of an incarnation of vengeance risen from hell.
No matter how hard Arwon tried to appear detached, there was no way to overcome the terror approaching him.
“…I will go.”
“…”
“Ha ha! That is how a man should answer!”
“At least his courage passes. This should be an enjoyable ‘conversation.’”
Arwon rose from his seat.
Igor and Sergei placed their hands on his shoulders.
Their hands, each as broad as a pot lid, gripped him as though they intended to crush both shoulders.
Half restrained, Arwon was dragged toward the door.
“Brothers.”
Ludmilla’s voice came like welcome rain after a drought.
Its softness seized control of the icy atmosphere.
“He is going to be my husband, you know?”
“Do not worry, our dear little Ludmilla. Would I ever make you a widow?”
“We will take it easy. Very easy.”
Their voices were as gentle as fathers soothing a daughter.
“You will only treat it like sparring, right?”
“Of course.”
“That is all we will do. Promise.”
Ludmilla’s face brightened after obtaining their promise.
But the warm atmosphere lasted only a moment.
Their gazes toward Arwon still carried a dense killing intent.
“Eastern bumpkin.”
“…Yes.”
“Do you know what sparring is like in the North?”
“…What is it like?”
“A sparring match lasts five minutes. If one person loses consciousness during those five minutes, we start over from the beginning.”
“How many minutes do you think you can endure?”
Arwon squeezed his eyes shut.
He already felt as though he might faint.
Count Consilus and Duke Purity discussed the dowry and adjusted the engagement date.
Ferda was no longer needed for anything beyond that, so he stepped out into the garden and caught his breath while quietly enjoying the spring breeze.
“Regent Valdrova?”
The lovely voice of a woman disturbed his rest.
She greeted him with an innocent smile.
“I am Ludmilla Purity. It is an honor to meet you, Regent Valdrova.”
Ludmilla lifted the hem of her dress slightly and curtsied.
Unlike her two black-haired brothers, she had voluminous brown hair.
She had made a great effort to dress herself in the style of a strong-willed northern woman, but her overall awkwardness stood out far more.
“We do not use the title ‘Regent Valdrova,’ Lady Purity. Please call me Regent Ferda.”
“Ah! I have been discourteous.”
Ludmilla’s face instantly turned bright red as she apologized.
Her embarrassment lasted only briefly before she began speaking again.
“I had a wonderful time at the Spring Festival. Thanks to it, I was able to speak at length with Sir Arwon. Come to think of it, I should have greeted you then, Regent…”
“That is quite all right. Receiving greetings from every single person was exhausting enough. By sparing me one, you merely lightened my burden.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
The conversation came to an abrupt stop.
Just as Ferda was about to savor the silence again—
“And another thing!”
Ludmilla introduced a new topic.
She spoke so cheerfully that it hardly felt as though she were addressing someone of higher rank.
“You looked wonderful dancing with the Princeps!”
Of all the subjects she could have raised, she chose the one he least wished to discuss.
“My dancing that day must have been terrible.”
“No! I nearly cried when I saw how hard you were trying to dance well!”
She had nearly cried after witnessing that disastrous dance?
Was she mocking him?
That should have been Ferda’s first thought, yet Ludmilla’s eyes were genuinely welling with tears.
“The two of you love each other, and you both want so badly to treat each other well. But it seems your feelings do not always reach one another properly. I found it terribly touching.”
“…Thank you.”
“Lady Valdrova did not seem like such a frightening person.”
“Is that so?”
“Have you ever seen Lady Valdrova’s face, Regent Ferda?”
“Twice.”
“What is she like? I imagine she must be very beautiful.”
“She is.”
“I am curious…”
Ludmilla murmured while fidgeting with her fingers.
“I would like to speak with her someday. Living in the North, I rarely had time to talk with other young ladies. Perhaps with the Princeps…”
It might be nice to become friends with her.
Friends.
At that word, Ferda’s mind snapped fully awake.
He whipped his head toward Ludmilla, who quickly covered her mouth.
“Oh dear, I have said something impertinent again. Someone like me could never presume to meet the Princeps…”
“Lady Purity.”
Ferda committed an act of discourtesy himself.
He closed the distance between them and firmly clasped both hands of the woman who was to become Arwon’s fiancée.
With deep longing in his voice, he asked,
“Would you like to meet the Princeps?”
“Pardon?”
“It can be arranged today.”
Ferda had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away.