Chapter – 12
Reneb recognized him immediately.
Back when she was the Empress, he had visited Paradium several times as a diplomat from Bashker.
During those visits, Reneb herself had received him. With an intrigued look in her eyes, she studied Icar.
Now that the real Duhan had appeared, what would Icar call him?
“This is… Bain. You could say he’s the Emperor’s secretary.”
“Ah…”
What a situation.
The moment the real Duhan’s name became Bain, his expression turned bizarre.
But it only lasted a moment.
Not completely oblivious, Duhan looked at Icar as if silently asking for an explanation.
Icar had decided to pretend he didn’t know the truth, but Reneb, fully aware of it, couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from twitching.
“Pleased to meet you, Sir Bain. I am Reneb of Seiren.”
“Nice to meet you… Secretary Bain of His Majesty the Emperor.”
Duhan looked at Icar as if asking, “Is this okay now?”
“Go on,” Icar said, ignoring Duhan, and led the way.
Reneb looked at Duhan with a pitying gaze before following.
Dozens of well-built men surrounded the carriage Reneb had arrived in.
Reneb assumed they were Bashker’s elite warriors.
No matter how skilled Icar was in combat, the Emperor would never come alone into enemy territory.
Yet the difference between what could be seen and what could not was clear.
It made the enemy underestimate them.
Imagining them blending into the crowd of Paradium unnoticed sent shivers down her spine.
As Reneb pondered this, Icar whispered something to Duhan.
Duhan nodded, gave instructions to the knights, and then approached Reneb.
“From here, the road will be rough, so you will need to ride a horse. The carriage you arrived in will be sent back to the Marquis’ estate.”
“Rough road?”
Reneb tilted her head in confusion. The previous path hadn’t seemed any different from the one ahead.
“And for a moment, you’ll need to use this.”
Duhan handed her a long, thin black cloth. Reneb stepped back, startled.
‘Are they trying to tie me up? Now?’
Noticing her apprehension, Duhan added with an awkward smile:
“Don’t worry. It’s just a simple blindfold.”
Hiding her unease, Reneb covered her eyes with the black cloth.
“Is this fine?”
“Thank you for cooperating.”
After walking a short distance while guided by Duhan, Reneb’s anxiety rose—until he spoke again.
“You may remove the blindfold now.”
“…!”
When she removed it, Reneb’s eyes widened at the completely transformed landscape.
The barren land, without a single blade of grass, looked almost like a desert.
“Did you use teleportation magic?” Reneb asked, dazed.
Icar nodded.
“You know your stuff.”
She had felt a slight sense of déjà vu while walking; that must have been the moment of spatial movement.
‘A journey that would take two weeks by carriage crossed in an instant.’
Reneb felt anew the gap between Paradium and Bashker.
Three black horses galloped across the desolate land, their manes streaming.
Bashker knights rode behind them, stirring up pale dust.
Pointing to a distant city, Duhan said:
“This marks the beginning of Bashker Empire’s territory.”
“Bashker is a prosperous place,” Reneb remarked.
Icar lifted his chin arrogantly, proud of the city he had built.
“Of course. Considering it’s an education trip, it’s only natural it surpasses Paradium.”
“On the surface, at least,” Reneb thought, swallowing her next words and tugging her reins.
“It’s dangerous if you run too far ahead; please follow our pace,” Duhan warned.
Since she was unfamiliar with Bashker, it was best to obey the guide.
“Alright. But Duhan…”
Reneb slowed her horse and turned her head.
“What is it?”
“Yes,”
Both Icar and Duhan answered simultaneously. Reneb bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.
Icar furrowed his brows slightly at Duhan, who, momentarily embarrassed, quickly spoke to smooth things over.
“Why do you ask?”
Reneb, barely holding back laughter, asked:
“How much longer until we reach the Imperial Palace?”
“At this pace, we should arrive at the Julbern Marquisate in the eastern part of Bashker by evening.”
“I’ve sent a messenger bird that we’ll be visiting the Marquisate, so we can rest comfortably today. Very warm and cozy,” Icar added, turning toward Reneb with a wry smile.
It was obvious he was teasing her about the cave incident. Reneb ignored it, keeping her gaze forward.
“You didn’t get much rest, Duhan?”
“Of course not. Someone’s hands kept wandering since morning,” he replied.
Watching Reneb and Icar’s bickering, Duhan tilted his head.
Though she was the daughter of a prestigious family, she was remarkably casual with the Emperor.
Yet the Emperor seemed to have no objections, and Duhan believed there must be an important reason for his actions.
‘Perhaps His Majesty wants to personally monitor something suspicious about Lady Seiren,’ he thought.
Upon arriving at Julbern Marquis’ castle, a woman about Reneb’s age came to greet them.
“I am Selma of Julbern. I received your notice via messenger bird and have been waiting for you two.”
Bowling from their horses, Icar and Duhan were met with Selma’s polite bow.
“You must have been surprised by the sudden visit. Thank you for your hospitality, Marquis Selma.”
“We’ll ensure you have a comfortable rest. Please, follow me to your quarters,” Selma said, guiding Reneb.
Reneb glanced around the castle as she followed.
The gray stone interior, unpainted and simple, gave off a cool aura. There were no elaborate wall paintings or decorations.
However, the fact that they owned a castle and Selma wore an expensive dress indicated the Julbern family was quite wealthy.
“You must be Duhan, yes? I recognized you immediately from your dark blonde hair,” Selma said, walking alongside Duhan.
“I am Bain. This is Sir Duhan,” he corrected, pointing to Icar.
Selma’s gaze bounced between the two, bewildered.
“I hear that dyeing hair is fashionable in Paradium now,” Icar lied casually.
“Oh… you dyed your hair when you were in Paradium!” Selma exclaimed, clearly keeping up with trends.
Throughout the tour, Reneb noticed Selma frequently glanced at Icar.
‘Could this be love at first sight?’ she wondered.
Their eyes briefly met, and Icar furrowed his brows slightly.
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Why? At what?”
Reneb shook her head as if nothing happened.
Selma stopped and gestured to Reneb.
“Lady Seiren, this room will be yours,” she said.
“Thank you, my lady,” Reneb replied with a thin smile, one she had practiced countless times in front of a mirror when she was Empress.
She lightly bowed and stepped into the bedroom.
Once the door closed, Selma gasped in admiration.
“Wow… truly elegant. Are all Paradium ladies this refined?”
Icar raised a brow, murmuring lowly:
“I never expected her to have this side.”
Selma blinked at his comment. Duhan politely interjected:
“After a long journey from Paradium, we need rest. Would you guide me and Sir Duhan to our rooms as well?”
Selma, momentarily hesitant, quickly led the way.
“Oh! My goodness, Bain, follow me,” she said.
Reneb, glancing at the bedroom door briefly, followed Icar.
Since returning, Reneb had resolved not to care about other people’s opinions. Yet old habits die hard.
She had tried not to appear inferior to noble ladies just moments ago.
“If you need anything, call for me anytime, Lady.”
The maid bowed. Reneb gave a faint smile and nodded.
After the maid left, Reneb surveyed the bedroom.
The bed and minimal furniture were simple, but more than adequate.
She had barely rested during the journey, so she sank into a slightly firm sofa that supported her back and closed her eyes.
She mentally organized what was to come.
Though the first princess had a minor role in the original story, Reneb could infer one thing:
‘The first residence would be the Flower Garden.’
The Flower Garden was reserved for women of exceptional beauty or artistic talent—essentially, a harem for the Emperor.
Because she had stayed there, the first princess was never seriously considered for marriage proposals. The prejudice was that she was a plaything for a foreign Emperor.
But reality had changed.
After Icar ascended the throne, the Flower Garden became a salon.
Nobles and imperial guests exchanged knowledge about academia, business, politics, and society there.
Reneb had volunteered for this assignment, knowing what to expect.
She was about to consider other important matters when a knock interrupted her thoughts.
“Lady, I’m here to help with your bath.”
“Come in.”
Reneb handed herself over to the maids, who bathed her and dressed her.
Though not quite as refined as in Paradium, she now carried the poise of a noble lady.
“There she is,” Selma said from the dining room, smiling at Reneb.
Reneb returned a small wave and made her way to her seat, while Icar, resting his chin on his hand with a bored expression, looked up at her, his red eyes widening slightly.
