NRAL | Chapter 138

Chapter 138

A Reason Not to Give Up

From early morning, a slow autumn rain had been falling, and the weather suddenly turned chilly.

The Royster knights and servants moved busily through the cold wind, loading a considerable amount of luggage neatly onto the carriages.

“Of all days, it just had to rain on the day we leave! Ugh, what a miserable sky! Well, once we get to Royster, we can finally say goodbye to this gloomy weather, right?”

Hilda let out a sigh as she looked at the pouring rain, then draped a warm outer coat over Eleanor’s shoulders.

“I’m fine, it’s not that cold…”

“And what if you catch a cold and collapse?! What am I supposed to do then!”

She had always been overly concerned about her lady’s health, but after the Hunting Festival incident, Hilda had become even more protective. Feeling guilty, Eleanor simply followed her words without protest.

She had become used to this kind of treatment now. Hilda wasn’t the only one who treated her as if she might collapse at any moment.

“Eleanor.”

Speak of the devil—through the pouring rain, the person who protected her the most walked into the mansion.

“There you are. It’s cold today—why aren’t you sitting near the fireplace?”

Karsian approached her, shaking the water from his hair, his voice full of concern.

Even though he had used an umbrella, he was soaked. Drops of water slid down his jet-black hair and long eyelashes, and his clothes, damp and clinging to his firm body, only emphasized his build.

Eleanor subconsciously swallowed. She had never realized a rain-soaked person could look so… sensual.

“Aren’t you cold, Karsian? Dry yourself quickly, you’ll catch a cold.”

“…Me?”

Holding the towel Eleanor handed him, Karsian blinked as though he had heard something unbelievable.

Even though anyone could catch a cold, he acted as if colds only happened to fragile, weak people.

“What, if someone has a lot of muscles, does that mean they can’t get sick?”

“Well… it’s just… I’m not used to anyone worrying about me. As you can see, my appearance tends to make me look too sturdy.”

That was true. Aside from his handsome face, his whole impression was powerful, intimidating, and his body was so tall and solid that it was hard to imagine him ever lying sick in bed.

“But I worry about you. So please let me help with the preparations. I feel awkward just standing here doing nothing.”

“That’s not allowed.”

Karsian refused firmly. He would agree to any other request—but not this one.

How could he let her carry luggage with that pale, delicate body of hers? And in the cold rain at that?

Regardless of her noble or common status, it was unthinkable. If a day ever came when he allowed such a thing… he should bite off his own tongue and die. That would be proof that he had gone insane enough to lose basic judgment.

“Anyway, could you come with me for a moment? There’s someone I want to introduce to you.”

Before Eleanor could insist further, he quickly changed the subject.

Seeing him hurry deeper into the mansion made Eleanor let out a small laugh.

He normally never walked ahead of her—so for him to move so quickly, he must really hate the idea of her helping. She understood it instantly.

Still, it wasn’t a lie that there was someone to introduce. Soon Karsian returned with a tall man at his side.

The man was familiar to Eleanor.

A knight who seemed to be of mixed foreign blood. She had seen him before in Declan Street when she was chased by criminals—he was with Karsian then. And since then, she had often seen him accompanying the Grand Duke.

“Introduce yourself.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The large man, nearly Karsian’s size, knelt on one knee and greeted Eleanor with perfect discipline.

“It is an honor to meet you properly. I am Russell Cowre, a knight who has long served His Grace directly. I look forward to serving you.”

“Oh… yes. I look forward to working with you too.”

Eleanor gave an awkward smile as she looked down at him.

She had heard plenty about Russell while staying here—he was something of a celebrity within the Grand Duke’s estate.

Russell was known as one of the strongest knights in all of Royster, and with skill great enough to work just below Karsian, it was no wonder.

But among the servants, he became popular not because of his skill. His light-colored hair and darker skin—traits of his mixed heritage—caught attention, but even more noticeable was his handsome face. A good-looking knight was always an object of admiration.

As a result, the maids were split into two factions: the “Russell is the best” group and the “Ernst is better” group.

If Ernst had delicate, beautiful features, Russell had a sturdy, masculine charm. Despite his busy schedule, he always carried a warm smile and treated everyone kindly, regardless of their status.

But the one person he didn’t smile at?

Eleanor.

“Russell is one of the three subordinates I trust most. You’ll be seeing him often, so feel free to command him as you wish. I’ll introduce you to the other two once we reach Royster.”

Karsian spoke gently, and Russell slightly lifted his eyes toward Eleanor. Unlike how he treated others, his lips were pressed into a stiff, unreadable line.

‘As expected, he doesn’t seem to like me very much.’

She already knew, so Eleanor wasn’t bothered.

In fact, it wasn’t just him. Everyone in Royster would likely feel the same. Especially those who admired Karsian.

How many sacrifices had Karsian made because of her? Even when he was extremely busy, he had traveled back and forth countless times just to see her, handled trouble after trouble on her behalf, and protected her while she fainted.

For loyal subordinates, it must be frustrating to see their master put himself through so much… for a “fake noble lady.”

‘If only I were still a fake noble daughter, it would be better…’

If she had remained an adopted daughter of Astria, she would have at least a minimal noble status. But after the Hunting Festival incident, her adoption had been annulled, and now she was no different from a commoner. No, even lower—she didn’t even know her birth parents and had grown up in an orphanage.

Her public reputation was also sharply divided. Some pitied her for the long-term abuse she suffered under her father, but most nobles saw her as the wicked woman who dared to destroy the family that took her in.

The people of Royster would likely feel the same—probably leaning heavily toward the latter.

So Eleanor being disliked by Karsian’s people was practically guaranteed.

When he asked her to come with him to Royster, she had already predicted much of this. And after long consideration, she had chosen to accept it anyway—because she wanted to be with him.

If she said she wasn’t worried about how people would treat her, it would be a lie. But Eleanor felt she could endure it.

Unlike before, she wasn’t alone. Now she had people who cared for her and loved her.

With that thought, she finished greeting Russell.

“Ugh, can you stop nagging already?! It’s not even that much!”

When she returned, Hilda’s complaining voice could be heard.

A large pile of luggage was in front of her, and next to it stood Ernst with his arms crossed, looking displeased. It seemed he had scolded her for bringing too much.

“You’re the one who makes people nag! How are you going to carry all of this…!”

“Well, you should carry it for me, of course!”

“Why would I carry—”

“What, is a big strong knight unable to carry this much? Think about it! If I hurt myself carrying it all and can’t serve my lady properly, will you take responsibility? Will you?!”

“Lower your voice, people are staring.”

“Sir Ernst, are you embarrassed of me? Wow, I didn’t think you were that kind of person…”

As Hilda continued scolding him, Ernst shut his eyes tightly.

Never in his life had a maid treated him this way. In the past, other maids either respected him due to his status or admired his looks.

But Hilda treated him like an older brother—fearlessly at that. At first it was absurd, but over time, Ernst grew comfortable with her—more than with an actual sibling.

In other words, if no one was watching, he’d like to smack her on the head.

“Sir Ernst, Hilda. Is something wrong?”

“Nothing, my lady. Are you feeling well? Any discomfort?”

As soon as Eleanor approached, Ernst transformed into a gentleman who felt no such violent urges.

Hilda stretched out her upper lip and mimicked his polite expression. That too made him want to smack her.

“I’m fine. Oh, Karsian said we’re leaving soon.”

“Yes, my lady. I already loaded your luggage. I only need to carry this now. I’ll be back in a moment.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Ernst bowed and lifted Hilda’s luggage with ease, heading out into the rain.

As he approached the carriage, he noticed Royster knights glancing at him.

He could easily tell they also looked down on him and Eleanor. They wouldn’t dare show it openly because of their lord, but the subtle disregard was unmistakable.

If he could follow his heart, he’d challenge every rude man here to a duel for daring to cast disrespectful eyes on his lady.

But Ernst restrained himself. Eleanor was trying to settle into Royster peacefully, and for that, both he and Hilda needed to be cautious.

‘If that man has any sense, he’ll handle this himself.’

Ernst narrowed his eyes and looked toward Karsian, who was leading preparations in the rain.

So far, everything the Grand Duke had done met Ernst’s standards.

Karsian treasured Eleanor more than anyone and cared for her with great attention. That was why Ernst had quietly given up his own feelings.

But if the Grand Duke’s attitude ever changed—

If he ever caused tears to fall from his precious lady’s eyes—

‘Then I will have no reason to hold back.’

Ernst clenched his fist tightly as he stared at Karsian.

His green eyes shone faintly beneath the autumn rain.