Lately, the atmosphere around the castle was on edge, filled with strange anxiety, gloom, and fear.
The Castle of Luvia. It was just a forlorn castle that stood in the middle of an abandoned land after the passage of their Lord in a battle that wrought nothing but despair to the populace of Luvia, facing their imminent death. However, in those desperate times, and much to their surprise, it got a new owner when the Lord's daughter, Lady Adrienne, married a Duke - Aamon Von Soren.
It was a cause for celebration for the residents of Luvia, for they were not abandoned now. Being on the Northern border of the Empire and without a Lord was not a good omen. Left to their own means earlier to fend off the monsters and demons, they were now under the protection of a Duke - a much more powerful position compared to their previous Lord.
And their joy doubled when the Duke came to the countryside to spend some time with the Lady until it happened. Aamon Von Soren went on a monster expedition with the Knight's Order and got injured.
Now, with the new Lord recuperating from his injuries, everybody was tensed, including the maids and the knights - the knights even more so because they failed to protect their Lord.
"It's quiet, so eerie even after so many people… doesn't this make you feel anxious?"
"Shush… don't talk nonsense lest someone hears it."
"Yeah, you are right. It's still good though that our Lord is okay."
"I agree. Who knows what would have happened if the knights would have found him a little later? Just the thought of it gives me chills."
The maids were chatting about the events of the past few days.
The unusual calm was unsettling for the castle's maids and servants, but they were able to adjust after a few days.
. . .
In a neat castle room, a handsome man with a disheveled face lay there. His hair gleamed gently like a dark crystal, his eyes closed, and his fine, white face and straight, intellectual features were peaceful today albeit a bit pale.
The room was silent, a hollow, echoing quiet. The only sound in this space was the crackling of embers in the hearth, a faint orange hue illuminating the room and those within. The radiance illuminated the figure of a woman, with auburn hair, sitting near the man. Her eyes were somber and distant, yet they held an inexplicable emotion.
In the midst of this quiet, Aamon awoke from the hazy darkness and recovered consciousness. He flinched and opened his eyes, noticing a light source, and became alert at once. This was his instinct honed for years since he was in a deadly battle before.
In the following instant, he groaned as he felt acute agony throughout his entire body. He still had a dull throbbing in his brain, presumably from mana depletion, and his body felt like it was crumbling, his muscles felt like they were tearing apart.
His final recollection of memory was his final moments with the MistSoul where he fell down…fell down? In the next moment, his mind jolted into working as he looked around, cautiously. The first thing that he saw was a clear ceiling and heard the cracklings of fire.
"You are awake."
A voice. Another person's voice. He clearly wasn't alone here. He groaned as he forced himself to look around. As his eyesight cleared up a bit, he could make out a lovely, round face covering his line of sight. He looked at this individual, who had sparkling auburn hair and clear jade eyes - a face reminiscent of spring.
"So you brought me back?" Aamon spoke with considerable difficulty. The presence of Adrienne, his wife, brought comfort to him.
There was no gratitude in his voice, and Adrienne didn't expect it either. He remembered the sequence of events from the last fight and put up with the discomfort as he forced himself to sit up. When he finally exhaled fully, he asked, "How long was I out for?"
"Two days. The Knights panicked when they didn't find you in your tent and sent a search party. One of them found you in the woods, unconscious," replied Adrienne as he carefully scrutinized his state. He was covered in sweat and earlier, she heard him groaning and his body trembling. This was a sight she had never seen before.
The might Duke Aamon of House Soren, writhing in pain and agony - she was the first and the only one to bear witness to it.
"Are you pitying me now? You?" A weak mocking sound once again filled the otherwise silent room. Adrienne brought her eyes to look the man in the face and replied, "I don't dare, My Lord." Her voice was calm, yet he could sense a hint of sarcasm in it.
"Hahaha. Your spirit is as strong as ever, I see," Aamon said weakly, his lips upturning into a smile, "Enjoy while it lasts, for you shall forever be bound to me."
Smirking, he loosened his body and lay down on the best. His consciousness fading due to weakness, he went to sleep again.
Adrienne, on the other hand, watched his calmly resting face, lost in her own deep thoughts.
* * *
Winters in the North were brutal. The fierce dry winds would pierce one's clothing and sear like blades stabbing into bones.
In the vast expanse of white, a large castle stood in the distance. It appeared magnificent and formidable at first glance, with soaring towers rising over the giant walls. However, upon closer inspection, the gloomy castle exhibited minimal human activity, like a desolate one.
A solitary figure stood on the castle walls. This was her home, where she had lived her whole life. Her clear eyes contained an inexplicable emotion but her face had a cold look.
"My Lady, it's not good for your health to stay in the cold wind like this." A maid stood near her, concern visible on her face.
After looking at the maid for some time, she finally said, "I'm just taking a walk. You don't have to worry. Also, don't follow me." Her voice was very soft, a stark contrast to the harsh weather outside.
"But My Lady, t-...... Yes, My Lady." The maid, hesitant at first, nodded and left. Adrienne watched her back as she walked away.
She too soon left, to see her home, for she had come here after a long time.