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(athanasiafrost)
“Original sin?”[1]
I inquired, prompting a slight furrow of Leo’s brows. His black, short hair and golden eyes bore a striking resemblance to Johannes. It made me wonder if Johannes had been truthful when he denied being Leo’s biological father before returning.
But why would Johannes lie? Furthermore, Leo had never referred to Johannes as his father.
“Isn’t that what the Bible talks about?”
Leo responded seriously, displaying a childlike earnestness.
“It signifies a sin that stems from one’s very existence and must be atoned for throughout one’s lifetime.”
“Uh
hmm, I’m aware of that,”
“Blue Ruby
 It is my original sin.”
Johannes had told me. Naturally, I had looked up the meaning of ‘original sin,’ and like Leo, everyone provided a similar answer— an abstract biblical concept with no clear understanding.
How much of his soul had Johannes sold to the temple? Frustration welled up within me, prompting a deep sigh.
“It’s just that a Northerner I know mentioned it
 I wondered if the North had a different interpretation.”
Leo’s head tilted even more curiously at my words.
“Do you have any Northern friends?”
“Hmm
 just someone I’m acquainted with
”
In truth, I could never describe him as a friend. I mumbled as we rode on horseback, the clattering of hooves filling the air.
“He was the sort of person you couldn’t quite figure out.”
Johannes, who had said those words, had disappeared into the whirlwind of time. Now, I would never know the context behind his mention of ‘original sin’. Even if I were to confront Johannes and ask him directly, he would be clueless about it.
That was not the only aspect of Johannes’ personality that had vanished.
The Johannes who had wrapped a bandage around my unharmed ankle, who rode alongside me on horseback and answered my every question, and the Johannes who had diverted the demonic assault and focused its attention on himself— they had all vanished.
They had indeed occurred, but it was like an illusion that only existed in my memory.
leaving behind an unfamiliar man who had claimed me as his wife through a contractual agreement, proposing marriage abruptly.
Suddenly, I realized that returning had a profound sense of loneliness. Knowing the future had brought comfort, but it also burdened me with so many things I had to bear alone.
“Oh?”
Braeden interrupted our conversation.
“That sounds like the Duke.”
That’s very creepy.[2]
Braeden was a gray-haired old knight, over sixty years of age, who had remained loyal to the Duke of Noavik throughout his life. Rumor had it that he had been the swordsmanship teacher of Reina and Johannes. He was usually only in the training grounds, so it was the first time we had ever had a conversation.
“Wow, is it difficult for Master to read the Duke’s thoughts?”
Leo asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity, to which Braeden responded with an big nod.
“That’s right. Perhaps her blood relative, Princess Reina, felt the same.”
I had heard some stories about Reina Noavik. As the original heir to the duchy, she had raised Johannes in place of their parents, who had a significant age gap with Johannes. Later, when war broke out, she had gone to war.
When Johannes turned eight years old, he departed for the capital. In the North, it was customary for direct descendants, rather than successors, to leave the region in search of their true calling, relinquishing the task of managing the territory.
During the last war in the North, Johannes’ parents, along with Reina, had perished in battle. Johannes, who had remained in the capital until the age of nineteen, returned to the North at that time, participated in the war, earned the title of Duke, and came back as a war hero at the age of twenty, accompanied by Leo.
“Even when he was eight years old and defeated the highest-ranking demon in the capital, he didn’t say a word. So many people were eager to hear the story,”
Leo exclaimed with excitement.
“I’m also eight years old, but I don’t think I could ever defeat a higher-level demon!”
(athanasiafrost)
“Ordinarily, no,”
Braeden replied, smiling kindly at Leo before casting his gaze toward the hazy sunset.
“But considering the trials he faced at such a young age
 It wouldn’t have been easy to defend this desolate North during tumultuous times. I believe his reluctance to reveal his true feelings is his way of self-defense. So, don’t be disheartened.”
“I’m not sad!”
Leo protested vehemently, causing me to smile and interject.
“Leo
 Do you truly like the Duke?”
Leo blushed at my words, clearly embarrassed by his true intentions being exposed. No matter how grown-up he acts an eight-year-old is an eight-year-old.
“
 Isn’t Eloise also staying here because she likes the duke?”
“That, that’s right!”
I maintained the convenient pretext that my motive for this questionable marriage was my affection for Johannes. It was a simple excuse that required no further explanation. Braeden smiled at my response.
“”Hahaha, that’s fortunate. There is nothing more remarkable in the North than the face of the Duke.”
“Why do you say that?”
I rolled my eyes, unable to comprehend their perspective. While it was true that Johannes possessed a remarkable face, it was also the very aspect I detested the most. I listed off the outstanding qualities of the North on my fingers.
“First and foremost, I appreciate the perpetually cloudy weather. I enjoy the diet with fewer vegetables, and I prefer the thick, modest attire with minimal adornments.”
As I spoke, the knights traveling with us began to glance at me with confused expressions. Although I was entirely sincere in my remarks, their reactions were rather absurd.
“It’s incredibly heartening that people here possess such kindness.”
“We, we are kind?”
People in the north are famous for being blunt, so Braeden asked back as if he was surprised, but I answered firmly.
“Yes. Everyone is always concerned about my well-being.”
“That’s
hmm.”
Braeden refrained from refuting my statement, likely because I was the weakest person in the North. However, from my perspective, it marked the first time in my life that I had received such genuine care, leaving an indelible impression.
Who else would worry about me when demons frequently appeared?
“Regardless, I’m not here solely because I admire the Duke.”
“Are you serious, madam? My mouth is heavy.[3] You can speak freely.”
In fact, Braeden was an old man who was quite trustworthy. I answered with pensive eyes.
“At first, I was captivated by the Duke’s appearance and came here desiring to become the Duchess
 The North holds an inexplicable charm for me. The moderate indifference among people, the absence of prying questions— this is the place I had always dreamed of. In the South, people talk a lot, and I was tired.”
I haven’t been there for long, but the South really didn’t suit me. With such a sociable atmosphere and the status of being Zion’s younger sister, there were many people who would talk to me about 50,000 different things just by walking down the street.
I’m still unaccustomed to socializing with ordinary people, and I keep slipping up at odd points, so it was hard to have that kind of overflowing social conversations.
In comparison, how comfortable the North is! The North’s blunt mannerisms were rather comforting to me. Even if I were to make a slip of the tongue, people here would say, ‘That’s the North for you
,’ and it genuinely feels good.
As I nodded earnestly, the knights surrounding us all cleared their throats, seemingly embarrassed about something.
“Heh heh, please understand my embarrassment.”
Braeden said with a friendly smile.
“We’ve never been praised by outsiders for being such a great place to live. It’s refreshing to hear, even though we know it isn’t the case when viewed objectively.”
I hadn’t intended to praise them, but it appeared to be a more favorable response than a negative one, so I returned a grin. Braeden continued.
“At any rate, it’s quite fortunate that there are numerous admirable qualities besides the Duke.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“Regardless, the Duke won’t be in the Duchy for long
”
Braeden’s laughter held a hint of bitterness.
“
Because he is too careless with someone else’s feelings. I’ve always thought a passionless marriage would suit the Duke well.”
Upon hearing those words, I fell into contemplation, lowering my eyes. I knew precisely what Braeden was referring to.
I had only encountered Johannes twice formally— during the marriage proposal and the wedding. And on all those occasions, Johannes wore the same countenance.
A composed yet aloof expression, seemingly indifferent to the world around him. He was polite and chivalrous, but he exuded an air of impenetrable fortitude.
While he was reasonable and respectful, his words could be arrogant and cutting. I recalled the eyes that never allowed deep connections, and a subtle shudder ran through me. Beyond the fact that he was my pursuer, there was an aura of intimidation surrounding him.
‘But
 .’
I had seen his face contort strangely just before his departure. It was an expression of utter confusion and complete loss of composure. That face was now etched in my memory. For a brief moment, I recollected that expression, and Leo raised his chin with pride, speaking earnestly.
“That’s right.”
Leo even extended a finger emphatically.
“For the Duke, the ‘Blue Ruby’ is always the top priority. No one can surpass it. If you try to compete with it, you’ll only end up miserable. So don’t like the duke too much.”
To that, Braeden nodded as if agreeing.
“That’s right.”
It wasn’t as though they were attempting to distress me. Instead, their words indicated genuine concern and care.
“What kind of woman in love would handle this situation? To the Duke, you will always play second fiddle to the ‘Blue Ruby’. If you hold him too close to your heart, you’ll likely endure constant pain because of it.”
I released a light sigh. It was undeniable that the indifferent husband had placed me at the very bottom of his priorities.
(athanasiafrost)
[1] ì›ìŁ„(won-jeh) – It’s a Christian doctrine. Since Adam and Even sinned, their predecessor will be born as imperfect or with an ‘original sin’.
[2] Actually the word used here is ‘ghost’. I’m not too sure if it means what he ‘said’ was creepy like seeing a ghost, or she is actually describing Braeden ‘like’ a ghost.
[3] A proverb meaning a promise once made must be kept.