Chapter 177: House Purity

There was a reason the Festival of the Beginning of Spring was jokingly called a zoo.

Out of a gathering of roughly five hundred people, there would be well over a hundred cases of adultery happening right under everyone's noses.

By unspoken rule, whatever happened that day stayed buried.

Once people started talking about it, everything would spiral into something hopelessly messy and disgraceful.

Which also meant that if someone did start talking about it, things were about to become very messy indeed.

Ferda read the letter that had arrived at the Consilus County.

Though it was filled with formal language, its contents could be summarized in a simple and chilling sentence.

Arwen Wolfheart, a knight of Count Consilus, had allegedly violated Lyudmila Purity, the third daughter of House Purity.

To verify the matter, representatives of House Purity were already on their way to Count Consilus's castle.

"Is it true?"

Ferda slowly lifted his eyes from the letter.

The man standing before him like a condemned criminal answered with difficulty.

"...It isn't."

"You mean you never had relations with her?"

"We did... but... it was completely consensual."

"I figured as much."

He wasn't being sarcastic.

Having seen both Arwen and Lyudmila together, Ferda simply couldn't imagine either of them forcing the other.

So why had House Purity chosen to make such an accusation?

"Their objective seems to be something else. What do you think it is?"

"The dowry."

When noble families married off their daughters, it was customary for them to provide a dowry.

Since the husband assumed responsibility for his household after the marriage, it was considered only natural.

But nothing in the world was truly fair.

The amount of the dowry varied according to rank and circumstances.

The lower the groom's family stood compared to the bride's, or the more blame the groom bore, the smaller the dowry became.

At present, Arwen was nothing more than a frontier knight.

Add an accusation of assaulting a noble lady, and instead of receiving a dowry, he would be expected to pay compensation.

"...I'm sorry."

"It'll be fortunate if an apology is all this costs."

Count Consilus let out a long sigh and rubbed his face.

After clicking his tongue, he looked at Arwen.

"Arwen."

"Yes, Your Excellency..."

"Can you take responsibility for Lady Lyudmila for the rest of your life?"

"...Pardon? By responsibility, do you mean..."

"How else does a man take responsibility for an innocent young lady?"

"O-Of course, if the child is mine, then I should accept responsibility... but I don't think it'll be that simple..."

"And why wouldn't it be? I can simply adopt you into my family."

"...Adopt... me?"

Arwen blinked repeatedly.

Looking at him, Ferda couldn't help but be reminded of Malcolm.

Consilus frowned.

"Why are you pretending not to know? Everyone in the knight order already knows."

"I honestly had no idea."

The other knights had often teased Arwen by calling him the future young master.

He had always assumed it was nothing more than harmless joking.

Clicking his tongue, Consilus turned to Ferda.

"Judging by this fool's expression, if I leave the county to him like this, the Far East will suffer greatly. Perhaps I should simply hand him over to House Purity instead."

"I agree."

"N-No! Please don't abandon me!"

Watching Arwen panic over the playful joke, Consilus burst into laughter.

Without wasting another moment, they immediately carried out the adoption ceremony.

"Arwen the Wolfheart. As of today, I adopt you into House Consilus and grant you succession rights. Regent Ferda Valdrova, acting as the representative of the Grand Duchess, shall bear witness to this."

Drawing his sword, Arwen laid it flat upon the floor before answering.

"I, Knight Arwen, swear to protect this territory as a knight of the county. I shall honor my adoptive father's will, preserve my family's name, and bring it glory."

"Haven't you already dragged its name through the mud?"

Consilus teased him with a grin before sighing.

"Normally, the succession ceremony would have been much grander... but circumstances are what they are."

"...I'm sorry."

Though their relationship had officially changed from lord and vassal to father and son, nothing else really changed.

They had already been as close as family.

Not long afterward, word arrived that a delegation was approaching Count Consilus's territory.

The banner fluttering above them bore the crest of House Purity.

***

The concept of nobility in the North differed greatly from that of other nations.

The Northern Kingdom Alliance had existed for less than a century, and noble titles had only begun to be adopted around that time.

Because of that, many questioned the legitimacy of northern noble bloodlines.

House Purity, however, was different.

It was a family of warriors whose history stretched deep into the past.

The closer one lived to the northern wall, the closer one lived to death.

And among northerners, warriors who lived closest to death were considered the most honorable.

House Purity stood among the most honored noble houses of the North.

Watching their procession pass beyond the walls, everyone felt the same thing.

They carried death around them like cloaks.

Even the warm spring sunlight seemed to turn to frost in their presence.

Among the grim-faced warriors with black hair stood an elderly man with streaks of white in his hair and beard.

It was Valeri Purity, head of House Purity.

Warriors recognized warriors.

True warriors were recognized by everyone.

Though he now leaned upon a staff, everyone knew he had once stood at death's very edge.

The most out-of-place person in the delegation was Lady Lyudmila Purity.

Standing among those terrifying men, she spotted Arwen and cheerfully waved at him.

Seeing her, Arwen felt a flood of complicated emotions.

"I greet the Guardian of the Great Snow Mountains, Lord of House Purity of the United Kingdom Alliance."

Consilus offered the formal greeting.

Valeri responded politely.

"And I greet Lord Consilus, who protects the Cerdes Continent from the Land of Demons."

His gaze then shifted to Ferda.

"And Regent Ferda Valdrova as well."

"It is good to see you again, Lord Purity. This is our first meeting since the Grand Ducal Council."

"We never even exchanged greetings then. Can that really be called meeting?"

"The atmosphere was rather murderous. I found it difficult to approach anyone."

"You were watching your surroundings? Coming from the man who made such revolutionary remarks, that's remarkably shameless."

Valeri chuckled.

"Come. Let us speak inside. Even if we're discussing life and death, we're still nobles. We should settle matters like nobles."

"Indeed. This way."

Count Consilus led his guests into the manor.

After exchanging casual conversation for a while, Consilus patted Arwen's back.

"This young man here is Arwen Wolfheart."

"Hmm..."

Beneath Valeri's aged eyelids shone razor-sharp eyes.

Arwen felt a chill run through his entire body.

"I expected another smooth-talking imperial pretty boy. It seems the Far East breeds different men."

"When one mistake can turn the land into a sea of blood, how could we resemble those soft people from the Central Region?"

"'People from the Central Region!' Ha! I like that."

Valeri roared with laughter.

Laughing alongside him, Consilus carefully continued.

"Although he grew up in harsh surroundings, Arwen truly believes in chivalry. He has always believed that knights exist to protect the elderly, women, and children."

It was his indirect way of saying that Arwen was not the sort of scoundrel who would assault a woman.

Valeri simply waved his hand dismissively.

"There's no need to worry. We already know the accusation isn't true. Nor was it some underhanded trick to reduce the dowry. Lyudmila herself told us she loves him."

"If that's the case... why make such an accusation?"

"My health has declined recently, so my eldest son has been handling family affairs. The man standing behind me on my right is him. The one on my left is my second son."

The two towering warriors bowed.

Though their gazes toward Consilus were fierce, they remained respectful.

The murderous looks directed at Arwen, however, were another matter entirely.

It was rather fascinating.

The two brothers certainly resembled each other.

But when Lyudmila stood beside them, one almost wondered whether they were truly related by blood.

"So the two brothers treasure their younger sister dearly?"

"Please understand. My eldest and second daughters both took after me. They were so fierce they often fought these big lugs. But Lyudmila... she was exactly like her late mother. She embroidered and repaired our worn training uniforms. Packed our lunches. She was more of a mother to us than their actual mother."

"Please don't say things like that..."

Lyudmila hid her blushing face in embarrassment.

Consilus chuckled.

"She sounds like a truly wonderful young lady. It would be nice if this marriage proceeds without incident."

"I agree."

If the current head of House Purity approved, everything would proceed smoothly.

"Which brings me to something."

Valeri looked toward Arwen.

"If you're about to become family, would you let us hear your resolve?"

"My resolve..."

Arwen swallowed hard.

"I will never disgrace the name of my adoptive father, House Consilus, nor that of my future father-in-law, House Purity. And I will protect Lyudmila as my lifelong partner."

"Your spirit is admirable."

Valeri nodded in satisfaction.

"I'm satisfied. But I can't speak for the future head of the family."

He glanced behind him.

"You know me. Never was much good with thinking. Unless I settle things with my fists, I understand nothing."

The heir, Igor Purity, grinned while cracking his knuckles.

Crack!

"And what about you, second son? Surely you've got more brains?"

"Maybe that arrow I took to the head last year knocked them out. Talking alone doesn't help me understand either."

The great warrior Sergei Purity stretched as his joints cracked loudly.

Crack!

"Is that so? Then..."

Valeri smiled warmly.

"How about the future heads of two great houses spend some time... getting acquainted?"

"I approve. Isn't that right, future Lord Consilus?"

Igor smiled with the face of an avenging demon risen straight from hell.

No matter how hard Arwen tried to appear calm, there was no overcoming the terror approaching him.

"...I'll go."

"Hahaha! That's the spirit!"

"You've got guts. This is going to be a very enjoyable... conversation."

Arwen stood.

Igor and Sergei each placed a massive hand upon one of his shoulders.

Their grip felt powerful enough to crush bone.

Half-dragged, Arwen was escorted toward the door.

"Brothers."

Like rain after a drought, Lyudmila's gentle voice echoed behind them.

Her soft tone instantly calmed the icy atmosphere.

"He's going to become my husband."

"Don't worry. Our tiny, precious Lyudmila. Do you think I'd make you a widow?"

"We'll take it easy. Just enough."

They spoke with the gentleness of fathers soothing their daughter.

"So... just like a sparring match?"

"Of course."

"Just that much. Promise."

Only after extracting their promise did Lyudmila finally smile.

The warm atmosphere lasted only a moment.

The murderous intent in the brothers' eyes when they looked at Arwen remained unchanged.

"You country bumpkin from the East."

"...Yes."

"Do you know how sparring works in the North?"

"...How?"

"Five minutes. If someone gets knocked unconscious within those five minutes, we start over from the beginning."

"..."

"So... how many minutes do you think you'll last?"

Arwen shut his eyes tightly.

He already felt like passing out.

***

While Count Consilus and Duke Purity discussed the dowry and finalized the engagement date, Ferda had nothing more to contribute.

He stepped into the garden, quietly enjoying the warm spring sunlight.

"Regent Valdrova?"

A gentle feminine voice interrupted his peaceful rest.

She greeted him with a bright smile.

"I am Lyudmila Purity. It is an honor to meet you, Regent Valdrova."

Holding up the edge of her dress slightly, Lyudmila curtsied.

Unlike her black-haired brothers, she had voluminous brown hair.

Though she had clearly dressed herself to project the image of a strong northern lady, there was an unmistakable awkward innocence about her.

"We don't use the title 'Regent Valdrova,' Lady Purity. Please call me Regent Ferda."

"Ah! My apologies. That was terribly rude of me."

Her face flushed bright red.

After recovering from her embarrassment, she spoke cheerfully again.

"I had such a wonderful time at this year's Festival of the Beginning of Spring. Thanks to it, I was able to spend so much time talking with Sir Arwen. Come to think of it, I should have greeted you back then..."

"That's quite all right. Accepting greetings from everyone was exhausting enough. Sparing me one was actually doing me a favor."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Silence fell between them.

Just as Ferda was about to enjoy the quiet once more—

"And another thing!"

Lyudmila suddenly spoke again.

She sounded so lively that it was hard to believe she was speaking to someone of higher rank.

"You looked absolutely wonderful dancing with Her Highness the Grand Duchess!"

Of all topics...

"...My dancing was a complete disaster."

"No! I almost cried watching how hard you were trying!"

...She almost cried because of that disaster?

For a moment Ferda wondered if she was making fun of him.

But Lyudmila's eyes were genuinely glistening with tears.

"You two love each other so much. You were both trying so hard for each other's sake... yet things just didn't seem to come together. It felt so heartbreaking."

"...Thank you."

"I don't think you're such a frightening person after all."

"Is that so?"

"Regent Ferda... have you ever actually seen Lady Valdrova's face?"

"Twice."

"What was she like? She must be incredibly beautiful..."

"She is."

"I wish I could meet her someday..."

She fidgeted with her fingers as she murmured.

"I'd love to talk with her just once. Back in the North, I never had the chance to chat with other noble ladies. Maybe... becoming friends with Her Highness the Grand Duchess wouldn't be so impossible..."

Friends.

At that single word, Ferda suddenly became completely alert.

He whipped his head toward her.

Realizing what she had just said, Lyudmila hurriedly covered her mouth.

"Oh dear... I spoke out of turn again. Someone like me could never dare meet Her Highness..."

"Lady Purity."

This time, Ferda was the one who broke etiquette.

He stepped closer and gently clasped both of her hands.

With a voice filled with earnest hope, he asked,

"Would you like to meet Her Highness the Grand Duchess?"

"...Pardon?"

"It can happen today."