ARML 138(S:S:1)

Side Story 1

It had already been over a year since I quit my job at the Imperial Palace and got engaged to Carlisle.

“Wow, snow!”

I had just arrived in the northern territory of Rupesk with Carlisle.

Even though it was early summer, small flakes of snow were falling here and there.

‘As expected of the Duke of the North’s land!’

I wanted to jump around in excitement, but my overly worried fiancé caught me by the arm.

“Layla, fasten your scarf tighter.”

“This much cold is fine—”

“You can’t risk catching a cold.”

Ah, so ticklish.

But I just smiled and looked up at his serious face.

Tiny snowflakes melted on Carlisle’s dark hair, sliding down to reveal his sharp, well-shaped features. His expression was stern as he focused on tying my scarf, but his red eyes held warmth, making it a beautiful picture.

‘Oh, what a treat for the eyes in many ways.’

But Carlisle didn’t seem pleased to be here.

“In this place, there’s not a single day without snow. We shouldn’t have come.”

“Eh, we had no choice. It’s for something important.”

Normally, we would’ve been lazing around in the southern Siena Marin, enjoying my lovely post-resignation life.

And Carlisle had never once suggested visiting his northern hometown.

‘Well, I did want to see my lover’s hometown, but…’

[There’s nothing here but snow. I have nothing to show you.]

……Since he disliked it so much, I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

But this time, we had no choice but to come.

Because—

‘The Duke ordered him to inherit the title.’

I often forgot, but my fiancé was the heir to the North.

This year, the Duke had written a letter: “The succession ceremony must be held, so come up.”

I had also been invited as a future member of the family.

After passing a hill lightly dusted with snow, a grand silver-white castle appeared.

At the gates, the Duke of Rupesk and all the castle staff were waiting for us.

“Lady Layla! Our precious Saint, welcome!”

The Duke—Carlisle with a mix of age and cheer—welcomed me with open arms.

“Have you been well, Your Grace?”

“Of course! You must be tired from the long journey! You, Carlisle!”

“What is it.”

The warm welcome ended, and at once, the usual fiery clash between dragon and tiger began.

“Why is the Saint’s coat so thin? Tsk. To think a so-called northern man can’t even take care of his partner.”

“The problem lies in you choosing such a season in the first place, Father.”

“Then you should’ve inherited sooner!”

For reference, this father and son quarreled like this all the time. I knew well it was only on the surface.

‘If they truly had a bad relationship, they wouldn’t even talk.’

When Carlisle and I got engaged, the Duke was the happiest of all.

Even now, after introducing me to the household, he warmly held my hand with a kind smile.

“Lady Layla, I’ll say it again—thank you for choosing my lacking son. I have nothing more to wish for.”

“Oh, please don’t say that.”

Thinking back, this man had treated me kindly even before I revealed I was a Saint.

Though he was a high noble and I just a common-born official, he never changed his attitude.

‘He even prepared nourishing meals whenever I was sick.’

He also looked after my siblings well…

(Though they couldn’t come this time, since they’re studying in the South.)

“I should be thanking you for accepting me as family.”

“Hah, I just worry that my blockhead son won’t be enough for you…”

“Hohoho, I think that’s better than being a shameless flirt, Father-in-law.”

“……Khuh!”

The Duke suddenly grabbed the bridge of his nose.

Oops, did I go too far with my words?

But when he let go, his face was wet with deep emotion.

“You called me Father-in-law…! Father-in-law!”

“Hehe. By the way, how is the succession ceremony held? Does the Duke of the North wear a crown or something?”

I asked, heart pounding with excitement.

Since I’d become aware of my past life, what had I always felt lacking?

‘There was no sparkle of romance-fantasy at all!’

Starting out as a gloomy apprentice official says it all.

So honestly, I had been secretly excited on this trip.

‘Surely there must be something grand and majestic, like in real fantasy novels, right?’

But the Duke’s cheerful reply made me doubt my ears.

“Ah, you just have to slay a dragon.”

“……? Sorry? What did you say?”

Wait, that’s not the kind of fantasy I wanted!

And dragons actually exist?

‘Hold on. Those revitalizing soups you gave me from time to time—were those dragon feet?!’

I never asked where he got them, but… straight from the northern mountains?

But why bring that up in a succession ceremony?!

While I stared in shock, the Duke let out a hearty laugh.

“Haha! Don’t worry. Every northern-born man can handle it.”

“B-but still!”

Isn’t this supposed to be northern romance fantasy?

‘Isn’t it far too dangerous? Can Carlisle’s weapons handle it?’

Before I could press further, the Duke casually told Carlisle:

“Carlisle, go now. A grown man like you doesn’t need a send-off, does he?”

“Disgusting. Don’t.”

Maybe I should take back what I said about their relationship not being bad.

Was it really okay for a Duke and heir to speak so casually about dragon hunting?

Carlisle waved lightly.

“Then I’ll be back.”

“Huh? You’re leaving right now? Without even eating?”

“In the North, there’s no need for that. All that matters is securing the prey.”

“Oh…”

At that moment, I realized something.

This man was so laid-back because he was born and raised in such a place.

Carlisle kissed my cheek lightly and said,

“Stay warm inside and don’t catch a cold, Layla.”

“P-please be careful.”

And just like that, my fiancé went off to hunt a dragon as casually as if he were stepping out to the neighborhood market.

And you won’t believe this—

Two hours later, while I was having tea with my future father-in-law, he came back.

“Got a black one. Left it outside the gates—check it yourself.”

“Of course you did. From now on, you’re the Duke.”

And that was it.

Afterwards, I sat down with the whole castle and enjoyed dragon steak together.

Medium rare, by the way—delicious.

‘……What kind of succession ceremony is this?!’

This world just kept mocking me to the very end.

Ugh, give me back my romantic fantasy dreams!

That evening.

Carlisle and I took a walk in the garden.

He struggled to hold back his laughter at my resigned expression.

No wonder—he must have sensed my high expectations the whole trip.

“See? That’s why I didn’t want to bring you here, Layla.”

“Ughhh.”

“I knew you’d be disappointed, since there’s no fancy spectacle.”

“……No, no. That’s not what matters.”

Layla finally smiled brightly.

She tiptoed and lightly kissed his lips.

“……!”

“Congratulations, Carlisle. You’re the Duke now.”

“Thank you.”

“And… it feels good, right? Coming back to your hometown after so long?”

“……Yeah.”

He had avoided this place for a very long time.

He couldn’t bear to return, remembering the relatives and people of the land he had failed to protect.

But with Theodore gone, the curse was finally broken.

The past was painful, but the future would be fine.

And maybe next time, if he came in a better season with Layla, it would be even better.

Carlisle gently wrapped his arm around her waist.

“And don’t worry, just in case you were wondering.”

“Hm? About what?”

“Well…”

Carlisle cleared his throat, embarrassed.

But this one thing, he had to say clearly.

“Our wedding won’t be this plain and unimpressive.”

“……!”