Former Fake Becomes Grand Duke of the North

The next few days passed by in a blur as I prepared to head south with Lina and Mika. Packing everything I needed took a bit of time, since I now had a lot more stuff, clothes especially. At least, it was a lot compared to my days as a mercenary. By noble standards, it was barely adequate. When we arrived at Haven, I would need to buy a whole new wardrobe. When I told Lina this, she smiled at me with a strange gleam in her eyes.

For security, Mom assigned a contingent of Coldsteel Knights to escort us. Lina protested, saying that they weren’t necessary since she brought several knights from the Order of the Golden Rose with her. Besides, I was an Aura Master. We were as secure as we could be for the journey south. Mom pointed out that it wouldn’t look good if another family’s knights escorted the heir to House Kaltbrand. Lina didn’t have a rebuttal to that.

Problems arose between the two knightly orders almost right away, since both wanted to be in charge of our safety. The Coldsteel Knights pointed out that they were more familiar with the Barrens and had more experience dealing with demonic beasts. The Golden Rose knights said that they were more familiar with the Crownlands, and while they weren’t as experienced in fighting demonic beasts, they weren’t behind the Coldsteel Knights in terms of strength.

The arguments between the two knightly orders grew so heated that they almost came to blows with one another. In the end, I stepped in to settle the situation and said that I would command both knightly orders, at least until we reached Haven. After that, they would go their separate ways. The Coldsteel Knights would go to House Kaltbrand’s manor in Haven, while the Golden Rose knights would go to the House Guld townhouse.

Both knightly orders accepted this compromise, since I had connections to both. Before I ran away from Guld Manor, I trained with the Golden Rose knights and many of them knew me. As for the Coldsteel Knights, I was their lord’s heir and I had hunted demonic beasts alongside them. Because of this, both knightly orders were willing to follow me.

As Lina, Mika, and I prepared to head south, my parents handled the aftermath of the banquet and House Steuben’s attempt to force me from my position as heir to House Kaltbrand. Rather than drag things out, Dad punished House Steuben’s followers by stripping many of them of their titles and lands. They protested this, claiming that Dad was acting like a tyrant.

“And?” He said in response.

The former nobles had no response to Dad’s blatant admission of his tyranny. He punished the rest of House Steuben’s followers by forcing them to pay House Kaltbrand compensation. As for House Steuben themselves, Dad didn’t strip them of their titles and lands, nor did he make them pay compensation. Instead, he forced them to give up their status as a collateral line of House Kaltbrand.

This was perhaps the cruelest punishment he could have devised, since House Steuben derived a lot of its status and influence from its connection to House Kaltbrand. Without that connection, they were simply another noble family in the Barrens. I guessed that it wouldn’t be long before they lost most of their power base, if not all of it. They would fade away into obscurity and irrelevance.

After that, the nobles who arrived for the banquet started to leave one by one. Many of them wanted to stay for one reason or another, but Dad shooed them away. After that, Kaltbrand Castle became a lot quieter. However, Lina met with Viscount Gerhard to finalize the agreement between House Guld and House Gerhard. Soon, most of the food arriving in the Barrens would go through House Gerhard’s hands.

Lady Adelheid was quite happy about this. Even being a hostage of House Kaltbrand did little to dampen her spirits. If anything, she considered it a blessing in disguise, since it allowed her to spend more time with Lina.

Lord Ulric, House Kaltbrand’s other long-term guest, was far less happy about this state of affairs. Still, he behaved himself and didn’t cause us any trouble, which was all I cared about.

Sir Kane and I said our goodbyes to Ellen, Thomas, and Viktor when the three of them left Kaltbrand Castle. It seemed that Ellen hadn’t rejected Viktor after all. I tried teasing her, saying that they should invite us to the wedding. However, to my surprise, Ellen just blushed and looked away. When I looked at Viktor, he just grinned at me and said that they would.

I’ll admit, this caught me off guard. I knew that there was something going on between them, but I hadn’t realized they had gotten this far already. What surprised me even more was Thomas. I expected him to protest. Instead, he gave Ellen and Viktor his full support.

“Thank you, Wolfie,” Ellen said after she regained her composure, “For everything.”

“Just live a good life, and I’ll consider us even.” I said.

After that, we finished with our goodbyes and the three of them headed off. Sir Kane was melancholic at losing two of his comrades at the same time, even though one of them was a traitor. Still, at least they were still alive.

Leopold left Frostheart right after his meeting with me, much to Dad’s chagrin. It turned out that he really had planned on making Leopold a long-term guest of House Kaltbrand. I don’t know why he considered it a good idea to hold a member of the imperial family hostage. Maybe he just enjoyed kidnapping people. Regardless, I considered it a blessing that Leopold managed to foil Dad’s ambitions in this regard.

Lina and I finished our preparations the day before my parents’ wedding. We would leave the day after the ceremony, so we could reach Haven as soon as possible. However, just when I thought everything was settled, Lina surprised me with a last minute request.

“I would like to keep Rosalind as my maid,” she said, “And I would like her sister, Maria, to be Mika’s maid.”

I raised an eyebrow at this.

“Until we reach Haven?” I asked.

After that, Lina and Mika would be back with House Guld, eliminating the need to lend them any of House Kaltbrand’s servants.

“For the foreseeable future.” Lina said. “I’ve taken a liking to Rosalind and I would hate to separate her from her sister. With that being the case, I thought it would be best to bring them both over to House Guld for now.”

I knew what Lina was up to right away, and why she was doing it, but I couldn’t just let her take away two of House Kaltbrand’s servants without saying a word.

“You do know who they really are, don’t you?” I asked.

Lina nodded.

“They’re members of the Blue Shadows,” she said.

“Exactly.” I said. “They’re spies working for House Kaltbrand. Not only that, but they’re my eyes and ears. I can’t let you take them away like this. If you wish to take Rosalind, that’s fine. It seems she’s taken a liking to you as well. However, I can’t let you take both of the twins.”

Lina frowned and fell silent for several moments.

“In that case,” she said, “May I lend you a servant as well? I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone with Maria. Having one of my people near you would go a long way towards reassuring me.”

I figured as much. Considering Maria’s past behavior, I didn’t blame her. While my maid had been joking for the most part, I understood Lina’s apprehension. In her shoes, I would feel the same way.

“If that’s what it takes to put your mind at ease,” I said, giving her a smile, “Then feel free.” I paused. “Though, make sure to pick someone who can get along with Maria. The last thing I want is any discord between my servants.”

Lina nodded.

“Of course.” She said.

With that settled, Lina and I spent the rest of our day preparing for the journey to Haven. On the next day, we attended my parents’ wedding.

The wedding took place in the Church of Light and Darkness located within Frostheart. It looked less dark and foreboding during the day than it did at night, but it was still imposing and intimidating.

Even though this was the marriage of the empire’s only grand duke, my parents decided to keep the guest list small. Only family and close friends were invited. This included myself, of course, as well as Count Wirner, Lina, and Mika. The senior servants of House Kaltbrand made up the rest of the guests. Viscount and Viscountess Holtz, Baron Kirch, and Klaus. I believe Dad invited Grand Sage Arend as well, but the latter declined. To my surprise, High Priest Nicholas attended as well.

Dad and I arrived at the Church first, accompanied by most of the guests. Meanwhile, Mom and Count Wirner would arrive a little while later. According to tradition in the Reichwald Empire, when a noble married into another family, an important figure in their life would escort them to the altar and give them away. Most of the time this was a parent, but teachers, older siblings, and others could do it as well. When I asked Mom about Count Wirner giving her away, she told me that he was doing it as her teacher rather than her father.

On the carriage ride to the Church of Light and Darkness, Dad appeared calm on the surface. However, I noticed the nervousness and unease in his eyes. I found this amusing. Who would’ve thought that Grand Duke Kaltbrand, Shield of the Empire and Lord of the North, would be nervous on his wedding day?

Then again, he was marrying Knight Commander Bardin, the Iron Countess and Sword of the North. She was no less a formidable figure than he was. It probably didn’t help that she was his best friend and the mother of his son. In short, she was one of the most important people in his life. No wonder he was nervous. I tried my best to reassure him, but I wasn’t sure if it helped.

The ceremony hall for the Church of Light and Darkness was a simple and solemn space located within the heart of the church. It consisted of a long, rectangular room with a stone altar at the far end. The wall behind the altar depicted a mural of the Goddess of Light and the God of Darkness embracing one another. Two rows of stone benches filled the hall. Mana crystal lamps filled the hall with warm light.

Due to the rushed nature of the wedding, there was little in the way of decoration or adornment for this wedding. It was simple and bare bones. This made me a little sad. Marriage was one of the most significant events in a person’s life, nobles especially, and my parents had to rush theirs due to political necessity. I wished we could have given them a grander wedding ceremony. They deserved it.

After we arrived, our party occupied the benches near the altar. Meanwhile Dad stood in front of the altar and waited for Mom to arrive. High Priest Jeremias and High Priestess Ursel stood near Dad. The two of them would officiate the wedding.

Everyone wore their best clothing. Lina and Mika, in particular, stood out. Unlike northerners, who preferred darker and more somber colors, westerners preferred brighter and more vibrant colors. Lina and Mika looked like two spring flowers that somehow sprouted in the northern wilderness.

A few minutes after everyone settled down, the door to the ceremony hall opened and Mom entered, escorted by Count Wirner. She wore her knight commander uniform, which I found fitting. Being the knight commander of the Order of the Coldsteel Blade was an integral part of Mom’s identity, much more so than her title as countess. It seemed appropriate that she would marry Dad as Knight Commander Bardin rather than Countess Bardin.

For most weddings, music played as the bride walked down the aisle. However, my parents’ decided to forgo that. The silence gave the wedding gravitas, highlighting its importance. Mom’s footsteps rang out through the ceremony hall as Count Wirner escorted her towards the altar.

When she arrived, Count Wirner joined the rest of us at the stone benches. Dad smiled at Mom and took her hands. She smiled back at him. While they weren’t in love with each other, the two of them looked good together. From the expressions on everyone else’s faces, they thought the same.

“We come here today to witness as these two come together in holy matrimony.” High Priest Jeremias said, beginning the ceremony.

“Just as the Goddess of Light and the God of Darkness created our world together,” High Priestess Ursel said, “May Grand Duke Anselm Kaltbrand and Knight Commander Sophie Bardin create a bright future for themselves.”

The rest of the ceremony was as short and simple as possible, with little in the way of flourish and embellishment. Soon, my parents exchanged rings to symbolize their lifelong commitment to one another. At the end, they shared a kiss with one another. When that happened, the rest of us cheered and clapped. Viscount and Viscountess Holtz had tears in their eyes, while Count Wirner wore a bittersweet expression on his face. The rest of us wore joyous smiles, except for High Priest Nicholas. He looked annoyed and grumpy.

After the ceremony, everyone returned to Kaltbrand Castle for the reception, which took place in one of Kaltbrand Castle’s smaller halls. It was far more lively than the wedding itself; celebratory and festive rather than solemn and grave. The small number of guests also gave the reception an intimate air.

High Priest Nicholas excused himself and returned to his rooms. Meanwhile, Lady Adelheid and Lord Ulric were invited to the reception, even though they hadn’t attended the wedding. While they were long-term guests of House Kaltbrand, they were still important members of the Barrens’ high society.

Soon after the reception began, I approached my parents and bowed to them with an exaggerated flourish.

“Let me be the first to congratulate you on your new position, Grand Duchess Kaltbrand.” I said in a cheeky tone.

Mom snorted.

“Brat.” Shesaid, grinning despite herself. “If you call me ‘Grand Duchess Kaltbrand’ instead of ‘Mom’ ever again, I will discipline you.”

I laughed, before moving so that the others could congratulate my parents as well. While this went on, I noticed Count Wirner standing by himself in the corner of the hall, watching as everyone else enjoyed themselves. He wore a melancholic expression. An impulse to join him struck me. I followed that impulse and walked over. Count Wirner noticed my approach and nodded to me when I arrived.

“Greetings, Grandfather,” I said, “What are you doing back here instead of celebrating with the others?”

Count Wirner gave me a bitter smile.

“I’m not in the mood to celebrate,” he said, “And I didn’t want to ruin things for everyone else.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked, frowning.

Count Wirner took a moment before answering.

“Today’s events reminded me of Anselm and Johanna’s marriage.” He said. “While I am glad that Anselm and Sophie have found comfort and solace with one another, I can’t help but feel bitter that Johanna’s death was the reason why they came together in the first place.”

I could understand where he was coming from. Mom told me that Count Wirner loved his two legitimate children a great deal and doted on them. It must have been painful for him when his daughter, the late grand duchess, died.

“Now, it feels as if I lost my other daughter.” Count Wirner said. “Even though I have no right to make that claim. What’s worse is that it was entirely my fault.”

That was true as well. Count Wirner could have acknowledged Mom as his daughter a long time ago. She worked hard to earn his acceptance, to no avail. He only realized Mom’s importance to him after the late grand duchess died. However, by that point, it was too late. Mom had given up on him and moved on with her life.

“Ah, don’t listen to me.” Count Wirner said, letting out a sigh. “I’m just a rambling old man, full of bitterness and regret. You should celebrate your parents’ wedding, instead of wasting your time with me.” He nodded in Lina’s direction. “Why don’t you join that lovely lass over there? I’m sure she would make better company than me.”

I glanced over Lina, who was chatting with Lady Adelheid.

“Perhaps later.” I said, facing Count Wirner once again. “Right now, I want to spend some time with my grandfather.”

Count Wirner raised an eyebrow at me.

“Are you sure?” He asked. “What if Sophie becomes upset with you?”

“I’ll deal with it if it becomes a problem,” I said. “If there is one thing I learned over the course of my life, it is the importance of family. You are my grandfather, regardless of Mom’s feelings towards you. There is no changing that. I don’t want to distance myself from you, only to regret my choice later on.”

Count Wirner smiled at me. Unlike the one from earlier, this one was full of warmth.

“Thank you, Wulfe,” he said, “I appreciate it.”

After that, Count Wirner and I talked about a number of topics. Our conversation was somewhat stilted and awkward, but we grew more comfortable with one another as time passed. I asked him questions about the late grand duchess. She was my aunt, and technically my step mother, yet I knew little about her. It didn’t feel right to ask either Dad or Mom about her, which left Count Wirner. He was more than willing to share some stories about the late grand duchess.

Half an hour later, I left to mingle with the other guests. However, Mika took my place and spent time with Count Wirner. It seemed that the two had taken a liking to one another. Count Wirner looked like a grandfather doting on his adorable granddaughter, even though Mika had no blood ties with him. As his actual grandchild, I found this amusing.

The reception lasted for the rest of the day, though Lina, Mika, and I retired early. We had a long journey ahead of us. The next day, the three of us said our goodbyes to everyone and left Kaltbrand Castle. It was time for us to head to Haven.