Chapter 5

The train, funded by substantial budgets from the palace and the Mage Association, not only provides hot water but also serves warm meals.

I know that this is a luxury reserved only for VIPs.

But as I soak my body in warm water, looking at the rapidly changing scenery, it feels like heaven on earth.

If only I had a bottle of makgeolli here, it would be perfect.

As I step into the bathtub adorned with flower petals, it feels like my muscles are relaxing and stretching out.

“Hm, something feels lacking…”

“What do you mean?”

“Alcohol.”

“Is what you’re holding in your hand right now water?”

“It’s almost like water, isn’t it? This level of alcohol content is like juice, juice.”

I carefully selected the strongest alcohol, but due to Catherine’s objections and Callian’s stubbornness, I had to switch it to the weakest alcohol.

“If you drink it so hastily, you’ll get drunk.”

“With this alcohol content? Surely not.”

I ran my tongue across my upper lip, savoring the taste.

It felt quite pleasant as it clung to my tongue, but what’s the point of drinking if it doesn’t get you drunk?

It’s better than having nothing.

Callian looked at me, sipping the wine, with a somewhat disgusted expression.

I didn’t know what he was thinking.

“Would you like a drink?”

“…No.”

Callian pushed the tilted glass away with his fingertip.

I pushed Callian’s fingertip away with the hand that wasn’t holding the glass.

The Grand Duke’s skin felt cool and firm.

“This is where I put my lips, you know?”

“So what?”

“I mean, it’s about practicing personal hygiene while promoting public health.”

His red gaze didn’t seem to budge.

I quickly turned my head to refresh my view.

Fortunately, the room was incredibly spacious, providing more than just the view of the black-haired beauty.

It was an incredible luxury that only two people occupied such a vast space.

The inner walls were adorned with modestly sized jewels, and I wondered how much they would fetch if they were removed.

One wall was adorned with exquisite tapestries.

The curtains were soft and thick, and each piece of furniture exudes luxury.

“Can’t Callian do that sort of thing? It would make your hair dry in an instant.”

“You’re making unreasonable requests.”

Pulling the cord would summon a servant from another room, but I didn’t have the conscience to call a tired laborer just to dry my hair.

Of course, the high-and-mighty nobles would readily summon someone for drying their hair or light makeup.

“Why is your hair so long… I’ll share it with you if you want?”

“I don’t need it.”

I spread my damp hair carelessly, and it seemed like the scent of the soap I had used permeated every spot I sat.

“How heavy can hair be? Is there no magic to make it dry instantly?”

“Are you interested in magic?”

“Not really. It takes a long time to learn that. Besides, you need innate magic for it.”

“That’s true.”

“I’d be satisfied if I had the talent to just dry my hair quickly. Oh, do you have a never-emptying glass of wine?”

“There’s no such thing.”

“Ah, then I’m not interested.”

I shook my head in frustration, water droplets barely falling. With the added weight of the wet hair, it felt like my neck might break.

“We don’t have much longer until we reach the capital.”

The sun was setting, and darkness crept into the train car. The only brightly lit place was the room where I and Callian were. It had a luxurious, golden light.

“I have something I’m curious about, can I ask?”

The cold Northern Grand Duke raised one eyebrow as if giving permission. Couldn’t he just answer with words? Or nod his head? I had been accustomed to minimal gestures and energy-efficient movements for a long time, but sometimes it still caught me off guard.

“Is there alcohol at the banquet?”

“You really are,”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Consistent.”

“That’s my charm, you see. So, do they have it? They must, right? It’s an event hosted by the royal family, after all, with carefully selected premium liquor, right?”

“Well, there is, but- I hope you’ll maintain your dignity, please.”

“Dignity?”

“…No, I guess that’s asking for too much. Just please, don’t make a spectacle of yourself.”

“Oh, you don’t think I’d dance a waltz holding hands with His Majesty the Emperor, do you? Or perhaps, be shoulder to shoulder with His Highness the Crown Prince while celebrating, no, playing together.”

Callian looked at me with eyes full of doubt. His intense gaze seemed to suggest, “Let’s have an eye battle or something.” It was as if Callian was looking at me as if I were a pitiful subordinate, as if wondering when I had fallen in love.

“I hope you won’t disappoint yourself any further.”

“Disappoint, you say…”

“So, please,”

“You shouldn’t have had expectations from the start. Without expectations, there is no disappointment, right?”

Ta-da, really useful information, isn’t it? After waving my features dramatically and acting nonchalant, Callian touched his forehead and let out a deep sigh. In that deep sigh, I remembered my homeroom teacher from my school days, who had to look after thirty students one by one.

Miss Yoon Ok-hyang, are you doing well? If I had known I’d be transmigrated into this chaotic world, I would have learned how to enjoy life without a smartphone. It’s been a while since the transmigration, but I still instinctively reach for my phone when I wake up…

“Adriana?”

Miss Kim Tae-mi, are you doing well? Remember when you advised us not to live our lives recklessly? I brought a portable burner to school and cooked army stew, just like you suggested. But in the end, you had some of it too…

“Can’t you hear me?”

“Oh, come on, don’t even let me reminisce.”

“Reminisce?”

“Everyone has memories in their hearts, you know. For example,”

“For example?”

“Life, like alcohol…”

We drank Makgeolli to celebrate Coming-of-Age Day with friends… I can never forget the rich taste of two bottles of makgeolli and a can of cider. Even though they offered unlimited beer to those in their twenties, I maintained my composure and ordered only makgeolli!

“Is alcohol the only thing in your life?”

“Oh, come on, do you really think I’m all about alcohol?”

“Then?”

“There are also side dishes.”

Makgeolli is best enjoyed with green onion pancakes, but kimchi pancakes are not bad either. Mixing it with spicy rice cakes in sauce is fantastic, and it goes well as a side dish with rice. Surprisingly, it pairs nicely with rose pasta too. Chili sauce-coated potato wedges are an all-rounder, and green onion pancakes were made for makgeolli.

“Does Calian not like alcohol?”

“He doesn’t enjoy it as much as you do.”

“Well, I didn’t see him drink that much the last time.”

“It’s not that.”

“Well, if you can’t control your expression, then you seem drunk from that moment, right?”

“Me?”

“Of course. Unless it’s you-“

I was about to say, “Would he show signs of being infatuated with me?” but I quickly shut my mouth. Although I accidentally bit my tongue, my thoughts didn’t escape without a price.

Oh, I almost laid the groundwork again.

Callian was handsome, and although he was married to Adriana, there was a significant issue. Leaving aside the philosophical question of whether it would be adultery if I, not Adriana, had an affair with the Grand Duke, there was a more practical problem – Callian was too old.

Of course, if he were in his early thirties, it would be the prime of his life, and Callian de Winter was a beautiful man with a well-built chest and thighs. However, he was too old. Adriana was only four years younger, and it didn’t matter that he appeared to be an age I could handle on the surface.

The age difference was over ten years? In Korean terms, when I was just starting elementary school, he would have been in his senior year of high school! That kind of difference!

“Me, what about me?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I almost built a tower with my big mouth. Oh, isn’t the sky beautiful?”

“It’s nighttime now.”

“Why does that matter? If you look with the eyes of the heart, everything appears beautiful. Doesn’t Callian’s gaze hold the vast sky and a beautiful cluster of stars? Living so harshly, you’ll become more complacent later.”

“Huh?”

“Haven’t you heard? Don’t hold onto the weight like a stubborn old man. Just look at the sky.”

“You’re quite good at changing the subject.”

“You’re needlessly sharp.”

Haha, if you put on such a show, you should either watch the stars in the sky or become one of the stars and watch over me.

***

As the road became smoother and closer to the capital, the vibrations weakened. When the rattling stopped, the motion sickness that I hadn’t adapted to become bearable.

Adriana’s body was incredibly delicate. She was like fragile glass work, painful and beautiful. If it weren’t for the medicine April provided, I couldn’t bear to think how much more dreadful this four-day journey would have been.

“We’re almost there.”

“How much longer?”

“About five hours.”

The beds were comfortable, and the food was sufficient – by the standards of those who were born and raised here. So, not by myself. Pass me the red pepper paste – the constantly moving space was more comfortable than a home.

Well, I didn’t have a home in the Empire, but then again, what is a home? I never had one in my original world either.

“Ah!”

“What’s suddenly -“

Oh, that’s right, my housing application! I applied for a house! What’s going to happen with that?

I sprang up from my seat and paced around the sofa. Even though it wouldn’t immediately take me back home, and my bank account wasn’t swelling up to accumulate housing points, I felt like if I didn’t do something like this, I’d tear my hair out.

What’s the condition of my body? Has time passed, or is it still the same? Can I go back –

“More alcohol? We don’t have much time left until we reach the capital.”

“Leave it be. We’re not heading to the palace right away, we’ll stay at the Grand Duke’s residence first. Oh, no. I did drink quite a bit, but these days… Well, is there anything interesting to talk about?”

“Interesting stories?”

“Don’t they have any amusing stories? Like jokes the Grand Duke himself came up with, or good-natured banter? Anything to shift the focus elsewhere. Well, maybe something funny happened while hunting demons, or is this a bit creepy? Or perhaps something humorous from your time in the capital?”

“If you need a jester,”

“Goodness, what kind of jester am I for this? I should just finish off the remaining wine.”

“Indeed, when the ice-cold Northern Grand Duke presents even the slightest humorous comment, it’s like a rare gem. Besides, with that face, that body, and that position, what could there be to laugh about? And living with that face, every time he looks in the mirror, he probably doesn’t appreciate the value of light-hearted jokes.”

“…His face.”

“Excuse me, Callian.”

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry, but can you please close it?”

“Huh.”

“Oh, no. Never mind. I’m used to the lack of expression. My heart doesn’t react. Uh, um, can you smile for me?”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes. Isn’t life a series of unexpected trials? Even Callian liking me is…”

“Oh, I see.”

“Me? Like you?”

Callian brushed his bangs to the side, a typical gesture of a Northern Grand Duke, and raised one corner of his mouth thoughtfully.

“You believe I’d like you? Arrogant.”

Even though he’s experiencing emotions he’s never felt before upon seeing the female lead, denying it with typical hashtags like #indifferent #regret #obsessedmalelead, it lacks persuasiveness.

“I could never possibly like you.”

Ah, a flag.

Ah, a plot point!

Among the things you shouldn’t say in a romance novel, ‘never’ is the best. The moment you firmly deny it, love begins. ××.

“If you’re trying to catch my attention with some scheme, I might as well not know.”

Callian, as if deeming it not worth a response, pinched his face and left the seat.

“I’m the one who hasn’t filmed a deadly, sexy romance with a man several years older than me, you know?”

“I’m saying, I like dignified and mischievous men!”

Although Callian wasn’t there, I complained loudly about his older age and strange personality, citing those as reasons. I shouted as if Callian could hear me from a distance with his extraordinary hearing.

After grumbling briefly, I finished admiring Adriana’s beauty in the mirror, which was good for the cardiovascular system, and it was time to prepare.

“My lady, I will do my best to prepare you as you wish, so please, please stay still.”

“…Hmm, I’ll try my best.”

Catherine skillfully dressed me in a Schmitz costume, despite my saying that I would do it myself. Whether it was because I couldn’t handle it or it was customary, the maids efficiently chose dresses that suited me and Adriana.

Even though I was from another region, I had no intention of wandering around in Schmitz attire.

…But what does it matter? It’s not like anything is showing anyway.

However, I refrained from speaking further, fearing Catherine’s sigh might deepen. I am an adult who understands the importance of timing and place.

“We’re almost there. But before that, there’s something I want to confirm with you.”

“What is it?”

“How much do you know about His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?”

The train was gradually slowing down. Bright spring sunlight streamed in through the window more vividly than in the north. Due to the curtains being open, Callian’s pupils appeared deeper than usual as they caught the afternoon sun.

His fingers, usually firm and precise, seemed strangely delicate. Uncharacteristic for someone who was physically active.

“The Crown Prince, you say? Well… He’s quite handsome, isn’t he? Turning twenty-four this year, he’s not only well-versed in politics but also astute and wise, earning the support and praise of both the nobility and the empire’s citizens. They say his portrait is exceptionally popular. His black hair shines brighter than the night sky, and his green eyes exude more vitality than a midsummer forest! He’s tall, sturdy, and remarkably upright, the unique pride of the empire-“

“…Have you been reading romance novels or something?”

“Yes. Romance novels are quite entertaining.”

Tsk. From a seemingly obedient scholar, Callian let out an incredulous sigh and then dryly inquired, ‘Do you even know His Royal Highness?’.

“Do you know His Royal Highness, my dear?”

“Oh, I see.”

It’s interesting how he’s unexpectedly perceptive. Callian’s skill at understanding me seems to have grown with time. Is this the result of repeated interactions?