Chapter 71: The Tragedy of That Day, and After

Grace, having dealt with the head of the Bertha family, wasted no time and headed straight for the Northrein estate.

She defeated the knights guarding the mansion, and as she emerged from the hallway, Elaine, who had been resting inside, staggered at the sight of Grace’s grave expression but followed her without a word.

Arthur and the knights, who had just finished subduing Bertha’s private soldiers outside, found it strange when Grace and Elaine hurried off somewhere. However, when Grace ordered them to clean up the Bertha estate, only Arthur accompanied her.

The three rode the horses prepared by the knights and rushed toward the Northrein estate. As Grace, her face rigid, prayed inwardly, Please, please, they arrived in no time.

“……Phew.”

The mansion was peaceful.
There was no commotion—just the usual quiet scenery.

But she couldn’t relax.
The head of the Bertha family had tried to use assassins to take her household members hostage.

That meant they were somewhere nearby, even if they weren’t visible right now.

Until every last one of them was captured and eliminated, the danger remained.

Just as Grace was about to use her mana to sense the surroundings—

“Have you returned, my lady?”

A familiar voice greeted her.

Turning her head, she saw one of the maids who worked in the mansion.

She remained as composed and graceful as ever, giving the impression that, regardless of what had happened outside, time here had stood still.

Grace asked the maid,

“Did anyone come by while I was gone?”

“If you mean guests, no one has visited.”

“Is that so?”

At that moment, Arthur stepped forward and asked an additional question.

“Were you cleaning?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”

Arthur nodded and then turned to Grace.

“You can rest assured. The traitors are no longer here.”

“?”

Grace tilted her head at his words.

Arthur had heard about the assassins on their way here, but his statement still puzzled her.

Ignoring her reaction, he addressed the maid again.

“From this moment on, she is the head of House Northrein.”

The maid blinked at Arthur, then turned to Grace, grasped the hem of her skirt, and offered a respectful bow.

“I greet the head of House Northrein.”

Grace, unsure of what they were discussing, watched as Arthur let out a short sigh.

“This should have been explained by the previous lord himself…”

A hidden group existed—known only to the former head, Richard, and the knight commander he trusted.

A family sworn to serve House Northrein.

They remained in the shadows, their purpose being to protect the bloodline of Northrein.

“If such people existed, then why was my father poisoned?”

“After losing the previous lady, the former lord ordered them to withdraw from his side and oversee the mansion instead. He was so consumed by rage that he feared he would fail to protect House Northrein properly, so he commanded them to guard His Grace, the Grand Duke.”
“…….”
“It wasn’t just the knights who acted in secret to keep the Wintercannon citizens unaware. They also worked in the shadows to help.”

Hearing this, Grace’s expression grew heavy.

Her father had been a leader stronger than anyone.

Yet, at the same time, he had been softer and more tender-hearted than anyone.

…Ironically, it was that very kindness that led to his downfall and suffering.

He had remained wary of the great noble families but couldn’t bring himself to cut ties with them completely.

The pain of losing his wife had been unbearable, making him struggle in anguish.

He cared so much for others that he neglected himself.

But Grace neither resented nor belittled him for it.

Rather, she took it as a lesson he had passed down to her.

To become a truly powerful Grand Duke of the North, mere outward strength wasn’t enough.

She had to become steel and ice, through and through.

She had to smile on the surface while watching like a lion underneath.

She had to speak words of kindness while being ready to cut down anyone at any moment.

And above all—

She must never show mercy to her enemies.

She had to establish an absolute presence, one that made everyone both revere and fear the Grand Duke of the North.
Especially since, as a woman, she was even more likely to be underestimated.

“Head maid, the garden cleaning is complete.”

She looked about ten years old.

A small apprentice maid with a youthful face approached.

The woman called the head maid saw the apprentice maid and introduced her to Grace.

“Ise, greet her. She will be your master from now on.”

The young girl with striking black bobbed hair looked up at Grace, who was much taller than her. Despite her age, she bowed with perfect etiquette.

Grace caught a faint scent of blood from the girl, who didn’t even reach her chest.

“Take good care of me. From now on, you will attend to me.”

She responded calmly.

The commotion that had started in the morning finally settled by late afternoon.

Grace, who had returned to the Winter Palace, was on the verge of collapsing. However, there was no time to rest.

She had purged the nobles, but that didn’t erase the fact that the Grand Duke of the North had died.
Far from vanishing, the incident had left an aftermath—many nobles and their accomplices had disappeared, leaving behind a mountain of work to handle.

Fortunately, the senior officials had experience managing state affairs on behalf of the bedridden Richard.
Thanks to that, Grace was able to manage the sudden transition without panicking.

“Your Grace, what shall be done with the nobles and subordinates who were arrested for participating in the conspiracy?”
“There will be no exiles. The commanders of the military who cooperated with the Five Great Families’ bloodlines will be executed. The remaining nobles and subordinates will have their crimes judged by legal officials and reported back to me.”

“Your Grace, demonic activity in the North has been increasing sharply.”
“We don’t have the luxury to focus elsewhere right now, so suspend all external operations. However, continue monitoring their movements.”

“The citizens may be confused by the news of the previous Grand Duke’s passing. They will also question the sudden disappearance of so many nobles. It would be wise to reassure them.”

“We can’t exactly hold a festival in these circumstances. Any good suggestions, Sir Arthur?”
“Since many knights who sided with the nobles are now gone, why not hold a new knight examination to replenish the ranks?”

“A good idea. Speaking of replenishing forces… you must think my actions last time were reckless too, don’t you?”
“…If I may be honest, yes. I am holding back from scolding you even now.”

“Haha, harsh as always. I actually have a proposal related to that.”

Arthur listened to Grace’s plan with a serious expression. After some thought, he nodded.

“Forgive me for speaking so boldly, but this all started because His Grace suffered a fatal wound from the demons. We will face them again someday, so I fully support the idea of forming a strong personal guard for Your Grace.”

“Not to mention, if I have an elite guard, the nobles won’t dare to challenge me so easily next time.”

“Wouldn’t that make you seem like a tyrant?”

“I just have to make sure it doesn’t look that way.”

To some, it might sound like a young ruler’s naïve dream.

But Arthur, who had watched Grace endure hardships without breaking, who had seen her accept the sudden Grand Duke’s seat without complaint, and who now saw the determined, unwavering gaze of a true ruler in her eyes—

“I actually have someone in mind from the knights to recommend.”
“Even if it’s your recommendation, I will evaluate them strictly. …I only want people I can personally trust at my side.”
“Ahem, of course. Please review them and decide for yourself, Your Grace.”

Arthur reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the new Grand Duke of the North, who was shaping the region’s future.

Just then—

“Your Grace, an envoy has arrived from the royal capital.”

The message delivered by the envoy from the royal capital was straightforward.

[The royal decree officially acknowledges Grace Northrein, eldest daughter of the Northrein family, as the next Grand Duke of the North.]

At the firm decision from the royal family, Grace, Arthur, and the northern officials finally felt relieved.

They had already learned from the captured nobles that Bertha had tried to lobby the capital.
They had sent a rebuttal denying all allegations, but given the distance between the royal capital and the North, they had feared it wouldn’t arrive in time.

Fortunately, the response was in their favor.

However, there was one particularly noteworthy detail.

“Did you say His Highness the Prince personally recommended me?”
“Yes. Many nobles and ministers opposed it, but His Highness strongly advocated for Your Grace.”

The royal envoy stated that the prince had been the one to support Grace’s ascension.

“I have never had any interactions with the prince. Why would he…?”
“His Highness is a wise and benevolent man, with a broader perspective than most. After reading the memorial sent by the late Grand Duke, he recognized Your Grace’s talent.”
“…”
“Moreover, he uncovered evidence that the nobles who sought to slander Your Grace had engaged in disgraceful dealings. He personally saw to their punishment, so you need not worry.”

The envoy had no reason to lie. Everything he said was likely true.

In that case, the prince was truly an exceptional individual.

Just by reading the memorial, he had recognized Grace’s abilities and chosen to support her.
Not only that, but he had used this opportunity to eliminate corrupt nobles, strengthening the royal family’s authority.

On the surface, it seemed like nothing more than a routine decision in accordance with tradition.
Yet within it, the prince had made a calculated political move to gain an advantage.

Of course, the prince’s decision wouldn’t have been easy either.
After all, Grace was an unprecedented female ruler.

Grace’s mistake would soon become the prince’s mistake as well. Supporting her without hesitation was a great risk for him.

What could he have been thinking, standing against the opposition of the vassals just to support her?

‘Either way, it worked out in my favor.’

Grace felt both gratitude toward the prince and a growing need to keep an eye on him.

After the royal envoy returned, Elaine arrived at the Winter Palace.
Having recovered from the wounds she sustained in the last battle, Elaine was greeted by Grace with a smile.

“Are your wounds fully healed?”

“Yes, I apologize for the delay.”

“A bodyguard getting injured in place of their charge means they were faithful to their duty. But leaving their charge alone means they failed to fulfill it.”

“That is correct.”

“Which is why we should select another guard as well. Someone excellent and loyal enough to cover for your absence.”

“Understood.”

At that moment, Arthur joined the conversation.

“Your Grace, do you mean…?”

“Ah, Commander. Let me introduce you. She will be the captain of the newly established guard unit.”

Arthur looked at Elaine and smiled.

“An excellent choice. However, while she excels in swordsmanship, she seems to lack experience as a commander. May I guide her as a senior?”

“Your guidance would be invaluable. Captain of the Guard, take his teachings to heart.”

“Understood.”

And so, Grace was officially recognized as the Northern Grand Duke by the royal family.
Elaine became the captain of the newly formed guard unit.

But that was only the beginning.
From that day on, for eight years, not a single flake of snow settled on Wintercannon’s streets.

Just as Grace’s reign was finally reaching a period of stability,
the demons stirred in the North, and the Great War began.

A hero—once thought to exist only in legends—emerged. The hero’s party traveled to Wintercannon to exterminate the northern demons, fighting alongside them to drive the threat away.

With news of the hero’s death, it seemed peace had finally come.
But once again, dark clouds loomed over the North.

‘So… that’s what happened.’

Hearing from Elaine about events that weren’t even covered in the novel, my expression naturally grew serious.
I finally felt like I understood everything about the North—about Grace.

‘And about the villains, too.’

Of course, what I had just heard was a recollection from Elaine and Grace’s perspective, meaning there were gaps in the story.

For example, the novel detailed what the prince had thought of Grace in the past.

First, curiosity—he wanted to test Grace’s abilities.
If she was the real deal, she would be a valuable asset in the coming battles against the demons.
If she was a fraud, then seizing a weakened North would be that much easier.

Second, surprisingly, was the possibility of a political marriage.
By marrying the Northern Grand Duke, Grace, he could tie the North to his family.
And if she died, their child—or he himself—would inherit the North.

Even if they married, they would live separately, he in the capital and she in the North.
But such a thing didn’t matter to him.
Even if Grace sought comfort in another man, he could use it as an excuse to denounce her and seize the North entirely.

The first plan had succeeded. The second had failed.

During his time with the hero’s party, the prince visited the North alongside Aran.
There, he met Grace in person for the first time—until then, he had only heard rumors of her.
And he realized she was not someone who would ever bend to his will.

That was why, instead of trying to manipulate Grace, he sought to eliminate her—
thus beginning Episode 4.

Among the events Elaine recounted, there was one group that remained ambiguous from beginning to end.
They were neither enemy nor clear ally but had, at some point, become an unwavering support.

The Deepsnow family.

Of the Five Great Houses, they were the only victors aside from the Northlane family.
From what I heard, they played a crucial role in preventing conspiracies,
earning large portions of land and wealth from the fallen noble houses.

As a result, they now held more power in the Northern Assembly than the Bertha family once did.

Grace and Elaine saw Deepsnow as the North’s only true loyalists.
But after hearing about the past from Elaine and knowing the future from the novel, my eyes were finally opened.

Why had they supported Grace when no other noble house did?
And after standing by her side for so long, why did they ultimately betray her in the future?

What was their true goal behind these actions?

That question would be the key to solving everything.