Ilyin woke up scared from her dream.
Beads of sweat covered her forehead and she couldn't shake the vivid vision of the snow ambushing the soldiers, but no one had died in the dream and she took a deep breath feeling a little relieved.
“Etra.” she called shakily.
Etra responded immediately:
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Will the Red Delrose knights go out into battle soon?” All the Delrose Knights would face a snowstorm.
However, since they didn't die in their dream, the worst possible outcome could be avoided.
“Should I ask you about this?” Eta asked, lowering her head.
Ilyin thought for a moment before responding.
The Delrose people treated her loyally, unlike other families and she could see this by their actions and the way they spoke to her.
However, Aden of Biflten was the chief of the Delroses and she was worried about what he would think if he found out that Ilyin wanted to know about their expedition?
Although he was firm in saying that Ilyin could do whatever she wanted as mistress of the house.
She made her decision and replied:
“Yes, please.”
"I understand.
Plus, I got a lady who is well versed in Biflten culture." Ilyin blinked at the lack of speed and Etra continued to explain the delay, "She will come at night since she was summoned to the knight's mansion earlier.
It seems to be for her safety, please understand this delay."
It was true that one needed to confirm whether such a person was trustworthy and Ilyin nodded in understanding.
"Thank you.
Tell her to come when she's ready."
Etra bowed and asked a Delrose maid outside about the expedition.
Ilyin got out of bed and went to sit at the table and another maid Delrose placed a short but warm blanket over his shoulders.
Ilyin thanked him and the maid blushed, as her status did not allow her to respond.
Ilyin stopped the maid when she was about to retreat:
“Wait.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The maid looked tense and Ilyin smiled to say that it was okay for her to talk.
"I need to ask you something.
It seems that the four families stay in different areas under an unspoken rule."
"Yes."
The maid seemed less tense on a topic she was familiar with, and Ilyin smiled softly:
“I was curious to know where the Delroses stayed.”
“Ah, that’s…” The maid began to explain to her lady with a smile.
***
Ilyin had a map of the estate and from her maid's explanation, she was able to circle the location where the Delroses were mainly situated, as well as where the other families were also located.
She did this because now she was the wife and would have to know what was going on around her.
However, she thought something was strange when she heard about the succession ceremony.
It was said to be held in the cellar owned by the Delroses, which was inevitable since the Duke was one of the Delroses.
Still, the strange thing was that while the other families were spread out, the Delroses were situated in one area.
The map showed that only the Delroses could move around without having to pass through the other family's areas, while none of them could do the same, it was impossible.
She played the route that Blue North's Lizzie had guided her on and Ilyin passed through the family's various territories, which was only allowed because Lizzie was guiding a guest.
She remembered that they had rested frequently and irregularly, now she saw that they had only rested in the Blue North areas.
Lizzie seemed to be trying to avoid people and Ilyin ran into Den while walking there.
The separation of families made sense since the owner of the property was a Delrose.
The Duke's upcoming schedule worried her, Ilyin thought about the succession ceremony where he would be present.
Since it was held in the basement, where only the elders would be present, it would be easy to avoid their eyes.
The duke was on the battlefield and she remembered a knight calling out to him the day she met Den.
The duke was there and a knight was looking for him.
Ilyin was unable to look around and lowered her gaze, afraid to see her eyes because of the rumors she heard.
The strange thing was that it seemed like he was among the knights when she assumed he would be at the back or moving alone.
Ilyin wouldn't know this if she hadn't been there.
¹ |Tacit is something that is implicit or implied, making explanations or mentions about it unnecessary.