The carriage passed through the rocky path to the forest. I finished the lunch Lilith prepared for me—a few sandwiches, a well-dressed salad, and some fruit cut into pieces.
I looked out the window.
The sun is starting to set, covering everything in a cloth of thick darkness and fog.
I knocked on the window, catching Sir Malen's attention. I pulled open the window slightly. The action causing the cold air to come inside Sending a slight shiver down my spine.
"How long do we have until we reach the entrance?" My voice is calm and composed.
"About another hour, my lady." I nodded.
"Upon reaching the location... Have the camp tent set up a little further from the entrance," I paused, thinking to myself. "And right after our arrival, we shall go to see the situation inside with Sir Daren." He nodded in acknowledgement, but he paused and looked up with an unreadable expression. "Wouldn't it be too dangerous, my lady?"
"It'll be fine." I stared dismissively and closed the window.
I watched him go a little forward to where Sir Daren was leading the other knights. From what I could tell, Sir Malen instructed Sir Daren to go ahead of us and start preparing the camp.
I pulled the window curtains down and leaned back on the soft padded carriage seat.
Hmm, now 'Your Grace' turned into 'My Lady' to avoid suspension, huh…
Territory inspection mainly suggests when the lord of the domain explores the places of the territory to see if the people are doing well or not. Or just to solve problems if they have any.
In every territory inspection, only the trusted Knights approved by Sir Malen can follow; it ensures safety and avoids getting confidential information leaked.
These are also the knights who had accompanied Master on all outings. Saw the noble man he is. Saw the person behind the facade and still followed through with all his commands.
One of the things I appreciate about these men is their loyalty to House Korvaldt. Because if it weren't for loyalty and fear towards their lord, they would naturally rebel against their lord when they find something displeasing.
While they blindly followed all of Master's commands. Ironically, they wouldn't do that same thing for me. Even though I'm the current grand duchess.
One of the most powerful persons in this empire...
Still, I'm not the lady that commands Dusk Wardens nor Dawn Wardens... Alaric is their real lord now, after all.
The true lord of the Dusk and Dawn Wardens after the late Grand Duke.
My experience darkened slightly as the thoughts filled my mind.
What am I, you may ask? I'm just a mere strategy, or rather the afterthought that is filling the empty spot until Alaric is ready to take over.
I'd never admit it out loud, nor am I allowed to. But it's unfair. I have to handle backlash from the people of my own household—no... not my house... the house of Korvaldt—and backlash from nobility. While also leading the dukedom well and caring for all FIVE children.
I can't go ahead and directly get involved with the knights like all the the other members of house Korvaldt.
I can only order Sir Malen and Sir Daren to do things for me. Even then I have to explain why I'm doing so they have a reason to follow my order.
And other than them, my escort knight, Aric Veyran, Sir Malen's son. The one who mostly accompanies me on my normal outings is the one I can ask to do little things like doing an errand.
Sir Malen, who is the commander of both Dusk and Dawn Wardens. Has all authority over the knight order in the absence of the master. and he will have this authority until Alaric becomes the Grand Duke.
This man has the actual permission to kill me if I were to step out of the will conditions written by Master when he started to get sick.
All I wanted in both of my lives was to just have some mental peace. But my fate seems to literally be saying, 'No mental peace, only rest in peace.'
The hours passed by; by the time we reached the forest entrance, it was pitch black.
Sir Malen opened the door, and without a word being said, he helped me out of the carriage.
I looked up, seeing the sight unfolding before me.
Just as instructed, Sir Daren had reached first and was now commanding the other knights to set up the tent.
"Sir Malen, tell Sir Daren to get the horses ready." He gave a nod and went to Sir Daren.
As I waited, leaning against the carriage. A chill ran down my spine.
I can feel an intense gaze watching me. But who? I never had such a feeling, even while carrying out the master's order.
I looked around, but all I could see were knights preparing the camp and the entrance of Eldusk Forest.
But something in the air shifted. Something intense, something nerve-wracking, something dangerous.
I could hear a soft hum, almost unnoticeable. But there's a faint "lalalal ahh hmm um" in the air. I can feel it—hear it.
'Ladana Von Korvaldt or Elowen Valmont?' Suddenly this question popped into my head. It's been a while since I thought about my name from my past life.
Wait... why am I thinking about this again?
I looked around, my gaze filled with unnoticeable tension and suspense.
I have known this frost. Even more than even the locals do.
'Eldusk Forest,' a forest wrapped in mastery. It is one of the most well-known places in the Velanith Empire. Very popular for people going missing now and then.
The El means "old," and Dusk just means "dusk." So in conclusion, when the full meaning is formed, it's the Forest of Old Dusk.
Unique name, isn't it? The name comes from the diverse aura of the forest.
In the morning Various types of trees and flowers make this forest look and feel ethereal. But when the sun sets and night comes, it's a totally different place. A place crawling with dark energy, monstrous beasts, and some other creepy things, according to local legends.
Mostly at the time of inspection, especially in winter when it's the breeding season for these creatures, the Dusk Wardens eliminate these beasts as much as possible so they won't spread beyond the forest.
This beast hunting original started around the Third Emperor's reign. When the beasts had first started to come out and attack. And since then this has been going on.
The north is a cold place. People here are struggling to keep up with the natural hazard as it is.
I let out a soft sigh.
Can't have the possibility of beasts running around too.
While many might think that the only reason the beasts are hunted is so they won't spread.
Well. They couldn't be more wrong. The fur, thick skins of the beasts, their teeth, and even their organs can come in handy.
With their fur and skin, people of the north make winter clothes and blankets that keep them warm.
The teeth are used to make daggers, showpieces, and other creative things people come up with.
Their organs are used for advanced medicine and even for alchemy.
There are so many advantages to this beast, aren't there?
So yeah, It's like killing two birds with one stone.
I looked around again but still couldn't find anything that could be related to this sense of unease.
Strange, I have been to this place a lot of times, to the point that I might as well call it a home. But never have I felt this.
What is this?