Chapter 010 – Alwyn Gusev and Randy Rozenvelt
Some time after Atthy had finished her preparations, an elegant and luxurious carriage arrived to fetch her. The escort was in stark contrast to the one she'd received in Caihina—not only in the opulence of their attire, but also in the discipline and grace exuded by the soldiers accompanying it. They stood tall and orderly, radiating an undeniable dignity—proof that this was a true noble entourage.
"Good afternoon, Lady Galina. I am Alwyn Gusev, steward of House Griffith and the one entrusted to lead His Grace Duke Griffith's escort," greeted a man who was clearly the leader of the procession. His voice was deep and authoritative, yet laced with refined courtesy. Even in brief phrases, his speech carried both elegance and depth, revealing both intelligence and humanity.
"Good afternoon, Lady Galina. I am Randy Rozenvelt. I've been appointed as commander of the escort that will accompany you to His Grace's estate," said a gallant knight, placing a hand over his chest in salute. He stood with military precision, but in his gaze, there was a gentleness and respect that softened his disciplined air.
"Their manners are truly impressive," Atthy mused silently, struck by the stark difference between this and her previous journey with that cursed Billy. "Maybe this time I can actually feel at ease."
Atthy responded with a faint smile. "Pleased to meet you. I am Atthaleyah Galina," she said with a polite tone, one that nonetheless retained the commanding air of nobility.
"Please, don't hesitate, Lady Galina," Alwyn and Randy replied in unison, their smiles warm and sincere. "We are at your service."
"Thank you, Mister Alwyn Gusev and Mister Randy Rozenvelt," said Atthy, her eyes bright. "I hope we'll work well together. I look forward to your guidance during the journey."
Though the conversation was brief, Atthy could sense something different in the way Alwyn and Randy responded. They had clearly been momentarily surprised by the grace with which she introduced herself, but their professionalism quickly reasserted itself. For a moment, the three of them—Atthy, Alwyn, and Randy—fell into silence, as if unsure of what to do next.
From Atthy's perspective, the confusion came from the fact that they were all still standing there. Wasn't it time to leave? The carriage was ready, and they had a journey ahead.
From Alwyn and Randy's point of view, they were puzzled why the young lady hadn't invited them to proceed.
"Is there something you're waiting for?" Atthy finally asked, her voice a little dry after the prolonged silence.
Alwyn and Randy blinked at the question, momentarily unsure how to respond.
"Forgive me, my lady, but… where is the Baron?" Alwyn asked at last, gathering the courage to voice the question.
Atthy was taken aback. She couldn't understand why he would ask that.
"Grandfather? He couldn't see me off," she replied plainly. "I came alone. Surely you knew that?"
The look of surprise returned to Alwyn and Randy's faces. Atthy noticed it, and it dawned on her that their reaction wasn't normal.
"Grandfather?"
Both Alwyn and Randy were caught off guard by how she referred to him.
Their brows twitched slightly—something Atthy did not miss. Still, she chose not to comment. Coolly, she ignored it just as she had with many other things.
Alwyn's sharp intuition turned toward the three servants standing behind Atthy. One of them, in particular, seemed visibly anxious—a detail Alwyn noted but, as a well-mannered guest, did not inquire about.
The spring sun hung high in the sky, casting a warmth that bordered on uncomfortable for those used to the northern chill. The air carried the scent of blooming flowers, mingled with silk and expensive perfumes that clung to the grand hall.
Amid the aristocrats exchanging pleasantries, Atthy stood out like a presence one couldn't ignore. Her red hair cascaded in soft waves, catching the sunlight that streamed through the great windows. Her emerald eyes were serene—nearly unreadable—but to the observant, there was a flicker of discomfort hidden within their depths.
Her gown, adorned with golden embroidery and gemstones, flowed with undeniable elegance. It framed her figure flawlessly, making it hard to believe she hadn't chosen it herself. The fabric felt foreign against her skin, and every ornament on her wrist and neck felt like invisible chains. But to the outside world, none of that showed.
Her expression remained composed, confident—as though the opulence and grandeur surrounding her were second nature. She didn't pretend to enjoy it, nor did she reveal her unease. Her sincere demeanor created an intriguing paradox. How could someone so glamorous, so flawlessly adorned in wealth, still radiate an untouchable honesty?
And though many eyes glanced her way, none dared to linger. There was something in the way she stood, in the way she looked at the room, that made others think twice before approaching. She might have appeared like a gem in a crowd, but those perceptive enough would know one thing—she was not a gem meant to be possessed, much less controlled.
"Then how are we supposed to depart without greeting the Baron? I was hoping to introduce myself, at the very least…" Alwyn muttered.
Atthy frowned at his words. Given how Billy had treated her family, she found the question irritating. It felt more like an insult—a subtle jab, as though checking to see if they'd been humiliated enough by a servant.
"That won't be necessary!" she snapped, her voice tense despite her effort to keep it even. "If you had to return just to see my grandfather, then why bother sending escorts to fetch me in the first place?!"
They had misunderstood each other. Though their words matched in sequence, the meaning behind them could not have been more different.
"I apologize, my lady, if I caused you any discomfort…" Alwyn replied respectfully, though he couldn't help feeling that Atthy looked down on him—as if he were merely a messenger from a Duke she might one day marry.
"Was I wrong about her…" Alwyn wondered silently. "At first, I thought she was different from the reports. But now… maybe the information I received was accurate."
"What is this?!" Randy growled internally. "Since when did escorting a future bride feel like collecting a courtesan?!"
Alwyn and Randy shared the same sentiment. They felt slighted—as guests, no less—because the host who should have welcomed them had not even appeared. They might be messengers, but they still represented their lord, and they believed they deserved better treatment.
The knights accompanying them began to feel the same discomfort. Whispers passed among them—perhaps Lady Galina would be difficult to cooperate with on the road ahead.
"It's fine," Atthy replied flatly, calming herself.
"Shall we depart, then, my lady?" Alwyn asked politely, though there was a slight tension in his tone.
"Of course," Atthy answered coldly, brushing off the strange feelings she was beginning to associate with the two men who had come to receive her.
"This was rather sudden, so we appreciate your understanding, Lady Galina. We must depart now or risk missing the train. If we leave at once, we'll arrive at the station by late afternoon. Please bear with us," Alwyn explained.
The word "sudden" struck Atthy oddly, but she didn't feel like questioning it. Meanwhile, Alwyn hadn't expected they wouldn't even be offered a seat or a cup of coffee after their long journey. Instead, they were forced to rush off again to meet the train's departure.
Alwyn and Randy came to the same conclusion: Lady Galina was likely already leveraging her position as the Duke's future bride.
"Very well," Atthy replied curtly, maintaining the kind of distant tone nobles often used with their servants.
"Please…" Randy said, offering his hand to help her into the carriage with grace—treating her with the sort of respect Billy and his subordinates had so sorely lacked.
Thanks to the Duke's influence, Alwyn had the authority to delay the train's departure. He promptly ordered one of the knights to relay a message and ensure all accommodations for the Duke's honored guest were ready aboard the train.
Atthy's maids rode in a separate carriage, far from where their mistress was seated. Meanwhile, Alwyn took to horseback like the other knights, maintaining his professional demeanor throughout the journey.
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