Katherine attended to me with practiced hands, her fingers working methodically to loosen the tightly bound corset that had been constricting my breathing for hours. While she busied herself with the intricate lacings and hooks, I found myself drawn irresistibly to the opened window, my gaze wandering beyond the ancient stone frame to admire the breathtaking view that stretched before me like a painted canvas. The tower room I had been given overlooked the landscape behind the castle, revealing vistas I hadn't anticipated. I was genuinely surprised to discover we were situated atop a considerable hill, and this particular tower—positioned strategically at one corner—overlooked the terrain directly below with commanding perspective.
Farmlands spread out in geometric patterns across the valley floor, now completely covered in pristine blankets of snow that transformed the utilitarian fields into something ethereal and dreamlike. Beyond the agricultural lands stretched a large, dense expanse of ancient forest, its countless trees now laden with heavy piles of snow that bent their branches and created a scene of such profound beauty it seemed almost unreal. The winter had painted everything in shades of white and silver and pale blue, as if the world itself had been dipped in moonlight and frozen in that luminous state. There were far many more houses scattered across the landscape below than I had observed earlier during our approach to Gorei, their smoking chimneys the only signs of the warm life contained within those snow-covered structures. To think that all of this—every field, every forest, every dwelling—had once belonged to Draga felt strangely, uncomfortably greedy on the part of Selon. It was a wound that hadn't fully healed, a loss that still stung when examined too closely.
Katherine had finally succeeded in freeing me from the torturous confines of my corset, and I heaved a greedy, desperate breath, filling my lungs completely for the first time in hours. The relief was immediate and profound, like surfacing from deep water. I had heard through various sources that in Selon, women didn't routinely wear such restrictive corsets at all. Since the weather there was described as extremely warm year-round, almost oppressively hot, they instead wore loose, breathable fabrics made from light cotton and silk, and they didn't feel compelled to cover most of their skin the way we did habitually in the perpetually cold north. It might prove to be quite the liberating, perhaps even rebellious experience for someone raised with northern modesty. Though I harbored private doubts about whether I would actually fit comfortably into those types of revealing clothes, whether my northern sensibilities could adapt.
"We'll have to adopt Selon clothing customs when we reach there," I stated matter-of-factly, after I turned around from the window and discovered I wasn't the only one contemplating this inevitable wardrobe transformation. Katherine's face immediately twisted into a pronounced frown, clearly not liking the idea at all.
"They show off far too much skin," she said with obvious disapproval, carefully putting my discarded corset away in the wardrobe. "It's indecent."
"It's not as if they have any real choice in the matter," I replied reasonably, beginning to loosen up my inner petticoat. "I've heard it's so unbearably hot there that the air itself shows you mirages, makes you see things that aren't there. The heat can actually kill you if you're not careful."
I walked slowly toward the adjoining bathing chamber, where I knew a warm, inviting bath awaited my arrival. The bath had been thoughtfully prepared well before our arrival, with a dedicated maid assigned to keep the water at the perfect temperature consistently until we finally arrived at the room. I could already smell the fragrant steam—there were medicinal herbs and precious sandalwood added to the bath water, creating a scent that was absolutely heavenly, almost transcendent.
After removing my petticoat—the last remaining piece of clothing clinging to my body—I stepped carefully into the large copper tub to soak. I let out an involuntary sigh of pure contentment when the warm water enveloped me completely, surrounding my cold skin and seeping into my aching muscles. The heat was perfect, just this side of too hot.
"It's just some skin," I voiced my thoughts aloud, my eyes drifting closed. "Just flesh and bone, nothing sacred about it."
"If we stubbornly insist on wearing our heavy northern clothes in the south, we will be dead from heatstroke before we ever lay eyes on Arap," I mumbled, settling deeper into the water and allowing the warmth to penetrate completely, chasing away the persistent chill that seemed to live in my bones.
"But what about our dignity? Our shame and propriety?" Katherine questioned me earnestly, genuine concern evident in her voice.
I rose up slightly in the bath, opening my eyes to look directly at her from my seated position in the tub. A lazy, knowing smile played slowly across my lips.
"Dignity and shame won't keep you alive when the heat is killing you, sweetie," I said with absolute certainty, then playfully sprayed her with water from my fingertips. Katherine visibly flinched as the droplets hit her face, shock and surprise replacing her serious features.
I smiled lazily at her flustered expression, amused by her reaction.
"Besides," I added with genuine conviction, "I bet we would look absolutely beautiful in Southern clothes. Stunning, even. Perhaps it's time to discover what we look like when we're not buried under layers of wool and fur."
I was completely sure of this assessment.
---
Dinner was served promptly as evening descended, and we were formally escorted by a maid personally sent by Arvid's aunt to guide us through the labyrinthine castle to the main dining hall. The maid assigned to us was a short, petite girl with intricately braided hair and sharp, striking features that suggested intelligence and wit. She possessed beautiful brown eyes that seemed to glow with inner light and beautiful brown skin that spoke of southern heritage. She wore traditional southern clothing, though interestingly it covered every inch of her body rather than revealing skin—adaptations made for the northern climate. A thick woolen shawl was wrapped snugly around her neck and shoulders, keeping her warm against the biting cold she still hadn't fully adjusted to. She introduced herself with a bright smile, saying her name was Yasmine. She was clearly a happy-go-lucky girl with an infectious, giggly smile perpetually on her expressive face. Her eyes positively glistened and danced as she spoke, full of life and enthusiasm.
She had originally come here to Gorei from the distant South when she was only thirteen years old, barely more than a child. Her entire family had made the momentous decision to migrate north and try their luck at farming the fertile lands here. She was one of five siblings in her large, close-knit family. Against considerable odds, they had succeeded in their endeavor, her family ultimately building a permanent residence here in Gorei and establishing themselves as respected members of the community.
"At first we struggled tremendously hard because of the brutal cold," she explained in fluent Arthia, her native tongue. She had been absolutely delighted to hear me speak her language, marveling at my linguistic capabilities far more than I felt I deserved. "None of us had ever experienced anything like it. But eventually, through perseverance, we adapted and got used to it. Now it feels almost normal."
According to her enthusiastic testimony, the mixed babies born between ancient resident former Draga citizens and Selonians who had migrated north were absolutely adorable without exception.
"They are genuinely the cutest children you've ever seen!" she exclaimed with obvious passion. "You never know what to expect in terms of appearance, but they always end up becoming even more adorable than you could possibly expect them to be! It's like magic!"
She went on to explain that her older sister had married a former Draganian citizen—a man with striking blue eyes and blonde hair—and her baby niece had inherited a beautiful combination: her father's piercing blue eyes and her mother's thick black hair, along with her father's pale northern skin. The child was apparently the pride of the entire extended family.
By the time we finally reached the dining hall, walking through countless corridors, we had heard many fascinating things from Yasmine's endless stream of cheerful conversation. "Trivia with Yasmine," you could call it. We had been so genuinely interested in her animated talking that we had unconsciously been walking much slower than we should have, lingering to hear more stories. So by the time we actually arrived at the dining hall and the ornate doors were opened for us, all of the Duke's family and Arvid had already been seated and were waiting somewhat impatiently for our arrival.
They had thoughtfully reserved a seat for me positioned right next to Arvid. Because the dining table was round rather than rectangular—a southern custom—there was no traditional head of the table, no seat of highest honor. I genuinely liked that egalitarian idea, the subtle message it sent. I sat down carefully next to a very eager Arvid who had clearly been anticipating my arrival. His eyes had locked onto me the instant I entered through the doorway, and they never left me, not even once, tracking my every movement across the room. As I drew closer to my designated seat, he immediately stood and dragged the heavy chair out for me in a gentleman's practiced manner, his movements smooth and courteous.
Katherine was given a seat positioned next to me, continuing her role as my companion. She sat down carefully, her posture mannered and impeccably polite as always. When she finally raised her head and allowed her gaze to sweep across the assembled dinner guests, I noticed her eyes landing directly and unmistakably on the eldest son of the Duke of Gorei—young Seran. He had been staring at her quite openly, practically gaping with his mouth slightly open. But Katherine quickly looked away. It was only then that I suddenly realized with embarrassment that I hadn't properly introduced her to the family. They must be genuinely bewildered by this stranger suddenly appearing at their private family dinner.
"This is Katherine," I said quickly, belatedly making the introduction. "My personal attendant and companion on this journey."
"More like a dear friend, really," I amended, meaning every single word. I had felt increasingly comfortable around her as of late, as we spent more time together and our relationship evolved beyond mere formality. So I wasn't exaggerating or simply being diplomatic.
"She's absolutely beautiful," Seran said immediately, still not taking his eyes off Katherine for even a moment, completely mesmerized.
"Can I marry you when I get older?" he added with the blunt honesty only a teenager could muster. The whole table went completely silent at this unexpected proposal, everyone freezing mid-motion.
"No, you cannot, as I've already promised myself to another," Katherine responded calmly, raising her left hand to display a gleaming band on her ring finger that caught the candlelight.
"You're about three years too late, kid," she added, her tone humorous rather than unkind. The tension that had gripped the table dissipated away in an instant, everyone suddenly laughing and giggling at the exchange and Seran's adolescent boldness.
Seran visibly pouted, his face falling dramatically. "Aww," he said with exaggerated disappointment, slumping in his chair while the adults continued to chuckle.