TWSB – Chapter 65: The territory of the Grand Duke of the North (2)

There was a ship floating in the distance out on the ocean. It was quite far, so the flag was not very visible.

However, they were sure that they heard a cannon exploding.

“Evacuate all civilians by the shore! Tell them to take only their valuables and run to the Count’s Estate!”
“Yes, young Countess-nim!”

The knight seemed familiar with such a situation.

Almost none of them were shocked to hear the word ‘pirates’. In fact, their formation and gazes became firmer.

Christelle watched the Margrave’s soldiers moving in perfect order before calling out to Élisabeth.

“Vice Captain Élisabeth, I will help out too.”
“I would be most grateful, young lady Sarnez.”

The young Countess’s grey eyes curled up as she smiled. Her tone was the same as usual.

She did not show any signs of urgency or anxiety, probably because she had faced pirates plenty of times before.

However, she did seem to be a bit calmer now.

“Please call Instructor Johann and the priest-nim as well. We may need their help.”

Christelle commented. Élisabeth quickly nodded her head.

“Deliver the young lady’s message as well. Gabriel, you go!”
“Yes, young Countess-nim!”

The knight who was designated as messenger quickly left toward the Count’s Estate on his horse.

Christelle watched him leave and started thinking.

Johann Geens was the instructor sent from the Vatican to train her and the Imperial Prince Cédric as Holy Knights.

The man seemed uninterested in everything. He even seemed to find eating annoying. Though, he was not the type of person who would sit back and do nothing while his student was fighting against pirates.

The Clergy level priest he came with was necessary for her to replenish her ether as well.

This priest’s ether was like junk food compared to Prince Jesse’s extremely pure ether, but……

It was better than nothing.

‘Prince Jesse.’

Christelle smiled as the ocean breeze blew across her face.

The prince was one of the two people who gave her the most sense of life in this world.

She didn’t know the reason behind it as it was such a subjective sensation that she couldn’t even explain it properly to herself, but……

Everything felt clear and fresh when the Imperial Prince and the prince were by her side.

The feeling of being alive was stronger than ever.

She did get similar feelings from Vice Captain Élisabeth and Cardinal Boutier as well, but she had never met anybody who gave her ‘special’ feelings like the two of them did.

Of course, the feelings each man gave her were completely different.

Her relationship with the Imperial Prince was one where they clashed against each other to relieve their anger and stress.

Using all of her strength when sparring against him gave her a release that was unique to Holy Knights and made her feel good.

She felt an instinctual repulsion against him, but he was perfect as a sparring partner.

Plopping down on the ground after fighting with him made the sense of life in her body become clear.

Prince Jesse was a bit peculiar. For example……

‘Please be careful of pirates.’

She had smiled in disbelief when he said that. He was an odd person.

He was nice to her but seemed to be keeping his distance. He was clearly a warm person who pretended to be cold.

He had never exchanged blows with her like the Imperial Prince had done, but his existence alone gave off an unbelievable amount of life force.

It was as if he was living in a 4K world when the rest of the world was still in HD.

Did it feel that way because of his immense amount of ether?

– Baaaaang!

– Chhhhhhhhhhhh!

They heard another cannon explosion. A strand of water shot up from the shores not too far from them.

Nobody else was happy?smiling? but Christelle had a sparkling smile on her face.

Dwelling on something she could not understand was not Ham Ga-in’s style.

She stopped thinking about the two pretty boys and fixed the grip on her blue whip.

She planned on doing anything and everything she wanted to do, as long as it did not bring harm to the owner of this body.

And today’s goal was……

‘I just need a small souvenir.’

‘Souvenirs are great. I will get you one, your highness.’

“I woooooonder if a pirate shiiiiiip could be considered a sooooooouvenir.”

She extended her words and hummed to herself.

The bright sunlight of early summer was shining down on the landscape of white cliffs and blue water.

She had never used her abilities from such a distance before, but they were near the ocean.

It was worth trying.

*

‘I’m not curious at all. Who cares who Grand Duke Yvelines and Duke Yvelines are? I have no interest whatsoever. It doesn’t matter if nobody tells me.’

I was busy enough dealing with my own issues. I didn’t need to worry about someone else’s in-laws or second cousins or whatnot.

I decided to think only about the important things as I got off the carriage and stomped away.

Demy, who was on my shoulder, and the other two red pandas, who were in my arms, were squealing with each other.

Benjamin and Ganael grabbed some bags and followed behind me.

“It’s been two years since we’ve been to this remote palace. It should be a nice retreat.”

Empress Frédérique, who was walking in front of me, must have enjoyed making fun of me as her smile had not left her face since earlier.

At least Cardinal Boutier was next to me saying things like, ‘she’s acting like a child,’ and ‘this is so embarrassing.’

She was truly the last conscience of the Empire.

“It is our family’s honor to be in your presence, Prince Jesse.”
“Nice to meet you as well.”

The Chief of Staff of the Grand Duke’s Estate greeted the Empress and the Cardinal and then respectfully greeted me as well.

Once we arrived at Grand Duke Yvelines’ home after the two hour carriage ride, the attendants and servants all came out to stand in a single file line.

The Grand Duke’s Estate was large enough to fit the name of the Summer Palace, but there weren’t as many staff members as I had expected.

They must limit the number of staff because this was the Empress’s remote palace with strict guidelines for who could enter.

“I heard about your great deeds at the Great Clearance of Demonic Beasts, your highness. I’m sure that you will receive the Almighty God’s infinite blessings.”
“I didn’t do much at all.”

I lightly smiled and looked around.

This Summer Palace was a memorable mansion with orange walls and a dark blue roof.

There were splendid gold decorations here and there and the walls had exquisite sculptures and magic lights made of silver.

The main entrance to the Summer Palace had two large staircases on either side, which made itlook as if the building was curling its arms to welcome its guests.

There was a steep slope of grass and a fountain full of all sorts of jewels in the front of the building.

The fountain seemed to shoot up at least 200m tall. It was wide enough for some small boats.

“What a beautiful place.”
“Thank you very much.”

The Chief of Staff bowed as I gasped in admiration.

Unlike the Imperial Palace, where the Imperial family’s dignity and authority could be felt, this remote palace truly seemed to be designed for relaxation.

It was smaller than the Imperial Palace but bolder in color.

I heard that it gets very cold here in the winter, but the cool breeze felt nice right now.

I felt a bit awkward for intruding in the Empress and the Cardinal’s retreat, but coming here made it easy to handle that awkwardness.

“Duke, ahem. His Royal Highness, Duke Yvelines, usually reads on the grass over there.”
“The Duke?”
“Yes, your highness. I heard that you like to read, so…… I thought that I would recommend a fitting place.”

The Chief of Staff bit down on his lips.

Seeing him holding back his laughter while talking about Duke Yvelines must have meant that the ‘Imperial Decree’ had already been delivered.

I couldn’t help but sigh.

‘She gave such a childish order to make fun of a single prince……’

“Thank you very much. Would you please show me my room first?”
“Yes, of course, your highness.”

The Chief of Staff motioned to the attendants of the remote palace with his eyes.

The Empress and Cardinal must have already gone to their rooms as I did not see them anymore.

I started walking up the sleek granite steps with the others.

‘But why is the Duke referred to as his royal highness? I guess it is because he is the Grand Duke’s child and part of the Imperial Family. No, I’m not curious at all.’

*

“Wow, this is the best. It would be great to live here.”
“I agree, your highness. It’s my first time in Yvelines but it is so wonderful.”

– Screeeeech!

Ganael, the three red pandas, and I were all lying down on a mat, rolling around.

Benjamin was smiling while pouring some cold honeybush tea for me.

The bright sunlight, cool grass, refreshing shade of the tree… People close to me and these cute divine beasts…

Everything was perfect after coming to the Summer Palace.

It would be great if I could just maintain my life like this before going home.

The Empress left to hunt something for dinner and the Cardinal naturally went with her.

They said that Duke Yvelines should be back in a few days after taking care of the pirates.

I was on my own in this wonderful remote palace.

“But why are outsiders not allowed to enter Yvelines? Is there a reason for that?”

I asked a question that popped into my mind.

Ganael’s gold eyes were filled with a complicated gaze.

“That, your highness. Mm……”
“Yvelines was originally private land belonging to the Imperial family. It has not been very long since it was given the Yvelines name and separated from the Imperial family land. It was an area specially given to the Grand Duke, so only close family and guests are able to enter.”
“I see.”

Benjamin was able to resolve some of my curiosity without revealing the identities of Grand Duke Yvelines or the Duke.

It made him seem amazing. I nodded my head and sat up.

I then grabbed a peach in one hand and opened my notebook with a quill pen in the other.

“Well, I’m not interested in the Grand Duke or the Duke.”
““That’s very random, your highness.”

Ganael sounded confused at what I just said.

I quietly reached the peach out and Demy quickly came over, grabbed my sleeve, and started biting on it.

The other two didn’t seem interested in it.

I maintained that position before writing some ‘truly important things’ in it.

∙ Sadie and the suspicious letter

That was the most concerning right now.

I had found a mysterious ddakji last night among the birthday cards given to Prince Jesse.

It was a note from a Usil to a Losna, but it was clearly someone from the Holy Kingdom asking about how I was doing.

That punk Sadie snatched it away, but it was short enough that I memorized what was on it.

The thing I was curious about though……

∙ Sadie and the suspicious letter

– Who is Usil?

– Is Losna my middle name?

– What did that punk Sadie do with the letter?

Those were it.

“Usil, Usil.”

I quietly mumbled to myself.

Based on the contents of the note alone, there seemed to be someone in the Holy Kingdom concerned about Prince Jesse, unlike what I originally assumed.

The tone did not make it sound like a lover, so it was most likely a family member or friend.

I had no way of knowing who it was if it was a friend, but I had some people in mind if it was a family member.

– Who is Usil: A friend I don’t know, Queen Christanne, crown princess Elise.

I bit the end of the quill pen for a moment before letting it go.

‘Would the Queen have a reason to send such a secretive note?’

She was in a position to send an official letter to her son whenever she wanted and didn’t seem to have a reason to hide it.

But the crown princess……

‘They say that the crown princess does not agree with what the Prince Consort is trying to do.’
‘You are saying some dangerous things.’

I recalled the interview I had last month with Lady Sarah Belliard, the Managing Editor of the < Biweekly Riester >.

I was sure that was what Lady Belliard had said.

The clash between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom at the border was crown princess Elise’s doing. The crown princess and Prince Consort Werner had opposing opinions.

He frowned once he thought that far.

‘What if it was the crown princess who was stealthily sending me a message while avoiding the Prince Consort’s eyes? What if the sibling relationship between them wasn’t bad?’

“Hmm……”

It was a plausible hypothesis but it would be dangerous to confirm it as true.

What Lady Belliard told me was just a rumor and the author of the note could have been someone I don’t even know exists.

It was not enough to say that the crown princess was on my side or that I had allies in the Holy Kingdom.

I was careful to make sure Demy did not eat the peach seed before looking down at the next sentence.

I could see that Ganael had fallen asleep.

– Is Losna my middle name?

I heard a familiar young boy’s voice at that moment.

‘Losna must be your middle name.’
‘I guess so.’

I grumbled internally.

There was no way for me to prove or disprove that without Prince Jesse’s family or best friend coming to confirm it.

Eunseo didn’t mention the middle names of the QNW characters either, and even if she did, I probably wouldn’t have remembered.

The conversation I do remember is…

‘The Grand Duke of the North. If there are many male lead candidates in a Romfan, you always have to choose the Grand Duke of the North.’
‘Not the West?’
‘There isn’t something like that in the west, big bro. There is an Imperial Crown Prince, the King, the Grand Duke of the North, and the Magic Tower Master. Don’t ask anything, don’t question anything, just go for the Grand Duke of the North.’
‘Why? Isn’t the north dangerous because of a lot of invasions? What if I die during my wedding day?’
‘Stop watching Game of Thrones.’

……That was the conversation. This was a ‘Romfan’ world in the territory of a ‘Grand Duke’ of the ‘North’!

I quickly sat up straight again.

Benjamin, who had been putting a Meringue in my mouth, flinched.

I wasn’t that curious about it, but my right hand started moving as if it was possessed by Jung Eunseo’s mouth.

∙ Traits of the Grand Duke of the North

– Man of few words

– Serious

– Handsome

– Usually wears fur (might not in the summer)

– Cold

– Warm to his lover?

“……I have absolutely no idea.”

I quietly mumbled.

There are so many possible people. If it is just like this, even the Imperial Prince could be the Duke of the North.


Translator’s Comments

Oh poor Jesse.

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33 Replies to “TWSB – Chapter 65: The territory of the Grand Duke of the North (2)”

  1. Vanilla

    I like that Jesse is smart
    And unlike those who got transmigration they all have been prepared as they have read it before
    While Jesse here not, only his sister

    Reply
  2. redpanda

    That GoT reference tho😂😂
    Come on get the hint jesseee grand duke is someone that more high tier than pig prince you must know it

    Reply
  3. TOMATO-SAN

    I’m super happy that the site is back, thank you so much for your work!
    And thanks for the update!🌼😊⭐

    Reply
  4. Blossom Honey

    I finally decided to read this after seeing a spoiler on Instagram and I’m enjoying it immensely. (Only problem is that the spoiler is hundreds of chapters in lol).

    I like Jesse, he’s so different from other protagonists: he gives me such soft fluffy vibes; he’s smart and sticks to his business (unlike a certain red-head *cough*); he’s a little on the dumb side but I find that kinda endearing for some reason; he’s so polite and gentle.

    //‘The Grand Duke of the North. If there are many male lead candidates in a Romfan, you always have to choose the Grand Duke of the North.’
    ‘Not the West?’
    ‘There isn’t something like that in the west, big bro. There is an Imperial Crown Prince, the King, the Grand Duke of the North, and the Magic Tower Master. Don’t ask anything, don’t question anything, just go for the Grand Duke of the North.’//
    She just called out like 90% of shoujo romances lol, but it’s so true though. Too bad Jesse isn’t familiar enough with shoujo conventions to figure out it’s probably Cedric. Also, I’m gonna go ahead and predict the storybooks are what Cedric’s father wrote for him and Yves is the Empress and Nikki is Alexandre and it’s based on when they were little.

    Also also, I always found it weird how much Jesse references his sister Eunse, like his older brother is just his older brother but he specifically names Eunse. I feel like she may have something to do with what happened and I also feel like Jesse himself also has something special about him because 1) he seems to ‘share’ a name with ogJesse (and perhaps personality) and 2)was seemingly chosen to replace him despite the fact he was not very knowledgeable about the novel and is unwilling to stay here for the rest of his life. I just hope he can lead a happy life as well as ogJesse. He should probably try and pray for an answer or something – kinda like what Cho Euishin does in Ex Rank Supporting Role Replay, that’d be interesting. Other than that, there’s just too little information to are more theories about what happened

    Reply
    1. 👁️👄👁️

      I agree he’s way easier to get along with? What I mean is that I would probably act the exact same way as he does if I was in his situation😂

      Reply
    1. SneakittyCat

      This chapter was amazing, I couldn’t stop laughing.

      I LOVE Jesse’s confusion with the romance clichés. He’s like a granpa desperately struggling to keep up with the latest fashion, it’s adorable. (o´∀`o)
      Also it’s terrifying how true these are. Eunseo is a true connoisseur. (b ˘ω˘ς )

      “Demy, who was on my shoulder, and the other two red pandas, who were in my arms, were squealing with each other. ”

      “Ganael, the three red pandas, and I were all lying down on a mat, rolling around”
      Aaaaaargh,what’s up with all these cuties?! M-my heart…! (*ノωノ)

      Seriously, who could hold *principles* in front of this kind of constant cuteness attack?!
      … Let’s all have a moment of silence for Benjamin. (*_ _)人

      “Benjamin, who had been putting a Meringue in my mouth, flinched”
      He… He is hand-feeding Jesse?! (Please trade places with me, Siiiir! (*゚ロ゚) ♡ )
      Is this the same man that was constantly advocating for royal etiquette ’til a few chapters ago?!
      … Now he’s just out there on a picnic, feeding sweets to the prince of the Holy Kingdom while his subordinate has plopped down on the lawn for a nap.
      Jesse broke him. Too much warmth, too much cuteness; Benjamin is no longer a pro butler, he’s just a loving caregiver. (≧◡≦) ♡

      (…also, I just imagined Ron doing the same thing for Cale in TCF… Oh, the horror. 。゚(T▽T)゚。)

      It’s so good to have you baaack!!! (ノ>ヮ<)ノ*:・゚✧

      Reply
      1. Blossom Honey

        Ikr!!! They’re so lucky, it must be so healing to be in front of the red pandas and Jesse. I know they’re soothed by the ether around him but I’m pretty sure even without that, it would be so calming and heartwarming to interact with him, he just seems to give that vibe where you just want to pat him on the head and feed him sweets (even though he’s almost 29 lol).

        Also Ron feeding Cale would probably be straight of a horror movie (for Cale). He’d have to do something extremely terrible for it to get that far, along with being under the vicious gaze of one Choi Han.

        Reply
        1. SneakittyCat

          You’re right, Jesse really has these … motherly (?) vibes, caring and pampering everyone around him. He seems to be such a soothing cutie, even without his ether, so I completely understand why Cedric and Chris are attracted to him. … Even if it would be more of a nightmare for him. (¯▿¯)

          And Ron and Cale… I can definitely see that as a punishment, yeah!
          Ron getting closer and closer with his benign old man’s smile, holding a spoon of lemon pie, while Cale is being tied up to a chair…
          “Here, Young Master, say ‘aaaah– ‘ ” ∋━━o(´∀`o)
          “AaaAaAaaAhhh!!!” 〣( > д <。 )〣

          Reply
      2. Donna

        omigod m YES to the cuteness! rotfl at the Cale imagery. he’d probably take it as proof that he was unkowingly forced into some god’s test, cuz that could never be Ron XD

        Reply
  5. ano

    I’m sorry, I’m confused. Were chapters 63 and 64 up before the website went down? Because I don’t remember and I don’t want to read ahead without having read the previous ones.

    Also glad you guys are back! Thank you for the amazing work!

    Reply
  6. NataLie

    Wah! So I’m not alone 🥲
    I haven’t seen ch 63 & 64 too. And I still want to re read ch 62 to refresh my memory. But it’s still not.. exist? 🥲🥲

    Reply
  7. raonieven

    Omo who’s this grand duke of the north 😳 I’m simp for cool but handsome guys! 🤣🤣

    // ‘Why? Isn’t the north dangerous because of a lot of invasions? What if I die during my wedding day?’
    ‘Stop watching Game of Thrones.’ //
    They get along well! 🤣

    Thank you for the chapter! 🤗

    Reply
  8. sreji_yokai

    …I’ll taste a shoe if Duke turns out to be Cedric. Actually, I kept thinking that fairytale author Archeduke Yveline must be Cedric’s dad (’cause it was mentioned one time when Jesse saw a painting that empress’s consort was an archduke?).

    Not to mention, it seemed to make the most sense that the books were in imperial library when you think about it– another theory: the information that jesses was able to learn about such as holy kinights was condensed into fairytales that will help Cedric grasp the knowledge after he wakes up for the first time after being in coma-like state since born.

    Though I have doubted before, but I’ll take it ’cause of the way Prince Jesse lists the traits about duke, like bruh. Side note, don’t you think Yves reminds you of a certain handsome middle-aged woman, like the vibe and her responses of using BS, heh

    Ah, a tiny error spotted: (prince — ***princess)
    […crown princess Elise’s doing. The crown ***princess and… ‘What if it was the crown ***princess who…]

    Reply
  9. kisa-chan

    What if during the time that Crown Princess Elise attacked the border, she sent someone to infiltrate the empire.. Therefore, someone could leave him the birthday note.. Of course, this is only applicable IF she really was Usil…

    I love how Eunse just knows it’a always the NORTH Duke.. it can’t be a duke from any other direction HAHAHAHAHA it’s the trope.. you can’t change it 🤣

    Reply
  10. RenTheWitch

    There is an Imperial Crown Prince, the King, the Grand Duke of the North, and the Magic Tower Master.

    THIS IS SO TRUE FOR ROMFAN!! and Jesse dear, its totally Cedric LOL

    Reply
  11. ming

    definitely cedric, the archduke must have been the late prince consort’s title. it would make sense that cedric fits the duke of the north title as well 😭😭 i also appreciated hearing from christelle’s pov, it’s quite sweet how she sees jesse (even tho he doesn’t want to get involved with her lmao) and how she doesn’t actually hate cedric. what a nice dynamic.

    Reply
  12. Meowmiao?

    Jesse saying he’s not curious while he keeps think about it is adorable. I hope this world stays mellow (even with the assassination attempts) I can’t imagine him fighting like Cale.

    Reply
  13. Tianna

    Have you all ignored the fact that Christelle is going to give Jesse a SHIP????? I’m ready to die of laughter

    Reply
  14. Kit

    Jesse is right, it’s Christelle who the pirates have to worry about, not the other way around 😭 also it’s refreshing to see her pov on the two princes for a change! So she doesn’t necessarily *hate* Cedric, but thinks of him as a sparring partner, and it seems she can see through Yeseo’s facade well haha. I wonder how Jesse will feel about getting a whole ship as a souvenir… And how he’ll feel once he finds out who the Archduke and his child really are lmfao 😭

    Reply

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