GDT | Chapter 1.1

“Whew…”

A man, who adjusted his slipping glasses and hugged his bag close to his chest, looked anxious even though he was riding in a soft, comfy carriage. Meanwhile, the woman sitting across from him was leisurely reading a book.

‘If I jump out of the carriage, would I die… Nah. I probably won’t die just because of some snow.’

He glanced out the window at the snowy road and nervously swallowed. He always liked warm places, and regions where snow and biting wind stung his nose were definitely not his thing. And seriously, snow that freezes your feet with every step?

His eyes, trembling with fear, slid sideways like a flounder and settled on the woman sitting opposite him. Right, the lady wasn’t even looking at him…

‘Alright, just jump out. If I do it with my eyes closed, it’ll be fine! I probably won’t die—’

“If you jump out here, you’ll either freeze to death or get ripped apart by wild animals, Teacher Yurkia.”

“I, I wasn’t thinking of getting off!!”

“Really? It’s just, your eyes kept drifting outside, you see.”

The woman smiled slightly and went back to her book. Yurkia, feeling caught, bit back a sob and curled up.

‘Aah… I want to go home… Oh right. I don’t have a home anymore.’

His place was small but comfy. There was mold and cobwebs, sure, but as long as he cleaned regularly, it was nice and tidy!

“Haaa…”

With a soft sigh, Yurkia rested his forehead against the window. He’d left his home in the Empire behind to head to the Northern Region with this woman.

‘How did I end up going to the Northern Region, anyway…’

Using the cold as an excuse, he sniffled as he remembered what happened before he got here. It was, after all, something that happened just two months ago.

***

Two months ago—

“Oh, Teacher Yurkia! Over here!”

“Hello, Madam. You look beautiful as always.”

“Oh my, if only my husband spoke as nicely as you do, Teacher.”

Yurkia awkwardly smiled, tucking the books for his lesson under his arm. He’d planned to head straight home after finishing a lesson with Countess Moreuge’s son.

‘Tea time… This is bad news.’

He’d already experienced just how long-winded Countess Moreuge could be the first time she came for a consultation, and just thinking about it made him sigh deeply inside.

If it were just everyday stories, he’d listen with interest, but the things she usually talked about were the terrifying rumors circulating among the nobles.

In these times, just hearing such things could get you punished, so everything she said was dangerous material. For someone as faint-hearted as him, it was even worse.

‘I wonder what kind of stories she’ll tell today…’

Yurkia was trying to calm his already pounding heart when Countess Moreuge, walking beside him, suddenly spoke up as if she’d just remembered something.

“Oh, and by the way, we have a guest joining us for tea today.”

“…A guest, you say?”

“Yes. So you’ll need to be careful with your words. Well, honestly, I don’t think you’d ever speak as harshly as my husband does, Teacher… but you never know.”

She flashed him a bright smile, and while Yurkia replied that of course he’d be careful, his mind was racing. The sudden addition of a guest threw him into confusion.

If it was one of her guests, it was probably someone who also enjoyed sharing those terrifying stories.

‘Last time, she said she was curious about the slave market—wait, could it be the manager? If you get caught buying a slave, it’s the death penalty… Wait. If I talked with them, wouldn’t I get the death penalty too? How did I get out of this…!’

She didn’t notice Yurkia trembling in fear and led the way into the slightly open greenhouse. Normally, he would have enjoyed the beautiful scenery filled with flowers, but—

‘Please, don’t let anyone catch me… If I get caught, it’s the death penalty… I’d rather she talk about how Duke Girte got caught cheating and was kicked out…!’

He was so scared by things that hadn’t even happened yet that he didn’t have time to take in the scenery around him. Outwardly, he just walked calmly behind the Madam.

As they went a little further in, the fragrant smell of tea tickled his nose. Soon, Countess Moreuge greeted the guest in a bright voice.

“Oh my, Madam! I didn’t realize you’d arrived first… I should have hurried more.”

“It’s been a while. It’s fine. I just came early because I was looking forward to meeting you.”

The woman, who exchanged greetings with Countess Moreuge and apologized as if she felt bad, approached Yurkia with silent steps.

“So you’re the teacher Madam hired.”

“I’m Yurkia. It’s an honor to meet you, Madam.”

He was a bit out of it and had his head bowed, so he didn’t see her face. But from the quality of her dress and the jewelry on her outstretched hand, Yurkia could tell she was of higher status than Countess Moreuge. He lightly pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

When he finished the polite greeting and looked up, he almost screamed without realizing it.

‘Why is Duchess Ireunoa here…?’

He’d seen her in portraits before. Back when he was in the Empire, she was famous in high society for her beauty, and the scandal of her marrying into that abnormal land where it was cold 365 days a year had the whole Empire buzzing for a while.

And that wasn’t all. Contrary to everyone’s predictions that the delicate woman who left the warm Empire would wither away in the Northern Region, she took charge of the mining industry herself, discovered a huge deposit of iron in that barren land, and turned it into a land of gold, shocking everyone.

‘Why would someone so amazing be here…?’

Maybe she just gets along really well with Countess Moreuge? As Yurkia nervously shifted his gaze, Duchess Ireunoa smiled and spoke.

“I know I’m famous, but let’s sit down first.”

“Ah! I—I’m so sorry! I was just so surprised to meet someone so incredible… I was rude.”

He quickly pulled out the chairs for the ladies and, with a trembling heart, sat in the remaining seat. Only after the maid poured the tea and quietly left the greenhouse did Duchess Ireunoa speak.

“I’m the one who asked Madam to arrange this meeting. I’ve heard about you, Teacher.”

“My… story?”

“They say your teaching is outstanding. That after a child who was lacking in learning takes your lessons, their manners, their knowledge—everything becomes perfect.”

“You flatter me. I just tell the children what they need to know. They’re the ones who achieve things.”

“Too much modesty can be a poison, you know. I also know you once taught the Princess.”

Yurkia looked at her in shock, as if to say, How did you know that? Duchess Ireunoa gave a small smile and turned to Countess Moreuge, who had been quietly sitting beside her.

“Madam, could you excuse us for a moment?”

“Oh dear, I completely forgot! I had promised something to my son. Please excuse me for a bit.”

Countess Moreuge smoothly acted her part, gave Duchess Ireunoa a light bow, and left the greenhouse. Now, only Yurkia and Duchess Ireunoa were left inside.

“I’ll get straight to the point. There’s someone I’d like you to take on.”

“…Someone, meaning someone of high status, right?”

Duchess Ireunoa just smiled quietly at Yurkia’s words. He felt stifled by her unreadable smile. He thought if he didn’t refuse right now, he’d get caught up in something complicated, but he wasn’t even sure if he could refuse.

“You don’t need to worry about compensation, Teacher. I am the master of Ireunoa.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about. It’s just… I think I need to know who you want me to take on before I can decide.”

“Oh dear…”

She hid her rising lips as she silently sipped her tea. Yurkia, who couldn’t stand the suspense and was rubbing his sweaty palms on his pants, squeezed his eyes shut at the sight of her sparkling ring. This is too much pressure.

“Teacher, I think you’re misunderstanding something.”

“Y-yes? What am I…”

“This isn’t a request. It’s something you have to do. If you refused, I was planning to drag you along anyway.”

He felt like all the blood drained from his body. What is she saying? Is she telling me I have no choice, just follow her and teach whoever she says?

“You just need to follow me and become that person’s tutor, Teacher.”

She’s serious. Yurkia hung his pale head. He desperately wanted to refuse. Someone like her could easily find a great teacher. Why would she need someone like him?

“I just… Madam, I don’t understand why you need me…”

That’s why Yurkia asked directly. He was faint-hearted, but given who she was, he couldn’t just let himself be dragged along. Trembling, he squeezed his eyes shut and asked, and Duchess Ireunoa quietly looked at him before she spoke.

“Most of the children you’ve taught have something in common.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Children with wounds in their hearts. Or children with physical problems. For the latter, there’s the Princess.”

Gasp. Yurkia held his breath at her words. Just as she said, the Princess had an illness. An illness everyone had said was impossible to cure.

“Why are you reacting like that? I’ll say it again, I am the master of Ireunoa, and I rule the Northern Region, which is the most important to the Empire.”

“B-but that part is…”

“It’s top secret. Yes, I know. Who would know the Princess was a stutterer?”

At her words, Yurkia gulped down his now cold tea. Seeing that, Ireunoa picked up the teapot and refilled his empty cup.

“I know everything that happens in the Imperial family. That you taught the Princess for a year. And that after that, her stuttering completely disappeared.”

“…I just taught her how to speak, that’s all.”

“Yes. Something not even the most skilled doctors could fix.”

“Please. Madam, I’m really not that great. My status proves it.”

Yurkia pleaded desperately. Just standing in front of a Duchess made his heart race like this. And now she wanted him to serve someone even higher. Even in the Imperial Palace, every time he saw His Majesty the Emperor, he barely managed not to faint.

“Besides, I… I’m a very weak person inside. With the Princess, it was His Majesty’s order, so I had no choice, but this time, I really can’t do it. Absolutely not!”

“…Absolutely not, huh. I see.”