Prologue

Edgar is originally not from this place.

It’s not referring to a region, to be precise, he wasn’t an inhabitant of this world.  He has spent almost 20 years living in this novel world, which he at first thought was nothing but just an illusion.

From this world, there is a person he had known since he was a child , one whom he had shared his joys and sorrows with.

“Your highness, how about you consider taking a small break?”

She is also the woman who has becomes his master and the one he now has to serve.

Ariel Robeheim, the current head of the Grand Dukedom of the Robeheim family, who has the power to control most of this vast Northern Region within her grasp with ease.

Today, as always, she had her head stuck in a pile of paper document. 

“You are still the same, Ed. You don’t have a good eye for judging what I want, I told you to be comfortable around me. “

“Your highness has ordered me to work well as your servant, isn’t it so?”

“Nope..”

Ariel mumbled and nervously ruffled her raven dark hair that had reached to her waist. 

Why is she talking nonsense like this? She must be well aware of the man’s bad temperament, having been together with him for years.

In any case, his mouth is the main problem.

It was about half a year ago , when the two childhood friends had just formed a master-servant relationship.

At that time, she had jokingly said ‘I will be your master from now on, so you must obey me and serve me well.’

“I don’t think ignoring the master’s orders is an advisable behavior as a servant.”

“Is Your Highness someone who takes back her word this simply?”

“Tsk, I do not detest you, since you have such poor speaking skills. “

She was one of the three most powerful people in this empire in name and reality, and she was also an iron-blooded duchess who ruled the tough foreigners in the north by force.

Nevertheless, she often lost in arguments with a man whom she had known for a long time.

If anyone else were to witnessed this scene, they will rub their eyes a dozens of times. Because it was such a surreal scene.

“So, what about the things that the capital city has sent here ?”

“I think it should have been organized by now. Would you like to check after you finish your meal?”

“It’s okay. Anyway, it must have been done well since you are the one who organized it.”

She isn’t the kind of broad-minded woman who handles official affairs this superficially.   

It’s simply a trust on Edgar, and the recognition of the man’s ability as he has never disappointed her until now.

“What will you do with the foreigners that have been captured?”

“Are you going to accept for the negotiation?” 

“Don’t respond anything.”

About a week ago, there was a big event to wipe out the troubles that had been plaguing the north.

There were a little over hundred foreigners captured as prisoners.

She offered negotiation on the condition of handing over the prisoners, but on the other hand, she kept silent, not showing any visible actions at all.

Ariel’s crimson red eyes cast a glare at him upon being informed of that matter.

They were the thornes who kept bothering her beloved Northern Region. She didn’t plan to sit down at the negotiating table anyway.

“Kill them all. I’ve been entrusted with full authority by the emperor.”

Despite her treatment of the supreme power of the empire, Edgar’s eyes did not waver much.

Who dare blame her when the emperor is not even here in the first place.

Moreover, considering her influence, it may not be impossible.

“Understood. How shall we do it?”

“It’s not good. We can make use of their defeat and trample on it again. 

Set up a tall pole in front of the barricade and hang a man over there.” 

Their side holds the handle anyway.

It was like an annual event for the foreigners to invade the north, but each time, this iron-walled line of defense boasted it’s strength again and again.

It’s getting colder day by day, so if those foreigners run out of food, they’ll take action. Hanging a head was simply meant as a provocation.

Despite the bloody conversation they were having, their facial expressions were calm. 

Ariel in particular was enjoying the scenery outside and stretching leisurely which greatly contrasts against the cold face she had just now. 

“I wish we had lamb for dinner.”

The words spilled over involuntarily.

Edgar’s lips twitched and curved upward. Although Aeriel didn’t notice it…

“Riel.”

“… Huh?”

The man’s heavy voice rang softly in the office.

After a few moment of silence, noticing that the voice belongs to Edgar , Ariel’s eyes widened.

It’s her nickname, a name that only one person would ever called beside her parents.

But it was also a name she thought she would never hear again.

She turned her head swiftly. There she saw Edgar with a calm expression on his face.

Where her crimson red eyes glared at him as if daring him to say it again, the corner of his mouth visibly went up.

“Let’s have a meal. I knew you would ask for lamb, so I had it prepared for you.” 

The fact that she enjoyed lamb on a day when she was feeling down, was something he knew very well as someone who had been with her for a long time.

Today, for his master who must have had a lot of trouble due to political affairs, he prepared a homemade lamb dish.

However, Ariel’s response to the good news was not entirely positive.

“You, you’re always like that……!”

“Huh..What did I do?”

Ariel, smashed the table into pieces in anger and pointed with her trembling fingers, but he just shrugged his shoulders lightly and strut out of the office.

This is the proof that even the title of the ruler of North was useless infront of the childhood friend who has spent most of their time together. 

Ariel, who was left behind, lowered her head and suppressed her anger.

He’s such a man who is brimming with self-confidence.

I’m determined to properly teach you a lesson next time, so be prepared.

Because I’m going to enjoy your anguish as the beauty of the day. 

The common pranks between them during their childhood were still there, even after they became the master and the servant