When the Bitter Wind Blows

A noble serves the kingdom, they don’t work for money. This was the absolute, unspoken rule of the aristocratic world. However, Jeanne de Toulouse, the eldest daughter of the venerable Toulouse count family, was different. She’d worked as a tutor for young Master Mael, the son of His Majesty’s mistress, for two years. One day, books by Enlightenment thinkers, known for disrupting the order of the monarchy, were discovered in the young master’s study. And Jeanne was immediately accused of being the culprit. “I’ve never even read that book! I’m hearing the title for the first time!” Despite her claims of innocence, she was sentenced to exile. Her destination; the Duchy of Skadi, a land inhabited by barbarians, where the bitter wind blows. Centuries ago, when barbarians from a frozen land across the sea invaded the capital city, the previous king granted this land as a fief, realizing their goal was simply to find habitable land. Now, the descendants of their chieftain held the title of Duke, recognized for their ancestors’ contributions to protecting the kingdom. “We’ve arrived at the Duchy.” After the arduous journey, Jeanne remembered nothing. All she recalled was the endless cycle of her whole body burning and freezing at the same time. ‘Even I’ve ended up like this…what if Mother falls ill from the shock?’ ‘Wouldn’t it be better to just die here?’ At that moment, her spirit was as weak as her dying body. After an unknown amount of time, a strange man’s voice, different from the ones she’d been hearing, echoed from above her head. “Did they plan to blame the barbarians again if she died here after being tortured just enough to survive exile?” The voice was surprisingly resolute and powerful, enough to momentarily hold onto her consciousness, which wavered like a dying candle, briefly brightening and fading again. “So, she’s in this state simply from arriving here, without even being tortured? Even after the prince…lent his own steed? I’ll take charge of her now.” With these words, laced with incomprehension, Jeanne’s body was suddenly lifted. * * * “Here, everyone works, regardless of age, gender, or social status. The land is vast and there’s a lot to do, but there aren’t many people. This applies to exiles who are occasionally sent from the capital as well.” The Duke of Skadi’s words meant he was making good use of the labor of exiles, whether nobles or common criminals. But Jeanne was relieved. “Then, when should I begin my work?” “You’re quick to adapt to the situation. You said you were a tutor. What did you teach?” “I taught foreign languages, humanities, logic, rhetoric, and arithmetic.” However, his suspicious gaze remained. He abruptly spoke in a foreign language. Jeanne had assumed the Duke was skilled in killing people, not humanities. But his knowledge was extensive, and his words revealed sharp logic and thought. “Let’s end this conversation here. I want you to become my child’s tutor.” Typically, the lady of the house held the authority to hire nannies and tutors. As if reading her thoughts, the Duke of Skadi explained. “I have no wife. The child you will teach is my adopted daughter and niece. She was originally my brother’s child, but he passed away, so I took on her upbringing. She turned thirteen this year. What do you think?” Understanding the situation, Jeanne smiled brightly. There was something odd about the Duke’s words, but at least she wouldn’t die. “Yes! I’ll do it! I’ll be the tutor!”