The Ice Age Came And I Just Got Married - Chapter 68

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 68
“Lord Rayburn.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Your sword does not exist for me alone.”
The moment Aiden finished speaking, Vincent’s body went rigid.
And Aiden understood exactly what Vincent was thinking. He likely believed himself abandoned by the Crown Prince.
Aiden paused for a beat, then continued slowly.
“That sword exists for the kingdom, and the kingdom is its people.”
Aiden held Vincent’s gaze with steady, unwavering eyes, then lowered himself onto one knee.
Vincent lifted his head. Aiden had brought his eyes level with his by kneeling.
Vincent’s gaze flickered with sharp emotion.
“The kingdom faces a danger unlike any before.”
His voice, measured and calm, filled the chamber.
“An endless Ice Age has descended, and people cling to survival without knowing if they will see tomorrow.”
Aiden’s eyes shifted past Vincent, toward the window beyond.
“Some tremble with hunger. Others lose their families to the cold. Some collapse under despair, while others grasp their last thread of hope simply to endure.”
He turned his gaze back to Vincent.
“In times like these, the strong must not turn away from the weak.”
His voice grew quieter, more resolute.
“So if anyone needs help, turn away from no one. This is my request as Aiden Leopold Aldrich of the Granden Kingdom, and at the same time, it is the decree of the realm.”
A tear fell onto the carpet beneath them. It was Vincent’s tear.
“Honor is not preserved by hiding mistakes—it is preserved by shouldering responsibility.”
Aiden understood this well. Vincent’s loyalty had always been first and foremost to Aiden, and this single-minded devotion had caused friction with others.
Vincent was a man who carried pride and dignity in serving the Crown Prince. For that very reason, Aiden needed him to hear these words.
Because Aiden no longer possessed the power to give him that pride and dignity.
“If you have understood me, then bow first to Cheswind and to the people of this village. That is the first thing you must do.”
“I will obey your word.”
Vincent bowed his head in acknowledgment and rose to his feet. Then he strode from the chamber, heading straight for Eve.
Left alone in the empty room, Aiden gazed blankly out the window.
Inside, the chamber was warm. But beyond the glass lay only bitter cold and snow that froze all things.
He belonged out there.
Out there, where his subjects were starving and dying even now.
Aiden remained gazing at the frost-covered window for a long time.
* * *
Vincent had sought forgiveness.
But in truth, there was nothing to forgive.
I had never heard the words he regretted in the first place, and even if I had, I would not have given them much weight.
But I accepted his apology and forgave him.
Even if his words had caused me no harm, that didn’t erase the intent behind them.
And so, Vincent and Aiden decided to leave Dotori Village and return to their base of operations.
Along the way, they had changed their minds and tried to recruit both Logan and me, though their success was not entirely without reward—Brian had agreed to join their ranks.
Brian had always been Aiden’s man in the novel as well, so I was already somewhat prepared for this.
More than anything, he seemed to get along quite well with Charlotte, and I found myself wondering if parting ways was truly all right.
Soon enough, Aiden, Vincent, and Brian had finished their preparations and stood at the entrance to Dotori Village.
We all came out to see them off.
That was when Brian spoke to Charlotte.
“Norton isn’t far from here.”
“So?”
Charlotte tilted her head, questioning him.
“I said he’d send word.”
“To me? Not to the Duke?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Charlotte stared at Brian, her expression bewildered.
I was equally confused. I could have sworn it was meant to be mutual—but apparently it wasn’t?
“No. What good is word between us if I’m leaving anyway?”
Charlotte grumbled.
Ah.
Only then did I understand Charlotte’s heart.
It wasn’t that it wasn’t mutual.
Charlotte was pouting because Brian had abandoned Dotori Village and chosen the Crown Prince instead.
“Murray, can’t you at least say goodbye? We might never see each other again.”
“Live well, or don’t.”
Charlotte offered a perfunctory greeting with a fresh expression, and Brian’s shoulders sagged dejectedly at the dismissal.
Just then, Aiden and Vincent turned to greet us.
“We will never forget the kindness you have shown us, my lady.”
I nodded with a smile at Aiden’s courtesy.
“Your Highness is most gracious to say so. Dotori Village will always remain a steadfast friend.”
At least Dotori Village had shed the stigma of being called the Devil’s Land.
Since we’d failed to keep to ourselves anyway, it was better to be remembered as a mysterious place—one that inspired exchange and housed talented individuals worth knowing.
“Would it not be wise for us to maintain regular contact and become a source of strength for one another? If you would permit it, I should very much like to preserve this bond.”
“I would not.”
I jabbed Logan in the ribs with my elbow before flashing him the most disarming smile I could manage.
“Precious bonds are not easily forged. Dotori Village stands ever ready to welcome Your Highness.”
A satisfied smile bloomed across Aiden’s face at my words.
And so the two parties formed the Survival Alliance.
Then Aiden, Vincent, and Brian departed from Dotori Village.
Though there was one small incident at the end.
Brian was heading toward the entrance with a dejected expression, having failed to receive Charlotte’s parting words—
“Brian!”
Charlotte, who had been pacing anxiously back and forth, suddenly dashed after him.
Was she going to follow Aiden after all?
But Charlotte merely handed Brian a letter and returned.
Her expression looked remarkably relieved.
Brian took the letter and stared at its envelope for a long moment before wiping away tears and waving goodbye to Charlotte.
Wait. They’re saying goodbye despite being so close? This makes no sense.
“When did those two become so attached to each other?”
Marcus let out a snort of laughter at my question.
“When you and Logan disappeared, the journey from the harbor to Dotori Village was pretty rough. They leaned on each other quite a bit during that time.”
I’d suspected as much. In extreme circumstances, the suspension bridge effect always kicks in.
I nodded and asked Marcus a question.
“Did you have any trouble while I was gone?”
Marcus folded his arms and answered with perfect composure.
“Trouble? What trouble could there be without you?”
“Sounds like you need to create some.”
Logan, who had been listening quietly, smirked and offered that observation, causing Marcus to raise an eyebrow.
While the two men glared at each other, Charlotte returned.
I turned to her with a question.
“Why didn’t you go with Brian?”
Charlotte fixed me with a serious look.
“What are you talking about? Dotori Village is my first priority. How could I leave with him?”
She said it so matter-of-factly that I found myself flustered instead.
“Besides, the competition isn’t over yet. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Competition?”
Was Charlotte engaged in some kind of rivalry?
“I’m still following in your footsteps. I need to keep challenging you until I pull ahead.”
Her unexpected answer left me speechless.
So her competitive spirit against a rival had outweighed a budding love?
Not that I had any right to judge—I’d once spared no expense to defeat Logan—but still!
Marcus stood with his arms folded, watching Charlotte with obvious amusement.
“Looks like you’ll be stuck together forever.”
“Senior, a man’s jealousy is quite unbecoming.”
“It’s fine. I’m the type who gets forgiven for everything based on looks alone.”
At Marcus’s response, Charlotte threw up her hands in a gesture of surrender, as if she had nothing to say.
And truthfully, she didn’t. There was no arguing with him.
Even in the midst of this calamity, he remained more graceful and beautiful than anyone else.
‘Come to think of it, I wonder if Claire and Leon made it through safely?’
I suddenly found myself wondering whether Claire and Leon had survived the treacherous blizzard.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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