I Got Married to a Yandere Queen
Chapter 31 - 30 - The Weight of Nobility

Chapter 31: Chapter 30 - The Weight of Nobility

Riven diligently repeated every basic movement that Ashtoria had taught him. Though his body still felt stiff and awkward, he could sense that little by little, his muscles were beginning to adjust. Each swing of the sword, each step, and each breath became more controlled. Not perfect—but better than before.

Once training was over, they resumed their journey. Riven pulled their small cart, which creaked softly over the dry dirt road. The sun climbed higher, heating his sore shoulders—still aching from the intense training earlier.

For a while, they walked in silence, until Riven spoke up, trying to lighten the mood and distract himself from the fatigue in his mind.

"Anna," he called, without turning his head, "what’s life really like for a noble?"

His tone was casual, but the curiosity behind the question was clear. He asked not only out of interest but also to pass the time and keep the journey from growing dull.

Ashtoria was quiet for a moment, thinking. The only sounds between them were the crunching of footsteps and the soft creak of the cart wheels.

"The life of a noble?" she murmured eventually, nodding slightly. "Generally speaking... nobles spend their time managing the territories under their responsibility. They must ensure the safety of their lands, look after the people living there, and make sure their resources are well-maintained."

Riven nodded slowly, listening attentively.

Ashtoria continued, her voice flattening slightly as if she were repeating something she’d been told countless times as a child. "They also attend a lot of meetings, banquets, and grand parties. Some of these are important—for gaining new information, forming alliances, or expanding their networks. But many are just for showing off wealth, status, or simply keeping up appearances."

Riven listened with a mix of fascination and confusion. To him, that kind of life sounded worlds apart from the one he knew.

"So... they live to manage their lands, but they also have to constantly compete with one another in influence and presentation?"

Ashtoria glanced at him, then nodded. "More or less. Behind the dinner tables and fancy dresses, there’s always a game of power being played in silence. And if you let your guard down... someone will stab you in the back—either with words or with a blade."

Riven bit his lip, then let out a small laugh. "Sounds more dangerous than swinging a sword on the battlefield."

Ashtoria gave a faint smile, though not quite laughing. "Because it is. On the battlefield, your enemy is clear. But inside the palace... your friends and foes can change with each passing day."

Riven fell silent, reflecting on her words. A breeze swept through his hair, carrying the scent of earth and wild grass. He realized that the world this woman came from was far more complex—and far more dangerous—than he had ever imagined.

The world of nobles was a world of politics and conspiracy. Riven didn’t like that at all. As someone from Earth who had read countless novels and watched movies about kingdoms and intrigue, he knew what it entailed.

And yet, somehow... it made him want to understand Ashtoria even more.

Mira looked up at Ashtoria with bright, curious eyes, filled with genuine excitement. In a cheerful and eager voice, she asked, "What about noble children? What is their life like?"

Riven glanced briefly at his sister and smiled at her enthusiasm. He knew Mira had always loved stories about castles and nobles—tales he used to read to her from old books they’d found in the village library. But he turned his attention back to Ashtoria, curious to hear her answer.

Ashtoria slowly turned to Mira, her gaze gentle yet honest. She paused for a moment, then spoke in a calm tone.

"The life of noble children... is not as beautiful as you might imagine."

Mira’s eyes widened a little, surprised by the answer.

"From a very young age, they’re trained to become worthy heirs. They have to study reading, writing, history, strategy, politics, diplomacy, etiquette, even foreign languages. They’re also required to learn combat and train their Affinity with great discipline. Every day, they’re watched by tutors, servants, or family-appointed overseers. Their schedules are packed, and playtime is extremely limited—sometimes nonexistent."

She took a breath before continuing.

"They can’t choose what they like. Even their friends, where they can go, and what they’re allowed to say—it’s all decided for them. They’re expected to compete with one another. Whether with their siblings or with other noble children. They’re not allowed to look weak. They can’t cry. They mustn’t fail."

Mira’s expression slowly shifted from wonder to a mixture of disappointment, confusion, and sadness.

"So... they can’t play however they want?"

Ashtoria shook her head. "No. Even laughter has to follow the proper time and place. Noble children... are not ordinary children. They grow up in a golden cage—lavish, but binding."

Riven looked at Mira, seeing her lower her head slightly in thought. Her innocent face looked as though it was trying to process a truth that didn’t align with her childhood dreams.

"Then... are they happy?" Mira murmured, barely audible.

Ashtoria paused, then said, "I don’t know. What I told you just now applies to most children from powerful families. That’s why many of them grow up arrogant. But... there are also those who live happily—because their parents are not so strict."

The atmosphere grew quiet. Only the sound of cart wheels and the whisper of wind in the trees filled the air. Riven looked over at his sister and, without saying anything, gently patted her head—as if to say: You don’t have to become like them.

Their footsteps continued echoing along the dirt path that cut through meadows and sparse forest. The sun gave way to clouds, day turned to night, yet they did not stop. The small cart Riven pulled squeaked now and then, or rolled silently over rocks and grass, adjusting to the terrain.

The journey to Dorthlam, which should have taken two full days on foot without rest, had become a longer expedition. Every seven or eight hours, they would stop—not just to rest, but to train.

Each time they halted, Riven would take up Crysthalis, and Mira would sit nearby to practice her mana absorption technique. Though his muscles ached and his limbs felt heavier with each passing day, Riven always showed fiery determination whenever he stood on the grass, ready to repeat the fundamentals Ashtoria had taught him.

Meanwhile, Ashtoria now mostly acted as a watcher. She no longer needed to demonstrate each movement directly. The two siblings had memorized the basics well. Her current role was to observe, correct postures when needed, and offer guidance where necessary.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.