Otherworld TRPG Game Master
Chapter 249: Between Love and Friendship- 1

The snowfield. A white and isolated expanse.

A land where the mere act of breathing created a wisp of frost, vanishing into the air like a fleeting ghost.

Here, amidst the unrelenting cold, lived people who resembled the snowflake—not just in appearance, but in spirit.

Perhaps it was the result of generations spent immersed in this frozen world, shaping them until they became one with it. Or maybe only those who carried the essence of winter in their souls ever dared to settle here.

But lives that radiated warmth, resembling ice crystals tumbling from the sky, were both amusing and strange.

The snowflakes, stacked in a soft heap, carried an almost childlike innocence.

Though their temperature and color made them seem cold, why did they eagerly absorb warmth the moment they landed on the skin? Perhaps they longed for a warm embrace, waiting for someone to hold them close.

The same was true for this lone snowflake, clinging desperately to the window frame. It struggled against the frost-covered glass, yet deep down, it wished to drift onto the back of a human.

But now that it had landed here, what was it supposed to do? It had no legs to move, and the frost’s grip kept it from flying with the wind.

All it could do was place its hopes in the mansion’s maid, praying she would clean the window frame. Even if it were swept away by a broom and sank to the ground, it could still dream of being reborn as a snowman.

And so, for now—

All it could do was endure, comforting itself through the long wait and solitude.

At least it was in a better position than the snowflakes scattered across the roof. The window frame turned out to be an unexpectedly favorable spot. Peering into the mansion was surprisingly fun.

Unlike snowflakes, humans never stayed still. Time seemed to pass in an instant while watching their lively world unfold.

And today, something particularly intriguing was happening.

“Who do you think you are? Ha, how ridiculous. Do you really believe the Grand Duke will spare you a glance just because you strut around, swaying your butt like that?”

“If you’re new here, just focus on doing your job properly. Instead of putting on makeup first thing in the morning. Honestly, how much powder did you smear on your face? You look like a ghost!”

“⋯⋯I, I didn’t put on any makeup.”

“Oh? Now you’re outright lying? Ha⋯⋯.”

Inside the grand mansion, a group of maids had surrounded a beautiful woman and were speaking ill of her right to her face. Their eyes burned with envy and resentment.

It was understandable. The woman, with her cascading ebony hair, possessed a beauty so mesmerizing that even the wind and clouds might grow jealous of her. Even a flower that bloomed in the winter would seem pale in front of her.

Her figure was equally flawless—thick where it should be, slim where it needed to be.

Had the Goddess herself spent extra time sculpting her to perfection, ensuring she lacked even a single flaw? She was simply impeccable.

And for that reason alone, they couldn’t help but find fault in something else.

“Look at the state of the garden’s flowerbed—it’s a complete mess. Is this how you plan to do your work? Slacking off while flaunting that vulgar body?”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

“You can’t even clean properly—it’s really hilarious. I don’t understand why the Head Housemaid allowed someone as incompetent as you inside. What, did you seduce him by shaking your ass?”

Pathetically.

Was she faltering under the barrage of cruel insults? The stunning woman lowered her head, clasping both hands behind her back. Taking it as a sign of surrender, the maids smirked triumphantly, their expressions filled with smug satisfaction.

But they had no intention of stopping here. Now that they had gained momentum, they intended to torment her further—to drive this irritating presence out of the mansion!

But , why did they despise her so much⋯⋯?

The frost on the window whispered an answer to the curious snowflake. It revealed that the mansion’s maids were divided into two factions, constantly at odds. Those who served the first Madam and those who served the second Madam.

But this woman had chosen neither side. If she had to follow anyone, it was the Grand Duke of the North himself. And that had made her an enemy to both groups.

Bat bitch. Two-faced bitch. Tactless bitch!

How should we bully her? What should I nitpick at to kick that bitch of an eyesore out? Right, let’s scratch her.

She would be kicked out if there are scratches on that haughty face, since she wouldn’t be able to seduce people with her looks after that!

Just as their hatred was about to escalate into something far colder than winter⋯⋯

Clack. Clack.

The sharp sound of heels echoed down the hallway. A woman in an elegant dress appeared, her nut-brown hair swaying with each step.

With an air of irritation, she scolded the maids.

“What do you all think you’re doing? Has the meal even been prepared yet.”

“S-Second Madam⋯⋯.”

“If you have time to stand around gossiping, use it to work. My husband will return in a few days—o there should be no room for negligence!”

“⋯⋯Yes, Madam.”

Rush.

The maids scattered, leaving only the unfortunate woman and the second wife of the Grand Duke of the North in the hallway. Nelliel, the second wife, carefully examined her to see if she had been hurt.

“Are you new here? I don’t recall seeing you before.”

“Ah, yes⋯⋯ The Head Housemaid brought me in. I’ve been working in the mansion for about a week now. Thank you for⋯⋯ helping me, Madam.”

“I was just warning those lazy maids. The first wife’s servants are arrogant and brimming with jealousy, so if you want to avoid trouble, it would be best to refrain from putting on any make up from now on.”

“I… I really didn’t put on any makeup. This is just my natural skin color.”

“⋯⋯you’ll get a harsh scolding if I check and find that you’re lying. Are you certain?”

The woman gave a firm nod.

Still skeptical, Nelliel removed her glove with a doubtful expression. She cupped the woman’s cheek and brushed her thumb across her skin. But it was clean without any trace of powder.

“So it wasn’t a lie, huh?”

How did she care for her skin to maintain it like this? A commoner, constantly exposed to the sun, shouldn’t be able to preserve or maintain this kind of color⋯⋯ Could she have been a noble?

As Nelliel studied her once more, she noticed something unusual.

The woman didn’t seem the least bit intimidated, even with the second wife. Ordinarily, those of lower status would tread cautiously around nobility.

But this woman—she was looking at Nelliel with an almost familiar warmth.

It was disconcerting. Ever since Nelliel had married into the Grand Duke’s household through a political arrangement, no one had ever looked at her that way.

Not even her husband, whose gaze was always as frigid as ice.

Unsettled by the unexpected sensation fluttering in her chest, Nelliel maintained her composure and introduced herself with courtesy and etiquette.

“I am Nelliel Vergne, the Grand Duke’s second wife. What is your name?”

“I’m Heart, Madam!”

Heart curtsied with effortless elegance, lifting the hem of her skirt with refined precision. Nelliel’s suspicion solidified—this woman was undoubtedly of noble birth.

From that moment, the two formed a bond, growing close very quickly.

===============================================================

The world of nobility was a cold, treacherous place. They masked their true selves, lacing even the most venomous words with sweet politeness, all while watching for the perfect opportunity to tear one another down.

And among women, it was no different. Gathered in groups, they whispered cruel words behind each other’s backs, quick to ostracize anyone who wasn’t on their side.

They were colder than the snowflakes that blanketed the North.

Nelliel Vergne, the Grand Duke’s second wife, was a Northern countryside noble whose family had broken away from the Grand Duke Family.

Her family’s status rose when the former Grand Duke, Elvillion’s father, divided his power among his vassals. But from the Grand Duke Family’s perspective, they were nothing more than traitors.

Her marriage had been for peace between the families, but the Grand Duke of the North had never once shown her affection. To him, their union was nothing but a convenient arrangement.

But his indifference chipped away at her authority, leaving her vulnerable.

The first wife’s maids looked down on her, while the Grand Duke’s servants regarded her as an outsider, fully aware that their master had no love for her.

How lonely must she have been? Her only allies were the maids she had personally brought into the household.

And to her⋯⋯.

“Good morning Nelliel!”

“Don’t address me so casually. It’s against etiquette. I am the Grand Duke’s wife, and you are a maid!”

“But it’s such a beautiful name⋯⋯ It would be a shame not to use it though? What if I say it with reverence in every syllable—only when we’re alone? Then would you allow it, Nelliel?”

“Uuh⋯⋯ Do as you wish. But never in front of others!”

Heart approached her with such warmth, melting the cold that had settled deep within Nelliel’s soul.

It was the kind of comfort that seeped through her like a spoonful of hot stew in the middle of a harsh winter.

She couldn’t help but be friends with her. She wanted to be friends with her. After all, in the freezing North, everyone longed for warmth.

Nelliel began spending more and more time with Heart. Eventually, even the first wife’s maids no longer dared to mess with her.

And in return, Heart filled Nelliel’s world with her beautiful voice.

Until one day—

Nelliel told Heart her deepest worries.

“⋯⋯my husband is too cold to me.”

“Oh⋯⋯.”

“I understand this is a marriage of convenience. I know my father betrayed them—that’s why we got married⋯⋯ to mend relations. But still⋯⋯ now that we’re family, wouldn’t it be better if we got along?”

Right—wasn’t this a marriage?

A man and a woman stood before a priest, exchanged vows in the name of the Goddess, and became bound as one. Yet, the Grand Duke of the North, Elvillion, remained as distant as ever.

Nelliel had done her best to bridge the gap. She initiated conversations, cooked meals for him, and even entered his chambers dressed in revealing clothes.

But he rejected her. Every single time.

When he turned her away on their first night, Nelliel had crawled into bed and cried beneath the covers.

“⋯⋯I don’t know if we’ll ever get along well in the future. The thought of growing old in this cold, lifeless mansion—it’s unbearable!”

“It must have been difficult for you. But still, Nelliel, it’s admirable. Not everyone keeps trying.”

“What’s the point of trying? Nothing ever changes⋯⋯I wonder this is why people cheat. Should I just let another man in!?”

Bang bang.

She pounded her fists against the bed. Of course, she didn’t mean it. She had no intention of cheating—her words were nothing more than an expression of frustration and annoyance.

She had tried so hard. Given so much.

Yet, she feared her youth would wither away in this frozen place, never allowed to bloom.

As the anger faded, sadness took its place. Nelliel slumped, looking as lifeless as seaweed washed ashore.

Heart made up her mind.

She couldn’t let Nelliel remain like this.

A girl who had the kindness to help a bullied maid deserved happiness. Someone like her belonged in warmth, not in the cold.

Heart was determined to take action.

She knew the Grand Duke of the North well.

Daisy—Elvillion—wasn’t as heartless as he seemed. There had to be a reason he treated Nelliel so coldly, despite all her efforts. Perhaps he was silently giving her a way out. That was what Heart speculated.

If even a flicker of affection existed between them, bringing them together wouldn’t be difficult⋯⋯ so, Heart said to Nelliel with certainty.

“He will come to understand one day. I’m sure of it!”

“⋯⋯do you really think so?”

“Yes, of course⋯⋯!”

Because I will make sure of it.

Just as their emotions mingled in the small room, a commotion erupted outside. Hurried footsteps echoed through the halls, accompanied by urgent voices

Nelliel pulled back the curtain and peered outside—only to see a grand carriage pulling into the estate. The Grand Duke of the North, the master of the mansion, had returned!

“H-Heart! Do I look alright?”

“Wait, let me fix your hair quickly!”

Heart quickly calmed Nelliel’s panic, gently smoothing her disheveled hair and straightening the creases in her gown in an instant. Together, they stepped out of the mansion.

As she descended to the first floor and pulled open the grand doors—

A strikingly handsome man, as sharp and pristine as an ice sculpture, with his sky-blue hair neatly swept back. The Grand Duke of the North, Elvillion, had arrived just in time, stepping down from his carriage.

“The rightful and honorable ruler of the North, His Grace, Grand Duke Elvillion Julius, has returned!”

He was breathtaking.

Despite his cold demeanor, people couldn’t help but be drawn to his face. Nelliel fought to steady her racing heart, willing herself to stand confidently at the doorway.

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

The Grand Duke of the North turned toward her, and his eyes widened in surprise.

Was it just her imagination, or did his gaze hold something warmer? A flicker of excitement⋯⋯⋯maybe even joy? Nelliel’s heartbeat pounded in her ears. Maybe Heart was right.

Had he finally come to understand her feelings?

Tip. Tap.

The Grand Duke approached, each step echoing against the ground. Nelliel’s mind scrambled to find the right words, cycling through dozens of possible responses, erasing them just as quickly.

At last, she settled on one. This time, she would be braver!

Though the words felt awkward, though embarrassment clawed at her⋯⋯

“Honey, you’re ba──”

“Heart⋯⋯ am I seeing this correctly? I can’t believe you’re here.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

He walked right past her.

Nelliel stiffened, slowly turning her head. The cold Grand Duke of the North, the man who had never once smiled at her, was now smiling brightly⋯⋯ at Heart.

“Meeting you again⋯⋯ I can only be grateful. May I ask what happened?”

“No, Daisy⋯⋯ now isn’t the time to focus on me. Didn’t I tell you to remember me like an orange?”

“The sweetness of the orange never faded.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Crack. The sound of a heart shattering.

Because before her, the cold and untouchable Grand Duke was smiling. And Heart, though visibly flustered, met his gaze as if caught in an inevitable fate.

They were beautiful together, like a painting too perfect to be real.

And so.

Nelliel’s world crumbled.

***

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