Redcliffe castle.
It was a magnificent building that rivaled many of the famous castles in the whole Thedas continent, and had been built by the founder of Redcliffe, Tiranon Guerrin. It was then expanded by his son, Lornan Guerrin and further expanded by the third generation head, Brandon Guerrin. The expansion of the castle was completed immediately after the fourth generation head, Rendorn Guerrin officially succeeded the title.
Hilma and Mirellia finally arrived at the destination of their journey, the Redcliffe Castle.
A tranquil, rural landscape was spread in front of them.
The castle was very far from them but they could see from the distance its architecture.
Hilma Cygnaeus who couldn't fight had left Orlais, leaving Edstrom Ollson to manage the smuggling division in her absence.
Mirellia who couldn't fight had left Orlais, leaving her daughter to help Hiro.
Eli, the former maidservant in Orlais qlso accompanied the two women.
It took over a week to reach Korcari Walls. They were in awe when seeing Winterwatch Tower just after entering the walls.
However, Redcliffe castle was even bigger than any building in Orlais.
However, such a grandiose structure seemed out of place with its surroundings.
Cows and horses roamed freely in a fenced pasture, eating grass. On the other side of the road, there were fields of vegetables growing in abundance.
“This area is a farm area. The Duchess grows their food here, making them completely self-sufficient."
Eli, in particular, was almost overwhelmed by her own sense of being out of place since she was just a lowly foreign main who had come to make a living.
“I-i-is it really alright for me to follow you here? Indeed, I requested to find new employer, but I didn’t think I would be able to reach this far!”
“Isn’t that good for you, Eli. You will be in a comfortable place." Hilma said as she gently patted Eli’s bottom.
“But you know what?”
Mirellia, the former wife of a count in Orlais suddenly interjected with a question.
“I understand that Master Hiro ruled this land. But if that’s the case, then are you guys forgetting the strangest part here?”
“What is it?”
"Ferelden.”
Hilma and Mirellia spoke to each other while Eli only listened. Hilma's 5 bodyguards were also silent.
"Redcliffe was a region in Ferelden Kingdom and ruled by a Marchioness who was one of Ferelden great nobles."
"He said the Marchioness obeyed him and we should clarify further from her." Hilma responded.
The fact that such a person obeyed Hiro, obviously didn’t add up to Mirellia’s brain.
What’s even more surprising was, the Dioral northern region they passed before reaching here also obeyed Hiro.
“It is kind of impossible, no matter what angle you look at it. But it all happened. Does that mean that Master Hiro’s qualities are so great that it transcended the traditional nobles' loyalty towards their previous Kings?" Mirellia pondered loudly.
“Well, for now, that’s a matter that you’ll have to confirm to the person face-to-face for you to find it out.” Hilma replied.
After crossing the farmyards, they finally reached the huge structure at the center – the legendary Redcliffe Castle, one of the largest castle in the continent.
“I’ve been looking at this castle for a while now, but the more I stared at it, the more it leaves a bad taste in my tongue.” Mirellia the wife of a former count expressed her thought.
“Is that so? It’s got a pretty good sense of architecture to me, though?” Hilma, despite being a boss of a large criminal organization, had never lived in any castle.
“Man-made things are only beautiful when they are in harmony with the place where people live. If such an object were to be built deep in the mountains, surrounded by nature, it would make the object’s sense of incongruity with the surroundings more pronounced and jarring instead.”
“Ah.”
When they reached the front door of the castle, someone was already standing before it.
The apparent look on the person’s face was obvious that they had been waiting for Hilma and the others’ arrival for some time.
At first glance, the person looked like a butler, dressed in a black suit that resembled a bit like a military uniform while wearing spectacle.
The stoicism of the figure made one think it was a man, but the closer they got, the more distinct the body’s irregularities became, and the more they realized it was a woman.
"This is the first time we meet. I am Cass Brankovic. Welcome to Redcliffe!"
The young woman initiated with a greeting.
Cass, who wore the butler’s outfit, had long braided chestnut hair and looked more like a man at first glance, but her voice and gestures were clearly those of a woman.
“I’m sure that the Duchess will be very happy upon receiving the news of your arrival.”
“Duchess?” Hilma and Mirellia immediately muttered.
Hilma then turned and looked around at his companions. Then, to Cass.
“But let’s start first with the introductions. She is Marchioness Cass Brankovic, the head of the “army”, the chief strategist I told you a while ago, and also Master’s most important right-hand in terms of military matter.”
“It’s called “military affairs”, Miss Hilma, and not “armies”. Also, please don’t put me so high on the list. For I am just one of the bricks that make up His Majesty’s all-powerful machine.”
Hilma, however, ignored this and began to introduce her companions to Cass one by one.
"I am Hilma Cygnaeus, the head of the Coterel smuggling division."
“Anyway, these beautiful women are my companions. This is Mirellia Melromarc, the wife of a count who was killed in a coup d'etat."
"And this is Eli. A maid Master Hiro saved back in Orlais."
Cass clapped her hands, and several men appeared in guard uniforms.
This is where Eli and other companions were taken to another place by the men.
“We’ll take care of the horses here. Please come inside. The Duchess have been waiting for you.”
They followed Cass into the palatial lobby before climbing the immense stairs.
***
It was then when it happened.
A sound of the earth rumbling approached from the first floor corridor.
But it wasn’t earth. It was a heavy set of footsteps.
Then, what came next was the door where they were near from being kicked from the inside.
“Cass! You’re late!”
A dazzlingly striking beauty in a military attire came out of the castle where the door had been.
Her red hair waved like a raging fire, like a blazing torch.
Her huge breasts showed fierce assertion even though they were wrapped in a nobleman’s vest, making her radiate the perfect combination of male heroism and female splendor. A sheathed rapier was attached to her belt.
“Marchioness, I thought I asked you to wait in the reception room.”
“I can’t wait for that! You know I’m short-tempered! I can’t wait any longer! Where’s them?”
The red-haired lady was out of control, spreading her fiery spirit all around.
"Please stop, Ivanna!" Another voice was heard and a beautiful woman in a silky gown walked out from the same door. Her breasts were even larger than Ivanna. However, she was plump unlike the muscular Ivanna.
"They have arrived, Duchess Isolde."
Cass Brankovic the Marchioness and chief of military called the Duchess.
Isolde told off Ivanna, "You shouldn't scare off guests like....hmmm?”
It was then that Mirellia was caught in the busty lady’s eye.
“So beautiful……!”
“Eh!?”
“What a beautiful woman. Her beauty combines nobility and warmth, just like a flower."
She said as she took Mirellia’s hand and kissed it.
The gesture was completely that of a womanizer, a frivolous pick-up artist.
But soon, Cass let out a tired sigh from the heart and finally turned her gaze onto the two visitors.
“Anyway, let’s try to clear up some of the confusion first. For starters, Miss Hilma and Lady Mirellia, allow me to introduce her to you.”
“Yes?”
“This is Marchioness Ivanna .”
He pointed to the red-haired lady.
"And this is Duchess Isolde Guerrin. She was the Marchioness of Ferelden but under Hezri Kingdom, she is a Duchess."
"Hezri Kingdom!!" Hilma and Mirellia spoke loudly, unable to understand what's happening.
"I guess His Majesty the King never explained to both of you." Cass sighed.
