#404. Seeing the warm wind blowing, it seems spring has come

“Everyone welcomed me back warmly after I returned from my trip.

When Cayena brought the letter from the imperial family, I was certain of her betrayal.

I provoked the child by saying I wanted to have a man’s child. Following the empty pupils like those of a dead fish, color returned to the child’s eyes, and they finally became like fresh wildflowers. It was a clear change apparent from the beginning of the plan.”

#434. The day welcoming a fresh season

“Lady Charlotte obtained information about Cayena through the underworld. Security was unexpectedly lax, perhaps thinking there was no reason for suspicion.

There were several instances of Cayena attempting to purchase secret drugs in back alleys. The type of drug she wanted to trade for was Abraxas, known as an aphrodisiac.

She also requested the corpse of a freshly killed wild animal. One with relatively less foul odor and blood similar to human blood. The desired transaction time was said to be in one month.

An aphrodisiac and an animal corpse…

Why do I have this uneasy feeling that I seem to know the purpose?”

#469. The day a strong wind struck

“A sudden storm hit the duchy. With summer approaching, a storm was unexpected, and even the Asthart Knights’ departure was briefly postponed due to this unforeseen disaster. Though the storm won’t last long, the subsequent rainy season will make travel impossible.

It felt as if it were warning of tomorrow’s incident, making me somehow afraid. I hoped for tomorrow to come, yet at the same time, I wished and wished it wouldn’t.”

#470. The pitter-patter of falling rain

“It’s been raining steadily since morning. I sent a letter early to Lady Dorothea Park cancelling our tea time due to the weather.

Today is the day of reckoning. I pray in advance that tomorrow’s me will be able to finish writing this diary with a happy face. May God’s blessing be upon the Charliee family. May love exist in my memories…”

It was about four hundred and seventy days since Natasha and Sieghart got married.

The heavy rain since morning had soaked the duchy.

The scenery beyond the window looked deserted. Was it because the gardener who tended the garden every morning had reported his absence? Moreover, the knights who had been circling the outdoor training ground for days had declared a break today.

As Natasha, who had been strolling down the corridor, stopped in front of the window and didn’t move, Meliana and Vanessa, who had been waiting behind, approached and spoke kindly.

“Come to think of it, this is your first time experiencing the rainy season in the duchy, isn’t it, my lady? Last year, it hardly rained even though it was summer.”

“It’s our first time too. The rain feels heavier than in other places, doesn’t it? But they say this rainy season won’t be as long as usual, so it should end soon.”

The two of them joined forces to suggest an exciting, unusual menu for dinner.

Her gloomy mood wasn’t just because of this weather. She found them cute for trying to find the reason for her low spirits in the wrong place.

Realizing it would be impolite to keep standing there sulking, Natasha mustered a smile.

“Right, I should ask for some alcohol too.”

“Alcohol as well?”

“Nothing goes better with exciting food than alcohol, right?”

“Of course! We’ll let the dining room know in advance.”

“Please ask for very strong alcohol. I think I’ll need the power of intoxication.”

“Strong and delicious alcohol! That’s my specialty.”

Believing they had lifted the duchess’s mood, the two quickly became cheerful and set off immediately, saying they would leave right away. They were narrowing down the candidates for which alcohol would be best when, in the blink of an eye, they disappeared like a mirage.

‘Please, I’m counting on you. Today is a day when I really need the power of alcohol.’

She needed a stimulant to arouse Sieghart’s excitement. As the situation was not favorable, this time she had to rely on the power of tools.

The evening banquet was successful. Perhaps due to Meliana and Vanessa’s influence, the feast was more stimulating than usual.

Natasha stared intently at the wine glass handed to her by Cayena.

‘The burnt smell is evidence of Abraxas…’

She had heard that the aphrodisiac Abraxas gives off a burnt smell when mixed with liquid. A pungent odor entered her nose as she held it close to the glass. It certainly wasn’t a scent that should come from alcohol.

While Cayena was away on business, she ordered a maid to switch the glasses. This wine had a sweet and bitter aroma of aged grapes that lingered.

Sieghart pretended not to notice Natasha’s sudden action and didn’t ask first. His only question was what kind of alcohol it was. To this, Natasha vaguely brushed it off as just a mood changer.

Having finished his quota, he downed drinks one after another with his wife. Even a man strong with alcohol seemed merciless against high-proof liquor; as time passed, gaps began to appear in his elegant posture.

He staggered slightly as he stood up, saying he would go out for some air. Though embarrassed, Sieghart’s feet moved forward pretending nothing was wrong.

“Haha, it’s been so long since we’ve seen His Grace drunk!”

Jenkis burst into laughter at the duke’s modest appearance. Saying he finally looked human, his eyes watching the retreating figure were filled with satisfaction.

“That’s right, if there are no more schedules, I should escort him to the room now.”

“Won’t it be difficult for you? I’ll escort His Grace to the room.”

“Mmm, it’s fine. I’m planning to return to the room together for some honest conversation between husband and wife.”

“Oh my! I’ve thoughtlessly interfered. I hope you two have a good time.”

Natasha, who had simply draped a shawl, followed in his footsteps.

The man was found on the terrace not far from the dining room. He was in a ridiculous pose, leaning on the railing and facing the wind and rain.

“Sieghart.”

She appeared deliberately making footsteps. Worried her voice might be buried in the sound of rain, she called out his name louder as she approached and asked.

“Shall we go back?”

Eventually, he tilted his head slightly. His amber hair almost, but not quite, touched his shoulder.

Where to? His tightly closed lips seemed to murmur.

“Where else? To our bedroom.”

“…Are you allowing it today?”

“You speak as if I never did before. Besides, didn’t you come and rest as you pleased regardless of my wishes whenever you wanted to?”

The man’s mouth closed again, struck by the truth. It meant there was no room for excuses.

She snorted slightly and moved to his side. As she slightly bent her waist to lean her back against the railing, hard protrusions touched her back. It was Sieghart’s hand, not the railing.

“You shouldn’t get wet when it’s still cold.”

Looking again, moisture had gathered on the railing. She hesitated and straightened up again.

Meanwhile, the hand that had supported Natasha’s body got wet in the rain. He shook his hand indifferently, then wiped off the remaining moisture on his own collar. The man who used to treat her dresses preciously now treated his own shirt like a worthless cloth.

“If you’re worried about the rain, why did you come here?”

“The subject is wrong. I’m not worried about getting wet in this little rain, I’m worried about you.”

“…Then, why are you worried about me getting wet in this little rain?”

“In case it harms your health?”

What nonsense is that.

She was about to retort that there’s no way she would get sick from getting wet in this little rain, but she reconsidered her thought process. Come to think of it, she had once been bedridden for two days with a cold because of snow. It was a childish accident that happened while making a snowman, saying it was good.

Of all days, it wasn’t even a day of heavy snowfall, and today isn’t a day of heavy rain either.

“Then let’s go back now.”

She, who hated admitting defeat more than dying, changed the subject.

“You go back first. I’ll stay here a little longer.”

“It would be nice to go together since we’re already leaving. I came out especially to escort Your Grace back.”

As she lightly grasped his collar that wasn’t wet, his red pupils shot downward.

His eyes, a darker sun color than hers, were filled with melancholy. The hazy emotion was aimed at the object in his sight.

Natasha Asthart, it was her.

“I wonder why our wife suddenly wants to spend time with me.”

“……”

“Usually, you’d run away first, hating even to be touched.”

He was quick-witted as always. Then why was he being so stubbornly difficult instead of simply following along?

“That’s right. But it’s fine today, so I’m suggesting we go together.”

It would be a big problem if Sieghart didn’t come to the bedroom tonight. It would also be an issue if he sobered up and became clearheaded. If either of these went wrong, it would be like a carefully built tower collapsing.

“Really?”

“……”

“We’re both drunk right now.”

“That’s what I…!”

She was about to shout that that’s what she wanted, but trailed off. In an instant, Sieghart had moved and was standing in front of her. He bent down to meet her eye level and smiled as if it were an honor.

It seemed Natasha’s back was leaning against the railing again. The man gently grabbed her waist and pulled her close, asking once more.

“Really, is it okay to enter the bedroom together while still not sober?”

Yes, that’s what I want.

But it became difficult to nod. Affirming seemed to show impure intentions.

She had already given her answer by remaining silent instead of denying. Accepting the woman’s will, Sieghart released her slender waist after a moment. He pulled the shawl wrapped around Natasha’s shoulders to tightly wrap her body, then held her hand as they walked down the corridor.

“W-wait, slow down a bit…”

She didn’t understand why he was so hasty today when he usually walked slowly in consideration of Natasha’s pace. The grip on her wrist was also stronger than usual. It seemed as if the intoxication was thoroughly revealing Sieghart’s true nature.

Then his raw instincts were suppressed by a plaintive voice. Taking advantage of his pause, Natasha looked around.

‘She’s coming.’

Before leaving the dining room, she had tipped off Jenkis to have Cayena bring her the fan she had left on the table. She was coming to find her after hearing the message.

Cayena, who had spotted the duchess, was approaching with quickened steps. As the figure gradually drew closer, Natasha urgently poked Sieghart in the side.

“When Cayena comes, please pretend to be affectionate.”

“Pretend to be affectionate?”

“Yes, that thing you always do well. Do it especially more today. And don’t ask why.”

“……”

“Today, we need to appear as the most affectionate lovers in the world. At least to that child.”

Because only then would the adversary wishing for her unhappiness make a move.