“…..”

“Take it off quickly.”

Askal’s wistful expression gradually hardened.

“I haven’t been able to wash properly during the subjugation period. I’ve also sweated a lot running for a whole day and also…”

He’s making excuses when told to take off his clothes. But I couldn’t just let it go.

“You smell of blood. So take it off now.”

Askal took a step back. I approached as much as he retreated in response.

We repeated this like a comedy duo, with him stepping back and me approaching. When his back hit the wall, Askal acknowledged he had nowhere else to retreat and said glumly:

“It’s not a serious injury.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

Askal, with eyes like a moon bear, reluctantly took off his armor. Blood that had seeped out of the wound had soaked through the bandage and even stained his shirt.

“My goodness… You came all the way here in this condition?”

I pulled the bell rope. I shouted at the maid who came in response to the call to bring the court physician immediately.

The court physician who rushed in was surprised once upon seeing Askal, and then again upon seeing his wound.

“If it had been a little deeper, it would have broken a rib.”

Fortunately, it hadn’t festered, so he stitched the open wound, applied medicine, and wrapped it with new bandages.

I watched Askal intently from behind the physician with narrowed eyes. He was conscious of my gaze and kept averting his head this way and that.

After the treatment was done.

The physician gave oral painkillers and topical medicine before leaving. He also added not to move around much.

I pulled a chair next to Askal, who had taken over the bed and was lying down.

“Askal. I hadn’t heard news of the subjugation force returning.”

“…..”

“Did you come alone by any chance?”

Askal answered with a solemn expression.

“They should be preparing to return by now.”

It was an irrelevant answer. I glared at him and asked again.

“Is the subjugation over?”

“Yes.”

I stared into his unwavering golden eyes.

“I believe you are the commander.”

“The situation was urgent, so I delegated command to the vice-commander.”

“Askal.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Don’t ever do that again.”

I know it wasn’t easy for him to come all the way here with an injured body out of concern for me. But it wasn’t something to be praised either.

“You’re hurt. To ride a horse without rest in this condition… What if your wound had gotten worse?”

I felt upset and sorry for no reason. While I was pouring out my nagging, he silently listened without a word.

“I was worried. And upset too.”

“I know.”

Askal gazed at me with deep eyes and said:

“I cherish this land I rule and its people, but I care for you even more, my lady.”

“…..”

“All the way from the subjugation site to here, I had only one thought – hoping you were safe.”

“…I don’t know how such a rumor spread, but thank you for worrying about me.”

“It’s only natural.”

He raised his hand and began to caress my face. The atmosphere softened.

His smiling face that broke into a grin made my heart flutter. After all, I had waited for Askal to return alive for a time that was short yet long.

“In return, I’ll sleep in your bed tonight.”

I nodded slowly and said:

“Then I’ll go sleep next to Rublion.”

“Sleep beside me.”

“That’s…”

His gaze as he looked at me was unusually intense, making it embarrassing to meet his eyes.

“I won’t do anything, so stay here.”

A dry swallow went down. Since he’s a patient… he really can’t do anything, right?

And so, with half expectation and half worry, I spent the night.

When I opened my eyes early in the morning, the space beside me was empty. Where did he go in that condition?

‘Surely he didn’t go for morning training?’

I hurriedly got up and went outside. I intended to catch him if he was at the training grounds.

“My lady, are you awake?”

A maid passing through the corridor bowed in greeting. I grabbed her and asked:

“Do you know where the Duke went?”

“The Duke left the mansion early this morning. He said he was going to join the subjugation force on their return journey.”

“What?”

What kind of midsummer night’s dream is this? Surely he didn’t leave upset because I nagged him a bit?

‘…He’s a person whose thoughts I can’t fathom.’

I gave up trying to understand and decided to quietly support his choice to fulfill both his responsibilities as a ruler and the well-being of his family. After all, everyone thinks differently and pursues a different life… My thoughts aren’t necessarily right, are they?

News of the subjugation force’s return spread. The streets were busy with festival preparations, and people began brewing alcohol that would pair well with the beast meat soon to arrive.

Meanwhile, I received news from Baron Tirel that he had successfully established the investment company, and that House Teravita had decided to invest. Additionally, rumors circulated in social circles that the Duke of Teravita, who had been said to be on his deathbed, had finally passed away and his son, Lamberson Teravita, had ascended to the duke’s position.

While reviewing internal documents in Askal’s office, I sat face to face with Rieta, who had come saying she had something to tell me.

“My brother sent a letter.”

Rieta showed me a letter stating that, as rumored, Lamberson had become duke, and asking her to return home with her siblings. It also said he would send a carriage and knights if she just let him know when they would depart.

“I’ll miss you when you’re gone.”

I felt the same, but lately Rublion had come to think it natural to play with the twins after his lessons were over. His physique, which hadn’t improved no matter how much he trained, was getting better through play. It was a strange thing.

“Me too. It’s a shame because I can learn so much here.”

Rieta had learned how to manage the mansion and govern the servants by helping me, as well as basic bookkeeping. Although I hadn’t intentionally taught her, with Rieta’s level of skill, she should be able to handle internal affairs well without fumbling when she returns to Teravita.

‘It’s a pity.’

I thought it would be nice to have a lady-in-waiting like Rieta. She got along well with Anna too, and her personality wasn’t abrasive, so she was just right.

“When are you thinking of going back?”

At my question, Rieta carefully opened her mouth.

“If you’ll allow it, I was thinking of leaving after the Artenbach Festival ends. If that’s the case, I plan to stay about two more weeks.”

“I’d welcome you staying longer.”

“I’ve only heard rumors about the festival… I’m really looking forward to it.”

I recalled what the Artenbach Festival was like and said:

“Last year, a lot of wild boars were caught. So it was all skewers and barbecue parties.”

“When you say that, I’m already excited.”

Rieta’s reaction was so fresh that memories kept popping up.

“The year before last, a lot of giant bees were caught, so honey wine and grilled bee were delicious.”

“I wonder what dish will be popular this year?”

I answered with a slight frown:

“If I had to guess carefully, I think a lot of northern spiders might have been caught.”

“Spiders? I can’t imagine at all… What does it taste like?”

Rieta asked in astonishment. It’s a vague memory from when I was very young, but if I had to describe my impression when I first ate northern spider:

“Like slightly chewier crab meat?”

Teravita’s ducal castle was busy welcoming its new master. Because the heir who should oversee the funeral was too young, Lamberson Teravita, backed by the support of Lumpus and Artenbach, came to succeed the duke.

The servants welcomed him back to the castle. They did so knowing he was different from the previous duke, who had viewed those of lower status as tools and was busy only lining his own pockets.

The first thing Ranson did upon taking his seat was to sell off the collection his father had amassed. From treasures of the Eastern Empire to busts of beauties from the Western countries, there was nothing missing.

This was the very reason why, although it was a wealthy land, the people of the territory lived in poverty.

“Your Grace, letters have arrived from Lumpus and Artenbach.”

He opened the letter from Lumpus first. It contained threats that if he wanted to keep his position, he must keep his promises.

Next, he unfolded the Artenbach letter. There were several sheets of paper inside, with Rieta’s letter on the first, and letters from Lambermon and Riena on the second.

When he unfolded the third sheet, Ranson recognized whose handwriting it was.

‘…Schmidt.’

She was now the Duchess of Artenbach. Knowing he could not stand before her as a man, he had fled to Teravita, but lingering attachments did not easily disappear.

Ranson carefully tucked away the two envelopes and headed to his private garden. Though called a garden, it was a place filled with blacksmith’s forges that could melt iron, large marble blocks, and logs.

A servant who had followed behind held out gloves respectfully. He put them on naturally, as if he had been waiting for them, and stood before an unfinished sculpture. With the face not yet made, only the creator knew who it was supposed to be.

‘Whose hand will I take?’

He picked up a sculpting hammer. Then he said to the servant standing behind:

“First, take the letters to my office desk.”

“Yes, sir.”

The servant took the envelopes and disappeared into the castle. Ranson stared blankly at his retreating figure before turning his gaze away.

Only when the sky had darkened did he stop sculpting, beads of sweat forming on his brow. A servant, who had been there for an unknown time, stood one step behind holding a lantern.

“The letters are still there as they were, I presume?”

“Yes, sir.”

Ranson dropped the sculpting hammer on the ground. Then he came down from the ladder, looked up at the sky once, and left the garden.

Returning to his office and placing the two envelopes side by side, he took out the letter Schmidt had sent from the Artenbach envelope and read it. It contained greetings asking if he was well and talk about establishing the investment company.

‘At this rate, the fight between Artenbach and Lumpus seems certain.’

He could maintain neutrality without siding with either, if he said he would. Just as the previous Duke of Teravita had done.

But he had no intention of following in those footsteps. Because the reason he had ascended to this position was clear.

He picked up the letter from Lumpus and approached the fireplace. It wasn’t very cold, so only three or four logs were burning.

Whoosh.

The letter from Lumpus burned black in the fireplace. Ranson watched for a moment before turning away.