“It seems like I found something I wanted, so I offered it directly…”

Unlike the expectation that she would only observe briefly, Roel spent most of her time in the library after receiving the key.

It was Reus who reduced the Grand Duchess’ workload and handed over the library key, but he was not very pleased with the current situation.

Perhaps the mood that had been declining since seeing Roel absorbed in books even in the bedroom was still continuing now.

‘Even if you cling to books that much, you should get tired of the letters.’

Without thinking of the days when he had been drowning in paperwork, Reus complained softly, looking at the empty garden.

However, the reason the garden was empty today was not because Roel had visited the library, but because she had headed to the Filaren Viscount Territory, which was right next to the Rochester Grand Duchy.

As the new head of the Rochester family, it was time to show her face to the retainers, and it was also time to start minimal exchanges with closely related families.

However, this was, in any case, what the real Grand Duchess had to do.

Reus had no intention of entrusting external activities to the fake Grand Duchess.

In any case, since there was a widespread rumor that he had married an innocent woman who was blinded by love in a hurry, it would not be very strange if Roel did not go out.

‘There will only be more rumors that they are living inseparably, clinging to each other.’

And it was much better to let the rumors spread, so that people could not guess about the contractual relationship.

But for some reason, Reus changed his mind to formally introduce the fake Grand Duchess to the retainers and decided to accompany Roel whenever there was an important occasion.

‘There’s no particular loss even if the fake couple’s acting becomes a little more elaborate.’

However, it was not that Roel’s outing was welcome. Rather, it was close to being worried, although he was not admitting it himself.

It was because of the news about Casien Erzian that he didn’t want to hear but still reached him.

Unlike the appearance shown at the Evellet Count’s residence, after the wedding, he thought Casien would quietly give up…

After Princess Shanette’s birthday banquet, there were frequent stories that the Erzian heir was drowning in alcohol, and recently, he even asked his father to let him marry Roel, but was slapped in the face.

But it seemed he still hadn’t come to his senses, as he was recently wandering around the places Roel used to frequent in a mess, and there was gradually talk in social circles.

Reus scoffed inwardly.

‘I told you it’s useless, but you refuse to acknowledge it until the end.’

No matter how much he struggles, Roel Evellet… no, Roel Rochester will never return to him.

“Roel Rochester…”

Roel’s name, rolled in his mouth, sounded particularly nice today. Just as he was feeling a subtle satisfaction, Reus suddenly hardened his face.

The Filaren Viscount Territory, where Roel would arrive soon.

It was a territory of moderate size ruled by Rike Filaren, one of the retainers of the Rochester Grand Ducal House, and a place where the knights of the Rochester Grand Ducal House were stationed, making it the safest among the lands of the retainers.

He thought it was the best choice among the lands that bastard could never approach, so he sent her there with peace of mind.

However, he was so focused on that alone that he failed to consider that there was a port in the Filaren Viscount Territory.

‘I should forget what I need to forget. Where have I been keeping my mind these days?’

The Filaren Port was the place Roel had intended to go to after escaping from Evellet.

Compared to when she tried to run away without a penny, the money Roel had now was more than enough, overflowing.

That meant she could leave anytime, even today, if she wanted to.

‘Will she run away?’

Come to think of it, Reus had also said this when he proposed the contract.

‘It wouldn’t be strange if she ran away right now.’

Reus knew that Roel was an amazingly kind woman and at the same time, had an outstanding sense of responsibility, not the kind of woman who would disappear without a word to him.

Yet, what was the reason he couldn’t easily shake off the anxiety?

‘…Come to think of it, the Filaren Viscount was complaining about the hardship of operating the port.’

The Filaren Port had a particularly high frequency of pirate appearances compared to other ports due to its locational characteristics.

As a result, military expenses were high, and the Filaren Viscount used to whine that he would not be able to avoid a deficit at this rate.

Reus’ mind became busy.

If he bought all the shares of the port and even purchased the surrounding land to expand the grand duchy’s territory, the Filaren Port would be no different from being in the palm of his hand.

He had no plans on what to do with it once he acquired it, but he felt it would be helpful in some way later, so his mind was already leaning towards buying the port.

The problem was that the Filaren Viscount had mentioned selling a significant portion of the port shares several times, begging him to join forces in fostering the navy, but Reus had flatly refused each time.

‘If I end up buying the shares, it should be all of them, not just a part.’

While Reus was seriously lost in thought, Dewin looked at his master’s back from a distance.

Here we go again. His Majesty is standing by the window without fail today as well.

‘Since returning from the battlefield, he seemed to be getting a little strange…’

These days, I really don’t know where he has his mind.

Even though he hated wasting time the most, whenever he had a chance, he would stop working and lean against the window, blankly looking at the garden.

And sometimes, a sound that could be either laughter or a sigh was heard, and at those times, Dewin used to think.

Actually, is it not His Majesty who is strange, but me?

At first, he thought so, but after experiencing noticeable eccentricities continuously, he finally realized.

‘His Majesty has gone crazy.’

The way he was glaring at the innocent emerald sea as if he would kill it right now was not normal behavior in the first place.

‘As a subordinate, how should I handle this situation…?’

Still, the fortunate thing in the meantime was that Her Majesty had gone out today. Dewin considered Roel’s absence as luck, making a misunderstanding that no one had even asked him to make.

“Your Majesty. You must depart soon.”

When Reus was about to leave, at the same time, Roel had just arrived at the Filaren Viscount’s residence.

* * *

Unlike the expectation that the Filaren Viscount couple would greet her, the one who politely greeted her as soon as she got out of the carriage was a young-looking woman.

“Welcome, Your Majesty. My name is Elia Filaren. I hope your journey here was not too tiring?”

“Not at all. It’s nice to meet you, Lady Filaren.”

“It’s truly an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you for the warm welcome. But… I don’t see the Viscount couple.”

At my words, Elia’s expression seemed to stiffen for a moment, but quickly returned.

“My parents had to go on an urgent patrol due to an issue in the territory. They left in the morning, and we don’t know when they will return… So I had to receive Your Majesty directly today.”

I had heard that the viscount’s daughter was eagerly anticipating this occasion, but Elia was a child who had just reached adulthood this year and was too young to handle the Grand Duchess alone.

Just looking at the fact that she only brought a maid or two to attend to me, it was evident that she was very inexperienced in receiving a noble guest.

‘It’s an unavoidable situation since it’s an urgent matter, but…’

Usually, when a noble guest comes, doesn’t at least the wife stay behind?

Something felt suspicious, but considering the couple who greatly feared Reus at the wedding, it didn’t seem like they would deliberately create this situation.

‘…Okay. Even if only the viscount couple is absent, no particularly dangerous situation will occur.’

Since Elia, who was suddenly entrusted with an important task, must be feeling very burdened by this situation, I should not show any discomfort and quietly spend time before returning.

“Even though my parents are not here, I will do my best to serve you well, Your Majesty.”

“Then I’ll be counting on you, Lady Filaren.”

Following Elia’s guidance, I walked along the wide-open corridor. Perhaps because the sea was so close, the air filled with a salty scent strongly brushed the tip of my nose.

‘Even though it’s the same sea, it feels different here.’

Unlike the Rochester Grand Duchy, the Filaren Viscount Territory had a port.

The vast blue sea spread in all directions, the boats slightly swaying with the rushing waves, and the moderately bustling crowd. The busy scene filling the space between the intensely shining sunlight was particularly impressive.

Then I noticed people just starting to board a ship.

‘If I hadn’t saved Reus, I would have already arrived in Beliata by taking one of those ships.’

It suddenly hit me that I was visiting as the Grand Duchess of Rochester, not as a fugitive.

But wait a moment.

‘Come to think of it, I can leave right now, can’t I?’

The money accumulated in my account so far was more than enough to settle in Beliata. And even if I left today, Reus would certainly not care much.

However… I didn’t want to leave the Grand Duchy yet.

‘Still, it would be polite to tell Reus before leaving.’

And above all, I wanted to enjoy the peaceful daily life that I could only have in the Grand Duchy a little longer.

“By the way, is this Your Majesty’s first time at the Filaren Viscount’s residence?”

“Yes. The port is very beautiful. I don’t think I would ever get tired of looking at it every day.”

“The scenery is different from what you see in the Grand Duchy, right? Ah, the place you see on the left is the dockyard. And over there is…”

I was listening quite attentively to the explanation, thinking it might be helpful later, but Elia, who had been explaining well, suddenly sighed.

“But my father is always thinking about selling it.”

“The port?”

“Yes. My father has been suffering from pirate problems in operating the port.”

“I see.”

“We were preparing to move our residence far from the coast once the port is sorted out, but it has already been delayed for 2 years.”