After Caeron left, Idel tossed and turned in the bedroom, unable to sleep. The conversation they’d had kept circling in her mind.

[Dash] ……I respect your wishes.

Breaking the prolonged silence, he spoke. His voice, deeper than usual, reached her ears.

[Dash] Take some rest today.

[Dash] Your Highness…… rest well too.

[Dash] The clause you mentioned will be amended and delivered soon.

[Dash] ……Yes, understood.

Although she’d received the answer she wanted from Caeron, Idel’s eyes quivered with unease. As if trying to shake off a complex emotion she couldn’t understand, she tightly closed her eyes and then opened them again.

When Caeron rose from his seat, Idel also stood. He slowly turned his back to her.

Watching his retreating figure, Idel unconsciously pressed her chest. It felt as if her heart had sunk.

It was strange. The conflicting emotion she felt toward him, even as she pushed him away.

As Caeron approached the door leading to the Duke’s room, he grasped the doorknob. Just as he was about to open the door and enter,

[Dash] ……Idel.

[Dash] Yes……?

He paused at the doorway and softly called her name. Startled, Idel’s eyes widened.

[Dash] Remember one thing……

Still showing his back, Caeron slightly turned his head and continued speaking.

[Dash] Even without adding a clause to the contract…… I have no intention of forcing you.

[Dash] ……!

[Dash] If you don’t want it, express it clearly. However……

Caeron turned his head back. His eyes met Idel’s. Though his voice was impassive, the gaze was different.

[Dash] In the opposite case, also make it clear.

That you want me.

The turbulent emotion in his eyes seemed to hint at that very sentiment. Overwhelmed by his gaze filled with intense desire, she trembled slightly.

“Ah……”

As that deep gaze surfaced in her mind once again, Idel let out a trembling breath. Feeling her heart thump heavily, she curled up under the blanket.

Strands of her hair scattered messily, mirroring her mind filled with chaotic thoughts.

(This is a time separator.)

Unable to sleep until dawn, Idel headed to the Duke’s office early in the morning. She felt focusing on work would be better to clear her disordered mind.

Sitting at the desk, she picked up the morning paper that lay in front of her.

⌜The Nightmare of Storms Returns Once Again⌟

A frontpage article about the recent storm that had disrupted the Duke’s trading business was there. It reported on the various damages after the storm and urged for quick recovery.

As Idel read, her eyes deepened, lost in thought. Tapping her fingers on the newspaper, she was contemplating when she took out a map placed at one corner of the desk.

“Good morning, Your Highness. You are here early,” Gregory entered the Duchess’s office as the door opened. Greeting him, Idel lifted her head.

“Welcome, Sir Gregory.”

“But, you look pale. Is something the matter?”

Gregory looked concerned as he examined her face, more pallid than usual and filled with subtle anguish.

Although the major reason for her turmoil was something else, Idel opted to show him the newspaper instead.

“I was reading the newspaper. It appears that the western outskirts of the capital suffered significant storm damage.”

“True. Likely because the area is close to the sea, the damages seem to be greater than other places.”

Hearing Gregory’s words, the concern in Idel’s eyes intensified.

“Isn’t the western outskirts where many of the poor reside? Rebuilding their lives will be difficult…… Their hardships must have worsened.”
“The royal family will likely undertake emergency relief and damage restoration this time as well.”

The western outskirts, often suffering from frequent floods and storm damage, were an area where the poor often lived due to low housing costs. However, proper facilities were lacking, making the royal family’s relief efforts only a temporary solution.

“I heard that the dam we built last time to recover from the storm damage also collapsed this time. If this continues, the same outcome will repeat during the next storm.”

As it was a povertystricken area, taxes were not collected properly. As a result, proper embankments were not built, leading to the same damages repeatedly occurring.

“Could the Duke’s house consider initiating a water management project?”

“A water management project?”

“A project to build embankments in the western outskirts of the capital. If we employ the locals for construction and pay them, not only flood damage but also living expenses can be resolved.”

After momentarily pondering Idel’s suggestion, Gregory hesitantly opened his mouth.

“It’s certainly a good idea, but… building an embankment involves a significant investment. And that includes labor costs.”

The Duke’s budget was not lacking; however, it was restricted to the duke’s affairs, making it difficult to allocate the budget for the capital area under royal jurisdiction.

Scratching the back of his head as if puzzled, Gregory looked at Idel, who nodded as if this was the reaction she expected.