Chapter 10

“I don’t know. Is that a big problem?”

“…….”

Milayen glanced at Karina, who had spoken in a curt tone, and then opened his mouth.

“You almost made it in just as the gates were closing. Hardly anyone comes to the Duchy of Winter. It’s also the time when trade with caravans is cut off. Therefore, the duchy needs to stockpile supplies for the winter.”

Despite the look of disdain in his eyes, Milayen explained in quite some detail.

Since Karina’s attitude in listening was not bad, he felt a bit better.

“And when it’s the dead of winter, we start the official monster hunts. Most of the people in my territory are born with the temperament of hunters. A few of them can easily hunt down even a ferocious beast.”

“Wow…….”

Karina marveled sincerely.

The territory where she lived in the south was known for its peace.

It was the farthest from war.

Beautiful natural scenery was spread all around, and in autumn, fruits would ripen in various places.

Karina’s exclamation made Milayen’s shoulders tense up a bit.

The territory, once barren and empty, had been developed to this extent thanks to the abilities of him and the previous duke.

Because of this, not only Milayen but also the people of the northern territory had a strong attachment to their land.

No wonder the number of people who volunteered for the annual monster hunt, regardless of gender, reached one-third of the total population.

“Anyway, you almost missed the last gate. If you had been a little later, you wouldn’t have been able to enter. The fight with the monsters is tough. So, never, under any circumstances, go outside the territory.”

“I have no reason to go out.”

Karina answered obediently.

Milayen looked at her with a doubtful eye and then nodded.

“...I feel a bit dizzy.”

She held her forehead and stood up.

Her body felt cold, perhaps from fatigue, or maybe the problem the old doctor mentioned had already started, but she couldn’t tell.

“I want to go in and rest. Can I go directly to the cottage?”

“If that’s more convenient, then do so.”

“I’m grateful for your kind permission despite my sudden visit.”

“I didn’t give it kindly. The problem is that I can’t drive you away even if I wanted to.”

Milayen deliberately pointed out.

If she left now, she would face the winter, a time when the monsters’ aggression increased.

In any case, Milayen couldn’t drive Karina away until the snow melted and the cold subsided in late spring, from the moment she arrived.

“Anyway.”

Karina answered lightly and stood up. He smiled faintly, seeing the untouched teacup.

“Pang, please guide her.”

“Understood.”

Karina left after her brief meeting with Milayen.

“Still, I’m sorry for being so abrupt.”

Before leaving, Karina added.

Now, unless he visited the cottage, they wouldn’t meet again.

The distance between the cottage and the main house wasn’t far, but their living areas didn’t overlap.

Surprised by the sudden apology, Milayen watched as she obediently followed Pang.

“The cottage will take about an hour to prepare. Is there anything else you need?”

“I don’t need a maid, a servant, or meals. Just fill the pantry with food supplies.”

“But……”

“The Duke said the duchy is safe. Then the ducal residence must be even safer, right? Besides……”

Karina’s voice lowered as she followed Pang.

The smile on her face since entering slowly disappeared.

“I need time to think alone.”

“...Still, it will be inconvenient without anything.”

“If it really won’t do, I’ll tell the Duke.”

With Karina’s firm stance, Pang had nothing more to say and finally agreed.

Pang, who had guided her, disappeared, saying he would return when the cottage was ready.

Karina plopped down on the bed.

“Do I have a fever?”

She skillfully touched her forehead and looked out the window.

There were no pursuers from the baron’s residence.

She didn’t really expect anything, but……

“The Baron’s territory is fine, right? No, like, moving troops or anything.”

“I don’t know. It’s always peaceful there, so why would they move troops?”

“Oh! I heard it’s a good harvest year. There won’t be any food worries there this winter. But why the baron’s territory?”

“...I was just curious.”

Thinking of the people who laughed at her silly questions, Karina lay down on the bed.

It was still a pleasant trip. She couldn’t remember anything more enjoyable in her life.

“Now I have one more memory.”

She muttered.

‘How many more can I make before I die?’

If she only had a year left to live, Karina wished every moment had meaning.

“What did he think when he read the letter?”

Suddenly, Karina turned her head. Maybe he thought it was nothing.

She let out a hollow laugh and closed her eyes. She felt a bit warm, probably because she had a fever.

* * *

Two months ago.

“Oh my, Master! Miss... Miss Karina is gone!”

The voice that rang out just as breakfast was ending made the frown on the baron’s forehead deepen.

The maid who had rushed in, clutching something in her hand, was panting.

“I’m sorry for barging in without knocking.”

The maid, who had rushed in, quickly apologized, perhaps wondering what the frowning baron thought. The baron put down his utensils and looked at the bowed maid.

“That child often goes out without a word. What’s so urgent that you had to rush in like this?”

His voice, tinged with reprimand, made the maid bow her head in embarrassment.

She stammered.

“It’s just... It doesn’t seem like she just went out.”

“Did something happen?”

“I was cleaning Miss’s room today and found this note on the desk.”

The maid bowed and extended the small note she was holding.

The baron took the note and unfolded the folded piece of paper.

His gaze lingered on the note for a moment before moving away. He didn’t need to look long because the content was just one line.

The short note made it impossible to guess the reason for her departure.

When Baron Leopold said nothing, his wife reached out and took the note from him.

She also read the one-line note and her expression hardened.

“What does this mean? Suddenly, without a word, she’s going on a trip?”

“I, I don’t know. I just found it this morning...”

“When did you last see Karina?”

Baron Leopold, looking at the maid who had shrunk, added.

The maid, with a stiff body, tried to recall. When was the last time she saw her...?

“Oh! Two days ago... I saw her going out."

“Yesterday?”

“Yesterday...”

The maid rolled her eyes and clenched and unclenched her fists, desperately trying to remember.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t recall seeing Karina yesterday.

The maid shook her head after a moment of silence.

“I don’t remember seeing her.”

“Anyone else?”

“...I don’t know.”

The maid’s expression was filled with frustration. Karina was such a non-existent presence.

“None of you saw Karina yesterday?”

The baron’s gaze turned to Abelia and Ferdon.

Infrik had come home late last night due to work, so he couldn’t have known about Karina’s whereabouts.

Abelia and Ferdon exchanged glances and then shook their heads in unison.

“I didn’t see my sister yesterday.”

“Me neither. I thought she had gone to the market again since she wasn’t in her room...”

Baron Leopold looked down and read the note again.

It didn’t say where she was going, when she would return, or what she was doing.