Chapter 2

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Oliver Askham Lahteenlahti's mornings start early.

After preparing the various newspapers delivered in the early morning, he prepares water and hot water for washing the face, and places a fragrant soap, known for its beauty benefits, on a cart. On another cart, he prepares a tea set, and because it has become quite chilly, he also prepares honey and ginger.

Calculating the time when his wife, Kastehelmi, would wake up, he moves the cart and knocks on the door.

"Please come in."

A voice echoes from inside.

As Oliver pushes the cart in, Kastehelmi, who had momentarily furrowed her brow, lets out a heavy sigh.

"Really, how can you keep this up?"

"I can do this kind of thing as much as you want."

"Hmm."

Oliver moves the cart in front of Kastehelmi, who is sitting on the bed, and adds hot water to the basin to make it the right temperature. After Kastehelmi finishes washing her face, he hands her a towel and prepares water for her to rinse her mouth.

While Kastehelmi is rinsing her mouth, Oliver prepares the morning tea. On the first day, he had tried to wake her up with the scent of the morning tea, but she had scolded him, saying, "Please don't do that."

The current routine is part of her morning ritual, and for the past two months, Oliver has been taking care of her in place of a maid.

"Today's newspapers all report on the bridge being built over the Taurus River."

Kastehelmi skims through the newspapers while drinking her morning tea, and Oliver, sitting in a chair nearby, also reads the newspapers.

"It's a new stone arch bridge built for the railway, but I'm concerned about the embankment work being done upstream."

The arch bridge is strong against vertical forces, and it has been proven that even a heavy locomotive can pass over it without any issues. However, it is weak against lateral forces caused by floodwaters.

"Due to frequent floods upstream, the construction has been planned for a long time, but the funding has only recently been secured. We have also investigated the contractors, and there are no suspicious points. However, it is indeed concerning that the construction is starting at this time."

The enemy country, Omkus, which harbors intense hatred towards our kingdom, Lahden, and the neighboring kingdom, Rovaniemi, is undoubtedly plotting to sabotage the railway project. For example, if they deliberately cause a breach upstream when the steam locomotive is about to cross the bridge over the Taurus River, the locomotive and the bridge would be washed away.

"We must continue to investigate whether Omkus is involved."

As Oliver folds the newspaper, there is a knock on the door, and the maid, Aila, calls out, "Madam, shall we get you dressed?"

Oliver returns the newspaper to the cart and helps Kastehelmi put on her shoes. He kisses the back of her hand and says, "Kastehelmi, I'll see you at breakfast." Kastehelmi lets out a heavy sigh.

After moving the two carts outside, a waiting footman takes them. Oliver's attentive care for Kastehelmi began the day after she had humiliated him.

Of course, the people around him tried to stop him, but seeing his unwavering determination, they decided to let him do as he pleased.

After all, it is a fact that even after marriage, Oliver continued to pine for Yuliana, who lived in the same mansion. He had ignored his bride at the wedding and boycotted the wedding night. It was impossible for him to gain immediate trust, no matter how much he changed his attitude.

The newlyweds have yet to share a bedroom, but Oliver fully understands and accepts this.

He is aware that there are rumors about him sharing a woman with multiple men, and that this is the reason he is called "disgusting."

Oliver himself has never had a deep relationship with Yuliana, whom he grew up with since childhood, but he knows that asserting this would be meaningless.

"Lord Oliver, I kept you waiting."

Kastehelmi, with her honey-blonde hair loosely tied up, comes to the dining room, and Oliver stands up to escort her to her seat.

Oliver has completely surrendered. In a sense, he has completely surrendered to the enemy. While others may have something to say about it, he has no intention of changing his approach.

"Kastehelmi, do you have any plans to go out today?"

"Today? Yes, I need to buy more embroidery thread, so I'm thinking of going to the city."

"Understood. I'll accompany you on the way there and back."

"That's not necessary."

"I want to."

"But..."

"You know why, right?"

As Oliver looks at her with sweet eyes, Kastehelmi smiles wryly and says, "It would be troublesome if the wife of a duke, who has married into the family, were kidnapped while the capital is infiltrated by Omkus."

"Indeed, that's one reason."

It was revealed that the foolish Yuliana had been in contact with spies from the enemy country, Omkus, and as a result, Oliver's father had to transfer his title to his son, Niklas. During this turmoil, Kastehelmi had been targeted for kidnapping twice.

Fortunately, Oliver managed to prevent both attempts, but the enemy has not given up on attacking the Lahteenlahti family.

"But that's not the only reason. I want Kastehelmi to embroider a handkerchief for me."

"Huh?"

"Most newlywed husbands receive an embroidered handkerchief from their wives. They keep it in their pocket as a good luck charm, and I want to do the same."

"Um... maybe I'll embroider laurel flowers."

The meaning of laurel flowers is "betrayal" and "untrustworthy."

"Then, how about gerbera flowers? They are the birth flowers of the month I was born in."

The meaning of gerbera flowers is "always moving forward" and "hope."

"Tsk."

Kastehelmi, un-ladylike, clicked her tongue, but Oliver ignored it.

Niklas, who happened to pass by, watched the two of them having breakfast and let out a heavy sigh. He couldn't understand why his brother was being so submissive to his wife, who had spread rumors that could lead to the downfall of the Lahteenlahti family.

"I need to have a talk with Oliver."

Saying this, Niklas heads to his office. After all, the Lahteenlahti family is currently in a stormy situation.

Kastehelmi, who became his brother's wife, used the rumors for her own protection, manipulated public opinion, and thus excluded his father, mother, and Yuliana from the family. While her methods were indeed brilliant, Niklas still harbors resentment that she didn't consult him at any point.

This is the start of a side story. I will update it daily! I hope it can provide a bit of a change of pace amidst the ongoing heat. If you enjoy it, please:

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