Chapter 43

(Ah, maybe I should have spent a little more time with him. But... )

Lilith, back in her room, was unusually regretting her actions.

However, she had heard from Frederick that Jesarld worked harder than anyone else in the palace.

When she had brought up the idea of a honeymoon, his response that he had no time for such things was not an exaggeration.

Despite this, she had pushed him a bit forcefully yesterday, and Jesarld had truly looked distressed just now.

(Working hard is good, but sometimes you need a break... But, maybe...)

When you want to forget something, throwing yourself into work can be surprisingly effective.

Perhaps Jesarld works so hard because there is something he wants to forget.

Moreover, Conrad had mentioned that Jesarld was "busy."

(Maybe he still can't forget Queen Corina...)

Lilith, sitting on the bed, sighed deeply.

(And, Jesarld's standards for women seem to be based on Queen Corina...)

Lilith had felt this from Jesarld's reactions so far, but she hadn't realized that she herself was far from the average woman.

Lying down on the bed, Lilith rolled around but couldn't shake off her mood.

(She really wanted Jesarld to take a break, but to be honest, she wasn't in the mood at that time.)

The image of the veiled Queen Corina, looking so fragile, and Jesarld's belief in Conrad's words had made her a bit angry.

Furthermore, when they talked about children and he made that face, Lilith's mood had definitely dropped.

(Um... I do want a baby, but...)

What she had thought was nothing, and even felt comfortable, now seemed hollow.

(If it were with someone I love and who loves me, maybe... For example—)

Thinking this far, Lilith hit her pillow hard.

It was wrong to think of Arnaud.

She no longer felt anything for him and wanted him to be happy with Daria.

Still, she envied the intense love in Arnaud's gaze when he looked at Daria.

At that moment, Conrad's face flashed in her mind, and Lilith grimaced.

(Ugh! No way, no way, absolutely not!)

Though their faces were similar, their personalities were completely different.

Lilith realized how much this bothered her and was taken aback.

Trying not to, she imagined Arnaud again and grimaced.

(No, no. Not even as much as Conrad, but still, no way.)

Then she thought about Jesarld.

She was a bit angry and frustrated today, which made her feel uneasy—

(No, I don't mind Jesarld. I'm completely fine with him. In fact, I don't want anyone but Jesarld...)

Hugging her pillow, Lilith felt relieved.

Though she wasn't in the mood today, it was natural to feel this way about her husband.

(You know, I'm the "virtuous wife" type.)

Though she was wrong in many ways, Lilith was satisfied with her answer and snuggled into her futon.

She was quite tired, having not taken a nap during the day—though she had slept until noon.

So, she must be thinking strange things.

Convinced of this, Lilith quickly fell asleep.

* * *

The next time Lilith became aware, she was in a place that seemed both familiar and unfamiliar.

Realizing she was in a dream, she slipped into a room where voices were coming from.

She froze in shock.

In the room were a young Jesarld and an elderly woman.

"—Corina is pregnant?"

Jesarld, who had looked stunned for a moment, then asked the woman in surprise.

The woman, who seemed to be a midwife, nodded cheerfully and congratulated him.

Lilith didn't want to see any more of this scene and tried to move her frozen body to leave.

Sometimes, even when you want to leave a dream, you can't.

Fortunately, the scene changed abruptly.

Wary that it might be a similar past scene, Lilith looked around and sighed in relief.

It seemed to be a completely different place.

In fact, it looked like a pottery kiln.

The slight discomfort in her body was probably due to sweat from sleeping.

Still, she moved unsteadily and realized it wasn't Shana's kiln.

Moreover, there were several large climbing kilns, and many people were working in various rooms, leading Lilith to guess that this was the Toyson factory.

(I see. By dividing the manufacturing process, they increase productivity and improve individual skills... And this way, only a limited number of people know the secrets of the clay mix... But, if one potter can do it, maybe they need more collaborators...)

Nodding, she entered a particularly grand room.

There, three men were in conversation.

"Surely, the Crown Prince's personal visit indicates that he suspects us?"

"But the accounts are perfect. Besides, the report that the ship carrying the export goods was caught in a storm and most of the items were broken and unsellable cannot be proven false. If it were discovered, the bribed captain would be punished."

"Well, I must apologize for this. My wife, at a tea party hosted by Duke Bartin, spoke to the Crown Princess and mentioned this factory. It seems the Princess became interested in this land... However, my wife's letter suggests that the Princess's true interest is in the town of Bunmini. Apparently, she got along well with the lady of the manor there and talked for a long time. As a princess from the countryside of Freud, she naturally gets along with country folk."

The other two men laughed loudly at the last statement made by the plump man.

From the content of the conversation and his fine clothing, this plump man was probably Baron Court.

Though she didn't know the names of the other two, Lilith carefully memorized their faces.

It was true that Freud was rural, but she couldn't tolerate them mocking it.

Glaring at the three men as they continued their conversation, Lilith woke up.

It was still before dawn.

But, to ensure she didn't forget what had happened, she started writing it down with the writing tools she always kept by her pillow.