Chapter 54

The day after the meeting, the manager of the Toyzen stoneware factory was dismissed.

Naturally, the workers reacted strongly.

Although most of the funds were provided by the state and Baron Court, they had also contributed to building the factory.

Moreover, Edgar, the most skilled and respected among them, had been unanimously chosen by the workers as the manager.

This decision was announced without any consultation.

It was clear that the factory's deficit was the reason, yet the financial officer and sales manager faced no repercussions.

Since the workers had no experience in management or negotiations, they had to rely on the experts recommended by Baron Court, who should have taken responsibility.

However, it was Edgar, the very manager, who calmed the workers who were about to abandon their jobs.

He said he was a craftsman at heart and not suited for management.

He persuaded them to continue working, explaining that if everyone quit, not only would they be punished, but their families might suffer as well.

The workers agreed because Edgar was not being heavily punished, and the unpaid wages would be temporarily compensated by the state.

Lilith, who was going to bed early the night before her trip to Bunmini, found herself in a vivid dream.

In front of her were the three men she had seen in a previous dream—Baron Court, the sales manager, and the financial officer—cheerfully drinking and talking.

They seemed extremely pleased that the Crown Prince and his entourage were leaving for the town of Bunmini the next day.

"Well, well, I thought things would get out of hand, but we managed to pull through. Friedrich is a top-notch craftsman, but his mind is a blank, which is a relief."

"The workers' resistance was unexpected, but Friedrich himself managed to suppress it. He was really easy to handle. Moreover, the Prince believed our explanation without question. The 'Red Reaper' is not as great as they say."

"Indeed. He seems to excel only on the battlefield. It would be much more useful for him to stay in Freud with the lovely Princess and guard the border with the Kingdom of Fontae, rather than getting involved in this."

Lilith was furious at the sight of the three men laughing with their mouths wide open.

She had learned this gesture from her brother and made a show of punching the air.

Of course, she didn't hit anything, but today felt different.

(Huh? Did I hit something just now?)

Despite her curiosity, Lilith stayed in the room, captivated by their conversation.

In the real world, however, Gesualdo, who was lying next to the sleeping Lilith, had narrowly avoided being hit and caught her fist.

Lilith had already fallen asleep in bed when Gesualdo returned to his room late, preparing for the next day's departure.

Seeing her, he couldn't help but smile.

Thanks to Lilith's wishes, Gesualdo had been smiling more often recently.

However, this was only in response to Lilith's actions, so no one else saw his smile.

The moment he slipped into bed next to Lilith, who was muttering and frowning, a punch was thrown at him.

(What kind of dream is she having this time...?)

Gesualdo, wary of Lilith's bad mood, lay down a bit away from her.

He always kept a light on by his pillow, even when sleeping, so he could see her face clearly.

Thinking about how he would miss this strange wife for a few days, Gesualdo chuckled.

Edgar would accompany them to Bunmini, and Gesualdo would return to the capital, while Lilith and the others would return to Toyzen.

Baron Court and his associates would be summoned and punished after Gesualdo reported to the emperor.

(I'll be hated again...)

Lying on his back, Gesualdo sighed deeply.

As a ruler, he knew that even doing the right thing would result in not only those being punished but also those around them calling him cruel.

He thought he had gotten used to it, but...

"The Red Reaper... What an idiot..."

Hearing these words, Gesualdo turned his head in surprise.

Lilith was still frowning in her sleep.

Though it was just a mumble, Gesualdo leaned closer to her slightly moving lips, wanting to understand the meaning behind her words.

Naturally, he couldn't, and he felt an urge to wake her up and question her.

(I really am an idiot...)

That's why he didn't want to be drawn to her.

He used to be indifferent to what others said, but with Lilith, he cared.

Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, Gesualdo suddenly remembered Lilith's words the night before their wedding.

"I won't ask you to love me. But at least, can you try to be friendly?"

At the time, he thought it wasn't her true feelings and didn't care.

But now, reflecting on it, it resonated with him.

He believed they had built a good relationship, as Lilith had wished. ——At least, she hadn't shouted it from the top of the tower yet.

Opening his eyes again, Gesualdo gazed at Lilith's sleeping face.

"...I won't ask you to love me. But at least, don't hate me."

The words slipped out naturally, a very small wish.

But Lilith suddenly opened her eyes and sat up.

Panicked that she might have heard him, Gesualdo watched as she picked up a writing instrument from the side chest and started writing something.

She must have brought it from her room.

"...Lilith?"

"Just a moment. I'll be done soon."

Lilith, who continued writing without looking at Gesualdo, had a determined look.

So, Gesualdo had no choice but to wait quietly.