Chapter 18

Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

In a single glance, Minji's eyes, filled with affection, were so resolute. If someone unfamiliar saw her, they might think she was declaring war rather than confessing her feelings. Finishing her confession as if clearing away overdue work, Minji blushed shyly. In contrast, Daniel's attitude, who had shaken his wife's heart within a month of meeting, was casual. As if he had never heard anything like a confession before. After all, he was well-accustomed to the loud confessions of the women of Schendal Castle, which drained him more than any battlefield. Compared to those, this was not particularly impressive. Thinking of the women who approached with a pretense of sophistication, gathered in one place, and recited similar lines, he shuddered involuntarily.

“Daniel, I love you. If I can be by your side, I will gladly give up my family and everything I have.”

As if she were a tragic heroine, she would often say she would give up her family, lose her honor, and run away to a place where no one knows her. Each one of them, born out of an affair, would beg him to understand the sacrifices they would have to make if they chose her. If there were any novelty, he might have endured it, but their heads seemed to lack creativity.

“You might not like me if you get to know me better.”

At the very least, this much should make him want to listen.

‘Interesting.’

This was all of Daniel’s evaluation of the confession from the twenty-year-old Countess Lichard, who had not yet shed her girlishness. Preida, misinterpreting her husband’s silence, hesitantly observed his reaction.

“Do you... find it burdensome?”

“I can’t say I don’t.”

The weight of the confessions from vain noble girls, who were frivolous in everything, and the sincere confession from his wife were clearly different.

“Oh, don’t feel burdened!”

Preida shook her head and hurriedly got out of bed.

“I just wanted to let you know how I feel.”

“If you were worried I would feel burdened, you didn’t have to say it.”

“Well, I’m the type who acts on impulse. If I don’t do it today, I might never do it, so I always act immediately.”

Embarrassed, Preida bit her upper lip. This was definitely a problem. Once she got an idea, she would charge ahead without looking back. It wasn’t just her lack of caution; she tended to act first and think later, gradually becoming someone who only knew herself. It was a bad habit, and she was worried it wouldn’t change. Firmly tucking her annoying hair behind her ear, Preida looked up at her tall husband.

“Regardless of my feelings for you, I will faithfully fulfill my duties. So, you don’t need to worry.”

“Duties?”

And what exactly am I supposed to worry about, and why?

“Yes. Whether the Empress Dowager chose me for any reason, I am the Countess of Lichard and have the duty to continue the family line. I will actively support and cooperate with your efforts to have an heir. So, if you have someone in mind, please tell me without hesitation.”

Three years ago, the moment she heard about her arranged marriage to Count Lichard, she made a decision. She would focus on what she could do, what she should do, and what she was allowed to do, without lingering on what she couldn’t. She probably couldn’t give the Count a child. But if he had a child, she could ensure that the land and titles passed down to the child would be protected from the Empress Dowager. A prosperous and untouchable duchy, a layer of loyal citizens, and more layers of sturdy walls. If she worked hard to build these layers, it would be possible. Everyone dies. Preida, Count Lichard, and the Empress Dowager. But the land and the people who settle there will continue forever, even without a special name. The son of a carpenter, the daughter of a carpenter, the son of that daughter, the grandson of that son... Together with the ordinary lives of these people, she hoped that Dominic’s and Muriel’s children could also make this land their home. If time allowed, she wanted to build even stronger walls for them, but she couldn’t guarantee it.

‘I’ll do what I can.’

Determined, Preida wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt. Daniel’s indifferent gaze fell on her white knuckles, which were exposed by the cold. He blinked a few times calmly and then looked directly at Preida.

“How far are you willing to go?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, how far are you willing to support and cooperate with my efforts? To be honest, I have no intention of taking a mistress to have children. I’m tired of the term ‘illegitimate child.’”

His rapidly fluttering white eyelashes spoke. His mention of a mistress was purely out of concern for him, not to insult him as an illegitimate child.

“I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant...”

I know. I think I know... But today, his obvious intentions were particularly annoying.

“What can we do? It seems my child must be born from your body.”

As if he wanted to tear off the mask of a loyal and understanding noble husband.

“To do that, you need to fulfill your duties as a wife... I’m curious. How far are you willing to go with your active support and cooperation?”

Daniel’s long fingers curled around the end of Preida’s hair. Holding her snow-white hair, he realized he sometimes wanted to touch these strands. They were cold. The coldness, which didn’t match the season, made him wonder if it was hers or his. He rubbed the white strands at the tips of his fingers for a moment. Then, he lightly touched her slightly parted lower lip.

“Up to here?”

Seeing the bitter smile on his face, she realized it was there. The reason he wanted to act more viciously than usual... he wasn’t sure. He wanted to warn her not to cross the line, and he was a bit irritated by her talk of love and duty. His fingers, which had left her lips, weakly touched the edge of her dress. The white skin, barely visible, was tantalizing.

“Or here?”

***

The Boiled family had no land worthy of being called a fief. Most of the land they had was sold during the process of passing through collateral lines, due to the scarcity of direct descendants. What Stefan inherited along with the title of baron was this shabby mansion near the capital, Chellino, and a small piece of land where he could barely afford a few servants. Fortunately, the descendants of the Boiled family were known for their excellent reading, writing, and speaking abilities. Stefan also inherited this ability. Thanks to this, he managed to support his family as a tutor for the children of wealthy but intellectually empty nobles. In his youth, he had ambitions to show off his abilities. However, by the time he turned forty without a child to inherit his meager wealth, he found everything in life to be meaningless.

“Sigh...”

After meeting the Empress Dowager through the recommendation of the Earl of Chamberlain, Stefan’s sighs increased.

“Count Lichard has awakened. His countess has been working hard alone all this time, but as you know, the fate of the daughters of that family is uncertain. I would like you, Baron Boiled, to take care of the duchy.”

Empress Dowager Margret, who offered him the position of butler of the Mühheim Castle, was always gentle and benevolent.

“The Earl of Chamberlain highly praised you. I have great expectations for you. Ah, I heard you were also the tutor of my cousin Alfred?”

True to the reputation of the rational and logical Bychen family.

“I heard that the idea of creating a treasury in the capital to manage the wealth of goldsmiths came from you. I thought you were a talent the empire needed, and here we are.”

She waited for him to offer his neck, hiding her sharp claws, which was truly admirable.

“Go to the duchy and occasionally give me good advice. Who knows? I might call you to the side of His Majesty the Emperor.”

What a joke. How could a penniless and insignificant noble, without any backing, have the opportunity to stand by the Emperor? If he were ten years younger, he might have rejoiced at this opportunity from the heavens. He would have worked hard to eat the crumbs thrown by the Empress Dowager. But now he knew. The position offered by the Empress Dowager was the place of a dog that would be boiled after the hunt. If he was unlucky, he would be beheaded by Count Lichard before the hunt even ended. Anyone could see the Empress Dowager’s intentions. Count Lichard wouldn’t let a mouse in his territory go unchallenged. He was known as a war enthusiast who wouldn’t shy away from any battle, even if everyone said it was hopeless. Who knew? He might be caught by that savage and thrown to the wolves as soon as he stepped into the duchy. With no wealth to pass down and no children to inherit, why take such a risk? Maybe he should pretend to have a fever and just collapse? To deceive the hyena-like Empress Dowager, a half-hearted excuse wouldn’t work. Stefan’s knife made a terrible screeching sound as it scraped the plate.

“Stefan...”

“Ah, sorry. Matilda. Did I startle you?”

Matilda, his wife, with her characteristic Svergen blonde hair and green eyes, shook her head, saying it was fine.

“No. What’s troubling you? You’ve been quiet all evening.”

“Troubling? No, nothing.”

Putting down his fork, Stefan reached across the table and held his wife’s hand. Matilda, two years younger, was still as beautiful as a flower in her late thirties. The only treasure left for Stefan, who had no wealth, power, or honor. Not wanting to trouble his beloved wife, Stefan forced a bright smile.

“My only worry is always the same. I’m getting old, but you still look seventeen. What if people start thinking you’re my daughter?”

“You’re such a tease.”

Matilda, who had been eyeing Stefan with a gentle smile, hesitated before speaking.

“Stefan, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it? Is it good news? Your expression doesn’t look bad.”

Matilda nodded shyly.

“I was worried you’d be disappointed, but the doctor said it’s now in a stable phase, so it should be fine.”

“Doctor? What’s wrong with you?”

Dropping his knife, Stefan pushed his chair back and approached his wife.

“Where? What’s wrong?”

Unlike her restless husband, Matilda’s expression was infinitely peaceful. She closed her eyes in a half-moon shape and gently patted her husband’s hand, which was gripping her shoulder.

“I’m pregnant, Stefan.”

***

Alone in the empty training ground, Daniel was working on his stiff arms. The ball, rebounding off the wall, hit the center of Daniel’s gloved hand. *Pang!* Daniel hit it back with force, and the ball, hitting the wall hard, flew back to him at high speed. *Pang!* Hard. *Pang.* Slowly. *Pang!* Hard again. The ball, flying with varying intensity, had accelerated to a speed where it was almost invisible. Daniel, who could barely see the ball coming at him at such a speed, never missed a hit.

“Can I expect you to fulfill your duties as a proper wife tonight?”

For a moment, his concentration wavered, and his arm hit the air instead of the ball. *Shh.* The sound of the ball cutting through the air was like a winter snowstorm. Daniel’s chest, which rose and fell, let out a rough breath. His provocation was half a joke and half out of irritation.

“Damn it, why are you nodding there!”

Thinking of his wife’s response, he took off his glove and threw it to the ground.