Chapter 29

The carriage, which was passing over a rock protruding from the dirt floor, jolted violently. Stephan tightly embraced his wife, who was leaning precariously, and asked anxiously,

“Honey, are you okay?”

The Countess of Boiled smiled and stroked his anxious arm. She looked at her husband affectionately.

“Stephan, please. I’ve told you countless times that I’m fine. It’s getting tiring to repeat it.”

“But you’re...”

“Yes, I know. Because of my condition, our journey has doubled in length. We even had to sell your precious books to rent this expensive carriage.”

“I told you not to worry. We can buy them back when the rental fees for the estate come in.”

Though he knew his wife wasn’t trying to scold him, Stephan was at a loss, feeling helpless. He felt deeply apologetic for his wife, who had to endure this arduous journey while pregnant.

“I’m sorry, honey. I always end up apologizing to you.”

“Don’t say that, Stephan. I’m actually happy we’re going to the Duchy. You know, my dream is to live in a quiet countryside and raise our children.”

Stephan’s wife was a distant relative of the Chamberlain family, a close ally of the Empress Dowager, but she was born into a humble and insignificant family. Her father, eager to launch his daughter into the capital’s social scene, sent her to Celino as a companion and maid to the Countess of Chamberlain. However, she found the capital’s bustling life overwhelming. Her attraction to Stephan, who was quiet and lacked eloquence, was partly due to her own nature. Despite her family’s objections, she became the Countess of Boiled thanks to her stubborn determination, which belied her demure appearance. Though life as a poor noble was not easy, she never regretted marrying him. She had willingly joined him on this long and difficult journey because she loved him and wanted to be with him, and because she was worried about his inflexible and rigid nature.

“And even if Duke Richard, known for his harsh disposition, would harm a steward who brings his pregnant wife? You need me by your side.”

The Countess of Boiled snuggled deeper into her husband’s embrace.

“You worry too much.”

Stephan, who let out a deep sigh, held and patted her shoulder. His wife, Matilda, had encouraged him to go to the Duchy when she realized he was deeply troubled by the news of her pregnancy. Though she was a branch of the powerful Chamberlain family in the capital, her decisiveness was faster than Stephan’s. She insisted they should go to the Duchy, saying there was no need to hear it twice.

“Stephan, you know what the Empress Dowager’s family is like. The Vaizchen family never tolerates those who go against their will. They will torment you endlessly.”

He couldn’t argue with her. It was pointless to blame the Count of Chamberlain, who had recommended him to the Empress Dowager without consulting him. As Stephan’s sigh grew longer, his wife comforted him.

“Stop worrying. We’ll do well in the Duchy. I’m good at pleasing noble ladies.”

Despite the slow journey, which had already lasted over ten days, his wife’s face was full of vitality as she looked up at him.

“I’ll take good care of the Duchess and build trust. You can buy some time by satisfying the Empress Dowager’s curiosity. What happens in this remote mountain is none of the distant capital’s business, right?”

The heavy and dark cloud that had hung over Stephan’s face melted away like ice on a spring breeze.

“You’re a brave woman.”

As he chuckled and kissed her forehead, the carriage jolted more violently than before and came to a stop. The sound of the driver dismounting and grumbling ominously followed.

“Stay here and don’t move. Don’t come out.”

After sternly warning his wife, Stephan opened the door and stepped out. The driver, who was examining the wheel, took off his sweat-soaked hat and looked troubled.

“What can we do, sir? The carriage wheel is broken. It will take at least half a day to fix it.”

“Half a day? The sun will set.”

He couldn’t leave his pregnant wife to sleep outdoors. Approaching the driver, Stephan examined the wheel. The frame supporting the wheel was broken, and it didn’t seem like it would be easily fixed.

‘This is frustrating.’

Stephan, who was at a loss, grabbed the driver’s arm, hoping to find a solution.

“Can we at least make it to the next village? How can my pregnant wife spend the night on the road?”

“I’d try if I could, but with this wheel, we can’t move forward. If we’re unlucky, the wheel might come off. If that happens, we won’t be able to use the carriage at all.”

This was a disaster. Stephan turned pale with dismay. Then the driver stretched his neck towards the direction they had come from.

“Hey, sir, I think I hear a carriage.”

“A carriage?”

Turning around quickly, Stephan saw a carriage, indeed, a very large, luxurious, and sturdy one, approaching. It was far superior to the one he had rented for a hefty sum. The driver of the approaching carriage, noticing them, sped up and quickly approached. Stephan’s eyes were drawn to the emblem on the flag of the stopped carriage: two spears intertwined and crossed between two Altaika, their mouths open fiercely. Frowning, Stephan muttered to himself.

“Could it be the Margrave of Updike?”

Why was the flag of the border-protecting Margrave family of the Empire here? The door of the carriage, which was at least twice as large as the one Stephan had been in, opened. A blond young man stepped out and scanned the group standing by the road, the broken carriage, and the considerable amount of luggage before speaking.

“Are you Stephan Boiled, the Viscount?”

“...Do you know me?”

Stephan was surprised to hear his name called without any form of respect from a young man he had never met. The blond young man shrugged and began to take off his gloves finger by finger.

“No, but I figured it must be you, given the amount of luggage and the rented carriage heading towards Utrecht.”

The young man, holding the removed glove in one hand, looked at Stephan and smirked.

“Seems like it. The little mouse the Empress Dowager personally chose and sent to watch over her resurrected stepson. Stephan Boiled.”

Stephan realized the identity of the man standing before him, or rather, his nickname. The only heir of the Margrave of Updike, a genius swordsman of the Svergen Empire...

‘Mad... Flower Deer.’

The madman among madmen, who, in battle, smiles beautifully and viciously with eyes like a deer. The man was now smiling just as described in the rumors. *** Knock, knock. While Frida was staring blankly at the wall, it knocked again, clearly aware that she was standing in front of it. It was as if giving her time to open the door herself, calmly waiting for her to be ready. Her husband was behind that wall. The man who had kissed her for the first time. She knew it was a natural part of marriage, but when it actually happened, she felt too embarrassed to face people, especially Muriel. They had never kept secrets from each other, and she didn’t know how to explain this to her. She didn’t even know how it had happened, so how could she explain it? The dam in her mind, which she had barely held back, burst, and the memories of last night flooded in like a tide.

“Do you like today’s me, my lady?”

Of course, there’s no reason not to. Thanks to my husband, I’ve achieved several dreams. So, I nodded vigorously, filled with gratitude.

“Then let this be a reward from the lady to her benefactor.”

The sudden kiss had a strong herbal scent. It was so intense that it felt like she was getting drunk just from the touch. Her husband’s lips lingered for what seemed like a long time to Frida. She kept fidgeting, wondering how much longer this would go on. But why was her husband acting like this all of a sudden? As soon as the kiss ended, the question that had been swirling in her mind came to the surface. Her husband, who had been staring at her intently, extended his hand.

“Let’s go. I’ll escort you to the bedroom.”

The bedroom... Just now, it was the lips, now it’s the hand, and next, the bedroom? Is it finally happening today? I’m not prepared... Wait, what did my mother say before? She said to just follow what my husband does on the first night. So, should I just stay still like before? Just like before...? Recalling the soft and strange sensation on her lips, Frida covered her cheeks with the hand that was left. Her cheeks were so hot that she had to take her hand away after a moment. She followed him dazedly, stumbling along. Suddenly, her arm was pulled.

“We’re here.”

Looking around, she realized it was in front of her bedroom. Until recently, she had shared a bed with her husband and slept and woken up together. Ah, I woke up alone. She stared blankly at the heavy door made of sturdy Altas wood.

“My lady.”

It’s okay, Frida. This is something every wife goes through. In fact, I’m late. Is this really so nerve-wracking?

“My lady.”

“...Yes?”

Gathering her wits, she replied, and her husband, holding her hand tightly, whispered,

“Breathe.”

The breath she had been holding rushed out. She took deep breaths and wiped the sweat from her forehead. After her flustered actions, Daniel calmly waited and kindly opened the bedroom door for her.

“Go in.”

I don’t know where the courage came from, but she grabbed his arm.

“I... today...”

But her husband pushed her into the room and let go of her hand.

“Don’t think about it. Sleep well.”

That was it. Nothing happened. Nothing at all. Frida, who had gathered her memories, clenched her fists and slowly stood up. It took a while for the regret of being too tense last night to set in. But it’s normal to be awkward and clumsy the first time, so there’s no need to be embarrassed. Besides, she needed her husband’s help today. She had to meet him. Taking a deep breath, Frida firmly pulled the door handle.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I made you wait... Huh?”

Standing in front of the empty door, Frida blinked. She cautiously peeked inside.

“I...”

“Here.”

“Mom!”

Startled by the deep voice from the right, Frida stumbled and grabbed the door. Daniel, with his arms crossed and leaning against the wall, was looking at her, only his neck protruding.

“H-Highness, what are you doing there?”

“Just as you see.”

There was something different about him, but she couldn’t pinpoint what. The atmosphere around him had become strangely intense, and he nodded at her.

“I’m looking at my wife who has entered my room.”