Chapter 41

It wasn't yet the season for the midday heat, yet strangely, sweat formed at the nape of his neck.

“Daniel, I have a favor to ask.”

Hearing his name in a delicate and soft woman's voice, rather than a gruff man's voice, felt very unfamiliar. Had there been a woman who called him 'Daniel' affectionately after his mother passed away? If he had to name one, it would probably be the Empress Dowager. Of course, the actual emotions contained within were completely different. However, the reason it felt unfamiliar wasn't just because of the woman's voice.

“The Countess of Boyle is pregnant.”

Frida's somewhat excited voice was as warm and calm as a spring breeze, pleasant to hear.

“She must have had a hard time coming here in her condition. I think it's best to let her rest first, skipping the refreshments.”

Hearing the warmth in Frida's voice, Daniel felt a warmth in his chest and head simultaneously.

“I would like to leave with the Countess first. Is that alright? I want to personally guide her to the Skadi Hall.”

Even though spring hadn't fully passed, Daniel felt the intense heat of midsummer and couldn't take his eyes off Frida. Frida, who didn't immediately get an answer from Daniel, stared at him and then firmly grabbed his arm.

“Daniel?”

At that moment, Heinrich, who was standing behind her husband, came into view. He looked extremely displeased, biting his lip and frowning.

“I thought you'd be groaning and on your deathbed, but you're walking around just fine!”

Frida glanced at him, immediately looked away, and frowned.

‘Hmph. Groaning? On my deathbed?’

Though she tried to ignore it, the more she thought about it, the worse she felt. The frown on her forehead deepened.

“Would Lord Updyke be upset if the lady of the house didn't greet him properly?”

“You don't need to worry about him.”

Daniel shook his head without hesitation.

“Leave with the Countess first. If you need anything, take Anton with you.”

“Right. I should take Anton. I didn't think of that. Thank you, Daniel.”

Daniel, who had been looking down at Frida's bright purple eyes, gently pulled her hand onto his arm. The two of them stood side by side in front of the waiting Count and Countess of Boyle.

“I heard from my wife. Congratulations, my lady.”

Daniel bowed politely, and the Countess of Boyle blushed shyly.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Daniel covered Frida's hand, which was on his arm, with his own and said,

“My wife wants to personally guide the Countess. I will send a doctor to check on her soon. If you need anything else, please let us know.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Daniel, looking down at Frida, gently patted her hand a few times and whispered,

“I will take the Countess. I'll contact Anton.”

“Thank you, Daniel.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Frida, who smiled, was followed by the Count of Boyle, who bowed respectfully. Daniel released his arm and approached the Countess, lightly wrapping her arm.

“I'll guide you, my lady. This is the 'Marihan Hall.' The place where you will stay is on the third floor, connected by a corridor, called the 'Skadi Hall.' Please follow me. Be careful on the stairs.”

Frida, who was leading the Countess of Boyle, suddenly turned to Daniel and tilted her head.

“But Daniel, Lord Updyke said he would come today. Is he just late?”

Though she had never seen him, there was only one person who could be Lord Updyke in this situation. Daniel, who had been looking at her innocent blinking and innocent expression, pointed to Heinrich.

“No, this is Lord Updyke. Heinrich!”

Heinrich, called by Daniel, raised his eyebrows irritably and bowed slightly.

‘Who didn’t arrive? Are your eyes bad? There’s a face I’ve never seen before, yet you treat me like I don’t exist.’

Heinrich's cheeks puffed up as if he had potatoes in his mouth, unable to hide his displeasure.

“I greet the Duchess of Rihardt. I am Heinrich Müller Updyke, son of the Margrave of Updyke. A close friend of Daniel and...”

“Oh, you are Lord Updyke.”

Frida, who had been pretending to be surprised, covering her mouth, smiled widely.

“Lord Updyke, please forgive my rudeness. You are so different from your father, who is known for his dignity and seriousness... I thought you were a servant accompanying the Count of Boyle. Well, for a servant, your voice is too loud and your clothes are too extravagant.”

“S, servant? W, who? Me? This Heinrich?”

Heinrich, quite surprised, stuttered and widened his already large eyes. Not only Heinrich was surprised. The Count and Countess of Boyle, standing with blank faces, were the only ones who maintained a neutral expression. Frida, pretending to be embarrassed, lowered her eyes and made a sad face.

“Oh, I made a big mistake. Well, Lord Updyke, since we've both been rude to each other, let's forgive each other today.”

Frida, who had put on a beautiful dress for the first time in a long time, bent her knee elegantly in perfect etiquette.

“Welcome. I hope you enjoy your stay at Mühheim Castle.”

“A, even so, calling me a s, servant...”

Frida, smiling at Heinrich, who was about to explode, left the room with a final greeting. Pfft. A few steps away, Muriel, who had been watching them, burst out laughing. A deer is still a deer, even if it goes mad. In front of the real predator, Frida, it's just a snack.

***

The unexpected meeting with Lord Updyke marked the beginning of a series of events that were completely different from Stefan's expectations. He was exhausted trying not to get involved in Heinrich's sharp questions, which had been probing him throughout the journey. But what surprised him the most was the Duchess of Rihardt he had just met.

“I thought you'd be groaning and on your deathbed, but you're walking around just fine!”

Stefan had indeed had similar thoughts to Heinrich, even if he hadn't voiced them. The Empress Dowager's opinion was no different.

“The problem is the Molli family, Daniel's right-hand people. Keep a close eye on what they're doing. If Daniel has a hidden woman, it's likely these two are taking care of her.”

“Do you suspect there might be another woman besides the Duchess?”

“Harkbone? Who would care about a daughter from a family that's been surprising everyone by staying alive?”

Given the Empress Dowager's certainty, Stefan had imagined a patient who was clearly on the verge of death, even if not immediately. But the woman who appeared before Stefan didn't look like she was about to die. Her appearance, known only through rumors, was indeed unique. Pale, bloodless skin, snow-white eyebrows, and hair of the same color. Her purple eyes, surrounded by white, seemed especially mysterious. If she had a bit more vitality, she could be considered one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Moreover, her relationship with her husband, the Duke, didn't seem bad. It was... how to put it? Fresh. The emotions visible on their faces when they looked at each other weren't intensely passionate, but they were warm and affectionate.

“My clothes. Do servants wear clothes like this? This expensive fabric? These elaborate patterns? I put so much effort into choosing what to wear for you!”

Stefan's deep thoughts were interrupted by Heinrich's relentless complaints.

“How can you see me as a servant to that old man? That woman is strange! Right, Daniel?”

‘Old man... that guy really.’

Stefan glared at Heinrich's golden head, which was shining in the sunlight, muttering to himself. The most surprising thing about the Duchess was her cleverness in making that crazy man eat humble pie.

“I thought you were a servant accompanying the Count of Boyle.”

The satisfaction of deliberately making him eat humble pie was so great that he almost burst out laughing.

“Heinrich.”

In the study, the Duke, who was sitting at his desk writing something, looked up. He looked perfectly fine, despite having regained consciousness not long ago. Most notably, his calm eyes were very sharp. The slight redness in his eyes made it even more so.

“It's not ‘that woman,’ but ‘the Duchess of Rihardt.’ You seem to keep forgetting, so maybe I should engrave it in your head with a sword.”

The way he spoke such a brutal threat calmly was so eerie that it sent shivers down Stefan's spine. Strangely, Heinrich's reaction was completely different from Stefan's.

“Hey, Daniel.”

Heinrich, who showed a bright smile, leaned in close to the Duke.

“You're really alive. This cold, terrifying sarcasm. I've missed it so much! It's really good to see you, friend.”

The only son and future Margrave of the Empire's shield, the Margrave of Updyke, being such a lunatic. Sigh... Stefan, worried about the future of the empire his unborn child would live in, sighed deeply.

“Count of Boyle.”

Daniel, who had finished writing, placed a seal on the document and waved to Stefan. Heinrich was still talking, but Daniel ignored him completely. When Stefan reached the desk, Daniel handed him the sealed document.

“Rest today, and start tomorrow.”

Stefan, who had taken the document, involuntarily held his breath. Staring at the document with half-open eyes, he asked, disbelievingly.

“W, when do you plan to finish these tasks?”

“By the end of this year.”

Stefan's hand, holding the document with exactly twenty-two tasks listed, trembled. ***

Daniel, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing out the dark window, took a deep breath. The evening breeze that blew through the open window was refreshing, clearing his head. He had been tormented by Heinrich all afternoon because Dominic had disappeared. Just as his furrowed brow was starting to smooth out, he heard a knock on the wall between his room and the Duchess's. Tap, tap. He had expected this wall to be knocked on at this time. To be honest, he had been waiting for it. Tap, tap. For Frida to come and see him. There was something he wanted to ask her, or rather, something he wanted to hear again. Tap, tap... The timid but persistent knocking made Daniel shift his gaze from the darkness to the door. Whether he made a sound or not, this door would soon open. Given the Frida he knew, she would do more than that. The reason he didn't move, despite knowing this... Well, it was because he had a premonition that something irreversible would happen if he opened the door today. Creak. As expected, Frida opened the door without waiting for his answer.

“Oh, Your Highness. You're here.”

Frida, looking slightly awkward, quickly crossed the room.

“Can I come in?”

This time, she asked for his permission, albeit belatedly. She was shameless in many ways, but why did it not seem unpleasant?

“Do as you wish.”

As soon as Daniel finished speaking, Frida quickly approached him.

“The Countess of Boyle. She seems brave and good. When I asked her how she decided to come here in her condition, she said it was better than sending her husband and staying behind to worry. She said that in difficult times, a couple should help each other and overcome together. Isn't that impressive?”

“...”

‘Why is she doing this?’

Frida, who had been staring at Daniel, who was silently looking at her, called out to him carefully.

“Your Highness...?”

“Would you call me again?”

Daniel, who had been looking at Frida with calm eyes, slowly spoke.

“Daniel...”

***