Chapter 44

As cherry petals danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

As Daniel stood up and pressed Frida's wrist, her shoulders slumped onto the bed. Frida's face, eyes tightly shut in surprise, was overshadowed by Daniel's dark shadow.

"What makes you so fearless?"

Her delicate shoulders trembled, and then Frida opened her eyes. Under Daniel's eyes, a purple lake spread out, clear and pure, like an uncontaminated purple crystal. Her pristine, unsoiled eyes, filled with confusion, rippled violently. Ironically, the moment he saw those clear eyes, the wild nature he had suppressed deep inside began to stir violently. He had often, in fact, frequently, imagined himself rolling around with this woman, messing up her snow-white hair, behaving in a way that was far from dignified. How many times had the sinister Daniel, who pretended to be a decent person while hiding his ugly intentions, scolded him in anger? Perhaps the Empress Dowager was the first to notice Daniel's true nature.

"You are of noble blood, Daniel, the descendant of Rihard. Just wait and see. You will soon become the most outstanding knight in this empire. I don't understand why Laura lets you mingle with lowly people like Moli's children."

She had seen through and encouraged Daniel's vulgar display of vanity and vanity, treating him and Dominic as equals in her heart, yet making him feel superior by emphasizing his noble birth over Dominic's lowly origins. What good would it do to resent the Empress Dowager now? Even the excuse of being young is laughable. He had been a fool to be completely played by her. The memory of the Empress Dowager was a special remedy that calmed Daniel's overheated chest and mind. It made the blood in his heart cold and poured icy water over his aching head. But this time was different. The bewilderingly enchanting sight of his wife before him pushed away the memory of the Empress Dowager. A strange sensation, similar to a sharp pain, spread from his chest, down his neck, and to the tips of his toes. Daniel tightly gripped her slender wrist.

"Ah..."

It was a small, weak moan. If he hadn't seen her frown, it might have been lost in the chirping of birds perched on the window frame. But Daniel, as if he had heard a scream, quickly released the force on Frida's wrist.

"I am..."

He had been bewildered since the moment he woke up. Just the fact that this small woman had stayed by his side, and that he had slept the deepest after regaining consciousness, was surprising. He kept finding himself desiring this small woman. This... is certainly not a good thing. The results of his greed were usually terrible.

"Madam, I am not the kind of person you imagine me to be."

"Thank you so much. Duke, you are my benefactor, the one who fulfilled my dream."

A benefactor? Is that even a reasonable thing to say?

"I am certainly not a benefactor. So, if you have any expectations of me, give them up."

He no longer wanted to pat his back like he did last night, comforting him like a child. He, too, would never again act like a ridiculous, spoiled child. Frida was a pure and upright woman who saw the world without a skewed perspective, a perfect noble raised by excellent parents, who revered words like responsibility and duty, and had a unique sense of mission.

"Frida."

Yes. Frida, you. You are different from me, a selfish person who tries to use you for my convenience whenever possible... a good person. Even with only a thin, weak hand, you are braver than I am with a sword. You are a woman who should not be tainted by his shadow. Frida, who looked up at Daniel, pouted her lips, the only part of her face that stood out in color.

"Not 'Madam,' but 'Frida.'"

Daniel, who had calmed his breath, slightly raised his shoulder to create some distance. Frida's white forehead regained its original color as it escaped his shadow.

"I would like you to call me Frida, Duke. I also want to keep calling you Daniel."

Frida's small, red lips moved as if trying to seduce him.

"The Boiled Baron and his wife call each other by their names. Can't we do the same? The name of the Baron of Boiled... is... M... M... like our Matilda. Isn't it amazing?"

"Are these brats not behaving properly! Do you still think you're just mercenaries? The mental state of those who will soon become knights of the Duke's family..."

Frida's words were drowned out by Ricardo's loud shout coming through the window. That man. Is he really going to make them rot as mercenaries for life? Daniel's eyes turned fierce in an instant as he turned his head toward the window. At that moment, soft, downy fingers wrapped around his cheek, making him meet her eyes.

"Still... can we?"

"..."

Darkness crept back onto Frida's forehead. But even under the shadow he created, Frida was dazzlingly beautiful and mysterious, like a gem left by God on a snowy white field. Her eyes, which would never lose their light no matter where she was, sparkled beautifully.

"I want to."

The moment he saw her pouting lips and innocent eyes, his neck tensed.

'Damn.'

The memory of their past kiss was overlaid with a different imagination. Deeper, rougher, and merciless. Tearing her apart until he was satisfied, following only a man's desire.

'Fucking bastard.'

Daniel's mind twisted again, filled with self-loathing. As Daniel, who felt a slight pain, tried to turn his head, Frida's hand followed, as if to stop him.

"Don't just say no. Think about it a bit more."

She must be worried that he would say it's not appropriate to call him by his name. Frida, holding his cheek, spoke in a gentle voice, as if comforting a child, like she did last night.

"I don't expect anything from you, Duke. You are already perfect. What more could I expect? Wanting more would be greedy."

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she took a small breath.

"You are already much stronger and more impressive than I imagined."

After saying it, she felt very embarrassed and wanted to look away, but her posture was awkward, and she couldn't move. Meanwhile, Daniel's frown was not ordinary. Concerned, Frida extended her free left arm and placed her palm on his forehead.

"I do have one hope. When you are in pain or feeling unwell... don't hold it in. Tell me. I can take care of you better than a doctor. Really."

Daniel's forehead felt no heat.

"No fever. Phew. That's a relief."

As Frida lowered her arm, her wrist was caught again by his hand. Her fingers intertwined with Daniel's, rough and long, fitting perfectly between her joints.

"Daniel."

"..."

Swallowing hard, Frida felt Daniel's face getting closer to hers. His breath on her nose grew warmer.

"You said you wanted to call me by my name."

Daniel's red eyes, which contained her reflection, grew larger. Wait, red? Why suddenly? Did I make a mistake again? Frida's words quickened in her confusion.

"Or, if you still have a headache, I can bring you some warm herbal tea. It will make you feel better. I'll go get it..."

Daniel, holding Frida's struggling wrist, pressed it deeper into the bed and called her name.

"Frida."

His eyes, which carefully observed her, grew redder.

"You must say it too."

"..."

Overwhelmed by the unfamiliar aura of the man, Frida closed her mouth, unable to ask anything.

"When you are in pain or feeling unwell... or when it becomes unbearable."

Daniel's breath grew rough. To avoid breaking Frida's delicate fingers, Daniel desperately tried to release the force in his hand. Instead, he tightly gripped the white sheet that had been pulled by her hair.

"I've reached my limit."

Staring at Frida's slightly parted lips, Daniel slipped into them without hesitation.

***

Stefan, who had been standing straight for about an hour, had also reached his limit. He thought he had arrived quite late, but after two hours in the Duke's study, he still hadn't seen the room's owner.

"Do you really plan to do all this for a year?"

Holding the documents handed to him by Duke Rihard, Stefan walked around the study. When he heard the door open, he quickly straightened his shoulders. However, the person who entered was not the Duke he was waiting for, but a stranger.

'Black hair? From Laphas?'

Stefan, who carefully observed the man, soon recognized him. The way he freely entered the lord's study suggested he was close to the Duke. A black-haired man close to the Duke? Yes, the Duke's wife called this man yesterday to give him some instructions, I think.

'Could this be the famous Dominic Moli?'

The man, noticing Stefan's fixed gaze, bowed exaggeratedly.

"Nice to meet you. I am Dominic Moli."

As Stefan had guessed. The son of Ricardo Moli, the leader of the mercenary group who always accompanied Duke Rihard on his campaigns. A man who grew up like a brother under the care of Laura Chardo, the Duke's mother. A man known as 'Cold Heart' who would do anything for Daniel Rihard. One of the figures of interest designated by the Empress Dowager.

"I am Stefan..."

"I know. Stefan Gordon Boiled, Baron. Sent by the royal family to take care of the dilapidated Mühheim Castle. A butler chosen with great care. A top graduate from Celino University, with a strong connection to the Chamberlain Duke, yet unable to form a bond with the Schendal family."

As Dominic approached the window and pulled the curtains, sunlight flooded the study.

"Is the Duke of Rihard the emperor's hunting dog, and you, Baron, a well-prepared pet dog ready to wag its tail?"

"..."

Despite Dominic's abrupt and rude remarks, Stefan did not get angry or make any excuses. He stood facing Dominic, who had turned to the window, and met his sly but sharp gaze without flinching. He didn't look particularly scared. For a man who only studied, he had a good presence, much like the Duke's wife.

'After all, you are a noble, aren't you?'

Smirking, Dominic turned back to the window and opened it. Even as a child, Daniel had been like this. Even a half-noble snob, he would boast about his noble blood.

"The weather in the Duke's territory is truly delightful."

Stretching, Dominic turned to Stefan.

"Our lord is quite stingy. He could have let you rest for a day after such a long journey. Anyway, you won't have much to do here today. You must have come to the wrong room."

"I was told the Duke's study is here."

"It is, but..."

Approaching Stefan with a meaningful smile, Dominic snatched the documents from his hand. Stefan, who had been calm, frowned for the first time.

"What are you doing?"

Shrugging, Dominic waved the documents.

"Sorry. I'm an ignorant mercenary. Let's see. What do you have to do? One, two..."

Pointing to the content of the document with his finger, Dominic suddenly looked up and asked.

"When did he say he would finish this?"

Stefan, who had taken back the documents from Dominic, glared at him.

"You know nothing. This is something the Duke and I need to resolve."

"I don't think so."

Crossing his arms, Dominic leaned in close to Stefan and lowered his voice menacingly.

"Want to hear a secret?"

He raised his index finger and wiggled it annoyingly in front of Stefan's eyes.

"Duke Rihard does nothing. Nothing at all."

Suddenly, he snapped his finger.

"Oh, right. What is he doing now?"