Chapter 46

It felt as if his head had been plunged into the cold lake formed by the melting snow of Mount Altas.

‘A child?’

In an instant, Daniel’s entire body froze, and he let go of the skirt of Frida, whom he had been holding, and slowly got up. Frida’s hand, which had been wrapped around his shoulder, slid down his arm. As the weight that had been pressing on her chest lifted, Frida took a breath, feeling much lighter, and her face turned red. With Daniel’s firm, bare body filling her field of vision, she couldn’t find a place to look. Having no choice, she met his eyes and smiled, pressing down on her heart, which was about to leap out of her chest.

“I don’t know if it’s possible, but I want to try. Who knows, a miracle might happen.”

The Countess of Boyld also said she had a hard time conceiving.

“I was old, and I thought it was impossible. I had almost given up, but one day, a miracle happened, and I had a child.”

The Countess of Boyld, who said she couldn’t be separated from her husband because of the precious child, looked truly happy. Even though she knew the Count and Countess had come to monitor Daniel, she couldn’t help but feel a liking for her. It’s not easy to find a noblewoman who endures a difficult journey for her beloved husband. Even if it seemed a bit reckless, Frida admired the Countess of Boyld’s courage. Even if she delayed her schedule to take care of herself, it must have been a difficult journey. How much must she have loved her husband to think of coming on such a long journey? Her curiosity and respect for the Countess grew. Last night, after a thorough examination, Anton warned her to rest well, saying there were no special problems.

“Weren’t you afraid? It couldn’t have been easy to decide to come here while pregnant.”

“Not at all. I thought staying in Chellino and worrying would be worse for my health.”

When Frida asked, the Countess of Boyld shook her head without a moment’s hesitation.

“I wanted to be there for the birth of my first child. Actually, Stefan can’t do anything without me. There will be many difficult things ahead, and I need to be by his side. Isn’t that what a couple is for? We need to help each other through tough times.”

The Countess of Boyld, who said this with a smile, looked so beautiful. Although she had to leave early on the first day, Frida felt a deep desire to have a deeper conversation. On her way back to Mariann Hall, Frida planted a small seed of hope in her heart.

‘If we try, maybe it’s possible for us too.’

Even though her body was weak, Daniel was several times healthier. If we’re lucky, we might be able to have a child. Last time, I was scared and there were some issues, so I backed off, but this time, what if I take the initiative? When he called my name during the day, Daniel seemed a bit flustered, but he didn’t show any discomfort. This time, I decided to try to be more familiar, like the Count and Countess, and call each other by our names. I’m honestly very scared about the first night, but as a married couple, it’s something we’ll have to go through eventually. Besides, didn’t the Duke clearly promise not to have a mistress? If that’s the case, why not? I might be able to spend the rest of my life loving this man and being loved by him. Frida, with her trembling hand, gently touched Daniel’s chin.

“Daniel, I want to have a child who looks like you.”

A child who is healthy and strong, not weak and frail like me. A child who can run around in the sun without a hat. A child who can celebrate their birthday every year. Even if I leave this world first and can’t see the child grow up. If that happens, the father, who is several times stronger than the mother, will be there. I’m confident I can love the child a lot without any regrets... Frida forced a big smile to hold back her reddening eyes.

“If you help me, I’ll try my best.”

Daniel looked down at Frida silently. He was not a stranger who had lost his senses and approached her hastily, but the Duke of Lichard, whom Frida knew well. His eyes, which carefully examined her, had a strange, unfamiliar glint. His closed lips, which had controlled his rough breathing, reminded her of the three years he had spent lying motionless. Suddenly, why? Just as Frida, worried about his condition, was about to get up, Daniel moved away first. He got off the bed and picked up the shirt that had fallen to the floor, putting it on. A cold aura, unimaginable from the man who had just shown unbridled passion, emanated from him.

“D, Daniel? What’s wrong?”

Frida’s voice, unable to understand the situation, wavered like a lost child. The confusion, which could have lasted longer, was quickly resolved by Daniel’s words.

“Go back to your room.”

***

Every small thing irritated Daniel. Bang. The sound of his door closing, which seemed unusually loud. Even the maid who was surprised to see him coming out of the Duchess’s room. It was natural for a maid to be surprised to see a lord who rarely showed himself in the castle, but it irritated him now. As he walked down the corridor with his head lowered, he spoke coldly to the maid who was bowing.

“Why are you coming out of a room without an owner?”

“M, My lady didn’t respond when I knocked...”

“Look up.”

It was a maid he often saw near Frida. He didn’t know her name, but her face and voice were familiar. Daniel, turning his head indifferently, put on the jacket he was holding and continued down the corridor. Before he had taken three steps, the sound of hurried footsteps followed, and Murial appeared in the corridor.

“Matilda, haven’t you found the lady...?”

Murial, who had been searching for Frida, who was not in her room, bowed before him, drenched in sweat. The butler’s fuss, which he often saw, was particularly annoying today.

“Your Highness.”

“What’s the commotion?”

“It’s... The lady hasn’t been seen since this morning, so we’ve been looking for her.”

“So?”

The Duke, who usually passed by without a word, asked with a cold aura, making Murial tense and lower his shoulders.

“If she’s not here, she must have gone to Scadi Hall. She was worried about the sudden arrival of guests, so she went to check this morning. Your Highness doesn’t need to worry.”

The butler’s firm tone, which didn’t suspect that Frida might be in his room, was also irritating. Whether she searched the entire castle or not, the anger that should have been directed at himself was now extending to the innocent maid and the loyal butler. Just before a nasty scene could unfold, the door creaked open.

“Your Highness! What’s the matter...?”

Frida, with her tousled hair, slightly swollen lips, and red cheeks, and with clear lip marks on her neck, came out of his bedroom, looking like something had clearly happened.

“My lady, you were here? I’ve been looking for you all morning.”

“A, Ah, Matilda.”

As the maid quickly approached Frida, Daniel, who had been watching for a moment, moved towards the stairs.

“What were you doing to get your hair in this state...? No, why are there marks on your neck...? Huh!”

Daniel could feel Murial Rosivalt’s glare on the back of his head and the silent cries of the two women. You heartless bastard. Beast, lecher, pervert. Daniel, desperate to vent his pent-up frustration, had only one place to go. *** The thick wooden door, which was hard for most people to push open, opened with a loud noise. Dominic, who had been sitting arrogantly in a chair, jumped up as soon as the door opened. Stefan, who had been looking down at Dominic disdainfully, immediately straightened his posture. Daniel, who strode into the room, didn’t even look at Stefan and beckoned to Dominic with his finger.

“Get ready for a hunt. Now.”

As soon as Daniel finished speaking, Dominic rang the bell without a word.

“Suddenly? Why? Are you getting restless?”

He acted as if it was a common occurrence. After all, it was time for him to feel stifled. Dominic muttered indifferently as he took the things Daniel handed him. The empty quiver was thrown into his arms after the arrows that had been placed in the corner.

“How many days of food should I prepare?”

“You don’t need much.”

“Right. Why worry about food when there’s plenty of game?”

Dominic, gesturing for Stefan to move aside, neatly arranged the items he had received. Then, as if something had just occurred to him, he frowned and asked.

“By the way, are you taking the flower deer?”

“Yes.”

“Tch. It’s going to be noisy.”

As Dominic grumbled, the sound of knocking on the door was heard, and he went out to give some instructions. Hunting, basic food, Balzac, Updyke, and other matters were heard through the open door. Amid the chaotic scene, Stefan finally managed to meet Daniel’s eyes after persistently sending him a look.

“Speak.”

Daniel, polishing his sword on a leather belt, said. The Duke of Lichard, who had been a model of high dignity and etiquette the day before, now exuded a rough, wild aura befitting his nickname, the black beast. Which was the real man? Stefan, taking a deep breath, slowly spoke.

“Your Highness, how long do you plan to go hunting?”

“I’ll see when I get there.”

“Should I follow you?”

“Can you shoot a bow?”

The sound of Dominic chuckling from behind was heard. Stefan, trying to maintain his composure, straightened his back and answered in a flat tone.

“No.”

“Do you know how to drain the blood of an animal? How to skin it?”

The Duke didn’t raise his voice, but a subtle irritation could be felt in his words.

“No.”

“Have you ever camped in the mountains?”

“No.”

The Duke, having finished cleaning his sword, held it up to the sunlight by the window. The light reflected off the smooth blade and shone on Stefan. Blink. When he opened his eyes, the Duke had already sheathed his sword and was looking at Stefan with a calm expression. His slightly tousled bangs, his sharp yet indifferent gaze, his firm, expressionless lips, and his inscrutable, relaxed demeanor. The only man the Empress Dowager, known for her political skills, which surpassed those of some emperors who had led Sveergen, was wary of. Why? What about this man made the arrogant woman so concerned?

“What do you think?”

Stefan, realizing he had been staring at him too intently, only after the Duke’s firm lips opened.

“Ahem.”

After a slightly embarrassed cough, Stefan adjusted his posture.

“May I ask what you mean, Your Highness?”

“I’m asking what you would do. If I take you, you’ll be useless. Tell me why I should hunt with you.”

“...There is no reason.”

Daniel slowly approached Stefan, not hurrying. Stefan, who had to tilt his head back to look up at the much taller Daniel, said.

“Go to the Duchess of Lichard. She must be eagerly waiting for you, a useless person like you.”

***