Chapter 54

It was beautiful. She swore that in all her life, she had never seen such a beautiful view. Frida approached the window with a terrace to get a closer look at the towering snow-capped peaks. At this moment, she did not even mind the sun's rays piercing her skin.

"Truly, it's so beautiful. Is that the famous Wimter Horn? I didn't know it could be seen from the duke's castle."

I heard that the mountains are so rugged and uneven, and since Svergen is on the east side, which is lower than the west, it's hard to see.

"I thought it could only be seen from the west."

"You're right. As far as I know, the only place where you can see the Wimter Horn from the east without it being blocked by the mountains is here."

Daniel pulled out a chair as if inviting her to sit. In the spacious room with a terrace, a table for dining and two chairs were placed, but the room felt full just from the view. A cool breeze, pleasant rather than cold, blew in through the large, open arched window. It was the season just before summer, and the breeze gently stirred Frida's curly hair. The last rays of the vibrant morning sun had just reached the end of the table, spilling over the terrace. As Frida approached the chair, Daniel pushed it back to help her sit. Just as she thought he would return to his place, Daniel touched a small wildflower in her hair with his fingertips.

"It's beautiful."

As soon as his touch reached her, Frida bowed her head to hide her blushing cheeks.

"The Countess of Boil said... she was very skilled. She used to be a lady's maid to the Countess of Chamberlain."

"Is that so?"

Daniel, who responded calmly, slowly returned to his seat opposite her. Only then did Frida notice the food on the table and burst into a giggle. There were far too many and varied dishes for breakfast, filling the table.

"Adel must have gone overboard, I think?"

"Eat."

As he started eating, Frida picked up her fork. She was hungry from being so active that morning. Her appetite, which had disappeared over the past two weeks, seemed to have returned all at once, and every dish tasted delicious. She had forgotten her tension and had nearly finished more than half of Adel's special soup when Daniel asked her.

"Do you like it here?"

"Here? Do you mean this room?"

"Yes. I heard it was the room of the first lady of the castle, the Countess of Marian Mühheim."

"Oh, really?"

It was a story she had never heard before, and Frida's eyes widened instantly. Her curious eyes sparkled as she looked around.

"I only knew that the Duke and Duchess's bedroom was on the third floor."

"After his wife, Countess Marian, died, Duke Mühheim nailed the door shut and prohibited entry. When I first came to this castle, it was also firmly locked."

The day I broke the nails and entered this room is still vivid. The musty smell of mold, which had been rotting for years, and the eerie silence that enveloped the room. The beautiful view outside the window, which made all of that seem trivial. And... the woman's desperate scream I found in a corner of the terrace. Despite the fact that it should be terrifying, something about this room clears my mind. Standing on the terrace, which was created by tearing down an entire wall, and feeling the wind, I understood why Duke Mühheim gave this room to his wife. Even his twisted and dirty possessiveness. Perhaps I felt a sense of kinship with him, who was similar to me.

"Frida."

"Yes?"

Her eyes, now softer and violet, captured him in response to his call. I missed those eyes, which seemed to contain all the light in the world. The pleasure of meeting my own gaze in those eyes.

"Do you still... like me?"

His not-so-grand declaration, which he had casually dismissed, kept echoing in his mind. Every time he saw her, even when he didn't. The absurd fantasy that even if she said no, that she no longer liked him, he might only remember the part where she said she did. Daniel's eyes fell on her small, red lips, which were eager and trembling. The fresh smile that bloomed on those lips and the soft touch he felt when they met came to mind.

'Trouble.'

It seems that calming his awakened desire will be a failure. A look of resignation spread across his usually expressionless face.

"Listen to me before you answer."

Before you fall completely into my grasp. Before I tie you up tightly.

"The life of the Duchess of Lichard is not as simple as you think."

This seemingly kind gesture is a trap. A solid trap set to catch you when you come to me.

"The Empress Dowager has been watching me since my mother passed away."

"Why?"

Because the more pitiful and unworthy I appear, the more likely you are to open your heart. This fight is bound to be won by me.

"There are no more noble men in the twelve duchies who are fit to be emperor, thanks to the Empress Dowager's efforts."

Through inciting rebellion, framing, and secret methods used on the women of those families. The only ones left are the fugitive 'Arthur Nottingen' and the illegitimate 'Daniel Lichard'. Since Leopold hasn't had children yet, absurdly, these two are the only living male descendants of the twelve duchies.

"The Empress Dowager probably thought you would die before having children, like the other women of the Hackborn family. That's why you were chosen as my wife."

Of course, they expected you to live a few years in this barren land and then die. But no one can predict a human's lifespan. Frida survived, and now Daniel has no intention of seeing her life extinguished.

"If you turn out to be different from the rumors, she won't let it go. She'll buy off your close associates, monitor your every move... and might even put drugs in your food."

When did the maid Matilda start colluding with the Empress Dowager? Damn Dominic. Don't go around boasting that you have everything under control.

"Living a life of constant surveillance and the threat of death. That's the real life of the Duchess of Lichard."

You'll be afraid. You might tremble with fear and shed tears. If I see that, will this intense desire for you stop?

"Even so, do you like me?"

Silence followed his words. The wind that blew through the open terrace window stirred the thick curtains, and the musty smell from the neglected curtains caused a pain in his forehead. After a moment, a soft, trembling voice reached him as he pressed his fingers to his brow.

"I've already lived such a life."

Her small, white face, which seemed both bewildered and as resolute as usual, watched him.

"In a different sense... I've experienced being watched to the point of exhaustion and trembling with the fear of not knowing when I might die."

Frida's parents had the excuse of love for their child, and her life wasn't threatened, so it's different from what the Empress Dowager is doing. But it's not entirely different either.

"My life has always been like that, so I'm not afraid. Only..."

Frida, who had found Daniel's eyes beyond the strong sunlight that had reached the middle of the table, met his gaze. His warning, far from frightening her, made her feel hopeful. It felt like he was saying they would face everything together.

"I might not live long like my sisters, according to the rumors in the empire. I might not be able to have children or fulfill my duties as a wife. I'm always worried about what I can do."

I don't understand what Matilda means by push and pull. I just wanted to say it.

"But I like living as the Duchess of Lichard."

Even if I regret saying this tomorrow, today it feels right to confess my true feelings to him.

"And I... like you. I want to like you more every day."

Even if the day comes when I have to leave you, it's not now. Until then, I want to cherish and love you.

"So if you don't find me so repulsive, don't push me away."

Her round, violet eyes, filled with unwavering resolve, met his.

"I want to spend the rest of my life as Daniel's wife."

The sunlight that had crossed the table made Frida squint. When she opened her eyes, Daniel was standing in front of her, his back to the sunlight. His usually calm face looked anxious, as if he was being chased by something. He seemed bewildered.

"Why are you...?"

Why do you show your true feelings so openly? Why are you so beautiful, even under the shadow he created, to the point where he doesn't want to let you go? It feels like he's the one caught in the trap he set, not her. His flushed cheeks and the focus on his lips, he slowly lowered his head. This is enough of an answer.

"You won't be able to leave me for the rest of your life."

No, it's not enough.

"I won't let you go."

His obsessive, manic desire won't be satisfied by such a childish act. But... for today, this is enough. Daniel, holding Frida's lips, which were fresh and smiling, tightly suppressed the rising thirst. *** The momentum of the emperor, who seemed ready to head south, was halted by the commotion over the pregnancy of the Countess of Butein. The cause of her daily nausea was ultimately diagnosed as a simple stomachache. However, as the Countess of Butein's condition did not improve even after the diagnosis, Leopold became increasingly frustrated. Leaning against the window, he looked down at his mistress, who had no intention of getting out of bed. Despite claiming she was in excruciating pain, she still took care of her appearance, and her golden hair shone. This means she's not in excruciating pain.

"Petra. Isn't it a bit too late for such a cute act? We know each other too well."

"I don't understand what you mean, Your Majesty."

Seeing that her pretense was no longer as charming as before, it seems his affection for her has cooled considerably.

"Did you really think you could hold me back with such a trick? I must have been too lenient with you. Or did you think I was a fool?"

"Hmph."

Seeing her turn her head with a haughty attitude instead of making excuses, it seems she still has some sense.

"Petra, don't you think it's a bit too late for such a cute act? We know each other too well."

"I don't understand what you mean, Your Majesty."

Seeing that her pretense was no longer as charming as before, it seems his affection for her has cooled considerably.

"Did you really think you could hold me back with such a trick? I must have been too lenient with you. Or did you think I was a fool?"

"Hmph."

Seeing her turn her head with a haughty attitude instead of making excuses, it seems she still has some sense. After all, he wouldn't have brought her to bed if she were completely senseless. Leopold clicked his tongue and pulled the bell rope. Hearing the sound, Petra quickly sat up in bed.

"Take me with you. I'm tired of being locked up here. What am I supposed to do in this rural area all by myself?"

"Why did you provoke your mother and get chased here? You, a smart and clever woman, acting so foolishly."

"Clever." The sound of a knock and the door opening, and Leopold's valet, Count Binderman, entered.

"Did you call, Your Majesty?"

"Send a messenger to Utrecht. We leave in four days."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

As soon as Count Binderman left, Petra jumped out of bed.

"I'm going too. Leopold, let me go with you."

As soon as he showed signs of leaving the estate, she started complaining about being sick and claiming she was pregnant. Leopold, smirking, lifted her chin with his fingertips.

"Miss, are you missing your first love so much?"