Chapter 67

As summer approached, everything in sight was turning a deep green. However, the highest peak of the Altas Mountains, Wimter Horn, stubbornly maintained its white color. It was a sight that was both admirable and beautiful... until a sudden dark cloud obscured more than half of Wimter Horn. Frida, who was watching Wimter Horn disappear from the embrace of Daniel's chest, took a deep breath.

"The rain makes the scent of the trees stronger. Daniel, take a deep breath too."

His chest, which was pressed against Frida's back, heaved, and then she felt something nudge her neck.

"Daniel!"

As Frida, who had been suddenly bitten on the neck, tried to get up, Daniel chuckled and pulled her tightly against his chest.

"I know. I won't do it again."

"If you keep doing this, I'll kick you out. From now on, don't do anything strange in the hallway or anywhere people can see."

A moment ago, she had forbidden embarrassing acts in broad daylight. Although she was dissatisfied with the increasing list of forbidden places and times, she nodded in agreement. She didn't want to be kicked out. She enjoyed the peaceful time of sitting on the floor and watching the rain. For Daniel, rainy days meant the ground turning to mud, making it difficult to wear heavy armor, or the cavalry being unable to use their horses. Now, when it rained, he would think of Frida, who laughed at the raindrops bouncing off the terrace decorations. He had never admired the thick fog that obscured the mountain ridges. But he didn't mind doing this more often. Frida, who was gently massaging her hand, tapped Daniel's hand, breaking his thoughts.

"Keep taking deep breaths of the fresh air. It will clear your head. You smell like a burning wick."

The smell of burning? To confirm the existence of a smell he hadn't noticed, Daniel brought his nose to his clothes.

"Have you been working in your office all day?"

Frida, who had turned around, looked at him with worried eyes.

"I know from experience that if you stay in a room without ventilation and smell melted wax for a long time, your head will throb."

Her small, white hand rose to Daniel's ear and gently pressed the hollow spot.

"Are you often touching this spot because it hurts? Anton says that if you hit your head hard somewhere, you might have lingering effects."

She chattered on for a while, but Daniel only heard that Frida's head was throbbing. He firmly held her hand and said decisively.

"Try not to go to the office from now on. Don't be near when I'm melting wax. I'll ban the use of seals altogether."

"Daniel!"

Frida, whose hand was held by her husband, wiggled her fingers and rolled her eyes. Daniel liked any expression on Frida's face. Especially when her light purple eyes narrowed and stared at him intently, it was the best. In that moment, nothing else existed in her eyes but him.

"I won't die from a little headache. But you..."

Trailing off, Daniel held her hand even tighter. He knew it was a topic better left unspoken, but he had no intention of apologizing. There was one thing he wanted to make clear.

"Frida, you've already done so much, more than anyone else."

I have no intention of letting you become like the other Harkbon women.

"You've made the duchy the richest place in the empire, built roads, and sent the children of the fief to university. I'll be a strong supporter to ensure no one can interfere with your plans."

I'm not afraid of the Schendal Castle's interference anymore. I wasn't afraid to begin with, but I listened to their words.

"But I can't protect your health on my own. You need to take care of yourself."

What I'm afraid of now is you not being by my side.

"Didn't you say you liked being the Duchess of Rihard? I do too. I want you to be my wife for a long time."

Hearing his calm and honest confession, a transparent tear formed at the corner of Frida's purple eyes. As the tear grew and was about to fall, Daniel's lips caught it.

"Don't cry, Frida."

This look is beautiful too, but crying makes you tired.

"Daniel..."

Frida called him as he carefully wiped away the remaining tear. Daniel looked at her with a faint smile.

"Tell me."

Her lips, which had been hesitating, finally opened after swallowing a dry mouth.

"I... I turned twenty this year."

The age she had welcomed with excitement was sometimes heavy and often scary. She tried not to think about it, but after Daniel opened up to her, it became even more so. Excited by the prospect of living like a normal couple, she followed him out without a second thought. The result was a ten-day illness. When she opened her eyes and saw Daniel by her side, she thought for a moment. If possible, she wanted to spend a long time with this man. And she regretted it. Maybe because she had never shared deep feelings with anyone, she was afraid of hurting this man.

"Very few women in the Harkbon family turn twenty."

Should I not have told him I liked him? Even now, I just like today's you. What if my confession makes tomorrow's you suffer?

"Daniel, I..."

"When is your birthday?"

Daniel, who had interrupted her, calmly asked about her birthday, a day no one had ever celebrated for her. Frida answered without hesitation.

"It's in winter. The first day of the month that marks the end of the year."

Frowning his right eyebrow, he seemed to be thinking about something as he cupped Frida's head. As if to engrave his words in her head.

"I have ten gold mines in the Laphas Mountains."

"Ten?"

Her shoulders, which had been slumped, straightened instantly. Her eyes, which met his, were as clear as a sky after a rainstorm. In fact, he had fourteen gold mines. He also had a few more mountains with iron ore and gemstones, but he planned to tell her about those later. That way, he could enjoy her sparkling, excited eyes for a long time.

"When you turn twenty-one, I'll give you one gold mine as a gift. Another one on your twenty-second birthday. I'll give you one each year on your birthday."

I don't care what the Harkbon women were like or how long Frida's sisters lived. The idea that they were cursed to have short lives because of their unique skin and hair color is ridiculous. Whether her ancestors lived a certain way, Frida will live her own life. Together with me, for a long time, happily. Remembering the warning not to do embarrassing things during the day, Daniel pulled Frida's face closer. Her scent had awakened the wildness in him, but he was determined to hold back a little longer. Just a little bit more. Daniel pressed his lips to her forehead.

"Take them all."

***

The letter from Schendal Castle arrived after lunch. The emperor's party, caught in a sudden downpour, came in drenched, and the rooms were busy with lighting fireplaces. Seeing the royal seal, Stefan quickly put it away, waiting for a chance to read it. He considered sneaking a peek while waiting for the duke, who hadn't come to the office by afternoon, but the Chamberlain appeared. The Chamberlain, who insisted on meeting Duke Rihard, eventually gave up and left after waiting for Daniel, who never showed up. Confirming that the emperor, who wanted to eat alone in his room, had no complaints, he met Baroness Butain on his way out.

"Baroness Boiled said she wasn't feeling well and went home early. There seems to be a gloomy atmosphere in the Muenheim Castle!"

While worrying about Matilda, who was resting in the Skadi Hall, he listened to her meaningless words for a moment. Stefan, who had been busy all day, finally returned to his room after having a drink with Adel, whose sleep would be restless if he didn't have a drink. After kissing the sleeping Matilda's forehead, he took off his jacket, which he had worn all day. Throwing the jacket carelessly, he slumped into a chair.

"I'm tired, so tired."

Now it was time to draft the documents that needed the duke's approval tomorrow. Leaning back in the chair, a sigh escaped his lips.

"Phew, how did the duchess manage all this work alone?"

Even with Dominic Moli's help, the final decision and responsibility for everything fell on her. For a man, it would be hard labor, and she had been doing it for three years with her frail body. It was more than just impressive.

"No wonder her body is drained."

The duke's warning not to bring work home to his wife made sense. The duchess must have poured her life into her work. Two months since arriving at the duchy, his concerns were deepening. When the Chamberlain asked various questions during his visit to the office, he couldn't give clear answers because his thoughts were still unorganized.

"Is there anything suspicious about Duke Rihard? Does he go out regularly?"

The duke is basically a hard person to meet. You can only know if he's in the castle and where he is if you see him. Wasting time looking for the duke would get nothing done. So, he tried to report and get approval as much as possible when he had the chance to meet him.

"Is there a hidden woman?"

He answered this question clearly.

"No. The only woman for the duke is the duchess."

The Chamberlain didn't seem pleased with his answer, but it was the truth. He knew from his own experience with his wife that Duke Rihard was suffering from a severe case of love. After the duchess fell seriously ill, he acted like a man with no place to retreat.

'Tsk. What does he know without experience?'

A man who has been with many women would never reveal everything he feels. Acting recklessly without considering the consequences is even worse. At his age, he should know that to get along well with women, he needs to be cunning and clever.

"Excessive. Everything is too excessive."

He was worried. He was developing a liking for the honest and naive duke and duchess.

'At least the ballroom needs to be fixed. Guests might come again. Then I'll order new chandeliers... and a few more beds...'

As he rubbed his forehead, organizing a list in his mind, his hand slipped and fell. Stefan's long day was ending like this.

***

It was a bright, cloudless morning. With permission to take a light walk, Frida's mood was as bright as the sky. While Matilda was brushing her hair, Frida hummed a tune. Seeing this, Matilda gave a warning.

"You might feel dizzy from the sun after a long time, so don't stay out too long."

"Yes, I know, Matilda. Don't worry. I want to be free as soon as possible, so I won't overdo it. When that time comes, let's go out of the castle together. Remember, I told you about a maid with the same name as you?"

Thinking about the news about Matilda that Muriel had told her, Frida's shoulders slumped.

"Apparently, the girl's leg is broken. She might have to walk with a limp for the rest of her life."

Sighing and fidgeting with her skirt, Matilda's brushing slowed. Wondering why, Frida turned around and saw tears in Matilda's eyes, startling her.

"What's wrong, Matilda? What happened? Could it be..."

Frida's gaze fell on the slightly protruding belly.

"Is it because of the baby? Are you not feeling well?"

Matilda wiped her tears and shook her head.

"No, I'm sorry, my lady. I'm being weak. I didn't mean to... I couldn't help it..."

"What is it? Why are you like this? Sit down, Matilda. Let's talk while sitting."

Holding Matilda's hand, Frida led her to the couch near the terrace where she and Daniel often sat to enjoy the view. During this time, Matilda's tears grew larger.

"Matilda, what's going on..."

Before Frida could finish, Matilda rested her forehead on her shoulder and burst into tears.

"Sob. My lady, I don't know what to do."