Looking back carefully, there had been several situations that warranted such speculation.
From the beginning, Aachen had treated her warmly.
It was hard to believe their relationship had been formed solely for the union of their nations—he was too kind.
The same was true for his treatment of her daughter, Chevelyn.
Not just because he had saved the child’s life, but also through his everyday words and actions…
Even on the way to the Grand Duchy, he was very considerate, making sure Chevelyn wouldn’t struggle.
Every little habit of his was meticulous.
It doesn’t seem like this is simply his nature. And he doesn’t treat everyone this way either.
But that kindness did not extend to others.
The rumors about the Countess of Riol being his mistress were utterly absurd.
Aachen never gave Rosanna—who openly threw herself at him—even the slightest opportunity. He didn’t even spare a glance at the maids.
Hilane let out a small chuckle as she recalled what the maids had said.
—The Grand Duke is difficult to serve. Not that he mistreats us, of course, but… it feels like he doesn’t let anyone get close to him. He only accepts the absolute minimum of assistance.
—He always wears gloves inside the castle.
—But he doesn’t seem to mind the Grand Duchess’s touch. That’s what I find so strange.
For someone who disliked physical contact, it had been surprising that he had personally washed her feet on their first night together.
Daisy and Lily had entered the room with me, ready to step in if necessary.
At the time, she had been too self-conscious to say anything, but Lily had later admitted she had nearly fainted from shock.
Even Gaeren had mentioned that Aachen was a difficult master to understand—no one could grasp what he was thinking.
The Grand Duke doesn’t seem particularly demanding of his servants, though…
And yet, when he was in front of her, his emotions showed.
His smiles had grown more comfortable as time passed.
Everyone says he’s changed a lot from when they first met him.
Hilane still couldn’t forget the day Revan had caused a commotion with Aachen.
Every time she saw him, she felt guilty.
Yet, he never once brought it up, as if telling her not to worry about it.
She found herself paying more attention to his maturity than before.
But she was cautious.
Perhaps because she had already experienced heartbreak once.
Or perhaps because she had grown too much to believe in the illusion of forever.
Even Revan, who once swore to love me forever, changed so easily.
She was afraid of giving her heart again, only to be hurt.
Nothing lasted.
Forever did not exist.
So, she must not believe in it.
It was all just a meaningless game of emotions. Hilane knew that better than anyone.
It hasn’t even been that long since things ended with Revan, and yet…
And yet, when she was with Aachen, she couldn’t think about those things.
When she looks at Aachen, her heart races, and her face burns. Even when she don’t want it to, she can’t control it.
She didn’t know what to do with these growing emotions.
She couldn’t control them, and that only drove her mad.
This was the problem.
Even though she knew she shouldn’t, the vows she had once made to herself were crumbling.
What was she supposed to do now?
It felt wrong to look at Aachen with these emotions. She felt guilty toward him.
“Hil.”
“…Your Grace?”
Perhaps because she had been thinking about him, she heard his voice so clearly from behind her.
His voice was unmistakable.
“I was wondering where you had gone, and here you are. Aren’t you cold?”
Slowly, Hilane turned to face him.
Aachen carefully wrapped a thick shawl around her shoulders.
“You’ll catch a cold. Even if it’s just a short distance, you should wear a shawl when going outside.”
As he gently cared for her, Hilane couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.
Please… don’t shake me like this. The more you do, the harder it is to push you away.
She buried the words deep in her heart.
She didn’t want him to know.
If he realized how she felt, there would be no turning back.
“…Hil? Did something happen with Countess Riol?”
Aachen furrowed his brows, his sharp gaze probing for answers.
If the answer was yes, his eyes clearly stated he wouldn’t let Rosanna go unpunished.
“T-this is… something got in my eye. It stings, that’s all.”
She hastily made up an excuse, but he didn’t look entirely convinced.
“…Is that so?”
Still, Aachen didn’t press further. He simply reached out and gently wiped the corner of her eye.
Then, as if to play along with her excuse, he blew a soft breath near her lashes.
“Does it still sting?”
“…I’m fine.”
“You crying… makes me feel strange.”
Feeling embarrassed about crying in front of him, Hilane quickly wiped her tears away.
“Don’t worry, Your Grace. Really, nothing happened… Countess Riol didn’t do anything.”
“…Actually, Hil, I have something to show you. Do you have a moment?”
Aachen slowly pulled his hand away from her face as he spoke.
Something to show me?
Curious, Hilane tilted her head slightly.
“Well, I’m not particularly busy right now. The reading gathering is over, so…”
“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
As soon as she responded, Aachen’s lips curled into a small smile.
Then, with a snap of his fingers, he activated a teleportation spell.
“Your Grace—!”
Within seconds, the ground beneath her changed.
“This place…”
Hilane blinked in surprise, looking around.
“This is a newly built villa.”
“A… villa?”
“With all the reading gatherings and the workload you received from Gaeren, I noticed you’ve been exhausted lately. I was worried.”
That explanation made something flash through Hilane’s mind.
“Don’t tell me… You weren’t on an estate inspection, but you actually came here?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I apologize for deceiving you. I wanted to keep it a secret until the villa was complete…”
Aachen wore an awkward expression as he apologized.
‘So this was the secret he was keeping from me earlier.’
He had secretly prepared this place just to help her relieve her fatigue.
It was true that she had been exhausted from preparing for the reading session.
‘Not to mention looking after Chevelyn and keeping an eye on Luan—I really was drained.’
But she never expected Aachen to notice this on his own and build a villa for her.
She recalled how he had deliberately changed the subject to avoid getting caught and couldn’t help but laugh.
“I love it, Your Grace.”
Hilane took a look around the villa.
‘This place might suit my tastes even better.’
It was luxurious yet distinctly different in atmosphere from Hestur Castle, making it a refreshing change of pace.
However, no matter where she walked, she didn’t run into any attendants.
“There’s… no one here?”
Hilane asked, finding it odd.
“I didn’t bring any servants. I thought you might prefer peace and quiet.”
Listening to Aachen’s response, Hilane suddenly became worried about the children still at Hestur Castle.
“The children…”
She was especially concerned about Luan, who had been humiliated by Henri in public.
“Ah, don’t worry. I already informed them in advance.”
Swoosh—
Through a slightly open window, the sound of waves crashing reached them.
“This place… is it the sea?”
Moving toward the window, she saw a familiar ocean.
A vast stretch of sandy beach.
The scent of the sea she remembered, the deep blue waves that matched Aachen’s eyes—all of it filled her vision.
“Yes. This is the sea of Oskwaltz.”
Hurriedly, Hilane stepped outside and walked along the shoreline.
With each step, she felt the coarse sand shift beneath her feet.
“It really is Oskwaltz’s sea.”
She had been here before, but the winter ocean had a distinctly different charm.
‘It didn’t feel like this before…’
Perhaps because she wasn’t alone this time, or because her reason for being here had changed.
‘Back then, I came to throw myself away…’
The rippling waves still shimmered beautifully on the surface. Watching them rise and fall filled her with an inexplicable excitement.
A particular spot, where the sea of Oskwaltz looked especially breathtaking, came to mind.
This time, she wanted to visit it with Aachen.
Taking the lead, Hilane started walking toward the cliffside.
Without a word, Aachen followed her.
Once they reached the cliff, the entire sea of Oskwaltz unfolded before them.
It was as stunning as ever.
As they stood side by side, admiring the view, Aachen spoke of the divine beast.
“I should show you the divine beast, Hil.”
“…The one said to live only in the sea of Oskwaltz?”
The memory of him leaning in close atop the tower and suggesting they see it together resurfaced, making her flush with embarrassment.
Seeing that, Aachen chuckled softly before murmuring something under his breath.
Whoosh—
A whirlpool churned over the ocean.
“?”
Soon, from within the swirling waters, a beluga whale emerged.
“This is the divine beast of Belzet, Hil.”
The beluga, just as depicted on the banners in the castle, was adorned with blue roses.
“……!”
As it swam freely through the waves, Hilane’s eyes met its gaze, and suddenly, dizziness washed over her.
“Hil? Are you alright?”
“Y-Your Grace…”
She had no strength left in her legs.
As Hilane stumbled, her body swayed dangerously.
“……Hil!”
Aachen caught her swiftly, preventing her from falling, but his voice sounded distant.
‘Why is it so hard to breathe? I… I can’t even speak.’
She clutched her chest, gasping for air. She wanted to say something, but her lips refused to part.
“Please, open your eyes!”
“……”
“Hilane! Please!”
His trembling hands gently cupped her cheeks.
Feeling his touch, Hilane’s vision darkened as she lost consciousness.
***
Support my translation for more and faster updates ♥︎
