“I guess you’re not in a hurry to subdue the demonic beasts.”
It was said so honestly that Anthea felt like it was a mistake. Fortunately, Richard didn’t seem to care at all. Instead, she just pulled Anthea’s flowing clothes up and covered her slightly exposed shoulders.
“It’s urgent. So I’m going to send it.”
For the Duke, subduing demonic beasts was life itself. It wouldn’t be strange if he left right now. Were they trying to kick Nathan out for that? Anthea’s previously gentle complexion darkened.
“But my brother, making so many carriages carrying wedding items returned empty…”
“Isn’t it okay if it’s not empty?”
After hearing her obvious words without any hesitation, Richard turned around and left the couple’s bedroom. Anthea, who was relieved that the immediate situation had been overcome, began to worry about what Richard might do to the carriage Nathan was taking.
‘If you don’t want to go with an empty carriage, I will destroy it all! …It’s not like this, is it?’
Because of her anxiety, she could hardly sleep again. Then, hearing the commotion outside her, Anthea got out of bed and opened her window. She found it difficult to even open the window because it was heavy, but when she opened it, the cold wind that blew in changed her thoughts. It was the thickness and weight that effectively blocked the bitter wind.
“Uh? That’s the carriage Nathan brought, right?”
Even though it was still midnight, the front of her mansion was bright with people and lanterns. Anthea, unable to contain her curiosity, put on a thick robe and came out of the bedroom. Julie, who was outside her door, was surprised and quickly took out a shawl and draped it over her. Something must have happened to her, for not long after Richard left, the carriages rolled up in front of the mansion. Her mind racing, she walked quickly across her hallway, her body so light that it was like she had collapsed yesterday. The medicine that smelled worse than dog poop must have been a great medicine. But she didn’t dare to eat it again.
With Julie’s guidance, she was able to arrive straight in front of her mansion without getting lost.
“Follow the chef for an insulated carriage.”
“If you can find a carriage that is okay even if it weighs a lot, go to the driver commander over there.”
“You can move the rest of the carriages following the chief butler.”
Anthea, who was staring blankly at dozens of carriages moving in different directions, noticed Nathan dealing with the carriage drivers.
“Brother, what is happening?”
“Ah, Anne, I woke you up too.”
Even though Nathan looked very busy, she smiled sweetly at Anthea’s call. However, the coachman who was talking to Nathan expressed his dissatisfaction with a sleepy look on his face.
“Young Count, if we move this early, it will be less efficient.”
“I know. Instead of leaving early in the morning, make sure you get enough rest on the way back.”
“Can’t we just leave during the day?”
“I’ll make sure the situation isn’t upsetting, so just endure the hardship for now.”
The coachmen, who had been called out of their sleep at Nathan’s honest request, grumbled but each headed in the direction they were supposed to go. Only after sending off the drivers did Nathan hold Anthea’s hand and welcome her.
“I’m sorry, Anne. It looks like you’ve earned the duke’s hatred.”
“Surely the duke is kicking out your brother?”
“In a way, it might be like that. “I saw that he even opened the Duke’s warehouse and said he would fill up the empty carriages and send them back quickly.”
“Yes?”
There was something strange about the combination of words.
“Oh, no way. Are you saying that you opened the Duke’s warehouse to fill it with things to send to your brother because he was worried that he would stay at the Duke’s house for a long time to research and buy special products?”
“Yes. The duke’s jealousy is quite fierce. “I never thought he would suddenly leave like this.”
Nathan’s hand, which had been heading towards Anthea’s cheek, wandered around without being able to reach her lips and slowly went down. Of course she knew how to pet him, so Anne Shea, who was slightly tilting her head, looked at Nathan curiously. Nathan remembered Richard, who had asked her to leave right away, saying that he would fill the carriage for her. As Richard approached her threateningly and threatened her to take whatever she wanted, she smelled a faint but familiar scent.
It was a scent he could clearly smell from Anthea in front of him. Even though Nathan knew that since they became a couple, she would naturally have been with him, Nathan pretended not to notice it and stayed by Anthea’s side.
When he faced reality, he even felt grateful to Richard, who warned him to leave quickly. As she realized the reality, it became painful for her to wish for Ann Shea, who had become someone else’s wife. She was still so happy and happy, but one side of her chest was in pain as if it were being stabbed by an awl.
“Brother?”
“Still, I’m relieved. Contrary to rumors, the duke is a rational person.”
“Really? Are you sure you’re talking about the Duke, who is closer to an animal no matter where you look, whether it’s a black bear or a black leopard?”
Of course, it’s a big deal in his eyes. No matter what Nathan said, it was hard to agree. He complained of a sharp pain in his lower back, which had made a clicking sound as he was hugged tightly. So he got a little emotional and told his true feelings. Nathan also seemed surprised by Anthea’s heightened appearance, but she soon showed her usual friendly smile.
“The duke persevered despite having what was his own taken away before his eyes several times. It has those eyes that make me want to stab you dozens of times.”
Anthea also acknowledged that. Every time she saw Richard’s eyes darken, her heart sank.
“It was different from the rumor that he was like a barbarian who could see blood like he could breathe. Even though you reacted emotionally to the clear affection I showed you and broke things, you never touched me. Although it was a bit harsh, it was definitely rational. I guess protecting the North wasn’t a coincidence.”
For the first time since coming to her duchy, Nathan patted Anthea’s head instead of touching her cheek or hair. It was a light touch, like comforting a child. So, was it intentional to pour out a barrage of affection as if you were breathing, even in front of the duke?’ Now Nathan was saying that he had risked his life to provoke the duke.
‘It’s crazy? What if the Duke is truly blood-crazed?!’
As if reading Anthea’s thoughts, Nathan smiled bitterly.
“It’s not easy seeing you as someone else’s wife, Anne.”
But Nathan was willing to do it if necessary. Nathan gave Anthea, who was embarrassed, a light hug that was not excessive.
“My precious Anthea. I hope for your happiness more than anyone else.”
Anthea belatedly realized that the hug she was giving was a farewell message from Nathan. From the moment he ran that long way and stood in front of Anthea until the moment they parted ways, Nathan moved only for one thing. There was only one thing Anthea could say to Nathan.
“Thank you, brother.”
Nathan, who must have been busy trying to figure out the situation in the carriage, stopped when Anthea took her hand. Even without Nathan’s instructions, the servants who had already received instructions from the duke diligently carried the goods and the coachmen filled their respective carriages. The drivers Nathan brought were all skilled, so preparations were completed quickly without a single mistake. After about two hours, most of the carriages lined up in front of the mansion.
“It’s almost over even though the sun hasn’t even risen.”
“I see. Have you gathered too many talented people?”
Anthea showed a small smile at Nathan’s non-complaint.
“Still, there are dozens of carriages, so I thought it would take some time.”
“Yes. That would have been nice.”
Anthea and Nathan exchanged small stories while watching the busy people. Meanwhile, Richard, who was thought to have already left, appeared leading the knights. Richard’s gaze still rested on the two hands held tightly, but unlike before, his eyes did not darken.
“I will escort you and see you off until you leave the territory. You’re like my wife’s brother, so I should treat you like that.”
Maybe they were trying to keep an eye on Nathan to see if he would leave in a hurry. Instead of saying such things, Anthea and Nathan expressed their gratitude with smiling faces.
“Thank you, Duke.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“We will be leaving soon, so Count So, after greeting my wife, please get on the carriage.”
As if he had said everything he wanted to say, Richard turned to the knights. Still, the attitude of giving more time to say hello wasn’t bad. Even though it didn’t seem like a big deal, Nathan smiled at the kindness shown by Richard. Before getting on the carriage, Nathan expressed his concerns to Anthea until the end.
“Anne, the Duke of Gwyntede has vassals and doctors who have been with us for generations. If you get their help, your health will be better than it is now. Of course, the Count’s family will always send medicine.”
“Please give me some sweet medicine, brother.”
“Okay. So, please contact me when you feel better. Even if you feel unwell, please contact me, and whenever you think of me or the count, be sure to send me a letter.”
The words she said with a smile became increasingly moist.
“Anne, remember. I can come running to you whenever you call.”
Anthea carefully rubbed Nathan’s hand, which she had been holding for a while. Nathan’s hand, which she held at the count’s house a month ago, was definitely soft. But now, Nathan’s hand was injured a lot as he rushed to get to the Duke’s house. Looking at his face, he still looked like a friendly handsome man, but he had lost enough weight to make his jaw line look sharp. In order to drive so many carriages and shorten the time, Nathan must have been on his toes even for a moment.
He could come running whenever she called him. She couldn’t call Nathan again, who would have come running with the sole intention of meeting Anthea, not caring about being hurt like this.
“All right. Instead, don’t come even if I send you a letter saying you want to see me. Because that’s complaining. You should only come when I ask you to.”
“You are asking a difficult order.”
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Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
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My heart for these three people… 😭