“So that’s how it is…”
Kisa couldn’t hide her disappointment.
She had been counting down the days to visit St. Pavela Monastery for almost two months.
Half of her heart genuinely wanted to know about Seyard’s past, while the other half hoped to dispel all suspicions and feel at ease again.
No, perhaps the latter had grown much stronger by now.
For the past two months, Kisa had suffered from the guilt of suspecting someone as kind as Seyard, along with the anxiety that his perceptive nature might detect her ulterior motives at any moment.
That’s why she wanted to go to the monastery as soon as possible to end this painful time.
She wanted to meet the monks together with Seyard and see them conversing amicably without any hint of tension.
If that happened, Kisa was confident she wouldn’t be swayed by Daniel’s words anymore.
She also felt certain she would never harbor uncomfortable suspicions about Seyard again.
But now, on the day of their planned trip, Seyard suddenly couldn’t go due to unexpected circumstances.
“I’m truly sorry, Kisa.”
But it wasn’t his fault. Seyard wasn’t deliberately refusing to go, and if urgent matters arose in his territory, prioritizing them was the proper attitude for a lord.
Kisa tried to collect her emotions and replied in her usual tone.
“It’s alright. It’s disappointing, but it can’t be helped. Has something serious happened in your territory?”
“I’m told the river has flooded due to heavier rainfall than usual in some areas. There’s concern about additional damage, so I should go there quickly.”
“Oh my, please be careful on your journey.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep our promise, Kisa.”
“This isn’t something for you to apologize about, Seyard. I’m really fine.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Not at all. We can visit St. Pavela Monastery after you’ve finished handling the affairs in your territory.”
Kisa was trying to console herself with the fact that, thanks to him being a major patron, they wouldn’t have to wait a full year for the next open period, when Seyard asked a surprising question.
“Why wait until next time?”
“Well, because you need to go to your territory right away…”
“Just because I can’t go to the monastery doesn’t mean you can’t go either. It’s unfortunate, but please go by yourself this time.”
“What? Is that really alright?”
“Of course. I’ve already made you wait for two months; I can’t make you wait longer because of my stubbornness. Besides, you’ve already completed all your preparations for the trip.”
Seyard gently gripped Kisa’s shoulder.
“This isn’t the only opportunity, so I can postpone showing you around personally until later. Please, go and enjoy yourself without worry.”
“Seyard…”
While warmed by his consideration, Kisa couldn’t help but think that he truly must have nothing to hide in his past.
Otherwise, she doubted he would so readily encourage her to go alone.
In any case, despite her disappointment, Seyard’s absence presented an opportunity for Kisa to act more freely.
“Thank you. I’ll gratefully accept your offer.”
Embracing this unexpected stroke of luck, Kisa bid him farewell.
“We’ll be apart for quite some time again, it seems.”
Seyard twirled his index finger in Kisa’s hair, seemingly sad about their separation.
In truth, they hadn’t seen each other for about half of the past two months because he had to attend to matters in his territory.
“It won’t be that long this time.”
Bonzmos was relatively close to the capital, taking at most a week for the round trip.
Since she planned to stay in Bonzmos for three days, she would be able to return to the capital in about ten days.
Despite Kisa’s reassurance, the man’s expression remained serious, and he suddenly made an unexpected move.
He grabbed Kisa’s arm and pulled her into his embrace.
The fresh citrus scent unique to Seyard filled her nostrils.
“Ah, um…”
Kisa’s body stiffened at the sudden embrace.
Even with her former fiancé Daniel, she had never experienced such close physical contact since she grew up.
They had shared something resembling an embrace only once when they were children, when Kisa, following Daniel, had tripped on a stone and he’d reflexively caught her.
The situation was similar with her family. Count Vansfelt wasn’t an affectionate father who would embrace his daughter, and her younger brother, who took after him, was no different.
So this was essentially Kisa’s first proper embrace with a man in her life.
As embarrassment surged through her, she instinctively tried to pull away, but then noticed the duke’s servants waiting nearby.
She finally understood Seyard’s intention.
According to what was known to the public, they were lovers who couldn’t live without each other.
For such lovers to be separated again for an extended period after just a few days together, it would seem awkward if they parted with just a verbal farewell.
In other words, this was an act.
“I’ll miss you, Kisa.”
As if confirming her suspicion, Seyard buried his face in the nape of her neck and murmured in a deeply emotional tone.
It was such a convincing plea that even Kisa, knowing it was an act, felt her heart drop.
As she had thought before, he seemed to have the qualities of an actor.
“…I’ll miss you too, Seyard.”
Kisa managed to respond as if speaking to a real lover and wrapped her arms around Seyard’s back.
Although neither of them said anything more, the embrace continued for some time.
It was only when Kisa began seriously wondering how long a normal embrace between actual lovers would last in such a situation that Seyard finally released her from his arms.
“I’d like to hold you longer, but I should be leaving soon. I’m sorry I’ll miss the breakfast we were supposed to have together.”
Originally, they had planned to have breakfast together at the duke’s residence before departing, which was why Kisa had left the Vansfelt residence early in the morning.
“Haven’t you eaten, Seyard?”
“I had a light meal before you arrived.”
He looked at Kisa intently before speaking.
“By the way, Kisa, I have something important to tell you when we meet again.”
“If it’s urgent, you can tell me now.”
“No, it’s something I should convey in a more relaxed setting.”
What could it be that required such a preface?
Suppressing the strange speculations rising in a corner of her mind, Kisa nodded.
“Alright, I’ll be waiting.”
“I’ll most likely return to the capital later than you, but if my return seems too delayed, I’ll send word. Goodbye for now.”
“Take care on your journey.”
Seyard responded to Kisa’s farewell, which was identical to her earlier one, and headed toward his carriage.
Kisa watched from the entrance until the carriage carrying him disappeared beyond the gate, then turned to enter the mansion.
The servants guided her to the dining room where breakfast was already prepared.
All the dishes were excellent, befitting the status of the Hillan family.
‘Hmm?’
However, after taking a few bites, Kisa noticed a strange sense of dissatisfaction.
The food was delicious, but somehow it seemed less tasty than usual.
It was strange. She had dined here several times, but this was the first time she’d felt this way.
She had always enjoyed the food here and often praised the duke’s chef, whom she had never even seen.
‘The taste doesn’t seem to have changed…’
While pondering this throughout the meal, Kisa happened to glance at the seat opposite her and finally found the answer.
The person who had consistently dined with her at that seat, whether busy or not, was now absent.
It was a moment of realization that the presence of a dining companion unknowingly plays an important role in the act of eating.
She only realized this now because she had never eaten at the duke’s residence without Seyard.
‘It feels somehow empty.’
Chewing on the meat that was delicious yet somehow lacking, that’s what Kisa thought.
****
“Hello, miss! Once again, I’ll be serving you diligently for the next few days.”
For this journey to Bonzmos, Lily, the maid who had assisted Kisa during the engagement ceremony, accompanied her.
To be honest, Kisa found Lily more comfortable to be around than those who had served her for a long time at the Vansfelt residence, so this was fortunate.
They weren’t bad people, but her nanny tended to nag a lot, and Marsha had a somewhat sullen side.
As expected of the Hillans. Even the kindness of their servants was on another level.
Besides Lily, there was a coachman to drive the carriage and security personnel to guard them during their not-so-short journey. Notably, they were all Hillan’s people.
On a late summer day, a carriage bearing the Hillan family crest set off toward Bonzmos.
The heat had already subsided, so they didn’t have to sweat profusely inside the carriage.
Kisa could enjoy the carriage journey, which she hadn’t experienced for quite some time, feeling the gentle breeze coming through the open window.
Lily, sitting opposite her, was a good companion, but since they couldn’t chat continuously, Kisa spent much of her time in quiet contemplation.
Various miscellaneous thoughts came and went in her mind.
Daniel had not shown himself since their meeting two months ago.
However, he sent unwelcome letters just when she was about to forget about him, and recently he seemed to be meddling with the collateral branch of the Hillan family that was at odds with Seyard.
He was diligent only in unnecessary areas.
As for Gabriel, Seyard had informed her that he was working hard to adapt to his new settlement.
On the other hand, Princess Arta seemed to be struggling, as rumors circulated in social circles that the youngest princess’s nerves were on edge recently.
‘I wonder how things will turn out…’
Anyway, with such thoughts filling her head, time passed more quickly than expected.
Before she knew it, they had arrived in Bonzmos.
Thanks for chapters))