Episode 103
I had already mastered the ability to detect Euclid’s presence from even the smallest clues.
With my vision blocked, my hearing and sense of smell had become more acute, making it even more certain.
The person who had just stepped into the courtyard was none other than Euclid.
‘And I must have been out of my mind to be so reckless.’
Under normal circumstances, I would have thought and acted more rationally, but I had no time for such judgment.
Because the moment a small pair of feet—whether belonging to Marianne or Dior, I couldn’t tell—dashed toward Euclid and clapped their hands with a loud “clap!” as if they had been waiting for this moment.
I moved toward Euclid with my arm outstretched, hesitating slightly.
Even to myself, my steps felt unnaturally stiff.
The new shoes the Gold Trading Company had delivered recently had slightly lower heels than before, but they still weren’t as comfortable as I had hoped, making it even harder to move naturally.
As I acted naturally, waiting for the right moment, I deliberately stumbled forward just as I sensed Euclid was close enough.
As expected, Euclid firmly caught me.
The moment he did, I instinctively wrapped my arms tightly around his waist like a hunter seizing its prey.
I felt Euclid flinch and freeze in place.
‘Ma… Madness.’
Originally, I had planned to continue acting and exclaim, “Got you!”
But the instant I found myself in Euclid’s embrace, my heart pounded so violently that I couldn’t utter a single word.
Even before I held him, I had already sensed he wasn’t one of the children—so now that our bodies were touching, there was no way I could be mistaken.
What surprised me even more was the firm muscles I could feel under my hands.
Before I knew it, my breathing had become heavy, and I felt heat rising from my nose.
It wasn’t just that Euclid’s physique was even better than I had expected, making me a little excited—it was also the thought that I might never get another chance like this again.
After all, this was our first real physical contact since that pitiful excuse of a kiss at our wedding!
So even though I knew I should let go and pretend to be startled, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I clung even closer to Euclid.
“……”
A long moment passed, yet Euclid remained stiff and unresponsive, not even reciprocating the embrace.
As I felt this, I suddenly snapped back to my senses.
Unlike just a moment ago, my heart now pounded for a completely different reason.
Hurriedly stepping back, I attempted to make an excuse, saying I had mistaken him for one of the children. But from the look in Euclid’s eyes, it seemed he was still suspicious.
‘Could he really think I planned all this?’
That I had gone so far as to use the children to set this up?
A mix of frustration and worry rushed over me.
And yet, in the midst of all this, why did he have to look so ridiculously handsome?
Euclid’s looks were praiseworthy every day, but perhaps because I had been blindfolded and was now seeing him all of a sudden, he somehow seemed even more dazzling than usual.
Especially with the setting sun behind him, casting a golden glow around his blonde hair like a halo—it was almost impossible to look at him directly, as if I were facing a god.
It was then that he spoke.
“I am fine, my wife.”
Had he decided to simply let his suspicions go?
Euclid spoke gently.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Huh? Oh, no… I’m fine.”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
‘Hmm?’
Something felt off.
Today, Euclid’s gaze and tone seemed softer than usual.
His voice, particularly, was so gentle it sent pleasant shivers down my spine.
Blinking in confusion, I quickly stepped away from him when I sensed someone watching us.
Even without looking, I could tell the children were probably giggling at us.
Feeling both embarrassed and worried that Euclid might find the situation strange, I quickly changed the topic.
“You’ve worked hard today. But you came back earlier than I expected. Was there not much work?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, my wife, everything went smoothly. I appreciate it.”
“…There’s no need to thank me. It’s only natural that I help.”
I meant it.
Though Euclid always felt deeply apologetic and grateful whenever I worked hard for the duchy, I simply saw it as fulfilling my rightful duties as the mistress of the north.
Perhaps that’s why his gratitude felt slightly disappointing.
Hiding my feelings, I asked casually,
“By the way, you haven’t figured out why the weather has changed so suddenly, have you?”
“No. We’ve been investigating several possible explanations, but we still haven’t found a definitive answer.”
Despite the efforts of numerous scholars and even the mages of the Tower, they had yet to uncover the cause of the climate shift.
Euclid sighed, clearly troubled by the ongoing situation.
Nodding slightly, I cautiously brought up something I had been considering for a while.
“I heard you’re planning to inspect the territory soon.”
“Yes. Reports can only tell us so much. Although we can observe the changing weather from within the duchy, I wanted to see it with my own eyes.”
“I’d like to go with you.”
“What? You, my wife?”
“Why are you so surprised?”
Even though I had anticipated Euclid’s reaction, I pretended not to notice and continued.
“Just as I received a tour of the duchy from the butler upon my arrival, isn’t it natural for me to personally visit the territory?”
“Well…”
“In fact, I should have done it sooner, but various matters kept delaying it.”
Not giving Euclid a chance to interject, I pressed on.
“I also want to ensure that the supplies I approved are reaching the citizens properly. And if there are any unmet needs or additional assistance required, I want to see it for myself.”
As Euclid had said, reports alone had their limitations.
Especially when it came to listening to the concerns and grievances of the people.
There were no flaws in my reasoning, and my justification was solid.
Yet, instead of agreeing immediately, Euclid just stared at me, as if at a loss for words.
Sensing that he might refuse, I quickly spoke up before he could.
“By the way, I heard the children have rarely left the duchy. Of course, this isn’t a trip for fun, but wouldn’t it be good for them to see the land thawing and warming up? Why don’t we take them with us?”
“All of us… together?”
I nodded as I looked into his slightly widened golden eyes.
Euclid pressed his lips together as if he had never even considered the idea.
“Now that I think about it, I’ve never taken them on an outing, always using work as an excuse. Even though this is for inspection purposes, it could be a great experience.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
As expected, using the children as an excuse worked perfectly.
Had I not suggested bringing them along, Euclid might have made every excuse possible to avoid going with me.
‘I can personally listen to the citizens’ concerns.’
‘I can’t burden you with such a troublesome task, my wife.’
Imagining the excuses Euclid would have given, I smiled wryly.
Just then—
“More importantly…”
Euclid hesitated before meeting my gaze cautiously.
“I should have been the one to suggest we visit the territory together first. I apologize for making you bring it up instead.”
Huh?
I was so surprised by his words that I couldn’t help but ask,
“Do you really think that?”
“Yes.”
Euclid nodded, lowering his gaze as if embarrassed.
“I know I say this often, but I am truly grateful to you, my wife. Sincerely.”
…Could he hear my thoughts just now?
His warm, gentle words felt as if he were comforting me for the disappointment I had secretly felt.
Embarrassed by my own unnecessary feelings of resentment, I bit my lip and stared at Euclid with a strange look.
‘Something’s really different.’
Had my relentless efforts to break down his walls actually paid off?
The wall wasn’t gone yet, but… somehow, the line Euclid had drawn seemed fainter than before.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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