IFLDMHF | Chapter 110

Episode 110

Euclid seemed at a loss for words.

I smirked and asked,

“Why? It’s not like it’s your first time seeing someone playful.”

Unlike that time when I was being sincere, this time I was truly just teasing.

However, Euclid seemed surprised that I brought up that day again, his expression stiffening.

Seeing that, I realized I wasn’t the only one who had been upset.

Euclid had been thinking about that day, too.

Even the sorrowful expression he had worn wasn’t just my imagination. That thought eased my mood a little.

I found myself smiling slightly without even realizing it.

Then, Euclid suddenly spoke.

“Sir Richard…”

“Huh? Richard?”

Why was Richard suddenly being mentioned here?

As I looked at him curiously, Euclid shook his head.

“No, it’s nothing. I just thought… you seem to trust him quite a bit.”

Trust, huh?

Well, even if it wasn’t to the extent of Euclid, I did cherish Marianne and Dior.

Since I had entrusted their safety to Richard, it might seem like I trusted him.

But my thoughts on Richard were too complicated to simply describe as trust.

In the original story, Richard had both protected Melissa and essentially imprisoned her for her safety. I still couldn’t tell whether that had been on Evgenia’s orders or if he had truly been obsessed with Melissa.

However, I did believe that Richard had the potential to develop a genuine sense of belonging and loyalty to the Rudion family.

Even though he had imperial blood, the current emperor was practically his sworn enemy.

‘And they say the enemy of my enemy is my friend…’

Of course, even with that in mind—

“If I had to say, I trust his skills. If Dior hadn’t found Richard suitable, he wouldn’t have recommended him as a guard.”

When I revealed my honest thoughts, Euclid, who had been silent with a strangely tense expression, suddenly brightened his eyes.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Is something bothering you?”

“No, not at all. I just… said something unnecessary.”

Euclid gave a sheepish smile, and before I knew it, his ears had turned red.

Why all of a sudden? I found it curious, but even that was endearing. I was about to lean my chin on my hand and properly admire him when—

‘Ah, right.’

I quickly moved closer to Euclid.

I had been waiting for a moment alone with him in the carriage, and I almost wasted it talking about someone else.

As I approached, Euclid flinched in surprise and tried to press himself against the wall near the window.

I swiftly grabbed his arm.

“Your Grace.”

“…Yes?”

Caught by me, Euclid looked completely flustered, unable to move in either direction.

Seeing that face made my heart tighten slightly, yet at the same time, a mischievous urge to trouble him even more arose.

Perhaps it was my villainous instincts awakening in this body.

I spoke up.

“You said earlier that you were grateful for the gift of clothing, right?”

“…Yes. And for much more than that—I am always grateful to you.”

“But do you only express gratitude with words?”

Until now, whenever Euclid thanked me, I had always responded as if it were only natural.

But now, changing my attitude and making a show of it seemed to catch him completely off guard.

“Then… what is it you wish for?”

Sensing that I was acting differently and that I had a request for him, Euclid instinctively swallowed hard and asked.

‘Got him.’

I smirked inwardly at his innocence.

But on the outside, I kept my expression completely composed and shamelessly said,

“I was so excited about going on the inspection last night that I couldn’t sleep well. I think I should take a quick nap on the way.”

And before Euclid could put up any defenses, I swiftly linked my arm with his and rested my head on his shoulder.

“…”

Euclid froze completely, barely even breathing.

However, he did not push me away or try to offer a different form of gratitude.

Leaning against him, I looked up at his face.

He must have felt my gaze, but instead of looking down at me, he stayed utterly still.

A little disappointing.

“Relax. I’m not going to eat you.”

“Wife, I…”

“If you keep talking, I’ll ask you to sing me a lullaby.”

“…”

Euclid, who had just parted his lips to speak, immediately shut his mouth.

A faint sigh escaped him, as if he hadn’t anticipated this at all.

At that moment, I decided to take it a step further—acting as if I had completely forgotten about my supposed nap.

Instead, I wide-eyedly took in the scenery outside the window—and of course, Euclid’s face.

In truth, I had slept soundly the night before.

But even if I had been exhausted, there was no way I could fall asleep while being this close to my favorite person.

My heart pounded, my skin burned as if from a fever.

Euclid looked like he had a lot to say but ultimately didn’t utter a single word.

‘I wanted to hear him sing, though.’

A little disappointed, but for now, I decided to be content with this.

The warm sunlight, just as gentle as Euclid, streamed through the carriage window as the landscape outside passed by in a blur.

“I can’t believe His Grace came in person. Thank you so much.”

“There are no pests, no wild animals coming down from the mountains. Everyone is very healthy, and there are no signs of any outbreaks.”

“Supplies? Oh, you’ve been so meticulous and thorough that there’s nothing left for me to ask.”

Contrary to my concerns, the people of the territory greeted us with bright smiles.

At first, they had been flustered by the sudden change in weather.

But with the duke’s steadfast support, they had quickly adapted.

Most importantly—

“The seeds the duchess sent have already begun to sprout.”

“We were always amazed by naturally growing grass, but we never even thought of planting anything ourselves…”

In the Rudion Duchy and across the North, mines that could bring in wealth were extremely rare.

Instead, the land was barren, covered in snowy mountains, with a harsh climate that made farming nearly impossible.

Because of this, the North had always relied on imported necessities and food from other regions.

But with the sudden shift to a milder climate, the snow melted, water became abundant, and life began to stir in the once-barren land.

It was only natural that people began to hope that the North could become as fertile as the Basilion Duchy in the South, with fields of grains and orchards brimming with fruit.

However, the people’s hospitality wasn’t just because of the favorable conditions and strong support.

‘I had the Gold Trading Company spread the word throughout the North.’

In other words, news of Count Biers’ trial and the capital’s reaction had reached this place as well.

According to Anne’s report, the Northerners had never even realized just how unfairly they—and the North itself—had been treated by the Empire.

But now they understood reality.

And they had also come to recognize how much the Ludion Duchy had sacrificed and dedicated itself for the North.

‘Not to mention their growing resentment toward the imperial family.’

It was perfect.

The North had always kept to itself, rarely interacting with other regions.

As a result, they had little sense of belonging to the Elios Empire.

They had simply endured their harsh conditions for so long that they hadn’t even dreamed of independence.

But if life improved even a little more, their perspective would shift.

‘The people’s strong will and support will be crucial for independence.’

At the time of my marriage to Euclid, I had never considered this possibility.

But now that I had made up my mind, it seemed like everything was falling into place.

If the North did become independent, it would naturally distance itself from the Basilion Duchy, which was still part of the Empire.

It was then—

“I don’t think anyone will call this a cursed land anymore.”

An elderly man wiped away tears as he spoke.

A while ago, I wouldn’t have understood what he meant.

But after reading history books through Anne, I grasped it immediately.

A cursed land.

‘That’s the tale of the first Rudion duke slaying a dragon and burying its corpse here, condemning the North to this harsh fate.’