IFLDMHF | Chapter 111

Episode 111

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The estate inspection planned for the morning had concluded without issue.

Fortunately, there were no significant problems, allowing for a swift and smooth review.

Since the inspection was also a leisurely outing, even though we had to visit another location in the afternoon, we decided to take our time and have lunch by the nearby lakeside.

Inside the carriage heading to the lake—

Euclid, perhaps already accustomed to me sitting beside him, gazed out the window, lost in thought.

I had no intention of interrupting him with playful antics or distractions right now.

I, too, had a lot on my mind.

The moment “cursed land” was mentioned, I saw Euclid flinch and quickly check whether any children were around. Then, after confirming it was safe, he turned his head, met my gaze, and awkwardly smiled.

Just as the old man had said, the northern people, like the rest of the empire, considered the Gold Dragon to be an evil beast.

This meant that such secret knowledge was passed down only within the Rudion Ducal House.

I couldn’t help but wonder—what exactly was the secret the Rudion family was hiding?

‘Actually, I read the fairy tale written by the first Duke.’

‘Is the story in that book true?’

‘Then what about the history that the world knows?’

‘Could this secret have anything to do with why you keep your distance from me?’

The questions filled my throat, but in the end, I held them back.

For this, I decided to wait until Euclid was ready to tell me himself.

However, after hearing the old man’s words, another question surfaced in my mind.

‘Could it be… that the sudden change in weather is also related to the dragon?’

Of course, Delano, who had recently taken to flattering me at every turn, even suggested that the warm weather was thanks to me.

— I’ve never seen anyone as lucky as Madam in my entire life! Who knows, maybe you brought the warm breeze to the North!

Even when Delano exaggerated that I might be blessed by the gods, I felt nothing.

After all, I had enjoyed an almost supernatural level of financial luck my whole life. Deep down, I even wondered if the gods had placed me in this world themselves.

‘Honestly, Euclid is the one who deserves the gods’ love more than me.’

Compared to someone like me, he was far more worthy of divine favor.

So even if he didn’t appear in the original story, Euclid must have lived happily after divorcing Evgenia.

Perhaps, though it was never depicted, Rudion Duchy could have repaid its debts and resolved all its problems without my presence, thanks to the prosperity brought by climate change.

‘He might have even remarried someone kind and different from Evgenia.’

And he would have lived a completely healthy life without any ailments.

In fact, it was at this moment—when I recalled the time I had desperately emailed the author, longing to confirm that Euclid had received such an ending.

“Wife…?”

Euclid, who had been staring out the window the whole time, suddenly turned to me with a startled voice.

It was only then that I realized—I was caressing his cheek.

“Oh, I’m sorry. …There was something on your face.”

I hadn’t done it consciously, but now that it had happened, I might as well take advantage of it.

As if making up for all the suppressed desires at once, I didn’t withdraw my hand. Instead, I gently rubbed his face.

“It won’t come off.”

He must have noticed that I was teasing him.

Yet, despite his ears turning red, Euclid looked at me with concern and asked:

“Why do you look like that?”

“Huh?”

“You were looking at me with such a sorrowful expression.”

…Was I? Even though I was indulging myself just now?

I was about to touch my own face in confusion when—

“Did I upset you a lot?”

My body stiffened.

To my surprise, Euclid carefully cupped my cheek.

It was such a light touch, yet coming from someone who had always been so guarded, it felt unreal.

As I stood there, dazed, Euclid whispered, his eyes tinged red.

“I must have disappointed you… didn’t I?”

At that moment, his past words resurfaced in my mind.

— I… am not as good a person as you think. I will surely disappoint you.

I quickly shook my head.

“No, that’s not true.”

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t hurt at all.

But even if Euclid did far worse things to me, it wouldn’t matter.

Even if he pushed me away harder, even if he spoke and acted cruelly like other wicked male leads…

I didn’t understand why, but when it came to Euclid, I could endure it all.

Perhaps it was because I knew he was too gentle and kind—so much so that even if he ever came to hate or resent me, he wouldn’t be able to be truly cruel.

“I don’t even have the right to be disappointed in the first place.”

The moment I muttered those words without thinking, my chest tightened, and a lump formed in my throat.

Euclid slowly lowered his hand.

His fingertips, which moved downward ever so gently, brushed against my lower lip.

I held my breath and stared at him.

His eyes looked as confused as mine, but by then, we were already lost in the atmosphere.

With my heart pounding as if it had moved to my lips, I squeezed my eyes shut.

I didn’t know if the warmth enveloping my body came from his touch or the breath escaping between my parted lips.

A shadow fell over my face as Euclid drew closer—

Bang, bang, bang!

Suddenly, someone banged loudly on the carriage door from outside.

Like two people caught in the act of doing something illicit, Euclid and I instantly sprang apart, unable to even look at each other.

“Madam! You’ve been inside for quite some time—why haven’t you come out? Is something wrong?”

At that moment, the identity of the unwelcome intruder was revealed.

‘Gressel, you bastard!’

The sound of Gressel’s voice made my fury boil over.

If a newlywed couple—married for less than three months, no less—remains inside the carriage after arriving at their destination, shouldn’t he have the sense to just leave them be?!

I had been determined to make a move on Euclid today, and even I hadn’t expected things to escalate this quickly.

Once the first step is taken, everything else becomes easier, yet I had just lost a golden opportunity given by fate!

My body trembled, whether from the lingering heat inside the carriage or sheer frustration. My breath came out in short, heavy bursts.

As I glared at the carriage door, consumed by resentment—

“Wife, I will open the door.”

Euclid, who had somehow moved to the opposite seat, averted his gaze as he spoke.

“…Go ahead.”

Struggling to suppress my irritation—no, my regret—I sighed deeply.

Euclid flinched slightly but still opened the door wide.

Just as Gressel was about to knock again, he took a step back in surprise.

“You’ve arrived, Your Grace!”

“…Yes.”

As Gressel greeted him cheerfully, Euclid gave a small nod and quickly stepped out of the carriage.

But then, Gressel suddenly gasped.

His reaction was as if he had encountered something terrifying.

Naturally, it was because I was glaring at him with a murderous expression.

“W-why is Madam angry? Did His Grace do something wrong?”

His cautious question was so absurd that my anger evaporated.

I was so speechless that I couldn’t even be mad anymore.

“Just… get lost.”

As I waved him off, Euclid, who had extended a hand to escort me, visibly paled and turned away as if to flee.

“Ah, no—”

I meant Gressel!

I clenched my fist and stomped out of the carriage.

“Hah…”

The reason my eyes were stinging must have been the glimmering lake reflecting the sunlight—right?

• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •

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