IFLDMHF | Chapter 113

Episode 113

For a brief moment, I looked at Delano with pity as his words and expression contradicted each other, but I quickly refocused on sorting out the situation.

Considering that the Tower Master hadn’t outright demanded the carriage back, he was likely caught up in his own words—claiming he had relinquished everything, from the ceiling decorations to the wheels and even the cushions inside, and thus shouldn’t regret it.

But then again, wasn’t he Euclid’s friend?

“Your Grace, can we just pretend we don’t know anything about this?”

I asked, prioritizing my devotion to my favorite person over my conscience. Delano couldn’t hide his momentary look of despair as he turned to me.

“My Lady! I roughly calculated earlier, and I think it’s worth at least a month’s income of the Magic Tower!”

Wait, he even counted the money in that short span of time?

Delano, who had just been lamenting the situation moments ago, now openly revealed his regret over the loss. Euclid let out a small chuckle at this and gave me an unexpected response.

“Is there any reason we shouldn’t? We made a fair exchange.”

“I think so too, Your Grace!”

Delano immediately agreed in a loud voice.

Seeing him go from despair to joy and making such a fuss, I felt like I was watching a scene from a sitcom—it was hilarious.

But what amused me even more was Euclid’s expression.

‘It’s electrifying! Always refreshing. Handsomeness truly is the best!’

Euclid’s usual composed and serene expression exuded an almost ascetic aura. Because of that, everything that had happened in the carriage earlier felt like a dream.

‘Of course, the mood was completely shattered when Gressel appeared… But still…’

The confused gaze, the trembling lips, the heated breath—they were still vivid in my mind.

And yet, Euclid seemed to have completely erased it from his memory, as if it never happened.

“…?”

At that moment, our eyes met, and Euclid hesitated before quickly averting his gaze.

His ears and the nape of his neck turned bright red in an instant.

After clearing his throat slightly, he spoke.

“My Wife, it seems the children are waiting for us.”

At his words, I turned my head to see Marianne and Dior, who had finished admiring the lake, looking at us with sparkling eyes.

‘I still have things to say to Euclid, but…’

For now, it seemed like the right time to enjoy the picnic.

Suppressing my racing heart, I waved at the children.

I never understand why enjoyable and fun moments pass so quickly.

After an unexpected golden rain incident, the outing with my favorite person had already flown by halfway.

“Let’s come again next time!”

“When the weather gets warmer, I want to dip my feet in the lake!”

Marianne and Dior, seemingly very satisfied with the lakeside picnic, clung to Euclid’s arms with regretful expressions.

Euclid, pleased by their enthusiasm, hooked his pinky finger with theirs and made a promise.

“Yes. Let’s definitely come back together next time.”

Although I wished the picnic could continue, it eventually came to an end. As planned, the children were sent back to the ducal residence first.

Euclid and I had to go elsewhere for the remaining part of our inspection.

But just before we set off, Richard quietly approached me.

“My Lady. Can I come with you?”

“…Richard?”

Surprised by his unexpected request, I paused momentarily before replying.

“You’re now the personal guard of the young lady and young master. What will happen if you follow me?”

“I know. But…”

Just from the conflicted look on Richard’s face, I could tell what he was thinking.

‘He’s happy to be Dior’s guard, but at the same time, he still wants to be by my side.’

I didn’t particularly think Richard had any ulterior motives.

I had freed him from slavery and even revealed the secret of his birth. It was only natural that he saw me as a savior and felt an instinctive need to follow me.

That was precisely why I thought it was important for him to form relationships with others. So, I gently turned down his request.

“I’m not going anywhere dangerous, am I?”

The Duchy of Rudion wasn’t a conflict zone, and our next destination wasn’t even a residential area, meaning there was no real need for a special escort.

“You don’t have to worry. The knight commander is with me.”

“But the commander…”

“Richard, you are now a knight of the Rudion Order. You must show proper respect and courtesy to your superior.”

No matter how skilled he was, I couldn’t allow any signs of insubordination.

Moreover, if Richard caught the Emperor’s attention, he would be in danger himself and could also become a liability to the Duchy. Until he gained full independence, he needed to remain disciplined as an ordinary knight.

“If you can’t do that, you might as well quit now.”

Hearing my cold words, Richard’s eyes widened in shock.

“I—I’m sorry. I won’t be stubborn.”

Had I been too harsh?

I briefly regretted my words, worrying he might start crying again.

But before I could say anything, Richard quickly bowed his head in apology.

Then, without hesitation, he rushed toward where Marianne and Dior were.

As if to prove that he was committed to his role as a knight of the Rudion Order and their personal guard.

I was relieved, but watching him left me with a strange feeling.

It was then that Euclid spoke.

“My Wife, are you feeling tired?”

Another formidable opponent appeared right after Richard.

From the moment we planned the inspection route, Euclid had been insisting that I return to the duchy with the children.

‘One side is making a fuss about following me, while the other is making a fuss about not letting me follow.’

The only relief was that Euclid wasn’t acting out of his usual impenetrable attitude this time.

“There’s no need for you to accompany me from this point onward. There are no territory residents for you to listen to, and I’m only going to make a brief observation.”

I understood Euclid’s reasoning for trying to dissuade me.

But our next inspection site was the Seprique Mountain Range, where the remains of that dragon were buried. Knowing that, how could I just turn back?

Of course, I didn’t expect Euclid to suddenly reveal his family’s secrets just because I went there.

I simply wanted to see it with my own eyes.

In the original novel, it was merely a passing background detail. Even after I found myself in this world, I never considered it important…

Only after coming to the Duchy of Rudion did I truly realize—dragons had really existed.

In the end, after several failed attempts to convince me by emphasizing the rough terrain, Euclid and I set off for the Seprique Mountains together.

“The carriage will shake quite a bit. Please let me know immediately if you feel unwell.”

The terrain was indeed harsh.

Despite being a magic-powered carriage, equipped with all sorts of enchantments for comfort, the vibrations were much stronger than before.

Perhaps because of that, Euclid unexpectedly sat beside me and attentively checked my condition.

Seeing him take such care of me made my heart flutter.

But unlike me, who was filled with excitement, Euclid’s face showed only concern.

Even though we were seated just as closely as before, there was no sign of the atmosphere from earlier returning.

Swallowing my frustration, I inwardly cursed Gressel in rage before cautiously speaking up.

“Your Grace. There’s something I’ve been meaning to say.”

“I’m listening.”

“It’s about when we arrived at the lakeside.”

“…Yes.”

Euclid swallowed slightly, as if a bit tense, and responded slowly.

I gulped as well and spoke sincerely.

“When I said that, I wasn’t saying it to you. I was speaking to the Knight Commander.”

“…Is that so?”

“You really misunderstood!”

I did see him apologize and run away, but I hadn’t expected him to actually take it to heart!

“How could I ever say such harsh words to you, Your Grace?”

Telling him to shut up and get lost out of frustration?

That was something I wouldn’t dare say to my favorite person, even if I died and came back to life twice.

“It wasn’t an excuse. I really was speaking to the Knight Commander!”

He interrupted us when we might have had our first kiss!

Euclid must have understood the words I didn’t say because his face turned red in an instant, too quickly for him to hide it.

Yet, he still responded gently, as if calming my flustered state.

“I understand. I won’t misunderstand anymore.”

Then, with a faint smile, he added, “I’m relieved.”

For a moment, my heart nearly dropped.

‘Euclid… isn’t he seriously a criminal at this point?’

How does he keep charming people like this?

Thank goodness we were married. If not, he’d be too dangerous to let outside.

‘At least the North is isolated.’

I’ll keep him safely tucked away in the duchy, shower him with clothes, accessories, and jewels—not imprison him, but protect him.

As I steeled my resolve with burning determination, Euclid tilted his head slightly.

“Do you have more to say?”

I instinctively started to shake my head but suddenly stopped and raised my hand high.

“Yes, I do!”