IFLDMHF | Chapter 116

Episode 116

Euclid was bewildered, unable to understand why the knights had suddenly started crying. But soon, he kindly smiled and patted each of them on the shoulder.

The sobbing grew louder, and he could clearly hear murmurs like, “The complete opposite of Madam…”

‘This is just ridiculous.’

When I glared at them in disbelief, they sneakily hid behind Euclid, which was quite a sight.

If it weren’t for the fact that they were comparing me to Euclid, I would have given them another round of discipline. But it was hard to blame them for holding affection toward my favorite.

Honestly, even I had to admit that if I were in their shoes, I’d much prefer a master like Euclid—someone who acknowledges their efforts and offers encouragement—over someone like me, who does nothing but criticize.

Of course, I knew that despite their behavior, their deep loyalty still lay with me, which allowed me to remain composed.

‘…Right?’

But when I saw their eyes filled with endless admiration, just like during their entrance exam, my trust in them wavered slightly.

Still, I figured it didn’t really matter. If the knights truly devoted themselves to Euclid, that would ultimately be a good thing for me.

“Madam, I believe it would be more comfortable for you to ride behind me this time.”

Euclid spoke just then.

‘So I won’t get to see his face while he’s riding this time either.’

I felt a pang of disappointment, but the idea of holding Euclid from behind was rather tempting.

Not having to endure the sharp wind slapping against my cheeks was also a welcome relief.

However, for some reason, unlike usual, I couldn’t immediately take the hand Euclid extended toward me.

Unconsciously, I glanced around.

“Madam?”

“It’s nothing.”

Shaking my head as if to brush off lingering hesitation, I accepted Euclid’s help and mounted the horse.

If only…

If only I had just stayed still that day, despite the strange premonition I had.

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, I felt as if my heart had stopped, and I instinctively shut my eyes tight.

And yet, what felt like just a moment later—

‘Or was it? Did I lose consciousness?’

Everything around me was pitch black, making it impossible to immediately grasp what had happened.

I forced my foggy mind to start working.

— Madam, are you very anxious? Shall we go slower?

— Yes. That sounds good.

— Then, your hands… No, never mind.

As we descended the mountain path, I clung tightly to Euclid from behind, like a cicada gripping an old tree.

I simply wanted to savor this happy moment for as long as possible. So, when Euclid—mistakenly thinking I was holding on tightly out of fear—offered to slow down, I eagerly agreed.

With the now slower pace, I had enough leisure to take in my surroundings.

I was just starting to feel regretful that our journey was coming to an end as we approached the plateau where we had left the carriage.

— Huh?

— What is it?

— Over there… Something looks a little strange.

Since the sun had begun to set, the landscape had taken on a nearly monochrome palette of whites and grays.

But suddenly, as if someone had dropped a splash of colored ink onto a charcoal sketch, a vivid patch of color appeared out of nowhere, immediately capturing my attention.

Euclid halted his horse and followed my gaze. His eyes widened in surprise.

At that moment, I was struck by an undeniable urge—we had to check that place out.

Euclid agreed and dismounted, leading the knights as we made our way toward the cliffside.

Moments later, we all stood in stunned silence, our mouths agape.

Despite the biting cold in the air and the icy breath escaping from our lips, a vast field of fresh, green grass stretched out before us.

And that wasn’t all. Lush trees and vibrant flowers bloomed, filling the air with a faint, sweet fragrance.

Though it was part of the same landscape, the area before us looked like something out of a fairytale—a serene, enchanted forest fit for a princess.

As we remained speechless in the face of this wonder, Euclid finally spoke, his voice laced with confusion.

— The patrol guards survey this area in shifts every day. But in the last report, there was no mention of anything like this…

They patrolled daily and still hadn’t discovered this place?

That meant either the guards had been negligent and lied about their rounds, or this phenomenon had only appeared after we arrived.

Either way, it was utterly unbelievable.

If Delano had been here, he probably would’ve excitedly declared, “Madam must have brought spring with her!”—half in jest, half in awe.

‘Actually… maybe it’s not even an exaggeration.’

Could this really be because of me?

Was I unknowingly some sort of sunshine heroine?

Maybe being reincarnated had given me some kind of protagonist buff.

It was such an absurd thought that I struggled to come to any conclusions, merely blinking in astonishment.

— We must return to the duchy immediately. I assumed the Seplic Mountains had remained relatively stable in climate, but this situation calls for an urgent meeting to share information and devise a plan.

Even Euclid, usually so composed, spoke with urgency.

Hearing his words, I realized this might not be a blessing after all.

The Seplic Mountains bordered another nation, making them a highly strategic region.

As worry and confusion filled my mind, I found myself nodding in agreement to Euclid’s suggestion that we return quickly.

Just as I turned to follow him—

I felt an eerie chill run down my spine.

The moment I turned my head, I saw the ground splitting apart from the edge of the cliff.

Before I could even react, the earth beneath my feet gave way, and I felt my body plummeting downward.

No—this wasn’t just a feeling.

— Madam?

— My wife!

The last thing I heard was the knights’ and Euclid’s desperate voices echoing through a deafening roar.

As I pieced my memories back together, I finally grasped the reality of what had happened to me.

‘Accidents always happen without warning, but…’

This was too much, like a bolt from the blue.

‘Wait… Am I dead?’

But no—if I could still think so clearly, that wasn’t possible.

I was probably just trapped after being caught in a landslide.

…That’s what I wanted to believe.

But the complete darkness around me and the suffocating fear made it hard to stay hopeful.

Even if I wasn’t dead yet, my chances of survival weren’t looking good.

‘I haven’t even made Euclid happy yet.’

I had only just repaid my debts, and I hadn’t even laid the foundation for the North’s independence.

There were countless other worries.

Would the Basilian Ducal House take back my dowry now that I was gone?

The newly established knights’ order—would it collapse without me?

If I had known this would happen, I would have written a will, transferring the Golden Merchant Guild to Euclid’s name.

Above all, my heart ached at the thought of Marianne and Dior, who had come to see me as family.

‘Euclid… would he be a little sad?’

Even if he didn’t love me, he was a kind and gentle person—so surely, he would be.

I should have been satisfied knowing that my beloved character would mourn me.

But I was greedy. The thought made me unbearably sad.

Unlike my past life, which I had abandoned without hesitation, this one mattered.

“Sniff…”

I hadn’t even realized I was crying until the sobs escaped me.

“Wife?”

A familiar voice, as gentle as a ray of light cutting through the darkness, called out.

“D-Duke?”

“Yes, I’m here. Are you conscious?”

I thought I might be hallucinating, but when I answered hesitantly, Euclid immediately responded.

Then, as if to prove this wasn’t a dream, I felt a warm hand grasp my shoulder.

“Hic… Hiccup…”

The terror gripping me melted away, replaced by overwhelming relief.

I wasn’t dead. And I wasn’t alone.

Even though the situation was still dire, I was just so happy.

I threw my arms around Euclid’s neck and burst into tears.

He flinched momentarily but then slowly patted my back.

‘I must have really lost my mind—how did I not notice he was here?’

As I sobbed into his embrace like a child, a sudden thought made me jerk my head up.

“But why are you here, Duke?”

I had fallen quite far from him—how had he reached me so quickly?

It was unbelievable.

But… why?

Why would Euclid go so far for me?

As if he understood my unspoken question, he answered softly.

“Because I couldn’t leave you alone.”