IFLDMHF | Chapter 96

Episode 96

However, watching Euclid fulfill his responsibilities as a lord, it didn’t seem right for me to only think about satisfying my own personal desires.

‘I am the mistress of the North, after all.’

Fortunately, I was able to contribute in my own way.

In the end, everything required money, and without a doubt, when it came to financial matters, I was the most knowledgeable person in the ducal household.

Thus, at present—

Euclid had gathered the mages from the Tower and climate scholars to investigate the cause of the abnormal weather. At the same time, he was holding daily meetings with the vassals and northern noble families to discuss how to manage the North moving forward.

The primary focus was on devising support measures to help people quickly adapt to the drastic environmental changes.

I was responsible for reviewing the financial support allocated based on the results and approving the final budget for the necessary supplies.

As a result, both Euclid and I were so busy that we spent most of our time confined to our offices.

‘At least it’s a relief that we still have plenty of funds even after paying off the debts.’

If not for the fortune inherited from Count Biers’ family, I might have had to not only exhaust the remainder of my dowry but also sell off the wealth that originally belonged to Evgenia.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded at all if it was for Euclid and the duchy, but I knew Euclid would feel too burdened.

‘He was against it even when I first said I would use my dowry.’

If it had been just once or twice, it might have been fine, but if I kept making him feel indebted, it could make our relationship more awkward.

As I once again felt proud of how I had dealt with Count Biers, a certain person came to mind, lingering in my thoughts.

Just then, I noticed a letter placed neatly on my now-clean desk after finishing all my tasks for the day.

Among the countless letters flooding into the ducal estate daily, this one was surprisingly addressed to me.

The sender was none other than Melissa.

“You took longer than I expected.”

I had assumed she would write to me as soon as she returned to the duchy, given how flustered she had looked when asking if she could send me letters before I left.

It seemed that just as I had been swamped with work after arriving at the Rudion estate, Melissa had also been busy.

It might not matter much anymore, but while reminiscing about the original story, I recalled that around this time—when the Crown Prince had gone to war—an episode with the High Priest had taken place.

I took the paper knife Anne handed me and immediately opened the letter.

[To my dear sister Evgenia,

It’s me, Melissa. How have you been?]

The handwriting was soft and cute, just like Melissa herself.

Melissa, who had asked how I was, wrote that she had tried several times to send me a letter but kept erasing and rewriting it, unsure of what to say. She finally picked up her pen after hearing that news from the North had spread to the capital, realizing she couldn’t delay any longer.

Although I already knew the details of the situation in the capital through Anne, hearing it from Melissa’s perspective was interesting in its own way.

[Every day, many people in the capital still talk about you, sister. Maybe that’s why I miss you even more.]

I wondered whether the rumors circulating about me in the capital were positive or negative.

‘If Melissa isn’t specifying, it must be bad news, right?’

The most likely rumor was that after years of chasing after the Crown Prince, I had suddenly gotten married out of nowhere.

‘I just hope they aren’t saying bad things about Euclid.’

I didn’t care what they said about me.

However, I didn’t want Euclid to become the subject of gossip just because of his association with me.

Of course, I had known this would be inevitable when I married him.

‘Still, the attention must have been more focused on Count Biers this time.’

Thinking that was at least a small relief, I continued reading the letter—until my eyes narrowed.

Even after reading over three pages, the letter was still only about me. There was nothing about Melissa’s romantic situation, which I had been eagerly anticipating.

She did mention that Duke Basilian and Sionel were still busy and that she had started attending social gatherings again…

‘By now, she should be involved in temple volunteer work as well, right?’

In the original story, there was a point where she couldn’t hold back her feelings any longer and confessed to Damian.

I already knew the outcome of that confession, but since the original plot had lost its credibility, I couldn’t help but wonder if things might turn out differently.

Even if the result was the same, I had a personal desire to hear Melissa’s honest and intimate feelings directly.

Though Melissa and I weren’t particularly close, she tended to be more candid in letters than in face-to-face conversations.

‘But to think she wouldn’t mention it at all…’

[I would be so happy to receive a reply from you, knowing that you are doing well.

I look forward to seeing you again someday in the capital.

Yours sincerely, Melissa.]

The letter ended without any particularly special content, leaving me with an inexplicable sense of disappointment.

Swallowing my slight frustration, I immediately began writing a reply.

It was best to start by addressing Melissa’s curiosity about my well-being.

I told her that I was doing very well at the Rudion estate, thanks to Euclid and his adorable, kind-hearted nephews.

‘If she receives my reply, Melissa will likely relay my news to Duke Basilian and Sionel as well, right?’

That way, they wouldn’t need to worry unnecessarily.

I didn’t stop there; I also sent warm regards to her family.

I specifically asked her to pass along my thanks to Sionel.

I hadn’t originally intended to be this considerate, but since I owed them a favor due to the matter with Count Biers, it seemed like the polite thing to do.

For a brief moment… I debated whether to ask about Alexis’ well-being, but I decided against it.

Since Melissa hadn’t mentioned Alexis in her letter, it was clear that she didn’t know either.

‘Well, of course. It’s not like he has the time to be writing letters from the battlefield.’

The Crown Prince was expected to return in about three months, so there wasn’t much time left until the war ended.

But that also meant he was probably having an even more chaotic time.

Imagining how Alexis might be faring, I suddenly shivered as a chill ran down my spine.

‘He wouldn’t return earlier than expected… right?’

Of course, I hoped the war would end quickly, but for some reason, an ominous, unsettling feeling crept over me.

It was probably because I had been thinking about inviting Alexis to the Rudion estate.

‘Yes, that must be the only reason.’

As I pondered this, pen still in hand, I nodded to myself.

After finishing the letter, I folded it neatly and handed it to Anne before getting up from my seat.

“Lady, where are you going?”

Anne, who had been sealing the letter in an envelope for me, asked.

“The library. I promised to meet the Duke’s nephews there.”

Hearing that, Anne quickly set the envelope down and moved to follow me.

“Anne, there’s no need for you to come. I’ll be there until dinner, so just take a good rest until then.”

“Oh… Alright.”

Anne flinched slightly before hesitating and nodding.

Her small gestures radiated disappointment.

But rather than asking again if I would grant her another vacation like before, she held back and endured it.

Seeing her reaction made me feel a little guilty.

‘But, Anne, I have my own urgent reasons for this.’

Ever since I realized that I had barely spent any alone time with Euclid, I had been making a conscious effort.

Meaning, I had been ditching Anne to go find Euclid.

– Duke, you must be thirsty after hours of meetings. Would you like to have some tea with me?

– I heard you stayed in your office all day. I know you’re busy, but you should still get some fresh air. How about a short walk?

I had mustered all my courage to say these things, despite the embarrassment.

But…

– I apologize. I’ve been drinking tea throughout the meetings.

– I’ve been ventilating the room and moving around as I work. But thank you for your concern, my wife.

My beloved was an impenetrable fortress, far stronger than my shameless persistence.