~Chapter 14~
Cedric looked somewhat shocked. The unfamiliar scenery around him made his reaction understandable.
I quickly waved my hand behind my back.
‘Go back to your place.’
The animals around me scattered and started to act distracted. But if we’re going to pretend, we should do it properly.
“…I suppose the animals changed their eating habits after being treated.”
“What?”
I turned to look, and it was a mess.
“What do I do if a leopard is eating grass?!”
I waved my hands again, and finally, the animals quickly returned to their homes.
“They must be confused because it’s their first time with people nearby.”
“…Is that so? It seems like you’ve gotten pretty close to the animals.”
Cedric tilted his head.
“Well, I would say the same to His Grace. You seem to have gotten quite close to Zeno.”
“Close? More like I’m taming him.”
I doubted if taming him was even possible. And how long had it been since they met?
I took out a handkerchief and wiped Cedric’s sweat. How much did he run to be sweating like this?
He paused for a moment but quietly accepted my touch. Zeno growled from the side, but Cedric ignored it.
“Growl.” (Where’s your hand? Wipe it yourself.)
“I don’t know what you’re saying, but you need to teach him not to bare his teeth at people.”
He grabbed Zeno’s mouth firmly.
Seeing Cedric and Zeno argue, I shook my head.
‘They’ll probably get along well. It looks like he won’t be talking back.’
I sat beside Cedric and Zeno, who were resting against a tree. The sunlight lazily shone down, and the garden was filled with grass thanks to the magic stones. But it seemed like Cedric was the only one feeling awkward.
“It seems the Duchess made a lot of changes to the estate while I was gone.”
“So, does that bother you?”
“Not at all. I’m glad you’ve made a friend.”
Once again, I felt his strong resolve not to divorce me.
He looked up at the sky. I followed his gaze and noticed the clouds drifting in the blue sky.
“Woof.”
Zeno sat beside me, feeling my touch.
He always spoke harshly, but his actions were cute.
I pretended not to notice and gently stroked Zeno’s neck. As I slowly groomed his fluffy fur, Zeno’s eyes closed, and he began to nap.
After enjoying the peaceful moment, I glanced at Cedric.
He looked like he had something on his mind.
“Is something wrong?”
“The Emperor is visiting in a week.”
“…My father?”
His unexpected words startled me.
It seems my wish for things to turn out differently from the original story was nothing more than my own greed.
The Emperor’s visit meant that Isabel would likely come too. Cedric didn’t seem to think so, but I knew Isabel better than anyone.
She must have been curious about my situation since I ended up married instead of her.
‘I haven’t sent her a letter either.’
I hadn’t done so either, but I had my reasons. I didn’t think it would be wise to inform her about the situation.
On the other hand, Isabel probably felt guilty for her actions. Well, honestly, I think she was more curious than genuine regret.
Would she still be able to face Cedric?
Though I was curious, I was afraid to see the results of what she’d caused with her own hands.
People are like that: they don’t want what they already have, but when someone else has it, they become envious.
If she saw Cedric, her feelings would grow even stronger.
Isabel and I got along pretty well, but I wasn’t foolish enough to be deceived by a shallow relationship.
“Would it be impossible to refuse?”
“…Why? He’s your father, isn’t he?”
Cedric looked a little surprised.
‘He must have thought that my father loved me, even though he’s a bastard.’
But that was Cedric’s misunderstanding. The Emperor couldn’t wait to get rid of me.
If Cedric ever found out how I was treated, he would likely be disappointed. There’s no need for him to know everything, right?
“Not all family members are affectionate.”
I muttered with a bitter smile.
“What about Isabel?”
“The princess? She won’t be coming.”
Cedric’s words were somewhat reassuring, but I still felt uneasy.
“I guess we’ll have to prepare to receive them.”
“Guests? For the first time, a guest will come to the estate.”
“…Doesn’t it feel like something’s changed?”
“Is that so? I think I’ve spoken clearly.”
Well, I agreed with him. Why was my father suddenly doing something he never did before?
“I’ll need to prepare thoroughly to avoid any mistakes.”
He’s like an old man trying to hide his intentions.
He’d probably come to check on how I was living after taking Isabel’s place. The Emperor highly valued Cedric’s abilities. He probably wanted to use me as a spy, but after my “disastrous” marriage, that plan was probably out the window. He might even try to say something absurd to me.
“Is he coming with the pretext of praising you for your achievements on the battlefield?”
Cedric thought for a moment before nodding.
“…That seems to be the case.”
I quickly turned my head and stared at Cedric.
“Wasn’t it hard for you?”
“I never thought it was hard.”
His indifferent tone hurt my heart. How many times must he have faced danger to sound so calm, even after risking his life on the battlefield?
He must have sensed my gaze because he turned his head and looked at me.
When he reached out and gently stroked my cheek, the warmth of his touch made my heart melt.
Though Cedric had cold, frost-like blue eyes, there was warmth in the way he looked at me.
With a faint smile, he said, “It was tough being away from you and going to the battlefield. I was worried you might run away.”
Hmm. At times like this, I can’t tell if he’s serious or not.
His smile seemed playful, but…
“The Duke seems different from the rumors. Gossips are never to be trusted.”
Just like the novel I read.
“How about we take some time for ourselves before the unexpected guests arrive next week?”
“I’ve looked around the estate, and it seems to be in good shape.”
“Is that so?”
“I want to visit the forest again. There might be something else there other than the divine trees.”
Cedric listened to me and chuckled softly. When he was away at war, I used to talk with the people of the estate about the North and the Duke’s residence.
“I’ll be careful this time, making sure there are no traps.”
“Whether there are traps or not, stick close to me. There shouldn’t be any monsters, but you’re unpredictable, so it makes me uneasy.”
“I promise.”
Cedric looked at my outstretched hand for a moment. Then, I grabbed his hand and hooked my pinky around his.
“All set, right? So, why don’t we head there now? Lately, animals have been coming in injured, and it’s been strange.”
I didn’t want the animals to keep getting hurt. If he found out about my powers, it could be troublesome.
The Emperor was coming next week, right? Communication with divine beasts was a rare ability. If anyone found out, I could be dragged into the palace and forced to work like a dog.
‘I don’t want that.’
“Woowoo.” (What are you worried about?)
Zeno glanced at me and shook his body. I thought he was asleep, but apparently not.
‘Like a tricky snake.’
I recalled the stories I had heard about divine beasts. They were divine beings with a presence so overwhelming that you couldn’t even look at them. Just encountering them would probably make anyone’s heart race.
I looked at Zeno again, thinking about those stories.
“Well, rumors are often exaggerated.”
“Growl.” (What’s with that look?)
“It’s nothing.”
As I stroked Zeno’s neck, he seemed to enjoy it, growling happily while tilting his head.
“My wife always seems to be looking elsewhere, even when she’s with me.”
Cedric grabbed my chin and turned my face towards him.
“Why is it that, even though I’m your husband, I sometimes feel like you’re talking to that beast instead?”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“Come to think of it, you seem to communicate well with the animals.”
He casually looked around.
It wasn’t strange. The animals only kept their distance, but they never left my side.
“They probably follow me because I’ve been helping them heal. Didn’t you bring them here to be friends with me?”
“Haven’t the animals increased in number since the ones we initially brought?”
I tried to change the subject and looked away.
“The animals just seem to like me for some reason. Anyway, when are we going to the forest?”
I asked with bright eyes. I needed to know the schedule so I could give Arita and others a heads-up.
“I plan to go tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
Cedric nodded. Then he stood up and gazed at the snowy field.
In the distance, I could see shapes slowly appearing.
“It’s late.”
“Late? But I haven’t even finished preparing for their welcome yet!”
I jumped up and opened my mouth in surprise.
I’m already hated for becoming the Duchess instead of Isabel!
I was stuck, unable to do anything, pacing back and forth while the knights approached.
‘Why are they walking so fast?’
Soon, they arrived in front of me.
“Glad to see you back safely.”
They placed their hands on their chests and bowed their heads. Then, they all turned to look at me.
I stepped back and stared at them.
Their emotionless faces and the cold air swirling around us felt unsettling.
“We greet Your Grace, the Duchess.”
They still didn’t change their expressions as they greeted me.
…Are they really welcoming me?
