TISND Chapter 174

Chapter 174 (Final)

News that Caligo had hurriedly left the capital for Frantor had reached them early. When it came to sources of information, no one was faster or more accurate than Joshua. He informed them that Caligo would likely have to stay in Frantor for at least a few months.

Helena spent her time in her own way. Even in a strange city, not Horion, she lacked nothing. It seemed Caligo had made preparations before his departure—doctors were on standby to attend to her health, and she was given excellent medicine. Slowly but surely, her condition improved.

The residence she stayed in was even more spacious than the one in Horion, and she had attendants assigned to her. Escorts accompanied her wherever she went, and a sturdy carriage was always ready if she ever felt stifled. Thanks to that, she could go for a ride whenever she wished.

At first, she thought she wouldn’t stay long after leaving Horion in such a hurry, but it seemed everything had been meticulously and delicately arranged behind the scenes. As time passed, people’s attention toward Helena gradually faded. With no word of her in Horion and no visible movements, public interest naturally waned.

“Good morning, Mrs. Duncan.”

“Good morning, Helena!”

Just like in Horion, Helena managed to lead a normal life. The townspeople saw her as a lady from a wealthy family, and she made a few acquaintances with those who greeted her in passing. She had worried because a vague sketch of her had appeared in the newspaper recently, but thanks to Caligo’s measures, no one seemed to recognize her.

The new city had a different charm from Horion. It was so perfect that she wondered when it had been scouted in advance. Helena spent some days visiting an art museum and a rose maze garden behind the city. It was the dead of winter, so she couldn’t see a lush rose field, but still.

By all appearances, it seemed the relocation had been a success. The new city suited her better than expected, and there were plenty of places for quiet leisure.

Yet, Helena felt a strange sense of lacking. Why was that? She thought about it deeply.

Was it because of the children?

At the beginning of the month, Joshua had returned to Seantillen. He would continue receiving mercenary training at Primrose and begin full swordsmanship lessons next year. Although he visited her on weekends, there were many weekends he couldn’t come.

Jeremy was one of the people who spent the most time with her. But he too was an heir of the Frantor family. Although the succession wasn’t officially decided, he still had to receive training. Lately, he seemed to be contemplating his future a lot as well.

Not that she was disappointed by that. Helena supported the children’s growth and wished they’d spend as much time as needed planning their future. Their absence didn’t make her feel lonely or empty.

If it wasn’t the children, then perhaps the place wasn’t right for her?

Her residence lacked nothing. It had a soft bed and all the facilities suited for a patient. The winter here was milder than in the north and quite bearable. And yet, she felt tired as if on a long journey. Even after sleeping, the fatigue wouldn’t leave her body. Months passed, and still, nothing changed.

“Strawberries taste best around this time of year…”

Then one day, she murmured those words without thinking—and it hit her.
She wanted to go back to Frantor.

Her head still wrestled with what effect her return might have, but deep in her heart, she had already made her decision.

Once she realized it, her desire to return became overwhelming. When Joshua visited that weekend and the topic of Frantor came up, Helena cautiously brought it up.

“Joshua.”

“Yes, Helena?”

“Do you think I could go back to Frantor?”

“…?”

“I mean, someone like me… could I return to Frantor? Eat meals with you all again, help with farming and such, like before?”

Her thoughts were still jumbled. The shadow of Eskel still frightened her. But even so… she wanted to return to Frantor and spend the rest of her life with them.

Jeremy, who was listening nearby, answered as if her long deliberation had been pointless.

“Why would you even ask that?”

“…?”

“Of course you can come back to Frantor whenever you want.”

“You’ve been worrying about that all this time?” Joshua added.

“Who else but Helena could be the lady of Frantor? There’s no one in the estate who wouldn’t welcome you back.”

“I thought you were staying away because you were still upset with Father.” Jeremy muttered.

“…That’s not true.”

“Helena, let me ask again. Do you want to go back to Frantor?”

After a brief hesitation, she replied.

“Actually, yes. I want to go back.”

Joshua beamed.

“Then go back.”

…Huh?

***

And so, Helena returned to the north.

Even after arriving, it felt surreal. The twins had rushed to prepare the carriage before she could even change her mind.

When she saw Caligo hurriedly exiting the Frantor estate, she hesitated. She’d gone over how to speak to him countless times in the carriage, but her mind went blank the moment she saw his surprised face.

“…You.”

So Helena chose to speak honestly rather than dress up her words.

“You told me, didn’t you? To do what I want…”

“…”

“So I did. What I wanted to do.”

“…”

“I wanted to come back to Frantor.”

She didn’t regret saying it, but her heart pounded. She was still scared.

Joshua and Jeremy had said her worries were foolish, but she still feared she wouldn’t be welcomed.

She had left on her own—what if the people or the staff no longer welcomed her? What if even Caligo didn’t?

As the carriage reached the estate, she saw it was filled with people. Seeing such a crowd made her shrink back even more.

But then—

“Waaaah!”

“The mistress has returned!”

“My lady!”

Cheers erupted like thunder, followed by applause.
Startled, Helena looked around with wide eyes. Everyone was clapping and smiling joyfully.

“I knew you’d come back.”

“It finally feels like home with the mistress here.”

“I’d better go light the fire in her room.”

Was this a dream? No… It couldn’t be. Her meager imagination wasn’t capable of creating such a joyful dream. She had never had a dream so happy that it brought her to tears.

Moved by the crowd’s welcome, Helena began to tear up. She tried to hold it in—but she couldn’t.
She had lived her life like a spark that brought only misfortune. This felt like a fantasy. She never imagined such a thing would happen to her.

“Told you it was a silly worry,” said Jeremy.

“We weren’t joking. We were really waiting for you,” Joshua added.

Then Caligo quietly came over and pulled her into his arms.

“…Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me?” Helena asked, her tears flowing freely.

“Is it really okay for me to stay here? My shadow will always haunt you.”

“Thank you.”

“I abandoned my parents, my siblings… I come from a ruined house, I’m burdensome and needy. Are you sure you won’t regret it? I’m warning you now.”

“Thank you, Helena.”

“I’m awful at speaking, bad at making friends—I get laughed at all the time. I don’t have any skills. I can’t even dance properly like noble ladies. All I know is farming.”

“Thank you—truly.”

In the end, Helena couldn’t hold back her tears and broke down sobbing.

For the first time in her fleeting life, she felt she had a home.

For the first time, she had a place to return to.

Clutching Caligo’s collar, she wept like a child.

***

Her room in the estate had changed a bit, but it still felt familiar.

The bookshelf was full of books, and sunlight streamed in even during winter.

The back garden was neatly maintained with not a single weed in sight.

Everything had been well kept so seeds could be sown without issue in the spring.

Despite her long absence, nothing felt strange.
When she lay in bed, she fell asleep without tossing and turning.

Sitting by the fireplace made her feel like the happiest woman in the world.

She continued to eat meals with Caligo and the children.
Her goal now was to regularly prepare snacks for them.
The twins would reach puberty soon—they’d need to eat well to grow.

The business she had started was still thriving.
It had grown significantly, boosting the region’s tax revenue.

No one starved from lack of work anymore, and no one died from illness due to lack of treatment.

She could now work within limits that didn’t strain her health.
For someone who hated lying in bed, this brought immense joy.

“Duchess, the sun has set. Shouldn’t we head home now?”

In the clothing factory, Helena came to her senses at Emma’s gently amused voice.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Emma.”

“Not at all. You seem quite busy these days.”

“I’ve been thinking about making clothes that can be worn even in the summer…”

As she stepped outside to get into the carriage, a sweet smell tickled her nose.

“What is it, madam?”

“Thought I might buy some snacks for the kids on the way home.”

What should she get? Skewers? Cream-filled pastries?

Helena smiled as she walked toward the market, thinking happily.

Her body was tired from working all afternoon, but just imagining the children enjoying the treats made it all worth it.

In the end, she boarded the carriage with both arms full of snacks.

Time to get home and feed the kids. Oh right, after dinner, of course.

“Let’s go, Emma.”

“Yes, madam!”

The carriage soon set off, and Helena hugged the basket of snacks close.

With people waiting for her—and a home to return to—
Her face lit up with a smile.

[The End]

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