TISND Chapter 32

Chapter 32

In truth, Caligo had been watching her approach the building from the inside for some time.

He’d always felt that Helena was quite active by nature. She enjoyed walking barefoot on damp ground and had a fondness for tending to plants.

‘Was she coming to see me?’

At the thought that crossed his mind unintentionally, Caligo turned his head. He remembered his firm resolve to ignore such feelings.

Just then, a light rain began to fall. The sound of raindrops tapping on the window caught his attention.

If she had any business, she’d likely come here soon enough. Once she arrived, a servant would surely hand her an umbrella. He decided not to meddle further and tried to refocus on his paperwork.

“She shouldn’t catch a cold.”

Before he knew it, his gaze had shifted from the papers to the window outside. She was standing under a tree, seemingly seeking temporary shelter from the rain.

In Frantor’s winters, rain and snow often came without warning. The rain that came through this region, in particular, rode the mountain winds and was especially cold.

He recalled how her complexion had seemed unusually pale of late. While thinking this, he realized he had unconsciously moved and now stood in front of Helena.

“Your Grace?”

Helena blinked up at him, clearly surprised.

“What brings you here?”

“A coincidence.”

Before she could question further, Caligo replied curtly.

“I happened to be passing by.”

“I see.”

“Would you like to come in?”

“Pardon?”

“An umbrella.”

He asked nonchalantly.

“If you don’t want to, forget it. I’ll call a servant to bring you an umbrella.”

“No, I’d like that! I’d love to share it with you. Thank you for helping me.”

Afraid he might change his mind, she quickly responded.

“Alright.”

Caligo tilted the umbrella slightly more toward her.

After some hesitation, Helena stepped under the umbrella.

The two walked toward the building together under its cover. Helena tread carefully, as if playing hide-and-seek, worried she might slip on the muddy path.

Even so, Caligo didn’t walk ahead of her, not even by a step. As though conscious of her slowed pace, he walked more slowly than usual.

For every three steps Helena took, Caligo would barely take one. She glanced at his legs before quickly looking away, lifting her gaze.

Caligo, without glancing at her, kept his eyes forward. However, the umbrella was tilted entirely toward her side.

‘I feel like I’m going to go crazy from how nervous I am.’

Aside from the sound of raindrops tapping on the umbrella, no words were exchanged. Yet, she was utterly content.

She had been on her way to see him anyway. How could they meet like this, as if by a miracle?

“What brings you here?”

Would the rapid beating of her heart be audible to him? As she placed her hand on her chest and took a quiet, deep breath, he asked the question.

At that moment, Caligo posed a question.

“Oh, I have something to convey to you. There’s also something I’d like to ask your permission for.”

“What is it?”

“There’s something I’d like to try besides the clothing business. I heard that in the northern region, there are many people suffering from frostbite or skin diseases caused by the cold. I was thinking of producing and distributing medicine that could be used there…”

“That’s not a business an individual can run alone.”

With just a few words exchanged, Caligo quickly understood her intentions.

“To produce and distribute medicine, you’d need more than just apothecaries. You’d need personnel to manage the distribution as well. I’ll see to it that we find the necessary manpower.”

“Thank you!”

At Helena’s cheerful exclamation, Caligo inadvertently let out a small sigh.

“Huh?”

Did I hear that wrong? She was sure the Duke had just smiled.

When Helena looked up at him, however, Caligo’s face was as expressionless as ever.

Earlier, the walk along the path had felt endlessly long, but now, the time from the tree to the building felt like it passed in an instant.

I wish this moment could last a little longer. The closer they got to the building, the more she felt a sense of regret.

“Your Grace!”

The butler, who had been waiting anxiously at the entrance, spotted them and rushed over.

“Where on earth have you been?”

It might have been her imagination, but Helena thought Caligo seemed a little flustered.

“There’s an urgent message from Eranquist! And a letter from His Highness the Crown Prince has just arrived as well.”

“In that case, I’ll take my leave.”

Although she had more to say, it was clear that his matters took precedence.

Eranquist was a region engaged in battle rather than Frantor, and if the Crown Prince himself had sent a letter, she couldn’t take up more of his time.

“No, stay here.”

But Caligo stopped her.

“It’s not urgent.”

“What? It looks urgent no matter how you look at it.”

Helena asked in disbelief. How could he say it wasn’t urgent when a letter from the Crown Prince had arrived?

Unlike her, who was flustered, Caligo remained calm as he asked, “Didn’t you have more to say? What is it?”

“Oh, today I’m going out with Jeremy and Joshua.”

Helena’s face turned red.

In truth, there was another reason for her visit besides informing him about her outing with the children.

“I’m planning to briefly visit the medical center and then check out the clothing factory we’re running. I was wondering… would you like to join us, Your Grace?”

To Helena, the request felt terribly selfish. In truth, she simply wanted to go out with him.

Her face grew warm at the thought. Since she’d already brought it up, she forced herself to finish, stammering slightly as she spoke.

“You see, I just thought… if you came along, it would be really nice…”

“I’ll go.”

“What?”

She hadn’t expected such an immediate answer. Rather than feeling happy, she was surprised.

Seriously?

“Your Grace.”

At that moment, the butler cautiously interrupted their conversation.

“My apologies for the intrusion, but… the message from Eranquist truly requires your urgent attention.”

A message from the battlefield where every second counted. Normally, Caligo would have set aside meals or training to read it immediately.

Forgetting this for a moment, Caligo let out a sigh, belatedly realizing it. It was unlike him.

“I’m afraid I can’t go,” he said, his tone as curt as ever.

But the butler, who had served him for many years, widened his eyes in surprise at the subtle change in the young duke’s demeanor.

—

There was a joke that if Frantor fell, the entire empire would crumble.

It was a reflection of Caligo’s immense influence. Dozens of letters arrived every day, and even in the midst of battle, messengers sought him out.

Caligo was an indispensable warrior and leader.

This also meant he had little time to live as a mere individual.

“I’ll convey your message to His Highness the Crown Prince as you instructed.”

“Thank you.”

Without a moment’s rest, Caligo dove back into work. Then, he noticed a shadow lingering at the office door. It was Helena, quietly watching him.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just thinking that you’d look good with your bangs brushed back,” she explained hurriedly, embarrassed to be caught staring.

She wasn’t empty-handed, either. Ten minutes earlier, he thought she had left to check on the children, but she had returned with a cup of warm tea.

“It’s good for relieving fatigue. It’s a little bitter, but it works well.”

“Thank you.”

“About earlier, when you said you’d go out with us…”

He could recall the moment vividly, down to the second. Why had he blurted out his agreement when she asked if he’d join her?

Ignore it. You must. He reminded himself yet again as he faced her.

“It made me so happy that you said that.”

“…”

“Let’s go out together next time. Anytime is fine.”

“…”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Her shyly blushing face caused his resolve to crumble once more. Clenching his fists to suppress his emotions, he barely held himself together.

“Then, I’ll see you next time. Work hard!”

Helena gave him a polite bow, then ran out of the office, unable to hide her flushed cheeks.

‘Oh no, what do I do? I must be crazy.’

Her murmured words echoed as she hurriedly left the office.

What she didn’t realize, however, was that Caligo was just as shaken. Normally, he would have at least given her a polite nod, but now he stood frozen in place.

If the butler had seen him, he would have been utterly shocked.

It was only after some time that he regained his composure. He looked down at the tea she had left behind.

Freshly brewed, steam still wafted from it. Carefully, he picked up the cup and took a sniff.

It smelled herbal. The aroma was refreshing, something he had never encountered before.

Being around Helena often brought unfamiliar scents like this—strange, yet not unpleasant.

After a moment’s hesitation, he sipped the tea.

Contrary to her warning, it wasn’t bitter at all—it was sweet.

Rolling the tea on his tongue, he savored its taste and aroma.

“I was trying to ignore her.”

She just won’t leave my mind. Caligo murmured to himself. He set his work aside for a moment and fiddled with his bangs, wondering if they had grown a bit too long.