“I didn’t want to bring it up since you had forgotten about it, but I had no idea you were having nightmares.”
Valery extended his arms and embraced me. Seeing Valery, who was feeling more remorseful than myself for not talking about it and trying to figure it out on his own, I shook my head.
“It’s okay if you know about it. There won’t be any danger. I was just worried…”
I gently reached out and wrapped my arms around Valery’s waist. Valery’s arms tightened around me even more securely.
We usually refrained from public displays of affection outside. Valery didn’t mind expressing his affection anywhere and anytime, but I was more cautious, worrying that his status would go lower with every her action.
“There won’t be any trouble. I’ll protect you no matter what.”
I quietly nodded, remaining in his embrace.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you in advance and tried to handle it on my own.”
“If you apologize like that, it makes it hard for me to show I’m upset.”
Valery spoke in a slightly playful tone, trying to lighten the mood.
“Ah.”
“Hmm?”
“I should send a letter to Ian just in case.”
“He doesn’t seem like someone who would get into trouble easily.”
He wasn’t wrong. But the implication in his words made me laugh involuntarily.
* * *
“Please send this to Shiseta.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After spending the weekend together, I finally wrote a letter to Ian. Though it was just a short message advising him to be cautious, it felt better to send it.
“Marchioness Helrod requests an audience.”
“Marchioness Helrod? Ah, right.”
It took me a moment to recall who she was.
Autumn was approaching. I remembered there was a meeting scheduled to discuss preparations for the largest summer ball and late summer night festival, but it had slipped my mind until now.
I’ve been to countless balls and parties, always seeing the same faces at every event. Even though it’s nothing special, I always give my best when preparing for them. Focusing on one thought for days made me forget other appointments.
I instructed last week for the ladies to gather for tea.
“Let her in.”
With tasks piling up, it was time to return to my routine.
* * *
Bang! Rattle!
The sturdy, moisture-laden wood split effortlessly in half and fell to the ground. Ian, drenched in sweat, carelessly gathered the chopped wood, stacking it to one side. For hours, he had been busy preparing firewood for the early winter.
Although it was still summer in northern Shiseta, the weather was beginning to change. Despite the heat, the northern coolness meant that even in summer, one wouldn’t sweat without putting in effort. Yet, Ian was immersed in his work, his shirt soaked through.
Bang!
Ian had chosen to stay in an old mansion near Shiseta, where Bella had once lived in seclusion. Calling it a mansion might be generous—it was small and cramped, but Ian chose it nonetheless.
Ian had first arrived in Shiseta when the house was nearly a ruin. The roof was partially collapsed, and the food storage and a detached storage building were on the verge of falling apart. Bella’s hiding spot was one of the most secluded in the North, where human touch was rare, and the harsh northern winters could severely damage unattended structures in just a few years.
After settling here, Ian started with repairs. Though he had told Bella it was a wonderful place, it looked haunted. Nevertheless, Ian decided to stay and transformed it almost into a new home with daily repairs.
Even though it was isolated, a long walk or a horse ride was required for necessities. Still, Ian appreciated that Shiseta had become more restrictive to outsiders.
Since Bella left the empire, the North had faced external attacks twice. Even before Bella’s departure, the frequent bridge collapses and repairs were reasons enough for people to leave. This made encountering people more difficult, but Ian preferred the solitude. Despite the departures, over a hundred people still lived in the central village across the bridge.
Gathering firewood diligently before the dry late summer ensured surviving the winter without issues. Especially when his mind was cluttered, engaging in simple, thoughtless physical labor was the best relief. Ian’s activities were mainly for the latter reason.
Busy with work, Ian occasionally helped the neighboring ‘next-door’ elderly homeowner by lending her firewood. Last winter, thanks to Ian’s efforts, the neighbor had a warmer season than ever without needing to gather her firewood.
Bang!
“Phew…” Ian casually wiped his face with a towel.
Initially, when Bella decided to return to the empire, Ian planned to stay by her side. However, that resolve didn’t last. Being near her only reminded her of guilt. Even without words, their eyes spoke volumes.
Rattle!
Today, thoughts of Bella lingered unusually long. There are already hundreds of firewood piled up, so there’s no need to pile more. He tossed the axe aside, lost in thought.
Alert to the sound, Ian noticed someone approaching. Emerging from behind the house, he directed his gaze towards the source of the noise.
A small carriage, with a single horse struggling under its weight, made its way towards him. It was a merchant who visited maybe once a month to deliver goods. With no post office nearby, merchants who came to sell goods in the North also provided postal services.
“There’s nothing I’m expecting,” Ian muttered to himself as he watched the man steering the horse. But as if to mock his thoughts, the carriage stopped in front of his house.
“It’s been a while!”
The man hopped down from the carriage and greeted Ian first. Ian had helped him with a broken carriage wheel once, and since then, the man had been quite friendly.
“What brings you here?” Ian asked, his tone slightly hostile, but the man just laughed heartily.
“That’s the thing. I’ve brought a guest heading this way.”
“A guest?”
Before Ian could finish, the carriage door opened. A man in luxurious, old-fashioned clothing, unfit for the location, stepped down.
“Thank you for your help.”
“It’s nothing.”
Another man, carrying a box, approached Ian, narrowing his eyes.
“Good day, Ian. My carriage was damaged, and I ended up needing this man’s assistance. How have you been?”
The man, clearly an acquaintance, greeted Ian respectfully.
“Is there trouble at the palace?” Ian asked urgently before the man could speak.
