People’s hearts were truly strange and fickle. It was rare for everyone to welcome Ostein merchant ships into the proud and fierce Lusenford.
If it had been like this from the start, people would have disliked the Princess of Ostein, saying she looked down on Lusenford.
Kaela vaguely knew that, like many noble women who married into foreign lands or other regions, she would have only been welcomed briefly when spending money. That’s why she hadn’t done it.
Peon didn’t miss how Kaela, who was casually sitting on the sturdy wooden box where goods were stored, looked happy yet would occasionally lower her head to examine an item, and quietly sigh while suppressing a small chest pain.
Sometimes she would look at him. Even when her gaze was blank without any emotion, Peon smiled whenever their eyes met. He couldn’t help but smile. Just looking at her made him happy.
He had supported Kaela in place of everything she had let go of, even being overly attentive.
Left alone, she would have been a woman who would wait for death while lying still, neither eating nor doing anything. Now she smiles when she sees people she’s glad to meet. Isn’t that enough? It was more than sufficient.
‘As long as she doesn’t die, that’s all that matters.’
It was enough if she smiled a little sometimes and ate even a small amount. He didn’t even hope for a Kaela who would smile at Peon, talk to Peon, or ask Peon to do things for her. That person was gone. That person no longer existed. He had killed her.
He closed his eyes. Every time he remembered she was gone, an unbearable sharp pain arose. Even if he locked himself in a cave, cut off his legs, removed his intestines, and pulled out his eyes, he couldn’t overcome this pain.
The pain was so severe that everything around him became dim, but only the woman sitting quietly like a doll remained clear. The pain that stabbed his eyes and gnawed at his brain came without warning, and though he was on the verge of tears from the physiological response, he endured.
What’s done is done. He did it. He was always too late, losing both Kaela and the child he didn’t even know existed.
“The Grand Duke has ordered so much. This color suits well too.”
“Pack everything up properly.”
It seemed Kaela was planning to just pile up those precious fabrics. Peon spoke without delay.
“No, you should have formal dresses made for yourself, Your Highness.”
Instead of letting her just sit there wanting to quietly wither away, he had to intervene sometimes. Those indifferent blue eyes looked up at him.
She tilted her head slightly in an adorable way. While Peon typically showed no interest in what others did, every gesture and expression Kaela made was crystal clear to him. She probably wondered why this man was acting this way.
She might think it was regret or guilt that he hadn’t properly understood before the regression. But could mere regret or guilt bring about the urge to touch her, kiss her, and hold her in his arms all night long to make love?
“It would be good to have many summer dresses made. There will be the Crown Prince’s engagement ceremony soon, so think about what to wear in Crania.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Of course, Kaela didn’t need to know his feelings or emotions. The maids dispersed, carrying fabrics while marveling at the sheen of Methylene silk and the delicacy of Volpfuren lace. Peon approached Kaela, who was sitting on the sturdy box.
“How was looking around? Was it fun?”
Kaela, who had placed a pearl box and her father’s letter on her lap, looked up at him. Her husband had changed in many ways.
He had always been sharp and strong before, but now he was extremely sensitive and could effortlessly lift her with one arm. He seemed to know many things but pretended not to, appearing to turn a blind eye when appropriate.
He was definitely different. He was no longer the obstinate man who, before the regression, had taken everyone’s words at face value except Kaela’s.
“I hear the chef is preparing tonight’s dinner with special care. They say lots of ingredients were brought on the merchant ship.”
Peon hoped Kaela would be curious about small things.
What’s on the menu for tonight? Tomorrow? Since there are many ingredients from Ostein, she could enjoy various foods she had missed for a while – he hoped she would have such simple expectations. Such things would keep her alive for one more day.
The changes to the kitchen and ongoing expansion construction were proceeding in the same context.
He only hoped that making Kaela’s living space more comfortable and convenient, and making her wishes come true, might give her even a small will to live. Peon had no attachments to this insufferably cold, desolate, and harsh place.
Kaela, who now only nodded, probably felt the same way.
Meeting people from her homeland brought some life back to Her Highness the Grand Duchess. Those who didn’t know Kaela might question if that could be called “life,” but those who knew her simply sighed in relief.
Meanwhile, among the Ostein people who had served Kaela closely, some had tears in their eyes asking why their Princess had become so thin.
“I’m adapting gradually. I’m trying to be more careful. Don’t be upset, Johnny.”
“You came to such a cold place, Miss…”
How could she have an appetite when the climate was different and people had hurt her? The hardy seafarers unloaded all the ingredients they had brought on their ship and unpacked the snacks the young lady used to enjoy.
While Ostein had bright sunshine, this place was still cool, and they said that even in summer, the heat wouldn’t last long.
“Our young lady used to run around the port so energetically…”
“I didn’t run around. I was always weak.”
“That’s just how my heart remembers it.”
Kaela, with her nearly colorless white face, accepted snacks from the maids who had finished organizing the fabrics. Salty biscuits, dried tropical fruits, and pungent cheese.
“Ah, I missed this so much.”
“Please eat plenty. We brought lots.”
Kaela brightened up and ate a biscuit topped with cheese. Those now offering her more plates of food, including Cecile who had made sure rumors of the young lady’s suicide attempt didn’t spread in Ostein, knew nothing about it.
Kaela had longed for the food she ate in Ostein while confined in that northern tower. The hunger etched into her soul never disappeared.
Still, her compulsion to maintain dignity was considerable, so Kaela chewed the biscuits thoroughly and slowly.
“Johnny, Lusenford’s jerky is delicious. Their meat processing is excellent. The smoked sausages taste exceptional, so make sure to take some.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“I was just considering sending some jerky along as well, but it seems Your Highness mentioned it first.”
Regen said to Johnny.
“We preserve meat by salting it. Of course, burying it in snow works too, but it won’t last until summer. We also have sausages and salami.”
“Really? That’s important for us too, since we spend so much time at sea…”
Johnny and Regen started chatting. The two seemed to get along surprisingly well.
“Your Highness, please eat a little more. You said you missed it, so please eat plenty.”
Cecile and Marie kept encouraging her to eat more. They even removed the pearl box from Kaela’s lap so she could focus on eating.
Whether this was a hall or dining room, the location didn’t matter. The most important thing was for the emaciated Grand Duchess to consume more nutrients.
“Eat this first.”
It was impossible to eat carelessly in front of Peon. Even if she wanted to, his presence was far more overwhelming than her craving for food. Why had he chosen to starve her to death, of all methods?
Kaela hadn’t just eaten a little of the biscuits; she had nearly devoured them. Everything was still incomprehensible. She couldn’t understand why he had saved a woman he had starved to death. It would be easier for him to just kill her.
“I’ll do it.”
Peon reached out to take the plate from the maids. Though they weren’t sure if Her Highness should be with the Grand Duke, his orders were absolute.
The maids quietly withdrew to return to the piled goods. In the busy hall, only the couple remained apart from others.
“Ah. I remember this. You used to hold a plateful of these and eat them in Crania too.”
“Did I?”
Kaela looked up at Peon as he pulled out a biscuit to eat. He nodded while chewing and swallowing. He knew she would eat a bit more if he ate with her.
“You liked them. With cheese on top. It’s delicious.”
Now understanding why she had liked them, Peon always ate neatly. Though he was a big eater due to his large, solid build and high-calorie job requirements, he never lost his dignity while dining.
Kaela thought for a moment before putting down her small remaining piece of biscuit. Peon said nothing.
Rather than urging her to eat more, he preferred to bring new food and eat together. Was it because he was the only one who knew about her death by starvation, or was it something else?
“Here.”
As expected, Peon now offered dried tropical fruit. It was sweet enough without added sugar.
While biting into a piece of fruit and suppressing her urge to eat her fill of biscuits and fruit, Kaela was lost in questions. Questions only Peon could answer.
****
Benjamin “Johnny” Toti, a loyal servant of Duke Adeo de Chasser of Ostein, had originally served the Duke from Crania.
After moving to Ostein, he unexpectedly discovered a new talent – the extremely sea-friendly ability to fight pirates and navigate ships.
Captain Toti’s notoriety as Ostein’s guardian was high among pirates, and among merchants, he was insurance for safe passage to Ostein.
His personal journey to Lusenford was purely for the sake of the young lady he had often carried and taken sailing since she was young.
“Everyone at the Duke’s residence was so sad that you came straight here without stopping at Ostein.”
Did they think our young lady had no one to care for or worry about her? At the banquet, Johnny spoke pointedly in his gruff voice.
“When we heard you were ill, the entire residence was filled with crying.”
This was his roundabout way of saying that the Ostein ducal family had been in uproar upon hearing that their precious princess had nearly died due to local prejudice.
“Our Duke still chose to trust the Grand Duke and restrained himself from coming to Lusenford immediately. He mentioned many times! that he trusted the Grand Duke while practicing patience.”
The Ostein ducal family members, including Johnny, were making their points clear while not crossing certain lines.
“Our Princess is not only the Grand Duchess but also the future heir of Ostein. It’s not unreasonable for us to worry when we nearly lost someone so crucial to Ostein’s future.”
It was quite skillful how they only mentioned Ostein while avoiding triggering Lusenford’s deep-rooted resistance to the Emperor.
“But we’re so happy to see you again with such good news.”
At this grand banquet where Lusenford nobles were also invited, Johnny made it clear that Kaela wasn’t just some random addition but the future Duchess of Ostein.
If they thought the young Grand Duchess would be easy to push around, they should remember she’s the precious princess of the Ostein people, who are just as fierce as those from Lusenford. She has a strong family who would come running if she’s mistreated.
“Though your health seems poor, I hope you recover well.”
People living by the sea and trading were quick to gather information. The experienced captain must have heard during the day about the Grand Duchess’s recent collapse.
“My wife’s collapse shocked the entire empire. Please convey to my father-in-law that I am deeply sorry.”
Peon smiled off the confrontational attitude of the Ostein people. Lusenford, having nearly killed their new bride and then falsely accused her, had no right to speak.
Since the original purpose of requesting Ostein merchant ships was to elevate Kaela’s position in Lusenford and properly establish her status, Peon let the captain speak freely.
Johnny, well aware that Kaela was both Ostein’s Princess and Lusenford’s Grand Duchess, made his point just once, clearly and firmly, while maintaining boundaries.
The people of Lusenford Castle were already enchanted by the quality goods they couldn’t buy before despite having money, due to the butler. It was better to keep the atmosphere moderately positive.
“Our Duke said he would maintain regular exchanges with Lusenford from now on.”
This meant Ostein merchant ships would personally deliver whatever Lusenford wanted.
“Lusenford leather is quite useful.”
Lusenford had quite a few items to send to Ostein as well. Peon nodded.
“And…”
He beckoned to Johnny. The captain approached and leaned in.
“We’ve just discovered a gold mine, and Ostein is famous for its gold.”
The captain, from Ostein known for its gold craftsmanship and trade, met eyes with the young lady sitting beside the Grand Duke.
“Lusenford lacks expertise in this area, so I’d like to ask my father-in-law for help. Send it along with the leather this time. We have diamonds too.”
Lusenford had always been under the Emperor’s control, so going through Crania was expected. If Lusenford found a gold mine, it should implicitly go to the Emperor’s pocket. But they would trade through Ostein?
“Isn’t it natural for a father and daughter to be close?”
So does this mean the Princess will lead this trade? Catching Johnny’s gaze, Kaela glanced at Peon. Her inscrutable husband just smiled slightly. This was definitely a trade deal Ostein should secure.
“Isn’t that right, My Lady?”
Kaela, quick to calculate as the Princess of Ostein, nodded for now. Peon smiled deeply. Lusenford and Ostein would grow closer.
