Chapter 78
After I Died, My Little Groom
Nadia couldn’t possibly misunderstand what Heinrich was talking about.
When she had stormed out of the Harvest Festival, Epion had followed her and committed a terrible act — something Heinrich surely knew.
In fact, anyone in high society would have heard about Epion’s arrogant behavior by now.
Yet, Nadia still had lingering doubts.
“Her Highness the Princess seemed like a wise person. His Majesty had only recently commended me, but I doubt she’d try to get closer to me because of that. Once my value fades, she’d have no reason to recruit me.”
Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight. For this year’s Harvest Festival, the main stars were clearly Nadia and the House of Hess.
But after just a week, everyone would forget. Even the Emperor who had bestowed her the award would move on — and Nadia would return to being a mere noblewoman from a rural territory.
However, Heinrich flatly disagreed with her judgment.
“Charlotte is the sort of person who waits for that moment. She may be an arrogant royal, but if someone is useful, she’ll keep them close — even a commoner. The wisdom and courage you displayed this time won’t be forgotten by her.”
It sounded like flattery, but this wasn’t the moment for modesty.
If the princess truly sought out capable people, then there was a fair chance she’d try to strike a deal with Nadia someday.
Nadia asked cautiously,
“What if… I wanted to become Her Highness’s person?”
“Someone with that much hunger for power wouldn’t build a garden like the one behind your mansion.”
Nadia couldn’t help but smile faintly, thinking of the quiet garden behind the Hess estate.
Then she rose and bent her knees slightly, bowing politely to Heinrich.
“It’s just as you expected, my lord. I’m too small-minded to want to mingle with the imperial family. Thanks to you, I can live peacefully — and I truly am grateful for that.”
When Nadia lifted her head, Heinrich extended his hand. As she gently took it, his grip tightened — pulling her close enough that, had she lost her balance, she would have fallen right into his lap.
Her heart began pounding rapidly.
Heinrich looked up at her, his voice low and soft.
“I’m not your superior, Nadia.”
“But…”
“You chose to stay by my side. I only offered the means to do so. We agreed to become lovers — so act like one.”
Nadia rarely found herself so flustered.
There was nothing wrong with what he said. It would be strange to act so formally when they were supposed to be lovers.
“…Yes.”
She nodded, though she had no idea what “acting like lovers” even meant.
Seeing her confusion, Heinrich’s red eyes narrowed slightly.
He held her hand a little tighter.
“Nadia, do you love me?”
His question was simple — yet filled with deep emotion. There was a desperate tone to his voice she had never heard before, not since they reunited.
As Nadia struggled to form words, Heinrich gave a wry smile.
“I know you feel… loyalty toward me. You love the North — so it makes sense. But tell me honestly. Can you see me as a man?”
“I…”
He reached out, his large hand brushing against her cheek. His finger gently wound a loose strand of her hair before tucking it behind her ear.
It was such a small gesture — yet it made her nape burn red.
Nadia had never been in love before, never received such direct words or looks from a man.
And this man was Heinrich.
Her heart swayed between two feelings — wanting to be honest about her emotions, and seeing him as the little boy she had once adored like a younger brother.
“Nadia.”
His low voice urged her to answer. Who knew a tone so deep could sound so sweet?
Finally, Nadia spoke, hesitantly but truthfully.
“It’s true that I’m loyal to you, but… I’m also drawn to you as a man. Because I feel both, I wanted even more to stay by your side.”
While she spoke, Heinrich caressed her cheek between his thumb and forefinger. Each gentle touch felt like a spark of fire.
“That’s not enough for me.”
“Then…”
“I want you to desire me, Nadia.”
Her eyes widened. She instinctively tried to step back, but his arm wrapped around her waist — firm yet gentle.
Heinrich rose from his seat, his tall frame towering over her.
Though his touch wasn’t forceful, she felt a strange certainty that she couldn’t escape his embrace.
“If not now, I’ll make it so someday.”
He tilted her chin up and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. Then, just as gently, he let her go.
Nadia stood frozen, her mind completely blank.
Even that night — when she’d been brave enough to blush and meet his eyes — seemed easier than this.
Maybe she had only accepted him so easily then because death had been so near.
Heinrich gazed down at her trembling figure and spoke softly.
“You should go rest. You’ll be seeing the Count of Hess again after a long time.”
Nadia blinked slowly, managing a faint bow.
“Yes, my lord. Thank you.”
Her steps as she left the room were clumsy and uneven.
Heinrich half-reached out to steady her, then clenched his hand into a fist and withdrew it.
Watching the door close behind her, he let out a bitter sigh.
“…As if you could ever love me.”
He couldn’t believe her words.
Nadia might have deceived him with well-crafted lies, pretending to be someone else entirely.
Even when he got close — this close — she never revealed her truth.
Each time they kissed, her innocent expression made his heart ache — a mixture of affection and resentment.
Was she keeping her distance to protect him from getting hurt?
Or was it all just another way to stay near him under false pretenses?
Heinrich didn’t believe she’d ever harm him.
But the words “I love you” — those, he could never trust.
“It doesn’t matter.”
His voice turned cold as frost.
If Nadia wished to remain by his side, he would make use of that kindness — even exploit it.
This time, he would never let anyone take her away.
Even if Death itself came for her, he would protect her — and make her his, completely.
During their stay in the capital, Nadia and the Count of Hess decided to reside at the Baldwin townhouse.
It was safer — especially with people like Epion and other powerful nobles still watching them.
“Or maybe,” Vivian teased, “you just don’t want to be apart from your new lover.”
Nadia shot her a sharp look.
“If I were you, my lady, I wouldn’t even mention going home. Who could leave such a handsome man behind?”
“Quiet, Vivian.”
Nadia cleared her throat, trying to suppress her embarrassment.
By now, the magic tutor Heinrich had arranged for her should be arriving. The last thing she wanted was to greet her teacher looking flustered and red-faced.
Thankfully, Vivian seemed to sense her mistress’s seriousness and fell silent, standing politely behind her.
Before long, a maid announced the visitor.
“Please, show them in.”
The woman who entered was younger than Nadia had expected — perhaps in her late twenties, or early thirties at most.
Her short, wavy brown hair made her look even younger.
“Good afternoon, Lady Hess. I’m Gwen Meyer, introduced by Duke Baldwin.”
Her voice was cool and clear — pleasant to the ear.
She wasn’t an extravagant beauty, but her gentle features made anyone feel at ease.
Nadia blinked, slightly surprised.
She hadn’t expected magicians to be eccentric, per se — but surely someone skilled enough to teach magic would be a bit more… unusual.
Yet Gwen shattered that assumption entirely. She seemed bright, warm, and full of life.
