Chapter 38
After sending a reply saying she would post a notice looking for apprentices and hoped the rumor would spread even to the capital, Yuri went on with her life with little expectation.
She was confident she wouldn’t be disappointed even if no one came.
…Well, maybe her feelings would be hurt just a little.
Still, she was trying not to dwell on it. The more you hoped, the greater the disappointment when things didn’t turn out as you wanted.
Even so, the Archduchess was out and about every day.
What on earth is she doing?
Now that the notice was posted, wasn’t it enough to just wait?
Yuri had tried to arrange tea time and similar occasions, but each time he heard she was out, he grew increasingly frustrated and sulky.
“Did she go out again today?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The Archduchess’s maid bowed deeply, her face full of regret.
“Even though I said I was looking for her?”
“Ah… should I have told her?”
At his words, the maid jerked her head up, then quickly bowed again, realizing her mistake.
The absurdity of it all went so far that Yuri didn’t even feel regret anymore. Letting out a derisive snort, he waved his hand dismissively and headed toward the training grounds.
No one was looking for him, his mood was low—he decided to clear his head with some intense training.
“……”
No, but not even passing on the message? That was too much.
“Noah. Go tell that maid from earlier to make sure the Archduchess hears that I was looking for her today.”
Lowering the wooden sword he had been holding, Yuri gave the order in a sullen voice.
Granted, he had emphasized that it wasn’t anything important—but still.
If I’ve come looking for her for days, shouldn’t she get the hint?
As he resumed swinging his sword, the blade cut sharply through the air. It was nothing but petty irritation.
Yuri beat the wooden dummy until it looked half-dead, only letting go of the sword after his shirt was soaked with sweat.
The sword fell with a dull thud, its tip leaving a circular mark in the dirt.
Even that annoyed him. Without knowing why, he rubbed at it roughly with his foot.
“I’m sorry. I heard from Ellie and came right away. It sounded like you were very angry.”
At that moment, the Archduchess’s voice settled softly against his ear.
He turned his head sharply and saw her—dressed as if she had just returned from an outing.
She was wrapped tightly in a worn coat. Before he could even question her clothes, she hurried toward him and reached out, cupping his cheek.
“How long were you out here? Your face is all red.”
“…It’s not that bad.”
“It is. And you’re dressed so lightly.”
As she spoke, she tried to take off her own scarf to give it to him, seemingly unaware of how frail her own body was.
Raising his hand to stop her, Yuri looked her over, his expression easing slightly.
Her hair, usually neatly combed, was tousled by the rough wind, and her heaving chest showed just how hurriedly she had come.
More than anything, her cheeks—flushed as red as his—stood out clearly, leaving him no room to criticize.
“You should be the one dressing warmly. And, uh… cover your wrists too.”
Perhaps because she was so bundled up, the little bits of exposed skin caught his eye even more.
Gesturing vaguely toward her hands, Yuri cleared his throat and carefully moved on to his next question.
“Where have you been running around so busily these past few days?”
“Oh, I’ve been going around the city.”
For someone so hard to catch, Cecilia answered surprisingly easily.
Even knowing that, his doubts weren’t resolved.
Yuri’s eyebrow rose slightly.
“Why there?”
Sure, it was fine to go sightseeing occasionally, but not to the point of going day after day.
“The best place to pick up rumors is where there are lots of people.”
The Archduchess replied as if it were obvious. Seeing his expression, Cecilia realized he needed more explanation and kindly elaborated.
“The merchants already seem to have heard that tapestries are becoming popular in the capital. I was curious how much demand there might be, so I went around listening to what they had to say.”
“Hm.”
Hearing that made him curious about the results. Yuri folded his arms, mulling over her words.
“Why don’t you come with me next time?”
His tightly crossed arms nearly loosened on their own.
Still wearing a stoic expression, Yuri tilted his head slightly, as if he’d misheard.
“Was that meant for me?”
“Is there anyone else here?”
Cecilia answered casually, shrugging her shoulders.
“It might be nice to get some fresh air. And it should be interesting, too.”
“And what would we do there?”
“Nothing special. Just ask whether business has been good lately, or if they’ve heard any rumors about trends in the capital. That alone is enough.”
“And they’ll answer?”
“They’ll talk your ear off.”
At her response, Yuri let out a small chuckle.
Normally, he would have refused—but…
I decided to stick close to the Archduchess.
Maybe going out together wouldn’t be so bad. Maintaining an indifferent expression, Yuri nodded.
“I suppose I can spare a day.”
“Then tomorrow?”
“…All right.”
The plan came together a bit sooner than he’d expected, but it was manageable.
After all, he’d already made several visits just to spend time with her.
At his acceptance, Cecilia smiled, her eyes curving gently.
“Great. Then shall we meet before lunch?”
“Why? Wouldn’t it be better to eat first and then go out?”
“There’s something I want you to try. You can look forward to it—I worked hard these past few days to find a good place.”
“Oh, honestly.”
Watching the confident Archduchess, Yuri’s expression softened.
He barely managed to restrain the hint of a smile tugging at his lips, curling his hand into a fist and covering his mouth.
“Ahem. Then I’ll look forward to it.”
At his reply, Cecilia smiled brightly.
It was such a refreshing smile that even the last lingering knot in his chest seemed to wash away.
It was a morning when he woke unusually early.
Yuri ate breakfast as usual, finished his morning training, and then immediately prepared to go out.
Though he sometimes went out to inspect the territory, it had been a long time since he’d gone strolling through the city for personal reasons.
He pulled out the neatest clothes he owned, holding them up again and again, before sighing and putting them back.
It was just a short outing. There was no need to make such a fuss.
In the end, he put on clothes similar to what he usually wore and compromised by draping his finest coat over them.
With his hands shoved deep into his pockets, he headed downstairs.
His calm expression cracked the instant he spotted his wife.
“You’re going out dressed like that?”
“Of course. I wore something similar yesterday too.”
Spreading her arms wide, Cecilia spun in place. The worn hem of her skirt puffed out in a circle, then slowly settled back down.
It wasn’t unwearable, but still…
“Why?”
“Why? If we go out looking like obvious nobles and ask, ‘How are things these days?’ do you think we’ll get honest answers? And what about you—what kind of outfit is that?”
Seeing her frown as if stating the obvious, he was left speechless.
Was that really how it worked?
Hearing her reasoning, it did sound convincing—but there was one problem.
“The people of the territory will recognize my face.”
“Hmm.”
At his words, Cecilia hummed thoughtfully.
Linking her arms, she looked up at him, pondering silently, before lifting her hand and unwinding the scarf wrapped around her own neck.
She draped it around his instead, carefully adjusting it. As she did, her slender fingers brushed lightly against his cheek.
“This should cover your face somewhat. Wouldn’t that work?”
Stepping back to admire her handiwork, a satisfied smile appeared on Cecilia’s face.
“Of course, it’d be even better if you wore a hat too.”
With that, she called a servant and asked for a hat that could be pulled low.
While that was happening, Yuri said nothing, burying his face a little deeper into the scarf she had wrapped around him.
A faint scent of orange blossoms lingered.
