CHAPTER 25
Now that she wasn’t coming back, it would be difficult to see her again.
He himself was headed toward the eastern border, and once he returned, he’d be too busy in the capital to have any time to meet her.
This was clearly the opportunity he’d wished for—a chance to put distance between them.
‘So why does my chest feel so tight?’
He hadn’t eaten much, but for some reason, it felt like his insides were twisted and heavy, like a bad case of indigestion. Raphael furrowed his brows, picturing Louisa’s calm face when she had told him she would devote herself to her treatment.
‘Still, to leave without a single word to her fiancé? Seriously…’
A flood of emotions passed through him. Anger, frustration, worry, and a strange sense of emptiness.
‘Did she really stop liking me?’
His throat bobbed slightly. It seemed the whirlwind of thoughts was gradually building up layers of unfamiliar emotions.
And suddenly, he wanted to know.
Would these vague feelings settle if he could just sort through this mess in his head? Could he go back to being the unaffected person he once was?
It seemed like the only way to find out was to meet her again.
As soon as Andy arrived at the palace, he rushed straight to the Commander’s office after hearing Raphael was looking for him.
“Commander, I heard you called for me.”
“The list?”
There was no time for small talk. The moment the door opened, Raphael went straight to the point, and Andy, caught off guard, quickly held out the folder he had been carrying.
“Right here, sir.”
“No, not the Royal Knights’—ours. Sir Kyle said you had it.”
“Oh, that one? It’s in the office, sir.”
“Go get it.”
“Yes, sir!”
It wasn’t the kind of tone that left room for questions. With an urgency like his feet were on fire, Andy dashed off to retrieve the document and returned quickly, breathless.
Back at the desk he had stood at barely a minute ago, he finally caught his breath. But Raphael didn’t even glance at him. His eyes stayed fixed on the pages he flipped through, his expression far from ordinary.
“There aren’t enough people assigned to the North.”
“Yes, sir. We moved a few from the northern team to strengthen the eastern border.”
“The North is also in a state of emergency. This division isn’t balanced.”
“I’ll revise it immediately!”
“No need. I’ll do it now.”
Now?
Andy blinked in confusion and lowered his tensed shoulders slightly.
Raphael, without hesitation, lowered his pen to the document.
“Monsters are running rampant in the North, so the strongest person should go.”
“Well, yes, but—”
Raphael’s intense gaze lifted from the document and settled on Andy.
“That means I’ll go.”
Andy was sure he had misheard.
Just a few days ago, Raphael had insisted on personally checking the sanctified flower issue at the eastern border. Now this? The decision came far too quickly and easily.
Raphael had been the one warning everyone that a weakened sanctified flower—used to repel demonic energy—could lead to major danger. And now, he was just… changing the plan?
Moreover, he had never reversed a decision this way before. For Andy, it was just too much to process.
“…Sorry, could you repeat that?”
Though Andy had been trying to stay under the radar recently, sensing his commander wasn’t in great shape, he had no choice but to question him now.
“Put my name on the northern dispatch list.”
But Raphael, as if deaf to any objections, simply repeated himself—solemn as ever, nodding once for emphasis.
Andy was now convinced.
Something’s definitely wrong with our commander.
“Ugh, it’s cold.”
Louisa shivered suddenly and pulled the shawl tighter around her shoulders. She glanced over her shoulder for no real reason, then looked toward the fireplace beside her.
The steady crackle of burning logs filled the air, and her eyes naturally drifted to the window, wondering if there was a draft.
Outside, bare tree branches quivered in the wind. The contrast between the cozy room and the frozen landscape drew her gaze for a moment, making her forget the chill.
It was almost summer in the rest of the Empire, but in the North, it was still winter.
At least it wasn’t snowing. That was the only relief. But the bitter, biting wind made stepping outside a fantasy.
‘Not that I planned to go out anyway, but now I’m pretty much locked in my room for convalescence.’
There was a greenhouse, sure, but it had been neglected for some time and was now under urgent repairs. So for now, she was stuck indoors, sipping tea all day.
Louisa picked up the letter she had set down earlier and resumed reading from where she left off.
“…I should’ve updated you on our progress sooner, but I’ve been so focused on the work that I neglected my manners.
Thanks to your generous advice and investment, the Rosé wine’s completion has sped up considerably.
As you suggested, we performed the sediment removal process, and the flavor has improved dramatically. I’m eagerly awaiting the end of the fermentation period.
I’m dying to show you the results. If it’s alright with you, I’d love to visit in person with the finished product. Please forgive me for not seeing you off to the North. I would be grateful if you’d allow me to make up for it with this visit.
With utmost respect,
—Albert Rosé”
Louisa folded the letter with a contented smile.
She had subtly hinted that she’d be in the North if he wanted to get in touch, and he’d not only accepted the suggestion but responded with enthusiasm.
‘He’s not just talented—he’s genuinely kind. And he’s good-looking too. Once the money starts rolling in, he’ll have it all.’
Honestly, Raphael and Saenph were just abnormally radiant. Albert, on the other hand, was a solid, handsome upgrade from the average man—not an exaggeration at all.
Louisa, smiling like a well-fed cat, basked in the warmth of the fireplace and pulled out some paper and a quill.
‘All I need to do now is prepare the label and luxury packaging.’
Her background in design from her past life was finally coming in handy. It felt oddly nostalgic to sketch concepts on paper again.
She didn’t exactly want to do it, but she was enjoying it too. A strange mix.
Gradually, her body leaned closer and closer to the table, until she was half-lying over it, chin resting on her arm as she scribbled ideas.
Then, a knock broke the silence, and she looked up.
With a flick of her wrist, the bell on the table jingled, and the door opened. Footsteps approached the terrace side.
“Young Lady, it’s time to head to the temple.”
It was Mary, the maid who had insisted on coming with her to the North.
“Oh… that’s today?”
“Yes, miss!”
Mary’s enthusiastic reply didn’t help. Louisa stayed slumped over the table, unmoving.
“Young Lady, please! You picked today for the appointment yourself.”
“Yeah. What was I thinking…”
She did want to meet the healing priest, but now that she was here, it didn’t feel urgent. She’d run into him eventually, right?
She had just told herself she wouldn’t be leaving the room anytime soon—and now here she was, about to leave. Louisa sighed deeply as Mary tugged at her arm, pulling her upright.
“Hmm… I’m wearing a cloak anyway. Can’t I just wear this? No one will see what’s underneath.”
“Of course not! That’s an indoor dress, Young Lady. I brought something more practical. This brown cloak is surprisingly light!”
Mary held up a simple ivory dress and a dark brown fur-lined bürnu. She was clearly not backing down until Louisa got changed.
With a resigned expression, Louisa let Mary help her dress.
She changed into the dress, tied her long hair into a half-updo, and Mary came over with the cloak, holding it wide open for her to slip into easily.
“Oh! And Assistant Brown will be accompanying us. He’s waiting downstairs.”
“Brown? Why?”
“I’m not sure. He was carrying a small box, though…”
A box?
Louisa’s mind flashed to the box the Duke had brought from the palace not long ago.
‘He’s taking that to the temple? To give to the priest?’
She tilted her head curiously and slowly stepped out of the room.
“What’s that?”
Indeed, it was the same box the Duke had brought back from the Imperial Palace. Brown was holding it. Louisa stared at it for a moment before asking, casually but curiously.
“One of the sanctified flowers discovered in the East—tainted by miasma.”
She was surprised by how willingly he answered.
Noticing her puzzled expression, Brown added matter-of-factly, “There’s no reason to hide anything from you regarding House Blake. The Duke specifically instructed us to prioritize your needs. So if you’re curious, feel free to ask anything.”
“…Hmm.”
Louisa tilted her head slightly with an odd expression.
She had thought her relationship with the Duke was strained, but maybe it wasn’t as cold as she assumed.
He had always granted her requests without complaint, though it sometimes felt more like indifference. But perhaps it wasn’t that simple—it was all a bit ambiguous.
Pale northern sunlight bathed one side of Louisa’s face like it was trying to coax a bud to bloom. Shadows from her tilted head rippled across the other side like gentle waves.
