CMLMF 05

Chapter 5

The crow was so large it almost covered the entire window, and its beak was the size of a human face.

At the sound, Molek came running and knocked on the door.

“Madam, are you alright? May I come in?!”

“Yes, yes. You can come in.”

Even as Molek entered, the massive crow didn’t so much as glance his way. It continued to stare at Elledein, who was sitting collapsed on the floor beneath the window.

Clicking his tongue at the sight, Molek flung the window open and shouted:

“Get lost! You ill-mannered thing!”

“Kraaawk—!”

The crow let out a loud, harsh cry.

The sound pierced the ears like a scream. Elledein flinched and covered her ears, wincing. The crow stared at her a moment longer before flying off into the distance.

Molek sighed, shut the window, and held out a hand to her.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes… What was that? That’s not just a regular bird, right?”

“Uh… It’s just a bird.”

Molek paused briefly before answering awkwardly.

“Just… a really big bird.”

A moment of silence passed.

Elledein looked at Molek with disbelief. He avoided her gaze and cleared his throat.

“This is the North. Most beasts are that big around here. Truly.”

He sounded so confident that Elledein didn’t know how to respond. It was hard to believe, but as an outsider, it wasn’t really her place to question. She nodded reluctantly.

“Alright… Thanks.”

The last word was sincere.

It was the first time someone had come running out of concern when she screamed.

“Well… It’s only natural.”

Molek scratched his head awkwardly and grabbed the doorknob.

It was the first time in his life that someone had ever thanked him.

Serving the stoic duke, he was used to getting scolded more than appreciated. He blinked, quietly moved by the moment.

Elledein asked as he was about to leave:

“Ah, do you know when the Duke will return?”

“The master… hmm… Probably late at night. Don’t worry.”

After he left, Elledein carefully lay down on the bed and began to think.

Now that she was alone and calm, the reality of what she’d done started to sink in.

‘I’ve really escaped from them.’

She’d only been beaten by Baron Brian just yesterday, but it already felt so distant.

She rubbed her aching head and sat up.

‘I won’t let him down. He helped me.’

Just three years.

Elledein decided to devote that time solely to the Duke.

But to be of help, she had to figure out where to start.

‘…Should I clean, at least?’

When she stepped outside the room, she saw Molek leaning his head out the hallway window.

Approaching him hesitantly, she asked:

“Um… Could I borrow a broom?”

Molek tilted his head.

“A broom?”

“Yes, I think I should do some cleaning.”

“Cleaning?”

He was about to ask why she’d want to clean, but then a thought struck him, and he closed his mouth.

‘Ah! This must be one of those eccentric hobbies noble ladies have! This castle is spotless, but I guess I shouldn’t point that out. What a perfect chance to show off my competence!’

With a gentle smile, Molek brought her a broom and presented it with one knee on the ground—like a knight offering a sword to a king.

Elledein blinked, startled, and accepted the broom carefully.

She went downstairs to begin cleaning, but the first floor was a disaster—broken furniture and debris everywhere.

It was too much to move all at once, so she decided to at least sweep the floor.

With each sweep, a cloud of dust rose into the air.

“Cough, cough.”

The dust was so thick that even opening windows didn’t help much.

She didn’t rest, scrubbing and sweeping continuously. Still, it took her all day just to clean the right side of the main hall on the first floor.

She’d wanted to finish everything before the Duke returned.

Swallowing her frustration, she wrung out her rag.

After wandering through the dust for hours, she looked at the clock in the room she was cleaning.

The Duke would be back soon.

‘I’ll finish this last bit and then go wash up.’

Stretching her back, she looked around and noticed a bookshelf in the corner that was a bit grimy.

Thinking she’d just wipe off some dust, Elledein approached—but then stopped in her tracks at the sound of wind.

‘Wind?’

It wasn’t from the open windows.

It sounded more like… sobbing.

Was there a hole in the wall?

She peered around the bookshelf. As she investigated, she noticed a narrow space behind it.

She cautiously placed her hands on the shelf. It looked heavy, but with a little force, it slid aside easily.

“Whoa.”

Behind it was a rusted iron door.

It looked like something that belonged in a place like this castle. She let out a soft gasp of wonder.

What was this?

She pressed her ear to the door. The wind—or crying—was definitely coming from inside.

As she stared at it, curiosity crept in.

‘Maybe I should just peek a little?’

Normally she would’ve ignored something like this, but something about it pulled her in.

Just as she gripped the iron handle to open it, someone gently pressed the door closed from behind.

“I’d rather you not touch that.”

A low voice spoke above her head.

Startled by the sudden hand, Elledein recoiled and bumped her head into Fernan’s chest.

It was so firm it left her scalp stinging.

Rubbing the back of her head, she looked up.

He must’ve just returned—his clothes still smelled of cold wind.

“I’m sorry.”

Embarrassed by her reckless behavior, she couldn’t meet his eyes and lowered her head.

‘Did I scare her too much?’

Seeing her completely frozen, Fernan gently grabbed her shoulders.

“Elledein. Please look at me.”

Her pupils trembled.

She cautiously lifted her head to meet his gaze.

Fernan smiled softly.

“I’m not angry. If I frightened you, I apologize.”

His kind voice made her shake her head quickly.

He had nothing to apologize for.

“…How was your day?”

Trying to ease the tension, Fernan changed the subject.

“It… was fine.”

That ended the conversation.

The silence was awkward. Fernan scratched his cheek.

“You must be tired, and I’m holding you up. Please, rest.”

He spoke gently.

“Yes… Good night.”

Elledein bit her lip.

He hadn’t scolded her. He’d been kind.

That made her chest ache a little.

As she climbed the stairs, regret filled her.

‘Why did I do that? Anyone could tell it was off-limits. He must be angry… Of course he is—I poked around his house like it was mine.’

She could only sigh.

And her whole body was covered in dust from the day’s cleaning.

Looking in the mirror, she let out a hollow laugh.

‘I look like this? Still… he didn’t hit me.’

If it had been the Count or her ex-husband Baron Brian, they would’ve locked her up and beaten her for walking around the house in such a state.

Thinking of them, her mood sank.

“Shower first.”

She drew a bath and eased into the warm water. Her tense muscles finally relaxed.

She had braced herself to wash with cold water since there was no one to stoke the fire, but it seemed the water was always heated—perhaps because this was the Northern Duchy.

But… who heated the water? Could it be Molek?

Still, now wasn’t the time to wonder about that.

It had been so long since she’d had a warm bath like this.

“Ah… It’s warm.”

Anyone would describe this place as bleak and barren, but to her, it felt strangely peaceful.

Maybe because no one was rushing her out.

Or maybe… this place just had that kind of atmosphere.

She was both grateful and awkward about people’s kindness.

The thought made her smile faintly.