Episode 12
Eleonore could recognize Walter’s nephew at a glance.
Black hair, clear and handsome features, and blue eyes similar to Walter’s—though much softer.
Peter looks exactly the same as I remember.
Feeling both bitterness and regret, Eleonore walked toward the group of traveling musicians.
The musicians stiffened in surprise when they saw strangers approaching.
Some even stood up and tried to move farther away from Eleonore and Walter.
Normally, if ordinary people approached, these musicians would happily start talking and offer to play music.
But they could tell Eleonore and Walter were people of high status, and that made them afraid.
“W-why have such noble people come to a place like this?”
A middle-aged woman who seemed to be the leader of the musicians gathered her courage and asked.
“We are not here to harm you, so do not be too afraid.”
Eleonore answered honestly, but it did not help much.
In fact, the musicians became even more nervous because of Eleonore’s elegant and formal way of speaking, which felt even more refined than most nobles.
Eleonore did not try harder to calm them.
After all, she had lived her whole life believing that everyone should fear those they must fear.
“What is your name?”
“C-Chloe.”
Eleonore asked the middle-aged musician, and she answered.
“Good, Chloe. I want to invite you all to the Lord’s Castle.”
“E-excuse me?”
Chloe looked shocked.
Interestingly, Walter was not surprised.
Even he knew that saying they came to look for a specific child would only create unnecessary trouble and rumors.
“Y-you mean… us?”
“Yes. A grand banquet will soon be held in Pertitz. At that time, food and drinks will also be given to the common people in the castle. I would like you to provide music there.”
“Ah, if that’s the case!”
After hearing the explanation, Chloe and the other musicians all looked relieved.
In fact, the reason they came to Pertitz was because they heard that the lord would soon marry, and they hoped to earn money by performing.
Also, it was not unusual for a lord to invite traveling musicians or entertainers to perform for the common people.
Of course, it’s rare for nobles to personally come and ask like this.
Eleonore thought while watching the excited musicians.
Normally, the musicians would go to the castle first and ask if they could perform.
“We are ready anytime!”
Chloe said while strumming her old lute.
“We can play joyful songs, sad songs, and even story songs! Please give us a good word to the lord and his wife.”
It seemed the musicians did not realize that Eleonore and Walter themselves were the lord and his wife.
Eleonore felt a little strange being mistaken for a servant, but she stayed silent.
In the past she would have made a big scene.
But after dying once and coming back to life, she at least knew how to tell what was truly important.
Also, there was that mysterious restriction—if she shouted too loudly, she would receive a warning message.
“Then let’s go to the residence we manage right now.”
“Now? Right away?”
“The wedding is not far away. And the Lord of Pertitz is very generous. He will not mind feeding and housing you.”
Eleonore added this in case someone in the group might try to leave if they waited too long.
“Free food and lodging!”
Thankfully, the musicians were extremely happy to hear that.
“Follow me.”
Eleonore led Walter and the musicians toward the inn first.
Right now, she could not immediately take them to the castle where Katarina and Simone were waiting.
“W-why are there knights here…?”
The musicians became frightened and slowly stepped back when they saw the knights waiting at the inn.
“They will guard the banquet area. They wanted to hear your music first, so we brought you here specially. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Eleonore quickly spoke when she noticed they might run away.
“Ah… I see…”
The musicians nodded awkwardly.
It was not completely unusual for servants or knights to ask musicians to perform privately.
“Alright, sing a song. If it’s good, we might give you a few coins.”
Fortunately, Walter’s knights were quick-witted.
They immediately understood Eleonore’s intention and played along.
“Then stay here until your temporary rooms are prepared in the castle. Since you will perform at the banquet, you must not run away now.”
Eleonore settled the situation and left the knights to watch them.
Then she brought Walter back upstairs.
“Did you recognize your nephew?”
“…There was one boy with clear blue eyes.”
As soon as the door closed, Eleonore asked, and Walter answered quietly.
“If Miss Vianello did not lie to me, then that child must be… my nephew, Peter.”
Walter rarely showed emotion.
To others, he still looked expressionless.
But Eleonore could tell he was feeling deep sadness.
Even though their marriage had not been good in her previous life, she had still spent several years observing him.
His cousin Dietrich—the one he was very close to—was killed by a plot from the Imperial Family.
Eleonore recalled the story she had heard in her previous life.
The Imperial Family tried to eliminate all possible threats. To protect the only heir, the loyal servants secretly helped the child escape.
And in reality, all of Dietrich’s close supporters later died mysterious deaths.
At first the child had proper guardians, but during the pursuit he lost them and ended up alone.
Thinking about a twelve-year-old child wandering alone to survive made Eleonore feel heavy in her heart.
In my previous life, when the child was finally found, he was outside the castle walls… living with beggars. At least this time we found him earlier.
For a moment, Eleonore remembered the scene from her previous life when she first saw Peter enter the castle looking like a beggar.
“First, we must deal with bringing the musicians into the castle.”
Eleonore shook off the memory and spoke to Walter.
“Didn’t we already say they will perform at the banquet?”
Walter answered calmly.
Eleonore looked at him with new disappointment.
“As long as I am involved in this matter, having an excuse alone will not be enough to bring them into the castle.”
“Why?”
“Because your…”
Your mother and sister are eagerly waiting for a chance to trouble me.
Eleonore almost said it, but instead she let out a long sigh.
There’s no point telling him about Katarina and Simone now. He will only think I’m insulting his family.
Even if Walter was not especially affectionate with his family, Eleonore believed he would still side with them.
Better to endure it for now. I’m not the foolish woman I used to be.
Remembering her secret advantage—“Restart”—Eleonore spoke again.
“Anyway, we have not officially held our wedding yet. If I personally bring the musicians to the castle, some people will not like it.”
“…I see.”
“And you would not want even the smallest trouble when bringing your nephew into the castle, right?”
“…When you put it that way, Miss Vianello has a point.”
Walter finally nodded.
“Then I will return to the castle first. And keep it secret that we met today in the outer castle.”
Eleonore began explaining her plan.
“Please say that inviting the musicians was entirely your own decision. And when you return to the castle, as promised…”
Eleonore took a deep breath before continuing.
“…as promised, please act as my husband.”
Silence filled the room.
What? Why isn’t he answering immediately?
Eleonore looked suspiciously at Walter.
Surprisingly, his face showed a slight look of awkwardness.
…Huh?
She tilted her head in confusion. Even in her previous life, she had never seen that expression on his face.
Then Walter finally spoke in his stiff voice.
“This… acting as husband and wife.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
