Chapter 6
One day, my second sister—the Marchioness of Roant—visited our territory before returning to the capital.
“Shua! My little one, are you alright? Have you been well?”
“I missed you, sister.”
“Let me hug you, my dear sister. Haven’t you lost even more weight? At this rate, you’ll be nothing but bones!”
From the moment she arrived, my second sister greeted me with her usual lively fuss. Just seeing her made me smile, and in an instant she brightened the entire surroundings as if she were born to bring warmth wherever she went.
After confirming that we were all well, we visited our family graveyard in the Mariel Count’s estate together, where our mother rested. We shared memories and quietly reminisced.
How deeply our mother had loved her three daughters. How much affection she had poured into both the main house and the territory. She was always like a gentle spring breeze—soft, warm, and smiling.
“I want to be like Mother—always kind to my children—but it’s so hard when it’s my own. When they’re quiet, it usually means they’re up to something… I really wonder how Mother never once got angry even when she saw that.”
“So your eldest is already five?”
“Yes. He’s full of energy, just like me. But apparently my husband was a troublemaker as a child too.”
My second sister looked quite happy. Despite being a mother of two sons, she still looked so young and beautiful. Among us siblings, she resembled our mother the most, which was why I honestly felt closer to her than to my eldest sister.
“More importantly, I’ve been curious—Shua, who is that man?”
“…Ash?”
“That’s his name?”
“Yes.”
I told her how I had met Ash. How I encountered him while transporting my mother’s remains back to the estate, how I treated his injuries, and how we had gradually grown close.
“I see. The way you two look at each other is definitely different.”
“Does it… really look like that?”
“Well, since we don’t know his status… but if Father is willing to pass the family title to you, does status even matter? What matters is his character. Even if you end up together, you’d still retain the countship anyway.”
She said she had no objection as long as he was a man who loved me sincerely. She also added that he didn’t seem like someone with ill intentions.
Then she suddenly smiled as if remembering something and clapped her hands lightly.
“I find it a bit amusing, actually. That man looks at you the same way my sons look at me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“A child feels safe just by seeing their mother, right? Even while playing, they come back just to check if I’m there. And once they see me, they run off again happily. That’s how he looks at you.”
“…Is that a good thing?”
“Men instinctively look for women who resemble their mothers. He said he lost his family, didn’t he? Maybe you remind him of his mother. That could be why he looks at you like that.”
My second sister, who sometimes joked that even her husband acted like another son among her three boys, seemed so happy. I envied her a little. I wanted that kind of happiness too.
It was late winter, just before spring arrived.
Even during the day, the wind was still cold enough that we wore thick winter cloaks as Ash and I walked through the quiet garden covered in soft white snow.
“Leshua.”
He, who had been walking silently beside me, called my name.
Soon it would be my birthday—and his was just half a month after mine. I had been thinking that perhaps it was time to deepen our relationship.
“Yes?”
“I think I need to return to my homeland for a while. I thought I should tell you before I leave.”
At his words, my heart turned cold, as if swallowed by a winter wind. I didn’t know what to say, so I simply looked at him.
He hadn’t yet said he would settle here… but I had assumed he would stay. Had I been wrong?
He had stayed longer than I expected, so I had unconsciously hoped he would remain.
But it seemed that wasn’t the case.
Still, he wasn’t someone who merely took without giving. After recovering, he had worked tirelessly to help the territory, earning even my father’s reluctant trust.
So perhaps I had assumed too easily that he would stay by my side.
And now, I couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
“…Are you leaving for good? Does that mean you won’t come back?”
“I can’t promise that.”
Standing there, he looked down at me with those light brown eyes that shimmered faintly. The sunlight reflected off the snow, making his gaze even more ethereal.
The thought that I might never see those eyes again made my chest ache.
I placed a trembling hand over my heart and asked again calmly.
“What do you mean… you can’t promise?”
“I have a ranch of my own. I’ve left it unattended for quite a while, so I’m not sure of its condition. Lately, there have also been reports of starving beasts appearing nearby.”
“Can I help you?”
“It’s dangerous. Since it’s been neglected, it may be even more dangerous now.”
He shook his head, then gave me the same gentle smile he always wore.
“Once I’ve taken care of everything safely, I will return. And if I do come back… I would like to spend my life with you. May I?”
My heart tightened painfully, a shiver running through my entire body.
If I hadn’t misheard him, then he also felt the same way I did.
The joy that he had chosen me—combined with the relief that he wasn’t truly leaving forever—overwhelmed me.
“…Of course. Of course I’ll wait. Until you come back. Always.”
I spoke firmly, then trembling, I removed the necklace from my neck and placed it in his hand.
“This is my mother’s keepsake. It’s mine now, but please… return safely and put it back on me when you come back.”
“To give me something so precious…”
“I like you that much, Ash. I want to be happy with you.”
It was the first time I confessed my true feelings. Even though I didn’t yet fully understand him, I couldn’t hide my heart anymore.
His scarred cheek turned slightly red. Not from the cold wind—but from happiness. He smiled so brightly his teeth showed.
Then he pulled me into his arms.
Before I could even process being held in his strong embrace, he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to mine.
The warmth melted softly against my skin. The kiss, warm enough to chase away the cold air, soaked into my heart.
“I feel the same. From the moment I boarded the carriage you were in, until now—my feelings have never changed.”
“If I said I felt destiny the moment I saw you, would you believe me?”
“I will return. Once everything is settled, I will come back and properly propose. I love you, Leshua.”
After confirming each other’s feelings, he left immediately without hesitation.
The nanny said it was quite heartless of him, but I didn’t think so. I believed he left quickly so that he wouldn’t hesitate and end up unwilling to leave.
‘I never thought something like a story would happen to me.’
From that day on, I waited for him every day with joy, praying earnestly for his safe return. I prepared a room for him, and even redesigned the room we would share after marriage—so that he could truly feel this place was home.
Winter passed, and spring arrived.
The land awakened, and noble gatherings and parties gradually resumed. Invitations poured in from everywhere.
I attended only the most important events and a few selected tea parties.
“Long time no see, Lady Mariel. It’s such a relief to see you alive and well.”
“Thank you for inviting me. I’m glad you’re safe as well.”
Because I had traveled straight from my estate to the capital, I arrived slightly late and was the last guest to enter. The hostess, Lady Tefern, visibly relaxed upon seeing me.
After exchanging greetings with familiar faces, I took my seat. As always, the main topic of conversation was the Empire.
“It’s still a mess. They say the emperor has already died several times since the succession crisis began.”
“Wasn’t it already the third emperor after the previous one passed away?”
“Yes. First the 2nd prince, then the 4th, and now the 3rd. It’s complete chaos.”
“It must be as terrible as the plague in our kingdom.”
Our Kingdom of Bient was one of the states under the Magentis Empire. Naturally, discussions about the Empire were always a major topic at gatherings like this.
Especially now, when things were so unstable.
Three years ago, after the sudden death of the previous emperor, the throne was taken not by the crown prince, but by the second prince. A struggle for the throne had erupted immediately after.
That turmoil unsettled not only the Empire but also our kingdom.
At that time, everywhere I went, there was no end to talk about the Empire.
Of course, I always quietly drank my tea, listening with one ear and letting it out the other.
“They say there are six imperial princes, including illegitimate ones.”
“After the 2nd prince killed the crown prince and seized the throne, the 4th prince assassinated him again, right?”
“So now only the 3rd, 5th, and 6th princes remain. And no one knows whether the others are alive or dead.”
“Who knows… maybe they’re all sharpening their blades for the throne.”
“And what happens if all the royals end up dead?”
