IRBSGHC 08

Episode 08

That night, the maids busily washed and wiped Elia from head to toe. Once the grooming was done, she slipped into the nightdress Yuri had handed her and sat on the bed.

On the table sat a single bottle of grain wine.

“So even if my attitude changes… the situation doesn’t.”

She had been slightly hopeful, but as the night deepened and Felix failed to appear, a pang of disappointment settled over her.

“Ugh. I suppose I’ll have to drink this myself.”

Feeling unsettled, Elia poured the grain wine into a glass.

In the Empire, nobles often drank wine, but in the North, grain wine was the preferred beverage. People of all ages and ranks enjoyed it.

In the North, where temperatures could freeze running noses instantly, strong liquor was favored to endure the biting cold.

She sighed and drank it all at once. The bitter liquid coursed through her veins, spreading warmth to her chilled body.

Already her head spun, lightheaded from the single glass.

“I thought I’d be waiting, but it seems I’ve started alone.”

A low, cavernous voice cut through her dizzying thoughts.

He had clearly just bathed; his hair was damp, and glimpses of pale, firm skin appeared between his robe.

“You… still look incredible.”

The robe threatened to fall open, then settled back into place. Thick muscles came into view, and Elia’s breath caught.

“Eh? What do you mean…?”

“Look, Fel. Your scars… they’re not grotesque at all. They’re almost like a work of art.”

Her blue eyes, long since unguarded, traced the line of his scar from cheek to neck. She ran her fingertips gently along the textured skin.

“…!”

Each touch made Felix’s Adam’s apple ripple like waves.

“Hold me, Fel.”

Elia reached out and wrapped her hands around his neck.

Felix had turned to this room at Andrew’s urging, suggesting he at least visit Elia on her first night in the North.

He had not intended to leave her alone. Though he boldly declared he wished to consummate their marriage that night, a tremor he could not hide betrayed his anxious heart.

“So I came… but now…”

Felix let out a wry laugh at the unexpected situation.

Supporting Elia’s delicate waist with one arm, he pressed a hand to his forehead. Her body felt limp, drained of energy.

“What on earth… do you think I am?”

Felix was no saint. A faint, intoxicating scent of roses clung to her soft, warm skin.

He gritted his teeth and lifted her lightly, thinking: Am I really going mad?

Though she was already intoxicated, though every move seemed absurd, his eyes kept returning to the small, soft body in his grasp.

He laid her gently onto the bed, raising an arm as if to remove her hands from his neck.

“Hm, leaving so soon, Fel?”

“…Could it be that ‘Fel’ is short for Felix? Why use such a familiar nickname…”

She muttered it aloud, unaware of whom she was addressing—but the drunken woman kept calling him ‘Fel’.

Just as he was about to respond, a sudden chill brushed him.

Soft, warm lips pressed against his cheek.

Time seemed to halt. Her scent teased him, her body inviting. Instinctively, he leaned in to kiss her—but then—

Thwack!

Her hands fell away.

“…!”

“Mmm… yum, yum~.”

Elia had already closed her eyes, murmuring softly as she drifted into sleep.

“Hah, what on earth is this woman!”

Felix ran a hand through his hair in exasperation.

Turning to leave in frustration, he paused, returning to gaze at her as though ready to devour her.

She slept, innocent and utterly unaware.

Only a long sigh escaped him.

Bang!

The door slammed shut roughly, footsteps echoing hurriedly down the corridor.

In the dense darkness, Elia awoke, shivering.

It seemed to still be early dawn, yet her body had not acclimated to the North’s bitter chill.

“Huh? Did I walk to the bed by myself?”

Pulling the soft blankets closer, she tried to steady herself. Clearly, Felix had not come late last night.

“I thought everything would go smoothly once I came to the North….”

Her slight hope faded; it seemed too early to make any requests.

Frustrated, she rose and ventured to the door. The hallway was filled with the cold, blue dawn light—it felt far colder than her room.

Wrapped in a thick shawl, Elia shivered as she descended the stairs.

Candles flickered in their holders, bending with every draft.

“Ah? My lady, why are you awake…?”

She looked up at the voice. The butler took a step forward.

“I can’t sleep.”

“…Really? That’s odd. His Grace should be sleeping now.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

Startled, Elia had forgotten the early hour, speaking louder than intended.

“Last night, His Grace visited your room late, but you were fast asleep. Seems the cold woke you. I’ll add more firewood.”

“Ah… it’s fine. It’s just… never mind. I’ll go back to my room first.”

Her face flushed pink at the thought: Could it have been him who moved me to bed?

Her heart fluttered, unsure if it was from confusion or anticipation.

“I hope I didn’t do anything ridiculous while drunk…”

She barely drank in her previous life, having been poorly fed in the Marquisate.

She exhaled, a mist forming in the cold air. Why did I drink at all? Things were not going according to plan, as expected.

For some reason, Felix and Jeremy were nowhere to be seen from that day onward. Elia ate alone at every meal.

“This won’t do…”

She put down her fork and rose.

“Yulia.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Could you tell me where Jeremy is right now?”

“Ah… shall I guide you to the young master’s room?”

“He should be in his room at this hour, right?”

“Of course. It’s only 8 a.m., before lessons begin.”

Yuri’s eyes shone with attentiveness.

“S-So… shall we go?”

Elia was slightly surprised at her sudden eagerness.

“Yes. I’ll guide you.”

On the way, Yuri explained about Jeremy.

“The young master is far more mature than most children his age. He’s sensitive in many ways, but that comes from having suffered a lot, I think.”

“Suffered?”

Elia paused at the word.

“I can’t speak in detail. I just feel that you, my lady, see him only positively…”

Yuri’s expression darkened slightly.

‘Suffered… is she talking about the Grand Duchess dying giving birth to Jeremy?’

Her chest tightened. Even returning to the past, she knew little about the child.

“I’ve known so little… how pathetic I was.”

They reached Jeremy’s room. The child had apparently just exited; he froze at the sight of her, then darted down the corridor before she could call him.

“…Yuri, that was Jeremy, right?”

“Yes, yes… I think so?”

“Does he dislike me that much…?”

Yuri grabbed Elia’s hands suddenly.

“No! He’s just embarrassed. Last time, he was so thrilled with the treats you gave him…”

“Really?”

“Ahaha… I wasn’t supposed to tell, but better not to be misunderstood. Though it was supposed to be a secret…”

Yuri continued rambling, guilt written across her face. Elia smiled, gently gripping Yuri’s shoulder.

“Yuri , calm down. No one’s going to scold you.”

“Ah, I got too flustered…”

“It’s fine.”

Elia patted her shoulder lightly, smiling.

Sixteen years lay ahead of her.

“First, I need to get closer to Jeremy, little by little.”

She decided to approach him slowly over the coming years.

“Shall we guide him back to his room, my lady?”

“Yes.”

Together, they set off.

It had been about a month since she returned to the past.

Outside the castle, a fierce snowstorm raged. Even the river at the outer edge of the grounds had frozen over.

The harshest season in northern Artizen had arrived.