~Chapter 97~
No one welcomed Rishar’s return warmly.
As in many strict noble families, even his parents had always kept their distance, treating him only as the heir. There had been formal greetings and farewells, but no visible affection.
“I heard His Highness the Crown Prince has returned to the palace. You must have suffered alone. I should have been by your side, Duke.”
Rishar clenched his fists to hide the fear and emptiness he had felt at the thought of losing her. While he tried to swallow down his negative emotions, Ancia stepped up to him first.
“Are you alright? Your complexion doesn’t look good.”
Worried, she drew close and whispered:
“Did that wicked Crown Prince bully you? Did you get scolded because of me?”
If that were true, Ancia felt wronged. She had only prepared herself for the banquet, not knowing Kyleus would suddenly leave.
Looking at Rishar’s pale face and stiff expression, she was sure Kyleus must have pressed him harshly. Wanting to comfort him, Ancia smiled sweetly and gently took his clenched hand. The stone-like grip slowly loosened, and he clasped her hand back.
“Now that the Crown Prince has left, please rest well.”
Rishar didn’t want to question her while she looked at him with such gentle concern, but he slowly spoke.
“You slipped away from your escorts, I heard.”
“…What? Escorted?”
Ancia widened her eyes as if she didn’t understand. Rishar’s gaze turned toward the maids behind her. They had been quietly watching their masters with fond smiles. When they felt Rishar’s stare, they bowed their heads slightly, but showed no signs of suspicion. Only the escorts behind them hung their heads low, guilty for failing their duty.
Thinking he needed to confirm the situation, Rishar pulled Ancia gently into his arms. She let out a small sound of surprise, then leaned her head against him. Her body felt warmer than usual.
“Do you have a fever?”
“Oh, today I found a very good herbal bath. That’s why my body feels warm and I’m in good condition.”
“Herbal bath?”
“It’s only used by common women. Ah, but that’s a secret between women.”
She winked as if sharing a secret. Rishar felt his suspicions and worries wash away at her innocent smile.
“Oh my.”
He lifted her into his arms.
This time, instead of complaining about servants watching, Ancia wrapped her arms around his neck. She tilted her head at the feel of his unusually tense shoulders.
“Are you nervous?”
The playful question eased his stiff face a little.
“No. I’m fine now.”
Nearby, Arthur had been watching with a stern face, but when Ancia looked at him, he gave an awkward smile.
Still worried something serious had happened, Ancia leaned her head against Rishar’s shoulder and whispered:
“Actually, I went to a women-only bathhouse. They say the entrance is narrow and tricky, so unless you know the way, you easily get lost.”
Afraid he might punish the escorts, she confessed with a half-truth.
Rishar nodded, deciding to order a check later, then walked quickly back into the mansion.
Since his reaction seemed positive, Ancia forgot she had said it was a secret and began proudly telling him about the bathhouse: how many different baths there were, how she had used a private one thanks to her maid, and how the large scrubbing lady’s hands were so skillful her skin felt newly peeled.
Rishar’s eyes flashed dangerously at that, but she soothed him by showing her smooth, rosy arms.
Ancia truly loved the bathhouse that warmed her frozen body. Gwinted was full of surprises.
During the festival, she had noticed that behind the people’s roughness was sincerity and kindness. She felt it again now, and sincerely praised the land.
“I like Gwinted.”
“You must really like the commoners’ bathhouse.”
“That too. But also, during the festival, I saw that people here aren’t only scary.”
“Scary?”
“Well, they’re all big and expressionless, so a little…”
“…That’s true.”
“But now I know. They’re actually passionate when given the chance, and very grateful even for small kindnesses.”
“…I see.”
Rishar’s quick steps slowed. Hearing her praise his land made him listen more closely, and his mood lightened.
He found Ancia—chattering about her day in his arms—so precious and lovely.
This small, light woman could weigh so heavily on his heart, making it both fierce and tender. But no matter how heavy or frightening it felt, he would never let her go.
Rishar struggled to control the surging emotions. His smile twisted, and Ancia’s lively chatter faded.
“…Duke?”
“Wife.”
“Yes, Duke.”
“Ancia.”
Her heart pounded.
“Ancia Gwinted.”
“Yes, yes.”
His face slowly returned to its usual sternness. She couldn’t understand his sudden shift in emotions.
Carrying her still, Rishar turned aside to the magic stone storage room. Passing four guards, he approached the locked healing stone chest.
“Master, I’ll take it out for you.”
The manager was about to use the key when Rishar ripped the door off with one hand while holding Ancia in the other. The manager silently resolved to get a stronger lock.
Rishar filled a cloth pouch with healing stones, then casually picked up another full box. When Ancia lightly smacked his arm, the manager’s eyes widened, but Rishar simply took a third box as well.
Each box held ten stones. The manager couldn’t help asking:
“If you’re going on a subjugation, I’ll prepare plenty as supplies.”
“…They’re for personal use.”
“…What?”
Hearing his calm reply, Ancia’s face flushed scarlet as she smacked his arm and shoulder. The manager, stunned at the scene, wondered if his eyes had tricked him when he saw Rishar’s lips curve faintly in a smile.
“From now on, deliver one box a day.”
Before the manager could even ask where to send them, Rishar swiftly left the room.
With the number of stones owned by the Duke’s House, even discarding a box daily wouldn’t matter—but the confused manager had no idea why.
As the last month of the year came, Gwinted entered deep winter.
Usually, servants wore thickly lined clothes at this time, but this year was different. Countless small stoves had been installed, making the mansion warm everywhere.
Heating stones were placed all along the Duchess’s paths. Ancia protested it was wasteful, so half were removed, but still the staff were comfortable.
The secret herbal bath once used only by common women became popular after the paths were improved, earning good reputation among townsfolk. Herbal shops offering tea and foot baths opened, warming people in the cold. A bath culture spread across Gwinted.
Thanks to this trend, the estate’s economy revived. Visitors began to return, and imported goods and decorations brightened the mood.
Children’s laughter never ceased, and adults found relief in fuller purses.
Everyone knew these changes were because of Ancia.
Though she couldn’t visit the public bath again—since Rishar had built one just for her in a separate residence—she enjoyed the private herbal bath. Ellie and Bianca sometimes joined too.
Rishar hadn’t left the mansion for two months. His earlier beast hunts meant he didn’t need to go on expeditions.
So almost every night, Ancia found herself using up healing stones after enduring Rishar’s boundless stamina. She had hoped to adapt someday, but realized it was impossible. She was even used to seeing the manager silently leave a box of stones in the bedroom each day.
Letters from the Countess and Nathan at her family’s estate now brought more joy than sadness. Life in the Duke’s mansion gave her comfort.
The peaceful daily life was bliss.
But just as Ancia grew accustomed to happiness, news arrived:
The former Duchess, Margaret Gwinted, was coming.
