#154. Wind (4)
Naina, who had been stomping about in frustration, finally managed to calm her breathing.
Glaring at Sasha with lingering resentment, she spoke through gritted teeth:
“…You’re unusually generous to your subordinates.”
“Me? Well… I just don’t act recklessly and treat people with respect as fellow humans,” Sasha replied lightly.
“Fellow humans, you say…”
At last, Naina’s eyes lit up with a thrill, as if she’d found her chance.
“Does she feel any sense of equality with such lowly people? Not at all befitting a Grand Duchess,” Naina scoffed.
The condescending tone and mocking expression were all too familiar to Sasha.
For a moment, she recalled the people of the previous Grand Ducal Castle, who had once looked down on her origins.
‘Ah, that’s right. It’s been a while since I heard such words… hearing them now feels oddly refreshing.’
Though it was natural to feel anger at being insulted, Sasha remained calm.
Even Pavel, who had been quietly observing her while mingling with others from afar, didn’t notice anything unusual.
This in turn made Naina’s expression shift, perplexed.
‘Does this woman not understand any insult I throw at her? Could she really be that stupid?’
But Naina’s misconception didn’t last long.
Sasha spoke leisurely, as if savoring the moment.
“…It’s curious to hear such words not from just anyone, but from you, Naina.”
“Eh? What do you mean by that?”
Frowning in confusion, Naina prompted Sasha to explain, and Sasha did so with a calm kindness.
“Was that perception common in your hometown, Naina? From what I know, there were no other nobles there—only commoners. Even if everyone was in the same situation, it’s surprising that you would distinguish people’s worth in such a way.”
Sasha’s remark highlighted Naina’s unusual claim of growing up in a village of only commoners, without any noble influence.
Inside, Naina felt a twinge of panic, but Sasha had already gleaned her unease from the subtle tension in her expression.
“But don’t worry, Naina. I don’t agree with the kind of thinking that was widespread in your hometown. If I were someone who cared about such things, I wouldn’t be sitting here across from you, sharing a meal.”
Speaking gently, Sasha raised her wine glass.
The weight behind her words left Naina’s face twisted, unable to hide it any longer.
Though she had much to say, she couldn’t refute Sasha’s points in this situation and could only swallow her frustration.
Her clenched hands trembled, and her face was painted with defeat and anger.
Sasha calmly lowered her glass, observing the woman who seemed to have never imagined hearing such words in her life.
Checking the time and scanning the hall, Sasha noticed the atmosphere had relaxed.
She had stayed to ensure proper participation in the banquet, but now her duties as hostess were fulfilled.
‘If the boss stays too long at a company dinner, they say it’s inconsiderate. I’m in a similar position now, so it’s better for everyone if I leave.’
With that thought, Sasha addressed the only person still at the table: Naina.
“I’ll be going now. Will you be staying, Naina?”
“I’ll go a little later,” Naina replied, her voice still tinged with lingering displeasure.
“There are still people I’d like to speak with,” she added.
“Very well, then.”
Though there didn’t seem to be anyone suitable for Naina to mingle with, Sasha didn’t point it out.
Rising from the table, she placed a small spirit on Naina as a precaution and prepared to leave.
Before stepping out of the hall, she approached Pavel, who had been watching her closely and responded immediately.
“I’ll head upstairs now.”
“Then I’ll—”
Pavel tried to follow, but Sasha stopped him.
“You should mingle a bit longer. Everyone seems to be waiting—especially Prince Igor.”
She gave a subtle nod toward Igor, whose eyes sparkled as he watched Pavel. Reluctantly, Pavel sat back down.
Even after Sasha left the banquet hall, Pavel continued mingling with the knights for some time.
‘That should be enough,’ he thought.
As he prepared to leave, Igor chuckled beside him, making a jest.
“You still act like newlyweds. Do you miss the lady so much?”
Even if Pavel tried to hide it, Igor could see how restless he had been since Sasha left.
Pavel glanced at him silently, prompting Igor to continue.
“It’s good to see you so harmonious. I’m sure Dimitri would have been pleased to watch this. He always worried about you, my lord… back then.”
Igor, recalling the previous Grand Duke who had passed without witnessing this scene, stared somberly at his glass before taking a deep drink.
Though he hadn’t mentioned Dimitri since the final farewell at the cliff, the memorial earlier that day had stirred memories.
Encouraged by the drink, Igor shared thoughts he had never voiced before.
“I never imagined he would go so suddenly. My lady… ah, the previous Grand Duchess… after she passed, I often felt the situation was precarious. Still, she was so strong that no one could rival her; I thought she would live longer than me to protect the North. Yet in the end… so lonely, leaving without a final word… ugh!”
After struggling to speak, he lowered his head.
Pavel silently refilled Igor’s glass as he returned to his seat.
Igor stared at the partially filled glass, his eyes moist.
“…I remember saying that performing together with father and son could be enjoyable, and Dimitri said he’d try it later, smiling.”
He rambled about memories with Dimitri—how impressed he was by Dimitri’s composure and strength despite his youth, how reassuring it was to follow him on campaigns, how different he had become after marriage, and how precarious he seemed after losing his wife.
For Pavel, these recollections were new and fascinating, drawing him in completely.
After roughly four drinks, Igor glanced at the time and concluded:
“Oh, it’s already this late. Sorry for keeping you. Shall we go? The lady will be waiting.”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind staying a bit longer.”
“No, I should get some sleep too. After all, with alcohol, everything I’ve kept inside might spill out.”
Pavel stood as Igor suggested, and the surrounding knights rose to bow.
Stepping out of the lively, heated hall, the chilly night air brushed his skin.
Though he’d been drinking, his mind remained clear. He hadn’t drunk enough to get drunk, and since Sasha had told him to moderate, he wasn’t sloppy—but…
‘Still, Sasha will probably worry since I smell of alcohol.’
Unlike others, Pavel didn’t mind his wife’s concerned nagging.
He enjoyed the gentle touch when she brushed his forehead or fiddled with his cheeks.
However, tonight he didn’t want to be fussed over.
If he went inside now, Sasha would likely force him to bed immediately, knowing he’d be tipsy.
Having experienced the bliss of a couple’s night, he didn’t want to miss the chance.
So Pavel went to the garden to rid himself of the alcohol smell.
The moon was hidden behind clouds, casting the courtyard in shadows.
Thanks to the building’s windows, he could still make out his surroundings, though faces might be hard to recognize from a distance.
Not going far mattered little, so he walked slowly through the garden and returned to the central courtyard.
Leaning back on a chair, he closed his eyes.
He wanted to see Sasha.
Even though he had been sitting close to her just hours ago, watching her intently, he still longed for her presence.
This thirst-like yearning gnawed at his throat.
Did all lovers feel this way, or was it just a sickness unique to him?
Even if it were an illness, he didn’t want it cured—but sometimes he worried Sasha might find it burdensome.
Perhaps lost in thoughts of her, he sensed someone’s presence.
“…!”
Opening his eyes, Pavel found Sasha standing right before him.
With her head bowed, eyes closed, as if awaiting a kiss, Pavel momentarily questioned reality.
But when he blinked, she hadn’t disappeared.
“Sasha.”
His face softened as he spoke his wife’s name sweetly.
“When did you get here?”
The night air was cold; he worried about her health.
Fortunately, she wore the fur coat he had gifted her.
‘She must like it. That’s a relief.’
No precious item was too valuable for Sasha; even if she disliked it and used it only once, it wouldn’t matter to her.
But seeing her wear it repeatedly was rewarding.
Next time, he resolved to make something even better.
Though he wanted to remain by her side, he couldn’t—so he wished his touch could reach her from head to toe.
He examined her outfit: scarf around her neck, hat covering her ears, barely any skin exposed.
Yet her hair, tied up under the hat, hid its silver shine in the moonlight—a slight disappointment.
As he considered removing her hat, Pavel suddenly sensed something unusual.
