Chapter 6: Between Friendship and Love (2)
“Commander… why haven’t you been going home lately? You used to leave right on time.”
“…Why would I work late? Because there’s work to do.”
It was a weak excuse.
When he stayed at the capital residence,
He at least showed up every day.
But when he was in his territory,
he only worked a few days a week—
and often left early in the afternoon.
Does he have honey waiting at home or something?
Whether it was because the capital was close,
or because his position was mostly honorary—
either way,
Gerard Blanchett was not someone who worked overtime.
“Come on, Commander, at least make your excuse believable. You used to take your work home no matter how busy you were. Ah! Wait… did you fight with your wife?”
Since Chloe’s departure had been kept secret,
Anton jumped to the wrong conclusion.
“…?”
Gerard looked at him like he’d said something absurd.
“Well, isn’t that how it is? The reason a man doesn’t want to go home is either he fought with his wife, is fighting with his wife, or is about to fight with his wife. It has to be one of those three.”
Anton spoke confidently.
as if he had the perfect answer—
three years into marriage.
“No. My wife and I have never fought, and we never will.”
“Come on. Is that even possible in a real marriage? If it is, then it’s either a show marriage… or just playing house—”
Anton,
unfortunately lacking awareness despite his sword skills.
only stopped when he felt Gerard’s killing intent.
“…That can’t be true! Of course not! There’s no couple more exemplary than you and the Marchioness! Haha… I misspoke. Ah, this mouth of mine!”
Anton pretended to slap his own mouth playfully.
But Gerard’s gaze—
was ice cold.
“With a mouth that reckless, it seems I’ve been too lenient. You should learn what consequences your words can bring. Gather the entire knight order at the training grounds at dawn tomorrow—and make sure they know it’s because of you.”
“Commander…”
Anton called out pitifully.
“Leave.”
Gerard pointed at the door.
Anton dragged himself out.
After he left,
Gerard tried to focus on his work again.
But one word—
kept echoing in his mind.
Playing house.
It should have been easy to ignore.
But somehow—
It stuck in his throat.
He had always believed
there was nothing wrong
between him and his wife.
So why—
Did that word bother him?
* * *
As Leila had proudly claimed,
The dinner at the Anata household was excellent.
There were ingredients unavailable in the capital—
and unfamiliar northern dishes.
“Abel, try this too.”
Chloe placed reindeer steak on his plate.
She felt satisfied.
Childhood was when food preferences formed.
So she wanted him to try as many things as possible.
“Yes, Mom. You should eat a lot too.”
Abel swallowed his smoked salmon
and smiled sweetly.
His manners—
were impeccable.
“Oh my, Abel eats seafood well.”
Leila praised him warmly.
“Yes. Both my husband and I like seafood, so he eats it well too.”
“…What? Gerard likes seafood?”
Leila tilted her head.
Did his tastes change? He couldn’t eat it at all when we were young…
“…Sigh.”
Chloe kept eating calmly—
but sighed inwardly.
She already knew
how close Gerard and Leila had been.
But today—
It bothered her.
The way Leila spoke
as if she knew him better.
The way she called him by name.
Chloe had never done that.
That fact—
made her feel miserable.
Her emotions kept shifting—
again and again.
It felt like being a teenage girl.
And yet—
She was the only one suffering.
“By the way, Marchioness, your sudden visit is unusual. Did you really come just because you missed my wife?”
Frederick spoke.
Leila looked curious too.
Indeed,
Chloe’s request—
sent by messenger bird—
was improper.
That method was only for urgent or personal matters.
Not formal noble communication.
“Right? Chloe, you’ve never done this before. But it feels like a surprise gift since you came to see me!”
“Thank you for thinking of it that way. I’ve been dreaming about you lately… so I guess I missed you.”
Chloe smiled lightly.
She couldn’t handle telling the truth.
So she wrote that she missed Leila.
Thankfully—
Gerard hadn’t checked the letter.
“Really? You missed me? Wow, you’ve never said that before!”
Leila was touched.
She had always felt
like she was the one who cared more.
“Come visit often, Chloe. You’re always welcome here.”
Frederick sighed slightly,
watching his excited wife.
Chloe was fine.
But Gerard—
He could do without.
After all—
He was the man who once fought him over Leila.
“…Yes. Visit often.”
But for his wife’s sake—
He relented.
* * *
After dinner,
everyone gathered in one room—
except Frederick.
There,
the newborn baby,
Penelope,
was sleeping softly.
“Wow… she’s so tiny. Her hands and feet are so small.”
Abel stared in fascination.
“Right? Our Pepe is so cute.”
Renesia proudly said.
“Look—if you do this… she grabs it.”
Endnoah showed him.
“You mustn’t touch the baby. She’s fragile and might get hurt.”
Only the nanny was anxious.
Chloe gently called the children.
“Shall we go to sleep now? If you want to play tomorrow, you should rest.”
But they lingered.
“Oh dear, you’ve already become close. I was going to take you on a picnic tomorrow if you slept early… but I guess not.”
Leila pretended to be disappointed.
“Wow! A picnic?!”
The children’s eyes lit up.
“Where are we going?”
“To Meidal Lake. Have you ever skated on a frozen lake?”
She teased Abel.
Chloe admired
how good Leila was with children.
“Mom, let’s go to bed!”
The children hurried off.
Chloe smiled.
This peaceful moment—
felt comforting.
So much that—
She almost wanted to forget everything.
As the children said goodnight,
Leila whispered:
“You’re tired, right? Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, after the kids sleep, let’s hang out—just us.”
Chloe nodded.
But as she turned away—
Her eyes sharpened.
Tomorrow… I’ll learn the truth.
She steadied herself.
On the way back,
holding Abel’s hand,
She fell deep into thought.
How should I ask?
Should I confront her directly?
Will she tell the truth?
What if she lies?
“Mom… why are their names so long? Renesia, Endnoah, Pe… What was it?”
“…”
She didn’t hear him.
“Mom! Mom!”
She snapped out of it.
“Oh—sorry, Abel. What did you say?”
“Why are their names long? Mine is short.”
“That’s because their names are northern style. People in the North have long names. Yours is short because short names are trendy in the Empire right now.”
“Trendy?”
“Yes. The imperial family started it.”
Creak.
They entered their room.
Warmth filled the space.
“Yaaawn…”
Abel yawned.
I still haven’t figured out how to ask Leila…
Ah… whatever.
Her tired body refused to think anymore.
So—
for now—
Chloe decided
to rest.
And leave everything—
for tomorrow.
End of Chapter 6
