~Chapter 59~
Thunk. Crack. Snap.
Muriel and Dominic, leading the way, continued clearing branches that blocked the path—Dominic above, Muriel below. Their movements were perfectly synchronized. Frida, smiling slightly as she watched them, tried to glance back but quickly returned her gaze forward. Her pale cheeks peeked out from under her navy cloak several times before disappearing again. Finally, Daniel spoke first.
“If you have something to say, go ahead.”
Frida seized the opportunity and turned her head quickly. Daniel was holding her tightly so she couldn’t move much, but it was still possible to turn her face and meet his eyes.
“Um… Daniel, what if, like Dominic said, we start building the road but don’t finish it?”
“It will just be an unfinished road.”
“Don’t joke.”
Her head drooped gloomily.
“I’m worried. What if you just waste your money?”
“It’s our money. I’m using our money for our land.”
Frida pouted as she realized Daniel was imitating something she had said in the past.
“Seriously, I’m being serious. What if I’m doing something wrong? What if I’m letting my imagination run wild and making everyone suffer unnecessarily? That’s how I feel.”
Looking down at the forest below the cliff a moment ago, she realized just how enormous the task she was attempting really was. It was on a completely different scale than what she and Dominic had casually surveyed before. To cut down the dense trees, uproot the roots, and shape stones to carve out a path… It was far more than building a single plot of farmland. Could they even start it? And as Dominic had said, could they possibly finish it? Two years would be impossible—five? Ten? Would she even live to see the completed road? What if the imperial court ultimately refused approval? What if Daniel got punished for secretly taking on this project?
“Frida.”
Daniel’s hand covered hers, which was tightly holding the reins. Her tiny hand disappeared under his brown glove.
“Just tell me whether or not you want to build the road. Don’t think about anything else—just tell me your intention.”
My intention? Of course… I want to do it. I must make it happen.
“The duchy cannot be self-sufficient. Without roads connecting it to the outside, it will remain isolated. Relying on trade with Weimar alone is only a matter of time before weaknesses are exploited. If we have the capital and time, securing roads should be the top priority. But…”
But I don’t want you to get into trouble because of this. I don’t want the imperial court to interfere because of me. I wanted to start this to be a good wife, but I’m afraid it will just make things harder for you.
“If you don’t want to, we can stop. I’m serious.”
Daniel leaned over her hood. Through the fabric, it felt as if his lips brushed hers.
“Have you ever seen the sea?”
“The sea? No.”
She had seen it in books. A vast expanse of saltwater, where one could only cross by boat.
“There’s a sea at the southern edge of the Utrecht territory. If we take a boat there, after about five days, we reach the Duchy of Veneto at the foot of the Lapas Mountains.”
“Veneto? The place that mints gold ducats?”
“Yes.”
Daniel tapped lightly on the back of her hand as if to praise her.
“When the road is completed, I’ll take you there by carriage. We’ll buy the largest ship and I’ll bring you to the Duchy of Veneto. There will be many things there I think you’ll like.”
You just have to want them.
“I don’t know what you’d like, so I want you to see and choose for yourself.”
Stay by my side. Whatever you want or wish to do, I’ll provide it.
“I want to show you the sea as soon as possible. But for that, we need a road.”
Since Dominic was helping with the work, Rosibalt could no longer stay by your side as before. When you need someone, the name you call out won’t be ‘Muriel’ anymore—it will be ‘Daniel.’ I will carve myself into your little mind, exclusively. I will erase all insignificant things so that I become your entire world.
He tried to grip her tighter, but Frida turned and hugged him. Her small arms could only wrap around part of his waist, yet Daniel froze as if restrained. Balzac’s hooves stopped moving. Even the mysterious birds in the forest fell silent for a moment.
“Daniel.”
Her face and hair were hidden by the cloak, but Frida was trembling in his arms.
“We must… go see the sea together.”
He could tell without looking that she was crying. He didn’t know why… perhaps she felt she might never see that day.
“Promise me we’ll go together to see the sea.”
Yet she still clung to hope despite the fear in her heart.
“My lord, what is happening?”
Dominic, noticing that Balzac was not following, called to them from afar. Daniel didn’t answer but pulled a branch overhead to shield them from view.
“Frida, look up.”
As expected, Frida peeked through the hood, revealing eyes widened in surprise. Daniel removed his gloves and cupped her cheeks.
My little wife, so fragile even the sunlight cannot touch you freely. You don’t know the man you married, Daniel Reichardt.
“Do you really want to see the sea?”
So innocent, she has no way of knowing.
“With me?”
“Yes. With you, Daniel.”
Then live ignorant. Trust only my words and look only at me, the one you long to see.
“I will go to the sea with you.”
And I will protect you. Even if I have to make a deal with a devil from hell, I will prevent death from reaching you. I will do anything to protect you.
“I swear. We will go together.”
Daniel kissed her over the branch, her trembling lips giving off the deep scent of wood.
“Long time no see, Duke Reichardt. I’m glad to see you unharmed.”
Daniel also recognized the man, having seen him a few times before. After a bow, the man’s gaze lingered on Frida briefly before turning downward.
“What brings the Imperial Guard to this remote mountain?”
“To deliver a message from His Majesty Leopold Volshtak II, the Sun of the Empire. The Emperor will soon visit Utrecht.”
“Visit? His Majesty is coming here?”
Frida was so surprised her body lurched forward. Daniel caught her shoulder.
“Wait a moment.”
Daniel dismounted from Balzac, carefully lowered Frida to the ground, and called Muriel.
“Sir Rosibalt, take the Duchess with you.”
“But Daniel…”
Daniel straightened Frida’s cloak and reassured his flustered wife.
“Rest. Once the discussion is over, we’ll leave immediately.”
He then called over the man who delivered the Emperor’s message.
“Follow me.”
Four men followed Daniel into the castle. Frida, worried, hurried in and pulled back her cloak.
“Muriel, did you hear? The Emperor himself is coming!”
“I heard.”
“Oh my, I must tell Adelle immediately! She’ll faint!”
“Adelle aside, everyone inside already knows. How are you feeling? Your body must ache after riding a horse for the first time.”
Frida suddenly felt pain throughout her body, as if she could barely walk.
“Ugh… Muriel, I can’t walk.”
Muriel picked her up immediately.
“If you don’t take care of it now, you’ll be worse tomorrow. I’ll have Anton bring lavender. Bathing in it will ease the pain.”
“Oh, you already knew about that. You’ve grown quite capable.”
Muriel laughed lightly but soon returned to a serious expression.
“It seems I’ll be away from your side often. I worry, especially since Matilda isn’t here.”
Frida leaned her head on Muriel’s shoulder.
“I’m worried about you too. If it’s too hard, tell me. I’ll plead with the Duke to have you back by my side.”
“I refuse. I’ve just escaped from the baby’s care. I’ll enjoy my freedom.”
“Hey! That’s unfair.”
Muriel patted Frida’s back as they climbed the stairs. Daniel, standing above, gave her a cold glance before turning away.
The silence in the study after the Imperial Guard left was broken by Heinrich.
“When will the Emperor arrive?”
Dominic, scratching his chin, replied,
“By carriage. Considering the road conditions from Baroness Vutein’s estate to Utrecht, even if he departs today, it’ll be at least a week before arrival.”
“He could come by horse,” Heinrich suggested.
Dominic shook his head immediately.
“Baroness Petricia Vutein will be accompanying him, so they’ll use a carriage. She’s far too possessive to leave the Emperor alone.”
Stephan seemed to realize something and asked Daniel,
“Did Your Grace anticipate this and mark the Brabant Hall repairs on the list?”
On the twenty-two-point list, only the Brabant Hall repair had a specific timing: “by one month later.” Daniel silently picked up his pen.
“How long will it take if we start immediately?”
“The most urgent issue is the delivery of the ordered furniture… Even if it arrives, we don’t have enough staff to manage the entire party.”
Daniel scribbled something on paper and handed it to Dominic.
“Take it to Duke Andrea immediately. Five days. If you want to avoid the Empress hearing about it, make sure everything is delivered in five days. Go yourself, Dominic.”
Heinrich peeked at the paper and murmured,
“An…dre? Who is that?”
For Stephan, the name was of no interest; he only cared that the Emperor would be accommodated properly.
“Luckily, my wife is familiar with court etiquette at Shendal Castle. I’ll have Matilda assist the Duchess.”
“Who? Matilda?”
Dominic, about to leave with the paper, was shocked and approached Stephan. Daniel frowned slightly, gazing at Stephan as Dominic intervened.
“What did you just say, Baron Voye?”
“What do you mean, Your Grace?” Stephan asked, confused.
“No sooner had he finished than Dominic jumped in.
“You said Matilda, a maid, would help the Duchess. Do you even know where she is?”
“What nonsense, Dominic?”
Heinrich, sprawled in his chair, said flatly,
“Why give that name to a maid? Matilda Voye, Baroness, is our house steward’s wife!”
