Chapter 26
The group bound for Wespera consisted of two carriages, including one for luggage, five maids, and ten knights. For a family of House Ascher’s prestige, it was a surprisingly modest entourage.
“……”
Eliana sat quietly, letting her body sway gently with the carriage, her mind absorbed in how she might approach Freya. One month. That was all the time she had. She needed to find a way to get close to Freya—no matter what—and neutralize the return spell.
“You’ll likely find the Wespera estate more comfortable than the palace,” Michalis said, breaking the silence that had stretched long enough to turn awkward.
“We’ll have more time together as well. If the chance arises, perhaps even a few dates…”
“Michalis, what major events follow the investiture ceremony?”
Lost in thought, Eliana finally spoke, her voice cutting through his hopes.
“There will be several balls and tea parties hosted by noble houses. As for events sponsored by the Imperial family… the hunting tournament and His Highness the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet come to mind.”
“Oh, the hunting tournament sounds perfect.”
Was there a better occasion for scheming than a hunting tournament? A spark of interest lit in Eliana’s eyes.
“The hunting tournament…?”
Michalis unconsciously tensed at her musing, his nerves betraying him.
“……”
For reasons of safety and fairness, firearms and magical tools were strictly prohibited at the palace-sponsored hunting tournament.
While Michalis was confident with a sword, and even skilled with an arquebus, he had never so much as touched a hunting bow.
In the Ascher Duchy—surrounded by sea on three sides and covered in wide plains—he might hunt whales, but wild animals? Rarely. He had never once considered participating in the tournament.
“You will attend, of course?”
“Of course,” he answered instinctively, trying not to falter under Eliana’s eager gaze.
I’ll have to train…
He couldn’t bear the thought of embarrassing himself in front of her.
Haa…
He forced down a sigh that threatened to slip free. Archery practice? That wasn’t part of the plan. He had envisioned romantic outings, not target practice.
Wait for me, Freya…
As Michalis silently recalculated his time, Eliana turned her eyes to the passing scenery outside the window, strengthening her resolve.
The social season, which had begun back in April, was already nearing its end. She had to attend as many events as possible and find her moment before time ran out.
“Your Grace, we’ve arrived.”
They reached the Wespera estate just as evening began to fall.
“We greet Your Grace and My Lady.”
As Eliana stepped down from the carriage, escorted by Michalis, the estate’s staff—lined up at the base of the central staircase—bowed deeply in perfect unison. The mansion wasn’t frequently used, so only about twenty essential servants were stationed here for maintenance.
Smaller than House Ascher’s main residence in Flencia, the three-story estate was nevertheless spotless and charming.
The sound of water rising from the fountain in the garden was refreshingly cool. Around it, neatly trimmed lawns and white marble pathways created a peaceful, inviting space—perfect for a stroll.
“Eliana, I have a matter to attend to. Please go ahead to the dining room—I’ll join you shortly.”
“All right.”
“I shall escort you, My Lady,” said the steward in charge of the estate, stepping forward.
The servants who had been standing on either side of the path, along with the five maids who had accompanied them from the ducal residence, followed Eliana into the mansion.
“……”
Once the servants disappeared into the estate, only the ten knights and Michalis remained near the carriages.
“Form a single-rank line.”
Michalis’s voice rang out, firm and commanding.
“Yes, Your Grace!”
The tense knights snapped to position without hesitation, clearly aware of their lord’s recent volatility. Every move they made was calculated, cautious.
“Step forward if you are proficient in archery.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Out of the ten—five from the Blue Order and five regular knights—only three stepped forward. The Southern Navy had little use for bows, so skilled archers were rare.
“Step forward if you have actual hunting experience with a bow.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
Only one man moved this time.
Lord Terius.
Perfect in appearance, lineage, and etiquette, he was often called the “Southern Noble” or even “the Star” by those who knew him. His reputation preceded him.
“Lord Terius will remain. The rest may disperse.”
“Yes, understood!”
The others quickly disbanded at Michalis’s command.
“Lord Terius.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
With even the coachman gone, pulling the carriage away, Lord Terius now stood alone before Michalis—tense and stiff. A private audience with one’s liege was an honor, but also nerve-wracking.
“From tomorrow morning, you will instruct me in archery.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Understood.”
“And this is to remain confidential.”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
“We meet at eight in the rear garden. Do not be late.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
So suddenly tasked with a secret responsibility, Lord Terius could only watch in stunned silence as Michalis turned and walked away.
That evening marked their first meal at the Wespera estate.
“……”
Michalis remained outwardly quiet, but inside, he felt something warm stir as he watched Eliana eat with newfound focus.
Lately, her appetite had grown—from birdlike pecks to something closer to a squirrel’s stash. She still had a way to go, but at least now, there was progress. There was hope.
Surely two daughters would be better than one… and perhaps one son as well.
With hope came desire. He mentally adjusted his growing vision of a family, adding another daughter to the plan.
Thanks to Lord Puelini, who bragged endlessly about his daughter after a single sip of beer at every knight’s gathering, Michalis had been subconsciously trained to believe: daughters = wonderful, even before he’d seriously thought about marriage.
She’ll be beautiful like her mother…
In his mind, the image of a silver-haired little girl toddling toward him began to take shape—faint but precious.
‘Why am I still so weak?’
While Michalis was busy picturing his daughter running toward him, arms outstretched, calling “Papa,” Eliana was thinking about her own body.
Her weight had finally climbed from 38 kilograms to 41.5. A result of two months of relentless effort.
Even if she had her secret weapon—magic—strengthening her body for any possible hand-to-hand combat was still essential.
“Eliana.”
Michalis, breaking the silence that had settled over the dinner table, spoke first.
“Yes?”
“While we’re here in Wespera… I was thinking we should start sharing a bed.”
“Wh-what?!”
Eliana dropped the fork she’d been holding.
Clatter!
It hit the marble floor with a sharp clang, bouncing loudly under the table.
Why do bad premonitions never miss?!
It had been six days since their wedding night, and Michalis hadn’t come to her since then. She’d let herself feel relieved.
“I-I’m sorry. That just startled me a little,” Eliana said, struggling to keep a neutral expression.
“Is it so surprising for a married couple to share a room?” Michalis asked, his tone dipping slightly as he saw how tense she’d become.
“It’s just… You said you weren’t interested in married life when we first met, so it caught me off guard.”
Eliana’s hand trembled as she reached for her water glass. Michalis kept contradicting everything he’d once said.
No, no. I can’t have the Duke wanting something from me.
A shallow, obligation-bound relationship was all she wanted. That was the ideal. To help him escape his fate as a secondary male lead and then log out, after earning her keep.
“……”
Michalis’s expression darkened. Eliana looked utterly pale.
“But we do need an heir eventually, don’t we?”
Maybe in… a year or so.
“Ack! Cough! Cough!”
Eliana, sipping her water in an attempt to calm her nerves, choked violently at his next words.
“Are you all right?”
“Y-yeah, I’m fine. Cough!”
Face flushed and struggling to breathe, Eliana raised a hand to stop Michalis from getting up.
An heir? An heir? That was never even on the table for her. Not only was she dealing with hormonal imbalances and irregular cycles from malnutrition, but Michalis himself had claimed he had no interest in marriage. So she had never once thought about producing an heir.
“I understand. It’s too soon right now. It’s just… something we must eventually do. Forget it. I was too hasty.”
Michalis’s voice softened as he waited for her to stop coughing, then quickly pulled back his own words.
Ah, he meant duty? Thank goodness.
Eliana felt a measure of relief at his response.
Of course. The Duke’s always been someone who takes duty and responsibility seriously. He just wants to secure the line of succession.
As Eliana silently calmed herself, Michalis clenched his fist beneath the table. It felt like being kicked into a swamp.
Is it really that unpleasant for her…?
He hadn’t wanted anything more than to simply spend the night by her side. If he said he wasn’t hurt, it would be a lie.
For the past six nights since their wedding night, every time he closed his eyes, the memory of that night returned to him. He hadn’t slept a single moment. He wanted to fall asleep beside her every night.
But she didn’t feel the same.
“Michalis… I just need a little time.”
Eliana couldn’t bring herself to outright accept or reject him. After all, Michalis was her legal husband, and he had every right to ask for that intimacy. The fact that he even asked her opinion was, in itself, an incredible gesture of consideration.
I need to buy some time.
To be honest, Eliana wanted to keep sleeping in separate rooms for as long as possible. If they started living like a real couple, she didn’t trust herself to stay detached.
That face, that body… It’s dangerous!
Emotions born from physical attraction were the scariest. Eliana feared she’d actually fall for him.
No, no! I can’t get charmed by that face! If I don’t log out… I have to go back. I have to graduate.
Even if she pushed aside her anxiety about this strange world, her graduation was something she had to complete—her late grandmother’s final wish from a year ago.
Her grandmother, who had lived a hard life and died with the regret of being uneducated, had passed on that dream to her. Eliana couldn’t abandon it. She owed her too much.
“…Forget I said anything.”
Michalis was already neck-deep in the mud of rejection.
From the proposal to their first date, their first embrace, even their first kiss (excluding the one for their wedding), it had all been Eliana who initiated. She had always come to him first.
Now, she was running away.
To him, it was a heavy blow.
It must be that night…
There was only one plausible explanation.
I must’ve been awful.
He had done his best—he really had. But clearly, what had happened on their wedding night hadn’t pleased Eliana.
