Chapter 15
“You’re here for that…right?”
Zester forgot everything he was going to say the moment Cassia asked that question directly.
Cassia had nothing more to add, either. She had already decided to stay by Zester’s side until Rael and Lucy were born, so this situation wasn’t entirely unexpected. Still, it was puzzling. Zester in her past life had only ever visited her on scheduled nights.
‘I really don’t want to but…’
It felt like a bolt out of the blue.
Cassia considered feigning illness to send him away, but she knew she couldn’t keep rejecting her husband forever. She simply sighed and accepted it.
Producing an heir was also a Baroness’ duty. She couldn’t exactly say, ‘I’ve calculated the dates Rael and Lucy were born. Let’s only do it on those dates.’
Cassia stood quietly, took off her coat, and headed to the bed.
“Come here.”
Zester’s head stiffly followed her movements.
Well, it can’t be helped. If we’re doing this, then let’s just get it over with. That detached look. That indifferent voice.
“Wait, wait, Wife.”
Cassia, who had taken off her nightgown and was now sliding the straps of her silk chemise off her shoulders, tilted her head at Zester’s flustered voice.
“What is it? Is there a problem?”
“W-well… don’t married couples usually sleep together in the same bed? It doesn’t mean intercourse must happen every time, right? N-no need for strange thoughts. We can just lie down next to each other and talk frankly, you know, that sort of thing, yeah.”
Zester tried to look away from Cassia, who was now wearing such a thin layer of clothing that she could be naked at any moment and recited the lines Paul had fed him, word for word.
He felt quite proud of himself for delivering it smoothly, but Cassia was suspicious and baffled.
‘He just wants to sleep next to me? What in the world is this guy up to?’
It was unnerving how much he kept behaving differently from the Zester she remembered. Narrowing her eyes, she sighed and nodded. She had no reason to refuse.
“Alright then.”
Zester got up from his seat, trying hard to avoid Cassia’s eyes which were staring down at him. Again, his hands and feet moved in sync. After finally reaching the bed with a clumsy gait, he sat down next to Cassia and carefully leaned against the headboard.
“If you have something to share, please go ahead.”
“…”
Zester remained silent, staring straight ahead. Watching his stiff profile made Cassia feel drowsy.
While he sat rigidly, Cassia lay down comfortably and spoke quietly.
“Baron, I heard Miss Vita is still under house arrest. Didn’t you hear from Paul that I left her punishment up to you?”
Cassia was bored with the silence and suddenly remembered Vita’s situation.
“She wronged you, so it’s your decision to make.”
“Like I said, there’s no need to worry about my feelings here. Alright, I’ll have Miss Vita released tomorrow. You’ll have nice time seeing your old friend again, Baron.”
“My wife!”
“Yes.”
“I don’t understand why you keep misunderstanding my relationship with Vita. I admit I’m not entirely blameless, but I’ve been telling you that you’ve got it all wrong…”
Wrong? Is it really all wrong?
Cassia stared indifferently, recalling Vita’s voice clearly echoing from Zester’s room late that night. She couldn’t ask what that had really been. That event hadn’t happened yet in this timeline.
Still, considering the odd past between Vita and Zester, and how he kept her close despite her undermining the castle’s hierarchy, Cassia found it hard to believe nothing had ever happened.
Cassia let out a deep sigh, turned her back to him, and murmured,
“Alright. I won’t misunderstand anymore.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. Thank you. Oh, and tomorrow, when we go out to inspect the territory, it will be cold so make sure to dress warmly. I…I asked Paul to find a suitable coat for you so just wait a little. Tomorrow, it’s best to wear several layers…”
“…”
“…Cassia?”
Was she already asleep? Zester let out a hollow laugh hearing her breath steady without any response.
“Are you asleep?”
When he asked softly, she suddenly rolled over. Zester flinched in surprise.
“…Guess she really is.”
Judging her expression, she really fell asleep in an instant. Suddenly, his eyes fell to her gently parted lips, softly quivering in her sleep.
‘I really can’t tell… whether she’s a person or an angel…’
Zester’s attention was completely stolen by the sight of the moonlight shining through the window, casting a gentle glow on her silver hair.
Her flowing lashes stretched long enough to cast a shadow, her skin glowed like glass, her lips looked moist and glossy like the morning dew…
He reached out without thinking, then stopped just short of touching her lips.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
Clearly, he had miscalculated. He couldn’t believe he thought he could just sit here and feel nothing when his wife was next to him.
Feeling sorry for himself, Zester carefully sat up, trying to leave before he ended up without sleep but at that moment…
“Ngh…”
“Gah.”
Cassia’s leg stretched out in her sleep and locked tightly around Zester’s thigh, as if to keep him from escaping. Seeing the pale leg beneath the chemise made his vision blur.
Flustered, Zester turned his head.
“C-Cassia…”
When he tried to move, her leg instinctively tightened around him.
He could’ve broken free with a bit of force, but for some reason, Zester simply laid back down beside her. Staring at her peaceful sleeping face, his heart felt ready to explode.
‘If I want to live a long life… sleeping together every night probably isn’t wise.’
That was the truth.
That night, Zester didn’t sleep at all, he stayed up, helplessly captivated by the sight of a wife too dangerous to look at, and too lovely to ignore.
***
The territory inspection went smoothly. Though the procession was modest, with just a few mercenaries and attendants, the people gave the lord and lady a warm welcome. Possibly because of Cassia’s dazzling beauty, their response was surprisingly enthusiastic.
Zester felt proud. He was satisfied by the way his people welcomed the new Lady of Greze with such affection it was almost excessive, and he was also charmed by Cassia who was fluttering next to him like a butterfly.
『Oh, your calf is adorable. Please take good care of it so it stays healthy.』
『Livestock used for labor need proper care. It might feel like a burden now, but hiring someone to do regular health checks around the territory would benefit everyone in the long run. If the cows fall ill and die, it’ll be hard to farm』
『Oh my. You made these gorgeous accessories yourself? Please, let me buy one. I’d love to carry it around.』
『Since Greze has a small population, there aren’t enough people in the territory to support handicrafts. If you open up a way to sell to nearby territories or the capital, they’d be much better off. How about talking to Paul and finding an export route?』
『The food smells wonderful. Just the scent makes me want to stay. The rooms are so clean, too. 』
『To be honest, there’s not much to see in Greze. No tourists. That makes it hard for lodging businesses like inns to thrive, especially in winter. The castle doesn’t have much to spare, but what do you think of looking at the household budget and making some adjustments so we can provide even a little financial support in the winter?』
Cassia hadn’t merely walked around with a pretty smile and kind words, she gave specific, insightful advice that Zester had never even thought of.
By the end of the inspection, Zester was left speechless. He was embarrassed by Cassia’s meticulous observation of the people of his territory.
Even though he had never been trained to lead, it has still been years since he had inherited the title of lord. He left the management of the territory to Paul and never once tried to look after the people of his territory. He couldn’t even compare with Cassia from start to finish.
“We should…probably start heading back. The day is cold.”
Zester had been staring blankly at Cassia again when he noticed the red flush on her cheeks from the cold.
“Just one more stop.”
Cassia pointed eagerly at a small inn, Mrs. Margaret’s inn.
This was the reason Cassia had insisted on going out today.
Even before they reached the building, Mrs. Margaret came running out with a bright smile to greet them.
“My goodness! My Lord, Madam! I can’t believe you’ve come all this way to this shabby place.”
“Shabby? It smells so good that I couldn’t help but walk this way. It’s a shame we’ve already eaten. Next time, I’ll make sure to visit properly for a meal.”
“Oh, my! My food isn’t worthy of your taste, Madam.”
“No, that’s not true. Your food is…”
The woman who had died from overwork in her past life stood alive before her. For the first time, Cassia felt truly grateful for the ten years she had regained.
Margaret noticed the tears brimming in Cassia’s eyes and tilted her head in confusion.
“Ahem. Ah, something got in my eye.”
“Are you okay?”
Startled, Zester gently cupped her cheek to face him. Cassia smiled awkwardly, saying she was fine, then pushed him aside and grabbed Margaret’s hand.
“Ah.”
“What’s wrong with your hands? They’re swollen.”
“It’s, it’s nothing, really.”
“You must be working a second job. I know there aren’t many guests in winter. I wish I could do more.”
Cassia pulled out a small gold ring she had brought in her coat and slipped it into Margaret’s hand. It was one of the few jewelry pieces she’d brought from Ruberno. In her past life, she had secretly sold her own belongings to help the people, not wanting Zester to think she was using the castle’s resources.
“M-Madam! This, this…I can’t accept this!”
“No. Please take it. It’s nothing to me. My family gave me quite a lot when I married. Just treat me to a meal someday, okay?”
“M-Madam?!”
“And take it easy with work. If your health fails, everything’s over. You’ve got children and a husband to care for. You have to stay strong, understand?”
“Madam, even so, this is just, I really can’t…Madam, Madam!”
“Honey, let’s go! Go!”
Knowing Margaret’s personality, she would definitely return the ring if Cassia delayed any longer. Cassia grabbed Zester, who was standing next to her in a daze and hurried away
‘Honey?!’
Zester was once again stunned to hear the embarrassing term that suddenly came from Cassia’s mouth but then he saw her flustered expression and quickly gave Mrs. Margaret a look.
Take it.
Mrs. Margaret, caught between the Madam’s determination and the lord’s firm gaze, eventually blushed and murmured a small thank-you.
Cassia’s steps felt lighter after placing the gold ring in Margaret’s hand.
“My Lord!”
Just as Cassia and Zester started walking away, someone rushed from the inn, a man with an unfamiliar face and a messy brown beard. He had a large bag made of animal hide slung at his side.
The man cheerfully cut them off and introduced himself with a friendly grin.
“I am James, a wanderer exiled from the faraway kingdom of Calypson. May I have the honor of greeting your angelic ladyship?”
He held out his hand. A bit bewildered, Cassia laid hers on his palm, and he gently kissed the back of it. Zester scowled.
“I’ve been looking for a place to settle in this unfamiliar empire, and I’m delighted to find a territory with such a kind lord and lady. I’ve got a business in the works that I am working hard to kickstart. Um, well, all I’m lacking is a little start-up funding. If you, my kind lady, would be so gracious to offer assistant, I promise to repay you with great success.”
What kind of sudden suggestion was this?
He must have seen Cassia giving Margaret the ring and come running. Zester’s face hardened and he stepped forward.
“Look here—.”
“How rude of you! What do you think you’re doing?! Apologize immediately!”
At that moment, Margaret rushed up and scolded James in Zester’s place.
Cassia stared at James quietly. Judging by his appearance and behavior, he had drifted into Greze after being exiled and was probably staying at Margaret’s inn without paying.
‘He clearly has no money. Margaret must be letting him stay for free again.’
Cassia was annoyed.
“Wait, please! Just look at this! I swear it’s going to be huge!”
Just as Cassia was about to scold him, James pulled something out of his leather bag.
The moment Zester saw it, he exploded. It looked like a grotesque clump of human hair, like someone had skinned a scalp. How could someone bring such a thing in front of Cassia?
“Are you joking with me?!”
Zester yelled angrily.
“Now, wait a minute, honey!”
Cassia’s eyes widened the moment she saw what James was holding.
She recognized it immediately.
‘…Isn’t this a wig?’
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