HGOS – Chapter 58

PREVIOUS | TOC | NEXT

“I am also honored to meet you again, Baroness.”

With that short reply, Bertol took the seat at the head of the table. Zester sat opposite Cassia, stealing glances at her again and again.

She looked the same as usual. One might have expected her to dress up for the arrive of Count Axios, yet she hadn’t. She wore the white dress she treasured from Ruberno, her hair braided to one side, and the lightest touch of makeup, barely noticeable, making it hard to tell if she had put in any effort.

Yes, just like her reaction that suggested going out to greet the Count was a bother, she looked very simple, and yet Zester was burning with unease. He was reminded of the nervousness he’d felt when he had met Drian. Perhaps he was even more worried now than he was then.

Feeling Zester’s intense gaze, Cassia tilted her head.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

“A-ah, no. No.”

Zester shook his head quickly and looked away. Bertol, who had been watching them both, let out a chuckle.

“It seems the Baron is captivated by his wife’s beauty. Don’t you see her everyday? Is her beauty that hard to get used to?”

Cassia smiled awkwardly at the teasing tone.

“…Yes.”

It was a comment that should have been brushed off, but Zester’s-one-beat-late reply made Cassia’s brow furrow almost imperceptibly.

“I can’t get used to it, even seeing her every day. After all, she doesn’t belong in a place like this. Every day feels like a dream.”

What is this man saying?! Cassia wiped the cold sweat beading on her forehead with the back of her hand and laughed awkwardly.

“Haha, honey, enough with the jokes.”

“I’m not joking.”

“Even if you aren’t, don’t say it!”

“I was just stating the truth.”

Even if it’s true, don’t say it out loud, idiot! Cassia swallowed the words at the tip of her tongue, sneaking a glance at Bertol. He was watching Zester with keen interest.

“You will be devastated when you wake up from the dream, Baron.”

“It isn’t a dream, so it’s fine.”

“Yes, one would hope it’s not a dream.”

Bertol smiled faintly and lifted his utensils. Once again, it was a remark with weight behind it. Cassia and the servants, who didn’t know the full context, were bewildered, but Zester felt displeased, uneasy, and anxious.

The strange atmosphere was making her nervous. Cassia, who had been watching them both, locked eyes with the chef, Lucas. The head chef understood at once and approached.

Lucas politely introduced the prepared dishes, and several servants bustled about, helping to serve the courses. Lunch at Greze Castle began without a hitch.

“By the way, Baroness, how are you finding life in Greze? It must be very different from Ruberno. I imagine it was hard to adapt.”

“Well. I was very worried before I came, but I’ve found that people live the same everywhere. In fact, there are many parts I like here more than Ruberno, so I’m living quite happily.”

“Oh? Like what?”

“First, I like the weather. I don’t handle heat well, so I was looking forward to the North being cool even in summer. The snow-covered scenery is beautiful, too. In the South, you can’t see landscapes buried in snow like this, even in winter. Every time I look out the window, it’s a breathtaking view. When I first came to Greze, I lost track of time just staring outside all day.”

Zester’s jaw dropped as he stared at Cassia, who was describing Greze, a place of remote mountains, cramped houses, fields reeking of cow dung, and not a single scenic spot to be found, as if it was a picturesque, dreamy place.

 

In truth, most of what Cassia said was true. Even before her return in time, she had never disliked this small, humble territory. She loved the quiet, snow-covered landscape of Greze, and she loved its people, who knew how to enjoy small happiness. As someone who held more affection for Greze than Lord Zester himself, her reaction was only natural.

“That is good to hear. If I have the chance, I’d like to show you Axios. I was born and raised in the North, so I’m sick of snow, but if you enjoy snowy views, there’s no place more magnificent than Axios.”

“Yes. If the opportunity arises, I’m sure I’ll see it someday. Thank you.”

It was just a polite saying. He wasn’t expecting an over-the-top reaction, but at her clean-cut refusal, Bertol raised an eyebrow and nodded, as if disappointed.

“So, is that all you like?”

“Oh, how could that be? The people of Greze are wonderful. The people are all simple and kind, and the castle servants are so sweet. I couldn’t be more at ease. Our butler is extremely intelligent and polite. He helps me so much, as I’ve never managed internal affairs before. I’m very grateful.”

Standing off to the side, Paul smoothed his twitching lips and gave Cassia a small bow. Cassia returned the gesture with a gentle nod.

“And Count, is the food to your liking? I was most worried about the food when I came to Greze, but it was a needless worry. I had no idea the chef was so talented. He plans the menu to my tastes every single day. I find myself looking forward to mealtimes more than I did in Ruberno. I thought I was a picky eater, but I guess I’m not.”

Lucas, who had been standing next to Paul, nervously watching the diners, covered his mouth. He received praise from the lady every single meal, but this time was different. This was in front of Count Axios. Feeling his nose tingling, Lucas coughed and bowed his head. Paul smiled in approval and patted him on the back.

“I see…”

Bertol muttered and nodded.

‘He’s probably a little surprised that my answers are so different from what he expected.’

Cassia thought, smiling inwardly.

The Cassia from before her regression might have let a complaint slip out. She had, after all, been taken aback by the tiny territory and the unfamiliar northern food at first. But the Cassia of now had already lived in Greze for over ten years. She was a proper Northern person, adapted to the bone, and a lady of the castle who was full of affection for the Greze she had diligently ruled in Zester’s stead.

As Bertol smiled, clearly surprised, Cassia drove the final nail in.

“And the biggest reason I love Greze is, of course…”

Her languid blue eyes swept over Zester, who sat opposite her. Bertol, who was following her gaze, gave a thin, humorless smile.

Zester was flustered. Cassia’s words had trailed off, but her eyes and her shy blush made it obvious what she wanted to say.

‘Because of me?! She likes it here because of me?!’

It felt as if the fireworks that lit up the capital during its festivities were exploding in his chest. His heart pounded. He would have been thrilled if she’d done this when they were alone, but in front of Bertol, it made him even more flustered. He had no idea why.

Seeing Zester’s deeply moved expression, Cassia felt inwardly guilty.

While it was true that her life was more bearable this time thanks to her new, kind husband, her words and expressions were not without calculation.

The Bertol of her past life had acted like a brute who didn’t know the first thing about noble virtues. Not only had he propositioned her, his comrade’s wife, to be his mistress, but even after she flatly refused, he had continued to make things awkwardly difficult for her.

The territory war that had triggered it all hadn’t happened yet, but Cassia was very worried. She wanted to shut down even the smallest spark of interest this time, make it clear she was happy here, with her husband.

“The Baron must be treating you well.”

“Yes. He treats me so well. That’s why I plan to do my best here, as much as I can. In Greze… I want to live happily like this… forever.”

 

『Do you plan to be cooped up in Greze forever? A woman like you would suit Axios far more.』

『I can give you anything you desire. You won’t lack for anything. It wouldn’t cost you much, isn’t it a good deal?』

『You just have to stay by my side.』

 

Whether her relationship with Zester had been good or bad, Cassia had been a married noblewoman. Bertol’s immoral whispers had been so shameful, so traumatic, that they remained vivid in her mind.

Cassia strengthened her voice, as if answering those ridiculous proposals of her past life.

Clang!

Suddenly, there was the sound of silverware falling. She looked up to see Zester, holding one hand to his flushed cheek, fumbling. It seemed he’d gotten flustered and made a mess again.

Cassia watched as a servant quickly brought new utensils, and she couldn’t help but laugh. In the past, she would have just sighed at his foolishness, but these days, she found his constant reactions cute. She must be in deep.

Her laughter only darkened Bertol’s eyes.

“It seems you two have a very close relationship.”

“Of course,” Cassia replied.

“When we were on the battlefield together three years ago, the Baron wasn’t like this, you know.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“I was worried he had a disease that kept him from speaking more than a few words. He was a boring man who only knew how to say ‘Yes’ and ‘No.’ I was honestly worried for his wife. I thought, it would be hard for her, adapting to such a dull husband.”

He’s not wrong… Cassia smiled awkwardly. For some reason, he was talkative and smiley and attentive to his wife this time, but in her past life, he had been exactly the dull husband Bertol worried about.

Hadn’t she ground her teeth in regret over it until the day she died? But, as if to properly mourn her unfair past life, the Zester of today, who was different in every way, was rather tolerable. And not just tolerable. If she had to praise him, he was quite satisfactory. Aside from being a little foolish and frustrating.

“He’s not dull at all. He’s incredibly sweet. I like the Baron very much as he is.”

“Me too!”

Clang!

Zester’s body jumped as he replied excitedly. He hit the table, and his silverware once again tumbled to the floor. A servant, looking like he was about to cry, scurried over with yet another set.

“Honey, I get it, so please calm down.”

“Uh, yes… Sorry.”

Zester scratched his head, his cheeks red with a grin he couldn’t contain plastered on his face.

Bertol found it displeasing, watching Cassia smile at Zester’s foolish display as if it were the cutest thing in the world.

“By the way, did you know?”

He hadn’t intended to say something so childish but…. Bertol looked back and forth between Cassia and Zester, who had turned to him in puzzlement and smirked.

“Cassia Ruberno. The beautiful daughter of the southern Count Ruberno…”

Putting down the cutlery in his hand, Bertol rested his chin on his hand, and locked eyes with Cassia.

“Actually, you were never meant to be Baron Greze’s wife. You were supposed to be my wife.”

 

 

 

Early Access available on Patreon!

PREVIOUS | TOC | NEXT