Chapter 15
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Chapter 15
‘Certainly, this is a beautiful place…’
Castle of the Duchy of Hessenweitz—A place where the antique elegance of an old building resides. Of course, the scale is enormous as well.
An outer castle that welcomes guests, including a banquet hall and guest rooms. The family members of the duke’s castle reside in the castle. The buildings of the Knights and the buildings used by the employees are also located in the castle. Besides, this vast Duchy.
‘…Zachary is the heir to this place.’
If it wasn’t for the princess, Zachary and she might have lived their entire lives without even seeing each other’s faces. She was surprised by that fact and smiled a little.
As the autumn wind blows, Iellie frowned slightly.
“Hey? Did something get in your eye?”
Zachary gazed back at her for a moment.
Rubbing her eyes, she narrowed her brow and looked at Zachary.
“Um, a little… it’s not coming out well.”
“Look at me.”
Simultaneously, he raised his hand and gently squeezed her cheek. With his finger opposite her, he strokes Iellie’s eyelashes.
She looked up at him naturally. For a moment, his breathing went haywire.
‘Len…’
It had been a long time since they had been this close. As a couple, they were two people who had never even spent the night together. In addition, Zachary was often away from the castle for subjugations.
So, for him, the woman who has grown up to be beautiful all of a sudden is overly provocative.
‘She used to be pretty, but I think she’s much prettier now…’
Zachary thought blankly.
Blinking her eyes, she called out to him in a grim voice.
“Zachary?”
“Oh—uh, yes.”
Startled, he bowed his head and blew softly into her eyes. Iellie wanted to shake her shoulder as she rolled her eyes slightly. After a while, the pale green eyes fluttered softly.
“I think it got out…?”
“Really?”
“Yes, that’s a relief. It stings a lot.”
Having said that, she got up from her seat, turned lightly behind her and looked down at him.
Zachary stared blankly at her movements.
Elegantly waving pink hair, and pale green eyes like buds. She grew a little taller, and her skin became whiter and softer. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“…Zachary?”
If she hadn’t called him out with her puzzled voice, he wouldn’t have been able to take his eyes off her for so long.
Zachary, startled, raised his head.
“We have to go back soon.”
“Ah…”
Hearing that, he reflexively frowned. That was true. They have dinner with the Duke, who was waiting this evening.
“I don’t want to go.”
“We should still go, what could we do?”
Iellie smiled brightly while he silently stared at her. After all, she was always mature.
“Instead, today, the chef promised to make a particularly delicious dessert.”
As she said that, her eyes lit up like a naughty kid.
She murmured as if telling a big secret. “He said that it was a masterpiece and that you can look forward to it!”
“Really? What’s that dessert?”
“Chocolate eclair with caramel. It must be delicious, right?”
Iellie, who spoke freshly, meticulously opened the jacket and wrapped it over his shoulder. She urges him in a friendly voice.
“So, get up now.”
“Well… if you hold my hand.”
Zachary spoke to her as if he was playing like a child.
She wrinkled the tip of her nose and smiled bitterly at him.
“What, you’re not even a child.”
Even so, it was like her to extend both her hands to him regardless. Zachary held her hand tightly. As her warm heat touched his hand, he felt unbearably happy.
Seeing so, she grunted a little.
“You… You’re old enough.”
“No matter how childish I may be, you know that this marriage can’t end, right?”
“Ah. Oh dear, it feels like I’ve been swindled into a marriage.”
She opened her mouth as if to nag.
At that, the two looked at each other and giggled side by side.
After a while. The two went back to their respective rooms in the Duke’s castle. Finally, it was time to prepare for dinner with the Duke.
***
That evening.
Zachary and Iellie sat next to the Duke. The atmosphere was much better than before.
On that day three years ago, it was a snowy spring night when Zachary suffered a rush crisis. From that point on, the relationship between the three of them changed slightly.
The Duke still sarcastically called Zachary a ‘monster,’ though he did not wield violence recklessly.
Zachary also abandoned the desire to be accepted by his father and drew the line.
‘The problem is that the ‘better’ is simply not fighting in front of me…’
She swallowed her sigh.
To be honest, the emotional gap is still not filled. However, fortunately, both the Duke and Zachary were a little soft for her, so she was just sandwiched between the two as her buffer.
“Duke. Good evening.”
“Hmm.”
Iellie, who entered the dining room, bowed her head.
The Duke nodded his head slightly, even though his face was blunt, now that she said greetings, he accepted it. So, she decided that this was good enough.
“Both of you have a seat.”
Zachary and she sat down next to each other. Considering the chilly autumn weather, the hot soup came out first. As Iellie looked down at the soup bowl, she suddenly remembered the first dinner with the Duke.
‘It was a really bad atmosphere. I was afraid of pretending, so I couldn’t even touch the food.’
At that time, she didn’t know what confidence she had when she was pouring out to the Duke without him being able to say anything he couldn’t say. Her shoulders trembled, and she narrowed her brow.
Because of that, Zachary threw a small question at her.
“Len, are you cold or something?”
“No. It’s not like that…”
But, the Duke was also listening to their conversation. He narrowed his brow and flicked his finger. When a servant approaching nearby showed himself with his head bowed, the Duke opened his mouth casually.
“Go and put more firewood in the fireplace.”
“….”
‘Hey, what is going on?’ Confused, Iellie blinked her eyes.
The air began to warm up with the sound of the crackling of firewood.
Unfolding the napkin, Zachary stared at his father with complicated eyes.
‘It’s a relief that father cares about Len, though.’
After that night when he suffered a rush crisis, the Duke’s attitude toward Iellie had softened strangely.
Still, it was fortunate for Zachary, who had to leave her alone and go on a campaign over and over again, though it was true that his father’s sudden change of attitude was surprising.
Suddenly, the Duke opened his mouth again.
“Is this temperature okay?”
“Yes, thank you, Duke.”
Iellie hid her bewildered expression and answered smoothly. Looking into the pale green eyes, the Duke was captivated by a brief emotion. A long time ago, his beloved wife was also sitting there.
‘Adel…’
Her fresh green eyes, which never smiled at her young son or husband—He loved her nonetheless. A piece of a memory that was never happy, even if it was lost forever.
The Duke hid it in his mouth.
“…Everyone, let’s eat the food.”
At those words, both Zachary and Iellie raised their tableware. And so, they started to hear the sound of the moving dishes.
The Duke then looked at his side.
There, Iellie was smiling softly as she gazed at Zachary.
‘I wonder if Adel and I could be like those kids?’
Pink hair. Eyes like buds of light green. The one who resembles Adelaide is Zachary, but the one who caught him strangely was Iellie, instead. She resembles Adel. Before her marriage, she was happy in her maiden years.
‘If I had a daughter who looked like Adel… maybe it would be like that kid…’
Nevertheless, it was a useless thought now.
With a bitter smile, the Duke picked up the spoon in front of him with his graceful gesture. His bombshell remarks went off right after the main dish was served. Steaming veal hind legs were en route to being placed in front of each of them.
The Duke, who had picked up a fork and knife, opened his lips with a gentle voice.
“Zachary.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You, too, will join in this subjugation of the barbarians.”
As she secretly swallowed her saliva and looked at the food, Iellie’s eyes widened. ‘No, what is he talking about…?’
“Well, Your Excellency. The Heir Apparent has just returned from the last subjugation—”
Iellie bit the tip of her tongue. She knows it’s rude to interrupt a conversation, however, it was almost irresistible for her to speak out.
‘Duke, how far are you going to neglect your child?’
“I ordered it because it was necessary.”
“…Yes?”
‘Necessary, what the hell does that mean?’ She couldn’t even read the Duke’s heart.
She glanced at the Duke silently. Meanwhile, the Duke faced her with a strange expression and let out a brief sigh.
“Also, this matter is not yours to intervene.”
“But, Your Excellency, I am Zachary’s wife…”
“I know that you and Zachary are a pretty good couple. However, this problem is between Zachary and mine.”
“….”
Frowning his eyebrows, the Duke answered.
Iellie bit her lip and turned her gaze away. The Duke’s rebuke was reasonable. External matters, including battles, are decided by the Duke and his successor. Unless there were unavoidable circumstances, she was right not to intervene.
However, she was constantly dissatisfied with the current situation.
‘How long has it been since the last subjugation? And, he wants him to start fighting the barbarians again?’
The barbarians were a minority of tribes living outside the control of the Duchy.
In the past, the Duchy was said to have suffered quite a bit because of their plunder, though thanks to periodic subjugation, the number has decreased significantly in recent years.
In particular, because of Zachary, who has the power of winter, participated in the subjugation, some tribes were showing signs of making peace with the Duchy.
‘Even so, there is no guarantee that he will return safely…’
Not all tribes were favorable to Hessenweitz. Some tribes tried to get along well with the Duchy, while others believed that bowing their heads to the Duchy hurt their pride. And, if Zachary faced such tribes—
If he does…
On top of that, Zachary had participated in the previous subjugation several times…!
‘So, for this subjugation, it should be all right to not let Zachary go, right? Someone needs a break, right? It’s not that the Duke doesn’t know that it’s a problem that can be solved just by sending knights!’
Needless to say, she sheds her wrath by stabbing the salad in front of her with a fork.
After a while, the Duke opened his mouth.
“Iellie.”
“…I felt weird. Your Excellency.”
Iellie, who heard the voice soothing her, swallowed a sigh and bowed her head. The gaze of the Duke looking at her was soft, different from the gaze towards his son.
Then, Zachary called for her as well.
“Len.”
She swallowed her words. ‘Maybe he wants to say he’s fine. Even if he’s okay with it, I’m not okay at all!’
She bit her lips.
On a hot plate, tender veal hind legs topped with demi-glace sauce. Even though it was one of her favorite foods, her taste buds strangely fell off.
As she quietly set her tableware down, Zachary gazed at her anxiously.
“….”
But, right now, conversation with the Duke is the priority.
Swallowing a sigh, Zachary raised his head and asked his father.
“Why? The last subjugation was also successful, and father should know better that we just returned this time.”
“I know. However, the Imperial Family expressed considerable concern about the intentions of the barbarians in the north.”
A chilly silence fell over the table. The long-standing antagonism between the Imperial Family and the Duchy family, which began with the founding legend, was now a familiar fact to the people of the Empire.
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Chapter 15
‘Certainly, this is a beautiful place…’
Castle of the Duchy of Hessenweitz—A place where the antique elegance of an old building resides. Of course, the scale is enormous as well.
An outer castle that welcomes guests, including a banquet hall and guest rooms. The family members of the duke’s castle reside in the castle. The buildings of the Knights and the buildings used by the employees are also located in the castle. Besides, this vast Duchy.
‘…Zachary is the heir to this place.’
If it wasn’t for the princess, Zachary and she might have lived their entire lives without even seeing each other’s faces. She was surprised by that fact and smiled a little.
As the autumn wind blows, Iellie frowned slightly.
“Hey? Did something get in your eye?”
Zachary gazed back at her for a moment.
Rubbing her eyes, she narrowed her brow and looked at Zachary.
“Um, a little… it’s not coming out well.”
“Look at me.”
Simultaneously, he raised his hand and gently squeezed her cheek. With his finger opposite her, he strokes Iellie’s eyelashes.
She looked up at him naturally. For a moment, his breathing went haywire.
‘Len…’
It had been a long time since they had been this close. As a couple, they were two people who had never even spent the night together. In addition, Zachary was often away from the castle for subjugations.
So, for him, the woman who has grown up to be beautiful all of a sudden is overly provocative.
‘She used to be pretty, but I think she’s much prettier now…’
Zachary thought blankly.
Blinking her eyes, she called out to him in a grim voice.
“Zachary?”
“Oh—uh, yes.”
Startled, he bowed his head and blew softly into her eyes. Iellie wanted to shake her shoulder as she rolled her eyes slightly. After a while, the pale green eyes fluttered softly.
“I think it got out…?”
“Really?”
“Yes, that’s a relief. It stings a lot.”
Having said that, she got up from her seat, turned lightly behind her and looked down at him.
Zachary stared blankly at her movements.
Elegantly waving pink hair, and pale green eyes like buds. She grew a little taller, and her skin became whiter and softer. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“…Zachary?”
If she hadn’t called him out with her puzzled voice, he wouldn’t have been able to take his eyes off her for so long.
Zachary, startled, raised his head.
“We have to go back soon.”
“Ah…”
Hearing that, he reflexively frowned. That was true. They have dinner with the Duke, who was waiting this evening.
“I don’t want to go.”
“We should still go, what could we do?”
Iellie smiled brightly while he silently stared at her. After all, she was always mature.
“Instead, today, the chef promised to make a particularly delicious dessert.”
As she said that, her eyes lit up like a naughty kid.
She murmured as if telling a big secret. “He said that it was a masterpiece and that you can look forward to it!”
“Really? What’s that dessert?”
“Chocolate eclair with caramel. It must be delicious, right?”
Iellie, who spoke freshly, meticulously opened the jacket and wrapped it over his shoulder. She urges him in a friendly voice.
“So, get up now.”
“Well… if you hold my hand.”
Zachary spoke to her as if he was playing like a child.
She wrinkled the tip of her nose and smiled bitterly at him.
“What, you’re not even a child.”
Even so, it was like her to extend both her hands to him regardless. Zachary held her hand tightly. As her warm heat touched his hand, he felt unbearably happy.
Seeing so, she grunted a little.
“You… You’re old enough.”
“No matter how childish I may be, you know that this marriage can’t end, right?”
“Ah. Oh dear, it feels like I’ve been swindled into a marriage.”
She opened her mouth as if to nag.
At that, the two looked at each other and giggled side by side.
After a while. The two went back to their respective rooms in the Duke’s castle. Finally, it was time to prepare for dinner with the Duke.
***
That evening.
Zachary and Iellie sat next to the Duke. The atmosphere was much better than before.
On that day three years ago, it was a snowy spring night when Zachary suffered a rush crisis. From that point on, the relationship between the three of them changed slightly.
The Duke still sarcastically called Zachary a ‘monster,’ though he did not wield violence recklessly.
Zachary also abandoned the desire to be accepted by his father and drew the line.
‘The problem is that the ‘better’ is simply not fighting in front of me…’
She swallowed her sigh.
To be honest, the emotional gap is still not filled. However, fortunately, both the Duke and Zachary were a little soft for her, so she was just sandwiched between the two as her buffer.
“Duke. Good evening.”
“Hmm.”
Iellie, who entered the dining room, bowed her head.
The Duke nodded his head slightly, even though his face was blunt, now that she said greetings, he accepted it. So, she decided that this was good enough.
“Both of you have a seat.”
Zachary and she sat down next to each other. Considering the chilly autumn weather, the hot soup came out first. As Iellie looked down at the soup bowl, she suddenly remembered the first dinner with the Duke.
‘It was a really bad atmosphere. I was afraid of pretending, so I couldn’t even touch the food.’
At that time, she didn’t know what confidence she had when she was pouring out to the Duke without him being able to say anything he couldn’t say. Her shoulders trembled, and she narrowed her brow.
Because of that, Zachary threw a small question at her.
“Len, are you cold or something?”
“No. It’s not like that…”
But, the Duke was also listening to their conversation. He narrowed his brow and flicked his finger. When a servant approaching nearby showed himself with his head bowed, the Duke opened his mouth casually.
“Go and put more firewood in the fireplace.”
“….”
‘Hey, what is going on?’ Confused, Iellie blinked her eyes.
The air began to warm up with the sound of the crackling of firewood.
Unfolding the napkin, Zachary stared at his father with complicated eyes.
‘It’s a relief that father cares about Len, though.’
After that night when he suffered a rush crisis, the Duke’s attitude toward Iellie had softened strangely.
Still, it was fortunate for Zachary, who had to leave her alone and go on a campaign over and over again, though it was true that his father’s sudden change of attitude was surprising.
Suddenly, the Duke opened his mouth again.
“Is this temperature okay?”
“Yes, thank you, Duke.”
Iellie hid her bewildered expression and answered smoothly. Looking into the pale green eyes, the Duke was captivated by a brief emotion. A long time ago, his beloved wife was also sitting there.
‘Adel…’
Her fresh green eyes, which never smiled at her young son or husband—He loved her nonetheless. A piece of a memory that was never happy, even if it was lost forever.
The Duke hid it in his mouth.
“…Everyone, let’s eat the food.”
At those words, both Zachary and Iellie raised their tableware. And so, they started to hear the sound of the moving dishes.
The Duke then looked at his side.
There, Iellie was smiling softly as she gazed at Zachary.
‘I wonder if Adel and I could be like those kids?’
Pink hair. Eyes like buds of light green. The one who resembles Adelaide is Zachary, but the one who caught him strangely was Iellie, instead. She resembles Adel. Before her marriage, she was happy in her maiden years.
‘If I had a daughter who looked like Adel… maybe it would be like that kid…’
Nevertheless, it was a useless thought now.
With a bitter smile, the Duke picked up the spoon in front of him with his graceful gesture. His bombshell remarks went off right after the main dish was served. Steaming veal hind legs were en route to being placed in front of each of them.
The Duke, who had picked up a fork and knife, opened his lips with a gentle voice.
“Zachary.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You, too, will join in this subjugation of the barbarians.”
As she secretly swallowed her saliva and looked at the food, Iellie’s eyes widened. ‘No, what is he talking about…?’
“Well, Your Excellency. The Heir Apparent has just returned from the last subjugation—”
Iellie bit the tip of her tongue. She knows it’s rude to interrupt a conversation, however, it was almost irresistible for her to speak out.
‘Duke, how far are you going to neglect your child?’
“I ordered it because it was necessary.”
“…Yes?”
‘Necessary, what the hell does that mean?’ She couldn’t even read the Duke’s heart.
She glanced at the Duke silently. Meanwhile, the Duke faced her with a strange expression and let out a brief sigh.
“Also, this matter is not yours to intervene.”
“But, Your Excellency, I am Zachary’s wife…”
“I know that you and Zachary are a pretty good couple. However, this problem is between Zachary and mine.”
“….”
Frowning his eyebrows, the Duke answered.
Iellie bit her lip and turned her gaze away. The Duke’s rebuke was reasonable. External matters, including battles, are decided by the Duke and his successor. Unless there were unavoidable circumstances, she was right not to intervene.
However, she was constantly dissatisfied with the current situation.
‘How long has it been since the last subjugation? And, he wants him to start fighting the barbarians again?’
The barbarians were a minority of tribes living outside the control of the Duchy.
In the past, the Duchy was said to have suffered quite a bit because of their plunder, though thanks to periodic subjugation, the number has decreased significantly in recent years.
In particular, because of Zachary, who has the power of winter, participated in the subjugation, some tribes were showing signs of making peace with the Duchy.
‘Even so, there is no guarantee that he will return safely…’
Not all tribes were favorable to Hessenweitz. Some tribes tried to get along well with the Duchy, while others believed that bowing their heads to the Duchy hurt their pride. And, if Zachary faced such tribes—
If he does…
On top of that, Zachary had participated in the previous subjugation several times…!
‘So, for this subjugation, it should be all right to not let Zachary go, right? Someone needs a break, right? It’s not that the Duke doesn’t know that it’s a problem that can be solved just by sending knights!’
Needless to say, she sheds her wrath by stabbing the salad in front of her with a fork.
After a while, the Duke opened his mouth.
“Iellie.”
“…I felt weird. Your Excellency.”
Iellie, who heard the voice soothing her, swallowed a sigh and bowed her head. The gaze of the Duke looking at her was soft, different from the gaze towards his son.
Then, Zachary called for her as well.
“Len.”
She swallowed her words. ‘Maybe he wants to say he’s fine. Even if he’s okay with it, I’m not okay at all!’
She bit her lips.
On a hot plate, tender veal hind legs topped with demi-glace sauce. Even though it was one of her favorite foods, her taste buds strangely fell off.
As she quietly set her tableware down, Zachary gazed at her anxiously.
“….”
But, right now, conversation with the Duke is the priority.
Swallowing a sigh, Zachary raised his head and asked his father.
“Why? The last subjugation was also successful, and father should know better that we just returned this time.”
“I know. However, the Imperial Family expressed considerable concern about the intentions of the barbarians in the north.”
A chilly silence fell over the table. The long-standing antagonism between the Imperial Family and the Duchy family, which began with the founding legend, was now a familiar fact to the people of the Empire.
Chapter 15Certainly, this is a beautiful place'Castle of the Duchy of HessenweitzA place where the antique elegance of an old building resides. Of course, the scale is enormous as well.An outer castle that welcomes guests, including a banquet hall and guest rooms. The family members of the duke's castle reside in the castle. The buildings of the Knights and the buildings used by the employees are also located in the castle. Besides, this vast Duchy.Zachary is the heir to this place.'If it wasn't for the princess, Zachary and she might have lived their entire lives without even seeing each other's faces. She was surprised by that fact and smiled a little.As the autumn wind blows, Iellie frowned slightly.Hey? Did something get in your eye?Zachary gazed back at her for a moment.Rubbing her eyes, she narrowed her brow and looked at Zachary.Um, a little it's not coming out well.Look at me.Simultaneously, he raised his hand and gently squeezed her cheek. With his finger opposite her, he strokes Iellie's eyelashes.She looked up at him naturally. For a moment, his breathing went haywire.Len'It had been a long time since they had been this close. As a couple, they were two people who had never even spent the night together. In addition, Zachary was often away from the castle for subjugations.So, for him, the woman who has grown up to be beautiful all of a sudden is overly provocative.She used to be pretty, but I think she's much prettier now'Zachary thought blankly.Blinking her eyes, she called out to him in a grim voice.Zachary?Ohuh, yes.Startled, he bowed his head and blew softly into her eyes. Iellie wanted to shake her shoulder as she rolled her eyes slightly. After a while, the pale green eyes fluttered softly.I think it got out?Really?Yes, that's a relief. It stings a lot.Having said that, she got up from her seat, turned lightly behind her and looked down at him.Zachary stared blankly at her movements.Elegantly waving pink hair, and pale green eyes like buds. She grew a little taller, and her skin became whiter and softer. He couldn't take his eyes off her.Zachary?If she hadn't called him out with her puzzled voice, he wouldn't have been able to take his eyes off her for so long.Zachary, startled, raised his head.We have to go back soon.AhHearing that, he reflexively frowned. That was true. They have dinner with the Duke, who was waiting this evening.I don't want to go.We should still go, what could we do?Iellie smiled brightly while he silently stared at her. After all, she was always mature.Instead, today, the chef promised to make a particularly delicious dessert.As she said that, her eyes lit up like a naughty kid.She murmured as if telling a big secret. He said that it was a masterpiece and that you can look forward to it!Really? What's that dessert?Chocolate eclair with caramel. It must be delicious, right?Iellie, who spoke freshly, meticulously opened the jacket and wrapped it over his shoulder. She urges him in a friendly voice.So, get up now.Well if you hold my hand.Zachary spoke to her as if he was playing like a child.She wrinkled the tip of her nose and smiled bitterly at him.What, you're not even a child.Even so, it was like her to extend both her hands to him regardless. Zachary held her hand tightly. As her warm heat touched his hand, he felt unbearably happy.Seeing so, she grunted a little.You You're old enough.No matter how childish I may be, you know that this marriage can't end, right?Ah. Oh dear, it feels like I've been swindled into a marriage.She opened her mouth as if to nag.At that, the two looked at each other and giggled side by side.After a while. The two went back to their respective rooms in the Duke's castle. Finally, it was time to prepare for dinner with the Duke.***That evening.Zachary and Iellie sat next to the Duke. The atmosphere was much better than before.On that day three years ago, it was a snowy spring night when Zachary suffered a rush crisis. From that point on, the relationship between the three of them changed slightly.The Duke still sarcastically called Zachary a monster,' though he did not wield violence recklessly.Zachary also abandoned the desire to be accepted by his father and drew the line.The problem is that the better' is simply not fighting in front of me'She swallowed her sigh.To be honest, the emotional gap is still not filled. However, fortunately, both the Duke and Zachary were a little soft for her, so she was just sandwiched between the two as her buffer.Duke. Good evening.Hmm.Iellie, who entered the dining room, bowed her head.The Duke nodded his head slightly, even though his face was blunt, now that she said greetings, he accepted it. So, she decided that this was good enough.Both of you have a seat.Zachary and she sat down next to each other. Considering the chilly autumn weather, the hot soup came out first. As Iellie looked down at the soup bowl, she suddenly remembered the first dinner with the Duke.It was a really bad atmosphere. I was afraid of pretending, so I couldn't even touch the food.'At that time, she didn't know what confidence she had when she was pouring out to the Duke without him being able to say anything he couldn't say. Her shoulders trembled, and she narrowed her brow.Because of that, Zachary threw a small question at her.Len, are you cold or something?No. It's not like thatBut, the Duke was also listening to their conversation. He narrowed his brow and flicked his finger. When a servant approaching nearby showed himself with his head bowed, the Duke opened his mouth casually.Go and put more firewood in the fireplace..Hey, what is going on?' Confused, Iellie blinked her eyes.The air began to warm up with the sound of the crackling of firewood.Unfolding the napkin, Zachary stared at his father with complicated eyes.It's a relief that father cares about Len, though.'After that night when he suffered a rush crisis, the Duke's attitude toward Iellie had softened strangely.Still, it was fortunate for Zachary, who had to leave her alone and go on a campaign over and over again, though it was true that his father's sudden change of attitude was surprising.Suddenly, the Duke opened his mouth again.Is this temperature okay?Yes, thank you, Duke.Iellie hid her bewildered expression and answered smoothly. Looking into the pale green eyes, the Duke was captivated by a brief emotion. A long time ago, his beloved wife was also sitting there.Adel'Her fresh green eyes, which never smiled at her young son or husbandHe loved her nonetheless. A piece of a memory that was never happy, even if it was lost forever.The Duke hid it in his mouth.Everyone, let's eat the food.At those words, both Zachary and Iellie raised their tableware. And so, they started to hear the sound of the moving dishes.The Duke then looked at his side.There, Iellie was smiling softly as she gazed at Zachary.I wonder if Adel and I could be like those kids?'Pink hair. Eyes like buds of light green. The one who resembles Adelaide is Zachary, but the one who caught him strangely was Iellie, instead. She resembles Adel. Before her marriage, she was happy in her maiden years.If I had a daughter who looked like Adel maybe it would be like that kid'Nevertheless, it was a useless thought now.With a bitter smile, the Duke picked up the spoon in front of him with his graceful gesture. His bombshell remarks went off right after the main dish was served. Steaming veal hind legs were en route to being placed in front of each of them.The Duke, who had picked up a fork and knife, opened his lips with a gentle voice.Zachary.Yes, Father.You, too, will join in this subjugation of the barbarians.As she secretly swallowed her saliva and looked at the food, Iellie's eyes widened. No, what is he talking about?'Well, Your Excellency. The Heir Apparent has just returned from the last subjugationIellie bit the tip of her tongue. She knows it's rude to interrupt a conversation, however, it was almost irresistible for her to speak out.Duke, how far are you going to neglect your child?'I ordered it because it was necessary.Yes?Necessary, what the hell does that mean?' She couldn't even read the Duke's heart.She glanced at the Duke silently. Meanwhile, the Duke faced her with a strange expression and let out a brief sigh.Also, this matter is not yours to intervene.But, Your Excellency, I am Zachary's wifeI know that you and Zachary are a pretty good couple. However, this problem is between Zachary and mine..Frowning his eyebrows, the Duke answered.Iellie bit her lip and turned her gaze away. The Duke's rebuke was reasonable. External matters, including battles, are decided by the Duke and his successor. Unless there were unavoidable circumstances, she was right not to intervene.However, she was constantly dissatisfied with the current situation.How long has it been since the last subjugation? And, he wants him to start fighting the barbarians again?'The barbarians were a minority of tribes living outside the control of the Duchy.In the past, the Duchy was said to have suffered quite a bit because of their plunder, though thanks to periodic subjugation, the number has decreased significantly in recent years.In particular, because of Zachary, who has the power of winter, participated in the subjugation, some tribes were showing signs of making peace with the Duchy.Even so, there is no guarantee that he will return safely'Not all tribes were favorable to Hessenweitz. Some tribes tried to get along well with the Duchy, while others believed that bowing their heads to the Duchy hurt their pride. And, if Zachary faced such tribesIf he doesOn top of that, Zachary had participated in the previous subjugation several times!So, for this subjugation, it should be all right to not let Zachary go, right? Someone needs a break, right? It's not that the Duke doesn't know that it's a problem that can be solved just by sending knights!'Needless to say, she sheds her wrath by stabbing the salad in front of her with a fork.After a while, the Duke opened his mouth.Iellie.I felt weird. Your Excellency.Iellie, who heard the voice soothing her, swallowed a sigh and bowed her head. The gaze of the Duke looking at her was soft, different from the gaze towards his son.Then, Zachary called for her as well.Len.She swallowed her words. Maybe he wants to say he's fine. Even if he's okay with it, I'm not okay at all!'She bit her lips.On a hot plate, tender veal hind legs topped with demi-glace sauce. Even though it was one of her favorite foods, her taste buds strangely fell off.As she quietly set her tableware down, Zachary gazed at her anxiously..But, right now, conversation with the Duke is the priority.Swallowing a sigh, Zachary raised his head and asked his father.Why? The last subjugation was also successful, and father should know better that we just returned this time.I know. However, the Imperial Family expressed considerable concern about the intentions of the barbarians in the north.A chilly silence fell over the table. The long-standing antagonism between the Imperial Family and the Duchy family, which began with the founding legend, was now a familiar fact to the people of the Empire.
