#29: Mort (3) — Death Sleeps Not

His fingers were caressing my cheek. It was dizzyingly tempting, but still.

I quietly took his hand and lowered it.

“We have plenty of time.”

His candle-like gaze slowly blinked.

After a brief silence, he buried his face against my shoulder.

“That’s right. From now on, forever…….”

A rumble like that of a satisfied beast reached my ear.

Worried that he might hear my violently pounding heart, I quietly wrapped my arms around his back.

The summer wind brushed coolly across the back of my neck.

I took Victor’s hand and returned to the banquet hall.

The banquet was already coming to an end. The vassals had left long ago, while the thoroughly drunk knights walked toward their lodgings outside the castle with their arms around one another’s shoulders.

The moment we entered the corridor, the maids quickly followed us. They were still extremely tense. It bothered me, but tending to Victor, who was moving sluggishly from drink, was more urgent. When I scolded him with a reddened face for constantly leaning into my embrace, he merely laughed as though he found everything delightful. Though the servants did not show it openly, they seemed surprised.

That was strange as well. The servants at the capital residence had always said Victor was a cheerful person, and even when he behaved shamelessly, they merely laughed rather than appearing surprised. But the people here acted as though they had never seen Victor smile before.

Why in the world?

Before I had time to think further, the bedroom came into view. Surprisingly, its interior was almost perfectly identical to the bedroom at the capital residence. The red curtains, the tapestry bearing the family crest, even the wall covered with weapons. It looked as though the room from the capital residence had been removed intact and placed here. It had probably been deliberately arranged this way so Victor could sleep.

I took Victor by the wrist and led him toward the bed. He obediently followed and lay down. However, he did not release my hand.

Whoosh. When he pulled me, I lost my balance and fell onto his chest. My eyes widened as I looked down at him.

“My Grand Duchess.”

Victor’s gaze swept over me as though piercing through my eyes, shoulders, and wrists. He asked in a whisper.

“You won’t leave me, will you?”

The words sounded almost like an incantation.

I silently stared at Victor.

He truly was acting somewhat strange today. Was it because he was drunk? Or had the sight of his homeland after so long stirred some emotion within him?

After hesitating, I briefly kissed his cheek. I had never initiated such a thing before, but somehow, it felt as though he needed it now. Then I whispered quietly.

“Yes. I’ll stay by your side.”

Victor laughed softly and closed his eyes.

Rubbing my reddening cheek with the back of my hand, I gathered my spread skirts and stood. It was time to cast off the uncomfortable dress.

Fortunately, Victor fell asleep obediently that night. I had worried that his symptoms might worsen because he was both tired and intoxicated, but apparently, being in a room identical to the one where he usually slept had helped. I managed to put Victor back to sleep without much difficulty, then fell asleep as though fainting.

When I opened my eyes the next morning, Victor was already gone from the bed.

‘Did he leave already?’

Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I turned my head and saw a short note on the table.

[I have a meeting, so I shall leave first. Rest well.]

The handwritten letters in ink were exceedingly elegant.

How could everything about him be so impressive?

I smiled secretly and rang the bell. The maids appeared with astonishing speed.

I washed my face with warm water in a golden basin and awkwardly received breakfast. There was thinly sliced pork bacon, warm wheat bread that tore apart in delicate layers, and various mushrooms roasted with herbs. Naturally, every dish was excellent. I emptied the plates in admiration.

“His Highness instructed us to tell you to remain in your room today if possible.”

One maid spoke cautiously. I blinked in confusion.

Was he worried about me because the journey had been long?

Of course, it was good news for me. There was nothing in the world I loved more than lazing around in bed. But it suddenly occurred to me that if I truly did that, I might appear to be an extraordinarily lazy lady of the castle.

After some thought, I asked,

“Is there anything I need to do? Anyone I need to meet?”

I was still far from being a proper noblewoman, but I knew that the lady of such a vast territory was normally extremely busy.

It was on an entirely different scale from managing a residence. A lord’s wife had to maintain the castle, aid the poor, and meet merchants traveling through the territory. Moreover, I was a Grand Duchess. Since this land had its own taxes and military, I was certain there would be even more work than for an ordinary lady.

However, the maids watched me cautiously and shook their heads.

“His Highness only instructed you to rest in your room.”

Was that truly all right? Wasn’t I normally supposed to meet the vassals or the steward and discuss my duties as soon as I arrived?

After deliberating, I simply nodded.

Well, Victor must have told me to rest because he believed it was fine. If necessary, I could meet them later.

Having finished thinking, I looked at the maids. They were much the same as yesterday. Every one of them was young, and they constantly watched my mood like a flock of frightened sheep. It was unbearably awkward. Had it been like this when I first arrived at the capital residence, I might have burst into tears.

But by now, I had learned a little about how to get along with people. Though I had never managed to become close to noblewomen, I had gotten along fairly well with the servants.

Surely I could become friendly with the people here as well if I tried. Thinking that, I looked at the maid who had spoken to me earlier. She was the very maid who had fallen while carrying a dress yesterday.

“What is your name?”

At my question, she flinched and answered.

“Ma-Mary, Your Highness.”

“Mary. I look forward to relying on you.”

Mary stiffened and bowed even more deeply.

“I shall do my utmost, Madam.”

I smiled awkwardly and nodded.

I hadn’t made her even more uncomfortable, had I……?

Both to give the tense maids something to do and to occupy myself, I asked them to bring me an interesting book from the library.

Mary and the other maids widened their eyes, then returned with a book at astonishing speed. It was a novel titled <The Adventures of Doldopin, the Wandering Knight>.

Doldopin? What country could he possibly be from? It did not sound like a name found in either the Empire or the kingdom. Perhaps the Southern Kingdom or the Eastern Kingdom?

Leaning against the headboard, I turned the pages. Ridiculous illustrations appeared from the very beginning. Completely absorbed in the novel, I spent a leisurely afternoon giggling.

Victor returned to the bedroom around the time Doldopin was fighting an ugly lake frog.

“What are you reading?”

When I showed him the title, he laughed pleasantly.

“<The Adventures of Doldopin>. That is an amusing book. When Doldopin proposes to Grand Princess Flamberge beneath the tower—”

“Victor!”

I hurriedly stopped him.

I had not read that part yet!

When I glared at him with all my strength, Victor raised an eyebrow.

“My apologies. I thought you had read that far.”

“I thought he would end up with Princess Rapier.”

“I feel I may let something else slip if I continue, so you should read it yourself.”

He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. He smelled of candles and ink. It seemed he had been in the meeting room until just moments ago.

Suddenly, I felt embarrassed that I was still lying in bed. But Victor appeared satisfied.

“Did you remain in the room the entire time?”

“Yes. I rested well.”

“Good. You suffered throughout the journey.”

Smiling, he kissed my cheek. I had no choice but to blush again.

I hoped the servants here would be as generous as the people of the Black Lion Residence. But rather than smiling at Victor and me, the maids kept their heads deeply bowed, as though terrified of even meeting our eyes.

‘Is this really all right……?’

Whether he knew of my concern or not, Victor calmly took my hand.

“Starting tomorrow, take your time looking around the castle. It will take several days, but it should be enjoyable. There is far more to see here than at the capital residence.”

“Yes, I will.”

“And for the time being, I would like you to remain within the inner castle.”

His gaze suddenly became serious. I tilted my head.

“Why?”

“It has been so long since I was last here that I do not know whether it is safe, and I am too busy to accompany you outside. I know it may feel stifling…… but I ask this of you.”

Victor spoke pitifully. I blinked.

Honestly, I did not find it stifling at all. I had been born on frozen land and had spent more nights sleeping on stone floors than in beds. Even a bundle of straw spread over my armor had been enough for me to consider it comfortable. I could spend months or even years buried beneath blankets this soft.

When I nodded, Victor smiled and smoothly continued.

“And would you mind if I stationed knights outside your door? Many people come and go through the castle, so it concerns me.”

Huh?

I did not quite understand that. No matter what happened, it would be difficult for knights of their skill to protect me…….

But if it would put Victor’s mind at ease.

“That’s fine.”

When I agreed once more, his smile deepened further. He looked like a child placed before a sweet dessert.

Victor whispered in an enchanting voice.

“Rest inside the castle as much as you desire, Marion. Eat to your heart’s content and do whatever you please. So long as you do not go outside.”

“You intend to make me like Flamberge, imprisoned in the tower.”

At my joke, Victor smiled so brilliantly that he seemed to glow.

“There is nothing I would desire more.”