“I’m sorry. Suddenly, the Great Queen called, so I couldn’t see you off,” Maximilian apologized, lowering his head. Brielle responded by shaking her head.
“It’s okay. I’m just going out for a while, okay? Besides, the Duke tends to be overly protective,” she added.
“…No, I never did that.”
“What do you mean you never did! I asked Harry. When Nora was pregnant, he followed her every step, looking at her worriedly, you know?”
“If he were a normal gentleman, of course he would have said yes.”
Brielle countered with her eyes wide open.
“No! Never! Yes, he was worried, but he didn’t treat her like a child, to the point where he didn’t leave her side during every schedule.”
“I… am protecting you as an adult woman.”
Brielle calmly reflected on the worries he had had until today.
There is a risk of falling out of bed, so be sure to sleep next to him.
When going up and down the stairs, be sure to hold his hand.
Don’t bend down to pick up items, but wait for Maximilian to pick them up.
No matter how much she thinks, she can’t help but remember Maximilian protecting nine-year-old Clarisse.
“No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think I’m protected as an adult woman.”
“If that’s the case, shouldn’t you receive protection as a lovely wife?”
This was Maximilian’s problem.
Even though he said that, his facial expression didn’t change at all.
Moreover, this may be heard by people passing by, but he doesn’t care and says something embarrassing.
“Ah really.”
Having to bear all the embarrassment alone, Brielle remained silent, with only her face blushing
She used to hate this embarrassment and tried to refute it a little, but all she got back was this.
｢It is only natural that I love you deeply. There should be no shame in saying this out loud.｣
Brielle responded as follows.
“Duke, what would other people think?”
“There is no one in Sheridan Mansion who doesn’t know that I love you.”
That’s true, but still.
If embarrassing words were poured out like this in the entrance hall, Brielle would feel like she was going to die of embarrassment.
Moreover, there was one more person who looked like he was going to die. Brielle glanced at Quentin, who was waiting nearby holding documents.
He, who had already become like a pure white mummy, was trembling all over as he counted the patterns on the ceiling one by one.
Come to think of it, he said he received a wedding invitation not long ago.
It is said that young, talented people who occasionally send him letters seeking his advice will be married at the monastery.
Quentin seemed to have no choice but to attend the wedding of his juniors, who looked up to him like gods, so he sighed every time he looked at the black mark on the calendar.
He said, ‘I hope a grateful young lady who will accompany me to the wedding falls from the sky.’
The Duke who casually says that he loves his wife, with an aide who is so lonely standing next to him. Brielle was worried that Quentin would one day quit his job here.
She stepped closer to Maximilian and lifted her toes slightly.
He quickly lent his ear to her.
“You know, please be nice to Sir Sinclair.”
Then Maximilian answered by whispering in Brielle’s ear.
“Yes, I’m doing well. This time too, generous travel expenses and performance compensation were provided…”
“Ah, really, it’s not about money.”
“….?”
“I thought he was a little lonely. Someone to go to the wedding with…”
Glancing back, Quentin, as if he had already counted all the patterns on the ceiling, was now counting the patterns on the floor.
He was kind of pitiful.
“Don’t worry, wife.”
Maximilian nodded trustingly, as if he had finally understood Brielle’s intentions.
“I am willing to go with Quentin any time he wants. Don’t you know that I think of him as family?”
No, that’s a bit…she doesn’t think Quentin would want it either.
Brielle tried to explain again that it’s not that story but stopped. Because she felt even more sorry that Quentin had to wait so long.
“Please take care, Duke. I will have a good trip too.”
Brielle took a step back and held out her hand to him.
Maximilian kissed the back of her hand.
“I’ll be back…”
The man who was greeting me raised his head with a frown, as if he couldn’t bear it anymore.
“As expected, rather than leading the knights, wouldn’t it be better to take Sir Benson with you?”
“Who carries a knight on her way to a house not outside Heiden and just before the Second Wall? Not even Prince Valentine does that.”
In any case, the second wall was a residential area for nobles.
Not only was access strictly restricted, but all people coming in and out were kept on a register, so there was no way new problems would arise.
“Still… as expected, I’m also worried.”
“I told you not to worry. Even though it’s a camouflaged carriage, it was lent by the royal family. There is no safer means of transportation than that in the world, right?”
Brielle pushed Maximilian’s shoulders away with both hands.
“So, please come back safely.”
Maximilian, until the very end, couldn’t let go of his lingering attachment, muttering ‘a knight…’ However, in the end, he was gradually pushed out of the mansion by his wife.
In the afternoon, the sky became increasingly dark and a chilly wind began to blow.
“It seems like winter rain might come, madam.”
Rosalie was restless and hovered next to Brielle.
She, too, was as concerned as Maximilian when it came to worrying about Brielle.
“It’s okay. Just because it’s going to rain doesn’t make it particularly uncomfortable. My stomach hasn’t even come out yet.”
“What are you saying! Now is the most important time. If you fall on a slippery road, you could be in big trouble. Oh my, I should have brought Mrs. Woods here too.”
Rosalie seemed to expect that if Mrs. Woods was here, she would be able to keep Brielle safe in her house.
But that was because she didn’t know about Brielle’s stubbornness.
“I will definitely go today to say hello to the Marchioness and convey my consolation.”
“At least what about tomorrow? If only the weather were a little clearer. I will contact the Marchioness as soon as possible.”
“Don’t do that.”
Brielle grabbed Rosalie’s wrist.
“I don’t want to make anyone who is tired of waiting wait again. When she heard that Clarisse and I were going together, she responded with how happy she was.”
“Ah.”
“You mentioned that this person has circumstances similar to mine. Maybe on days like today we have something in common.”
“Madam…”
“Above all, she showed kindness to Clarisse. She mentioned that she plans to continue doing so in the future. As the guardian of the child, it is only natural for me to express her gratitude as soon as possible.”
For some reason, it felt like a ‘mother’ job, so Brielle was actually really looking forward to today’s schedule.
“I understand. Instead, you must make sure to dress warmly, okay? If anything were to happen to Madam, the entire Sheridan would be deeply saddened.”
“Don’t worry. Shall we get ready then?”
When Brielle stands up.
She knocked and the butler announced, ‘The carriage has arrived.’
It seems that the royal coachman was in a bit of a hurry due to the bad weather and arrived a little earlier than expected.
“I’ll be out soon. Can you please wait for a little while?”
Brielle asked for some understanding and hurried to prepare.
“Oh, right. Rosalie, can you get me the brooch with the blue gem from Clarisse’s room?”
Following the monastery’s rule prohibiting the bringing in of luxury items, Clarisse left them here.
‘Clarisse will be happy if I bring it to her on the day she meet the Marchioness.’
Brielle smiled to herself as she imagined Clarisse making a surprised expression, saying, ‘Thank you!’
* * *
The camouflage carriages used by the royal family were made of plain wood and had no decorations or markings.
The coachman was dressed exactly like the merchants, so if it went out like this, it would probably look like a carriage transporting goods or documents from some merchant’s company.
“It’s perfect.”
When Brielle was impressed, the coachman smiled proudly and responded.
Despite his appearance, he was very familiar with royal etiquette.
“This is the carriage that the royal family also uses when going to the workhouse.”
“Well, it would be better to avoid taking a fancy carriage when going to places like that.”
“Yes, it’s a great carriage that won’t be noticed anywhere.”
After looking around for a moment, the coachman opened the door and took Brielle inside. Rosalie followed.
“Then let’s depart.”
The carriage didn’t head to the official entrance of the third wall but to a small back door through which maids and merchants usually came and went when delivering goods.
The scenery, which was different from usual, was interesting, so Brielle leaned close to the window and looked out.
Even though it hadn’t been long, Rosalie quickly closed the curtains, exclaiming, ‘Oh my, who would see this?!’
“You know, right? Madam, you are a very important person.”
Rosalie neatly placed her blanket on her lap and furrowed her brows in concern.
“Okay, Rosalie. Are you telling me to sit quietly in the carriage?”
Rosalie finally seemed relieved and took out some knitting items from the cloth bag she had brought with her.
She said she wanted to make a hat for the new baby, and she would knit like this whenever she had time.
“But, Rosalie, didn’t you make it green last time? You said you wished it would grow upright and splendid like a green tree.”
“That’s true. However, when I think about it, the little one might have inherited beautiful blue eyes like the Madam, right?”
So it looks like she made another blue hat.
“What is that! Then I guess I’ll prepare some black socks.”
“You mean in case the baby resembles the Duke?”
“Yes, I’m also preparing pink gloves that resemble Clarisse. I also added a small ribbon.”
“It would be so cute if the new baby wore all the colors of the family.”
“Oh, just imagining it…huh?”
Brielle, who had been imagining cute things while shaking her feet, stopped for a moment.
The carriage, which had been moving cautiously just a moment ago, picked up speed and shook for a moment.
“Oh my…!”
Rosalie quickly hugged Brielle. Fortunately, Brielle didn’t fall down even in the violently shaking carriage.
“It’s okay, Rosalie. I guess the ground is uneven…”
“That’s why I told you to go slowly!”
As the speed suddenly increased and the vibration of the carriage became stronger, Rosalie pulled open the small window connected to the coach seat with an angry look on her face.
“Can’t you slow down right now? It looks like you’ve forgotten who’s here right now?!”
The coachman, who had been acting cool even in the castle, didn’t answer.
No, that wasn’t the problem.
In a place that had apparently only been occupied by the coachman, there were now other men sitting there.
“…!”
Whoosh!
Among them, the sharp tip of one sword was precisely aimed at Rosalie’s throat.
“I’m sorry. Suddenly, the Great Queen called, so I couldn’t see you off,” Maximilian apologized, lowering his head. Brielle responded by shaking her head.
“It’s okay. I’m just going out for a while, okay? Besides, the Duke tends to be overly protective,” she added.
“…No, I never did that.”
“What do you mean you never did! I asked Harry. When Nora was pregnant, he followed her every step, looking at her worriedly, you know?”
“If he were a normal gentleman, of course he would have said yes.”
Brielle countered with her eyes wide open.
“No! Never! Yes, he was worried, but he didn’t treat her like a child, to the point where he didn’t leave her side during every schedule.”
“I… am protecting you as an adult woman.”
Brielle calmly reflected on the worries he had had until today.
There is a risk of falling out of bed, so be sure to sleep next to him.
When going up and down the stairs, be sure to hold his hand.
Don’t bend down to pick up items, but wait for Maximilian to pick them up.
No matter how much she thinks, she can’t help but remember Maximilian protecting nine-year-old Clarisse.
“No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think I’m protected as an adult woman.”
“If that’s the case, shouldn’t you receive protection as a lovely wife?”
This was Maximilian’s problem.
Even though he said that, his facial expression didn’t change at all.
Moreover, this may be heard by people passing by, but he doesn’t care and says something embarrassing.
“Ah really.”
Having to bear all the embarrassment alone, Brielle remained silent, with only her face blushing
She used to hate this embarrassment and tried to refute it a little, but all she got back was this.
｢It is only natural that I love you deeply. There should be no shame in saying this out loud.｣
Brielle responded as follows.
“Duke, what would other people think?”
“There is no one in Sheridan Mansion who doesn’t know that I love you.”
That’s true, but still.
If embarrassing words were poured out like this in the entrance hall, Brielle would feel like she was going to die of embarrassment.
Moreover, there was one more person who looked like he was going to die. Brielle glanced at Quentin, who was waiting nearby holding documents.
He, who had already become like a pure white mummy, was trembling all over as he counted the patterns on the ceiling one by one.
Come to think of it, he said he received a wedding invitation not long ago.
It is said that young, talented people who occasionally send him letters seeking his advice will be married at the monastery.
Quentin seemed to have no choice but to attend the wedding of his juniors, who looked up to him like gods, so he sighed every time he looked at the black mark on the calendar.
He said, ‘I hope a grateful young lady who will accompany me to the wedding falls from the sky.’
The Duke who casually says that he loves his wife, with an aide who is so lonely standing next to him. Brielle was worried that Quentin would one day quit his job here.
She stepped closer to Maximilian and lifted her toes slightly.
He quickly lent his ear to her.
“You know, please be nice to Sir Sinclair.”
Then Maximilian answered by whispering in Brielle’s ear.
“Yes, I’m doing well. This time too, generous travel expenses and performance compensation were provided…”
“Ah, really, it’s not about money.”
“….?”
“I thought he was a little lonely. Someone to go to the wedding with…”
Glancing back, Quentin, as if he had already counted all the patterns on the ceiling, was now counting the patterns on the floor.
He was kind of pitiful.
“Don’t worry, wife.”
Maximilian nodded trustingly, as if he had finally understood Brielle’s intentions.
“I am willing to go with Quentin any time he wants. Don’t you know that I think of him as family?”
No, that’s a bit…she doesn’t think Quentin would want it either.
Brielle tried to explain again that it’s not that story but stopped. Because she felt even more sorry that Quentin had to wait so long.
“Please take care, Duke. I will have a good trip too.”
Brielle took a step back and held out her hand to him.
Maximilian kissed the back of her hand.
“I’ll be back…”
The man who was greeting me raised his head with a frown, as if he couldn’t bear it anymore.
“As expected, rather than leading the knights, wouldn’t it be better to take Sir Benson with you?”
“Who carries a knight on her way to a house not outside Heiden and just before the Second Wall? Not even Prince Valentine does that.”
In any case, the second wall was a residential area for nobles.
Not only was access strictly restricted, but all people coming in and out were kept on a register, so there was no way new problems would arise.
“Still… as expected, I’m also worried.”
“I told you not to worry. Even though it’s a camouflaged carriage, it was lent by the royal family. There is no safer means of transportation than that in the world, right?”
Brielle pushed Maximilian’s shoulders away with both hands.
“So, please come back safely.”
Maximilian, until the very end, couldn’t let go of his lingering attachment, muttering ‘a knight…’ However, in the end, he was gradually pushed out of the mansion by his wife.
In the afternoon, the sky became increasingly dark and a chilly wind began to blow.
“It seems like winter rain might come, madam.”
Rosalie was restless and hovered next to Brielle.
She, too, was as concerned as Maximilian when it came to worrying about Brielle.
“It’s okay. Just because it’s going to rain doesn’t make it particularly uncomfortable. My stomach hasn’t even come out yet.”
“What are you saying! Now is the most important time. If you fall on a slippery road, you could be in big trouble. Oh my, I should have brought Mrs. Woods here too.”
Rosalie seemed to expect that if Mrs. Woods was here, she would be able to keep Brielle safe in her house.
But that was because she didn’t know about Brielle’s stubbornness.
“I will definitely go today to say hello to the Marchioness and convey my consolation.”
“At least what about tomorrow? If only the weather were a little clearer. I will contact the Marchioness as soon as possible.”
“Don’t do that.”
Brielle grabbed Rosalie’s wrist.
“I don’t want to make anyone who is tired of waiting wait again. When she heard that Clarisse and I were going together, she responded with how happy she was.”
“Ah.”
“You mentioned that this person has circumstances similar to mine. Maybe on days like today we have something in common.”
“Madam…”
“Above all, she showed kindness to Clarisse. She mentioned that she plans to continue doing so in the future. As the guardian of the child, it is only natural for me to express her gratitude as soon as possible.”
For some reason, it felt like a ‘mother’ job, so Brielle was actually really looking forward to today’s schedule.
“I understand. Instead, you must make sure to dress warmly, okay? If anything were to happen to Madam, the entire Sheridan would be deeply saddened.”
“Don’t worry. Shall we get ready then?”
When Brielle stands up.
She knocked and the butler announced, ‘The carriage has arrived.’
It seems that the royal coachman was in a bit of a hurry due to the bad weather and arrived a little earlier than expected.
“I’ll be out soon. Can you please wait for a little while?”
Brielle asked for some understanding and hurried to prepare.
“Oh, right. Rosalie, can you get me the brooch with the blue gem from Clarisse’s room?”
Following the monastery’s rule prohibiting the bringing in of luxury items, Clarisse left them here.
‘Clarisse will be happy if I bring it to her on the day she meet the Marchioness.’
Brielle smiled to herself as she imagined Clarisse making a surprised expression, saying, ‘Thank you!’
* * *
The camouflage carriages used by the royal family were made of plain wood and had no decorations or markings.
The coachman was dressed exactly like the merchants, so if it went out like this, it would probably look like a carriage transporting goods or documents from some merchant’s company.
“It’s perfect.”
When Brielle was impressed, the coachman smiled proudly and responded.
Despite his appearance, he was very familiar with royal etiquette.
“This is the carriage that the royal family also uses when going to the workhouse.”
“Well, it would be better to avoid taking a fancy carriage when going to places like that.”
“Yes, it’s a great carriage that won’t be noticed anywhere.”
After looking around for a moment, the coachman opened the door and took Brielle inside. Rosalie followed.
“Then let’s depart.”
The carriage didn’t head to the official entrance of the third wall but to a small back door through which maids and merchants usually came and went when delivering goods.
The scenery, which was different from usual, was interesting, so Brielle leaned close to the window and looked out.
Even though it hadn’t been long, Rosalie quickly closed the curtains, exclaiming, ‘Oh my, who would see this?!’
“You know, right? Madam, you are a very important person.”
Rosalie neatly placed her blanket on her lap and furrowed her brows in concern.
“Okay, Rosalie. Are you telling me to sit quietly in the carriage?”
Rosalie finally seemed relieved and took out some knitting items from the cloth bag she had brought with her.
She said she wanted to make a hat for the new baby, and she would knit like this whenever she had time.
“But, Rosalie, didn’t you make it green last time? You said you wished it would grow upright and splendid like a green tree.”
“That’s true. However, when I think about it, the little one might have inherited beautiful blue eyes like the Madam, right?”
So it looks like she made another blue hat.
“What is that! Then I guess I’ll prepare some black socks.”
“You mean in case the baby resembles the Duke?”
“Yes, I’m also preparing pink gloves that resemble Clarisse. I also added a small ribbon.”
“It would be so cute if the new baby wore all the colors of the family.”
“Oh, just imagining it…huh?”
Brielle, who had been imagining cute things while shaking her feet, stopped for a moment.
The carriage, which had been moving cautiously just a moment ago, picked up speed and shook for a moment.
“Oh my…!”
Rosalie quickly hugged Brielle. Fortunately, Brielle didn’t fall down even in the violently shaking carriage.
“It’s okay, Rosalie. I guess the ground is uneven…”
“That’s why I told you to go slowly!”
As the speed suddenly increased and the vibration of the carriage became stronger, Rosalie pulled open the small window connected to the coach seat with an angry look on her face.
“Can’t you slow down right now? It looks like you’ve forgotten who’s here right now?!”
The coachman, who had been acting cool even in the castle, didn’t answer.
No, that wasn’t the problem.
In a place that had apparently only been occupied by the coachman, there were now other men sitting there.
“…!”
Whoosh!
Among them, the sharp tip of one sword was precisely aimed at Rosalie’s throat.
