Chapter 59…………………….
Have Some Caution
Back at the mansion, Leah absently rubbed the back of her neck, lost in thought. Her fingers brushed against the old key-shaped pendant she wore, set with a red gemstone.
It was a habit of hers—whenever she was troubled, she fiddled with the necklace. The Emperor had told her not to worry, that it was nothing, and yet his words kept circling in her mind.
[Strange. I could swear I’ve seen you somewhere before.]
She could still feel the shift in the Emperor’s gaze as he had studied her. Was it just her imagination that he seemed to recognize her?
A vague unease lingered in her chest when—
“What’s weighing so heavily on your mind?”
A low voice startled her. Leah lifted her head to see Akkia leaning against the window frame, chin propped on his hand, watching her.
“It’s nothing…”
But despite her denial, her eyes were clouded with worry.
Bialytskal…
The far northern frontier, cold enough that even in midsummer people wore long sleeves.
And it was ten days by carriage from the capital.
That was where the Duke would be going. He had even answered that he would leave as soon as tomorrow with only light luggage.
Yet the treatment for his side effects wasn’t complete. Could she really let him go alone? Leah’s heart grew restless.
“Your Grace… are you truly leaving for Bialytskal at once?”
“His Majesty commanded it. What choice do I have?”
His expression was unreadable as he gazed out the window.
If he goes, he’ll be gone for at least a month…
Counting the travel both ways, they would be apart for a month and a half at minimum.
Leah worried that his side effects might worsen during that time. But she doubted he would take her with him.
Then I’ll have to finish the remedy before he returns.
Resolving herself, she spoke softly toward him.
“Please take care of yourself. I hear Bialytskal is as cold as early winter, even in summer.”
Akkia finally turned his gaze from the window to her. His expression was… strange.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have something to say?”
Her innocent question made his brow furrow. Then, as though her words were absurd, he spoke flatly.
“You’re coming with me.”
“…Pardon? Me?”
Why would I?
He was going on imperial business, yet what use was an apothecary there?
“You planned to stay in the capital alone during an open-ended mission like this?”
Well… yes, I did.
Leah blinked at his unexpected answer.
She still had to distribute the tonic she had developed with the Magnolia Trading Company. Only then could she earn the fortune she had promised him.
But if she went to Bialytskal…
What about the tonic sales?
“Of course. What work could I possibly have there? I need to stay here and—”
“You think you have nothing to do there?”
His curt tone cut her off.
“Do you really believe that?”
He tilted his head slightly, lips curving into a smirk.
“…What?”
“My side effects will flare up again. What then?”
“T-that…”
That’s your problem to manage…
The words stuck in her throat.
“You said you’d take responsibility. Didn’t you?”
“…I did. Ha, ha…”
He was still using her own words against her. Leah forced a crooked smile.
“Wherever I go, you’ll be there too.”
His tone was absolute, leaving no room for refusal. The sunlight streaming in glinted off his crimson eyes.
❀ ❀ ❀
The pounding of hooves was drowned out by sheets of rain. They had been traveling by carriage for a week now.
A sudden downpour had turned the road into muck, jostling the carriage violently.
This weather feels dangerous…
Could they even reach the north safely in such a storm? Leah worried as she watched the rain cascade like a waterfall.
Then—suddenly—the carriage lurched, tilting sharply to one side.
“Ah!”
In an instant, their bodies collided in the cramped carriage.
Leah found herself in the Duke’s arms before hastily pulling away.
“S-sorry!”
Akkia’s eyes, half-lidded, rested on her. His lips parted as if to say something—when the coachman knocked on the door.
“Are you all right, my lord? I’m so sorry! The wheel sank into the mud—”
The coachman stood dripping wet, apologetic.
“I’m fine. Are you all right, my lord?”
“I’m fine.”
He said no more. Relieved, the coachman continued.
“If you could step out for a moment—I need to free the wheel. Please wait under that tree; it’ll be quicker.”
He pointed to a large tree where the canopy shielded the ground from the worst of the rain.
The two of them hurried over.
“Hah…”
Their clothes were already soaked through.
“It’s raining so hard…”
Leah wrung out her skirt, muttering softly. Akkia’s gaze fell on her.
It was a meaningless act, and yet—
In the moonlight, she was striking. Heavy drops slid down her delicate neck, her soaked white dress clinging and revealing her silhouette.
His eyes roamed over her slowly. Did she have any idea how she looked right now?
Reaching upward with childlike abandon, she looked so innocent.
And he… was losing control just watching her.
His throat bobbed.
Whether it was the rain or the pale moonlight glinting off her red hair, he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
Like paint spilled across a white canvas, her crimson strands spread and clung. His hand reached out almost of its own accord—
“Do you think the carriage can be fixed today? It seemed stuck deep…”
Her sudden voice snapped him back. He snatched his hand back just as she turned to meet his eyes.
The sight of her, so plainly outlined by her wet clothes, made his breath catch.
“No… this is maddening.”
“Pardon? What did you say?”
His low murmur was swallowed by the rain.
Then—
Thud.
A heavy jacket fell over her shoulders. Leah looked up, startled, to see him gazing elsewhere.
“Why the jacket…?”
“Do you not see yourself right now?”
“Myself?”
She glanced down—and immediately clutched her chest in alarm.
Oh no…!
Why had she worn white today of all days? Her cheeks flamed red with embarrassment.
Flustered, she changed the subject.
“…Thank you. But won’t you be cold?”
Shivering herself, she realized how thinly dressed he was, only in a soaked silk shirt and vest. He must be freezing.
Would giving her his jacket make him sick? Her worried gaze fell on him.
“….”
He quickly turned away, heat rising in him despite the cold rain. Restless, he loosened a few buttons at his throat.
“I’m not cold.”
“…That’s a relief.”
Their awkward silence was broken by the returning coachman.
“It may take a long while. What should we do?”
He looked uneasy. Akkia glanced at Leah, then moved to block her from view.
She stared at his broad back, and his low voice rumbled.
“How bad is it?”
“The carriage is stuck deeper than I thought.”
Peeking around him, Leah asked, “Should we help push it?”
“What?”
“If we help, it might—”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
He cut her off without hesitation. The coachman, sensing the tension, quickly waved his hands.
“No, no, miss. Best if you walk a little farther down. There’s a village where you can stay the night.”
“That’s best. Go on ahead.”
Before Leah could reply, Akkia agreed.
“Then I’ll fetch you from the inn in the morning. And you too, miss—”
“See you tomorrow.”
The coachman tried to address her, but Akkia blocked his view completely. With no choice, the man left.
Once he was gone, Akkia adjusted the jacket around her shoulders, buttoning it all the way up.
“I knew you were careless…”
“…What?”
His voice, directed at her, carried displeasure.
“And yet you talk about helping in that state?”
His eyes locked with hers as he fastened the last button, then took her hand firmly.
“You need to have some caution.”
Still stunned, Leah hardly noticed their joined hands as he led her toward the village.
