Chapter 5. Now Twenty Years Old (2021.07.15)
Daniel’s hand stayed pressed to his forehead. Dominic kept a close eye on him.
“Master, why don’t you leave the rest to me and get some rest…?”
“How can I trust you, after you just sat and watched until things got this bad?”
Even after cursing loudly, Daniel’s voice still trembled with anger. Dominic scratched his back with his hands behind him.
“Like I said, please understand my position.”
His father had already left after Daniel’s orders, so Dominic had to take all of Daniel’s anger alone.
“I have no regrets about not showing that place to just anyone.”
“And what if she’d died before I woke up because of that decision?”
“That would… well, that would be God’s will. People can’t stop fate.”
Daniel let out a small, cold laugh with his eyes closed.
“That’s just like you, Dominic. A cold heart that never wavers, no matter what.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Master.”
Finally, Daniel dropped his hand from his forehead. His reddish-brown eyes still glowed with anger.
“You kept piles of shiny things in the vault, but let that little woman suffer, even leaving her sleeping next to a corpse for three years?”
“It was a year and a half. Her room was the very last to go. She wanted to sell anything that could bring money. She’s strong and admirable.”
Dominic’s gentle smile suddenly turned serious.
“But there’s nothing more important to me than you, Master. So please, I beg you, change your mind. The Duchess looks weak, but she’s incredibly driven. If she found out what’s in the vault, she’d turn this land into the best in the empire in just a few years.”
Dominic leaned in and whispered, his deep brown eyes calm.
“Word of your awakening is already heading for Schendal Castle. If Utrecht becomes prosperous, do you think the Empress Dowager will just watch? You’ll be called to be the emperor’s hunting dog until the day you die.”
For Dominic, Daniel was both master and brother. Even when Daniel was unconscious, Dominic endured three years because he knew Daniel was still alive. Otherwise, he might have run off to Schendal Castle in anger and died there.
“Don’t forget Lady Laura’s advice. Nothing is more important than staying alive. So, for now, please just live as if you’re dead, Master.”
Daniel thought he’d already lived that way—his body was proof.
“Dominic.”
Daniel held out his hand. Dominic sighed and took off the leather string from around his neck, handing it to Daniel. The rough, long key at the end sparkled in Daniel’s hand. It was the only way to open the iron door he’d locked three years ago. Would giving it to his small, strong-willed wife really attract the imperial family’s attention? Could she revive this poor land? He almost laughed.
“You’re right, Dominic. Nothing is more important than being alive.”
Daniel squeezed the key tightly and stood.
“So while I’m alive, I’ll do whatever I want.”
He felt a wave of dizziness and steadied himself on the desk, brushing aside Dominic’s helping hand.
“After all… they say I won’t live long, anyway.”
Dominic’s face hardened, but quickly returned to normal.
Frida’s heart was pounding. She rubbed her hands together, anxiously pacing the hallway. When Muriel appeared in the distance, Frida rushed to her.
“Did you hear anything? Can you tell what they’re talking about?”
“No.”
Munheim Castle’s doors were so thick and sturdy that you couldn’t hear a thing. The trees here grew so big and strong that even when Frida sold all the furniture, Muriel had joked about selling the doors too. Hearing nothing, Frida’s pale face fell.
“He must be furious. How can he already be walking around on his own with that body? He even called Dominic and Ricardo to the office!”
Muriel just watched as Frida mimicked Daniel’s big steps. The news that Duke Richard had woken up had just arrived at noon, and already he was walking alone and meeting people. Maybe the rumors were true—he really was a monster. But for Muriel, what mattered most was this childish young Duchess. Muriel grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the stairs, as Frida complained.
“Where are we going? Muriel, I don’t have time for this.”
“You didn’t eat dinner. Fill your stomach first, then worry.”
“How can I eat? I sold all the castle’s things behind his back!”
“He didn’t earn a penny for three years while he slept.”
Muriel finally picked Frida up easily, as she’d done since Frida was small. Frida gave up and relaxed in her arms.
“Maybe I should’ve left a guest room or two. Selling all the beds was a bit much, right?”
“Who needs guest rooms in this remote place? And it’s not like you bought jewelry or clothes with the money—you spent everything on workers for the land.”
“Well, this land is my home now…”
Muriel clicked her tongue and opened the kitchen door, where the smell of good food filled the air. No one was surprised to see the Duchess enter the kitchen. Adele, the chef, set down a big loaf of bread, soup, and roasted vegetables.
“I was wondering whether to bring dinner to your room, My Lady. I made special soup for the Duke, but should I bring it now?”
“No, he said he’ll eat from tomorrow. Please make sure it’s something easy on the stomach, Adele.”
“Don’t worry about him—please eat, My Lady. I heard you had a nosebleed today.”
Adele lovingly handed Frida a spoon and broke bread into her soup, urging her to eat. Matilda, a maid, brought a large cup of fresh milk. Adele clearly wasn’t going to leave until Frida finished her soup. Muriel sat silently, emptying her own bowl. Surrounded by people who cared for her, Frida’s worries began to melt away. When Muriel and Frida first arrived at the duchy, Muriel never imagined such a day would come.
“Lady Rosivalt, as you know, Frida won’t live long. If she says it’s too hard, bring her home at once. She should spend her last days with her family.”
Muriel had worried Frida wouldn’t last even half a year, like her older sisters who died before twenty. The duchy was the worst environment possible. But Duke Richard, brother of Emperor Bolstak II, and one of the Twelve Dukes… how could he leave it in such neglect? Still, Frida had stayed healthy, so Muriel let her remain. Otherwise, she would’ve brought her home immediately. Suddenly, Muriel heard familiar footsteps, and Ricardo burst into the kitchen.
“Duchess, here you are! I was looking for you. Is this your first meal today?”
“Why, Ricardo? Is the Duke asking for me?”
“He is, but you can take your time. Finish your meal before you go, and eat slowly so you don’t burn your mouth.”
Another reason Muriel left Frida in this wild land was because everyone truly cared about her.
Frida sat nervously by the fireplace, glancing at the door. She wanted to go to the Duke right away, but Ricardo insisted she finish her meal. Now, she waited in her room, feeling anxious. She tried to stay confident, thinking she did what she had to do for the duchy. To build a community, people needed homes and farmland, and to make farmland, she had to hire workers. To hire workers, she had to sell what she could. She clenched her fist for courage, ready to explain everything as the Duchess.
“But… why isn’t he coming?”
Lying on the table, watching the fire burn, Frida felt this was the longest day ever. All the struggles of the past three years flashed through her mind. She smiled softly and whispered,
“Lotte, Hestia… I’m having so much fun here.”
Everyone praises me and makes me feel proud.
“And now… I’m twenty years old.”
In the Harkbourne family, girls’ birthdays weren’t celebrated—birthdays just meant death was getting closer. Neither of her older sisters had ever turned twenty. Now, secretly, Frida had become twenty years old. She felt proud for making it this far, wanting to boast and be praised.
As she closed her eyes, warm and sleepy, she thought she heard a gentle voice in the heat of the fireplace.
“You’ve done well, Frida.”
Warmth spread through her, just like when she ate Adele’s soup.
