~Chapter 52~
Yesterday morning, Baldwin sent someone to Graham Bank for me. He let them know I would be late coming home because I had to visit the factory.
No one had ever cared for me like that before, so it felt strange but also made me happy.
Waiting for someone who doesn’t tell you they’re coming is really hard. Maybe he remembered what I said back in Hertel.
‘I was always left behind. Even when my mother and father didn’t come home for three days, I didn’t know why. I just waited. My ex-husband was the same. Even if he was gone for a week, he never told me anything. I guess I’m just someone who’s supposed to wait.’
I had said that, drunk after a glass of champagne. Being with Baldwin always makes me talk a lot.
It can’t be helped. Baldwin always listens to me.
He looks at me, smiles sometimes, and nods while listening. I really like that.
No one has listened to me this well since my grandfather.
Anyway, I already knew Baldwin came home late last night, but for some reason, he was up early this morning.
We usually eat on the sunroom balcony.
After our first meal there, it just became our habit.
The balcony was covered by a glass dome, making it feel romantic.
Baldwin was already sitting there, relaxed in a chair. He looked comfortable.
I saw his eyes over the top of his newspaper.
“Are you tired?”
Sunlight cast shadows on Baldwin’s white cheeks. He put the paper down and shook his head, smiling sleepily.
“I could never wake up this early.”
As soon as I sat down across from him, coffee, soft-boiled eggs, salad, and sandwiches were served.
The lemon dressing on the salad made the whole balcony smell fresh, like a lemon garden.
[I’m fine.]
“That’s good. Was the factory trip okay? The blueprints came out faster than I thought.”
[The company we took over already had good blueprints. They were planning to build a big cruise ship, but ran out of money.]
Baldwin explained things to me. I was getting used to reading along as his fingers pointed to each letter.
Watching his long, white fingers move made my heart flutter. I always looked forward to what he would say next.
[It saved us a lot of time, so it was good for us. If everything goes well, we can ride the cruise ship next summer.]
Baldwin looked happy. Things were going well, especially after the trouble with Germani a while ago.
“That’s great! Next summer. The weather will be perfect. Spending summer on the sea sounds really romantic.”
[You’ll be my ship’s first guest.]
“Wow! Are we really going on the cruise?”
[If you want to.]
Before, just thinking about travel made me scared. Egbert had left me with too many bad memories.
But the memories from Hertel covered all of that.
If I could go with Baldwin, I wouldn’t mind where we went.
“You said the route would go through Lakecia, right? I heard Lakecia is beautiful, with lots of ancient ruins and big, fancy buildings.”
[It’s very different from Estus.]
“Have you been there, Baldwin?”
He nodded lightly. Lakecia and Estus had been friendly for a long time.
[I stayed in Lakecia with Emperor Castro for a year.]
Hearing that reminded me—Baldwin really was a duke. I knew he was close with the emperor, but I didn’t realize they studied abroad together.
[That was when I was nine. Lakecia has probably changed a lot since then.]
“Now, I heard the ship route is much shorter. It used to take about a month and a half, but now it’s a bit less than a month.”
[Do you want to go?]
Uh… I didn’t expect that question.
A trip to Lakecia?
Even a short trip would take three months. Suddenly, all my work—opening the Hertel branch, bringing in new customers, looking for new businesses—flashed through my mind.
But still…
“Just by myself?”
Baldwin smiled.
[Together.]
“Then… I think it would be okay to go.”
I answered, blushing. I poked my salad with my fork to hide my face. The sweet, fresh smell rose up.
[Then I should book a big cabin.]
“Huh?”
Baldwin tapped the table with his finger, telling me to look at his notebook.
[I need to go to Lakecia. There’s a deal between the Lakecia emperor and Emperor Castro. It’s better to go together than alone.]
“Huh?”
I didn’t think things would happen this fast.
I looked at Baldwin with a surprised face. I was excited, but also a bit confused.
“Then, I need some time. I have things to organize first…”
But the important thing is—I do want to go.
[Take as much time as you need. The ship leaves in a month, on Monday. Do you need more time?]
“No!”
That was enough time.
What is Lakecia famous for again? I should buy some books about Lakecia at the bookstore.
“What’s the weather like in Lakecia now? Oh, wait, it’ll be two months from now. Should I pack light clothes, or warm ones?”
Baldwin listened to my chatter, sometimes answering, always with a smile.
Talking about travel made time pass quickly.
“Now I feel a little sorry.”
I felt a bit shy.
“Baldwin, you’re going for work. I’m just going for fun.”
Baldwin’s eyes crinkled. His eyes were filled with sunlight, and his gaze was as warm as the sun.
Baldwin really was such a warm person.
[Have fun. And if you can, think of me every once in a while.]
“I’ll think of you all the time.”
Suddenly, I couldn’t meet his eyes. This marriage was supposed to be just business, but it kept feeling different.
I glanced sideways at Baldwin.
Would this be okay? Our relationship?
Suddenly, I was afraid I was going too far.
A heart that’s been hurt before gets scared, even at small things.
But Baldwin was still smiling. Thank goodness.
“Um… Baldwin, do you have to keep working the whole time?”
[If you’re there, I’ll be able to take time off.]
What did that mean?
I frowned and stared at his letter. Did me being there really give him more free time?
[I have a favor to ask.]
“What kind of favor?”
I looked at his words with interest.
[The Lakecia emperor just had his first child. A daughter. I thought a gift would be nice, if you could choose one.]
My eyes lit up.
“Is this my first job as a Grand Duchess? I’ll pick out the best gift. Trust me.”
I hadn’t really done anything helpful for the family since I became Grand Duchess. It felt good to finally do something.
It also felt good that Baldwin was asking for my help.
Talking with Baldwin made time fly. I mumbled softly, feeling a bit sad.
“Oh, I have to go to work.”
[If you can, please stay a little longer. I have something to discuss.]
Something to discuss?
I sat back down in my chair. My cold coffee was refilled.
Baldwin looked at me calmly.
The mood changed from light and happy to a little heavier. Was something wrong?
My heart dropped.
Did I do something wrong?
[I heard Mother-in-law was rude to you.]
“Oh…”
I didn’t think this news would reach Baldwin so quickly.
I’d heard Madam Rosemarlin even told the servants to keep quiet.
[What do you want me to do?]
Baldwin was asking for my opinion.
I looked at him. Was he really going to do whatever I wanted?
Of course, he could. Baldwin had power, money—everything. He was at the very top.
But I didn’t want to be someone who always hid behind him.
He had already done so much for me. I didn’t want to be a burden. And I could handle something like this on my own.
“Leave it to me.”
I was grateful he asked.
“I’ll take care of it soon.”
I was thankful that he trusted me, and didn’t try to control me like Egbert did.
Baldwin let out a breath and nodded.
[I’ll always be by your side.]
That made my heart feel warm and full.
It was like he was saying I could hide behind him any time.
Baldwin was so kind, it almost made me cry.
