Chapter 88
The sky was still dark before dawn.
Claudio stepped out to the front entrance, preparing to leave for the port of lubanan, only to be met with Urian’s uneasy face, Bisd’s eager, sparkling eyes, and the presence of the First Knights.
He let out a long sigh.
“I told you I’d go with Urian alone.”
“That won’t do, my lord. The Westerners are treacherous. There’s a chance you could be put in danger!”
“If we march in with a crowd, it will look like provocation.”
“Th-then at least take ten men with you! The two of you going alone is far too dangerous!”
It seemed the events of the past had left a trauma; Visd, usually so laid-back, pressed his opinion with uncharacteristic force.
Claudio raked a hand through his hair and sighed deeply.
“Even ten is too many. Five. Pick only five. And don’t make it obvious we’re heading west—it won’t do us any good if word gets out.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Delighted to be entrusted with the task, Visd hurried off to choose the five.
At that very moment, a voice called from behind Claudio.
“You were just going to slip away, weren’t you?”
Startled, he turned back.
Marsha was coming down the stairs with a pout tugging at her lips.
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
“How could I sleep?”
When she reached about his eye level, Marsha stopped and looked at him.
“Don’t you think, as a human being, you should at least say goodbye before you go?”
Her voice brimmed with hurt.
Claudio gave a small, amused laugh and stepped up one stair closer to her.
“I thought I already did yesterday.”
He pulled the shawl over her shoulders more securely, then added,
“I didn’t think you’d lose sleep over it. If I’d known, I would have just stayed up with you all night.”
“Wh-what!” Marsha’s face flushed crimson. She glanced around nervously, then hissed in a sharp whisper.
“Don’t say things people could misunderstand!”
“Hmm? Misunderstand?”
Claudio leaned closer, blinking at her innocently.
His long lashes fanned as he looked at her, beautiful enough to be infuriating.
“I only meant that, since I couldn’t sleep either, it would’ve been nice to pass the time talking with you. What exactly did you think I meant?”
“I…”
Marsha’s eyes wavered like a ship caught in a storm.
“You’re so sly.”
“Wh-who’s sly? I only meant—someone might misunderstand, that’s all!”
Her shoulders stiffened as she protested.
She looked just like a ruffled cat bristling with indignation.
“Alright, if you say so. I’ll let it pass.”
Claudio’s grin widened.
The mischievous glint in his eyes betrayed his amusement.
“You really do enjoy teasing people!”
Marsha clenched her tiny fists, fuming.
“I wasn’t teasing.”
“Don’t lie to me!”
Claudio shrugged with exaggerated regret.
“No, truly. But it seems my lover doesn’t trust my words.”
Lover?
The word hit Marsha like a sudden revelation.
Until now, she hadn’t put it into words.
But… yes.
That’s what we are.
Joy—mixed with shyness—filled her chest until it tickled.
Claudio, mesmerized by her flushed cheeks and moist, glimmering eyes, leaned toward her as though bewitched.
How could he resist stealing a kiss when she looked so unbearably lovely?
Just then, Visd’s voice rang out.
“My lord! Preparations are complete!”
Marsha jumped in fright.
Urian nearly fainted at his subordinate’s oblivious timing.
You idiot…
Claudio swallowed back a sigh and shot Visd a glare sharp as a blade.
Even from a distance, his fury radiated so strongly that Visd broke out into a nervous sweat, utterly bewildered.
At that moment, Marsha cleared her throat.
“Please… come back safely.”
Claudio turned back to her.
The icy rage in his eyes had vanished without a trace.
“Don’t let yourself be hurt. Not even a little.”
“…Alright.”
He took her hand and pressed his lips against the back of it.
Her skin trembled faintly under the touch.
Lifting his gaze, he looked into her eyes.
“…And may you stay well while I’m away.”
Then Claudio turned and began walking with heavy steps.
Marsha only returned to her room after watching him disappear from sight, her heart racing wildly.
Her gaze dropped to the back of her hand.
The warmth of his lips lingered there.
She cupped her hand gently as though protecting it.
Already she missed him—and the thought of not seeing him for ten days filled her with sorrow.
I didn’t know I loved him this much.
Closing her eyes tightly, Marsha prayed from the depths of her heart for Claudio’s safe return.
She could endure the loneliness, so long as he came back unscathed.
***
Meanwhile, Claudio rode swiftly through the dark streets of Delua.
In his mind replayed Marsha’s expression—shy yet delighted—with the word “lover.” The memory was devastatingly sweet.
He longed to keep her seated on his lap, held tightly in his arms, whispering that word to her for the rest of their lives.
…No.
Claudio didn’t want to be her lover forever. He wanted more.
Strange.
Only a few days ago, I thought it would be enough just to confess my feelings.
But once he had her heart, he wanted to be her husband.
I always thought I wasn’t greedy, but with Marsha… I’ll always want more.
Until the day I die.
A quiet laugh escaped him.
Then suddenly, he turned his head.
In the dark alley they had just passed, someone was watching.
How long has he been waiting there?
Did he know I’d pass this way?
No, more likely spies had been watching the ducal estate, and this one had simply gotten lucky spotting him.
There’s only one kind of person who would stoop to this.
He paused, tempted to catch the watcher, but let it go.
Their days for such antics were numbered.
“What is it, my lord?” Urian asked, noting his expression.
“Nothing. Never mind. Just pick up the pace.”
“Eh? Faster than this?”
Despite Urian’s alarm, Claudio urged the horses into greater speed.
He had to end this quickly—and return to her.
***
Marsha hadn’t expected to leave the estate while Claudio was away.
But then, the Marchioness of Severia sent her an invitation.
I can’t believe she arranged for me to meet Dr. Sheldon.
Marsha desperately wanted to go, though she worried.
Was it right to go out while Claudio was gone?
He had never forbidden her from leaving, and she wasn’t going anywhere improper—just to the Severia household—but still…
At that moment, the butler came to check on her.
Marsha confided her dilemma honestly.
The butler, ever composed, replied,
“The duke left no instructions restricting your outings, my lady.”
Then he recalled Claudio’s irritation when asked if Marsha even needed permission for something as simple as walking in the garden.
Choosing his words carefully, he added,
“In truth, my lady’s will is the duke’s will.”
Is it really…?
With a shy smile, Marsha finally gathered the courage to go.
***
“I am Sheldon. It is an honor to meet you. I hear you are interested in medicine? Please, ask anything you wish.”
He shared his knowledge freely, and in turn, marveled at Marsha’s own medical insight, much of it passed down from her grandmother.
“So you used sephora root in the duke’s medicine? Incredible! I’ve never seen it used in such high proportions. Sephora is valuable, but it stimulates stomach acid—using this much borders on dangerous.”
“There’s a way to counteract that.”
“Truly? What is it?”
As Marsha explained, Sheldon furiously scribbled notes in his journal.
“If everything you’ve said is accurate… remarkable. I thought myself well-versed in medicine, but the wisdom of the one who taught you surpasses me entirely.”
To achieve such results without expensive ingredients, surpassing even the most acclaimed remedies of recent years—
“This deserves to be known widely! If possible, Lady Railford, might you… work with me?”
Before she could answer, another noble family summoned him urgently.
He snatched up his medical bag with clear reluctance.
“Lady Railford, could we meet again? I’d like to share my research journal with you—and there’s something important I wish to propose.”
“What sort of proposal…?”
“Ah, nothing harmful! On the contrary, I assure you it will be a most beneficial offer. Please, grant me another meeting.”
When she nodded, Sheldon’s smile blazed bright in relief.
The memory of it made Marsha giggle all the way back to Gloria Ducal House.
It wasn’t her own recognition that delighted her, but that her grandmother’s knowledge was honored at last.
I’ll have to ask Claudio later—whether it’s alright to tell Sheldon about my grandmother in the Tora Forest.
For now, I can’t reveal everything… but someday, maybe…
That would be wonderful…
Suddenly, the carriage jolted violently to a halt.
“Kyaa! My lady! Are you alright?”
