Even in the harshly reputed North, spring existed.

Like many people in the North, Iren liked spring. She liked that coldness she felt on the vacant side of the bed lessened when she woke up from sleep.

The gentle breeze, the sound of flowing water as the ice melted, the fragrant scent of flowers—what spring brought always stirred her heart with excitement.

“Good morning, Duke.”

“Right.”

Iren carefully observed Lahart’s sullen complexion. Among the faces she had seen recently, this time he looked the most relaxed.

Lahart’s condition improve during spring. If the North was not a strategic hub and the Emperor’s authority was strong, he would have stayed in the South for treatment.

But due to the complicated circumstances, Lahart had to protect the North.

“It’s going to get busy.”

Lahart spoke as they sat at the dining table. Although it sounded like he was mumbling, it was clearly directed at Iren.

When the frozen land finally thawed, they could do many tasks. Among them, farming and crop development were the most important.

The Cardius Duchy ruled over the North, Sirencia, for a long time, and they made various efforts to allow crops to grow within a short period.

During this season, hunting was prohibited, and everyone was engaged in farming.

Iren took charge of agricultural matters in place of the busy Lahart.

With her extensive knowledge of herbs and love for research, she had been doing an excellent job for five years now.

Indeed, since Iren became the Duchess, Sirencia’s production had dramatically increased.

But not many people knew that all these achievements were due to Iren’s efforts because they were recorded under Lahart’s name.

“I’ll take care of it thoroughly so that you don’t need to worry.”

“You’re quite confident.”

Lahart raised his chin and stared intently at Iren. His usually sharp gaze to the point of hurting, looked somewhat soft today.

Iren swallowed quietly, her throat suddenly feeling dry.

“I admit it. You know this field better than I do.”

Iren was so shocked that she almost dropped the cup. She barely managed to hold onto it, and her cheeks blushed as if flower petals had descended.

To the surprise of the butler and the head maid waiting close to the wall, the Duke had complimented the Duchess for the first time, seeming to acknowledge her abilities.

“I never thought the day would come when Phaeson would be of help to me. It’s something I’ll cherish for a long time.”

But the Duke was still the Duke. The praise he had given to Iren was nothing more than a means to mock her and the Phaeson family.

When Iren lowered her head, Lahart smirked and left the dining room first.

As always, Iren was left alone, placing her hand on her chest.

With his words, her heart soared up to the sky and then plummeted into despair. It should have been familiar with it by now. It should have been time to give up hope. It should have been time to stop loving him.

Her own heart that didn’t go according to her wishes felt cruel.

This is quite funny. The one I should resent is not my own heart, but Lahart himself.

Instead of harboring hatred towards him, Iren felt sorry and infinitely apologetic towards him instead.

‘I guess I can’t resent him for the rest of my life.’

Happily blushing at a compliment wrapped in a sharp blade, why was she so foolish.

Iren felt grateful for the long and grand dining table that hid her flushed cheecks, and she tried to leave her seat as it was.

“It’s going to get busy.”

“You know this field better than I do.”

However, she soon corrected her posture, sat down, and slowly started her meal. Dealing with the mounting complaints and going out to manage the site required stamina. It would be better to force herself to eat.

The nausea that usually came from just sniffing food had subsided today. Since she didn’t feel nauseous, her appetite returned.

Fortunately, the weather was warm. Maybe that’s why.

For once, she filled her stomach with a sense of security.

No matter what, Iren loved spring.

* * *

It was always fascinating to see the excellent hunters during winter turning into skilled farmers who worked the fields.

Iren, who was only used to using her body for picking herbs, thought that those who adeptly adapted to the tools in their hands and worked efficiently were truly remarkable.

“Madam, it’s Guildt. May he come in?”

“Please come in.”

Iren returned from watching the farmers through the window and returned to her chair. Guildt, who managed the farm, entered the room, took off his hat, and bowed.

“Thank you for coming from afar. But is the Duke busy again this year…?”

“Yes. Although he wanted to come personally, he had many official duties, so he was very sorry.”

“Yes, I see… I thought the Duke would be pleased if I showed him the newly developed variety.”

“I will examine it and deliver it to the Duke without fail.”

“Well, if you do that, I would be delighted. Then I will guide you to the seed storage warehouse.”

Guildt replied with an unhappy expression and led Iren inside.

They passed by many people on their way to the seed warehouse.

As soon as they saw Iren, some people either acted strangely or blatantly avoided her. A few pointed at Iren and whispered. Their conversation carried on the spring breeze.

“That woman came again this year. She sure endures for a long time.”

“The Duke… he’s really broad-minded. Taking a woman who can’t do anything with him…”

“Yeah, you’re right. And she calls herself the Duchess, wearing those expensive clothes.”

Guildt glanced briefly at Iren, signaling her not to listen. Iren pretended not to hear and walked with an upright posture.

The seed warehouse contained improved seeds that were resistant to cold and had accelerated growth. Iren put on gloves because the farmers felt uneasy when she touched the seeds with her bare hands.

She examined the state of the seeds and gave various advice to Guildt. Guildt, who wrote down Iren’s advice, expressed his admiration briefly.

“Last year, I followed your advice, and the crops did well. It’s thanks to the Duke’s meticulous care. Please convey my gratitude to him.”

Like most people in the northern region, Guildt also had no idea that Iren had improved the seeds.

But Iren did not correct the false rumors. She merely smiled quietly and nodded her head.

Even if they knew about the labor I had put in, nothing would change.

* * *

“Aren’t you cold, madam?”

“I’m fine. It’s just right.”

“If you feel cold, please let me know. I’ll build a fire for you.”

“If I’m cold, I’ll make one myself. You don’t need to worry.”

“But still…”

Iren looked at the young man hesitatingly with gentle eyes.

She could feel her heart loosening from the different treatment she received at Guildt’s farm.

“Madam, please let him go! Michel is using you as an excuse for slacking off.”

“No, that’s not true!”

“Yes, it is. The Madam has been doing this work for years. Get back here quickly!”

The young man called Michel greeted Iren with a nod and dashed toward the fields. Brown grabbed Michel by his big fist and pressed his head down.

“Just getting more clever. Huh?”

“Ah! It really hurts! Why are you hitting my head, why!”

“I hit you because it hurts, you punk. Would I hit you if it tickles?”

The commotion came to an end as Michel muttered something and picked up the shovel.

To Iren, who was smiling happily, someone handed a steaming cup of tea.

Looking beside her, Iren smiled widely.

“Hilda.”

“Why did you come dressed so lightly? It’s still cold. Come inside.”

“It’s warm. Do I look that cold? Everyone keeps saying the same thing when they see me.”

“They’re worried that the madam might not feel well. We have plenty of people to work even if we miss a few days, but if the madam is unwell, who will make medicine and fertilizer?”

Hilda narrowed one eye and smiled. The active and friendly Hilda always warmly greeted Iren whenever she visited the farm.

She treated her like a neighbor living next door, completely ignoring her position as the duchess and the farm supervisor. Because of her extensive experience in farming, Iren received a lot of help from her.

If it wIren’t for Hilda, they would not have achieved the same results as they had now.

“It’s freshly baked and delicious. Try it.”

“Thank you.”

Iren ate the pie given to her by Hilda. The crust was crispy, and it was filled with mashed apples, making it sweet. It’s appearance and taste were rustic, but it was much more delicious than the desserts she had eaten in the mansion.

She didn’t realize it was thanks to the cool spring breeze instead of the solemn and heavy air.

“It’s delicious.”

“That’s right. If these humans keep getting on my nerves, I might as well go out and open a pie shop or something.”

“What happened?”

“Oh, don’t even mention it. Do you remember the two of us going hunting and getting injured last winter?”

Iren nodded. She vividly remembered hearing about Brown and Michel getting injured in the mountains and sent them some medicinal remedies. Fortunately, their bones were not seriously harmed, so they could be treated with medicine.

She didn’t know how many thankful letters Hilda sent her.

“It’s been a while since he recovered, but that rascal couldn’t resist and secretly went to the mountains again. He said he would catch at least one more animal before the snow melts. Can you believe it? They come in as snowmen, and they didn’t bring even a penny from the inside?”

“They came back empty-handed?”

“That’s right! If they went out, they should’ve caught something, but they come back boastfully empty-handed. I got so angry that I didn’t even feed them that day. It was the madam who saved them, but they act like they’re great.”

“It was just a simple remedy.”

“Oh, you’re so humble. Is there anyone who doesn’t know that the madam is skillful?”

Hilda cut the pie while mumbling. Iren was grateful to Hilda for acknowledging and trusting her abilities.

Hilda was one of the few people who believed in Iren.

People from the northern region feared Iren. More precisely, they feared the surname ‘Phaeson’ attached to Iren.

“That woman is a member of the Phaeson family.”

“They used to call her a witch of poison in the capital. It is said that countless people have died from her poison.”

“Why did the Duke marry that kind of woman… It’s not just anyone else, it’s the Duke.”

“Shh. Be quiet. If people hear our conversation and get upset, they might spread rumors about her poisoning the town.”