Chapter 4.1 – Onions Like to Hear Good Things

The carriage sped down the well-maintained road. Tina poked her head out the window, surveying the scenery.

“Wow…”

Endless plains stretched on, with only gentle hills that barely counted as mountains. Crops swayed in the breeze. It was fascinating to see so many mountains and a basin area, so different from Damsel.

“Madam, please put your head back inside the window.”

Dame Rozen, riding alongside while munching a snack, requested. Tina held out her palm and asked,

“Why?”

“The Captain inside is passively demanding it by looking at me.”

Dame Rozen sprinkled some sunflower seeds onto her palm as he answered. Satisfied with her snack, Tina pulled her head back inside the carriage.

Cherilian politely declined the offered sunflower seeds and spoke up.

“This inspection of the territory isn’t anything special, so you didn’t really have to come along, Tina.”

Although that was meant as consideration for her, Tina felt a little hurt.

She hadn’t realized until now, but Cherilian had been refusing all the subordinate family visits, using their honeymoon as an excuse.

In noble families, when a new member joins, they receive visits from subordinate and collateral relatives. By now, it wouldn’t have been strange to have held a banquet at Biente Castle.

Tina had told Cherilian she’d host a banquet as the Duchess, but he persuaded her not to bother with such troublesome matters.

‘He’s not saying not to do it. He just wants to do it later. He wants us to spend time together first. Getting used to the household comes first.’

This was the same.

Tina had learned from the steward’s conversation that Cherilian had been postponing estate inspections.

Since the distance was short and it was a chance to meet people related to the Duke’s family, and the schedule was only a few days, she insisted on coming along. Cherilian’s reaction was… odd!

At this point, Tina wondered if Cherilian really saw her as an equal family member and business partner. She immediately voiced her complaint.

“What’s wrong, Cherry? Why do you look at me like that? Am I not allowed to come?”

“No… it’s not that. I just don’t want you to do anything troublesome or tiring.”

“Don’t assume things. It’s not troublesome or tiring at all. If anything, I’m just bored.”

Her grumbling made Cherilian look shocked, as if she were unhappy with their marriage.

Anyway, she was still holding back. With her husband already troubled by the succubus’s curse, she couldn’t risk sowing conflict.

‘Since the curse, Cherry’s… seemed a little down.’

Not long ago, hadn’t he hinted at being afraid of change? Even after marrying, what was he so afraid of?

Oh well, she’d just have to take care of him to the end.

Tina shrugged and munched sunflower seeds one by one.

Cherilian, resting his chin in boredom, glanced at her. When their eyes met, his dead-looking gaze brightened and his cheeks flushed.

Seeing this, Tina could feel how much Cherilian loved her.

“Cherry.”

“What?”

“I’m bored. Should we kiss?”

“…Didn’t you say not outside?”

Even as he said that, the handsome man’s hand moved expectantly toward the curtain covering the window.

* * *

Viscount Rayford, who managed the granary in the area, greeted the Duke and his wife in front of the mansion.

Holding Cherilian’s hand, Tina stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the old mansion with anticipation. The gray-walled mansion showed signs of careful upkeep.

Especially around the mansion, colorful flowers grew in clusters, both orderly and wild. There was even a mini maze garden made of short boxwood.

“Welcome, Your Grace.”

“Thank you for the warm welcome.”

Tina glanced at the unfamiliar Cherilian, who exchanged greetings with a businesslike, stern expression.

After shaking hands with Cherilian, Viscount Rayford turned to Tina.

“And this is… Lady Tina, the Duchess. It’s a pleasure. My name is Noi Rayford. I’m in charge of the granary and the mill here, standing in for His Grace, who is so busy.”

Tina straightened her posture, thinking she was fulfilling her official duty as Duchess. She nodded gracefully and offered her hand as practiced. The Viscount pretended to kiss her hand.

It was a normal greeting in the capital’s social circles, but having never done it before, Tina found it awkward and embarrassing.

“This mansion is truly wonderful.”

Tina exclaimed, praising the mansion.

“Haha, thank you for seeing this old, plain castle in such a good light. I heard you’ll be staying here a few days, but I’m not sure how it compares to Biente Castle.”

Viscount Rayford smiled kindly and showed humility.

“But where is the Viscountess…?”

Knowing that the Rayford couple lived in the mansion with only a few retainers, Tina asked cautiously.

“Oh, my wife is at her family home. Her father is ill.”

“Oh, I’m sorry for asking. I hope he recovers soon.”

Tina resolved to send some herbal medicine as a gift for the Viscount’s father-in-law upon returning to Biente Castle.

The estate’s farmers used the mill under the lord’s management. The mill had always been a key asset.

Managing such an important asset proved the manager’s importance. Viscount Rayford was clearly a key official in the Duke’s house.

Thinking of Cherilian praising her plans, Tina felt happy.

“Your Grace, would you like to tour the area right away? There’s no rush, so you can rest and have lunch first if you’d like.”

Cherilian glanced down at Tina and said,

“Give us the room you prepared. I’d like to rest a bit.”

It was an awkward time for lunch. Skipping snacks for lunch, Tina sprawled on the prepared bed.

She watched Cherilian change clothes, listening to his explanation of the place.

“There’s a forest path here that the forester spent ten years creating. Especially after it rains, walking there and smelling the wet forest is wonderful.”

“We should go for a walk together!”

Excited, Tina remembered Cherilian’s duties. She tilted her head and muttered,

“Hmm, maybe you will be too busy, Cherry…?”

“I’ll have time for a walk.”

Cherilian replied calmly, but his hands fumbled with the buttons on his sleeve. Seeing this, Tina jumped up and approached him.

Her pale, clean hands quickly buttoned his sleeve. Cherilian quietly watched Tina step back, feeling proud.

“Thank you.”

Meeting his intense gray eyes, Tina blushed. Cherilian quickly finished dressing and kissed her lovely face.

The kiss, meant to be brief, deepened when Tina grabbed his sleeve and pulled him closer.

Just then, there was a knock and a voice from outside.

Cherilian, still holding Tina’s waist, glared at the door. He didn’t give permission to open it.

Knock knock, a polite knock sounded again.

Tina squirmed to escape Cherilian’s arms. When he stubbornly refused to let go, she pinched both his n*pples evenly.

“Ah, Tina!”

Pretending not to hear his protest, Tina walked gracefully to the door and opened it herself. Cherilian sighed.

“Oh, Dame Rozen. What is it? Is it lunchtime already?”

“I wish it were. The kitchen smells delicious, like steak is cooking.”

Tina tilted her head. What was going on? Dame Rozen, looking over her shoulder, reported in a flat tone.

“Your Grace, Sir Theo just arrived.”

After her words, a strange silence fell.

“…Theo Biente-Smolenn?”

Turning her shoulder, Tina looked confused, so Cherilian explained.

“He’s my relative. Grandfather gave Aunt some land called Smolenn, and the family was founded with that name.”

Tina watched Cherilian’s reaction. To others, he’d seem perfectly expressionless, but she could see his true feelings. He was obviously annoyed.

Surely he wouldn’t send away a collateral relative who came all this way. As she watched with narrowed eyes, Cherilian sighed.

“Fine. Since he’s here, we’ll have lunch together.”