The retainers of Camelli Castle are locals of this area, not the kind of people who would spread rumors all the way to the capital. The noble families with their own territories who go up to the capital every year have all returned to their own domains now.

“Or should I try to be a bit more diligent?”

Rashid shook his head at my suggestion.

“You can just stay as you are.”

Hmm, is it just my paranoia that it somehow sounds like ‘Don’t act unnecessarily busy.’?

“Like now, just like this.”

He added.

“I understand.”

Right, it’s not like I wanted to be busy either. I’m fine with being idle too, you know.

Anyway, now that the weather is getting cold, it’s not the right season for active work. When winter passes and spring returns, that’s when I should stretch out my curled-up body.

“Then I’ll do just one last thing.”

Saying this, I felt like a squirrel eating its last acorn before hibernation. Or a child being scolded by their mother. Or a husband begging his wife. Hmm. Thinking about it this way makes me feel a bit odd.

But I can’t take back the meat I’ve already bought.

* * *

The next day, familiar faces including Sylvester and Macy finally arrived in Camelli. Harriet said she would look after the mansion in the capital over the winter. I told them to rest for a few days as they must be tired from the long journey.

Meanwhile, I had the castle staff prepare food. I instructed them to cut the meat from the butcher shop into edible pieces when it arrived, prepare vegetables to go with it, and set up iron plates and charcoal fires to grill the meat.

I decided to hold a small welcome party. There were several welcome targets. The people from the capital who finally arrived in Camelli after a long journey, and the people of Camelli whom we newly encountered.

Will I ever come back to Camelli? It would be better for me if I didn’t. This will probably be the first and last season I spend with the people of this city.

If so, I wanted to create good memories. So that they could remember for a long time afterward.

It might even be helpful for Rashid. It was hard to imagine him taking care of his subordinates. He probably never even thought that he should.

Then I could do a little bit before I leave, right? If I do, the retainers and servants will be more loyal. This was a small gift for him who had participated in my plan.

“Oh my, it’s wonderful, my lady! It sounds like it will be so much fun!”

Anna jumped at the news of the welcome party. So that’s why you bought so much meat. I was surprised. It’s really nice. Saying this, Anna grabbed Macy’s hands and shook them vigorously. The quiet Macy seemed still unfamiliar with her lively attitude and hid her face, but Anna didn’t mind.

“But will His Grace the Duke and you be joining us?”

“Of course. Um, I think we will.”

I will, but will Rashid?

“Oh my!”

Anna fussed about having to spread this news quickly.

After busy preparations, I welcomed the night when the fires were lit.

Several fires were lit in the courtyard of Camelli Castle, and grills were placed on top of them to cook all kinds of meat and vegetables. People gathered in small groups, enjoying conversations and food, and drinks were passed around.

“Anna, stop drinking!”

“Mr. Mileon, try this!”

“Bring some more meat, hey!”

The courtyard soon became noisy. I liked that bright and lively energy.

At my words to enjoy freely, Anna enjoyed the food to her heart’s content while not straying far from my side. When I encouraged Macy to do the same, the hesitant Macy soon put meat in her mouth.

Rashid was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t really mind. I already told him about it, so he would come if he felt like it. If not, he could rest.

It was when the night was deepening like this…

Rashid finally appeared.

At his belated appearance, people became quiet as if the boisterous atmosphere from just moments ago had been a lie. Regardless, he didn’t seem to care and just came to my side and took a sip of wine.

“Rashid.”

I poked his waist with my elbow. But Rashid just kept sipping his wine, pretending not to notice.

“Go and give some words of encouragement to the others.”

“Is it necessary?”

“It’s necessary, please do it. I know you don’t have to, but it would be nice if you did.”

Unable to resist my nagging, Rashid went to the retainers and servants. I thought he would ignore it to the end saying it was bothersome, but I’m even a bit moved that he listened to me anyway.

I watched closely how he would do it.

When Rashid approached, people would be startled, or bow as if they were about to shrink, or try to avoid him. But when he said something to them, they would have faces full of emotion and even clap.

‘They listen well.’

As I watched, a smile appeared on my face. Even if he said he didn’t want to, I didn’t have much to say, but seeing him do as he was told was a bit cute too.

Later, it will all be good for Rashid. If you occasionally give carrots like this and manage them a bit, people will work harder.

“My lady!”

Anna approached me, smelling of cherry liqueur as if she had been drinking fruit wine. I turned my gaze from Rashid to look at her.

“I’ve been curious about something, may I ask?”

“Go ahead.”

She looked around carefully, then whispered in my ear as if afraid someone might hear.

“Aren’t you scared of His Grace the Duke?”

Scared? Of Rashid?

I blinked slowly.

Rashid was known as the cold-blooded Duke. He was also famous as a kinslayer. His abilities were also terrifyingly unmatched. Therefore, he was an object of fear to everyone.

But after staying by his side, the reality wasn’t exactly like that. Sometimes he was bewildering, sometimes he seemed crazy, and occasionally he could be funny or cute.

“No, I’m not scared.”

Because I knew the Rashid that I had directly seen, heard, and felt, I was no longer afraid of him.

Anna clapped her hands together with a sound.

“As expected……”

Her eyes sparkled like stars. Her flushed cheeks were softly tinged with red like a well-ripened apple.

“I was surprised when I saw your actions earlier…… You’re really amazing, my lady.”

She must have seen me poking Rashid in the side.

“Don’t be silly. That’s enough. Go and enjoy yourself a bit more.”

“Yes!”

Anna answered energetically and ran off like a young foal.

I looked around at the people once, then went inside the mansion.

* * *

The nights in Camelli are cold. The starry night sky, sprinkled with stars like salt, was higher and more distant than what I used to see in the eastern capital. I sat quietly in a chair on the terrace, gazing at that scene.

From the terrace behind the mansion, the commotion from the front yard could be heard as a distant sound. That small noise was as sweet as if it were a song.

The wind brushed past. As I pull my shawl tighter against the chill, I sense someone’s presence. Turning my head, it was Rashid. He took off his jacket and placed it on my shoulders.

“Rashid.”

“Why are you alone?”

“I thought I might be a bother if I stayed too long. Did you greet everyone well?”

“Yes.”

“Well done.”

Rashid smiled at my tone, which sounded like praising a child.

“Aren’t you cold? Shall we go inside?”

“I’m fine.”

“You look cold though.”

“You look colder than me.”

That’s true.

I pulled the collar of the jacket closer. With each movement of the clothes, it seemed as if the scent embedded in the fabric was shaking along. Rashid’s scent was reminiscent of the night. Now, even with my eyes closed, I could tell when he was approaching.

“Your hands are cold too.”

He gently grasped my left hand. It was warm. Actually, my hands are usually a bit cold. It’s been like that since before, and Alisa was the same. But when he held it, it felt as if the warmth of a bonfire was quickly heating up my body.

「Alisa’s heart raced.」

……If my story were to appear in sentences right now, it might be described like that.

I hurriedly clutched my chest. It was just an act of grabbing my clothes, but somehow, doing this made me feel like I could calm my wildly beating heart. In reality, my heart was still running wild under my hand.

I don’t like this. I don’t like not being able to control myself. It makes me feel too weak. Why can’t I control my own feelings and emotions as I want?

Emotions were like birds. They fly freely, escaping the loose fence I had put them in. I try hard to catch that bird. But it’s useless. It’s difficult to keep a bird caged once it has escaped. There’s no way to catch a bird that has already flown away.

“……The people here are all so lively.”

“Is that so?”

“They eat well, laugh well, and are very kind. I like it.”

I leaned back against the backrest, trying to calm my fluttering heart by making small talk.

“I’ll behave quietly during the winter after today.”

“I don’t think you can.”

“No, I can.”

Rashid laughed, and I laughed along with him.

“You’re kind to the servants.”

“Am I? I just…… wanted to live like this. A life where I eat seasonal food each season and spend enjoyable time with good people.”

I used to dream of earning a lot of money, buying my own house, and living leisurely while doing flower arrangements or baking cookies. During fig season, buying figs to make jam and sharing it with close friends…… I dreamed of such a daily life.