Today was a day of rest. After a long journey, they would need to rest well for a few days to recover their condition smoothly.

While he bathed, I checked if the prepared dishes were sufficient, and during the meal, we exchanged light conversation.

“Did you go around the entire territory?”

“Most of it.”

“There weren’t any major problems, it seems. That’s a relief.”

“Killing a few demonic beasts is no big deal. Preparing for when I’m not around is the bigger issue.”

He shows off without batting an eye.

“The sword you gave me was quite excellent.”

Rashid brought up the sword I bought at the auction. My ears perked up since I had bought it for him.

“How was it? Was the performance good?”

“It’s much easier to release power. I could summon larger fires more easily.”

To think it was such an amazing item, beyond my imagination. I felt somewhat proud.

“Aren’t you grateful? Didn’t you bring a gift for your grateful me?”

Rashid chuckled.

“You didn’t see the full wagons, I suppose.”

“Oh my.”

My eyes sparkled. It was just something I said based on the mood, but it was an unexpected gain.

“I brought things you might like, but I’m not sure if they’ll be to your taste.”

“What kind of things?”

“Crafts, small dolls, things like that.”

“Your subordinates must have had a hard time, when they went for work.”

“That’s work too.”

I tried to probe a little, but the response was bland. It seems he didn’t choose them personally after all.

‘Still, it’s nice that he thought about it.’

More pleased by the thought of preparing gifts than the gifts themselves, I felt elated. Somehow, I felt like I could float away at any moment.

“And you?”

“Yes?”

“Did you fare well?”

It was a customary question, perhaps not expecting any answer other than ‘I was fine too.’

I rolled my eyes slightly and then smiled as I answered.

“Hmm, yes. I suppose so.”

“It doesn’t seem so.”

He put down his fork with a hardened expression. I slightly lowered my head, avoiding his gaze. I thought I had answered naturally, but it seems Rashid didn’t feel that way. As always, his intuition is remarkably sensitive.

“It’s just……”

“The incident at Elzedun Castle.”

Rashid cut off my attempt to smooth over the situation with a suitable excuse.

I lowered my eyes slightly in surprise. I didn’t expect him to bring up that topic directly with me.

Of course, he would have been concerned since he sent a messenger bird with the news. But I thought Natalie’s matter was, how should I put it, like a reverse scale for Rashid that he didn’t want to touch. So I thought he might not discuss it directly with me.

“According to the news Kendrick sent, the weakened seal has been restored, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Yes, that’s right. For now…… it seems we don’t need to worry.”

“You seem well-informed.”

“Well, I received the report. I heard you said to consult with me on important matters.”

“I see. Then shall we hear how it was resolved?”

“Huh? Ah, well.”

How should I explain the situation so that he can easily understand and move on? If I say I went to Elzedun Castle, he’ll get angry, won’t he?  

While I was looking for the right words, Rashid’s sharp gaze pierced right through my face. In an instant, he began to emit a chilling aura.

“What I meant was for them to consult with you, not to cause you concern or put you in danger.”

Ah. He’s figured it all out. That I went to Elzedun Castle, and thus met Natalie.

‘No matter how sensitive he is, how can he be like this.’

Am I that bad at managing my expressions? I became worried, wondering if what I was thinking was showing on my face without me realizing it.

I frowned slightly while moving my gaze here and there.

“Really, nothing happened.”

Rashid showed no sign of believing my lie.

“To have caused you such concern.”

“……”

“Kendrick’s fault is great.”

“What?”

My downcast gaze suddenly shot upward.

At that moment, there was a crashing sound of a tray falling.

Looking at the doorway, it seemed Macy had dropped a cup. The shattered glass debris sparkled as it scattered messily across the carpet. Caught off guard by her mistake, she frantically apologized.

“Macy……”

“The maid who dared to interrupt the master’s time is greatly at fault as well.”

Rashid blocked me as I tried to rise from my seat.

“I should have rushed here as soon as I heard the news, it seems.”

“The situation was already over before that. I said it was fine because there wasn’t any problem!”

“The vassals who delayed my return saying I needed to complete the inspection are also at fault for disturbing my mood now.”

“Rashid!”

“What punishment should be given to these sinners, Alisa?”

Rashid sneered.

For a moment, I felt like I’d gone back to about a year ago. Here was the Rashid who was called the cruel Blood Duke and viewed everything with hostility.

My goodness, to think that was just a year ago. At some point, the sharp edges around him had dulled and his demeanor had softened, making me forget what kind of person Rashid was.

“Since I, as the Duchess, failed to take proper care of them……”

I firmly gripped the edge of the table while looking straight at him.

“Everything is my fault.”

“……”

“So, you should punish me.”

I felt a sense of crisis that he might act arbitrarily if I made even a slight mistake while he was in this mood.

Despite several people being present, the dining room was infinitely quiet. I felt sorry for the trembling maids who were terrified. Macy even had tears welling up in her eyes.

Rashid calmly drank his wine. The translucent lemon-colored liquid smoothly disappeared past his lips.

“The Duchess…”

His voice was much softer as he set down his glass.

“So, you’re saying it’s my wife’s fault.”

“…That’s right.”

Rashid rose from his seat.

While I watched his fingertips gently press against the table, he spoke.

“Well then, shall we see how I should punish my wife?”

* * *

The punishment for the Duchess was discussed in secret. The conversation was kept strictly confidential so that neither the vassals, nor the servants, nor anyone besides the two of them would know.

For that purpose, the most suitable place was,

“There’s no better place than the bedroom for having a quiet conversation with my wife.”

It was Rashid’s bedroom.

On the black table sat a teapot, two teacups, and some tea foods. Also two wine glasses and a bottle. The lighting came from candles made of scented wax.

The servants’ preparations were thorough, ensuring the masters wouldn’t need to seek them out again, all for mine and Rashid’s peaceful conversation.

Feeling certain implications from between the lines of those preparations, I just fidgeted with the handle of my cup. The steam rising from the hot tea moistened my fingers.

My mind was complicated. While I worried about Rashid’s mood, I kept getting distracted by other things as well. For example, things like the topaz ring I had put in my pocket beforehand. Or the amber brooch he had placed on the side table.

“Did you go to Castle Elzedun?”

I nodded obediently.

“Yes. It was closer than I thought, so I returned quickly.”

It wasn’t a lie. Including travel time, it hadn’t even been a week. Though the days I spent sick afterward were several times that.

“You saw her then.”

“I did.”

He let out a hollow laugh and shook his head. Even without a direct object, the conversation flowed naturally.

I glanced at Rashid. Though his black hair like ebony and golden eyes were completely different from Natalie’s, in his enchanting features I saw traces of the imprisoned woman.

The slightly upturned eyes, straight nose, and shape of his lips made it undeniably clear that they were mother and son.

“Why did you go yourself?”

Rashid glared at me. His gaze was so cold that I… became a little sad.

“I had to go.”

I briefly explained why I had to go to Castle Elzedun myself.

In a critical situation, I remembered the charm you gave me saying Penvernon’s magic would be needed, so I went personally to defuse the situation. I held back from mentioning the peripheral events that happened in between, as they didn’t seem necessary to explain.

Rashid’s expression gradually darkened as he listened to the story.

“I see.”

He said calmly.

“I apologize for causing you unnecessary trouble. Thanks to the early measures, it became less bothersome.”

I was a bit taken aback by his unexpectedly cool apology. Had his mood improved?

“But still, it seems there was no need for you to go personally.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, Alisa.”

Rashid propped his chin and stared at me intently. It was an intense gaze, as if he’s trying to see right through me.

“I’m not fine.”

My prediction was wrong. He was still angry.

“You should have waited, for me.”

“How could I know when you’d……”

“Anytime. It would have been better for that woman to escape than for you to see her.”