Chapter 9 – The Trap Set by the Saintess (Part 4)

‘…When did we return?’

Ellerdin blinked blankly. She saw the familiar ceiling. 

What happened to Fernan? 

As she tried to lift her body, a sharp pain traveled up her wrist.

“Ugh.”

When she lifted her upper body and looked at her hands and arms, they were wrapped in white bandages.

‘Why are there bandages…?’

Ellerdin pressed the bandages with curiosity.

Sensing Ellerdin’s movement through the wall, Fernan quickly got up. Soon, a knock sounded, followed by a voice inviting him in. Fernan approached and sat next to Ellerdin.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah… Yes. I’m fine… Are you… alright?”

At her cautious question, Fernan swallowed hard. He worried about Ellerdin fearing him because of his previous rampage. Fernan hesitated to answer, and Ellerdin suddenly sat up.

“Are you hurt? Is there something wrong?”

Ellerdin anxiously touched his body, asking. Her touch was devoid of any ulterior motives, but as her hands touched various places, his body began to react.

Fernan, flustered, hurriedly grabbed Ellerdin’s wrist.

“Oh, did it hurt?”

Ellerdin froze in surprise.

“No, no.”

What was I thinking, with such a pure person before me? 

Fernan lowered his head, his face flushed. Before Ellerdin could question him further, he quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, are your hands really alright? I did treat them, but…”

“Ah… I see. But why are my hands…?”

“You were injured. Because of me.”

His last words trailed off. Fernan’s eyebrows drooped as if not just in his imagination. Seeing him look like a wet puppy, Ellerdin hurriedly spoke.

“It’s not your fault! If anything, it’s my fault…”

Ellerdin stopped mid-sentence, closing her mouth with a gasp. She recalled putting a leash around his neck and dragging him around.

Fernan tilted his head, waiting for her to continue. His appearance overlapped with the puppy-like image from earlier, making it even harder to speak.

“Well… Um…”

Ellerdin stammered and retreated. Putting a leash on the duke’s neck and dragging him around was something she would never do in her right mind.

Fernan still watched her with sparkling eyes, waiting for her to speak. Under his gaze, Ellerdin’s mind began to freeze from overload. In the end, she chose to escape.

“I, I’m up, so… I’ll go wash up!”

Ellerdin exclaimed and fled to the bathroom. Fernan burst into laughter, watching her retreating figure. Every time he realized that this adorable person was his wife, his heart swelled with joy.

‘What dessert would she like today?’

Ellerdin enjoyed dessert time after her bath. To be loved by her even a little, Fernan left the room with a light step.

Hearing him leave from beyond the bathroom, Ellerdin slid to the floor. She couldn’t forget the sound of his laughter behind her earlier.

‘That’s not fair.’

What was she supposed to do if he laughed like that?

Ellerdin pressed down on her pounding heart.

His face naturally smiling brightly came to mind. Whenever she saw his smile, like sunshine, her heart raced to the point of almost bursting.

She couldn’t let this feeling be known. The more time she spent with him, the less confident she became.

***

“Yawn~ It’s a leisurely day again.”

Mollek yawned lazily. Fernan seemed to feel the same, comfortably leaning back in his chair. His gaze absentmindedly followed the clouds drifting in the sky.

The weather was nice, and the clouds spread beautifully.

‘Should I go out with Ellerdin?’

Fernan blinked slowly. Just then, familiar footsteps echoed beyond the door. Fernan jumped up and composed himself.

Soon, a small knock was followed by a clear voice.

“Fernan, excuse me for a moment.”

Ellerdin entered with a serious face. Fernan smiled broadly, stood up, and approached her in a single step.

“What’s the matter?”

Fernan asked with a bright smile. Whatever was so serious, Ellerdin didn’t even glance at him and looked at the letters she had brought.

“Did you receive these letters too?”

Ellerdin looked up and asked Fernan.

“Letters?”

Fernan looked at her with wide eyes. Unlike his relaxed demeanor, Ellerdin’s brows were slightly furrowed.

Shifting his eyes to look at the letters in her hand, he saw writings lamenting from nobles.

‘Why does she have those letters?’

They were letters that kept coming after the Northern border was lifted. Although it had been over two months since that incident, nobles continued to send letters.

‘I definitely told them to handle those letters on their own.’

Fernan glared fiercely at Mollek. Mollek, flustered by the gaze, shook his head. Noticing his gaze, Ellerdin glared sharply at Fernan.

“It’s not Mollek’s fault. I took them on my own.”

Feeling embarrassed for being caught, Fernan cleared his throat awkwardly.

“I thought everything was resolved since then, but these letters are still coming. You knew, didn’t you, Fernan?”

Ellerdin looked at Fernan, waiting for him to speak properly this time. Under her gaze, Fernan was silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.

“Sigh…”

Ellerdin let out a shallow sigh.

Although it wasn’t a false claim of damage like before, it was similar in demanding compensation. Ellerdin’s expression darkened.

“…Could you leave this part to me?”

Ellerdin asked calmly, folding the letters.

“Ellerdin, you don’t have to worry about it.”

Fernan hurriedly grabbed Ellerdin’s fingertips. However, Ellerdin shook her head and spoke firmly.

“No. I want to do it. If you’re worried that I might not be reliable…”

“Absolutely not! I’m just worried it might be hard for you…”

“If that’s the case, please leave it to me even more. It’s not hard at all; I actually really want to do it.”

“If that’s your wish… But if there’s anything difficult, please tell me anytime.”

Definitely.

Fernan looked at Ellerdin with a pitiful gaze.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

Ellerdin smiled softly.

After Ellerdin left, silence filled the room. Mollek, watching Fernan standing still, rolled his eyes.

“There will be many changes.”

Fernan shrugged and walked to the window.

“If Ellerdin is doing it, handle anyone who opposes her.”

“There won’t be anyone opposing her in the North. Don’t you know that these days, it’s not you but Madam who is the master?”

Mollek chuckled. Indeed, as he said, all the servants in the duchy followed Ellerdin’s words more than Fernan’s.

Her selfless nature and refusal to assert authority attracted not only demons but also other races.

“Sigh…”

He was worried because Ellerdin was too popular. What if she no longer paid attention to someone like him?

To be loved by Ellerdin even a little more, he was willing to spare no effort.

***

“Nisroch.”

Ellerdin lightly tapped the kitchen wall.

Nisroch, standing in front of a large pot, turned around in surprise.

“W-What brings you here?”

Nisroch visibly flustered, alternated his gaze between Ellerdin and the pot. His awkward gestures made Ellerdin look at the pot with suspicion. A white envelope peeked out from under the pot’s lid.

“What’s in there?”

“Huh? Huh? In there? There’s nothing…”

Nisroch fidgeted with his hands, sweating.

‘So Nisroch was handling the letters until now.’

With it being so obvious, why hadn’t I noticed until now?

Ellerdin smiled wryly and approached the pot.

“Oh, um, it’s dangerous to come in while cooking…”

Nisroch hurriedly covered the pot with his hands.

“It’s okay. Fernan already told me.”

And there’s no fire under the pot.

At the last words, Nisroch gasped and covered his mouth.

Opening the pot’s lid, she found it filled with letters, enough to fill the large pot.

“Um… I hid them not because of the master’s order, but because I didn’t want to bother you, Madam…”

Nisroch began to tear up, watching Ellerdin’s reaction.

“I know. Thank you for being considerate.”

Ellerdin smiled gently and patted Nisroch’s head. He closed his eyes quietly, accepting her touch.

Ellerdin had a different charm from Everett. That charm made not only him but also other demons follow her words.

“Do you have a moment? Can you help sort the letters?”

“Of course! Just tell me anything!”

Gone was the Nisroch who hid the letters, now burning with enthusiasm.