Isn’t this too much? If monsters aren’t eliminated from the ducal territory, the entire Empire would be in danger, right?

If the territory can’t generate tax revenue, shouldn’t the imperial family provide a budget?

Recalling the royal studies I had learned five years ago, I pressed my throbbing temples.

Two things were clear from Barbara’s report:

First, the ducal territory was on the brink of bankruptcy.

Second, Barbara was very competent.

The problem was that she was so competent that she was frequently dispatched to the imperial capital.

While Barbara was away on business trips, the territory became even more desolate, and Salomédian consistently failed to act as a lord.

It was truly a hellish cycle. And that hell was my future. Without even hot springs.

Surely it can’t be this bad. Barbara must be exaggerating a bit. There should be some imperial prestige……

I wiggled my fingers, trying to calm my trembling heart.

I had no way of knowing that I would see beyond whatever I could imagine.

※※※

“Is there really a mansion in this forest?”

I blinked rapidly in front of the massive forest where darkness hung heavily.

The faint cries of monsters could be heard through the dense trees.

I swallowed hard while breathing in the damp air emanating from the primeval forest.

I never dreamed I would come to the Demon God’s forest again.

Barbara smiled brightly and raised her voice:

“It’s a safe place with no thieves or robbers! And the air is so good!”

Instead of thieves, there are monsters! What robber would be crazy enough to come here?

I swallowed my words and composed my expression.

“Why is the ducal residence in the Demon God’s forest?”

Even if the land is barren, the territory is so vast.

The Demon God’s forest, where people enter but never leave?

Barbara replied nonchalantly, as if reciting a prepared model answer:

“All previous Dukes of Sedna disliked bustle. There’s no place better than this—it’s quiet and has excellent scenery.”

“Surely not.”

“It’s a bit remote, but there’s plenty of parking space for carriages! The antique-style mansion is also beautifully museum-worthy!”

Though her face didn’t change at all, I was certain Barbara was lying.

“That’s enough, Barbara. She’ll find out soon anyway.”

Salomédian sneered from behind. Barbara glared at him as if asking why he was spoiling the mood.

“What if the duchess runs away?”

“Sia has already made up her mind.”

Salomédian’s voice was cold.

What decision? I haven’t even seen the mansion yet?

I looked into Salomédian’s blue eyes, but I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

Barbara hurriedly headed toward a black dragon statue erected at the forest entrance.

“It’s just hidden by illusion magic—the road is well-paved! You could even hold tea parties anytime!”

When she twisted the dragon’s head section, the illusion magic was dispelled, revealing a road wide enough for two carriages to pass side by side.

No matter how well-paved the road might be, no lady would come to a cursed forest for a tea party.

“Please get in the carriage quickly! All the servants must be waiting for you, Duchess!”

Barbara pushed my back.

I swallowed a groan as I watched the familiar scenery passing by the carriage window.

Who would have thought I’d be traveling by carriage through the forest where I had wandered, enduring the fear of death?

My memories of the Demon God’s forest remained hazy.

I couldn’t distinguish whether the intense heat that seemed to burn my soul was a dream or reality.

「You remembering our first meeting. That is the condition.」

Salomédian’s voice knocked on my heart. As did the sad longing spreading in his blue eyes.

What exactly happened that day? What kind of life would I lead here?

I clutched my skirt as I gazed at the gradually emerging ducal mansion.

※※※

The first impression of the mansion was truly shocking.

The stone walls were cracked, the paint was peeling, and broken windows had been left unattended.

The garden trees had withered and died, and the marble statues and fountains were covered with thorny vines.

There were even half-rotted animal carcasses, and flocks of crows roamed around the mansion.

Though it seemed to be made of high-quality materials, it was nothing more than a ruin on the verge of collapse.

There wasn’t a single servant waiting to greet the master who had returned after a long time.

“Ahaha… Why is the mansion in this state? It wasn’t like this three months ago. Ahaha.”

Barbara laughed awkwardly while watching Aisia’s reaction.

“Oh, i-isn’t this actually good? The duchess can redecorate according to her taste. And hire new people!”

Barbara looked at me with desperate eyes.

She seemed afraid I might run away, since I would have to act as the lord in Salomédian’s place.

I answered with an expressionless face:

“There’s no budget to repair the mansion, is there?”

“If we speak to His Majesty, we could arrange some funds.”

“You said there’s already a debt of 50 million gold?”

“I’ll even use my personal savings! Please just don’t leave, Duchess!”

There were tears in Barbara’s mint-green eyes and she clasped her hands together.

Though I knew she was older than me, my heart sank when Barbara with her lovely appearance began to sob.

This sister is so cute! I want to help her with anything!

I was quite shocked by the mansion, but I had no intention whatsoever of leaving the ducal residence.

I had nowhere to go back to, but more than that, I couldn’t give up on the hot springs.

Hadn’t I resolved to do whatever it took to revive the hot springs?

Building strength to take revenge on Teresa and taking hot spring baths.

Those were my primary goals.

“Why would I leave? This is my home now.”

I answered calmly. Barbara, who had been blinking in disbelief, burrowed into my arms.

“I love you, Duchess!”

Barbara’s mint-green hair fluttered against my chest, which was relatively tall.

It looks so soft, can I touch it? Would that be rude?

Contrary to my desire to stroke the mint-green hair bobbing before me, a sudden wave of nausea surged up.

My insides twisted and cold sweat broke out.

Fortunately, Barbara pulled away quickly, so I avoided the disaster of vomiting on her mint-green hair.

Suddenly, Salomédian asked:

“Do you really have no intention of leaving?”

His beautiful face was distorted with disbelief.

Unable to understand the reason, I placed my hands on my hips.

“Why should I leave?”

Salomédian flinched briefly before answering in a low voice:

“I thought you would leave since the hot springs are gone.”

So that’s what you meant by me making up my mind? How absurd!

“What do you mean the hot springs are gone? The hot springs are still there! They’ve just dried up temporarily.”

Our precious hot springs aren’t gone. They’re just ailing children who will recover soon!

My voice rose without my realizing it. Salomédian’s eyes, resembling the blue sky, trembled slightly.

He still seemed unconvinced, so I emphasized once more:

“Even without hot springs, I won’t leave. You accepted my proposal, and I will fulfill my assigned duty.”

To fulfill my responsibilities as the Duchess of Sedna until divorce.

That was the condition of our contract.

Salomédian stood motionless, as if caught off guard.

Did I say something wrong? Wondering inwardly, I clenched my fist.

“I’ll revive the hot springs myself. I’ll definitely do it!”

Was it because of my excessive desire and passion? Blue flames suddenly flickered from my fist.

Oh no, is my magic going out of control again?

※※※

I shook my fist in alarm, and Barbara let out an exclamation:

“You materialized your magic! What an amazing ability, Duchess!”

This is an ability? Not just an inconvenience that might burn the Duke’s shirt?

“…Is it difficult?”

I tilted my head sideways, looking at my fist wrapped in blue flames.

Barbara answered with sparkling eyes:

“Of course! I’ve never seen anyone but Salomédian or His Majesty materialize magic. You’re amazing!”

“……”

“The Duchess has beauty, ability, and passion—everything! Who would have thought Our useless Grace would have such luck with a wife! His Grace actually being helpful to the territory! Oh God, thank you!”

Barbara clasped her hands in prayer as if she had met a hero who would save the ducal territory.

It seemed that creating flames wasn’t something just anyone could do.

Salomédian resolved my confusion:

“Magic is a delicate and dangerous power. If possessing magic is level 1, activating it is level 2, and materializing it is level 3.”

“You mean people can use magic but can’t make it take visible form?”

“Yes. Even high nobles can only reach level 2.”

I recalled Teresa who had tormented me using magic.

I had heard until my ears hurt that Teresa possessed powerful magic, but I had never seen her create water droplets.

Am I doing something even Teresa can’t do?

The flames that spontaneously appeared had caused me embarrassment more than once, but to think these flames were a symbol of ability.

It was both absurd and somehow moving.

“Your magic is explosive because it’s been suppressed for so long. The magic outbursts aren’t your fault, Sia.”

Once again, Salomédian comforted me.

“Thank you for comforting me, Salom.”

As I offered a shy greeting, Salomédian wore a gloomy expression.

“It’s partly my fault too.”

“What do you mean by that……”

“Just that it is.”

Salomédian grabbed my burning fist with his bare hand.

With a sizzling sound of burning skin and acrid smoke spreading, both Barbara and I cried out simultaneously:

“Salom!”

“Salomédian!”

But Salomédian didn’t budge. The blue flames slowly died down in his grip.

Until then, he didn’t let go of my hand.

All that remained was his dangerously hot body temperature.

My heart began to race again.

I carefully regulated my breathing, afraid I might emit flames.

“Are you alright?”

“This much will heal quickly.”

Salomédian raised the corner of his mouth crookedly, as if there was nothing to worry about.

The wound on his hand was healing at a rapid pace.

I opened my mouth in amazement at this remarkable ability that even healing priests couldn’t match.

Automatic regeneration? What exactly can’t he do?

“Barbara. Show Sia to her room.”

Salomédian ordered Barbara.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Heat bath water too. Sia enjoys bathing.”

His gaze didn’t leave me.

His blue eyes bored into me as if he had a disease that required him to keep looking.

My lips dried up under that gaze, which seemed to penetrate my most intimate places.

「Sia enjoys bathing.」

That pleasant voice echoed repeatedly in my ears.

The joy of someone knowing and acknowledging me was a happiness more intoxicating than I had imagined.

Except for the burning throat and difficulty breathing.

Trying to hide my awkwardness, I changed the subject:

“Salom. If you’re not busy, could you teach me about magic?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll wait until you call for me.”

“No need to wait. I’ll come find you.”

With those final words, Salomédian departed.

Watching him walk away, I felt both relief and regret simultaneously.

If I had known when he would come looking for me, I wouldn’t have let him go so easily.