-54-

My concept of time, which I used to let flow like water, became precise day by day. The end of the week arrived suddenly, like the change from spring to summer. Today was the day of the Imperial Army’s subjugation of the barbarians. In reality, it would be more of a battle since the Kingdom of Carlin was involved.

“Your Grace, your nails!”

Mary exclaimed in surprise when she saw what I was doing. Without even being hungry, I was gnawing on my nails.

“Oh.”

Imagining how I must have looked, I quickly let go of my nails.

Why am I so anxious? I asked myself, but there was no answer. Roan knew all the dangers I was aware of for this war. Right. There was nothing to be anxious about. Nothing at all.

Feeling the mansion becoming noisier, I opened the door and went outside. On the first floor, I saw Roan in armor. Despite its purpose for battle, the armor seemed to showcase his strength impressively while fitting him like a painting.

Besides David, there were a few of Roan’s subordinates I didn’t know well. Most of the mansion’s staff seemed to be gathered, likely to see him off. As I descended the stairs, my eyes met Roan’s. His usually cold blue eyes now held a hint of warmth and curved gently.

“Duchess.”

“Roan, are you leaving now?”

Despite my pounding heart, my voice accepting the brief parting came out as usual.

“Yes.”

Roan’s voice was calm, as if nothing were amiss. Though I expected this, he somehow seemed a bit cold. Of course, so did I.

Yesterday, Roan had told me not to come out to see him off, but I insisted on seeing him ready to mount his horse. Is he really leaving? Seeing Roan and his armored subordinates made me realize the gravity of his departure.

Before mounting his horse, Roan looked at me directly and said,

“Stay healthy.”

“Don’t talk as if we’ll never see each other again.”

I laughed lightly, trying to ease the mood. But even my attempt at levity didn’t break Roan’s steady gaze.

“Don’t get hurt.”

Roan’s firm voice seemed to assure me.

“Don’t worry.”

“Make sure you eat well during the war. Your strength is your life. Even though you’re strong, be cautious. And…”

I lowered my gaze, trying to calm my swirling thoughts. I couldn’t continue and bit my lip. Something was swelling up inside me. I questioned myself. I wanted to send him off casually.

“Ugh.”

I had more to say, but I couldn’t continue. Tears started to form as I felt something long-suppressed break free.

“Why am I like this all of a sudden?”

I hurriedly wiped away the tears with the back of my hand, trying to smile at Roan, who must also have been surprised.

My attempt to smile faltered when I saw Roan’s face filled with indescribable emotion.

At that moment, Roan grabbed my arm with a strong grip. I was pulled forward, stumbling slightly. His firm hand wrapped around my waist. With his face only a hand’s breadth away from mine, he whispered,

“I’ll be back.”

Roan brushed a kiss over my tear-streaked eyes. Reflexively, I closed my eyes at the touch.

When Roan pulled away and mounted his horse, the surroundings came back into focus. Though I was disoriented from crying, I could clearly feel the eyes of his subordinates on us. The thought that they had seen everything made my face flush. I wished I could hide in a hole.

Roan met my eyes once more before turning his horse. I stood there, watching them gradually move away.

The sun, unchanged from yesterday, shone brightly on the earth.

‘Come back safely, Roan.’

I whispered words he could no longer hear.

***

Since Roan left, days and nights had alternated countless times. I was also spending my time in a busy manner.

First, magic. I am determined to master it before Roan returns… but we’ll see. There seems to be hope. I feel like I’ve started to grasp the sense of magical energy.

Yesterday, I felt a slight tremor in the surrounding energy when I cast the spell ‘Linda Selbaum.’ It sounds simple when I say it, but it’s the result of hard work instead of rest. At this rate, it seems the day I see Jafflin again is not far off.

Next, I’ve been deeply involved in Alicia’s love life lately. So today as well…

-Knock knock.

“Your Grace.”

At the sound from outside, I closed the diary I’ve been writing in from time to time on Sophia’s recommendation.

“Come in.”

It was Victor who opened the door and came in.

“Lady Berkeley has arrived.”

She’s here!

Today, Alicia’s visit to the mansion has a special purpose. Before that, we need to meet Cameron. The excuse is to check on Roan’s well-being, but it’s also to help with her crush. Although I can’t help but have Grace on my mind.

I don’t really mind changing the original story. After all, I’m the biggest beneficiary of it. Haha.

Most importantly, I still can’t forget the chilling feeling when I first met Grace.

Although, that feeling was only at the beginning. Initially, I thought of her as almost like the Archangel Gabriel. Now, she’s just an angelic figure?

The heroine and hero of a novel don’t always have to be perfect inside and out. The lesson I’ve learned from actually entering the story is not to have too many illusions about what I’ve read.

Lately, there have been strangely few scandalous rumors about Cameron in society. According to the original story, the empire’s newspapers should be ablaze with reports of his passionate love.

‘Is there some change?’

If so, what could be the reason? It’s not clear whether this is a positive or negative change. It would be good to find out for sure today. Honestly, I never thought there could be a problem with Cameron and Grace’s love life.

It turns out that changing the original story isn’t as easy as I thought. Sigh.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories