15. Does Spring Come

The first day of the Spring Festival arrived.

As Constantine had told her beforehand, this was the day Saena would make her first appearance as the lady of the domain to the people of the territory.

With Darielle’s help, Saena dressed in an appropriate dress and stepped outside. She sat next to Constantine in a roofless carriage as they left Castle Cream.

“Waaaa!”

“Welcome! Madam!”

As soon as they entered the residential area, an incredible shower of flower petals rained down along with welcoming voices. Bewildered by such an overwhelming welcome, Saena didn’t know what expression to make and looked at him.

Due to the incident the previous night, Saena felt slightly awkward, but he had already resumed his adult composure, showing a relaxed attitude.

‘It would be stranger if I came out here and frowned at the people without managing my expression.’

Saena also took a short deep breath and tried to smile at her surroundings.

She suddenly thought of the residents of Hollander territory.

There, where people were worn down by poverty and getting beaten to death was a daily occurrence at the slightest provocation, the residents would run away at just the sight of someone who looked noble, let alone her. While most faces there showed despair and resignation as if it were normal, seeing such bright expressions on these residents gave her a unique feeling.

Especially since Kramer territory was practically under a war-time system year-round. Yet neither the residents’ faces nor the streets showed any sign of anxiety, instead appearing just vibrant.

“You must be a very good Duke.”

“What?”

“I can tell just by looking at their faces.”

“……”

He was someone who kept so many people safe and happy. She suddenly realized what great obligations rested on his shoulders.

‘If there’s no one left to continue these obligations… what will happen to the people here?’

Such questions and worries suddenly arose.

She couldn’t help but worry unnecessarily.

At this rate, it didn’t seem likely that the Kramer family would have a next heir.

‘…Is he thinking of bringing in a child from outside?’

No. He’s not that kind of person.

Given his aversion to physical contact, and he didn’t seem like someone who would betray his wife so meaninglessly.

‘Or perhaps, adoption?’

Would adoption work for succession?

Even the imperial family inherited Covenant traits through bloodline, would it be different for a ducal family?

That white hair passed down through generations was practically the symbol of the Kramer family, so bloodline must surely be important.

‘Then what exactly does he plan to do?’

Is he planning to end the line?

The Four Great Ducal Houses would become Three. The northeastern region would become complete chaos. The empire’s map would change.

Saena gave a hollow laugh as she continued with these impossible hypotheses.

“Saena?”

She startled when her eyes met Constantine’s, who had been staring intently at her.

“Y-yes?”

“Do you have something worrying you?”

“…No. I was just lost in thought.”

“……”

Saena straightened her posture and seriously looked around again.

Was there any hint of falseness in the welcoming faces of the residents toward the Duke and his wife? Were they just appearing bright right now, caught up in the festival atmosphere?

Though they couldn’t come too close due to the knights protecting the ducal couple, the faces smiling and showering flower petals didn’t look fake no matter how she looked at them.

One person—Constantine—could make all those smiling faces cry. Could plunge them into despair.

But Saena couldn’t. Just as she once couldn’t improve anything for the residents of Hollander territory, she still couldn’t do anything.

Living through time twice didn’t double her abilities. She was still inexperienced, and it didn’t seem like her ability to handle situations or her social skills had improved at all.

Such traits were actually like deep roots forming a person, parts that couldn’t change much even by living through the same time repeatedly.

So rather than worrying… doing what she could was the best option.

‘For the sake of those smiling faces too.’

Responding to their welcome…

This was what Saena could do right now.

She quietly took his hand.

Of course, since they both wore gloves tightly, they couldn’t feel each other’s body heat. Even so, it was contact after a long time. She felt his body stiffen with a start.

“We should show this much to the people of the territory.”

Saena smiled as she raised their joined hands to show everyone.

The residents responded with even louder cheers at the sight of the seemingly close ducal couple.

Unaware that Constantine was staring intently at her faint smile, Saena concentrated on looking around and enthusiastically waving her hand for a while.

* * *

The parade ended.

Though all she did was sit in the carriage, smile, and wave her hand, she felt strangely tired.

As soon as they returned to Castle Cream after touring the central territory, Saena collapsed onto her bed.

“Really, where has that little guy gone again?”

Yolly was out again.

Since he always returned faithfully at night, she tried not to worry too much, but she wondered where he went every day.

She hoped he wouldn’t fall asleep somewhere again.

Given his track record, she couldn’t help but worry needlessly.

“Madam, did you have a good time?”

“Ah, Darielle.”

“Why isn’t Yolly around?”

After that incident, Darielle had begun checking on Yolly’s whereabouts meticulously. Even though he hadn’t been seen during the day for quite some time, Darielle asked the same question every day.

“Well. He went out for his usual daytime stroll. He’ll come back at night.”

“I wonder where he goes every day.”

That’s what I’d like to know too.

She wanted to follow him secretly, but there was no way she could successfully tail such a nimble guy. So there was nothing she could do. All she could do was wonder and pray daily for his safe return.

“Many letters arrived from the Imperial Capital.”

“Really?”

This was perfect timing for her already subdued mood. Reading letters from acquaintances might help improve it.

Saena brightened as she accepted the bundle of letters Darielle handed her.

“It’s from the Princess.”

Saena smiled faintly at the golden envelope at the front.

Every time letters steadily arrived from the Princess, Saena was surprised again. Who would have imagined they could develop such a private friendship when they first met?

They had already moved past the level of exchanging one-off letters. Now she felt she could legitimately say ‘we’re close friends.’

Moreover, as they exchanged letters more frequently, Saena often couldn’t hide her smile because the Princess increasingly showed her enthusiasm openly.

[…No, above all else, nothing compares to when Halcon spreads his wings and takes flight.

I vividly remember when I first saw that sight at fifteen. It quite took my breath away.]

And Saena would respond like this:

[When Halcon takes flight, yes. It’s truly magnificent.

But compared to Erenhorn’s elegance, it’s quite a different matter. When he spreads his wings with his white mane flowing softly, that sight is so beautiful…]

Of course, this was written before knowing Erenhorn’s true nature, and now she couldn’t praise him so blindly anymore.

‘…I didn’t know he was a pervert.’

Even now, remembering the feeling of him licking the back of her neck made her shudder.

There were also letters from home and from Kirsten, Evian, and Floria.

Floria asked how she was doing after leaving so suddenly. Saena replied that she had rushed home worried about her husband but everything was fine now.

Come to think of it, she should have written first…

The thought made her feel more apologetic about her rudeness.

And the next letter.

Evian usually wrote extensively about current affairs in the Imperial Capital and social circles, but this letter contained shocking news.

[…It seems this time’s Hebeta has been almost decided. Though it hasn’t been announced yet, apparently the third daughter of the Valdez family, whom you were friendly with before, is the chosen one. Once it’s announced, I think there will be much discussion…]

Elizabeth as… Hebeta?

“How is… this possible?”

Though the Valdez family was relatively weak, they were still central nobles based in the Imperial Capital. Yet Hebeta?

Though it hadn’t been announced yet, if Evian wrote about it in a letter, it must be certain.

In her previous life, didn’t Elizabeth have any connection to the Prince? Why? Why had things changed this way?

‘…Could it be because I married the man who was Elizabeth’s husband?’

Is that why the future twisted?

Suddenly she recalled Elizabeth’s glance from before.

That cold gaze that made her uncomfortable. At first glance, one might think she hated her.

Why? Perhaps she had known and had feelings for Constantine since this time? Did her directionless heart turn toward the Prince?

She had thought it was just a contractual relationship, but was there something more?

‘And the Prince…’

Considering their last meeting, it would be fair to say he definitely had no good feelings left for Saena.

Yet if those two become a couple…

Especially if they become Emperor and Empress…

“……”

Sigh. Life was unpredictable.

Just when you think you’ve solved one thing, another issue emerges. This news completely shattered Saena’s belief that she knew the future to some extent.

In the end, what remained was just one insignificant person.

Someone who struggled to change even the direction of her own life despite having various information. Someone who found it even more difficult to change the flow of the world.

“Please give them to me when you finish writing your replies.”

Darielle spoke while Saena was lost in her thoughts.

“Ah, yes. I will.”