4.

Catherine stayed in bed all day, just sleeping. Drowsiness lulled her head into a pleasant daze, and her mood sank into tranquility.

“His Grace…… seems to have kept her up all night.”

“She was completely worn out last night. Miss Nancy, please try speaking to the lady. It’s difficult to approach her right now.”

Catherine smiled awkwardly. They find me difficult to approach? Am I difficult? Catherine didn’t have a particularly difficult personality. She was simply lethargic about life.

All this time, Catherine had kept to herself when she wanted to be quiet, never getting close to them. She deliberately maintained an appropriate distance between people. Ah. Is that not right? I didn’t even give them a chance to get close to me. Was that why? The maids’ concerns deepened.

“My lady, does your waist hurt?”

“I’m just tired.”

Catherine groaned and smiled sheepishly. She barely slept on her wedding night. Even with a wide bed, it was her first time sleeping with someone else.

When Catherine tapped her waist repeatedly, the maids swallowed hard. And for Catherine, her current physical condition was somewhat…… difficult to discuss directly with them. The maids’ faces gradually reddened, and they composed their expressions with “Oh my, oh my.”

“I’ll prepare a warm bath for you.”

“Just prepare the bathwater. I’ll bathe myself.”

“But you’re complaining of muscle pain……”

As Nancy was also being cautious, Catherine, who was about to refuse again, just left it to them.

Passing through the middle door of the bedroom, she came to the bathroom within. It was the bathroom used by the master and mistress of the inner castle, tidied neatly by the maids’ hands. In the glass cabinet, soaps and fragrances were arranged by type, even labeled with product names for easy identification.

Catherine yawned and rubbed her eyes. Her eyelids still felt heavy.

She washed her body lightly with the bathwater prepared by the maids. She finished bathing and grooming herself, leaving the rest to them.

“Would you like some medicine for muscle pain?”

“No. A few days of rest will do.”

“His Grace…… sigh, he lacks consideration.”

Their sighs deepened. One by one, their voices mixed, and their whispers soon turned into complaints. Even while washing and wiping her body, she couldn’t wipe away the dense atmosphere of that day.

“Making her unable to get up for a whole day……”

“Even if he won’t see her for a long time, he should have shown some consideration……”

The maids trailed off. She had heard bits and pieces while half-asleep, but had missed most of it while nodding off.

Catherine finished her bath and changed into light indoor clothes. Other maids hurriedly followed and combed her fluffy hair.

Through the mirror, the view of the bedroom was reflected. A large frame hung on one wall of the bedroom. It was a map of Helen. Even the border of the map was pure gold. Catherine quietly watched it and then leaned deeply into the sofa.

‘I’m sleepy.’

As Catherine rested her chin and tapped the sofa armrest, Nancy massaged her shoulders and spoke.

“I understand you’re tired, but if you sleep more here, you won’t be able to sleep at all tonight. The weather is nice today, isn’t it? How about going out for a walk?”

“I’d rather sleep more……”

“Muscle pain gets better with more movement. I’ll call the physician to prepare medicine to strengthen your energy.”

Catherine flinched at the mention of the physician.

“Then, I’ll visit the library.”

“Do you like books?”

She awkwardly evaded the answer and wrapped a shawl around herself. As she came out into the corridor, candles flickered gently.

“Do you know the way to the main castle’s library?”

“I’ve already checked the route once. I’ll go to the library by myself, so rest.”

It had been dawn when she saw Lorendis off, and now the sun was already setting. Would he have reached the front lines by now? The night wind is cold. Though she’s not weak enough to worry about catching a cold…… still, she worries.

“Will he be safe?”

“His Grace will return safely.”

He is a war hero. He will return safely this time too. However, she hadn’t even considered him returning too early. She had forgotten about what would happen after they reunited.

She had only thought about divorcing and parting ways after reuniting…….

* * *

Catherine found the main castle’s library. She needed a quiet place to spend time alone.

“Then, my lady, please call when you need anything.”

Catherine picked out a book from the library. Helen’s library was serene. All the bookshelves were made of wood.

The wood grain was so smooth that one could feel the craftsman’s delicate work just by touching it. So she traced the bookshelves and gazed up at the ceiling absentmindedly.

‘It’s high.’

The same woody scent she had smelled in the bedroom wafted through the library as well. That rich scent captured all her senses. The bookshelves were assembled preserving the natural wood grain.

As Catherine walked slowly, tracing the corners of the bookshelves with her fingertips, footsteps followed behind her.

“Is the scent of wood strong?”

Brady stood there with a broad smile. He was Lorendis’s chief aide, whom she had met when he accompanied Lorendis to the viscountcy before.

“Brady, didn’t you go with Lorendis?”

“I’m honored you remember me.”

Brady spoke while meticulously adjusting his monocle.

“I’m not a military official. I’m a civil official to the bone. Sending me to the battlefield…. my lady, you’re truly a cruel person.”

Somehow, wearing glasses and holding a pen seemed very familiar to him. His glasses were thick, suggesting a strong prescription. Details she hadn’t properly noticed at the viscountcy now filled her eyes.

‘I didn’t intend to get to know the people here in detail.’

Perhaps it would be better to maintain an appropriate distance from them while mixing appropriately. Staying as a guest, she feels uncomfortable acting like the owner.

As Catherine carefully leaned against the bookshelf, Brady tapped the bookcase with the back of his hand and spoke.

“It’s called snow-pine tree, found only in Helen. Unique name, isn’t it? It’s named so because its petals resemble snowflakes. They say it blooms during the midwinter snow season.”

“Helen has many fascinating things.”

“Its scent is strong and lingers like an afterimage, so it’s often used for furniture. Trees are abundant in Helen.”

Due to Helen’s harsh geographical characteristics, plants that could survive in Helen were limited. So wealthy nobles would spend large sums to build elaborate glass conservatories, while ordinary commoners tended to plant and grow the common snow-pine trees.

“Congratulations on becoming a member of Helen.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you not too cold now? Since you’ve completed the ceremony and ritual, it should block the northern chill……”

Catherine, pondering Brady’s words, suddenly realized and answered.

“Was wearing that shawl part of the ritual?”

“Yes. That was the ritual of becoming a member of Helen.”

Helen is mysterious. It’s regrettable that she won’t be able to experience all of its mysteries before leaving. Catherine carefully traced the bookshelf with her fingertips. The uniquely soft wood grain transmitted through her fingertips. Then she stopped abruptly and pulled out a random book.

“Are you looking for a specific book?”

“Do you have any history books about Helen, or books that might help with northern living?”

“Then try this book.”

Catherine carefully put the book she had pulled out back in its place. Then she took the book Brady had prepared for her.

It was a thick hardcover. The book itself was old, filled with ancient language that would have been used long ago. The cover was worn out, showing how much time had passed and how many hands had touched it. One could tell just by looking at the cover. It was a history book of a fallen ancient kingdom.

“The territory of the Helen ducal family is the land of a fallen ancient kingdom. That book contains the history of the area. In the old days, it was called the Winter Kingdom because of the accumulated snow. Even now, people often call it the Winter Kingdom or Snow Country.”

“Does it snow a lot in Helen?”

“You’ll see it until you’re sick of it when winter comes. The people of Helen are absolutely fed up with snow. When heavy snowfall occurs, the city is often paralyzed.”

Hearing this, Catherine flinched and lowered the book.

“For such a place, civilization has developed quite a bit.”

“It’s all thanks to His Grace taking care of Helen.”

Brady’s respect for Lorendis exceeded Catherine’s expectations. Brady, who had been telling her about Helen’s history, excitedly added various stories.

By that point, she thought, ‘This is getting long……’ Catherine smiled broadly, put the book back in its place, and took Brady’s hands. She felt that if the conversation continued, she would get tired. Catherine praised Brady with appropriate social skills.

“Impressive. Both you, the aide, and the people of Helen are all so unconditionally loyal to your masters.”