Helen’s messenger bird flew over the garrison. And it descended, finding the command facility with familiarity. Lorendis untied the letter bound to its leg, checked it, and handed the messenger bird to his aide.

“Provide food and water.”

Lorendis entered the tent and spread out the letters he had received. Then he fell into contemplation.

“Why does she constantly…… look like someone who’s about to leave for somewhere far away.”

They are in a contractual relationship. This contract was formed based on mutual interests, and it was purely out of responsibility. Her father was Helen’s vassal, and it was a courtesy he had shown to his dead father’s friend.

He knows she wants to leave. If the contract period ends, Catherine will leave at any time. But it seems like there’s more to it than that. Looking at her melancholic sentences and phrases…….

“She seems like someone trying to leave not just Helen, but the world itself.”

Lorendis, who had been muttering to himself, put down the letter. The tent opened, and the aide hurriedly prostrated himself. Lorendis leaned languidly against the chair in his armor. His silver armor gleamed in the light.

“We’ve eliminated all the barbarians in the area.”

“Then it should be quiet for a while.”

“They’ll restrain themselves for the next few years.”

Their presence is insignificant, but they consistently come down from the mountains to disturb Helen, worse than flies. They’ve fought continuously and always won, but it was still a tiresome and persistent relationship.

“This war is Your Grace’s perfect victory. It’s time to return to Helen.”

The war was over.

And it was time to go back.

* * *

A few days later.

Catherine gathered herself from the sofa where she had been leaning late in the day. Her body was becoming increasingly lazy.Catherine wore clothes the maids helped her put on, ate meals they prepared, and drank tea they served. She did nothing on her own. As life became lethargic, her body naturally became lazy.

“A letter came from the battlefield.”

“Is it from Lorendis?”

Several more months had passed since the marriage, and Catherine comfortably called Lorendis by his name. The letter’s content ranged from greetings to casual conversation.

Catherine opened the letter and read it. Lorendis’s handwriting was always neat and tidy. He had a unique habit of drawing strokes, always curving the end of the last stroke.

[Coming soon.]

That was the entire content of the letter.

He says he’s coming soon. You shouldn’t be coming now.

The war that was supposed to last over a year ended early. It was fortunate for Helen, but unfortunate for Catherine. She had expected him to return after completing the full contract period, but with Lorendis’s return accelerated, the schedule was disrupted.

‘What should I do.’

Catherine, who had been leaning weakly on the bed, covered the letter and looked up at the ceiling. Oh no— this person really seems to be coming soon.

* * *

The interior decorations of the ducal castle were changed. The deep navy blue curtains were removed and replaced with new decorations.

The maids, excited about changing the interior decorations after a long time, energetically began a thorough cleaning. Catherine leaned against one side of the corridor, staring up at the clear sky. It had cleared up after a long time.

“The snow has stopped.”

“Indeed. The sky has cleared up after a long time. My lady, you should take a walk outside. You haven’t been going out much lately.”

The maids diligently swept and cleaned the corridor. Then they laid luxurious carpets on the floor. The purple carpet matched well with the wood.

“Since the snow has stopped, we’re doing the postponed thorough cleaning.”

“No wonder everyone seems excited.”

“Yes. I wish this tiresome snow would stop falling. Don’t you feel the same, my lady?”

After brief consideration, Catherine replied.

“I like the snow. It’s like cotton balls falling. It makes my heart feel warm too.”

“How sentimental you are. That must be why His Grace took you as his wife. You look so good together.”

Much time had passed. Catherine’s hair had now grown down below her waist. She grew it out on advice that longer hair suited her better.

Her once disheveled golden hair now had vitality, and her cheeks became white and clear. With plenty of perfumed oil applied to her skin, her body emitted a fragrant scent. She left her long hair as it was, as the maids managed it for her.

“How can you be so beautiful?”

“Long hair really suits you, my lady.”

“Short hair also suits my lady well. Your unique melancholic and serene atmosphere matches better with short hair.”

Catherine ignored them and went to sit on a bench. The snow crunched under her feet. Like a soft cushion, the snow felt soft under her shoes.

‘I’m sleepy.’

Time in the ducal castle passed in an instant. She cut ties with her family and quietly stayed in Helen. She gained some weight. Although her frame was still slender, that was an innate aspect. The maids were noticeably pleased with Catherine’s changes.

“You still love to sleep.”

“I’ve been feeling unusually sleepy lately.”

As the maids said, Catherine spent half of her day sleeping. When she tired of sleeping, she spent time in the office.

Perhaps because she spent time reading books at the residence, Catherine’s culture and knowledge were superior to others. So she was capable enough to assist with the aide’s work at a minimal level. Rather than actively helping them, she provided adequate support from behind and blended in among the aides. It was the same now.

As Catherine was lost in thought, a small call was heard.

“My lady. The work on the title succession has been completed.”

Aide Brady bowed his head before Catherine.

“What title?”

“The work on the succession of the Milden viscountcy has been completed. We’ve arranged for you to inherit it as is. If you don’t permit it, your stepmother and her family cannot freely dispose of the viscountcy’s assets.”

This is the power of Helen’s name—to reclaim a viscountcy with just a few words. It was only possible because of Helen’s name.

“The title will be absorbed by you, my lady. You can dispose of your stepmother and stepsister as you see fit.”

Things that were difficult at the viscountcy are all resolved in Helen’s name.

“Everything is easy in Helen.”

After Father went missing, the Milden viscountcy was led by my stepmother. Who would care about an obscure rural family? So my stepmother took control of the family in place of my absent father.

‘Amanda Milden.’

Even if she leaves when she leaves….

Even if she reclaims the family, tying up loose ends with the family was something Catherine had to do.

The time to meet her family was drawing closer.

“It feels like everything is really coming to an end.”

“What do you mean? This is just the beginning. Soon when His Grace arrives, there will be a grand victory ceremony, and he will receive medals from the Empire.”

It’s fortunate that the war is ending. Helen will become a war hero and raise its name high once again. Even if it was a war that Helen would overwhelmingly win, it wasn’t a scale that could be ended in half a year.

According to plan, when the war ended, our contract period should have been fully completed for a year.

“This is the banquet hall. Dust has accumulated as it hasn’t been used for a long time, but if we clean and repair it, it will become a splendid banquet hall.”

The banquet hall doors were opened after a long time. When the doors were flung open, hazy dust settled on the floor. The banquet hall was enormous. But perhaps because it hadn’t fulfilled its purpose, it looked desolate. Dust had accumulated heavily inside the hall, and dark stains marked the ornate windows.

“Dust has accumulated abundantly. Although there was no need to use the banquet hall…… My lady, don’t worry. We’ll clean it up.”

“Since there was no need to use the banquet hall, it’s been left empty for a long time, and there are many places that need attention. However, if we just clean it, it will regain its former splendor.”

“This banquet hall will finally serve its purpose!”

The maids were delighted. Each of them exchanged a few words as they brought cleaning tools, then left. Everyone looks happy.

“The glass pieces are fascinating.”

“Yes. This is the banquet hall used by the fallen royal family in the past. They must have indulged in luxury, as they carved angel figures on each window.”

The angel figures were blowing horn trumpets. The wooden floor creaked, but it would look stylish if repaired by calling in a repairman. It felt real that Lorendis was returning.

Lorendis is coming back. War hero Lorendis will knock on Helen’s gates with news of victory. Then I…….

“I wonder if my usefulness is also ending.”

Catherine’s muttered words were quietly buried.