Side Story 1

“We give thanks to the God who has blessed this land. Prosperity and glory to Liwonoc.”

With the bishop’s final prayer, the mass concluded. Evelyn slowly lifted her bowed head.

She met Dyffrin’s eyes.

“Did you have a lot to pray for?”

“Yes, even though I know God’s power has left this land, I still hope someone will grant my wish.”

Evelyn sighed as she spoke.

As the mass ended and people began to leave the temple one by one, Merrilyn, who had accompanied them as an attendant, approached Evelyn.

Dyffrin gestured, and Merrilyn bowed her head and left the temple first.

Once they were alone, Dyffrin asked,

“Did you pray about the child again?”

“Yes. It’s been two years since we got married, and there’s still no news. My body has gotten healthy, but I don’t know why I can’t get pregnant.”

Evelyn’s eyes, which usually shone brightly, looked gloomy. Dyffrin quietly looked at her and then wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Since we’re here at the temple, let’s walk in the garden. There should be many flowers you like in bloom.”

Evelyn didn’t refuse and placed her hand on Dyffrin’s arm.

The temple garden was beautifully adorned with flowers that had blossomed with the breath of spring.

This temple, which Dyffrin had painstakingly built, was beautiful and magnificent. Although it was built in the Duke of Liwonoc’s territory for the residents, its splendid exterior attracted many people from other territories as well.

“I told you not to worry about the child. It will come someday.”

Dyffrin spoke as they walked through the garden. His tone wasn’t soft, but it was sincere.

“It’s already been two years thinking that way.”

“There’s no need to rush. We still have plenty of time.”

“What if it never happens?”

“It doesn’t matter. I told you the child isn’t important.”

Evelyn knew Dyffrin wasn’t just saying that.

He had already told her several times that if she didn’t want a child, they didn’t have to have one.

Having a child is a blessing, but it also takes a toll on the body. In fact, Dyffrin’s biological mother, Chloe, had also deteriorated rapidly after giving birth to him.

But Evelyn genuinely wanted a child. The estate was running smoothly, and the duchy was becoming more prosperous by the day. As the lady of the house, she had little to do.

Perhaps because of this, she often found herself staring blankly out the window, wishing there were children playing in the vast castle grounds.

“The vassals won’t think that way.”

Evelyn grumbled, feeling a bit petty.

“Who dares to think ill of you?”

Dyffrin said with cold eyes. Evelyn gently stroked his arm to calm him down.

“…I’m just saying they might.”

“Don’t worry about such things in advance. Just think about yourself.”

Dyffrin said, kissing the top of Evelyn’s head. Evelyn’s face turned slightly red.

“People are watching.”

“Shall we go back to the castle?”

His voice was overly languid as he suggested it. Evelyn knew this was a signal. As if they were the only two left in the world, he wanted to tumble in bed.

“Not today. I’ll wallow in my sadness.”

Evelyn said, pretending to be coy. Dyffrin, undeterred, leaned down and whispered in her ear.

“You were the one who provoked me first.”

“When did I…?”

“I thought rubbing my arm was a signal.”

Dyffrin had a mischievous smile on his face. Evelyn blushed and moved away, saying, 

“Nonsense.”

But she was soon caught by Dyffrin.

“I won’t give you time to wallow in sadness.”

“You’re insatiable…”

“You don’t dislike it either.”

Evelyn couldn’t deny it, even as a pretense.

In truth, the nights she spent with Dyffrin were always excessively blissful and hot.

She thought the passion would cool over time, but somehow, her senses only became more awakened.

As Evelyn blushed in embarrassment, Dyffrin chuckled.

Then he tucked her hair behind her ear.

“I guess we’ll have to keep trying until we have a child.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Evelyn pouted but held onto Dyffrin’s arm tightly.

He was still a man with a cold demeanor and a stern tone, but to her, he was a rElliable and quite affectionate husband.

* * *

“Oh, my back…”

Evelyn rubbed her aching back as she got up from bed.

Dyffrin had already left for his duties. She vaguely remembered him giving her a short kiss on the forehead in the morning.

‘He was especially rough last night.’

She could still vividly recall Dyffrin’s relentless movements, despite her grimacing.

‘Dyffrin… I can’t do this anymore.’

She had almost cried from the overwhelming sensation. Dyffrin had consoled her by kissing her all over instead of answering.

‘This way, you’ll be too exhausted tomorrow to think about anything else.’

He was right. The lingering heat from the night was long, and her back hurt so much that thoughts of a child had evaporated.

As Evelyn sat on the bed, tapping her back, someone knocked on the door.

“Madam, it’s Merrilyn. I thought you might be hungry.”

“Come in.”

Merrilyn entered with a steaming bowl of soup. Despite the disheveled bed and Evelyn’s less-than-perfect condition, which hinted at the tumultuous night, Merrilyn seemed unfazed, as if she was used to it.

“Shall I apply a hot compress if your back hurts?”

“That might be a good idea…”

Evelyn quickly filled her stomach with the soup Merrilyn handed her.

Merrilyn sat beside her, sipping tea and watching over Evelyn like she was a child.

“I’m really glad you and the master get along so well.”

“It’s almost too good.”

“I’m not just saying this. Anna, one of the maids I work with, told me that at her previous place, the master and mistress fought constantly. She said her daily task was to clean up broken dishes.”

“Well… I suppose we’re better off than that.”

“It’s not even comparable. I honestly never imagined the master would become so affectionate.”

Merrilyn spoke with a serious face.

“That cold man has become more affectionate over time. I can’t tell you how relieved I am.”

“…Does Dyffrin seem affectionate?”

“To others, he’s the same, but to you, madam. Just mentioning you changes his entire expression.”

Feeling secretly proud, Evelyn finished the soup in one go.

After the meal, Merrilyn quickly brought hot water and prepared a hot compress. She carefully applied the hot towel to Evelyn’s back as she lay on the bed.

“Thank you, Merrilyn.”

“You’re welcome.”

Merrilyn, who was smiling, suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, by the way, you received a letter, madam. It’s from Oakley.”

“Oakley?”

“Yes. I’ll leave the letter on the console after the compress.”

“Alright.”

After the compress, Evelyn checked the letter from Oakley.

[Dear Duchess of Liwonoc,]

Evelyn chuckled at Oakley’s formal greeting. It didn’t suit her at all.

As if anticipating her thoughts, the letter continued,

[Trying to match the Duchess’s dignity, I attempted to write formally, but it feels like thorns are growing on my palms. Anyway, how have you been? I’ve been busy expanding my business.]

It had been two years since Evelyn’s marriage, and Oakley had become one of the most famous people in the empire.

Her outstanding business acumen had allowed her trading company to grow rapidly, and she had now expanded into the hospitality industry.

She had particularly invested in the hotel business, buying land at the port and constructing a large building with a significant investment.

Ironically, this major endeavor had started with a casual remark from Evelyn.

‘I love coming to the port because there’s always so much to see. The trading company headquarters are lined up, and there are many fascinating and rare items.’

Although the trading company wasn’t a store, they occasionally displayed items out front, which prompted Evelyn’s comment.

From there, Oakley thought that perhaps the port, with its concentration of trading company headquarters, could be developed into a tourist attraction.

The target was not the nobility, but the bourgeoisie.

The port was still bustling and noisy, making it less appealing to the refined nobility. So she thought it would be better to start by targeting the bourgeoisie, who were more open to new things and liked to spend money.

Remembering this, Evelyn smiled as she continued reading the letter.

[After much effort, the hotel is finally complete, and I’m planning an opening party. It would be a great honor if the empire’s noble diamond could come and grace the event.]

Oakley had a peculiar habit of calling Evelyn the diamond of the empire. She said Evelyn deserved the title as the owner of a diamond mine.

[P.S. The hotel’s location is excellent. I even spent 5 million dallians to have a priest consecrate it. So if you spend a passionate night here, you might just have a beautiful child.]

Evelyn folded the letter and let out a weak laugh.