The reality I had desperately tried to avoid struck my head heavily like a sledgehammer. Stupid wench. I mocked myself. Even the voice that barely came out was weak like sobbing. Perhaps finding me strange like that, a tenacious gaze thoroughly scanned my face.

During that time, I remained silent with my gaze fixed on empty space. You still seemed to distrust me like that, but unable to discover any other signs, you eventually very slowly let me go.

I staggered backward. Only your hands that had been wrapping and holding me remained alone in the air. You looked down at them for a while then lightly made a fist. That motion seemed to grasp the remaining warmth. Though that couldn’t be.

“I was thinking of discussing the princess’s new residence. Before…… you seemed to be averse to the estate.”

You said.

“But it seems there’s no need for that.”

I didn’t answer. And probably, you didn’t seem to want an answer either.

“Confine yourself for a while. And never again. I hope not to hear similar stories in my ears. Sir Guillaume.”

“Yes.”

“Escort the grand duchess to the annex.”

Sir Guillaume, who had been silently facing away from us throughout the conversation, only stood behind me like a loyal dog after your order fell. Only then did I realize he hadn’t yet left this place. I showed such a sight. Belated regret washed over me.

“Wait.”

However, just as I was about to leave the room. You called me again.

“Take this.”

The footsteps that had briefly moved away wandered near the desk then approached my way. In my vision facing blankly ahead, I saw a thick palm with prominent calluses. On it was one small medicine bottle. Next to it was a paper knife with its blade wrapped in leather. The item you took from me that day.

“Hurry.”

When I stood without receiving it, you shook your hand once. When there was still no response, this time another hand reached out and touched my right arm that had been rubbing my wrist. Unlike the rough touch earlier, it was even quite a careful contact.

You finally stepped back only after pressing it into my hand. But was it a delusion? That brief moment when you were close then moved away. The persistent gaze seemed to linger over the wrist that had been gripped. When I unconsciously followed that gaze, I saw handprints already risen red on the soft skin.

……That might be why. Why I didn’t throw away that medicine bottle and silently brought it back.

I felt a gaze on my back the entire time leaving the office. Even the moment I boarded the carriage heading to the annex. Though it couldn’t be, it was a persistent and vivid pursuit that made me feel like you were watching me to the very end.

I tried to throw away the medicine bottle when I arrived at my room, but somehow couldn’t and put them deep inside a desk drawer.

And the next day. News of Countess Wig’s death arrived.

※※※

Just 3 weeks after the heat wave began, the entire duchy was suffering from an unfamiliar thirst.

Even a small spark is like a disaster to grass piles dried crisp by the sun. Flames that spread in an instant are bound to spread at a terrifying speed and devour the wilderness.

The rumors about me were the same.

My prophecy about the count’s household’s misfortune was accurate. With reduced harvest and wages cut, some of the count’s workers harbored resentment and attacked the family’s carriage. Fortunately the son saved his life, but the accompanying wife died instantly.

That prediction, connected with my already visible unpredictable attitude, created ominous rumors. Some expressed that I had ‘read’ the future, while some thought I had ‘created’ them. If the former was simple prophecy, the latter was complete malice no matter how you thought about it. And presumably, public sentiment seemed to be flowing toward the latter.

The palace interior was completely noisy at this news. Perhaps expecting me to tell their fortunes, nobles requesting audiences with me increased considerably. However, since I happened to be confined, all audience requests were rejected by Sir Guillaume’s strict refusal. Since you couldn’t have given me orders aiming for this, it was truly a strange coincidence.

The surveillance knights under the pretext of patrol increased one by one as days passed, and servants’ movements were also strictly restricted. Confinement in name only. It was virtual imprisonment.

“Don’t worry too much, Your Grace. His Highness probably isn’t that angry.”

Melissa was noticeably anxious about the increasingly gloomy annex atmosphere. Because my treatment was her position.

“Since people are watching, he’s probably waiting until things quiet down. Of course! He’ll surely do that. You’re so beautiful.”

I, who had been enjoying tea time in the living room between bedrooms, silently listened to that meaningless comfort then set down my empty teacup. Cool wind blew in through the wide-open window, disheveling my hair.

“Well. Shouldn’t I be grateful it’s not the north tower?”

“Such.”

At the words I added casually, Melissa’s face turned white. Despite the hot weather where sweat seeped into skin even sitting still, her face was pale blue like she’d braved a snowstorm alone.

Actually, the elongated tower located at the castle’s northernmost point was a place with deep enough history to be called the execution tower from old times. Because Warlock’s predecessor was an ancient kingdom that perished very long ago.

The old kingdom that flourished even before Gorgon was born was conquered by northern nomads. The barbaric nomads locked up all the royal family’s descendants in one place and executed them one by one over time.

The north tower was precisely where those royals were imprisoned. Sometimes executions were carried out directly there. Naturally, due to such symbolism, duchy citizens had long regarded the north tower as a symbol of ill omen. Actually, some past Grand Dukes left records of using that place quite usefully. Melissa had reason to be horrified.

Knock knock.

At the knock that came just then, Melissa’s face brightened noticeably. Her expression clearly showed she wanted to end this conversation as quickly as possible.

“Come in.”

When I briefly permitted, the door opened soundlessly. The one waiting was Herot. Our gazes met briefly as she bent and straightened her waist. Soft and gentle brown eyes. Except for looking a bit gaunt with some weight loss, she was as neat as always.

“Since it’s hot, I thought the ice melted, so I brought new ones.”

“I was just about to order some, so this works out well. I’ll handle the rest, so please go ahead.”

Melissa was openly hostile toward Herot like that. She received the ice pouch almost snatching it and turned her body pretending it was a mistake, blocking Herot from my view. Perhaps anxious about losing even her precarious position, she was as sharp as facing a predator invading her territory.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Herot withdrew obediently. She knows well that I suffer greatly from heat. I forcibly withdrew my gaze that wouldn’t leave and buried my flushed cheeks in the ice pouch. The ice melted quickly because it was so hot.

My Odil.

However, as you know, I originally enjoyed summer. The blazing sun and dry air. I loved the youth and vitality the season exuded. Even when my skin reddened and peeled from sunlight, I was simply happy. But now it’s different. No, it’s terrible.

Because Arthur died and was buried in the ground during this hot and desolate season.

Just two years old. The child who had been healthy from birth started frequently running fevers from some point. Despite the doctor’s diagnosis that it was simply lack of stamina, his condition gradually worsened, burning my heart with worry.

I visited the child’s room constantly. By then, the princess was already caring for the child. However, whether from sympathy or because worry about the weakened child threatening the heir position had decreased somewhat, she didn’t restrict my visits.

To make matters worse, my condition also worsened daily. The time I was awake and sane during the day was less than half a day. Waking up in unfamiliar places was common, and countless times I couldn’t remember what I’d just said. It was probably around then that I recalled the story of my maternal grandmother who lived as a half-madwoman.

Mother rarely tried to talk about her family. It was partly because her family was an already perished kingdom, but somehow I thought the reason wasn’t only that.

Nevertheless, I absolutely never forgot visiting hours. When the small body wriggled in my arms, I was as happy as owning the whole world. Ah, that warm and soft warmth! I felt like I could do anything for its eternity.

But how cruel is fate?

— Your Grace! Right now……!

One sweltering summer day. A panicked knight burst in from early morning. However, I had already stayed up all night the previous night with my eyes open. Inexplicable foreboding completely consumed me, making sleep impossible.

Thinking about it now, my unconscious seemed to already sense it. The fact that something very, very terrible was waiting for me at the end of this road.

— Get out of the way right now!

I immediately rushed outside and rode a horse myself. No one told me, but I could feel it. Where I needed to go. Even everything about what was happening there right now.

— Arthur!

The child’s room decorated with soft carpets and cute ornaments always smelled of freshly baked cookies. The moonlight shining through the large window was cozy, and firewood was always piled high in the fireplace that was lit daily. However, when I arrived, the room was a complete mess like a typhoon had swept through.

— Your Grace!

The window was wide open and maids carrying wet towels and basins constantly went in and out through the door. The princess, who had been pacing before the door, discovered me and reached out her hand. However, my gaze was directed only at the bed inside the room.

— Good heavens. Arthur……!

I passed her and rushed into the room. On the white sheets was blood. All blood. How much had poured from that small body? Even seeing it with my own eyes, I couldn’t believe it at all.

— Cough, hack!

Every time the child coughed repeatedly, white foam rose from his mouth. A hunched, unfamiliar doctor poured medicine into the open mouth, and each time, the small, thin limbs stiffened. The whites of his eyes revealed by flipped eyelids were a complete mess with burst blood vessels. It looked like the medicine was attacking the body rather than treating it.

— What on earth is this? Why suddenly……! Explain!