“It’s because of me, isn’t it?”

When Anne first discovered the truth, she had written a letter to Prince Vails, who had supplied Evan with the drug. Howard had replied tersely, saying it was nothing to worry about as long as the dosage was followed. He added that Evan simply wanted to show that infertility isn’t solely one person’s fault.

Anne felt powerless in this situation.

As the words she had swallowed down finally slipped out, Evan sighed deeply and moved closer to her.

“It’s not like that at all.”

“…A slow heartbeat isn’t good for you.”

“No one has died from this yet. Ah, didn’t you say Anton has arrived?”

Evan casually played with her hair as he responded.

“Don’t change the subject.”

“Not at all. I’m just as anxious as his future brother-in-law that I won’t be able to give him a proper welcome since I overslept. Come on.”

Evan gently took Anne’s wrist, urging her to get ready.

“…Alright.”

***

“Anton!”

Anne had been nervously pacing as the carriage arrived later than expected. Forgetting her shoes in her excitement, she ran to the halted carriage and flung open the door.

Inside sat Anton, looking more handsome than ever, beaming at her.

“Sis, it’s cold! Your feet!”

Anton was about to scold her for being careless when he noticed a man running towards them with her shoes. Without further worry, Anton stepped out of the carriage and pulled Anne into a tight hug.

“I’ve missed you so much. How’s the new place? How’s Uncle and Hildes?”

“They’re doing well, of course.”

“Oh, it’s cold, and I’m holding you too long. Let’s get inside.”

Anton stopped Anne from walking barefoot and looked at her with concern.

“You really haven’t changed at all.”

Anton knew about her repeated visits to the capital before heading north to announce the restructured medical system. Her selflessness was admirable but also worrisome, as she often neglected her own well-being.

He felt somewhat relieved, though, seeing the man kneeling before her, helping her into her shoes. It was clear that the two were deeply in love.

“Does she do this often?”

“I know, I know.”

“It was just a mistake.”

“Sure, it was. Now, let’s go inside. Don’t worry about your luggage; it’ll be taken to your room.”

Evan exchanged a look with the servant, who signaled for them to hurry indoors.

***

Northern winters were never easy when it came to food. Most meals during this time were hearty stews.

Before coming here, both Evan and Anton had suggested that Anne stay in the capital, but they couldn’t ignore her insistence on not wanting to be apart any longer.

“Hey, I brought some meat.”

“Well done.”

The two men exchanged a knowing glance. They shared the same concern for Anne, who had been living on minimal vegetables and chicken stews during the harsh northern winter. It was a good decision to call Anton, even if only briefly.

“Oh, that’s great news! There are many pregnant women in the village who are due soon. I was worried they weren’t getting enough protein!”

“What?”

“Huh?”

Anne quickly called for the chef.

“Can you keep just enough for us and portion the rest to send to the village?”

“All of it?”

The head chef of the northern estate found it hard to understand the future duchess’s unusual behavior. Unlike typical nobles, she insisted on sharing the limited food supplies, even though records showed that previous residents of the estate often struggled to provide enough for themselves.

“It’s just the beginning. Isn’t it unusual for early winter in the north to be this cold?”

“Well, yes, but….”

“The Duke isn’t staying here just because His Majesty told him to. We’re needed here, aren’t we? Evan?”

“Oh, well, yes, but….”

Evan squeezed his eyes shut. His hopes of taking it easy had been completely dashed. Despite what Anne said, he was only following the Emperor’s orders. There was no other reason.

“I want to help, too.”

As Evan listened to Anne’s words, he recalled the past.

It was around the time they returned to Terossa with Anne.

“I’ll grant you the Hamatar region in the north.”

“…Aren’t you just giving me another headache?”

Ailon responded with an awkward smile.

“You know there’s no one else I can trust.”

Now, with a more relaxed expression, he poured wine into his glass. Noticing how casually the Emperor had been treating him lately, Evan added another remark.

“Are you aware I’m about to get married?”

“…Why wouldn’t I be?”

“It feels a bit off to give someone in the early days of marriage more work….”

Despite the sharp comment, Ailon simply smiled brightly, as if he knew nothing.

However, he didn’t take back his words. Instead, Ailon stood up and unexpectedly embraced Evan.

“…What are you doing?”

“Just wishing you well. I probably won’t be able to attend the wedding.”

“Hah. Don’t change the subject.”

“Accept the northern region. It’s an imperial order; you wouldn’t dare disobey, would you?”

The words were stern, but the tone was not.

With a bit of the burden of what had seemed like a life filled with nothing but misfortune lifted, his path became clear.

Be a wise ruler as the Emperor of Terossa. And protect those who are precious to him, even now.

Those two goals would suffice.

And now that Duke Evan Davis would be walking alongside him and the Kingdom of Vails would be a partner, not an enemy, there seemed to be no major issues.

“So, is Your Majesty’s marriage moving forward?”

“Even you’re asking about that now?”

“Isn’t it natural? If you die without an heir, I’ll have to take over the throne.”

The reason was so typical of Evan that Ailon couldn’t help but chuckle. Unlike before, now dozens of marriage proposals arrive daily.

It was time to let go of everything. He answered, resolving to abandon any lingering attachments.

“There won’t be any burden on you. There’s a tea time hosted by the royal family. I’ve been making appearances there now and then.”

At those words, Evan looked surprised.

He had known Ailon since childhood and was aware that he wasn’t someone who would show up at such gatherings with noble ladies.

He was subtly hinting at trying to get to know someone better through conversation.

“Your Majesty.”

“It’s time for a change, don’t you think?”

“…….”

Ailon looked at the speechless Evan and patted him on the shoulder.

“Don’t be so serious.”

“…It just caught me off guard.”

“I’m doing what I can in this position. So, remember, you need to take care of the north in the fall.”

“…I’ll leave at the appropriate time.”

Evan understood the Emperor’s command and knew there was no way around it, but he hadn’t anticipated Anne coming along.

Though he agreed when she said it made no sense to be apart again, part of him wished she would stay in the capital, where others could care for her. The north was far too harsh for her.

And so, just as he was about to express his wish for that meat to be served at the castle, Anton spoke up.

“Sis, I think it’s best if we eat this at the castle. Soon, there’ll be about ten carriages? They’ll be arriving in abundance.”

“What?”

Evan and Anne looked at him, puzzled by the mention of ten carriages.

“The money you gave me. The allowance my brother-in-law gave me. I quickly accepted it, and there’s still a lot left.”

“No way.”

Anton remembered the time he first received that large sum of money. He had adamantly refused at first, thinking it was ridiculous, but eventually he had no choice but to accept it.

Though it felt shameless, he used the money to secure a house in the capital. It was more than enough to find a place for Uncle Calvin, Hildes, and himself to live.

His future brother-in-law had suggested they all live together, but the idea of living in that large mansion was too overwhelming, so he politely declined.

Instead, he found it more than enough to occasionally spend his vacations at the mansion, enjoying time with his sister.

“I’ve heard the situation in the north isn’t good. What do they call it? Noblesse oblige? If you have, you give. I’m just putting that into practice.”

“…If that’s the case, it’s fine. Anton, I gave you that money to spend as you wish.”

“That’s why I’m indulging a bit. All the meat we brought will be used as food for the castle, and we’ll send all the carriages that come afterward to the village.”

“Oh….”

Anne’s expression gradually grew sullen. She had hoped to see Anton finally rewarded for all the hardships he’d endured. Why, of all times, did Kyle’s words, spoken in passing, suddenly come to mind?

“Anne, what you’re doing is not wrong; it’s all good. But sometimes, it can be a burden to others.”

At that moment, as Evan took a spoonful of stew, he spoke up, as if it were no big deal or even something to be praised.

“If you’re short on money, just let me know. I’ll support you in whatever you need. And if it’s for a good cause like this, even better. Oh, and you need to eat more. Don’t worry, brother.”

“Yeah, sis. I rushed over here because I was worried! Oh, and brother-in-law, I’ll gladly accept any allowance you want to give!”

“Alright.”

As Anne listened to this conversation, she thought to herself.

‘It feels surreal, but this is reality.’

Anne let out a small, incredulous laugh.

“Anton, you say you rushed over here. I was about to grow old waiting for you.”

TL NOTE: For more chapters of it’s side story visit dusk blossoms .