Chapter 139

It was my stubbornness that kept Ludwig protected in the Kingdom of Arlo, rather than taking him back to the Grand Duchy.

Fortunately, even Ludwig’s people acknowledged that my presence was pivotal in the plan to retake Rohitham. Thanks to this, I could keep the still-sleeping Ludwig by my side.

Ludwig’s people handled the task of reorganizing the now chaotic country.

The sword of Rohitham was returned to the central vault.

Seasons passed that way.

Ludwig opened his eyes on a morning as early summer approached.

* * *

“How is Roche?”

“No changes; count.”

Every morning, I would check Ludwig’s condition.

The seizures and feverish spells were now a thing of the past.

He was simply asleep.

But that state was even more grueling.

Status quo.

Sometimes, I heard the maids whispering, wondering if he would remain like this, just breathing, forever.

I, too, occasionally felt anxious.

That day was one of those days.

Looking down at Ludwig’s beautiful, sleeping face, a strange fear began to creep up my spine.

I slipped my fingers between Ludwig’s, feeling his warmth.

“Roche.”

The power of habit is frightening.

I expected no response, assuming my voice would echo alone in the serene, warm air.

It has always been that way since he fell asleep.

It had been a long time since I last heard his soft voice.

“Roche…”

Yet, I called out to him.

If he was lost somewhere in the depths of a deep sleep, maybe my voice could serve as a guidepost for him to open his eyes.

“It’s morning.”

The familiar silence enveloped the bed.

I smiled lightly and started to get up.

It was then, as I was about to withdraw my fingers from his, that I felt a sudden, slight movement.

My heart dropped as I stared at Ludwig.

I had felt this before; it was always a false alarm.

I stared at his immobile eyelashes for a long time, then let out a hollow laugh and turned my gaze toward the door.

But then… a miracle happened.

A gentle pressure.

This time, it was not an illusion.

I turned back.

The long lashes that cast a shadow over his cheeks lifted, revealing the sapphire eyes I had longed to see.

Ludwig was still holding my hand.

Not forcefully, but unmistakably.

He blinks a few times at the ceiling, trying to speak but struggling.

His face contorted awkwardly.

I stood frozen, wide-eyed, staring at him.

Finally, he looked at me.

He didn’t need to speak.

His eyes said it all.

‘Countess, I woke up because you called.’

In his usual, composed manner.

Ludwig Rohitham, my Roche.

He smiled faintly.

I approached the bed and collapsed onto it.

His weak hand covered my hair.

* * *

As soon as Ludwig regained consciousness, he began rehabilitation.

Thanks to his extraordinary physical condition and strong will, he recovered to the point of living a normal life within a few weeks.

Then came the farewell.

He was a foreigner, after all.

Though it wasn’t an eternal goodbye, it was much better than when he was asleep.

“I’ll invite you to my coronation.”

Ludwig seemed excited as he spoke.

“You’ll definitely come, right?”

The answer was obviously ‘yes,’ so the question was pointless.

I turned my head to the side and crossed my arms.

“If I’m busy, I might not make it.”

“Aaah.”

Ludwig let out a long sigh—half frustration, half playful whine.

It somehow tickled my side.

“You must come…”

He rested his forehead on my head.

I tried to tease him like before, but it was no longer easy.

I pouted my lips and couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’ll come. Whose coronation is it, after all?”

As soon as he got my confirmation, Ludwig left that very day.

I didn’t attend the official farewell, but I watched from the Balthus Grand Theater director’s office as he rode his white horse down the main street in front of the royal palace, growing distant.

It was just a moment, but it felt like he glanced this way.

* * *

Time passed, both slowly and quickly.

Our relationship was well-known, so people constantly asked about Ludwig when they saw me.

“Do you often communicate with each other?”

“Do you exchange words of love?”

I cleared my throat.

“It’s far from here to where the Duke is, and there’s an operator in between. Not the best for exchanging words of love.”

“Ah…”

The young ladies surrounding me seemed disappointed, but soon their eyes sparkled again.

“Letters! You can still write letters!”

They were relentless.

“…Communication isn’t exactly frequent.”

I had to give a deflating answer.

It was true. Though I was busy, Ludwig’s schedule was unimaginably tight. Even without a deep understanding of politics, I knew how complex and arduous it was to reclaim a country after its leader had been absent for so long.

The young ladies glanced at each other. Delays in communication between distant lovers were never a good sign. The adage “out of sight, out of mind” holds true for a reason. Many long-distance couples break up for that very reason. Feelings don’t follow logic. While I still cared deeply for him and missed him, I couldn’t be sure he felt the same. Resolving pressing matters might dull his emotions.

Previously, this thought terrified me. But now, not so much. If my efforts helped him find his place, wasn’t that enough? My imprint on his life would be lasting.

I once shared these thoughts with Princess Idvina. She listened and then firmly replied, “Don’t think like that.”

Her stern tone startled me.

“Yes… Your Highness?”

“That won’t happen.”

“Yes…”

I never brought it up again in her presence. She wasn’t the only one to caution me, though. My youngest brother, Ernst, did too.

When he once visited the capital, he asked, “Aren’t you curious?”

“About what?”

“The Duke of Rohitham.”

“Is he ill?”

“There’s no reason for a sudden illness.”

“Then it’s fine.”

When I dismissed the topic, Ernst looked incredulous.

He scolded me, asking if I really liked Ludwig and how I could be so indifferent.

“I don’t want to be a burden!”

I finally snapped.

He doesn’t understand how I feel!

“And I’ll find out how he’s doing at the coronation, so why hurry?”

“But aren’t you curious now?”

“…”

I was curious.

But I didn’t want to be a bother!

Does he know how much I don’t want to burden the country with the person I care about?

Does he know the weight of the responsibilities on the Duke’s shoulders?

“Why are you upset on his behalf when you’re not even the Duke?”

When I retorted, Ernst grumbled, saying he was done.

Honestly, it was exasperating.

* * *

More time passed.

Finally, an invitation to the coronation from the Grand Duchy of Rohitham arrived.

Seeing the thick envelope made my heart flutter.

I opened it to find a simple invitation.

To Countess Balthus,

Ludwig Rohitham is about to be crowned Duke. We would like to invite you to the coronation.

I would be grateful if you could reply with your availability.

From Rohitham

“It’s Roche’s handwriting…”

I mumbled absentmindedly. But I snapped out of it quickly.

“Dylan, adjust the schedule. We need to clear the first two weeks of next month.”

Dylan, already anticipating this from the moment the letter with the Rodante seal arrived, smiled confidently.

“I’ve already prepared for this. Don’t worry about the theater. I’ve got everything under control.”

“…You might as well take over as Countess at this rate.”

“A butler’s duty is to ensure their master does not lift a finger.”

Dylan, now a thoroughly professional butler, bowed deeply.

Well, I suppose…

I looked at the invitation again.

Taking a deep breath, I filled my lungs and then exhaled slowly.

I was genuinely nervous.

How much would he have changed during this time?

Would he look at me the same way?

There were many uncertainties.

Early next month, as planned, I headed to the Grand Duchy of Rohitham.

“I hope you have good news.”

Katarina, who came to see me off, grinned broadly.

“Good news about what?”

I asked, but she only winked mischievously.