Chapter 6 (Part 7)

Chester’s expression hardened further. He glanced behind Sellakia and covered his mouth with his hand. His already quiet voice became even softer.  

“Are you planning to leave the Empire? There’s no need to go that far.”  

“Just for a while. The influence of Seidon reaches throughout the Empire. You never know.”  

After pondering for a moment, Chester reluctantly nodded.  

“Alright. I’ll see what I can do. Our Pyregen merchant group doesn’t deal in illegal buying and selling of identities. It’ll take some time to find an information guild operating underground.”  

“Please do. Oh, and don’t deliver the items yourself; entrust them to someone reliable.”  

Chester’s straight eyebrows twitched in dissatisfaction.  

“Do you really have to go that far?”  

“Please, Chester.”  

The day to receive the marriage certificate was not far off. It was best to minimize meetings with Chester from now on.  

Chester, fully aware of the circumstances, still looked displeased. Not wanting to upset Chester, Sellakia hurriedly changed the subject.  

“You know the saying from a foreign country, ‘He who loves the mountains is benevolent,’ right? It seems like that saying was made for you, Chester. You love the mountains of the Pyregen territory so much. Don’t you think?”  

Chester’s stiff face turned to one of bewilderment at the sudden remark.  

“It’s the opposite. A benevolent person loves the mountains. Loving the mountains doesn’t make you benevolent.”  

“What does the order matter? The point is, you’re that benevolent person.”  

“Why aren’t you saying the first part today? You’re transparent, Sella.”  

Chester’s eyes narrowed. Sellakia pretended not to hear and looked at the shimmering surface of the canal.  

In fact, this saying was something Sellakia used to show off her newly learned knowledge during lessons with her tutor. Before the saying about benevolent people loving mountains, there was a sentence about wise people loving water.  

It was a sentence that Sellakia, who wanted to be wise, particularly liked.  

Chester let out an exaggerated sigh, as if for her to hear.  

“Well, I guess an unwise person like me has no choice but to follow your words.”

“Indeed, you are very benevolent, Young Master Chester Pyregen.”  

“But I won’t compromise on where you go. It has to be a region where our merchant group has a foothold.”

“Alright.”

If it’s a foreign country, Seidon’s influence would be weaker than in the Empire. Sellakia smiled contentedly. Everything seemed to be going smoothly. With a solid plan to leave, she wouldn’t falter emotionally anymore.  

Chester’s face, which had been tense, relaxed somewhat at her agreeable response. At that moment, the angle of the sun shifted, reflecting off the droplets clinging to Chester’s collar. They were remnants he hadn’t managed to shake off earlier.  

“Chester, wait a moment.”  

Feeling a bit guilty about her earlier prank, Sellakia leaned forward to brush off the moisture herself.  

“……”  

As Sellakia approached, Chester’s body stiffened. He didn’t move, as if holding his breath. Then, suddenly, he turned his head sharply, as if pricked by something.  

Chester, who had been staring at something for a moment, muttered quietly.  

“……You call that unnecessary worry?”  

Sellakia curiously followed Chester’s gaze.  

“……”  

She saw a figure standing on a nearby drawbridge. Though the figure was in silhouette with the light behind them, Sellakia immediately recognized who it was just by the outline of the solid build.  

Why is Tenus here?  

She rubbed her eyes, thinking it might be a dream, but the figure on the bridge didn’t disappear. Instead, his presence, which dominated the surroundings, became even clearer.  

Tenus was looking down at the canal with his chin resting on his hand, like someone out to enjoy the scenery. If his gaze hadn’t been fixed on Sellakia, she would have thought he was out to relieve stress from his heavy workload.  

“Even now, you don’t get it……. Sella, you’re really an utter fool.”

Caught in Tenus’s gaze, Sellakia didn’t hear Chester’s muttering. The lively melody that had been ringing in her ears also faded away.

Unintentionally, the flowing water brought her closer to Tenus. It felt as if she were being drawn into his deep blue eyes.

* * *

As soon as the canoe docked, Sellakia pushed Chester’s back. There was no time for farewells. If Tenus and Chester met again, they might end up having a subtle confrontation, so it was best to avoid it.  

Tenus arrived at the dock only after Chester was completely swallowed by the crowd.  

“He looks like a loyal dog leaving its master.”

Tenus muttered as he dismounted from his horse. Sellakia pretended not to hear his rudeness in treating Chester like a dog.  

“What are you doing here?”  

“Territory inspection.”  

“Why a territory inspection all of a sudden?”  

“I do it from time to time when there’s work.”  

A sudden territory inspection?  

Sellakia had never seen Tenus leave the mansion before. It was a very suspicious reason, but his unchanging expression left no room for doubt.  

Sellakia, who had presumptuously assumed Tenus had followed her, felt a bit embarrassed. It was a relief she hadn’t immediately demanded to know why he was following her.  

As Sellakia’s previously aloof gaze softened, Tenus twisted his lips.  

“I knew you were bold, but I didn’t expect this. Going on a boat with an outsider man in the Duchy territory. Don’t you realize it’ll be a good scandal for the vassals’ gossip tomorrow?”

“Young Master Pyregen is not an outsider; he’s an old friend.”  

“If he’s a friend you don’t remember, he’s closer to being an outsider.”  

Despite his light tone, Tenus’s expression was rather stern. His eyes seemed to criticize her. Sellakia, who hadn’t done anything blameworthy, felt wronged.  

“I’ve never thought of Young Master Pyregen that way. And you’re the one who recommended the canoe and the band.”  

“Did I tell you to enjoy a boat ride with him?”  

“That’s not it, but…”  

Sellakia couldn’t continue and just opened her mouth.  

If she got caught up in his words, it would be disadvantageous for Sellakia. She was confident in her innocence, but it was true she had done something against social norms.  

She had gone ahead with it, thinking Tenus wouldn’t care, even if Mark or Roberta reported it. She hadn’t expected to incur his displeasure. She had thought it would cause only minor ripples among the vassals.

Sellakia shifted her eyes. No clever excuse came to mind. She had no choice but to change the subject.  

“Um, did you hear about me gathering the servants today?”  

Tenus looked down at Sellakia lazily before answering breezily, as if letting it slide.  

“I heard. You said you’d raise their wages and fill the manpower gap.”  

“It’s a bit late to ask, but is that okay?”  

“Do as you wish. It’s your right.”  

“Would you say the same if I said I’d dismiss the Head Maid?”  

“Marguerite?”  

A rare look of curiosity appeared in Tenus’s eyes.  

“I know she hasn’t caused any trouble.”

Tenus, who seemed to be pondering for a moment, continued plainly.  

“Since she’s dedicated many years to the Ducal house, if you plan to let her go, make sure to give her a generous severance pay.”

His response was as straightforward as when he generously granted Sellakia her rights. Sellakia was the one surprised.

“That’s all? You won’t ask why?”  

“I said it’s your right. Do as you please.”  

“But she’s your mansion’s person.”  

Tenus immediately corrected Sellakia’s words.  

“Our mansion. Have you forgotten already, Sellakia Seidon?”  

It was a slightly playful retort.  

Sellakia unknowingly clenched her fist. Tenus’s response, which seemed to reaffirm an obvious fact, made her feel strange. Her stomach churned, like experiencing seasickness belatedly.  

“What’s wrong?”  

When Sellakia didn’t respond as usual, Tenus tilted his head slightly. Sellakia, staring intently into his deep blue eyes, suddenly realized.  

Since when?  

There was no longer the same disdainful light in his eyes as before. Not that they were filled with affection either. His deep eyes, exposed after the ice had cracked, were a chaotic mix of various emotions.  

If he found out about my irresponsible mistakes, would the submerged disdain rise again?  

“……It’s nothing. I’ll think more about Marguerite.”  

Sellakia turned her head away from him as if escaping. She was about to expose Aldrich’s dark side, but for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.  

“Then continue with your inspection. I’ll head back first.”  

Sellakia had taken a step towards Roberta and Nancy, who were standing far away, when Tenus spoke.  

“It’s over.”  

“What?”  

“The territory inspection is over.”  

Sellakia, who was trying to distance herself from Tenus, turned back as if caught by the neck.  

It was hard to believe the territory inspection, which seemed like it would take days, was over in half a day.

Sellakia glanced at Dominic, Tenus’s only attendant. It was to gauge the truth. However, she couldn’t read anything from Dominic’s twisted face, which seemed to be either suppressing laughter or failing to manage his expression due to exhaustion.

“Well then…”  

It was awkward for a couple, even if only in name, to head to the same destination separately.  

Reluctantly, Sellakia returned home amicably with Tenus. To others, it might have looked like they were returning from a cozy outing together.