Chapter 11

The Grand Duchess is bored.  

At those words, Kallieon became more serious than ever, as though he had been tasked with an enormous challenge. His eyebrows naturally drooped. 

If she disliked jewels and dresses, what could I possibly do for her? 

Unlike Sodel, Serpiewood didn’t offer much in the way of entertainment. Its social circles weren’t particularly active either.  

“That is… truly a serious matter.”  

Kallieon murmured while holding Asterope’s hand. It was, quite literally, a serious matter. He couldn’t think of any clear solution. Not when he first held a sword, not when he plunged into war, and not even when he was given this abandoned land as his territory—none of those moments had been as difficult as this.  

Kallieon didn’t understand women’s hearts very well, especially not the heart of the one he loved, Asterope. The more he liked her, the harder it became to understand her. Whenever he was with her, he was always cautious, always uneasy, as if surrounded by an invisible fog.  

Asterope, noticing Kallieon’s confusion, firmly held his hands and spoke again.  

“I won’t ask for anything difficult. Just walk with me inside Serpiewood. Even if it’s only for a short while, that’s enough.”  

“You want… to walk with me?”  

Asterope nodded. It had to be with him. Not because she particularly wanted to walk with him, but because of safety concerns. There were still many people in Serpiewood who disliked Asterope. They either hated her or were indifferent to her, one or the other. So, it would be difficult for her to go alone. Taking a whole line of maids with her was also a problem. But if she were with the respected Grand Duke, Kallieon, who always roamed the territory, it would be fine. At the very least, people would have to pay attention to his presence.  

Asterope added, as if driving the point home.  

“You lock me up here, while you are always wandering around, Your Grace.”  

“That’s because it’s too dangerous…”  

“But it’s safe within the territory.”  

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Kallieon ran his hand over his cheek at Asterope’s unexpected suggestion. Walking around the territory together was something Kallieon wanted to do more than anyone else. If Asterope’s desire to understand Serpiewood wasn’t about its internal political chaos but about the place itself… then that seemed acceptable. After all, he could protect her.  

“Then, let’s start with one or two walks a week.”  

“One or two is too few.”  

“Then two or three…”  

“Three or four!”  

Asterope raised the number, playfully snuggling into Kallieon’s arms. Kallieon kissed Asterope’s pale cheek before continuing.  

“We’ll start with short outings, and if it seems to work well, we’ll talk about it then.”  

“Understood.”  

“And there’s a condition.”  

“A condition?”  

Asterope looked at him with worried eyes. Kallieon gently brushed the bridge of her nose before speaking.  

“You must dress warmly. If you’re dressed like you were on the terrace today, I won’t take you out.”  

“Alright. I promise. I swear!”  

Asterope, who had been tense, brightened at the simple condition. That much was easy to agree to. Her lips curved into a wide smile, and Kallieon’s lips mirrored hers. Since their marriage, she had often smiled at him, except for the first couple of months. However, Kallieon knew well enough that those smiles weren’t genuine.  

But now, the smile Asterope showed him was filled with genuine joy. She was truly happy at the thought of patrolling the territory with him.  

“Rope.”  

“Yes, Your Grace.”  

Kallieon gazed at her eyes for a long time. Seeing his reflection in her large, round eyes felt both awkward and pleasant. He simply stared at her for a while. Asterope couldn’t understand why he had called her name only to remain silent.  

“Your Grace?”  

“It’s nothing.”  

Kallieon shook his head without saying more. Just then, there was a knock at the door.  

“Grand Duke, Grand Duchess. It’s Tama.”  

“Tama, you’re here at just the right time.

“Grand Duke, wasn’t there something you wanted to say to me?”  

Asterope grabbed his arm and asked. Kallieon smiled and tidied her stray hair. His rough hands clumsily brushed through her locks, but the gesture felt warm. Asterope slightly shrank back and smiled.  

“Later.”  

Kallieon said this and then told Tama to come in. Tama entered, dressed in a navy-blue work uniform. Despite his position as the chief steward, Tama’s attire was the most casual in the castle. Unless he had to attend an imperial event or a banquet, he always dressed comfortably—just as he had when he first met Kallieon.  

“Looks like you left your coat somewhere again, Old Tama.”  

“Yes, I set it aside for a moment. Due to a mishap with a magic tool, the Mage Tower is practically summer right now. It feels like there’s a blazing sun inside.”  

“It would’ve been a disaster if the Grand Duchess had gone there.”  

Kallieon gently stroked Asterope’s cheek, his expression deeply concerned. He remembered how sensitive she had become to fire. If she had actually seen the flames there, she might have fainted on the spot. That sharp, terrible sensation was still vivid in her memory.  

Kallieon kissed Asterope’s tense forehead before continuing.  

“If you want to visit the Mage Tower, you may. But only if you go with me. I’ll make sure the interior is properly sorted by then.”  

Asterope nodded and replied, 

“I’ll let you know when I’m curious, Your Grace.”  

“Alright. You’ll probably feel more comfortable talking to Old Tama without me around. I’ll go back and finish my work.”  

Asterope felt relieved. It would be hard to speak openly with him present. Though she knew he would eventually hear a full report of whatever conversation she had with Tama, she didn’t want to beat around the bush or hold back out of caution.  

She wanted to hear Tama’s honest feelings toward her and the reason he had chosen Maria as her chief lady-in-waiting. Seeing the relief on Asterope’s face, Kallieon turned toward Tama.  

“Old Tama, don’t say anything unnecessary to the Grand Duchess.”  

“Don’t worry and return to the conference hall. Sir Sommer has been busy searching for you, Your Grace, who disappeared in the middle of a budget discussion.”  

“Ahem, ahem.”  

Kallieon glanced briefly at Asterope. Though he had pretended to have finished the meeting on time in front of her, the truth was that he had left abruptly while discussing minor issues with Sommer. He simply couldn’t stay seated after seeing Asterope’s lonely expression on the terrace.  

Asterope smiled faintly and kissed the back of Kallieon’s hand.  

“Go finish up, Your Grace. We’ll have a delicious dinner together.”  

“Alright. Don’t go down to the dining hall without me. I’ll come to get you.”  

“Yes, Your Grace.”  

When Asterope responded tenderly, Kallieon felt as if someone was gently scratching at his chest. He nodded and left the Grand Duchess’s room, leaving behind Tama and her. At the far end of the hallway, Sommer and Chester came running toward him.

“Your Grace! I thought it might be the case, but you really couldn’t resist checking on her, could you?”

“You seemed to have argued, but I guess the saying that a quarrel between a married couple is like cutting water with a knife is true. Still, it’s troublesome for you to leave during such an important budget discussion.”

At their words, Kallieon waved his hand dismissively.

“Can’t I just go?”

With an expression that clearly showed his annoyance, Kallieon began to walk but then turned his head. He was curious about what kind of conversation was taking place behind the tightly closed doors of the Grand Duchess’s room. There were also things he hadn’t been able to say to her yet. However, it still felt too early for that. Kallieon stood in place for a long time, unable to take another step.

‘Yesterday’s Rope and today’s Rope are different. But if I had to choose, I’d say I prefer today’s Rope. I hope that one day, I can tell you these words.’

He silently spoke the words he couldn’t say to her out loud.

Tama watched his lord, Kallieon, disappear down the hallway. Afterward, he bowed respectfully once again.

“Grand Duchess, it has been a long time. I heard you were looking for this old man.”

“Yes, you sent a new chief lady-in-waiting, didn’t you?”

“Yes, it was under the orders of His Grace.”

“While the Duke gave the order, you were the one who selected her, weren’t you? The lady-in-waiting from the Wizmen family, who assisted you for a long time.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Tama continued speaking without showing the slightest sign of hesitation, as if he had already anticipated her questioning. Asterope crossed her arms and scrutinized Tama.

Although his shoulders were slightly hunched and his face was lined with wrinkles, there was an energy radiating from him. Despite his shabby attire, the dignity of a chief steward was evident, and Asterope found it appealing.

‘He’s someone capable of impressing my brother Jed with just a single battle. He’s remarkable, so I mustn’t take him lightly.’

Tama neither spoke first nor offered excuses or exaggerated reactions before Asterope said anything.