"...Has he lost his mind?"
No matter how many times Kaian reread it, his frown wouldn't smooth.
*[Brother, I want to go hunting. I heard the fox pelts caught at Fromhunt these days are of exceptional quality. As you know, "old fox" is also the Duke of Vermont's nickname, so I believe his attitude toward fox hunting is more earnest than ever. Oh, now that the old fox is your father-in-law, can I still mention the fox hunt? See you at Fromhunt in two days.]*
If someone received something like this by telegram, they'd exclaim, "How much did this cost?" Though it was an alarming amount, it was remarkably short compared to what Valquiterre had sent previously.
Anyway, what left Kaian dumbfounded was the content itself.
"Fox hunting? *Now?*"
There were only about ten days left until the autumn festival. That tyrannical madman wanted him to go fox hunting?
But the line written underneath irritated Kaian even more.
*[This is the King's command. Surely you won't defy it, Duke?]*
Kaian pressed his hand to his forehead.
Considering the entire Kingdom of Oberon, support for Valquiterre's rule was quite high. The notion that he was inadequate as a young King compared to Queen Silvia's achievements couldn't be said of Valquiterre, who'd protected the country and strengthened its internal stability even during five years of war.
Nevertheless, throughout the Kingdom of Oberon, the land where resentment toward Valquiterre lingered was Rowan territory.
During the previous Duke's time, it had been the land with the highest support for the royal family—thanks to having both the Queen and her sister, the Duchess. But now the situation had become the exact opposite.
There were several reasons.
First, Valquiterre could have prevented Kaian's military expedition, but hadn't. Kaian was the child of a married princess, so he was half-royal blood. Because he was a descendant of the royal family, unlike other noble families, he'd had immunity from personally going to war. But since Valquiterre had ordered all noble families to send troops, it became difficult to object.
Kaian had never once thought he would die. That he would return alive was natural to him. Temnes was so abundant with blood relatives that it even controlled successor education systematically. Even if an emergency occurred, there was no need to halt operations.
If there was a problem, it was a bigger problem for Vermont, where capable hands were precious.
However, not everyone had agreed with him. During the five years that the heirless head of the family couldn't return from the battlefield, opposition to the King had grown within the territory.
The second reason was that Valquiterre had often summoned Kaian for trivial matters during the years since he'd returned from the battlefield to govern the territory.
Major reports had been received by telegram from the battlefield, and family messengers had traveled busily to and from the front to convey the Lord's orders. But it was worlds different from Kaian personally residing in the castle and managing affairs.
The anxiety of Rowan estate—which had suddenly lost both its Lord and its Lady—had been dispelled when Kaian returned from the battlefield. But in fact, their Lord had gone to a war he didn't have to fight because of a few words from the King.
And now that same King was summoning their Lord again?
Blood relatives and vassals had secretly written letters asking whether it would be better for Rowan to become independent from the Kingdom of Oberon.
Kaian and Valquiterre had grown up as brothers in a very informal manner. Even now, Kaian believed Valquiterre was the only person he could trust even if the world collapsed. He was different from Bianque, though they were also cousins.
Valquiterre, the same age as him, was an exceptionally important person to Kaian. Family. The person that Kaian—who'd grown up as an only child and had now lost his parents—could call family was Valquiterre. He was very lenient regarding what his brother demanded of him.
But it was true that as soon as Kaian saw that telegram, he'd felt a headache coming on.
"There's going to be another uproar."
Fromhunt was a day's ride north of the Lord's castle in the center of Rowan's territory. It was a famous fox hunting ground where various types of foxes with subtly different fur colors thrived in the dense forest.
If Kaian announced he'd be away from the estate for several days during this busy and critical time—by royal order—his vassals would protest loudly again. He could even wager that before the great Lord of Rowan, his retainers—whom even King Oberon might look down upon—wouldn't hesitate to curse Valquiterre.
It was important and desirable for Lords and vassals to revere their Lord like a deity. But it was another matter entirely for them to dismiss even the King, declaring he wasn't as capable as their Lord. The current atmosphere within the Temnes family made this situation particularly difficult.
However, his most serious worry was something else.
"Ha. What about Claudel?"
The poor woman who couldn't sleep unless he held her. The thought of taking her to the hunt crossed his mind for just a moment before being immediately dismissed.
"The hunting ground is dangerous."
When he remembered Claudel's injury during the crocodile hunt, goosebumps rose on the fearless man's arms. Fromhunt was a fairly well-maintained hunting ground, but Kaian couldn't stay by her side the entire time. He'd be occupied with Valquiterre catching foxes.
"Has this man forgotten he's married?"
The fact that he was now a married man with responsibilities.
"But... what would someone who's never been in a relationship understand?"
Like the challenges of a husband caring for a wife who can't sleep alone.
"Anyway, I can't refuse the King's command."
Kaian stood, folding the letter back into its envelope.
---
The next morning, Claudel woke to his hands gently caressing her body.
"Mm..."
The corners of my mouth naturally lifted at his familiar body warmth and masculine scent.
*The sun must have risen—your eyes are so bright.*
Was I dreaming because I was half-asleep? I happily snuggled into Kaian's arms.
"It makes me not want to leave."
When I opened my eyes at the sound of his voice, he was gazing at me tenderly.
"Kaian? Haven't you left yet?"
"No."
Usually he rose from bed before I woke. I was startled because this was the first time I'd seen him when I opened my eyes.
"What's happening? Oh, don't look—I must be a mess."
My hair would be sticking up and my face disheveled from sleep. He looked at my embarrassment and casually gave me a light kiss on the lips.
"Don't worry, you're not as messy as you think."
*...Even when I wake up, he can't say I'm pretty or fine.*
It was a moment when my fondness for him mixed with disappointment.
"I'll need to be away from the castle for three days starting today."
"What?"
I was shocked.
"You're leaving the castle?"
"I have to go to Fromhunt because of the King's order."
"Fromhunt?"
Kaian patted my back and smoothed my tangled hair with his hand.
"It's a hunting ground north of the territory. The telegram arrived yesterday saying to meet in two days, so the King must have left the capital three days ago. The message probably arrived partway and was sent whenever he felt like it."
"It's so sudden."
As I murmured, Kaian hugged me tightly.
"Yes. It's not as if I can refuse, but it's always like this."
Kaian gathered the red hair he'd been brushing in one hand, placed his lips on the nape of my neck, and whispered, "I should be able to find some fox pelts to make you a scarf for this winter."
"But Rowan... it's not cold even in winter. Do you really need a scarf?"
"I want to see you wearing only that."
"..."
When I resisted, as if to pull away from his arms, Kaian quickly kissed me and traced my body's warmth over my thin nightgown.
Released from Kaian after a deep kiss, I couldn't hide my disappointment.
"You should have told me last night, if you're leaving today."
"I was going to tell you, but I forgot."
*Of all things to forget!* Kaian had come to the bedroom much later than usual yesterday.
*"I'm busy with something that came up suddenly."*
Even though he'd seemed apologetic, he'd immediately embraced me and showered me with kisses. Kissing was something we did every day! How could he forget something so important?
I knew Kaian didn't expect much from me in my role as Duchess. When I'd realized that fact, I'd wondered what use there was in studying the Lady's duties so diligently.
He was silent for a moment as he looked at me, my energy clearly deflated.
"I suppose I should get ready."
"Yes."
"You don't need to see me off. You fell asleep late and I woke you early. Get some rest."
"Still..."
I hesitated, then asked, "I think Irena will arrive soon."
"Ah, your sister."
Kaian answered casually.
"I heard you've been studying hard. When the Lord is away, the Lord's wife must act in my place. I'll inform the butler—please ensure she's welcomed properly and lacks for nothing."
"Yes."
"I must leave urgently by the King's order. When I return, we'll hold a banquet to welcome our guest."
"All right."
Kaian looked at me with an expression that seemed to anticipate something.
"Aren't you sad that your husband will be away for three days?"
"Don't go."
His eyes widened in surprise at my words.
"I know I can't sleep without you. Don't go."
I spoke petulantly, then glanced up at him. His expression showed no disappointment this time.
"That doesn't mean I should defy the King's command. You gave me such sudden notice and expect so much from me. You just want me to feel sorry for you."
"I almost fell for it. You seemed sincere."
Kaian reprimanded me for the brief, regrettable moment with his demanding lips. Holding me in his arms, he gently bit my sensitive places until I was breathless.
"Don't get hurt."
The man, who'd read the anxiety in my clear eyes, gazed at me intently.
"I won't get hurt."
"Still..."
Kaian realized I was remembering the incident from the crocodile hunt.
*As I thought, it was the right decision not to bring Claudel.*
He told me, swallowing his sigh, "Have Hannah sleep here while I'm gone."
"What? Really?"
Kaian had decided to grant the servant who'd pledged her soul to Temnes the place where he usually lay. Though it was customary for a maid to sleep in the Lord and Lady's bed chamber—unless the Lord made the maid his mistress—Kaian decided to take special measures to ensure Claudel's health.
"There's nothing else I can do for you."
"Thank you."
"Instead, you should sleep well and greet me warmly when I return."
Kaian was pleased to see Claudel nod her head. His wife was coming along well.
---
Kaian left for the hunting grounds early in the morning. Not long after, an advance party arrived at the castle announcing that Irena would arrive in half a day.
"It's not even funny. Even on that rainy day, the Duke of Vermont said he couldn't provide more escorts for you. And now on a sunny day like this, he sends such a procession?"
"Quiet, Hannah. Someone might hear."
"What if they do? I'm a servant of Temnes."
On the journey to Rowan, heavy rain had poured down, making the carriage road broken in places and dangerous. The party had asked Valmonde at a midpoint city to provide additional escorts—even hiring mercenaries—but the Duke of Vermont had only sent a terse reply telling them to continue.
It was after that that water had started leaking from the carriage roof, which was forced to travel on a road with potholes and exposed rocks. The carriage wheels had broken down almost immediately upon reaching the castle.
"Still, we'll both look ridiculous. Temnes will just think of us all as Vermont."
Even if Irena's poor treatment wasn't Temnes's fault, it would be blamed on the Vermont women.
*I'm sure the butler won't be negligent after receiving Kaian's instructions.*
Claudel was nervous because she'd never acted as the Lord's wife in this castle before.
Soon, a magnificent carriage arrived at Rowan Castle, accompanied by mounted escorts wearing golden tabards. The door bearing the familiar Vermont family crest opened, and Irena stepped out.
Her lustrous red hair fluttered in the wind like flower blossoms swaying in a light breeze. The dazzling beauty smiled radiantly and opened her arms toward Claudel.
"Claudel! My dear little sister!"
---