Baron Colon had originally been a close friend of the previous Duke of Temnes. Since childhood, he'd received education and grown up alongside the Duke, so his knowledge and capabilities were considerable.
Among his vassals, he'd insisted on becoming a butler because he'd wanted to assist the previous head of the family as closely as possible, due to his loyalty and overflowing affection for Temnes. He'd had many more responsibilities than the stewards of other castles.
Then, when the Duke and Duchess who'd visited the royal castle had suddenly died, Baron Colon had assumed the role of guardian and became the castle's butler.
Fortunately, Kaian had been eighteen years old when he'd become Duke. It was regrettable that his father had been absent to guide him and teach him the skills of lordship early on, but on the other hand, it was fortunate he hadn't been a fledgling young boy.
While Kaian had been away at war, Baron Colon had governed Rowan Castle and its territory. The son of a close friend who'd shouldered the enormous responsibility of Temnes at such a young age—Baron Colon had desperately hoped the master he was supposed to serve would return unscathed.
In this way, even while the head of the family had fought on the battlefield for several years, the territory and castle had been safely protected. Not only the butler, but the people of the territory held such great affection for the Duke of Temnes that they'd grown anxious whenever he was briefly called away by the King. Everyone had waited eagerly for when the patriarch would return.
On the other hand, there'd been considerable resentment toward the Kingdom of Oberon and Valquiterre.
"If he's so capable, shouldn't he go to war himself instead of summoning our Lord?"
"Exactly. If the war is that important, lead it directly. The King stays in the castle making demands."
The Kingdom of Oberon as a whole supported Valquiterre's rule, but if there was one place where you couldn't find the slightest respect for the young King, it was the Rowan region.
Perhaps it was because Queen Silvia had often visited the estate. The two boys, who'd looked so similar in blood relation, had grown up together, sometimes ahead, sometimes behind.
*Did you see that? Kaian is a little taller than His Majesty Valquiterre.*
*I heard he weighs a bit more than the Crown Prince.*
*His Majesty Valquiterre was merely picking at his breakfast. If you're a man, you should eat everything and have another bowl like Kaian does.*
There'd been no end to the fuss when people had compared them in all sorts of ways and concluded Kaian was superior.
He was a proud and great lord who'd been raised with such care, yet the King sent telegrams every day, summoning him here and there. Baron Colon couldn't tell if it was because of Valquiterre—who acted unpredictably without revealing his reasons—that the antipathy toward the King ran so deep, or if Kaian simply possessed a unique lordly charm people couldn't resist.
With the return of the lord, who was so respected by the people of the Rowan estate, the castle—which had been quiet for nearly a month—had come back to life. Nearby villages and marketplaces had held small festivals among themselves, saying "To welcome the Lord who traveled so far."
The tasks that had been delayed during the Lord's absence were being resolved one by one, relieving the worries of those who'd been anxious. Fruit and grain to offer him had been brought into the city one after another.
As the number of people coming and going increased, everyone in the castle had become so busy they'd had to work without even time to sit down.
However, Baron Colon was noticing something unusual.
"My Lord, the stallion arrives this afternoon."
"I know. The one arriving this time should be healthy."
The price of the stallion was difficult to quantify. For generations, Temnes had believed that power came from force, so Kaian's decision to quit territorial warfare and his commitment to raising elite cavalry were two different matters.
The mobility of cavalry carrying knights in heavy armor depended on horses. It was difficult to obtain a stallion with superior bloodlines, but the horse Kaian had purchased at great expense after returning from the battlefield had died after living only about three years.
He'd thought perhaps the hay provided by Rowan hadn't suited the horse's taste, since it had been imported from outside Oberon's kingdom. The ransom was one thing, but caring for the horse's appetite was another. The Lord of Rowan had a very demanding job.
This time, it was a horse brought from an estate close to the previous Duke, so Kaian was determined to successfully pass down the bloodline.
"There won't be any trouble. Doesn't the Count guarantee that if no foal is produced within a year, he'll return half the price?"
"That shouldn't happen. Time is precious."
Kaian, leaning back in his office chair, wore a shirt with a stiff starched collar. Two buttons below his neck were undone, but he wore a fitted vest and sat with his legs crossed, already wearing riding boots. He looked even more distinguished today.
*I can't believe he's gained that much presence already.*
The butler was somewhat impressed. Even after hearing the news that the previous Duke and Duchess had suddenly died, Kaian hadn't shed tears. He'd said "I see" with a slightly tired expression and ascended to the position of family head as if he'd been a lord from birth.
But still, he'd been a young lord. Wasn't it true that fame and authority didn't fall from the sky overnight? It took time to gain true command.
It seemed as if a halo literally shone from Kaian today—he seemed so relaxed.
*No matter what happens, he seems more stable because he has the Lady.*
But Baron Colon was worried about the Lady's condition.
---
Even when I opened my eyes in the morning, I couldn't get out of bed.
"My Lady, you should get up and eat something."
"I don't feel well."
"Oh dear. You only ate a bowl of porridge yesterday, didn't you?"
"Anyway, it'll be time for lunch soon."
The bowl of rich soup I'd eaten yesterday was what Kaian had fed me at lunch.
"What if you get sick like this?"
Hannah anxiously massaged my hand.
"Your hands are so cold."
Hannah, who'd been fidgeting, soon gave up on inviting me to eat with her.
"You need at least a steam bath. I don't understand why your hands and feet are so cold."
Although it had been cold in Valmonde, it was strange for my body to feel cold in such warm weather. She massaged my hand, then tucked it under the blanket and massaged my cold feet. Hannah, who'd been trembling, lowered her head.
"I'm sorry, my Lady. It's because of me."
"What are you sorry about?"
After returning from the Royal Ball, Hannah and Madame Marcel had been in an uproar with excitement. Hadn't Hannah won the bet with me and used her wish to make me "confess to the Lord"?
They'd known by intuition that it was the day. With her hands, she'd diligently removed my makeup, taken the ornaments from my hair, and urged me to speak quickly.
*"Did you say something? What did the Lord say?"*
*"I'm so curious I'm completely on edge!"*
I'd smiled awkwardly at them as their eyes lit up with anticipation.
*"I don't think he likes me."*
In response to my words, the two women had made the same sound simultaneously.
*"...What?"*
*"Anyway, I said it. I don't think I'll have any regrets anymore."*
My eyes had been full of regret even as I'd spoken as if it were no big deal.
When they'd been unable to comfort me or say anything, the bedroom door had opened without knocking and Kaian had appeared. Hannah and Madame Marcel had been ushered out of the bedroom and had exchanged wide-eyed glances.
But then there'd been a bigger problem. When examined by the doctor, I'd said I was nervous because it was my first time attending such a grand ball, so I'd felt sick and vomited while at the palace.
Then, even though I'd used medicine, applied compresses, and tried hard, my condition hadn't improved and I'd continued to suffer.
*He's made you sick inside.*
The servant of Temnes who'd pledged her soul gritted her teeth looking at her master. Kaian was clearly in love with Claudel. To treat someone like that without question and then draw a line saying he didn't like her—that wasn't right!
She'd wanted to argue, but there'd been no opportunity to do so since Claudel had been sick the whole time.
My condition hadn't improved, and we'd been unable to depart for Rowan as scheduled the next day. However, we couldn't postpone departure forever, so we'd returned a day late.
It had been a leisurely, enjoyable trip that took ten days when we'd left, but when we'd come back, I'd been sick and had lain resting or sleeping in the carriage the whole time, so we'd sped up the journey and returned after six days.
However, even after returning to Rowan Castle, I'd been unable to regain my strength. Hannah's self-blame had grown.
My happiness was her happiness. We were probably the ones who knew best what was happening between Kaian and me. She'd regretted that it had been foolish to observe from the sidelines and encourage it.
"Hannah, don't be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Still..."
My always cheerful maid was depressed.
"I have no regrets. There are some things that only become clear when you try them."
At my words, Hannah released my hand and stood up.
"I'll quickly go to the kitchen and make a hot water bottle."
"Please do, Hannah."
As I spoke weakly, Hannah swiftly disappeared.
"Whew."
Once Hannah left, I was finally alone. I wanted to be quietly by myself. It seemed like only then could I put my mind and thoughts in order.
The Duchess of Temnes rarely had time to be alone, which made everything more troubled and difficult.
Although my confession had been rejected, I wasn't without some reward.
"I can't give up on Kaian."
It would have been perfect if he'd told me he liked me. Otherwise—Kaian was my husband, so would there really be anything to like or dislike?
I didn't think this situation was bad or disappointing. It wasn't as if Kaian treated me any differently afterward.
The problem was...
*Knock knock.*
There was a knock on the door and Kaian entered the bedroom.
"You came early?"
"I have work this afternoon, so I need to eat quickly. How are you feeling?"
His eyes were full of concern for me.
"I feel a little better today."
"Really? Thank goodness."
I got out of bed and Kaian draped the robe over my nightgown. As he opened it, he glanced at my collarbone, smoothly exposed by my loose pajamas.
"Come here."
He sat down on the bed and held out his hand.
"No, the meal will be brought soon."
"Claudel."
I hesitated and sat on his lap. The eager man kissed me softly and deeply on the nape of my neck and collarbone.
*...My problem was that I'd become completely vulnerable to him.*
No matter what Kaian wanted, I was the weak one who could never refuse.
---