Chapter 37
"Many... people died?"
Someone else died besides his mother? Was there more to the story Ricardo told her? Startled, Frida raised her voice. Even as he deliberately averted his gaze, Daniel seemed to see it clearly. The fear shadowing her clear, innocent eyes. What he'd realized from this incident was that, like it or not, Frida had already burrowed deeply into his life. Anxiety crept in that the lines he'd carefully drawn were blurring uselessly. Not because of Frida, but because of the people around Daniel. Ricardo went without saying, and Dominic was the same. That cold bastard pretended otherwise but trampled lines harder than anyone. If it had been others, he wouldn't have cared, but the Molly duo was different. Enemies, really. He'd told them long ago to get lost, yet they clung on, bothering him. Especially now that Ricardo had fully accepted Frida as family—it was a headache. A small sigh, inaudible to Frida, slipped through Daniel's teeth.
"What Ricardo told you must never be passed to others. I apologize for not fulfilling my responsibility to you amid the chaos."
Now hugging both knees with her arms, Frida gazed at Daniel with a grave expression.
"It's fine. I didn't know about it."
Echinacea did have infertility-inducing properties, but just one dose. Sacrificing the Duke's mother wasn't enough—they killed others too? Unimaginable.
"Please continue not knowing. With the Emperor childless now, if rumors spread of an issue with his body, the Dowager Empress will suspect me first. Everyone in the duchy could be at risk."
Honestly, no one to blame. The problem started with confessing to Ricardo to ease guilt. Irresponsible fool. Folding his arms over his knees, Daniel pressed his forehead. Recalling that day made his head throb like splitting. Why had he done it? No matter the jealousy, giving Leopold that. The woman who gave Daniel the Echinacea potion worked at a lodging where the mercenary corps sometimes stayed. Pitying his endless cough from frequent outdoor sleeping, she'd handed him a vial.
"Our handsome young master, don't drink too much of this. Just a sip at a time, stop once the cough eases. Mess it up, and you might not father children. Such a fine face must pass down generations, right? Hehe."
That winter, returning to the castle, his father Duke Rihardt's illness had doctors neglecting Leopold's severe cough.
"Cough, cough. Long time no see, Daniel."
Leopold wasn't friendly, but without his mother, he'd follow Daniel calling him brother. When he felt like it, of course. He ignored outright sometimes, but never mocked as bastard—straightforward. Born of impeccable noble blood, high self-esteem. Yet oblivious and inconsiderate like a highborn young master.
"Must be nice wandering everywhere, cough. Sick of books. Where'd you go this time? Tell me, cough cough."
Sick of books? Nice wandering? Nice hearing beasts howl nightly in mountains? Nice shivering to sleep in freezing winter woods? Want warm castle meals served, comfy bed too. If not for you, if only not you... I'd be the family's sole heir.
"Drink this, young master. Good for coughs."
Why hand over that vial? Why not stop Leopold gulping over half at once? Perhaps from receiving it, he'd awaited this day. Inner demon lurking for chance. Doctor suspicious of sudden cough cessation uncovered Daniel gave the potion. Bloodstorm followed. Duchess Margret raged at possible infertility. The knowing doctor, aiding maid, all witnesses—even those who tied Daniel's mother at execution ground—died. No gaps for leaks, not even needle-prick. Ruthless. Daniel survived by mother's sacrifice and promise.
"Spare him, and I'll make Daniel Leopold's hunting dog for life. You know his skill, ma'am. Inherited grandfather's genius sword talent. That's why you coveted him."
A Rihardt knight said of young Daniel playing wooden sword: once-in-century genius. Comparable to 'valiant brown lion' Nuberck. Legendary knight Margrave Nuberck Morenhaits, border lord by sword alone. Lured by that, Margret kept Daniel. Too invested to discard. Daniel signed lifelong servitude for Leopold, clinging wretchedly to life. Memories surged like tsunami. Pressing splitting forehead, Daniel spoke calmly.
"Forget whatever you heard. I don't want more deaths because of me."
Saying it, bitterly amusing. Hands stained with sword all this time. Now no more deaths because of me? Utter mismatch. Daniel lowered head to hide scoffing sneer.
"I understand."
Frida's soothing voice, small and frail like her, was resolute.
"Why say because of you? Dowager Empress didn't investigate, just misunderstood... Anyway, she's cruel. You were a child. Just thirteen."
Ricardo's endless consolation. Just thirteen. Thirteen? So what? Changes nothing. No. Jealous of sick brother, scheming petty, vicious, rotten thirteen.
"Don't take Ricardo's words at face value. He'll have dressed me up nicely."
Molly duo blind on Daniel. Years to accept them in life. Exactly, they clung. Anyway, he'd handle them, but no more entanglements. Daniel redrew blurring line firmly.
"Truth: many died because of me. You could be next. Warning: don't cause headaches for me."
Normally, fear or offense. If sensible. But his wife was neither.
"No. That's not truth—self-blame. Truth is... like this."
Frida crawled into dim darkness on knees. Fumbling, grabbed book, sat facing Daniel, opened wide. Blocking light with back, filled his view entirely. Her pointing fingertips on page.
"I checked fully. Echinacea effective for coughs, inflammation, etc. Ah, here. Long-term high-dose may induce infertility—caution needed."
Her eyes facing him held baffling trust.
"Clearly says. Long-term high-dose 'may induce,' not does. One dose impossible issue. Such miraculous herb, I'd plant duchy-wide now. Make fortune."
Why take my side?
"Not saying you did well—just Dowager Empress wrong. Unadultlike."
"Why..."
Curiosity unavoidable. Sentimental Ricardo: loyalty to captain grandfather, first love. Dominic: gratitude to Daniel's mother raising him like son over birth mother, bickering turned affection. But this tiny woman's? Why infinite trust? Daniel asked foolish, childish question.
"Why on earth do you like me?"
Snapping book shut, Frida snorted.
"Who knows. Today's Duke not my type."
*** Ducal couple returned to Marian Hall late. In dark corridor, awaiting: Muriel and Dominic. As Muriel followed trudging Frida to bedroom, Dominic tugged Daniel's arm.
"To office. Urgent report."
Racing downstairs, Dominic shut door swiftly behind.
"Mad Flower Deer's coming."
Daniel, reaching for chair, gripped back, frowning.
"Updyke?"
"Boild Baron's coming too."
"Know. Three days."
Bracing desk hands, Dominic bowed head, sighing long.
"No. This pace, tomorrow. Three: couple plus wife."
"What?"
Daniel sat as Dominic's lament deepened.
"Mad Flower Deer picked up Boild couple in his carriage."
"Why?"
"Their carriage broke—right then he appeared."
"Your doing?"
Dominic blinked uncomprehending, then yelled, releasing desk.
"No, man! Alone maybe, but with pregnant wife?"
"Not that you didn't think it."
"Well..."
Dominic scratched jaw, stumped. Thought it, sure.
"We've done plenty. Sneak around bothersome. Injury excuse to house baron months inside. Good for him too. Rest, earn."
Daniel pondered, gazing dark window. Boild Baron no worry. Show wanted, leak mild news to Dowager Empress—done. Offload inner castle tasks overwhelming Frida—noble indeed. Wife came: maid for Frida. Can't leave Duchess maidless. Problem: Heinrich Updyke. No answer there. Knew he'd pester—should've left at Kalle battle. Tap, tap. Daniel's fingertips drummed desk rhythmically.
"Headache."
Dominic chimed quick.
"May I leave briefly?"
"Nonsense."
"Really smash carriage before arrival?"
"Dominic."
"Yes. No... Hm."
Frowning, fiddling chin, Dominic scurried beside Daniel.
"Anyway, where'd you find Duchess?"
"Brabant Hall."
"Eh? Dusty junk warehouse why?"
Glancing up at Dominic rightward, Daniel asked coldly.
"You... said I ignore books?"
