Chapter 46
It felt as if he had plunged headfirst into the icy lake formed from Altas's melted snow.
'A child?'
Daniel, frozen solid in an instant, released Frida's skirt from his grip and slowly rose. Her hands, which had been wrapped around his shoulders, slid languidly down his arms. As the weight pressing on her chest lifted, Frida exhaled a lighter breath, her face flushing red. Daniel's firm bare torso filled her vision, leaving her nowhere to look. With no choice, she met her husband's eyes and pressed a hand to her heart—which wouldn't have been strange if it leaped out—and smiled brightly.
"It, it might be impossible, but I want to at least try. Who knows? A miracle might happen."
Baroness Boild had said her child was conceived with great difficulty.
"I was getting on in years and thought it was hopeless. I'd nearly given up when suddenly, like a miracle, a child came to me one day."
She had shyly smiled, saying she couldn't bear to be apart from her husband any longer now that she carried such a precious child... She looked truly happy. Even knowing the Boild couple had come to spy on Daniel, Frida had naturally grown fond of her. How common was a noblewoman who endured such a grueling journey for her beloved husband? Though it seemed somewhat reckless, Frida was simply admiring of Baroness Boild's courage. Even delaying their schedule as much as possible to take care of her health, it couldn't have been an easy road. No matter that she was in a stable phase, how much must she love her husband to even consider traveling this far together? Curiosity and respect for the Baroness welled up simultaneously. The evening before, Anton had thoroughly examined her and left with strict instructions to rest deeply, as there were no particular issues.
"Weren't you scared? It couldn't have been easy deciding to come all this way with child."
"Not at all. Staying alone in Chellino, just worrying, seemed worse for my health."
Receiving Frida's question, Baroness Boild shook her head without the slightest hesitation.
"I wanted to share the moment of our first child's birth. Truthfully, Stefan can't do anything without me. There will be many hardships ahead, so I need to be by his side. Isn't that what marriage is? We must overcome difficulties together, helping each other."
The Baroness looked so beautiful smiling as she said that. Unable to keep her long on the first day, Frida had left promising to talk more later, but she was someone she wanted to converse deeply with. On the way back to Marian Hall, Frida had nurtured a small sprout of hope in her heart.
'If we try, maybe we can have one too.'
Even if her body was frail, Daniel was several times healthier. With luck, they might have a child. Last time, fear and her monthly cycle had made her back off, but what if she took the initiative this time? When she had called his name during the day, Daniel had seemed a bit flustered but not displeased. She resolved to grow closer by calling each other by name, like the Boild couple. Honestly, late consummation frightened her greatly. But as a married couple, it was something they'd face eventually. Moreover, hadn't the Duke himself vowed not to keep a mistress? Then, since it would happen anyway. She might spend her remaining life loving this man, being loved by him, and living happily. Frida raised her trembling hand to caress Daniel's jawline.
"Daniel. I want to bear a child who looks like you."
Not a weak, scrawny one like herself, but one resembling this healthy, sturdy man. A child who could run freely under the sun without a brimmed hat. A child whose every approaching birthday could be joyfully celebrated. Even if she passed first and couldn't watch the child grow. Even if that happened, a father several times stronger than the mother would be there. She was confident she could love the child immensely without regrets while alive... To hold back her reddening eyes, Frida forced a wide smile.
"If you help me, I'll try my best."
Daniel gazed down at Frida silently without a word. Not the unfamiliar man who had lunged at her as if rationality had snapped, but the Duke Daniel Rihardt she knew well. An odd glint, different from usual, swirled in his eyes as he scrutinizingly looked her over. His subdued lips, which had tamed even his ragged breaths, reminded her of the past three years when he lay unconscious. Why suddenly? Suddenly worried about his condition, as Frida propped her elbow on the bed to rise, Daniel pulled away first. Descending to the floor, he picked up his fallen shirt and slipped it over his head. A chilling aura emanated, hard to imagine from the man who had revealed unbridled passion moments ago.
"Da, Daniel? What's wrong?"
Frida's voice, unable to comprehend the situation, wavered like a lost child's. The confusion that could have dragged on ended swiftly with one word from Daniel.
"Return to your room."
*** Every little thing grated on Daniel's nerves. Bang. The unusually loud sound of his door closing. Even the maid who startled upon seeing him emerge from the Duchess's room. It was natural to be surprised encountering the lord who rarely showed himself in the castle, but right now even that irked him. Walking down the corridor with heavy steps, he coldly addressed the maid with her head bowed low.
"Why are you coming out of a room without its master?"
"The, the Madam knocked but there was no response..."
"Raise your head."
She was a maid often seen near Frida. He didn't know her name, but her face and voice were familiar. Casually turning his head, Daniel draped his jacket over his shoulders and continued down the corridor. Before he could take three steps, urgent footsteps sounded, and Muriel appeared in the hallway.
"Matilda, still haven't found the young lady...?"
Having searched everywhere for Frida who wasn't in her room, Muriel—sweat-soaked—bowed before him. Even the knight's usual zeal felt deeply displeasing today.
"I greet Your Grace."
"What's all this commotion?"
"Well... We've been looking for the young lady since morning since she was missing."
"And?"
When the Duke—who usually passed without a glance or word—asked coldly, Muriel tensed and hunched her shoulders.
"Since she's not here, she must have gone to Skadi Hall. With the sudden guests, she's been so worried and probably went to check from morning. No need for Your Grace to worry."
Her firm tone, never once suspecting Frida might be in his room, grated too. Whether they scoured the entire castle or not. The anger that should have been solely directed at himself now extended to his wife, innocent maid, and loyal knight. Just before the unseemly act of berating them. Creak.
"Your Grace! Why on earth are you angry, tell..."
Bedhead with the back mussed from being pressed down. Softly swollen lips. Flushed cheeks. White neck with vivid lipstick marks in places. Frida, looking unmistakably like something had happened, opened his bedroom door from behind.
"Ma, Madam. You were there? I've been searching since morning."
"...Ah, Matilda."
Daniel, who had briefly glanced at the maid hurrying to Frida, continued to the stairs without pause.
"What on earth were you doing that your hair is like this... No, why are there marks on your neck... Gasp!"
He felt Muriel Rossivalt's glare boring into his back. The voiceless screams from the two women too. Heartless bastard. Beast, lecher, lustful man. Desperate for a place to vent his pent-up injustice, Daniel had only one destination. *** The thick wooden door, hard for most to push open, swung wide with a clamor. Dominic, lounging arrogantly with his back against the chair, shot to his feet the moment it opened. Stefan, who had been standing rigidly and looking down pitifully at Dominic, also straightened instantly. Striding in, Daniel ignored Stefan entirely, crooking a finger at Dominic.
"Prepare for a hunt. Now."
As soon as Daniel spoke, Dominic pulled the call bell without retort.
"So suddenly? Why? Body itching already?"
His attitude was nonchalant, as if routine. Well, about time he felt stuffy. Dominic muttered indifferently as he received and stowed items from Daniel. Arrows from the corner, followed by an empty quiver tossed into his arms.
"How many days' rations should I prepare?"
"No need for much."
"Right. With game everywhere this season, why worry about food."
Gesturing for blankly standing Stefan to move aside, Dominic neatly stacked the items. Suddenly recalling something, he grimaced and asked.
"By the way, bringing the flower deer too?"
"Yes."
"Tch. Noisy one."
Grumbling Dominic stepped out at the knock, issuing orders. Hunt, basic provisions, Valzak, find the Updyke young master, etc.—various instructions filtered through the open door. Amid the bustle, Stefan persistently signaled Daniel until finally meeting his eyes.
"Speak."
Daniel said while wiping his sword on a leather strap. Yesterday's Duke Rihardt, impeccable in guest etiquette and refined grace. Today's Duke, emanating a wild feral aura befitting his "black beast" moniker. Which was the man's true face? Calming his breath, Stefan slowly opened his mouth.
"Your Grace, how many days will the hunt last?"
"We'll see when we go."
"Shall I accompany?"
"Do you know how to shoot a bow?"
Dominic's overt chuckling sounded from behind. To maintain composure, Stefan straightened further and replied flatly.
"No."
"How to bleed an animal? Skin it?"
The Duke didn't raise his voice particularly, but subtle irritation laced his words.
"No."
"Ever camped in the mountains?"
"No."
The Duke raised his finished sword to the sunlit window. Light reflected off the smooth blade toward Stefan. Blink. Closing and opening his eyes, the Duke had already sheathed the sword and gazed at Stefan calmly. Slightly tousled forelocks. Piercing yet indifferent eyes toward Stefan. Firm lips without a smile. Relaxed, inscrutable expression. The man the haughty Dowager Empress—praised for political acumen surpassing Svergen's emperors—solely wary of. Why? What about this man troubled that arrogant woman?
"What do you think?"
Only after the Duke's firm lips parted did Stefan realize he'd been staring too intently.
"Ahem."
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Stefan recomposed himself.
"May I ask what you mean, Your Grace?"
"What would you do in my place? Tell me if there's reason to hunt with someone utterly useless."
"...None."
Daniel approached Stefan slowly, unhurried steps. Stefan tilted his head slightly to look up at the head-taller man.
"Go to Duchess Rihardt then. She's likely waiting eagerly for someone as useless to me as you."
