CHGD 19

Chapter 19

I pressed a hand to my forehead.

Abundant food to eat their fill, cozy homes guaranteeing restful sleep, and nobles who didn’t torment them.

At first, I wondered if such simple things could really bring about this kind of happiness… but the visible results silenced my doubts.

‘A city ruled by monsters who know nothing of the human heart is happier than the Empire of the Imperial Family, who have ruled for hundreds of years.’

How ironic. Should I feel a sense of deprivation as a human, or should I be frustrated by humanity’s limits in not being able to create such a world?

It was fine for me, but if ordinary nobles loyal to the Empire saw this, they’d surely experience an identity crisis.

“So, are all your questions answered?”

“……Just one last thing. What was the reason for creating this city? You don’t need our world’s currency or honor, do you?”

It was too elaborate to be a monster’s game of house.

Managing a castle and playing count could be seen as noble play, but managing a city was on a different level.

This was far too much work to be mere amusement.

“That’s…….”

He hesitated for a long time. Then, with an uncertain expression, he continued.

“To not feel boredom…… is what I was told.”

“……By whom?”

Ickabel looked at me silently, as if it went without saying.

I sighed and looked up at the sky. Unlike my complicated feelings, the weather was clear without a single cloud in sight.

When the Count had shown me this city, he had said this:

‘Here, you’d never get tired of it even if you lived here forever, right?’

At the time, I was too distracted by sightseeing to understand, but now I could clearly grasp his true intention.

He had created this city—and Akeim Castle—for me.

‘To take me as his bride? Or perhaps…….’

To imprison me?

A chill ran down my spine against the bench.

‘Until now, I thought I was just one of the dolls needed for his play pretend. But if all of this is because of me, if his pretending to be human is for my sake….’

Ominous imaginations spiraled one after another. Even as I told myself to stop, they didn’t easily fade away.

‘What possible use could I have for him to go this far? What kind of human am I to him?’

The problem I had been deliberately ignoring now filled my mind. It would have been easier if I were just a doll that required no thought, but an inexplicable weight pressed down on my shoulders.

There was no need to say what that weight was.

“Ickabel, just… hypothetically.”

“Yes.”

“If I said I hated this city, that I found it repulsive because it felt like a fabricated plaything…… what would His Excellency do?”

I asked about what would happen if the Count discovered that I had seen through the truth of this charade.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ickabel answered.

“If Lord Hastur’s interest wanes, this land will be handed over to another being. There’s no shortage of beings who dream of turning this place into a hunting ground using humans.”

An utterly monster-like, dry observation.

I cast my gaze toward the sky once more.

‘For now, let’s say I enjoyed today’s date very much. Let’s say I want to come here every day.’

It was a moment when I truly realized how heavy (and burdensome) my husband’s attention was.

After the conversation ended, an awkward silence followed.

Ickabel was still frowning, clearly unhappy to be with me, while I was lost in thought about the future.

‘I thought I could endure as long as I was fed and warm… but this is too much responsibility.’

It was true that I was enjoying luxuries I couldn’t have imagined in the past. The urge to run away whenever I saw Lloigor or the Count often faded when I thought of the cozy life in the annex.

In this world, tragedy occurred every day in the Empire. A roof to shield from rain cost more than a conscience, and cruelty selling children for a piece of bread was rampant. It was a world filled with jealousy and cowardice rather than consideration and warmth.

And Akeim Castle was the otherworld that offered escape from that tragedy.

That was why, even under threat of death, I didn’t regret staying in this castle.

Back in my family home, I’d fill my meals with a piece of bread and watery soup, but here, I was treated as the proper lady of a noble house.

‘But this is too much. The lives of all those people resting on my shoulders….’

If it were just about me, I could struggle alone, but worrying about the livelihoods of so many was beyond my fate.

Of course, if I continued to get along well with the Count as I did now, there’d be no problem. But if the Count lost interest in me, and the reason to maintain this city disappeared…

“Hoo.”

I sighed at the horrifying thoughts that followed.

Just then, Ickabel, who had been keeping silent, asked me in a crooked tone.

“What are you dissatisfied with now?”

He placed his hands on the bench and leaned down, glaring at me.

“Do you hate that this place is a fabricated paradise? Are you one of those people who goes on about human freedom?”

“I don’t know why you’re so angry, but what I’m worried about isn’t this city.”

“Then why do you have such a pathetic expression? Do you find Lord Hastur’s achievement laughable?”

‘Ah, he thinks I’m dismissing the Count.’

Blindly loyal to Hastur, he seemed displeased with my attitude.

I had thought I was wearing a concerned expression, but I didn’t realize it would be taken as contempt.

I pressed my stiff cheeks with my fingers, forcibly relaxing them.

“You misunderstand. I don’t think this city should disappear.”

“But earlier you—”

“Regardless of the reason it was created, I don’t think it should disappear. Even if it’s a fabricated paradise, a paradise is still a paradise.”

For some, even fake happiness handed to them by another could be precious.

Moreover, anyone who had experienced the outside world would surely not leave this city, even if they knew the Count’s truth.

So what I was worried about was my own conduct, not the misfortune that might befall them.

Ickabel still frowned, as if he didn’t understand.

“This might be a difficult concept for you, Ickabel.”

“Are you calling me stupid?”

“No, it’s difficult because you’re a being greater than humans.”

Unable to tell whether Deliana’s words were praise or insult, Ickabel blinked without answering.

Just then, the Count returned with the drinks.

“Sorry, Deliana. It was hard to find a drink you’d like…… Are you feeling better?”

I stood up from the bench. And smiled.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

For now, the only thing I could do was pretend not to notice anything. I took the drink the Count handed me and walked with him back toward the streets.

—

The Count and I walked into the heart of the festival.

Given the enormous scale, there was plenty to see. We tried fruit skewers from street vendors, watched clowns perform, and leisurely explored the festival.

I had expected to feel uncomfortable, thinking of the phrase ‘miniature garden,’ but walking through streets filled with happiness was actually a rather pleasant experience.

After walking about halfway through the streets, a man who appeared to be a merchant in charge of the festival stood on a platform and began shouting something.

“Now—everyone, there will be a parade on the main road shortly. Please be careful not to walk against the flow.”

The highlight of this festival seemed to be the parade. Watching the people gather joyfully, a question suddenly came to mind.

“Come to think of it, what’s the theme of this festival?”

Festivals of this era always had some justification—a harvest festival, a year-end celebration, or a saint’s birthday, for example.

But during our tour, I hadn’t seen anything related to a theme.

“Ah, that’s…….”

The Count’s lips twitched, as if he were a little embarrassed. Then, so that the people around wouldn’t hear, he whispered in my ear.

“It’s a wedding anniversary.”

“……Pardon?”

“Our wedding anniversary. It’s a celebration festival for welcoming the Countess—for welcoming you, Deliana.”

At the unexpected theme, my mouth fell open involuntarily.