CHGD 31

Chapter 31

“Since the lake relocation issue is settled, let’s move on to the next. Icabel, are there any other requests?”

It wasn’t exactly a paid commission, but I couldn’t think of a better way to put it. Icabel, who had been glancing nervously at Loaz, cleared his throat lightly.

I’ve lost count of how many times he’s cleared his throat by now.

“Ahem, before that, Lord Haster has summoned you, Milady.”

“For what reason?”

Conversations between my husband and I usually took place during dinner. It was odd that he was calling me at such an awkward time, right after breakfast.

“I wasn’t given the details. I was just told to escort you to the study after lunch…”

At the mention of the main castle’s study, Loaz frowned with a bored expression.

“Ah, then I’m not following. The air in there is stifling. Go alone.”

I hadn’t intended to ask him to come along anyway.

After glancing at Loaz as he headed back to the annex, I signaled Icabel to lead the way.

There was no particular reason to refuse, and I had time to spare.

I followed Icabel and made my way to the main castle.

A short while later, upon arriving at the study, the Count greeted us with a bright smile.

“Welcome, Deliana! I’m sorry to call you when you’re busy.”

“No, you’re the busier one, Count.”

Honestly, calling what I do right now ‘work’ would be an insult to actual working people. It wasn’t praise I deserved from the Count, who works from the crack of dawn.

Icabel stood guard by the door, while I sat with the Count at a table where tea was already prepared.

The Count poured me a cup of tea and spoke in his usual gentle voice.

“I heard you helped the villagers well, Deliana.”

“It wasn’t anything difficult. I just untangled a bit of a knot…”

“That alone is impressive. As expected, you’re reliable, Deliana.”

*’That’s enough flattery to gild my face.’*

Feeling parched from the overwhelming praise, I raised my teacup first. Then, to stop the compliments from continuing, I hastily changed the subject.

“Oh, by the way, that emblem you were going to give to the village representative—it had some strange magic on it.”

“You noticed? It’s a magic used in the old Empire. Quite effective, isn’t it?”

It was too effective, which was the problem. Besides, she said ‘old’ Empire, but according to Loaz, it’s practically ancient magic. Naturally, it was the monsters of that time who passed it down.

He probably gave it out easily because he thought it was magic that had been used in the human world.

“I’d like you to change the method a bit. I don’t want it to leave scars.”

I briefly explained the situation at the time. When I asked him to refrain from using magic that leaves marks, the Count opened his eyes wide in slight surprise.

“But in the Empire, this method has been used for ages…”

“The Empire doesn’t matter. They’re our residents now.”

To think the topic of the Empire’s human rights would come up here too. When I answered with a sigh, the Count murmured something like ‘Did I investigate wrong?’ before nodding in agreement.

After securing a promise that a revised emblem, one that wouldn’t leave scars, would be given later, my teacup was already empty.

“So, Count, what business did you have with me today?”

“Ah, well… I have something to give you, Deliana.”

Looking a bit nervous, the Count pulled something from his pocket and placed it on the table. It was a small box, about two finger-joints in size.

As I was wondering what it was, the Count cleared his throat and spoke.

“I’m sorry it took so long to prepare. I wanted to give it to you as soon as you arrived at the castle, but it took longer than expected to make. So I’m only able to give it to you now.”

Opening the box, I trailed off at the sight of the unexpected item.

“This is…”

Inside the box were two antique rings.

Silver rings with a pure white diamond as the center stone, accented by a yellow and a blue sapphire respectively.

Along with the flawlessly cut diamond, the yellow sapphire emitted a bewitching glow, and the blue sapphire boasted a deep, brilliant azure hue.

The silver band was engraved with an unknown script, so beautifully inscribed it looked like a work of art.

Even I, who had little interest in jewelry or accessories, was wide-eyed at how refined the rings were.

“They’re our wedding rings. I was actually supposed to present them at the ceremony, but this is how it worked out.”

“Ah…”

Right, we were married.

Seeing the rings made it feel real again that the unrealistically handsome man before me was my husband. The Count carefully took out a ring and, with his other hand, took hold of my left hand.

“Will you allow me to put this ring on you, Deliana?”

“…Yes.”

There was no reason to refuse, of course. As he said, several months had passed since our marriage, so I was receiving the rings later than an ordinary couple would.

Other nobles supposedly exchange dozens of gifts, so exchanging rings was quite ordinary in comparison.

Though I felt a strange reluctance at the idea of wearing such a lavish ring on my finger, I silently held out my hand.

“Thank you.”

Yet for some reason, the Count’s reaction seemed more one of relief than joy. As if something terrible would happen if I refused this ring…

‘Wait, no way.’

I abruptly pulled my hand from his grasp. The Count, who had been about to slide the ring onto my ring finger, widened his eyes.

“Deliana?”

“Count, I’m saying this just in case.”

A question had come to mind because of the earlier emblem incident.

“There’s no strange magic on that ring, is there?”

“……”

It was a perfectly reasonable suspicion—that the Count might have done something to the wedding rings.

I continued, recalling the kinds of magic he might have cast.

“For example, location tracking.”

Flinch—the Count’s straight shoulders trembled slightly.

“Or surveillance.”

This time, veins bulged on the hand holding the ring.

“Violent magic in the name of protection, or magic that detects my emotions—nothing bizarre or suspicious like that, is there?”

“……”

Somehow, all the plausible magics I’d listed seemed to have hit the mark. The Count remained silent, unable to answer.

“Count, please answer me.”

“…Deliana.”

Instead of wearing his usual sad expression and apologizing, he stepped forward and grasped my arm again. His grip was gentle yet firm, and I was easily pulled closer.

“You already gave me your permission to accept the ring.”

“That was because I assumed there was no magic on it.”

“Just put it on your finger once, that’s all. Deliana, you don’t need to fear anything.”

“Answer me first. Is there magic on this…”

“Deliana, please.”

The tone was a polite request, but his demeanor was not.

The Count’s face had turned expressionless, and I found it chilling.

It was the same face I’d seen at breakfast the day after I first arrived at the castle, when he’d mentioned the past.

A face like a mask, inhuman and utterly devoid of emotion.

*’Looks like the switch is flipped again.’*

I frowned at his unwavering determination and the intense obsession burning in his eyes, signaling he would never back down.

Back then, I’d had the excuse of being at the table, but this time, no escape route came to mind. I couldn’t just suddenly say I needed to use the restroom.

“Then…”

If I stayed like this, that ring would end up on my finger. Just as I was agonizing over what to do, a single word flashed through my mind.

A word I had never once thought of in my entire life, let alone imagined saying out loud.

Just thinking about it made my toes curl and my fingers tremble.

*’There’s no way a word like that would work on the Count…’*

Even as I thought that, my mouth, having apparently judged it the best answer, began to move on its own.

“Honey.”

The Count froze completely. No—it felt as if time itself had stopped in the room.

Our breathing simultaneously ceased, and the Count’s fierce aura faded.

“Fix that ring. If you don’t, I’ll never wear it.”

I said it with a slightly haughty tone, curling my lips into a brazen smirk.

Inside, I was screaming—*how embarrassing*—but my actions showed no hesitation. Figuring I should commit fully to the act now that I’d started, I tensed every muscle in my face.

“You’ll grant my request, won’t you, honey?”

Clatter—

The ring, which I could never afford even if I worked my whole life, fell to the floor.

“Ho-ney?”

The Count slowly raised his head. In contrast, I bowed mine, avoiding his gaze.

I couldn’t meet his eyes. I managed to keep up the act somehow, but the moment I saw his face, all my efforts seemed ready to crumble like a sandcastle.

As the Count moved to pick up the ring, I quickly rose from my seat. This time, he didn’t try to stop me.

“Well then, I’ll trust that you’ll fix the ring.”

And so, I slipped out of the study with Icabel. Just before the door closed, the Count asked.

“Can I call you honey too?”

I grabbed the doorframe and poked my head back into the study.

And with all my remaining strength, I said firmly one last time.

“Ma-maybe a little later.”

But I couldn’t stop myself from stammering.