ILTDAMH|CHAPTER 74

Chapter 74 

Shall We Go Home, My Lady?

“Zelda. Thank you, truly. For saving me… and for helping me settle here.”

“Don’t say it like that! It sounds as if we’re parting at this very moment. You’re not leaving today, are you?”

“Oh, no. I still need to close the shop. It’ll be a few more days.”

At Marican’s words, Ruan gave her a faintly troubled smile.

“My lady, I’m afraid we must return to the capital by tomorrow.”

“So soon? Has something happened?”

“I hurried back because I was worried for your safety. But now… the investigation of the rebels requires my hand.”

Ah, right. The rebellion.

Marican nodded slowly. “I see. Then tomorrow it is.”

“Then tonight, why don’t you stay with me?” Zelda broke in. “It’s our last night together. I’d hate to end it without one more talk.”

Marican smiled and nodded. “Yes, Zelda. Stay with me tonight. That’s all right, isn’t it, Ruan?”

At her answer, Zelda’s grin widened while Ruan’s expression twisted, ever so slightly.

That evening, Marican and Zelda lay side by side in bed, talking deep into the night.

…

The next morning.

“What? Rosaline—no, you’re really the Duchess? The very one the rumors spoke of in the capital? I heard Duke Canoluf scoured the empire for months to find you. And you were Rosaline? Unbelievable.”

Peter’s eyes were round with shock when he heard she meant to sell the shop.

Zelda smirked smugly. “Of course. The man you swore to serve as your brother for life is none other than Duke Ruan Canoluf, called the God of War. And Rosaline? She’s his wife, the Duchess herself.”

“No wonder,” Peter muttered. “From the start, Rosaline—no, the Duchess—always had such grace. She carried herself like a nobility.”

“What about me?” Zelda demanded.

“You? You looked… like Zelda.”

“Peter!”

“Pfft—stop it, both of you,” Marican laughed, handing him a notebook. “Here’s every sandwich recipe. If you’re unsure, ask Zelda.”

Peter looked down at it, eyes shining. “Still… I’ll miss them. No matter how well things go with you, Duchess, I’ll miss your sandwiches.”

“Then learn them well, Peter. Keep the taste alive.”

“Don’t worry. The next time you visit, I’ll serve you sandwiches that taste exactly like yours.”

“Thank you.”

Ruan cleared his throat. “Well then. If all is settled, we should take our leave.”

Peter bowed deeply. “Brother—no, Duke—I’ll see you again.”

“Live well, Peter.”

Together, Marican and Ruan exchanged bittersweet farewells with Peter and Zelda, then visited Joseph, the village elder.

“I heard from Zelda last night,” Joseph said warmly. “To think you were truly the Duchess. What an honor for our humble village.”

Marican bowed deeply. “Thanks to you, elder, I lived happily here. I’ll return someday.”

“Our doors will always be open to you, Duchess. Please come back.”

“Yes, I will.”

When they left the elder’s home, Marican paused, letting her gaze sweep across the village. Ruan clasped her hand gently, his eyes tender.

“Shall we go home now, my lady?”

Home…

When she first left, she swore she’d never return. And now, hearing him say it, countless emotions welled up inside her.

“My lady?”

“Yes, Ruan. Let’s go home—our home!”

Her smile blazed as she met his eyes.

…

For the first time in a long while, the Duke’s household bustled with life.

At word of Marican’s return, the servants scrubbed every corner of the mansion. They weeded the garden that Ruan had left to grow wild in her absence, pruned her favorite tree, and polished the halls until the whole estate gleamed.

“Wow, it feels like forever since we cleaned this thoroughly. The house seems alive again,” Charles said with a grin.

“What are you saying? We always clean,” Clea retorted.

“Hehe, true… but still! When will master and mistress arrive?”

“Hmm… the journey takes a day, but with her sandwich shop to settle, perhaps more than a week.”

“A week? Too long.”

Charles dropped her rag in dismay, only for Clea to pick it up and set it aside.

“You’ve waited nearly ten months for her. Can’t you wait a few more days? Or… shall we start going out each afternoon to wait by the gates? Imagine her surprise when she sees us.”

“Oh! That’s a wonderful idea. She’ll be so shocked. You’re brilliant, Head Maid! I’ll finish scrubbing the baths first.”

Humming, Charles bustled off, while Clea resumed tidying the hall.

…

“Huuh…”

Marican sighed for what must have been the hundredth time on the ride back.

“My lady,” Ruan teased, “if you sigh so often, the carriage will sink into the earth.”

“What?”

“You keep sighing. Why?”

“I… I suppose I’m nervous. We’re nearing the manor. I’ve met Ed, Clea, Charles, and Jean, but the others… It’s been so long. And I left without a word. It weighs on me.”

Ruan slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry. They’ve all been waiting for you. If I said the entire household longed for you more than for me, it would not be a lie. Even Aunt Olivia.”

“That can’t be…”

She was about to protest when the carriage jolted violently. She stumbled—and fell straight against Ruan’s chest.

Thump, thump, thump!

Her heart pounded so loudly she thought he must hear it.

“My lady! Are you hurt?”

“N-no, I’m fine.”

She scrambled upright, cheeks burning.

“…The carriage is… rather bumpy,” she muttered.

“Yes. Likely too many stones on the road.”

“R-right. Stones. So many stones. Oh—!”

Another lurch sent her pitching toward him again.

No! If I fall now, we might… kiss.

She twisted away in panic—

Thud!

“My lady!”

Instead of Ruan’s lips, she smacked into the carriage floor. Mortified, she froze. But Ruan scooped her up easily and settled her on his lap.

“Ruan! What are you doing?”

“The road is rough. If I hold you like this, I can keep you safe. If you fell again and bruised your beautiful face, I’d suffer more than you.”

Ruan, if this continues, my heart will burst before my face ever bruises.

Marican wriggled, trying to escape, but his arms did not budge.

How is he so strong? Our builds aren’t so different…

“Still, I—Ah!”

Another jolt—but this time, she didn’t so much as sway. His hold on her was unyielding.

Gradually, the bumps lessened, and the steady rhythm of the carriage lulled her. Against her will, her eyelids drooped.

No… I mustn’t fall asleep…

But at last, sleep claimed her in his arms.

Ruan gazed down at her, breath soft against his chest. Gently, he pinched his own thigh.

Painful. So this is no dream.

My lady, your skin is still as soft as ever. Since the day we met in Phenomenon, I’ve longed to hold you like this. Never again will I let you go. Stay by my side, always.

Smiling faintly, he drew her closer, careful not to wake her.

Thanks to the enchanted carriage stone Charles had given him, the journey that should have taken three days passed in one.

…

“Oh! We’re already in the capital? Nearly ten months, and it’s still as crowded and dazzling as ever.”

“That is the capital’s charm. Are you rested, my lady?”

Marican blinked awake, realized she was still on his lap, and flushed scarlet. She tried to move, but Ruan only held her tighter.

“My lady, the road is still rough. Stay like this.”

“In the capital? Surely the streets aren’t so stony.”

“Of course they are. Only a little longer. Soon, we’ll be home.”

Unable to argue, she stayed put, still as possible, until the carriage finally slowed.

At last, the great gates of the Canoluf estate came into view.

So… I’ve returned.

The day she left, rain had fallen in torrents. She thought she’d never come back. And yet—

“My lady. We’ve arrived home.”

Home.

Smiling, Marican rose as Ruan stepped down and held out his hand.

“Take my hand, my lady.”

“Thank you, Ruan. Oh! Everyone—why are you all here?”

Waiting outside were the entire household staff, gathered as if they’d known the exact moment of her return.

“Madam! You’re finally here! We missed you so much!”

Sharl flung herself into Marican’s arms the moment she stepped down.