Chapter 8
Elleldin sat down, massaging her numb and stiff legs, but there was no sign of relief.
Then, a knock came at the door again from outside.
“Yes, come in!”
She stopped massaging and barely managed to stand and compose herself.
“My lady! I’ve come to prepare your bathwater.”
Sillin entered the bathroom with a bright smile.
“Oh, thank you.”
Elleldin was used to doing things alone, so this kindness felt unfamiliar.
Not wanting to reveal her vulnerability, she hid her pain and smiled.
After checking that the bathtub was filled to a certain level, Sillin said,
“I’ll help you bathe as well.”
“What? Oh, no, that’s okay.”
She didn’t want anyone to see her body, covered in scars.
Elleldin waved her hand.
Sillin’s most important duty was to respect Elleldin’s wishes, so she said nothing and quietly followed her lead.
After Sillin left, Elleldin carefully tended to her aching legs before she was finally able to enter the tub.
As she soaked in the warm water, her stiff legs slowly began to loosen.
I have to do well, please. If my legs freeze up on the wedding night, I won’t be able to satisfy him.
It’s not like I’m good at anything else. Let’s not give him another reason to be disappointed.
A wave of exhaustion came crashing down on her.
Elleldin leaned back, her head tilted upward as she stared at the droplets clinging to the ceiling.
“……”
She tried to think of something else, but only the images of Baron Brian and her father shouting at her came to mind.
Maybe it’s because they were the only people I saw before I died.
People are all the same.
Even if the Duke is kind now, if I anger him, he’ll act just like they did.
That’s only natural.
But still—is the Duke really the same as them?
The thought came unbidden, and Elleldin buried her face in her hands.
From the depths of her heart, a small bud of hope tried to sprout.
No, I shouldn’t hope. I know better than anyone how painful it is to have that hope crushed.
Countless memories flashed through her mind.
Don’t be greedy, she reminded herself, lifting her face while swallowing her sorrow.
By the time she finished her bath, quite a long time had passed, and it was already close to 11 p.m.
When will he come?
Draped in a shawl over a thin slip, she stood by the door and waited.
…It’s cold.
Maybe because of the warm bath, the cold now felt even sharper.
White puffs of breath scattered in the air.
How should I behave so he’ll be pleased? If I can make him feel good, maybe it won’t hurt as much…
She bit her lips anxiously.
Ah… Brian liked it when I waited on my knees. He said that’s when I was lovable.
Although that stopped after he met Sarah.
Elleldin dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead to the floor.
In the cold darkness, she just wanted Fernan to come quickly and get the wedding night over with.
Fernan was in his office working through documents with Molek when the man tilted his head and asked,
“By the way, Master, when are you going?”
Fernan looked up from the documents.
He had been verifying which families the documents came from by sensing the faint traces of magic in their seals.
“What time is it now?”
“One o’clock.”
“What?”
Fernan shot up.
“Damn it…! It’s already that late?”
Grabbing his pounding forehead, Fernan hurried out of the room.
Still, she’s probably asleep by now. I’ll just check and leave quietly.
As he opened the door, he was met with Sillin’s sharp glare.
“Why are you so late? My lady has been waiting for you all this time!”
She practically shouted at him.
If someone like Sillin, who was human just like Elleldin, said that much, then it must be serious.
Feeling flustered, Fernan quickly made his way to Elleldin’s room.
Carefully, he opened the door.
There should’ve been a figure on the red bed, but it was empty.
Puzzled, he looked down—and saw something red curled up on the black-painted floor where nothing should’ve been.
Startled, Fernan rushed to lift Elleldin up.
“Ah…”
His strong grip made her sway as he raised her to her feet. Her skin was ice cold.
If I wasn’t coming, she should’ve just slept. Why do something so foolish on the floor?
Caught between panic and worry, Fernan’s voice turned sharp.
“Why are you doing this?! Who told you to?!”
“…I’m sorry.”
She flinched. His raised voice made her shrink back.
Seeing that, Fernan closed his eyes tightly, realizing his mistake.
He gently gathered her unsteady body in his arms and carried her to the bed.
“Sorry for yelling. I didn’t know it was this late. I’m sorry for being late.”
Elleldin nodded weakly.
As he laid her down and pulled the blanket over her, he spoke again.
“Don’t torment yourself like this anymore. You’re my wife now—the Duchess. There’s no one above you except the Emperor and Empress. Be proud.”
Fernan looked at her, still curled up and withdrawn.
He couldn’t fully read her expression, but it was obvious she wasn’t at ease.
From her cautious steps to her every mannerism, she didn’t seem polite so much as compulsively chased by something.
Meanwhile, Elleldin was feeling confused by his words.
Be proud? What is he saying?
She had never heard anything like that in her entire life.
He could just treat me normally…
His kindness, instead of comforting her, felt unfamiliar and unsettling.
But she was too exhausted to say anything and simply nodded.
Seeing her unconvincing reaction, Fernan sighed softly and moved toward her feet.
“Pardon me.”
Not understanding what he meant, she stayed quiet—until a rough touch on her leg startled her.
He had gently pulled back the blanket and was massaging her stiff legs.
“Just lie down. It hurts, doesn’t it?”
“You… you don’t have to do that. Really.”
Flustered and confused, Elleldin tried to wave him off.
But Fernan continued, ignoring her protests, gently easing the tense muscles with his calloused but careful hands.
Her anxiety slowly faded, and as the minutes passed, her body relaxed—and drowsiness swept in.
Leaning on the bed, she asked in a sleepy voice,
“Aren’t you going to sleep?”
“I have a lot to do. You go ahead. And once again, I’m sorry for coming late.”
…What a strange man.
He didn’t need to apologize.
Feeling the warmth in his touch, Elleldin barely stifled a yawn.
I shouldn’t fall asleep… We have to do the wedding night…
But her eyelids closed against her will.
She tried to shake herself awake, but eventually, she drifted off.
Fernan watched her for a moment, then chuckled quietly.
He had originally come to talk about the upcoming expedition, but there was no point waking someone sleeping so peacefully.
I can tell her tomorrow.
After a few more minutes of massaging her legs, he stood up quietly and left the room.
…The forest.
Elleldin slowly sat up in bed.
For some reason, she felt like she had to go to the forest beyond the window right now.
It was early dawn outside, bathed in blue light, but the forest was pitch black.
She rose and walked as if in a trance.
Stepping barefoot onto the cold grass, she felt no hesitation or fear.
Why am I doing this? Why do I want to go there?
Strangely, she had no questions at all.
She simply had to reach that forest, fast.
The entrance was shrouded in darkness, yet it didn’t frighten her.
This is strange…
Her body brimmed with energy—as if she could do anything.
She had never felt this sure before.
Her strides were powerful. The cold northern wind didn’t bother her.
Every step toward the center of the forest felt vivid and exhilarating.
Her pace quickened.
The sound of the wind rushing past her ears felt good.
How long has it been since I ran like this?
Her soles became torn from the sharp forest grass, faint blood staining her path—but she felt no pain.
After a while, a large rock blocked her way.
Gasping for breath, Elleldin looked up—and saw a massive black creature perched atop the rock, watching her.
It was Girtein.
Enchanted, Elleldin didn’t even consider that the thing calling to her might be a monster.
It began grinning, its lips stretching wide to reveal sharp teeth.
A raspy hiss leaked between them.
Elleldin, still dazed, slowly approached it.
Just as she reached out toward the rock, a deep growl rang out—and a large black animal blocked her path.
Girtein, disturbed by the interruption, hissed again from above.
With another bark, the enchantment broke.
“Huh…?”
As the spell lifted, Elleldin saw it clearly—the black creature on the rock and the black dog standing in front of her.
Both were black, but Girtein’s fur was jagged and spiky, while the dog’s body was covered in scale-like fur.
Gasp.
That creature atop the rock—she had seen it before, on her first day here, beyond the glass window.
Covering her mouth in shock, she staggered back.
Pain pricked her feet—her bare soles were soaked with blood.
Gone was her confidence. Fear and helplessness surged in its place.
Her body began to tremble.
Seeing her, the black dog—Fernan—let out a silent sigh.
I should’ve paid more attention.
Girtein was a monster that lived by absorbing weaker creatures and using enchantment magic.
Its spell filled prey with confidence and courage—so they would run themselves to death trying to reach it.
If Fernan hadn’t come, Elleldin might’ve climbed and fallen from that rock repeatedly until she died.
That was how it hunted.
But something still bothered him.
Girtein wasn’t the type to go out of its way to lure an ordinary human.
Seeing this, Fernan realized—Elleldin must not be ordinary.
What exactly are you?
His dark eyes fixed on her.
In a hurry to help, he had transformed hastily, not realizing he now looked exactly like that monster.
Polymorph—a demon’s skill to take another form—allowed him to hide his identity, but limited his powers.
It had been worth the risk… or so he thought. Maybe he should’ve just come as a human.
Black monster, black dog—of course Elleldin would be scared.
I hope she doesn’t run away…
Just as he sighed, Elleldin grabbed his fur tightly.
“Let’s run away!”
“…Grr?”
“Hurry!”
She pulled him urgently, though her hands trembled.
Girtein crouched, as if ready to pounce.
“Quickly!”
Elleldin shoved his huge body, trembling all the while. But it didn’t budge, and she cried out in frustration,
“If we stay here, we’ll get hurt! We have to run!”
…Hah.
Fernan looked at her silently.
So she can shout this loudly, too.
Why isn’t she leaving me behind? In this situation, I should be the one she fears most.
This woman… is strange.
