ITMHIAM 34

Chapter 34

It hadn’t been so long that anything had changed, and yet, walking along the streets I used to tread every day felt strangely unfamiliar.

‘Maybe I’ve gotten used to the luxurious life.’

The cushioning of the public carriage, which I had never thought twice about before marriage, now felt terribly uncomfortable.

“This is… not good.”

The carriage ran for a bit longer before finally turning into the street where I used to live. Though the houses were old, they were charming in their own way, lined up closely side by side—always a familiar and comforting sight.

And just as I stepped down from the carriage—

“Hm?”

The mailbox in front of the house was overflowing with letters. I quickly straightened my clothes and began flipping through the stack of mail.

‘No sender?’

I checked them over and over, but none had a return address.

However, in Dochilia, each city uses its own distinct stationery, and the one used here was unfamiliar—likely from another region.

[Don’t marry Johannes Schultz. He’ll only end up hurting you.]
[Remember—leave him the moment you read this letter. You’ll learn a truth you didn’t want to know.]

The handwriting was unlike any I’d ever seen.

All the other letters said similar things—if I married Johannes, I’d be miserable. Some even read like curses.

But I didn’t feel particularly moved.

‘Probably sent by some noble lady who liked Johannes…’

It was a plausible thought.

I didn’t really have any friends, nor did I maintain close contact with anyone.

So there wasn’t anyone who would try to threaten me into not marrying.

[Please, I’m begging you. Why not move to a different region instead?]

The last letter went so far as to plead with me not to go through with the marriage.

But unfortunately for the sender, I was already married—and there was no taking it back.

I crumpled the letters and stuffed them into my bag, not giving them much thought.

The house I hadn’t visited in a while was exactly the same as when I had left. Fortunately, nothing was missing, and everything was in its place. It looked freshly cleaned, not even a speck of dust in sight.

It was just that the air felt cold, no longer lived in.

Someday I’d have to take care of this place properly…

Just as I stepped out, someone called out to me.

“Edith!”

It was Mrs. Pensler. Before I could even respond, she took me by the arm and ushered me into her house.

“Heavens, Edith! You look half your size! Oh dear, what am I saying. Wait here a moment—I’ll bring you something to eat.”

After fussing over me, she seated me at her table and began boiling water. Before long, the smell of warm pie and fragrant tea filled the air.

It was unmistakably Mrs. Pensler’s pie. One bite, and the perfectly balanced taste—not too sweet, not too bland—spread through my mouth. Every time I had her pie, it felt like my worries vanished.

No matter how good the chef at the Evanstein estate was, he could never compete with her baking skills.

“It’s so delicious, madam. It hasn’t been long, but I’ve missed this taste.”

Mrs. Pensler smiled warmly at me, clearly pleased by how much I was enjoying the food.

Under her watchful and affectionate gaze, I finished a reasonable portion. That was when she suddenly burst out talking non-stop, as if she had been holding it in all along.

“You have no idea how shocked I was that day! The navy soldiers were swarming your house, and you weren’t even visible inside. They wouldn’t even let me in to check on you!”

“I’m sorry for alarming you. There were just… a lot of complications that day.”

“I heard. Something about a loan shark and forged documents? Goodness, it’s absurd! And just when I was going to bring you your favorite stollen, you were whisked away in a navy carriage.”

“I’m sorr—”

“Do you know how perfectly that stollen turned out? Honestly, it might’ve been the best one I’ve ever made! You would’ve loved it. And now you’re married…!”

She rattled on and on without giving me a moment to reply. Her unchanged demeanor made me laugh before I realized it.

When news of the war losses and the fallen neighbors reached us, she couldn’t hide her sorrow. But now, seeing her back to her old self brought me joy.

“Well, it happened.”

Panting slightly from her long rant, Mrs. Pensler gave me a slow once-over.

“Oh dear, listen to me. I should be calling you Duchess now.”

So she had heard about the wedding—there had been official news.

I fiddled with my teacup as I replied, “No, please, just speak to me comfortably.”

“But how can I? You have a noble title now.”

She waved her hands, protesting—but I could tell she secretly wanted me to insist again.

“Please, for me. It makes me uncomfortable.”

“…If you insist.”

She had known me since I was a child, so it must’ve felt awkward for her to suddenly treat me like a duchess.

“I’m sorry for not telling you in advance. I really should have.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s the Schultz family, after all—one can’t speak of them lightly. Anyway, the streets have been dangerous lately. Don’t even get me started.”

She closed her eyes tightly, shuddering at the memory.

“Crimes everywhere, and they still haven’t caught the culprit.”

Then, softening her expression, she took my hand warmly.

“I was so shocked, but getting married—that’s something to celebrate. I’m really happy for you. Congratulations, Edith.”

“Thank you, madam.”

“Still, you have to be careful. Nobles tend to have a shady side.”

“My husband’s not like that.”

I said with a smile, but her expression grew even more serious.

“Of course, I’m sure he treats you well. But still, you never know. Maybe he’s just hiding his flaws in the honeymoon phase.”

Mrs. Pensler had always admired and respected the Schultz family more than anyone.

So why the sudden change in tone?

When I looked at her without a word, she seemed to think I was offended and quickly apologized.

“Oh no, I didn’t mean it like that. Just ignore me. I don’t know why I keep saying silly things as I get older.”

She laughed awkwardly.

“Anyway, I imagine it must be hard fitting into high society. I don’t know much, but Luisa—she divorced Count Wagner recently—said the noblewomen gossip over the smallest things. Especially if you’re from a common background.”

I stayed quiet, not wanting to admit that gossip about me had already begun. It would only upset her.

“Anyway…”

Since I didn’t respond, she quickly changed the subject.

I had forgotten, but Mrs. Pensler was quite the talker. Once she started, it usually went on for two or three hours. Even if the other person looked tired, she wouldn’t stop. Why hadn’t I remembered that?

‘Because I was just so happy to see her again…’

As I sighed inwardly, a knock on the door echoed through the room. I immediately got up from my seat.

“Sounds like a visitor. I should get going anyway. I wouldn’t want to—”

“No, no. There’s someone I want you to meet. Just wait a moment. Strange, though. I wasn’t expecting anyone today.”

Despite my attempts to leave, Mrs. Pensler pulled me back to the table and headed toward the front door. Soon I heard her greeting someone warmly.

A few moments later, she returned with the guest.

The woman had pale skin, almost ghostly white, with flushed cheeks and vivid red hair. Judging by her large build, she seemed to be from the Scandia continent.

She looked very young, with a face full of freckles, and stared at me with fascination.

Caught off guard, I blinked rapidly, and Mrs. Pensler said,

“Edith, come say hello. I was going to introduce you later, but this is the young lady who moved into the house across the street. Her name’s Sina Mekeli. It’s only been a few days, but we’ve gotten quite close. She’s such a polite young woman—it’s rare these days.”

“Oh…!”

The people she complimented were usually good ones. That was a relief—it seemed I had found a new companion to talk to.

“Hello. It’s nice to meet you.”

“…”

“I’m Edith Pr— Edith Schultz. Are you from the Scandia continent?”

Sina’s expression twisted slightly.

Did I say something wrong? Maybe in Scandia it’s rude to initiate greetings?

While I tried to come up with different explanations, Sina suddenly approached me.

Surprised by how quickly she closed the distance, I instinctively stepped back. She kept staring at me curiously, seemingly unaware of her rudeness. After a long pause, she asked in clumsy pronunciation:

“Madam… are you really the wife of Commander Schultz? Of the Baltz Fleet?”

Her voice didn’t match her appearance at all—it sounded like a glass marble rolling on a polished floor.

But why was she asking that?

“Well, yes…?”

Still stunned, I responded awkwardly.

Sina’s mouth dropped open wide.

What kind of reaction was that?

As I tried to make sense of it, Sina casually picked up a leftover piece of pie and said,

“How do you live with such a crazy man?”