Chapter 47
While I lay bedridden, my life was anything but idle.
Every visitor who came by bombarded me with nagging, so much so that it felt like thorns were growing in my ears.
Today was no exception.
I had fallen into a light sleep when I was startled awake by a knock at the door.
“Madam, I’m coming in.”
It was Marilyn, returning from her leave, entering with a stiff expression.
Before we could even exchange proper greetings, she immediately began her scolding.
“I don’t know what the other servants were doing! Of course, Madam bears much of the blame for going after a mere servant in that situation.”
However, her voice was so full of concern that I couldn’t bring myself to be annoyed.
“I couldn’t just leave Ahin behind, could I?”
Marilyn let out a long sigh and said,
“…It seems my teachings have been insufficient. I will devote myself to training even harder from now on, so Madam, please follow along well.”
Her face was so determined that I felt I had no choice but to brace myself for what was coming.
With so many people dropping by every day to check on me, I couldn’t help but feel that I had truly become part of the Duke of Schultz family.
It was both surprising and… oddly heartwarming.
But, of course, not all news was good.
While I lay in bed, the newspapers began reporting on the second murder case.
Thankfully, people didn’t seem as anxious as before.
After all, the prince of Dochlia and the new chief of police of Baden had been assigned to Müssen.
Everyone was strongly convinced that the officers wouldn’t handle things as incompetently as before.
And as if to prove that belief, the case was soon ruled not as murder but as a natural death.
The cause? Winter hypothermia.
Supposedly, the victim had gone down to the basement to fetch wine, dozed off, and never woke up.
It didn’t make sense to me, but for those who hadn’t seen the crime scene, it sounded plausible enough.
My heart felt heavy, but there was nothing I could do.
I consciously loosened the grip I had on the newspaper and let out a deep sigh.
There must be some unspoken reason for covering it up… like with the first murder.
* * *
Among Müssen’s four castles, Heibenstein Castle stood in the east.
Edward Windsor stood by the window, overlooking Müssen and gazing at Lake Popfsen, painted in the colors of the sunset.
Until just recently, the lake had been frozen, but now gentle waves rippled across its surface.
The snow piled up at the base of the trees had melted completely.
Spring was approaching.
His dull gray-blue eyes soon shifted toward the horizon.
The navy-colored spired rooftops, visible even from this distance, were hidden behind the clouds.
Edward tapped on the window frame, then turned with a bored expression.
“The noble ladies of the capital must be heartbroken.”
He spoke with genuine pity.
“Not being able to see the Eden Blanc garden as often as before… they must be deeply saddened.”
“They did love attending Your Highness’s balls, after all.”
“Exactly.”
Edward smiled faintly at the man who answered.
Edward Windsor’s balls were the epitome of aristocratic vanity—always extravagant and dazzling.
He especially went all-out with fresh flower decorations, turning them into the hot topic of noble gossip after every event.
Edward was fully aware of this.
While adjusting his cravat, he continued,
“Our future king even allowed me to tend to the garden at Baverin Castle… but this place feels so bleak that no flower can lift its mood.”
“I’ll cultivate the garden. With Eden Blanc.”
Receiving the answer he wanted, Edward patted the man’s shoulder with satisfaction.
“Right? Of course, we should. The crown prince is… well… a bit rigid. Not one for parties. Just imagine how bored all the ladies and young noblewomen staying in the capital must be.”
Edward looked around once more. Truly, this place held no charm for him.
“This castle is just as dull as our future king. Outdated and boring.”
The man, who understood Edward’s real meaning—that he wanted something even more spectacular than Baverin Castle—lowered his head.
“Frederick, you’re a talented gardener. If you turn this into another Eden Blanc like you said, it’ll be perfect. Why didn’t I think of that sooner?”
Edward grinned slyly, pretending like he hadn’t just planted the idea in the first place.
“We can give the beautiful young ladies and noblewomen something to enjoy. How sad they must be not being able to see me often. Isn’t that right, Frederick?”
“Yes. It won’t take long to prepare. Once the weather gets a bit warmer, we’ll be ready for the first ball.”
“Good. I always trust you. Now go on and get the garden ready.”
His smile was unmistakably friendly.
As Edward waved him off, Frederick replied,
“Before that, I’ll need to stop by Baverin Castle.”
“Ah… you haven’t brought all your belongings here yet?”
Frederick nodded at Edward’s glance.
“Hmm…”
Flowers would bloom when the time was right.
After thinking for a moment, Edward let a sweet smile spread over his lips.
“Alright. A talented gardener wants to decorate my garden—there’s no reason to stop him.”
* * *
Being stuck in bed was mind-numbingly boring.
The only relief was that today was the last day of the doctor’s prescribed rest period.
And, finally, I didn’t have to keep the bandages Ahin had been changing daily.
On the fourth day, I told Johannes I thought I could stop resting, but of course, he didn’t listen.
Though I occasionally had dull headaches, it wasn’t anything concerning.
“How are you feeling?”
Johannes asked, sitting on the edge of my bed.
He seemed noticeably more relaxed now.
It appeared he had finished handling the busy matters that had kept him preoccupied lately.
“I’m perfectly fine. Thanks to your care.”
“No need to thank me.”
He smiled faintly at me.
For the first time in ages, peace had returned.
As we sat across from each other at the small table in my bedroom, drinking tea, I brought up what had been on my mind.
“I want to visit Bölln again.”
Johannes frowned.
His reaction was exactly what I expected.
But his answer… wasn’t.
“Visiting Bölln isn’t a bad idea. But now that we know someone might be targeting you, I’ll be accompanying you this time. No exceptions.”
“…What?”
I froze mid-sip.
When I frowned, Johannes answered casually,
“You seem like the kind of person who’ll do it anyway if I tell you not to. It’s better for me to stay by your side and keep an eye on you.”
So he had meant it when he half-jokingly offered to help me look for my father last time.
“But… for now, maybe it’s better to postpone the Bölln trip a bit longer.
Müssen is about to get… noisy.”
His next words surprised me again.
An unpleasant thought crossed my mind.
“…Another person died?”
If so, it might be time to suspect a serial killer.
As I bit my lip nervously, Johannes shook his head.
“Fortunately, nothing that serious.”
“Then what?”
“There will be balls. When the weather warms up… and quite frequently, I’m afraid.
It’s practically inevitable.”
“…Balls? Here?”
That’s a problem.
Normally, it’s the lady of the house who hosts such events, but I knew nothing about that kind of responsibility.
As I fell into troubled silence, Johannes pulled out an invitation from inside his coat.
“At Heibenstein Castle in the east of Müssen. It’s royal property, and Edward Windsor is staying there.”
“…Ah.”
I’d heard about it before… or seen it in gossip columns.
Prince Edward was infamous for his love of balls and parties, supposedly hosting them three or four times a week.
And the gardens at Baverin Castle were said to be so beautiful that even foreign envoys wanted to visit.
As I accepted the invitation, Johannes added,
“Since I’ve been officially assigned to Müssen, there will probably be many more such gatherings here.”
Running into Edward Windsor…
That would be uncomfortable.
Glancing at Johannes, I asked in a small voice,
“Is declining… not an option, I suppose?”
“Unfortunately not.”
Honestly, I hadn’t really expected to have a choice.
If I had, Johannes would’ve asked for my decision first.
Somehow, I already felt a headache coming on.
I sighed and buried my head in my hands.
Hearing me, Johannes quickly stood up and approached.
“Are you alright?”
His voice was full of concern.
The next thing I knew, his large hand was reaching toward me.
