Episode 27
Since the duchess’s position had been vacant for a long time, the head butler had been managing things in her place.
The castle’s internal budget wasn’t abundant, but it was enough, just enough to cover wages and maintenance without falling short.
Which meant there was no extra money for luxuries like flowers.
The Veiharz family might’ve been extremely wealthy, but that wealth wasn’t in Yuriel’s hands.
‘Maybe planting seeds and growing them myself would be cheaper than buying full-grown flowers.’
Because of the West’s poor condition, many supplies were imported from the Central region.
Delivering goods across contaminated lands while defending from monsters meant they became expensive by the time they arrived in the West.
But still, some flower seeds were probably among the imported goods.
Seeds were certainly cheaper than full-grown plants.
If she planted them now, maybe in six months, she could see them bloom.
Yuriel was gazing at the empty garden, deep in thought about this, when—
‘…Huh?’
Her vision suddenly went blurry.
Had something gotten into her eye?
She blinked a few times—
And when her sight cleared, she was surrounded by a garden in full bloom.
The air was filled with a sweet fragrance. Yuriel looked around, mumbling:
‘Just like last time…’
She was reminded of the vision she had seen when she first arrived in the West.
A vivid forest full of life beyond the garden… birds chirping, and yellow butterflies fluttering everywhere.
It was like spring itself.
Yuriel found herself reaching out.
One butterfly, gently flying around her, softly landed on her fingertip.
‘It looks so familiar.’
As she stared at its delicate wings, an old memory rose in her mind.
A dream of a lush forest, deer, butterflies… and a man without a name.
It had all been so beautiful—but in the end, everything was swallowed by darkness.
The contamination had destroyed the great forest.
It had been a nightmare.
“My lady?”
“…Ah!”
Yuriel jumped at the sudden voice and looked around.
Standing before her now was Aubrey.
“Are you alright, my lady?”
Yuriel turned to find Roinah beside her, too, watching with concern.
The illusion had disappeared. Once again, she stood in the barren garden.
The only difference was that Aubrey was now in front of her.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“…No. I think I was just a little tired.”
She couldn’t even tell when Aubrey had arrived.
Yuriel shook her head, trying to smile.
‘What was that?’
This was the second time she had been pulled into the same vision.
Was it from a forgotten memory?
No… she had never seen anything like that before.
“If you’re tired, you should return to your room,” Aubrey suggested kindly.
“Yes, you should rest,” Roinah added.
But Yuriel shook her head.
‘It’s nothing serious.’
Probably just a vision caused by fatigue.
Her eyes had felt weird for a moment, but now everything seemed normal again.
“I’m fine. But… Why did you come looking for me?”
“Ah, we’ve finished the preparations, my lady.”
Yuriel blinked in confusion.
‘Preparations? For me?’
Seeing her puzzled expression, Aubrey hesitated.
Since their first meeting, he had been extremely careful around her—
Even apologizing tearfully during their second encounter, claiming he had committed a grave sin.
“Please, tell me.”
Only recently had he begun treating her like a proper person, not a fragile doll.
It had taken many assurances from Yuriel, telling him again and again that it was okay.
“If you’re truly feeling alright, then please come take a look today.”
Still careful, Aubrey gently led her toward the main residence.
It wasn’t far from the couple’s shared bedroom, but located in an area she had never visited before.
‘What kind of room is this?’
Roinah, too, seemed curious as she stared at the door.
“It’s a room prepared for you, my lady.”
When Aubrey opened the door, warm sunlight poured in.
It was a large room, with a grand desk, a seating area with a table and sofas, and five bookshelves lined along the left wall.
The wallpaper was a soft beige with elegant patterns that weren’t too harsh on the eyes.
A gentle breeze came through the slightly open window.
It was a comfortable, peaceful-looking room—just standing in it made one’s heart feel at ease.
“This will be your new office. Please, take a look around.”
“My… office?”
Yuriel’s eyes widened.
She remembered her time at the count’s mansion.
She had a room there, but it was tiny—meant for a maid.
Even having a desk felt like a luxury.
“I hope it’s to your liking…”
“It’s perfect. I love it.”
She answered before Aubrey could even finish.
She had often dreamed of a place like this while struggling with paperwork in that cramped space back then.
But it had felt so far out of reach that she’d never even dared to ask for one.
Now that dream has become a reality.
“I’m glad to hear that. His Grace gave the orders himself.”
“Akron…?”
Yuriel turned in surprise.
He wasn’t even here—so how…?
“Yes. Before he left to hunt monsters, he instructed me personally. It took time to gather the right furniture.”
Everything in the room was of the highest quality—rare and expensive.
Even the wallpaper and sofa looked like they cost a fortune.
‘He… gave me this.’
He had created a space just for her, thinking of her tastes.
Yuriel remembered how he had casually asked her little questions during their outings in the capital.
Now she realized—it was to learn what she liked.
“Does he often leave to hunt monsters?”
She ran her hand across the mahogany desk, smooth and flawless.
“If it’s not official business, he still prepares and goes himself once every three months.”
“I see…”
Somehow, hearing that made her feel calmer.
He had left without a word—but she shouldn’t take it personally.
It was part of his duty as Grand Duke.
Still… she had wondered many times if he’d left because he didn’t want to see her.
“He’ll return soon. Because you’re here, my lady.”
Aubrey added gently, trying to reassure her.
Yuriel didn’t reply.
She simply prayed in her heart that he would return safely.
Even after Aubrey left, Yuriel remained in the office for a long time, even skipping lunch.
Eventually, Roinah convinced her to come down to the dining room.
She ate, but the food had no taste.
After returning to her room, she was assisted in getting ready for bed.
‘I can’t sleep…’
She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Tonight marked six nights since he left.
Staying in bed only made her more anxious.
She got up and walked to the window, looking outside.
‘What is he doing right now…?’
Below her was darkness, but the sky above sparkled with stars and moonlight.
If he looked up at the sky from where he was…
Maybe they were both seeing the same stars.
“Ah…”
Yuriel placed a hand over her stomach.
She could feel a faint movement from inside.
She was used to it by now, but it was still strange and wondrous every time.
‘Now that I think about it…’
She remembered something: the seed.
After collapsing in the imperial palace, she realized she had lost the seed Akron gave her.
She searched through her clothes and had the maids help look everywhere—
But it was gone.
‘It was supposed to be precious…’
Worse still—it had been a gift from him, like a protective charm.
She felt both sad and guilty.
Eventually, she confessed it to Akron.
But instead of blaming her, he had gently patted her head.
‘That seed already fulfilled its purpose.’
He had said it with a soft smile.
She looked puzzled, not understanding—
But he had simply kissed her forehead without saying more.
‘I still don’t know what he meant…’
Though she had a guess.
It had likely been lost in the guest room of the imperial palace, where she had fought with her brother.
Later, she had someone search for the pouch, but they never found it.
Still, strangely, she didn’t feel too disappointed.
Maybe she already knew deep down that it wouldn’t come back.
