Chapter 9
“What happened to that dress?”
Erno’s hand froze as he was wrapping the bandage on his arm. When he looked up, his eyes were full of anger as he glared at Veronica.
“Her Grace gave me permission.”
Erno was speechless. She gave permission? To share the bride’s ceremonial dress, of all things?
He wasn’t an expert in fashion or customs, but there were things that just made sense—and this definitely wasn’t one of them. And yet, Veronica had done it.
But since Diana had allowed it, Erno couldn’t scold her. He let out a long sigh, clearly unhappy.
“I heard she tried to kill herself on the wedding night.”
Clink. The soft sound of Veronica putting away the scissors and bandages followed.
“I told you, didn’t I? She’s just like all the others.”
“…I guess you did.”
Veronica closed the first-aid kit and sat beside Erno. She gently placed her hand on his and spoke softly.
“It’s better not to have false hope from the beginning. You know this already. The only one who truly loves and cares for you is me. What could be greater than loving the person who killed your parents?”
Erno didn’t reply. She was right again. Just like always. And she would never be wrong.
When the treatment was done, Erno looked around—but the Grand Duchess was nowhere to be seen. He clicked his tongue.
Of course. A few drops of blood—blood that wasn’t even mine—and she runs off.
“Where is she?”
But Akila’s answer caught him off guard.
“She went out for some fresh air. She’ll be back soon.”
“…Alone?”
Erno noticed a crack appear on the ever-loyal knight’s calm face. He scoffed.
He had never expected the northerners to welcome Diana. But he had at least expected her to be treated with basic courtesy as the Grand Duchess. Apparently, not even that.
“I apologize. I’ll go find her right away.”
“No, don’t. You said she’d be back soon, didn’t you?”
Erno leaned back in his chair. But then suddenly, as if changing his mind, he stood up again.
“Your Grace?”
“I’m going to find her.”
“Y-Yourself?”
Akila looked shocked. Erno stared at him, puzzled.
“What? Is there a problem?”
“N-No.”
It’s just… this has never happened before, Akila thought, but he kept those words to himself and bowed.
As Erno stepped outside the banquet hall, the cold northern wind slapped him in the face. For a second, he thought about going back inside.
His whole body was sore from the day’s hunt, and Veronica had even set up a temporary bed for him. Honestly, he wanted to skip the banquet and crawl into that bed.
But he kept seeing Diana standing all alone at the banquet. No one told her to stay. No one cared if she left. Yet she stayed like a fool—or maybe just stubborn.
People here didn’t go wandering in the winter forest for fun. So if she was out, she was likely alone in the garden.
As expected, Erno found her easily. You didn’t need to be a skilled hunter to follow the small footprints left on the snow.
On days when very fine snow fell, you could see the thin trails of wind across the frozen lake.
The wind wasn’t clear or foggy—it just glided across the ice like it had no weight.
Just like Diana now.
Every time the wind blew, her thick white hair floated gently. Erno was suddenly reminded of a winter fairy from a children’s tale.
A winter fairy who came down from the mountains in the form of a girl because she was curious about human life.
But unlike a fairy, the woman in front of him was human—his wife.
Just like the others.
“Looks like my words didn’t mean anything to you, Bi.”
“Erno?”
Of all people. Diana’s face fell. She would’ve rather run into a bear looking for water than him.
They were still some distance apart, but even from there, she could clearly see the disgust in his eyes.
“What are you thinking, wandering around without a guard?”
It sounded like he was worried. But the next words crushed that hope instantly.
“What would people think if they saw the Grand Duchess wandering alone by the lake like this? Do you even understand your position? I guess not. If you did, you wouldn’t have left the banquet.”
“…”
Diana’s head dropped, and she said nothing.
She had learned from Baron Lapin that in these situations, no matter what you say, it always sounds like an excuse.
“You’re not even going to defend yourself? Fine. I never expected you to act like a proper Grand Duchess anyway.”
Diana bit her lip hard. It hurt more than usual—maybe because she had just heard Akila say something kind right before leaving the banquet.
“Bi. Come here.”
After all those insults, Erno finally called her over. But Diana didn’t move. She looked past his shoulder.
She knew she should go. To prove him wrong, to act like a proper Grand Duchess. But she didn’t want to.
Still… I should go, right?
If she gave up the title of Grand Duchess, what would be left? Just her name—Diana—attached to nothing but the words ‘outsider’ or ‘unwanted guest.’
She didn’t want to throw it away.
But that didn’t mean she wanted to be dragged along like a loyal dog either.
“First, you should apologize.”
“…Hah.”
Diana took a step back—almost like she was ready to run into the forest if he didn’t. Erno flinched slightly for the first time.
“I don’t know what kind of people you’ve known before. But I can promise one thing. No matter what happens, I’ll stay by your side.”
At least until I can be something other than just the Grand Duchess, she added silently.
Erno said nothing. Diana hadn’t expected him to apologize. If he were the kind of man who would, he wouldn’t have insulted her to begin with.
“…Then prove it.”
As expected—wait, what? Diana’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Prove to me that you’re different from the others. Who knows? Maybe your lie will become the truth.”
Of course, he didn’t believe that. Right after he said it, he smirked—like he had already decided it was impossible.
“I’m different”? “I’ll stay by your side”? Lies.
He didn’t believe in any of it anymore.
But still, he said it—not because he meant it, but because he didn’t want to waste more time arguing.
Erno beckoned to her. Diana hesitated like a nervous rabbit, then slowly moved toward him.
CRACK!
A loud sound suddenly broke the silence.
Diana looked around, confused. It sounded like a thick branch snapping under the weight of snow—but it was clearer and sharper.
Erno’s expression changed instantly—almost pale.
He knew exactly what that sound was. He looked down at Diana’s feet.
Just moments ago, the lake’s surface had been like a dark mirror. But now, thin cracks like spiderwebs were spreading across it.
“Bi!”
His voice rose sharply, and Diana stopped in her tracks, startled.
Did she even know that the ice under her feet was the only thing separating her from death?
Of course not. This was the same girl who stared at icicles because they were pretty, not knowing how dangerous they were.
“Stay right there. Don’t move. Don’t do anything.”
If she panicked and ran, the ice could break. It was too risky.
Better he go to her than have her come to him.
“I’m coming to you. Just stay still.”
Without hesitation, Erno stepped onto the ice.
