TMSB Ch#09

The woman approached even earlier than expected.

There were still matters to settle in the Cigars Empire, but the shorter the wait, the better. He liked Psyche’s decisiveness.

“I’ll have to dispose of it.”

The man clicked his tongue as he took out a monocle from his pocket.

Psyche’s pink eyes, filled with suspicion, clearly caught sight of the monocle.

He stared quietly at the shimmering, transparent lake and then slid his hand over the surface.

Ssshh—

The monocle slipped from his weakened grip like fine sand.

Plop. Ripples disturbed the calm surface as the water stirred.

But the moment he turned his back, the lake returned to its serene stillness, as if nothing had happened.

—

Once Psyche made her decision, everything proceeded smoothly.

Rumors spread that she had accepted the Grand Duke’s proposal, and the Border Count of Erisichton no longer bothered her. Even his tiresome habit of burning her suitors’ letters every morning came to an end.

It was a peaceful time. Occasionally, dark thoughts would creep in, but she would erase them from her mind like a blank slate.

Joy, sorrow, fear — all of it slowly faded from Psyche’s heart.

She simply lived.

She woke with the morning, engaged in mundane chatter, and carried on her daily struggle to survive.

In that routine, there was no room for idle thoughts.

“Psyche.”

A gentle voice called out as the mattress shifted beside her.

Psyche slowly opened her eyelids, searching through the darkness for the silhouette.

“…Mother. It’s late.”

“You’re leaving tomorrow. The thought kept me awake.”

The Baroness stroked Psyche’s hair with tender hands, her expression filled with sorrow as she gazed at her daughter.

“When you were little, you always wanted to sleep beside me. Do you remember? Crying with your pillow in hand because you thought there was a monster under your bed. You were so adorable then.”

“…”

“You were so small… How did you grow up so fast?”

“I’m alright, Mother. Nowadays, payment deadlines scare me more than monsters.”

Psyche laughed lightly, joking.

She meant it — she was truly okay.

In truth, she wasn’t in a position to choose her own marriage.

Even if she had desired to marry the Grand Duke, her father, Baron Clement, would never have allowed it.

Psyche planned to leave before her father regained his strength. It was a sudden decision, but she had no regrets.

“Psyche, my darling. That place is far more beautiful than you imagine.”

In the darkness, only vague outlines could be seen.

“But beauty can’t solve everything. Remember, my child, you’ll always have a place to return to.”

Though the Baroness couldn’t read Psyche’s thoughts, she understood her daughter’s heart.

“Do you know what kind of place it is, Mother?”

When Psyche asked, the Baroness chuckled softly.

“Of course. I’ve never seen it with my own eyes, but I’ve heard it’s a very beautiful place. Psyche, my dear… All I wanted was for you to be happy. I’ve made so many mistakes, but…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence. She simply leaned down and held Psyche tightly.

Just as the Baroness understood Psyche, Psyche also understood her mother’s heart.

She was likely overcome with guilt and powerlessness as she prepared to let her daughter go.

“Your father and I always want you to be happy, Psyche.”

Her refined voice trembled noticeably.

As warmth spread from her mother’s embrace, Psyche said nothing and buried her face in her arms.

There was a faint smell of ink on her mother. Since the last servant in the mansion had vanished for the day, it was clear what her mother had spent her time doing.

“…Mother.”

Her mother’s comforting warmth and endlessly caring voice.

She must have written letters to anyone she still had ties to, not wanting to send her daughter away like some piece of merchandise.

That kind of life would surely lead to unhappiness.

Psyche began to cry silently into her mother’s arms.

She didn’t care if she stained her mother’s tidy clothes. This would be the last time she could show any weakness.

And so, time marched on, and the sun rose to greet a new day.

Psyche opened her eyes and sat before the mirror. It was time to prepare to depart for the Grand Duchy.

—

The Grand Duke had sent a messenger.

He came with blue eyes, a horse, and a small carriage.

The Baroness looked visibly disappointed at the humble welcome, but Psyche felt no particular emotion.

It was simply the treatment she deserved.

The relationship between her and the Grand Duke was clearly that of debtor and creditor.

He had agreed to repay the debt of Psyche and Baron Clement’s household — with Psyche as collateral.

Before boarding the carriage, Psyche turned to look back at Baron Clement’s estate. The damage from the torrential rain remained clearly visible.

The once-proud garden now looked like a wasteland.

The heavy rain, which once seemed to wash away the world, had passed, and autumn had arrived — making everything starkly clear.

“Give my regards to Father, Mother.”

The early departure had been Psyche’s decision.

She didn’t want to waste time with useless thoughts, nor did she want to see her father before he rose from his sickbed.

Fortunately, her father was still unaware of the current household affairs.

Psyche had gradually taken on the role of family head in his absence.

She felt as if she was committing a sin, knowing this choice would cause her father great shock and guilt.

“…I’m sorry, Psyche.”

The Baroness lowered her head, unable to hold back her tears.

Psyche held her mother’s hand with a bitter smile.

She had always loved those hands — their warmth and familiar scent made her feel loved and thankful.

But now, they bore traces of hardship.

Psyche looked at her mother’s weathered hands and the handkerchief she had given her.

Calloused palms, rough skin, and uneven stitching on the embroidery — all of it showed her mother had stepped out of her sheltered life.

“Everything will be alright, Mother.”

You won’t have to suffer like this anymore.

Psyche swallowed the words and smiled softly.

When she turned around, the Grand Duke’s envoy extended his large hand to escort her.

Psyche slowly erased her smile and placed her hand in his.

—

“The journey to the Grand Duchy will be rather tiring.”

The man drew the curtain over the carriage window, blocking her view.

Psyche, who had been gazing out in silence, finally spoke.

“Is it normal in the Grand Duchy for a bride and a strange man to ride together?”

“In any case where there’s risk of escape, yes.”

“…That’s a rather discourteous answer for a lady.”

She met his eyes and responded in a dry tone.

His gaze, though briefly entangled with hers, showed no reaction.

He answered casually.

“The Grand Duchy is a land of beautiful snowfields. Your arrival will likely coincide with the first heavy snowfall.”

Psyche closed her eyes, offering no response. With the curtain drawn, there was nothing to look at. Not even the man’s handsome face brought any comfort.

In the pitch-black darkness, his neutral voice continued.

“I hope you’ll come to love it there. My lord wishes it.”

My lord.

Every time he mentioned his lord, Psyche felt uneasy.

The man seemed utterly devoted, willing to do anything for his master.

“Yes. I’ll try to love it.”

She had been given many chances. Everything was her own choice — and those choices had led her here.

So Psyche decided she would try to love what she had chosen.

“…What kind of place is the Grand Duchy?”

Lost in thought, she slowly opened her eyes and asked.

The man must have been watching her — their eyes met instantly.

His cold gaze pierced through her.

“The day is short there. From about 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the day ends.”

“Because the sun sets early?”

“Yes. During the heavy snowfall, polar nights begin. Unlike the empire, most activity halts temporarily in the Grand Duchy during this time.”

Psyche let out a small gasp

in response.

A place where the night lasts all day — it was a world completely unlike what she knew.

She had always been too busy surviving to imagine a new world.

Maybe it wouldn’t be as unhappy as she had thought.

…Maybe.