WDHTMU | CHAPTER 35

Chapter 35

Urian let out a half-laugh, half-sigh.

“Strange, isn’t it?”

“Strange? It’s downright bizarre. That man, among humans, doesn’t he especially dislike women…?”

Yurian gave an awkward smile.

“It’s not so much women in general… He finds those desperate for his attention unbearable.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying this woman isn’t like that?”

He pictured the two of them together, recalling the scene with something close to disbelief.

Has the Duke… ever held such a light, meaningless conversation and actually enjoyed it?

And to think—it was the kind of exchange that would have ended the moment Claudio stopped speaking. 

By all appearances, the interest was…

…on the Duke’s side, if anything.

Yurian decided that was not a detail worth mentioning. 

He simply nodded.

“Yes.”

“That—! Impossible. I’m certain she’s just pretending to be innocent while scheming to seduce the Duke! Mark my words, the moment he lets his guard down, she’ll seize the chance and demand a leap in status!”

Urian almost laughed aloud. 

Claudio, of all people, falling victim to such a ploy? 

Even injured, a hundred women like Marsha wouldn’t be enough to bring him down.

Besides…

“She doesn’t even know he’s the Duke. From the look of it, he plans to keep it that way—he hasn’t even told her he’s a noble.”

“Then… are you telling me she’s not even serving the Duke right now?”

Visd’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“She knows he’s with the ducal household. Which means she’d never dare treat him carelessly.”

Urian’s eyes crinkled in a small smile.

She had no idea her houseguest was spending his days trimming herbs.

“Well… that’s at least something. Still, I wish the Duke would return quickly.”

“As do I. But of course, we’ll need to finish the task he entrusted to us before then.”

Visd gave a firm nod, as though Urian had stated the most obvious truth in the world.

***

That evening, with the darkness settled thick outside, Claudio was watching Marsha prepare to sleep on the sofa, with a look of mild disapproval.

“Don’t you think it’s about time you let me win?”

“This sofa is really comfortable, you know.”

She flopped onto it with a satisfied sigh—then suddenly straightened.

“What? Feeling uncomfortable after all?” he teased.

“No, nothing like that. I just forgot to clear the table.”

Claudio turned his head toward the table, where several wooden jars sat.

“Where do you want them?”

“Huh? Oh, no—it’s fine, I’ll do it.”

“It’s fine. Whoever’s already standing will be faster than the one lying down. Besides, my legs are longer.”

His lips curved into a faint smirk. 

Marsha pursed her lips and glared at him.

If only he didn’t tack on remarks like that, I might actually be more grateful…

“Just put them in the cupboard beside you.”

Claudio had just picked one up when he paused.

“What is it?”

“I think… I smell flowers.”

“Oh—that’s a hand cream. I added a bit of floral essence. Not easy to make, so I only put in a little. Can you smell it?”

He nodded.

“Does adding that make it work better?”

“Lavender does have a calming effect, but with such a tiny amount, you can’t expect much from it.”

“Then why add it at all?”

“Because even a faint floral scent can make you feel good when you use it.”

As he tucked the jar into the cupboard, Claudio asked,
“Do you use it yourself?”

“No, not really. And if I do, I prefer the unscented kind.”

Just as he suspected. 

He’d caught hints of lavender from her now and then, but if it were from this cream, the scent would have been much stronger—pure lavender, not the subtle blend he noticed.

“Why make something you don’t even use?”

“I made it as a gift.”

She shrugged as if it were obvious.

He started toward the bedroom, tossing the question over his shoulder.

“For who?”

“For Berry, of course.”

“Did you really make that much just for one friend?”

“I made some for Berry’s family, too.”

“How many in the family?”

“Just her parents… Wait a second—why are you interrogating me like this?”

Inside the bedroom, his hand rested casually on the doorknob, his lips curling into a faint smile.

“No reason. Just curious.”

“You’re curious about the strangest things…”

“That’s how I am. Anyway, thanks for satisfying my curiosity. Now I can sleep peacefully.”

He turned his head toward her.

“Have a good night.”

“…Right. Sleep well.”

When Claudio shut the door, Marsha let her head sink back onto the sofa cushion.

What a cheeky way to say goodnight.

And yet… she couldn’t quite bring herself to dislike it.

Maybe it’s just because it’s a good night at all…

With a faint smile tugging at her lips, she closed her eyes. 

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when—

Huh?

She’d only just fallen asleep, so why did the world feel so bright?

As she sat up, her eyes widened in surprise.

Every morning until now, her body had felt heavy, sluggish… but today, it was light as air.

Like I’m filled with feathers.

Her steps were almost light as she walked outside—and then she stopped, breath catching.

Wow…

The sky’s blue seemed impossibly clear today, the clouds dazzlingly white and fluffy. 

The forest shimmered as though each leaf had drunk deep from a fresh rain.

Ah… it feels wonderful.

Drawn as if by some invisible thread, Marsha wandered into the woods, inhaling the scents that danced at the tip of her nose—the damp, comforting smell of earth, the crisp aroma of trees, and a sweet floral note that made her lips curve in contentment.

She didn’t know how far she’d gone before she spotted Berry in the distance, waving wildly.

What’s she doing here?

… Oh. Right. They had made plans to meet today.

We were going to spend the whole day together.

Come to think of it, since settling here, she hadn’t taken a full day to simply rest.

Today would be a rare luxury—and a precious one.

Together they reached a lake she’d never seen before. 

Sunlight scattered across its surface like powdered jewels, swans gliding in elegant formation as if performing on a grand stage.

Around the shore, soft-hued flowers swayed lazily whenever the breeze passed by.

You could stay here all day and never tire of it.

Right now the water gleamed blue, but at sunset it would blaze gold, and when night came it would cradle the full, silvery moon, flaunting its quiet grace.

But it might be dangerous at night…

So they would have to leave early. 

It was a little disappointing, but even so, she was content. 

This moment alone was enough.

How did I live this long without knowing a place like this existed?

Not just this lake—everything she’d been seeing lately was peaceful and beautiful. 

So why had she never noticed before?

Why was I always struggling so hard?

She’d had no rent to pay, no debts hanging over her, no illness to battle, and no family depending on her. 

And yet…

A hand landed on her shoulder—broad, warm, and unmistakably a man’s. 

In that instant, a golden-haired figure flashed in her mind.

How did he find me here?

Had he been worried when she disappeared, like before, and come searching? 

A twinge of guilt mixed with embarrassment—and, selfishly, a small flutter of pleasure.

Berry cared for her, too, of course, but if Marsha suddenly went missing, Berry might not notice right away. 

They didn’t live together.

But this man… even if I’m gone for just a moment, he knows.

Living with someone meant constantly having things to mind, small inconveniences that crept into daily life.

But it wasn’t all bad. 

Moments like this reminded her—she wasn’t alone.

Honestly… She almost laughed at herself.

 Why am I thinking like this just because he came to find me?

It was strange. 

Normally, she’d never let such thoughts take root. 

And even if they did, she’d push them away, bury them deep.

But today… she couldn’t help being honest with herself.

Was it because the weather was so fine?

Or was it…

…because I’m happy?

That was when it happened.

A sound like thunder—or perhaps a guttural wail—split the air, tearing into her ears.

“How dare you be happy!”

“Ah!”

The cry ripped from her as she squeezed her eyes shut. 

In an instant, the world around her was swallowed by pitch-blackness.

W-what’s happening?

Forcing her trembling head to turn, she saw it—a human skull, gleaming bone-white in the darkness.

Ugh…!

Her face was drained of colour. The skeletal jaw split wide, as if it meant to devour her whole.

“Marsha! Marsha! How could you? How could you forget me and live, drunk on happiness?”

Forget? 

What was it talking about? 

She had never seen such a creature in her life!

She squeezed her eyes shut and twisted with all her strength, desperate to wrench free.

But instead of letting her go, the thing’s grip only tightened.

“Marsha! How could you betray me? After everything I did to raise you!”

What… What is it saying?

Her breath caught. 

She forced her eyes open again—and froze.

The creature’s bare skull, which only moments ago had been nothing but bone, now bore half a human face.

Her father’s face.

Twisted in grief.