Sylvia had been in a distraught state ever since she heard Thelma's story. She returned to her bedroom late at night and, unusually, did not lie down in bed and instead paced around her room.
'It seemed like the trust in Marquis Glever was very strong.'
In particular, Marquis Glever will be especially special to Randall. He is the one who united the unruly nobles and paved the way for his return.
'...Why on earth do I care so much?'
Sylvia flopped down on the edge of the bed, frowning. Although she hated to admit it, she was currently worried about Randall.
'If Marquis Glever had anything to do with the dark bugs, Randall would definitely be hurt.'
The beautiful face sank into darkness. Sylvia herself knew that the human heart is not eternal, so his betrayal was not that shocking.
But Randall. That foolish man will definitely be hurt. As deeply as he trusted and relied on his people.
Sylvia looked serious as she pondered the story she heard from Thelma during the day. At that time, Randall also finished his work and returned to the room.
When he saw Sylvia sitting on the edge of the bed, unlike usual, he trailed off at her in confusion.
“Sylvia? Why don't you lie down...”
When Randall tilted his head, his fine golden-brown hair tumbled along with his movement. Sylvia, who was staring at the figure, waved her hand.
“What are you doing standing there? Come here.”
"Yes?"
“You promised. From today, we will hug each other without a blanket. You’re not trying to break your promise, are you?”
"Ah."
“Come up.”
Sylvia got under the blanket and patted the seat next to her. The white face was extremely innocent.
“...Ha, my God.”
Randall covered his eyes with one hand for a moment, looked at the ceiling, and sighed deeply. If he were to ask his wife, who has such an innocent face, ‘Does she know how dangerous she is saying things?’
“Sylvia? Why don't you lie down...”
When Randall tilted his head, his fine golden-brown hair tumbled along with his movement. Sylvia, who was staring at the figure, waved her hand.
“What are you doing standing there? Come here.”
"Yes?"
“You promised. From today, we will hug each other without a blanket. You’re not trying to break your promise, are you?”
"Ah."
“Come up.”
Sylvia got under the blanket and patted the seat next to her. The white face was extremely innocent.
“...Ha, my God.”
Randall covered his eyes with one hand for a moment, looked at the ceiling, and sighed deeply. If he were to ask his wife, who has such an innocent face, ‘Does she know how dangerous she is saying things?’
She would call me crazy, right?
He climbed into bed with cautious movements, pledging himself not to be disturbed by his brief visit to God.
As soon as Randall lay down, Sylvia slowly moved her body and hugged him. Randall hugged her, being careful not to touch her lower body. Anyway, a promise is a promise. He held her hand, half out of habit, and her brow furrowed.
“I feel full.”
"Is it so? But even though I came back from a walk in the morning and stayed under the fire the entire time.”
“It’s good to work hard to recover, but it’s still cold... Sylvia?”
Randall took a deep breath in embarrassment when Sylvia's hands, which had been holding him, began to fumble along his back. Randall reflexively grabbed Sylvia's shoulder and squeezed her hand that was trying to snatch him. Unfortunately, people who had not fully recovered could not easily touch it for fear of overdoing it. In the end, even though he was a mountain-sized man and had the grip strength to crush even a monster's head, he could do nothing and only smack his lips.
“Madam, what on earth is this?”
“Just stay still for a moment. I’m not trying to be harsh.”
“If this isn’t something harsh, then...”
A delicate hand passed over the thin gown. It would have been better if the contact had been made properly, but the light brushing of the hand, like a mirage, as if anxious, was more difficult. Randall, who had moaned involuntarily from the tickling, gritted his teeth. The muscles in his neck and arms were tense and tense.
“Sylvia. I think it would be better to sleep.”
Randall internally blamed himself, wondering how he was any different from an animal. His low warning voice was murky. But Sylvia did not listen and continued to grope his back. In the end, Randall relaxed and was about to grab Sylvia's wrist. She stopped her hand first.
'Here...'
Sylvia slightly frowned. It was an action she was not even conscious of. Beyond the thin silk gown. She felt a lumpy texture on her fingertips. It was his scar.
'It's not just one or two.'
Small scars were spread all over Randall's back. Nowadays, the scar is about the size of a finger, but if it had been a scar from when he was young, it would have covered half of his back at that time.
'I'll have to do a little digging on Marquis Glever.'
It was Sylvia who had half-heartedly tried to attack Randall last night, but it was true that she was worried about him. Of course, she tried to deny that fact.
'If you go outside under the pretext of conducting an investigation, the chances of getting involved in an accident will increase.'
Sylvia ruthlessly rationalized her actions and stroked her hair. She was the one who would soon leave Randall anyway. It is right for her to be wary of her becoming attached to him and him being attached to her, for the sake of both parties.
'It's a marital relationship that becomes meaningless once the minimum obligations are fulfilled.'
Sylvia instinctively repeated that thought over and over again. It was like the defensive instinct of someone who felt a sense of crisis.
“You guys are still rude. Even though I’m not your daughter.”
“When did we call you daughter? We said you were like a daughter!”
“You’re still as picky as ever!”
The merchants did not flinch and burst into laughter despite Rubia's blunt reply. Rubia also only spoke coldly, but her attitude towards them was polite. Rubia, who was chatting with the merchants, suddenly turned his head as if he felt someone's gaze. When she found Sylvia staring at her, she wrinkled her face.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“No, honestly, it’s surprising.”
“What?”
“I thought you would hate such a busy and noisy place.”
Rubia snorted as if it was absurd at Sylvia's unblinking attitude after openly disparaging her.
“I am also a northerner. What is surprising about you trying to do the bare minimum as one of the nobles who rule this land?”
“As expected, it’s unexpected.”
“Have you said everything now?”
“Can’t you even tell a joke?”
“I feel full.”
"Is it so? But even though I came back from a walk in the morning and stayed under the fire the entire time.”
“It’s good to work hard to recover, but it’s still cold... Sylvia?”
Randall took a deep breath in embarrassment when Sylvia's hands, which had been holding him, began to fumble along his back. Randall reflexively grabbed Sylvia's shoulder and squeezed her hand that was trying to snatch him. Unfortunately, people who had not fully recovered could not easily touch it for fear of overdoing it. In the end, even though he was a mountain-sized man and had the grip strength to crush even a monster's head, he could do nothing and only smack his lips.
“Madam, what on earth is this?”
“Just stay still for a moment. I’m not trying to be harsh.”
“If this isn’t something harsh, then...”
A delicate hand passed over the thin gown. It would have been better if the contact had been made properly, but the light brushing of the hand, like a mirage, as if anxious, was more difficult. Randall, who had moaned involuntarily from the tickling, gritted his teeth. The muscles in his neck and arms were tense and tense.
“Sylvia. I think it would be better to sleep.”
Randall internally blamed himself, wondering how he was any different from an animal. His low warning voice was murky. But Sylvia did not listen and continued to grope his back. In the end, Randall relaxed and was about to grab Sylvia's wrist. She stopped her hand first.
'Here...'
Sylvia slightly frowned. It was an action she was not even conscious of. Beyond the thin silk gown. She felt a lumpy texture on her fingertips. It was his scar.
'It's not just one or two.'
Small scars were spread all over Randall's back. Nowadays, the scar is about the size of a finger, but if it had been a scar from when he was young, it would have covered half of his back at that time.
It felt like the story Thelma had told her suddenly appeared before me with substance. To prove himself and not lose his place. A boy who had to jump in front of a monster at the age of eight.
“...Sylvia.”
Meanwhile, when Sylvia stopped moving, Randall, who was staring at her face, smiled like a sigh.
"I don't know if I was being presumptuous. Sorry, Master."
A few hours ago. When he returned to the mansion, Thelma, who was waiting for him, handed him an apple with her dark face. Thanks to that, Randall knew roughly what Thelma had said to Sylvia. It's probably the same reason why she has a sullen face that doesn't seem like herself.
“...Sylvia.”
Meanwhile, when Sylvia stopped moving, Randall, who was staring at her face, smiled like a sigh.
"I don't know if I was being presumptuous. Sorry, Master."
A few hours ago. When he returned to the mansion, Thelma, who was waiting for him, handed him an apple with her dark face. Thanks to that, Randall knew roughly what Thelma had said to Sylvia. It's probably the same reason why she has a sullen face that doesn't seem like herself.
Randall hugged Sylvia with such strength that it didn't hurt her, but patted her back.
“I’m fine, so don’t make that face.”
“...”
“It’s really okay.”
Sylvia still had no answer even then. Randel covered his mouth with one hand, feeling as if a new smile would leak out of his lips, which was not appropriate for the situation.
'Are you worried?'
He knew he shouldn't do this, but to be honest, he was a little happy. Although he may say that what Sylvia feels now is closer to sympathy. His heart tingled with joy that she was showing the slightest human interest in him.
“I’m fine, so don’t make that face.”
“...”
“It’s really okay.”
Sylvia still had no answer even then. Randel covered his mouth with one hand, feeling as if a new smile would leak out of his lips, which was not appropriate for the situation.
'Are you worried?'
He knew he shouldn't do this, but to be honest, he was a little happy. Although he may say that what Sylvia feels now is closer to sympathy. His heart tingled with joy that she was showing the slightest human interest in him.
At that moment, Sylvia, who had been silent, suddenly buried her head in Randall's arms. He flinched greatly at the feeling of lips brushing through the gaping opening of his gown.
"Ma'am?"
Suddenly, Randall came to his senses with a dizzying sensation in the back of his head, and before he knew it, the straps on my gown were all undone.
“What is this...?!”
He was caught off guard by the thought that Sylvia was worried about him. Randall realized his mistake too late and hurriedly took Sylvia away from him and wrapped her in a blanket.
"Ma'am?"
Suddenly, Randall came to his senses with a dizzying sensation in the back of his head, and before he knew it, the straps on my gown were all undone.
“What is this...?!”
He was caught off guard by the thought that Sylvia was worried about him. Randall realized his mistake too late and hurriedly took Sylvia away from him and wrapped her in a blanket.
She clicked her tongue in an expressionless manner as if asking when he had had such a glum face.
'It was dangerous.'
A little while ago, Sylvia was tracing the scar on Randall's back and suddenly came to her senses with the thought, 'What am I doing now?'
'It was dangerous.'
A little while ago, Sylvia was tracing the scar on Randall's back and suddenly came to her senses with the thought, 'What am I doing now?'
The moment she came to her senses, the warning of her instincts also returned. It's dangerous if they continue like this. Be it body or mind.
'...A guy a few hundred years younger than me.'
Sylvia's pride was hurt by the fact that her composure was constantly shaken by the pale young man. So she was a little spiteful and mischievous, trying to get Randall away from her. Anyway, even though she did this, if the reaction is like that, it's impossible...
'...Well, that wasn't it.'
Sylvia, recalling what happened last time, corrected her thoughts. Meanwhile, Randall was immersed in happy thoughts and then asked absurdly, feeling as if he had been doused with cold water.
“Sylvia, what did you just...?”
He was shocked to witness his wife, who had grown up living in a luxurious mansion all her life, clicking her tongue with the face of a back alley bully. Then Sylvia quickly changed her expression and smiled shamelessly.
“Oh my, what am I? Rather than that, didn’t we have a good mood just now? I think it would be good to continue.”
“...This won't work. Hugging without a blanket is again prohibited.”
"I beg your pardon? Where can you find something like that?”
Sylvia protested strongly, but Randall remained steadfast, saying that she was the one who broke the deal in the first place. In the end, Sylvia couldn't avoid the bugs that dried on her blanket again today.
'...A guy a few hundred years younger than me.'
Sylvia's pride was hurt by the fact that her composure was constantly shaken by the pale young man. So she was a little spiteful and mischievous, trying to get Randall away from her. Anyway, even though she did this, if the reaction is like that, it's impossible...
'...Well, that wasn't it.'
Sylvia, recalling what happened last time, corrected her thoughts. Meanwhile, Randall was immersed in happy thoughts and then asked absurdly, feeling as if he had been doused with cold water.
“Sylvia, what did you just...?”
He was shocked to witness his wife, who had grown up living in a luxurious mansion all her life, clicking her tongue with the face of a back alley bully. Then Sylvia quickly changed her expression and smiled shamelessly.
“Oh my, what am I? Rather than that, didn’t we have a good mood just now? I think it would be good to continue.”
“...This won't work. Hugging without a blanket is again prohibited.”
"I beg your pardon? Where can you find something like that?”
Sylvia protested strongly, but Randall remained steadfast, saying that she was the one who broke the deal in the first place. In the end, Sylvia couldn't avoid the bugs that dried on her blanket again today.
***
'I'll have to do a little digging on Marquis Glever.'
It was Sylvia who had half-heartedly tried to attack Randall last night, but it was true that she was worried about him. Of course, she tried to deny that fact.
'If you go outside under the pretext of conducting an investigation, the chances of getting involved in an accident will increase.'
Sylvia ruthlessly rationalized her actions and stroked her hair. She was the one who would soon leave Randall anyway. It is right for her to be wary of her becoming attached to him and him being attached to her, for the sake of both parties.
'It's a marital relationship that becomes meaningless once the minimum obligations are fulfilled.'
Sylvia instinctively repeated that thought over and over again. It was like the defensive instinct of someone who felt a sense of crisis.
Sylvia, who regained her composure, quietly closed her eyes and leaned her back against the wall in the hallway. It wasn't long before the door next to her clicked open. The woman who appeared beyond the door stopped in her tracks in shock when she saw Sylvia standing in her hallway.
“... Princess?"
“Good afternoon, Lady Marquis Glever.”
Sylvia gave a refreshing greeting and smiled sweetly.
Rubia frowned and took a step back as if she was suspicious of Sylvia suddenly smiling brightly in front of her.
“What are you doing up to here?”
“It’s a nice day, so I’m planning to go on an outing, but I don’t have anyone to go with.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s inconvenient.”
“Ah, can’t we get closer just by saving your life once?”
“...Please wait a moment. I will come prepared.”
When Sylvia naturally reminded her that she was her benefactor, Rubia sighed and followed her. The two people came outside with several employees and escorts. Rubia asked curiously.
“Aren’t you traveling by carriage?”
“Instead of taking a walk today.”
In fact, riding the carriage alone with Rubia would only increase the awkwardness, so her intention was to neutralize the discomfort by blending in with the crowd.
“... Princess?"
“Good afternoon, Lady Marquis Glever.”
Sylvia gave a refreshing greeting and smiled sweetly.
Rubia frowned and took a step back as if she was suspicious of Sylvia suddenly smiling brightly in front of her.
“What are you doing up to here?”
“It’s a nice day, so I’m planning to go on an outing, but I don’t have anyone to go with.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s inconvenient.”
“Ah, can’t we get closer just by saving your life once?”
“...Please wait a moment. I will come prepared.”
When Sylvia naturally reminded her that she was her benefactor, Rubia sighed and followed her. The two people came outside with several employees and escorts. Rubia asked curiously.
“Aren’t you traveling by carriage?”
“Instead of taking a walk today.”
In fact, riding the carriage alone with Rubia would only increase the awkwardness, so her intention was to neutralize the discomfort by blending in with the crowd.
First, you have to lower your guard so you can naturally think about Marquis Glever.
Sylvia walked about two steps ahead of Rubia, with Geoffrey following as her escort, looking back occasionally. She soon saw an unexpected sight and her eyes widened.
“Oh my, who is this! My lady!”
The merchants on the street were happy to see Rubia and pretended to know her. Ruba still accepted their greeting with a cold face.
“Oh my, who is this! My lady!”
The merchants on the street were happy to see Rubia and pretended to know her. Ruba still accepted their greeting with a cold face.
“You guys are still rude. Even though I’m not your daughter.”
“When did we call you daughter? We said you were like a daughter!”
“You’re still as picky as ever!”
The merchants did not flinch and burst into laughter despite Rubia's blunt reply. Rubia also only spoke coldly, but her attitude towards them was polite. Rubia, who was chatting with the merchants, suddenly turned his head as if he felt someone's gaze. When she found Sylvia staring at her, she wrinkled her face.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“No, honestly, it’s surprising.”
“What?”
“I thought you would hate such a busy and noisy place.”
Rubia snorted as if it was absurd at Sylvia's unblinking attitude after openly disparaging her.
“I am also a northerner. What is surprising about you trying to do the bare minimum as one of the nobles who rule this land?”
“As expected, it’s unexpected.”
“Have you said everything now?”
“Can’t you even tell a joke?”
“We’re not close enough to joke around.”
She seems like a woman comparable to Randall in terms of strictness. Sylvia grumbled inwardly, but she needed to get to know Rubia now. She shrugged her shoulders and picked up a butterfly headdress that was sitting on a stand.
“Okay. I’m giving you this as an apology.”
“No need...”
“Oh my, if you’re going to talk about this product, it’s me! Made with ingredients found all the way to the West! It’s a handmade headdress!”
“...”
Rubia, who had been responding irritably, kept her mouth shut at the merchant's words. The merchant was giving a series of descriptions of his products as if he had not noticed any such signs. Sylvia held back her laughter and paid the price through Thelma.
“...Thank you."
Rubia, with a face that didn't show any gratitude, took the headdress and nodded innocently.
'Cute.'
Sylvia eventually smiled slightly at that cute attitude. Of course, from the first time she met her, she found it offensive that she gently scratched people with her smiling face. Because Rubia was a few hundred years younger than her, she didn't really mind.
'Of course, I need an excuse to stay in the North now, so I can't just accept it...'
It was none of her business until after Sylvia herself died. She is just a temporary person who comes into Randall's life. As an uninvited guest, it would not be a bad idea for her to marry Rubis to Randall as originally planned once she is gone.
She seems like a woman comparable to Randall in terms of strictness. Sylvia grumbled inwardly, but she needed to get to know Rubia now. She shrugged her shoulders and picked up a butterfly headdress that was sitting on a stand.
“Okay. I’m giving you this as an apology.”
“No need...”
“Oh my, if you’re going to talk about this product, it’s me! Made with ingredients found all the way to the West! It’s a handmade headdress!”
“...”
Rubia, who had been responding irritably, kept her mouth shut at the merchant's words. The merchant was giving a series of descriptions of his products as if he had not noticed any such signs. Sylvia held back her laughter and paid the price through Thelma.
“...Thank you."
Rubia, with a face that didn't show any gratitude, took the headdress and nodded innocently.
'Cute.'
Sylvia eventually smiled slightly at that cute attitude. Of course, from the first time she met her, she found it offensive that she gently scratched people with her smiling face. Because Rubia was a few hundred years younger than her, she didn't really mind.
'Of course, I need an excuse to stay in the North now, so I can't just accept it...'
It was none of her business until after Sylvia herself died. She is just a temporary person who comes into Randall's life. As an uninvited guest, it would not be a bad idea for her to marry Rubis to Randall as originally planned once she is gone.
Rubia may be overly loyal, but she does not seem to be an evil person, and as long as there are no problems with the Marquis of Glever, her family will be of great help to Randall.
“..."
Suddenly, the smile disappeared from Sylvia's lips. She consciously put her fake smile back on her face and started walking.
“Shall we just leave?”
“..."
Suddenly, the smile disappeared from Sylvia's lips. She consciously put her fake smile back on her face and started walking.
“Shall we just leave?”
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