Rubia was able to maintain her position as successor thanks to her efforts to publicize the rebellion. However, since treason was a serious crime, Marquis Glever was demoted to the Count. Rubia humbly accepted that fact.
It was a great mercy just because the family itself did not fall. As time passed and Rubia's wounds were all recovered, she left the ball and returned to her own estate.
“Thank you for taking care of me all this time. I’ll just go.”
“I guess you’ll be a Countess starting from the upcoming social season. Go back carefully.”
"Thank you."
Rubia bowed politely to Randall and then turned to look at Sylvia next to her. She gazed intently at Sylvia's face for a moment before she returned to her picturesque form.
“I hope Madam stays healthy too.”
“...Yes."
Since her attitude was completely different from the first time they met, Sylvia nodded with a somewhat strange feeling. Finally, Rubia, who slightly bowed her head to the couple, got into the carriage and left. The retainers who attended the banquet left immediately after the hunting competition, so she was the last of them.
‘It will be quiet for a while. It will all be meaningless once the social season starts anyway.'
Sylvia looked back at the strangely quiet castle and thought with satisfaction. But her thoughts were shattered in less than an hour.
“Master, Madam. There is news that Count Florette and his wife entered the estate a little while ago.”
"Ah."
She forgot about it for a while, but this is what happened in the end.
Sylvia, who was picking up a teacup, stopped and asked again. The Count desperately held back his tears and stuttered.
“It’s the same with this treason, and the last time at the banquet hall, it was huft huft...”
“Breathe, honey.”
“So, shouldn’t you eat it rather than me?”
Sylvia gritted her teeth with a smile at Randall, who was recommending her food, mainly health foods, as usual. Randall pretended not to see it, partly out of intention and partly because he wanted to take care of Sylvia, and continued to offer her food.
“Thank you for taking care of me all this time. I’ll just go.”
“I guess you’ll be a Countess starting from the upcoming social season. Go back carefully.”
"Thank you."
Rubia bowed politely to Randall and then turned to look at Sylvia next to her. She gazed intently at Sylvia's face for a moment before she returned to her picturesque form.
“I hope Madam stays healthy too.”
“...Yes."
Since her attitude was completely different from the first time they met, Sylvia nodded with a somewhat strange feeling. Finally, Rubia, who slightly bowed her head to the couple, got into the carriage and left. The retainers who attended the banquet left immediately after the hunting competition, so she was the last of them.
‘It will be quiet for a while. It will all be meaningless once the social season starts anyway.'
Sylvia looked back at the strangely quiet castle and thought with satisfaction. But her thoughts were shattered in less than an hour.
“Master, Madam. There is news that Count Florette and his wife entered the estate a little while ago.”
"Ah."
She forgot about it for a while, but this is what happened in the end.
Sylvia sighed deeply as she enjoyed seeing her parents' reactions before her eyes.
***
Just as expected.
“Sylvia! How are you feeling?”
“Sylvia! How are you feeling?”
“Baby!”
As soon as Count Florette and his wife got off the carriage, they hugged Sylvia in tears. Sylvia hugged them with a soulless smile, wondering how their reaction was not even an inch different from what she expected.
“You came. Mother, father.”
“Everyone, please go in and talk. The wind is cold.”
Randall led Sylvia, the Count, and his wife inside with concern in his eyes. After taking the Count and Sylvia to the drawing room, he left for a moment to tell them to prepare a meal. As soon as the Countess sat down on the sofa, her worries poured out.
“What about your back injury? I wanted to come as soon as I heard you were injured, but they said the barrier wasn’t stable.”
“Sigh.”
The Count agreed to this with tears in his eyes. Afterward, Sylvia had to sweat to stop the Countess, who rolled up her sleeves and said that she needed to check whether her wounds were well healed.
'I want to sleep..."
For a moment, Sylvia thought, looking ten years older. Since coming to the North, she has been taking various health foods and medicines, and her activity level has increased, but her physical strength is still at rock bottom. It meant she was tired enough to fall asleep as soon as she laid her head on the bed.
'This too shall pass.'
Sylvia was repeating those words to herself and hoping that this time would pass quickly. The Count, who had barely stopped crying, opened his mouth sobbing.
“Sylvia.”
“Yes, father.”
“Are you planning on coming back to Florette?”
“...Yes?"
As soon as Count Florette and his wife got off the carriage, they hugged Sylvia in tears. Sylvia hugged them with a soulless smile, wondering how their reaction was not even an inch different from what she expected.
“You came. Mother, father.”
“Everyone, please go in and talk. The wind is cold.”
Randall led Sylvia, the Count, and his wife inside with concern in his eyes. After taking the Count and Sylvia to the drawing room, he left for a moment to tell them to prepare a meal. As soon as the Countess sat down on the sofa, her worries poured out.
“What about your back injury? I wanted to come as soon as I heard you were injured, but they said the barrier wasn’t stable.”
“Sigh.”
The Count agreed to this with tears in his eyes. Afterward, Sylvia had to sweat to stop the Countess, who rolled up her sleeves and said that she needed to check whether her wounds were well healed.
'I want to sleep..."
For a moment, Sylvia thought, looking ten years older. Since coming to the North, she has been taking various health foods and medicines, and her activity level has increased, but her physical strength is still at rock bottom. It meant she was tired enough to fall asleep as soon as she laid her head on the bed.
'This too shall pass.'
Sylvia was repeating those words to herself and hoping that this time would pass quickly. The Count, who had barely stopped crying, opened his mouth sobbing.
“Sylvia.”
“Yes, father.”
“Are you planning on coming back to Florette?”
“...Yes?"
Sylvia, who was picking up a teacup, stopped and asked again. The Count desperately held back his tears and stuttered.
“It’s the same with this treason, and the last time at the banquet hall, it was huft huft...”
“Breathe, honey.”
“The same thing happened when I was attacked. I think the North is too dangerous for you.”
The Countess also nodded loudly with a worried face. Sylvia put down her teacup, hiding her embarrassed expression.
'...I barely managed to convince Randall. My parents are upset this time.'
She is not aiming for wealth, fame, or even the throne. She only wanted one death, but she didn't know why even that wasn't so easy. Anyway, once she leaves the North, her path to death becomes even more distant.
The Countess also nodded loudly with a worried face. Sylvia put down her teacup, hiding her embarrassed expression.
'...I barely managed to convince Randall. My parents are upset this time.'
She is not aiming for wealth, fame, or even the throne. She only wanted one death, but she didn't know why even that wasn't so easy. Anyway, once she leaves the North, her path to death becomes even more distant.
Sylvia pulled up the corners of her mouth as brightly as possible to hide her true feelings. As her words became more false, so did her smile.
“I completely understand your concerns. However, I like her husband so much that I have no confidence in staying away from him. I will stay here.”
Dump.
Dump.
Randall, who had just opened the door after finishing the meal instructions, lost strength in his legs when he heard those words and fell down on his knees, holding the door handle. It was only when Sylvia heard that sound that she realized that he had returned.
“Randall?”
“Syl, Sylvia. What just...”
Randall mumbled with a dazed look on his face, wondering if what had just happened was a dream, and then blushed furiously. When the Countess saw the scene, her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hand.
'Oh my, my.'
In fact, the Countess was full of worry until she arrived at the castle. It was the kind of marriage she chose for her daughter. How long has Sylvia been married and how many times has she already been through dangerous situations?
“Randall?”
“Syl, Sylvia. What just...”
Randall mumbled with a dazed look on his face, wondering if what had just happened was a dream, and then blushed furiously. When the Countess saw the scene, her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hand.
'Oh my, my.'
In fact, the Countess was full of worry until she arrived at the castle. It was the kind of marriage she chose for her daughter. How long has Sylvia been married and how many times has she already been through dangerous situations?
Although both the Count and Countess did not say anything, they were secretly blaming themselves for their decisions. Anxiety that their daughter's life may have been decided too early due to their own worries. But the scene that unfolded before their eyes was completely different from their worries. On the contrary, the sweet smell was so sweet that it made their worries pointless.
“Randall, are you okay? I think you just hit your knee on the floor.”
“No... Let’s go eat.”
Randall picked up his heart, which had fallen all the way to his toes, and stood up. When Sylvia realized that it was not 'Randall Belfort' that she liked, but rather his body, the opposite sex who had left the house returned. Randall, embarrassed by looking foolish in front of his father-in-law and mother-in-law, covered his face with both hands for a moment.
'Is it shameful that my lower body is weak?'
When he thinks about what happened last time, he doesn't think that's the case again. Sylvia tilted her head in confusion but decided to pretend not to notice. Of course, if Randall had found out, he would have cried out and hit the ground.
“Randall, are you okay? I think you just hit your knee on the floor.”
“No... Let’s go eat.”
Randall picked up his heart, which had fallen all the way to his toes, and stood up. When Sylvia realized that it was not 'Randall Belfort' that she liked, but rather his body, the opposite sex who had left the house returned. Randall, embarrassed by looking foolish in front of his father-in-law and mother-in-law, covered his face with both hands for a moment.
'Is it shameful that my lower body is weak?'
When he thinks about what happened last time, he doesn't think that's the case again. Sylvia tilted her head in confusion but decided to pretend not to notice. Of course, if Randall had found out, he would have cried out and hit the ground.
After many twists and turns, the group moved to a restaurant. The food prepared by the chef, who had heard that Sylvia's parents were visiting, was delicious to the point of admiration. But unfortunately, the Count and his wife were more preoccupied with Sylvia and Randall than with the meal.
“Eat more.”
“...You should eat it too. They say it’s good for your body.”
“Eat more.”
“...You should eat it too. They say it’s good for your body.”
“So, shouldn’t you eat it rather than me?”
Sylvia gritted her teeth with a smile at Randall, who was recommending her food, mainly health foods, as usual. Randall pretended not to see it, partly out of intention and partly because he wanted to take care of Sylvia, and continued to offer her food.
For the Count and his wife, who did not know the inside story, they seemed very friendly. Enough to swell the heart of the Countess, who would normally have withdrawn her gaze at the thought of rudeness.
"Excuse me."
The Countess, whose eyes had been shining since Randall collapsed in the drawing room, asked expectantly.
“You two, is there any news about the child yet?”
“Cough.”
Randall was shocked. Sylvia froze while cutting the grilled fish. The Count dropped his fork. Then he began glaring at Randall with that murderous look on his face. Of the three, Randall was the first to panic. He cleared his throat lightly and answered.
“I’m thinking it will happen when the time comes. Don’t worry too much.”
In fact, it was still early in the morning, let alone a child, but he couldn't bear to mention it in front of his father-in-law and mother-in-law. At that time, Randall suddenly sighed at the family that passed by.
'Perhaps there is a reason why Sylvia is obsessed with first night... Is it because of the child?'
Light green eyes glanced sideways at the seat next to him. Sylvia took advantage of Randall's gaze away from her to push the healthy food back in front of her. It seemed like she was trying hard not to show off, but unfortunately, it was all visible.
"Excuse me."
The Countess, whose eyes had been shining since Randall collapsed in the drawing room, asked expectantly.
“You two, is there any news about the child yet?”
“Cough.”
Randall was shocked. Sylvia froze while cutting the grilled fish. The Count dropped his fork. Then he began glaring at Randall with that murderous look on his face. Of the three, Randall was the first to panic. He cleared his throat lightly and answered.
“I’m thinking it will happen when the time comes. Don’t worry too much.”
In fact, it was still early in the morning, let alone a child, but he couldn't bear to mention it in front of his father-in-law and mother-in-law. At that time, Randall suddenly sighed at the family that passed by.
'Perhaps there is a reason why Sylvia is obsessed with first night... Is it because of the child?'
Light green eyes glanced sideways at the seat next to him. Sylvia took advantage of Randall's gaze away from her to push the healthy food back in front of her. It seemed like she was trying hard not to show off, but unfortunately, it was all visible.
As soon as he saw her face, this assumption seemed quite reasonable. Well, wouldn't this make more sense than having a wife who grew up almost locked in the mansion for 22 years lust after his own body? Randel felt a little sorry.
'Even though it's not necessary.'
Of course, the succession was not urgent. The North is always a dangerous place, and considering that Randall is wary of the King, he has to raise a successor as soon as possible. But now he wants Sylvia’s heart. Randall didn't want to have a mandatory sleepover with Sylvia, especially if she didn't feel the same way. Although his conscience ached a little at the thought that he was not doing his duty as a lord. He tried to rationalize that this level of dereliction of duty would be okay since he had struggled so far as a lord.
'I guess I'll have to go back to my room and tell her. It's okay if she doesn't have to be burdened with the obligation to have a successor.'
After gathering his thoughts, Randall felt sorry and pushed the plate back in front of Sylvia.
“Please eat.”
“...”
Sylvia grabbed her fork with an angry look on her face. But then her hands started hurting, so she quickly lost her strength.
'Even though it's not necessary.'
Of course, the succession was not urgent. The North is always a dangerous place, and considering that Randall is wary of the King, he has to raise a successor as soon as possible. But now he wants Sylvia’s heart. Randall didn't want to have a mandatory sleepover with Sylvia, especially if she didn't feel the same way. Although his conscience ached a little at the thought that he was not doing his duty as a lord. He tried to rationalize that this level of dereliction of duty would be okay since he had struggled so far as a lord.
'I guess I'll have to go back to my room and tell her. It's okay if she doesn't have to be burdened with the obligation to have a successor.'
After gathering his thoughts, Randall felt sorry and pushed the plate back in front of Sylvia.
“Please eat.”
“...”
Sylvia grabbed her fork with an angry look on her face. But then her hands started hurting, so she quickly lost her strength.
***
After the meal, the Count and Countess returned to the guest room, and Sylvia and Randall returned to the Duke and Duchess’ bedroom. Sylvia was tired after being tormented by the Count and Countess all day, so she yawned softly and covered herself with her blanket.
“Shall we turn off the fire?”
"For a moment. I have a story to tell.”
After hesitating, Randall caught Silvia. Sylvia blinked her eyes in confusion and raised her body.
“What is it?”
It took quite a bit of courage to bring up the story about the child while the first night of the night had not yet begun. Randall chose what to say, and after choosing his words, he finally opened his mouth.
“Sylvia.”
"Yes."
“If you are hoping for an early night because of the pressure of a successor... You don’t have to do that.”
“...Oh, what?”
Sylvia rarely stuttered. The knuckles of her hands clutching the blanket turned as pale as her face. However, Randall, who was buried in her slight guilt and tension, did not notice it.
“I indeed have no successor, but you don’t have to worry about that...”
Before he could finish speaking, Sylvia blurted out.
“No children.”
“... Yes?"
“...Ah."
Sylvia, who had suddenly spoken reflexively, bit her lip a moment later with a frustrated look on her face. She lost her composure for a moment because she heard something she had never expected. Inwardly blaming herself, she quickly changed her expression and raised the corners of her mouth.
“I said something wrong. Thank you for your consideration, Randel.”
“..."
"Good night."
Sylvia was afraid of what Randall would say, so she deliberately covered herself with a blanket and closed her eyes. Randall, in his panic, had no thought of catching her, and he pondered over what he had heard.
'Obviously, the child is not allowed...'
Sylvia said she said the wrong thing. Randall couldn't forget the moment he saw Sylvia's frightened face. Her face looked as if her scar had been touched.
“...”
Randall stared at Sylvia, who was buried under the blanket and couldn't be seen. His large hand wandered hesitantly over the blanket. However, he was unable to reach her in the end and just held his fist. He would like to ask what she meant by that statement a moment ago. He wants to know why she makes that face. He wants to know more about her.
'But I'm sure you'll feel burdened if I say something like this.'
Even the fact that Sylvia's reaction was predictable meant that her temperature was different from his own. Randall, who was bitter about that fact, lay down when he saw Sylvia putting on her blanket and turning her back to him. After looking at her back for a while, he swallowed a soft sigh and closed his eyes. As soon as Randall's presence subsided, Sylvia felt relieved under the blanket.
"If you are hoping for an early night because of the pressure of being a successor... You don't have to do that."
The moment she heard those words, her heart sank. It feels like memories that had sunk deep into the abyss are being revived in an instant.
‘Let’s stop thinking. Stop thinking.'
But it didn't work out as planned. In the end, Sylvia was swallowed up by her dark memories like a shadow. It was a memory of her life beginning for the second time, immediately after she was punished by God.
“Shall we turn off the fire?”
"For a moment. I have a story to tell.”
After hesitating, Randall caught Silvia. Sylvia blinked her eyes in confusion and raised her body.
“What is it?”
It took quite a bit of courage to bring up the story about the child while the first night of the night had not yet begun. Randall chose what to say, and after choosing his words, he finally opened his mouth.
“Sylvia.”
"Yes."
“If you are hoping for an early night because of the pressure of a successor... You don’t have to do that.”
“...Oh, what?”
Sylvia rarely stuttered. The knuckles of her hands clutching the blanket turned as pale as her face. However, Randall, who was buried in her slight guilt and tension, did not notice it.
“I indeed have no successor, but you don’t have to worry about that...”
Before he could finish speaking, Sylvia blurted out.
“No children.”
“... Yes?"
“...Ah."
Sylvia, who had suddenly spoken reflexively, bit her lip a moment later with a frustrated look on her face. She lost her composure for a moment because she heard something she had never expected. Inwardly blaming herself, she quickly changed her expression and raised the corners of her mouth.
“I said something wrong. Thank you for your consideration, Randel.”
“..."
"Good night."
Sylvia was afraid of what Randall would say, so she deliberately covered herself with a blanket and closed her eyes. Randall, in his panic, had no thought of catching her, and he pondered over what he had heard.
'Obviously, the child is not allowed...'
Sylvia said she said the wrong thing. Randall couldn't forget the moment he saw Sylvia's frightened face. Her face looked as if her scar had been touched.
“...”
Randall stared at Sylvia, who was buried under the blanket and couldn't be seen. His large hand wandered hesitantly over the blanket. However, he was unable to reach her in the end and just held his fist. He would like to ask what she meant by that statement a moment ago. He wants to know why she makes that face. He wants to know more about her.
'But I'm sure you'll feel burdened if I say something like this.'
Even the fact that Sylvia's reaction was predictable meant that her temperature was different from his own. Randall, who was bitter about that fact, lay down when he saw Sylvia putting on her blanket and turning her back to him. After looking at her back for a while, he swallowed a soft sigh and closed his eyes. As soon as Randall's presence subsided, Sylvia felt relieved under the blanket.
"If you are hoping for an early night because of the pressure of being a successor... You don't have to do that."
The moment she heard those words, her heart sank. It feels like memories that had sunk deep into the abyss are being revived in an instant.
‘Let’s stop thinking. Stop thinking.'
But it didn't work out as planned. In the end, Sylvia was swallowed up by her dark memories like a shadow. It was a memory of her life beginning for the second time, immediately after she was punished by God.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment