It was such a massive amount of snacks that, if it weren't for the embarrassed look on his face, she would have thought he had brought this much just to torment her.
From cookies to brownies, biscuits, and even dried fruit. There was every confectionery except for the liquid ones.
As Erna stared silently, overwhelmed by the enormous amount, Callion stealthily approached and sat beside her as she lay there; upon noticing that she was not touching it, his face darkened.
"Isn't there anything you like?"
"It's not that, though..."
Actually, there was nothing sweet among the things she wanted to eat. Far from making her mouth water at the sudden sweet scent, it made her stomach churn. However, Erna picked up the chocolate cookie on top and took a bite.
]I absolutely never eat at this time.'
After growing up, she tended to manage her diet a bit strictly. On days when she used powerful magic, her exhausted body craved food, but she held back. If she were to gain weight again and return to her old self... it was something she didn't even want to think about.
However, Erna pursed her lips at Callion's gaze, which was looking at her with anticipation.
Erna doesn't recall ever seeing Callion eat something like this. She can't be certain since they've never eaten together, but he didn't seem to like it very much. The fact that he brought this much...
Fortunately, the cookie was tastier than she had expected. Good enough to help her endure her upset stomach. However, perhaps because she had put a dry cookie into her parched mouth, she choked up.
As Erna turned her head to drink water, Callion moved first. He quickly poured water into a cup and handed it to Erna, and she hurriedly swallowed the water.
“Phew...”
As the blockage in her throat passed, she was finally able to breathe again. Erna patted her chest and looked at the cup in her hand. It was a cup found everywhere in the Grand Duke's castle, yet it felt strangely familiar.
"It’s the same thing I saw at the ruins."
“...!”
Erna almost dropped her cup at Callion's muttering. This familiar thing was inside the ruins as well. With a serious expression, Callion asked.
"Didn't people ask you about the ruins after you came to your senses?"
“I think they did ask, but...”
Erna recalled the surroundings when she first regained consciousness. The first person she saw was the doctor, followed by Orpheus, and then Vanessa.
“Who asked?”
“Is it Orpheus...?”
Even though she had taken medicine, her head was throbbing due to the fatigue that had accumulated over the past few days. So, it was difficult for Erna to recall what had happened back then. However, someone had definitely asked.
What did you see inside the ruins?
The moment she remembered those words, it became clear who had asked.
“...It was Vanessa.”
There was no way Orpheus would ask in such a tone. Moreover, Orpheus had been continuously explaining to the doctors what symptoms Erna had shown in the past when she suffered from severe menstrual cramps.
At the answer "Vanessa," Callion let out a short sigh. It was a reaction that suggested he had somewhat expected it.
"But why is that?"
“Erna, how much do you know about Richard Hessengaard?”
Erna recalled the ghost she had seen inside the ruins.
“The Grand Duke committed suicide before we arrived. He was rather quiet, and they say he fulfilled his duties as Grand Duke quite well...”
"Do you remember hearing where and how Richard Hessengard committed suicide?"
"...No."
Erna's expression also hardened at Callion's subsequent words.
She couldn't ask about him when she was young. He was a figure difficult to even mention in front of the people of Hessengard.
He was a Grand Duke who abandoned his country by taking his own life. The people of Hessengard were those abandoned by him. And standing in that very spot was herself.
Because everyone was wary of each other, others did not mention Richard Hessengard's affairs unless Erna spoke up. That was an unspoken agreement between Erna and the people of Hessengard.
"He died inside an ancient ruin."
“That’s right...”
“But everyone in Hessengard knows that he committed suicide. Then who saw his death and told the people? And how did they know it was suicide?”
“ ..”
At Callion's words, Erna realized what he was doubting.
The artifacts of the Grand Duke's castle, which were not that old, were found inside the ancient ruins. And the fact that everyone knew of the Grand Duke's death that had taken place there. Erna thought for a moment, then opened her mouth.
“Why didn’t anyone tell us about those ancient ruins?”
“I don’t know the reason, but they certainly wanted to hide it from us.”
The two spoke at the same time.
“...Vanessa.”
“...Vanessa.”
A brief silence followed. Both were well aware that Vanessa had been in charge of their education when they were young. She had taught them everything a Grand Duke of Hessengard ought to learn.
If there is anything they do not know about Hessengard... it is that she did not want the two of them to know.
“...Why did she do that?”
A chill ran down Erna's spine.
Vanessa was always kind. When Erna came to Hessengard and a plague broke out and all the people of Havand left, Erna felt relieved that they had gone, but at the same time, she trembled with fear.
No matter how much they mocked and ignored her, she was still more familiar with the people of Havand.
Erna spent her days trembling under the covers, terrified that the people of Hessengard would ignore her as the child of an invader and perhaps drive her to her death.
It was thanks to Vanessa’s dedicated efforts that Erna was able to gradually adapt to Hessengard.
As the chairwoman of the council, she always treated Erna respectfully as a Grand Duke and instructed not only the council but also everyone in the Grand Duke's castle to adopt such an attitude.
It was the first time in her life that someone had respected and cared for her. That is why she clung to Vanessa even more, as if she were her own parent.
On the days Vanessa went to Callion, her lips would pout all day long.
'What if Vanessa likes Callion more than me?'
Even though she was not very young, she harbored such jealousy. Because of that, Erna found Callion even more repulsive. It must have been just like siblings competing for their parents' affection.
Erna still liked Vanessa.
The parts that she and Callion could not fully reach are being managed by the council, led by Vanessa.
People say that Vanessa is keeping the two Grand Dukes in check by expanding the Council, but without her, the two would not have the authority they hold today.
To think that Vanessa was hiding something from them. And to think it was about the death of the previous Grand Duke, no less.
Even though it was not yet certain, a sense of betrayal and loss quickly overwhelmed Erna.
Callion clicked his tongue inwardly at the sight of Erna's shoulders slumping immediately.
'I knew this would happen, but...'
When Callion sorted out his thoughts, he first felt a sense of betrayal toward Vanessa. That feeling turned into distrust toward all of Hessengard. And Erna was likely feeling the same emotions he was feeling now.
Callion felt sorry for the fact, but was also comforted by the fact that there was at least one person to discuss the situation with.
“It must be because there is something we shouldn’t know.”
Callion naturally took the plate from Erna's hand and continued speaking.
“For now, get plenty of rest. They said you’re feeling worse because you’ve had a lot of things to worry about lately.”
"But..."
“You need to recover quickly so you can figure things out quickly, right? I’ll look into it on my own in the meantime. Also, I think I’ve found a clue regarding the items I saw at the ruins. I confirmed that there were missing items in the filing cabinet labeled ‘Villa.’ However, it didn’t specify which villa it was. Now that I’ve confirmed the items left from here, I need to find the person who worked there. I think I’ve found them to some extent, though.”
Erna's eyes widened at Callion's words.
"You found it quickly."
"It is clear what needs to be investigated, so there is no reason to hesitate. It is just a bit annoying that I cannot bring in much at once because I have to hide documents related to ancient ruins little by little, among the maids' belongings or papers to deceive them."
Seeing Callion answer so straightforwardly, Erna felt her earlier emptiness vanish and a sense of reassurance.
It was an interesting thing.
She never imagined that the person she trusted the most and the person she trusted the least in Hessengard would change like this.
“Then I’m going. Go back to sleep.”
While Erna took another sip of water, Callion tried to get up from his seat. Seeing this, Erna spoke without thinking.
"Are you leaving already?"
At her words, Callion, who was about to turn, stopped in his tracks. Erna tried to cover up the words her mouth had blurted out on its own, but it was already too late. A smile spread across his surprised face.
“Why? Are you disappointed?”
“...”
"Should I not go?"
Callion wore a sly smile while holding a plate that still had plenty of snacks left.
He sat down beside the bed again. Erna turned her head away to avoid the gaze directed at her. Her face flushed at the thought of what he was about to say and how mischievous he would be.
I must be crazy. Why did I say something like that!
Then, suddenly, Erna realized that she had something to apologize for to him.
"Sorry."
"Yes?"
Callion, who was stealthily reaching out to grab Erna's hand, paused for a moment at the sudden apology.
"What?"
“I’m not sure if the doctor said this, but...”
Erna pulled her hair and spoke about her physical condition. That her cycle was irregular, and therefore she couldn't know exactly when her fertile period was.
“...The doctor said there wouldn’t be any problem with having a child, so... that’s why I didn’t say anything.”
Erna squeezed her eyes shut after saying that much. She thought that at her words, Callion would surely let out a sigh first. Or he might get annoyed or sneer. Whatever the reaction, she didn't have the confidence to look him straight in the eye and see him disappointed in her.
"Are there no other problems?"
“Uh, huh?”
However, contrary to expectations, Callion simply asked a question quietly.
"I mean your body. Are you in any pain or anything?"
“There are no other issues! It’s true!”
Thinking he might be suspicious, Erna answered quickly. Then he took Erna's hand with one hand. His long, thick-jointed fingers dug between hers and held her tightly.
"Then that's it."
She wondered what had happened. As Erna stared blankly, Callion lifted her hand and brought it to his face. His slightly rough lips pressed and rubbed the back of her hand.
Callion's face, cast by the light of the lamp, was shaded, revealing his features more distinctly than usual.
Gulp.
While Erna was momentarily speechless at the sight of her husband's face, Callion gave a sly smile and spoke.
“If there are no problems... then we just need to keep doing it until one arises.”
From cookies to brownies, biscuits, and even dried fruit. There was every confectionery except for the liquid ones.
As Erna stared silently, overwhelmed by the enormous amount, Callion stealthily approached and sat beside her as she lay there; upon noticing that she was not touching it, his face darkened.
"Isn't there anything you like?"
"It's not that, though..."
Actually, there was nothing sweet among the things she wanted to eat. Far from making her mouth water at the sudden sweet scent, it made her stomach churn. However, Erna picked up the chocolate cookie on top and took a bite.
]I absolutely never eat at this time.'
After growing up, she tended to manage her diet a bit strictly. On days when she used powerful magic, her exhausted body craved food, but she held back. If she were to gain weight again and return to her old self... it was something she didn't even want to think about.
However, Erna pursed her lips at Callion's gaze, which was looking at her with anticipation.
Erna doesn't recall ever seeing Callion eat something like this. She can't be certain since they've never eaten together, but he didn't seem to like it very much. The fact that he brought this much...
Fortunately, the cookie was tastier than she had expected. Good enough to help her endure her upset stomach. However, perhaps because she had put a dry cookie into her parched mouth, she choked up.
As Erna turned her head to drink water, Callion moved first. He quickly poured water into a cup and handed it to Erna, and she hurriedly swallowed the water.
“Phew...”
As the blockage in her throat passed, she was finally able to breathe again. Erna patted her chest and looked at the cup in her hand. It was a cup found everywhere in the Grand Duke's castle, yet it felt strangely familiar.
"It’s the same thing I saw at the ruins."
“...!”
Erna almost dropped her cup at Callion's muttering. This familiar thing was inside the ruins as well. With a serious expression, Callion asked.
"Didn't people ask you about the ruins after you came to your senses?"
“I think they did ask, but...”
Erna recalled the surroundings when she first regained consciousness. The first person she saw was the doctor, followed by Orpheus, and then Vanessa.
“Who asked?”
“Is it Orpheus...?”
Even though she had taken medicine, her head was throbbing due to the fatigue that had accumulated over the past few days. So, it was difficult for Erna to recall what had happened back then. However, someone had definitely asked.
What did you see inside the ruins?
The moment she remembered those words, it became clear who had asked.
“...It was Vanessa.”
There was no way Orpheus would ask in such a tone. Moreover, Orpheus had been continuously explaining to the doctors what symptoms Erna had shown in the past when she suffered from severe menstrual cramps.
At the answer "Vanessa," Callion let out a short sigh. It was a reaction that suggested he had somewhat expected it.
"But why is that?"
“Erna, how much do you know about Richard Hessengaard?”
Erna recalled the ghost she had seen inside the ruins.
“The Grand Duke committed suicide before we arrived. He was rather quiet, and they say he fulfilled his duties as Grand Duke quite well...”
"Do you remember hearing where and how Richard Hessengard committed suicide?"
"...No."
Erna's expression also hardened at Callion's subsequent words.
She couldn't ask about him when she was young. He was a figure difficult to even mention in front of the people of Hessengard.
He was a Grand Duke who abandoned his country by taking his own life. The people of Hessengard were those abandoned by him. And standing in that very spot was herself.
Because everyone was wary of each other, others did not mention Richard Hessengard's affairs unless Erna spoke up. That was an unspoken agreement between Erna and the people of Hessengard.
"He died inside an ancient ruin."
“That’s right...”
“But everyone in Hessengard knows that he committed suicide. Then who saw his death and told the people? And how did they know it was suicide?”
“ ..”
At Callion's words, Erna realized what he was doubting.
The artifacts of the Grand Duke's castle, which were not that old, were found inside the ancient ruins. And the fact that everyone knew of the Grand Duke's death that had taken place there. Erna thought for a moment, then opened her mouth.
“Why didn’t anyone tell us about those ancient ruins?”
“I don’t know the reason, but they certainly wanted to hide it from us.”
The two spoke at the same time.
“...Vanessa.”
“...Vanessa.”
A brief silence followed. Both were well aware that Vanessa had been in charge of their education when they were young. She had taught them everything a Grand Duke of Hessengard ought to learn.
If there is anything they do not know about Hessengard... it is that she did not want the two of them to know.
“...Why did she do that?”
A chill ran down Erna's spine.
Vanessa was always kind. When Erna came to Hessengard and a plague broke out and all the people of Havand left, Erna felt relieved that they had gone, but at the same time, she trembled with fear.
No matter how much they mocked and ignored her, she was still more familiar with the people of Havand.
Erna spent her days trembling under the covers, terrified that the people of Hessengard would ignore her as the child of an invader and perhaps drive her to her death.
It was thanks to Vanessa’s dedicated efforts that Erna was able to gradually adapt to Hessengard.
As the chairwoman of the council, she always treated Erna respectfully as a Grand Duke and instructed not only the council but also everyone in the Grand Duke's castle to adopt such an attitude.
It was the first time in her life that someone had respected and cared for her. That is why she clung to Vanessa even more, as if she were her own parent.
On the days Vanessa went to Callion, her lips would pout all day long.
'What if Vanessa likes Callion more than me?'
Even though she was not very young, she harbored such jealousy. Because of that, Erna found Callion even more repulsive. It must have been just like siblings competing for their parents' affection.
Erna still liked Vanessa.
The parts that she and Callion could not fully reach are being managed by the council, led by Vanessa.
People say that Vanessa is keeping the two Grand Dukes in check by expanding the Council, but without her, the two would not have the authority they hold today.
To think that Vanessa was hiding something from them. And to think it was about the death of the previous Grand Duke, no less.
Even though it was not yet certain, a sense of betrayal and loss quickly overwhelmed Erna.
Callion clicked his tongue inwardly at the sight of Erna's shoulders slumping immediately.
'I knew this would happen, but...'
When Callion sorted out his thoughts, he first felt a sense of betrayal toward Vanessa. That feeling turned into distrust toward all of Hessengard. And Erna was likely feeling the same emotions he was feeling now.
Callion felt sorry for the fact, but was also comforted by the fact that there was at least one person to discuss the situation with.
“It must be because there is something we shouldn’t know.”
Callion naturally took the plate from Erna's hand and continued speaking.
“For now, get plenty of rest. They said you’re feeling worse because you’ve had a lot of things to worry about lately.”
"But..."
“You need to recover quickly so you can figure things out quickly, right? I’ll look into it on my own in the meantime. Also, I think I’ve found a clue regarding the items I saw at the ruins. I confirmed that there were missing items in the filing cabinet labeled ‘Villa.’ However, it didn’t specify which villa it was. Now that I’ve confirmed the items left from here, I need to find the person who worked there. I think I’ve found them to some extent, though.”
Erna's eyes widened at Callion's words.
"You found it quickly."
"It is clear what needs to be investigated, so there is no reason to hesitate. It is just a bit annoying that I cannot bring in much at once because I have to hide documents related to ancient ruins little by little, among the maids' belongings or papers to deceive them."
Seeing Callion answer so straightforwardly, Erna felt her earlier emptiness vanish and a sense of reassurance.
It was an interesting thing.
She never imagined that the person she trusted the most and the person she trusted the least in Hessengard would change like this.
“Then I’m going. Go back to sleep.”
While Erna took another sip of water, Callion tried to get up from his seat. Seeing this, Erna spoke without thinking.
"Are you leaving already?"
At her words, Callion, who was about to turn, stopped in his tracks. Erna tried to cover up the words her mouth had blurted out on its own, but it was already too late. A smile spread across his surprised face.
“Why? Are you disappointed?”
“...”
"Should I not go?"
Callion wore a sly smile while holding a plate that still had plenty of snacks left.
He sat down beside the bed again. Erna turned her head away to avoid the gaze directed at her. Her face flushed at the thought of what he was about to say and how mischievous he would be.
I must be crazy. Why did I say something like that!
Then, suddenly, Erna realized that she had something to apologize for to him.
"Sorry."
"Yes?"
Callion, who was stealthily reaching out to grab Erna's hand, paused for a moment at the sudden apology.
"What?"
“I’m not sure if the doctor said this, but...”
Erna pulled her hair and spoke about her physical condition. That her cycle was irregular, and therefore she couldn't know exactly when her fertile period was.
“...The doctor said there wouldn’t be any problem with having a child, so... that’s why I didn’t say anything.”
Erna squeezed her eyes shut after saying that much. She thought that at her words, Callion would surely let out a sigh first. Or he might get annoyed or sneer. Whatever the reaction, she didn't have the confidence to look him straight in the eye and see him disappointed in her.
"Are there no other problems?"
“Uh, huh?”
However, contrary to expectations, Callion simply asked a question quietly.
"I mean your body. Are you in any pain or anything?"
“There are no other issues! It’s true!”
Thinking he might be suspicious, Erna answered quickly. Then he took Erna's hand with one hand. His long, thick-jointed fingers dug between hers and held her tightly.
"Then that's it."
She wondered what had happened. As Erna stared blankly, Callion lifted her hand and brought it to his face. His slightly rough lips pressed and rubbed the back of her hand.
Callion's face, cast by the light of the lamp, was shaded, revealing his features more distinctly than usual.
Gulp.
While Erna was momentarily speechless at the sight of her husband's face, Callion gave a sly smile and spoke.
“If there are no problems... then we just need to keep doing it until one arises.”
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