<Chapter 57>

“And isn’t it a wife’s duty to produce an heir? If he keeps putting off the first night, saying he’s not ready, then one year turns into two. Before you know it, people will start murmuring, ‘Why haven’t they had a child yet? Maybe he should divorce her and find a new duchess.’—”

“That will never happen.”

Before I could even finish, Temenos firmly interrupted, his voice resolute. I pouted playfully.

“Why not? Because his marriage was arranged by His Majesty?”

“Those retainers—what right would they have to replace a duchess acknowledged by His Grace, the Duke?”

“Hah. How do they even know I’m acknowledged as the duchess when we haven’t had our first night yet? Let me tell you something: during the wedding ceremony, I was the one who initiated the vow’s kiss!”

“That’s—”

“That’s what? You have an excuse to make on behalf of my husband now?”

The other side of the wooden confessional screen fell silent.

‘This is oddly satisfying… yet frustrating at the same time.’

Anyway, I’d teased him enough for the day. Feeling the weight of sleepiness settle over me, I decided it was time to head to bed.

“Since you’re already here in the confessional, if you’ve got something to confess, go ahead. I’ll listen.”

Temenos hesitated for a moment before speaking. “…Can I confess my sins against my wife?”

“Of course! Go on, what is it?”

From the other side, I heard him take a long, deep breath. The sincerity in his tone was unmistakable.

“For the past week, I’ve neglected my wife for entirely selfish reasons.”

‘Oh, so he was aware of it.’

I recalled the lonely nights I’d spent lying alone on that oversized bed. As I reminisced, his confession continued.

“I don’t know how to ask for forgiveness from a wife who must’ve been deeply hurt by my actions. Saintess, please… If you were my wife, how would I earn your forgiveness?”

What’s there to think about? I am your wife.

‘Hearing him speak so earnestly like this… It seems he hasn’t lost control yet.’

“Ahem. Alright, I’ll assign you a penance.”

Better safe than sorry, right?

“Tonight, make sure to stop by the marital bedroom. If your wife isn’t asleep yet…”

‘This isn’t selfish. It’s absolutely not…’

“As soon as you meet her eyes, pull her into your arms and kiss her without hesitation.”

*  *  *

Perhaps the penance had shocked him, as there was no reaction from the other side of the confessional screen. Feeling oddly satisfied, I bid him a cheerful, “I’m leaving now!” before stepping outside.

“Ah, the crisp night air feels amazing!”

Ferry waved enthusiastically as I exited the confessional, and Flurry mirrored his energy by wiggling its tiny paws. Carefully, I scooped up Flurry.

“You two kept each other company?”  

Both nodded in unison.

“Alright, my business is done. Let’s head back.”

Handing Flurry a sunflower seed, I began walking alongside Ferry. My mind, however, was preoccupied with thoughts of how to greet Temenos later tonight.

‘Should I lie in bed and pretend to be asleep, then act like I just woke up when he comes in? No, maybe I should go all out and pretend to cry…?’

“Squeak!”

“Huh? What’s wrong? Do you want another one?”

Flurry still had a half-eaten sunflower seed in its tiny paws. Smiling, I gently patted its head with my finger and turned to Ferry.

“By the way, Ferry, where did you find—”

CLANG!

For a moment, I couldn’t comprehend what had happened. All I saw was a sudden burst of sparks before me.

Frozen in shock, I noticed that Ferry, who had once overpowered even Kei and Cesare barehanded, now stood in front of me with his sword drawn.

Before us stood another man, sword in hand.

The dim lighting obscured his face, but the way his long silver hair shimmered under the moonlight caught my attention.

And then—

“Squeak!”

The moment Flurry cried out in my hands, it was as if the cry had been a signal. The two men charged at each other simultaneously.

“Gyaa!”

The clash of blades echoed through the still night.

Their movements were far too fast for my eyes to follow. I couldn’t even tell if Ferry held the upper hand.

While I stood paralyzed, a sharp pain stung my palm—Flurry had nipped me, perhaps to snap me out of my daze.

‘I-I need to run.’

Somehow, I knew with certainty. That man was after me.

I turned to flee, but just as I took a step, a long, faintly glowing spear struck the ground in front of me with a thud.

‘What… What is happening…?’

My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the ground.

Releasing Flurry onto the grass, I whispered, “Run, you need to get away…”

But when I turned back, my breath caught.

‘…Huh?’

Our eyes met.

They were light purple.

It was so fleeting that I blinked to confirm what I’d seen, only for a sharp wind to whip past me from behind.

A shadow as dark as night raced forward, brushing past my shoulder.

BANG!

The man barreled into Ferry’s opponent, pinning him down with a single strike. Without even drawing his sword, the man subdued him by slamming his left arm down.

“Who are you? Where did you come from?”

His voice carried a menacing chill, filled with deadly intent.

Temenos’ left hand, now fully scaled, gripped the man’s neck, pressing him firmly to the ground. A little more pressure, and his neck might snap.

“Wait, Temenos!”

Hearing his name, Temenos turned toward me, his eyes wide with surprise. In that moment, his grip loosened slightly.

The pinned man, seizing the chance, drew a dagger from who knows where and aimed for Temenos’ chest.

“Don’t!”

My voice rang out before I could even think.

“Brother!”

At my cry, the man froze mid-motion.

“Brother?”

Temenos stared at the man he’d just pinned, confusion spreading across his face.

The man with the lavender eyes didn’t waste the moment. He pushed Temenos off with a sharp kick, flipping backward to his feet.

As his cloak fluttered with the movement, a pendant around his neck caught my eye.

The shattered remains of that pendant from the tower—it was unmistakable.

“Ferry! Destroy that pendant!”

CRACK!

A sharp sound of something breaking pierced the air.

The pendant fell to the ground in pieces, confirming its destruction.

But whether breaking it had been the right decision, I wasn’t sure.

As soon as it shattered, the man vanished into the darkness.

“Ferry! After him!”

Without hesitation, Ferry dashed into the shadows, leaving me alone with Temenos.

“Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?”

“And you?”

“Squeak!”

Flurry cried out and rushed toward me, clinging to my ankle with its tiny paws.

“You silly thing, why didn’t you run? It was dangerous.”

“Squeak! Squeak!”

Clenching its little fists, Flurry mimed throwing punches at an invisible enemy. I couldn’t help but laugh at its bravery.

“You’re going to protect me next time?”

“Squeak!”

“Alright. Thank you.”

I gently placed Flurry on my shoulder, where it nestled comfortably.

Then, turning to Temenos, I asked, “What are you doing here? You said you’d been away for a few days.”

“I just returned. I heard your scream and came running. But who was that man? You called him ‘Brother’?”

Temenos’ gaze turned sharp, filled with a mix of confusion and realization.

“Don’t tell me… Have your memories returned?”  
 

<To be continued>

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