Chapter 55

When I saw the bed, the exhaustion I had endured came rushing over me.

Ugh, let’s go to bed.

Aedis, who was looking out the window, threw off his coat and narrowed his eyes.

“The forest is noisy.”

It was truly a phrase I loved hearing all the time.

No matter how close the Rosa Estate seemed to the Eire Forest, it would actually take over an hour to walk there.

Aedis was still listening to the sounds around here.

“What do you think is there?”

“I think it might be the identity of the complaint that wife cares about.”

Aedis tilted his head and picked up the coat I had taken off.

I sat down on the bed sullenly.

“Is it very noisy? Should you go to deal with it right away if it’s annoying?”

I’m so tired now that I don’t want to move…

My head isn’t even working…

But leaving Aedis alone is hard…

Aedis was hailed as the strongest in the world in 〈Esmeralda’s Crescent Moon〉, but strangely, I was still worried about him.

Because he’s my husband?

Ah ah. I eventually stretched and got up.

“Let’s go.”

But as if he had read my mind, Aedis sat me down again.

“It’s nothing. So just sleep by my side today.”

I looked at Aedis.

Well, I’m not lying down but as I’m sitting and looking at Aedis, I don’t know why my consciousness keeps fading.

“Aedis….. what do you think of the nickname “Human Sleeping Pill?”

“If it’s for you, I’ll think of it positively.”

My body was laid down by his affectionate hand.

I just fell asleep.

***

Even after the day was bright, Baron Paisley’s complexion was still haggard.

If I did not know the circumstances, I would’ve thought he was a patient with a serious illness.

When the Baron entered the dining room, he asked me where Aedis was.

“Your Grace? His Grace the Grand Duke…”

“He seems to be very tired. I’d appreciate it if you understand that he will take his meals in the room.”

Of course, that was a lie.

Aedis stayed with me until I woke up, then he went to Eire Forest and was currently scanning the whole area.

It was an incredibly vast forest, but the amount of time it took me to eat breakfast was enough for Aedis to explore.

As if he’d heard great news, the Baron’s face suddenly lit up.

“Okay, of course, I understand!”

Sein stared at his father, who liked the news too much, with anxiety.

At first glance, the mealtime seemed to go smoothly.

However, Aedis’s absence gave the Baron excessive confidence.

The Baron began to swell.

Eventually, when I asked about the forest of Eire, he began to condescend as if he were Grand Duke Kallakis and the owner of the forest.

“Are you talking about the forest? It’s famous for its beautiful scenery! Isn’t it the pride of the Rosa Estate, and even the North! Of course, it’s also my pride! ”

As soon as I finished eating, the Baron pressed Sein hard.

“Sein, what are you doing without getting ready?”

Sein became contemplative and ran out. I also rose up right away because I didn’t want to face the Baron anymore.

“Well, Grand Duchess.”

As I looked reluctantly, the Baron suddenly lowered his voice.

“By any chance. Will the Grand Duke accompany you?”

“Well.”

“No matter how tired he is, he wouldn’t send the Grand Duchess alone…would he?”

The Baron openly showed that he hoped Aedis would go outside the estate.

Of course, if Aedis went with me, our guidance would be entirely up to Sein.

Instead of answering his question, I replied with another question.

“I recently heard something strange is happening in Eire Forest. What do you think?”

The Baron responded while showing his disappointment.

“Could be a hungry mountain beast that’s come down and made a disturbance. You may not know much about it since you are from the capital, but that’s common here in the wild forest. It’s a problem that can be solved at any time. So don’t worry too much yet. There still haven’t been any dead or injured, right?”

“….”

I thought hard.

-It turns out that Your Grace was interested in Eire Forest, right? Two days ago, a missing person appeared there.

Before leaving, Tollyman Elliott had given us such news.

In the state of holding Maximus who was struggling in his arms.

-Hmm hmm, the breaking news that the Grand Duchess is curious about, isn’t it interesting? It’s worth a trail? Wouldn’t you like to give our fairies a special treat? Sir Maximus’ weight seems to have decreased by six feathers….Oh, get out of here? You want me to take a cold bath, eat three bowls of shaved ice, and go barefoot? Come on, wait a second! There’s more to it! I’m sure one of them was offended by the new Baron candidates that he had prepared for a smooth transition.

Hmm…

Elliot didn’t know much about the disappearance case. What a mess.

Agena evaluated Robson Paisley as a shallow person.

He was greedy and pretentious about such a subject.

There wasn’t even half a word about his ability to manage the estate.

I had a lot to say, but it was too much to say right now, so I gave up.

He might’ve thought I was silent because I was scared of the wild forest because the Baron became increasingly arrogant.

“Huh, now that I see it, it looks like the Grand Duchess is quite soft-hearted. I don’t know if that’s okay for someone with the seat of Grand Duchess.”

This is the same guy who can’t even make eye contact with Aedis, it’s sickening.

I laughed.

“Certainly, I’m not as good as the position of the Baron of the Rosa Estate.”

“Yes?”

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Oh, no. You might think so… right?”

Why is he so unsure?

I ordered the Baron who was still dumbfounded by the sudden words.

“Then let’s go.”

***

I headed to Eire Forest with the Baron.

When the Baron heard that Aedis would not accompany me, he left Sein in the mansion and followed me alone.

Procyon, Azena, Thuban, and Pollux came along as my escorts.

Pollux, who hadn’t been able to make eye contact with me from the beginning, was swaying his head thanks to his brother Castor’s misconduct, who didn’t wash his hands even after going to the bathroom.

“Good morning, Grand Duchess. And I’m sorry….”

“This is already your 100th apology, Sir Pollux.”

“Sorry to apologize for the 100th time…oh, here is your coat.”

I got off the wagon and Pollux put on my coat.

Anyway, Pollux steadfastly served me.

Even if he wasn’t as good as Sarah, he had skillfully packed a coat and comfortable shoes.

The Eire Forest, which I was now seeing up close, was big enough to believe that it was cultivated by giants.

There was a plant colony with a fascinating dark blue light spreading in all directions.

When I entered the forest, I couldn’t see the sky properly.

The knights from the North didn’t seem to be impressed, but Procyon couldn’t shut his wide-open mouth.

“How about it, Grand Duchess? Isn’t it different from the forest in the capital?

The Baron boasted as if he had the deed for the Eire Forest. This guy really doesn’t have the ability to learn.

I muttered lightly.

“It’s okay. Even if you buried one of the country nobles, you wouldn’t be able to spot it.”

“Eh…?”

I walked leisurely past the stupid Baron.

Instead of me, the knights of the Grand Duke stared at the Baron with their fierce eyes wide open.

“Sir Procyon, why did Her Grace say that?”

“I’m very curious too, Sir Agena.”

A deadly spirit poured out from the knights.

Instead of refuting their sarcasm, the Baron chose to follow me, pretending to be fine.

“Uh, huh, let’s go. I’ll guide you.”

There was only darkness inside the forest. Even though the sun was out, it seemed like it wasn’t receiving any light at all.

Still, it felt more mysterious than scary.

Where is Aedis at? Maybe he’s already returned to the mansion and is waiting for me to come.

Hearing the knights’ gossip, I was worried about the aftermath of Aedis’s excellent hearing.

Still, I’m glad that they try to respect my privacy as much as possible.

“I know a live burial expert.”

“Ah, maybe that person….”

“How much does it cost to hire….”

“I am on the legal side….”

They’re getting a bit out of hand though…

If Aedis had been with me, the Baron would have already been buried and even had a dirty sign stuck on his grave.

Procyon would have done graffiti on there too.

“I’d rather make him disappear…”

“Oh, that’s pretty…..”

“There rumors are circulating in the forest….”

The knights’ plans were becoming more and more specific.

Without taking any more steps, I turned around with a disinterested look.

“I’ve finished looking around. I want to go back.”

“Yes? ”

The Baron opened his mouth.

The Baron had yet to notice that the knights had gathered around like a group of meerkats behind me.

I didn’t have any thoughts about warning him, so I went back to the carriage without saying it twice.

“Grand Duchess…?”

Are you not going to escort me?

Although I never meant to receive it.