Chapter 224: My Husband Has Changed
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 224: My Husband Has Changed
At Loik’s words, my voice trailed off in spite of myself.
“Me?”
“The priest spoke with the Saintess yesterday,” Loik said, carefully adjusting his posture. “He said that while he could secure permission for a visit using his own authority, it would be difficult for him to stay long or remove any books from the premises.”
He was suggesting that it would be better for me to visit in person and find the book I wanted myself.
“Are you coming with me, Loik?”
“I would like to, but I believe I must remain in Blenheim for the time being to keep an eye on the borders.”
I listened to him, feeling a bit dazed.
He wasn't wrong. In times like these, it was best for the lord of the land to remain in his castle. It was a perfectly rational and logical decision, and yet…
Why did it feel like something was wrong?
‘Haven’t our roles been reversed?’
Normally, I would be the one insisting on going to the Capital alone, and Loik would be the one throwing a fit, demanding to come along because he couldn't bear the thought of me going to such a dangerous place by myself.
‘No, the real Loik would probably tell me not to go at all, promising to steal the book for me instead.’
He was the kind of man who grew restless like a puppy waiting for its owner if I was gone for even a slightly long outing. He had even chased me all the way to a village once just because he heard I was staying overnight.
And yet, here he was, so readily—and even proactively—telling me to go to the Capital?
Technically, this was the "normal" way to act, but… for some reason, it felt strange. I pouted, feeling an inexplicable sense of disappointment.
“Won’t I stand out too much if I go?”
The whole reason Miel had applied for the visit was to avoid letting anyone know the Grand Ducal Household was interested.
“Regarding that…”
Loik had even come up with a plausible excuse for me to visit the Grand Temple so it wouldn't look suspicious. It felt as though he had already perfectly mapped out my entire trip.
“I have also made a request to Countess Asellino,” Loik said, gently massaging my hand as if trying to soothe me. “The Countess will accompany Annette when she goes to the Capital.”
“The Countess? But she said she was staying in the North until the opera was over.”
“She said that no matter how important Antonel is, he doesn't compare to Annette.”
‘Did she really agree that readily?’
She had been blithely ignoring letters from the Imperial Crown Princess telling her to return to the Capital to see Antonel.
Seeing the doubt in my eyes, Loik nodded as if to confirm it was true.
“She said that once you're in the Capital, the Empress and the Crown Princess are bound to be a nuisance, so Annette will need a shield. A woman of the Countess’s standing will be a great help.”
When I still didn't answer immediately, Loik watched my reaction carefully.
“Annette, are you perhaps reluctant to go?”
“It’s not that, but…”
“Perel and the aides will follow you, and I’ve already had your maids begin preparations. I’m planning to assign the 9th Knight Division to you, but if you’d feel more comfortable with Norton, I can swap them.”
No matter how I looked at it, this was unfamiliar.
‘Why is he trying so hard to send me away?’
“Are you planning to go off and have fun somewhere while I’m in the Capital?”
At that, Loik let out a sharp cough.
“Wh-what on earth do you mean by that?”
“I just wondered if you were going somewhere nice without me.”
Normally, this was the point where he would be overprotecting me, saying my recovery was the top priority and refusing to let me even step outside the main castle.
‘When I was kidnapped by the dragon, he wouldn't even let me walk to the dining room on my own for a while.’
“I thought you’d be worried because I’ve been unwell.”
“Are you in pain?”
His eyes widened, and he immediately cupped my cheeks, searching my face.
“I’m sorry. I thought you would be fine now since I cast recovery magic on you while you slept… I wasn't thinking clearly.”
“No, I’m not in pain, it’s just…”
I let my words trail off, realizing that saying any more would just make me sound pathetic.
“Of course I’m worried,” Loik soothed in a low voice. “I just thought it would be less conspicuous if Annette traveled with the Saintess’s party when they return…”
He bit his lip.
“Now that I think about it, it must be uncomfortable for Annette to move with the Saintess, yet I was so impatient that I didn't even ask for your opinion first. I was foolish.”
Loik’s expression turned grave as he said he would look for another way. Seeing him so troubled made me feel like a spoiled child for being upset over something like this.
“…It’s not that uncomfortable.”
Perhaps it was because we had faced death together, but it was true that I didn't feel as uneasy around Constine as I used to.
“If I have to go anyway, it’s better to go sooner.”
I playfully leaned my face against Loik’s cheek.
“I’ll do as you say, Loik.”
*
The very next day, the procession for the Capital was assembled.
The Saintess’s party, Duke Kyle, myself, Cecilia, the Countess, Perel and the aides, the priest, the head chef, the 9th Knight Division, and even the servants, including Reta.
To be honest, it was a massive procession on a scale completely different from what I had imagined.
“We don't need this many people. If you take Berni, what are you going to eat while I’m gone, Loik!”
“Shouldn't you be eating well on the road?”
I tried to stop him when I saw even the head chef of the Grand Duke’s Castle packing his bags, but it was no use.
“I don't need this many maids either.”
Reta alone was enough to handle my personal needs. However, seeing the sparkling, expectant eyes of the maids, I eventually kept my mouth shut. I heard from Reta later that the competition among the castle maids had been fierce for this rare chance to see the Capital.
Furthermore, the carriages were a bigger problem than the people. I didn't know where he had sourced them from, but a line of the largest, most extravagant carriages I had ever seen was stretched out in front of the castle.
‘And he said I should go with the Saintess so as not to stand out.’
At this rate, it wasn't just standing out; it was practically dancing and shouting for attention.
‘Even the Emperor wouldn't travel like this!’
“I can't have those Capital people looking down on Annette.”
But seeing the proud look in Loik’s eyes, I had no choice but to remain silent once again.
Finally, just as the grand carriage procession was ready to depart, Loik signaled to Enolius, who brought over a small box. The mage, whose dark circles suggested he had stayed up all night, opened the box to reveal my jewelry inside.
“Annette. Since it’s difficult to send a mage with you… I’ve placed defensive magic on these pieces, so please make sure you’re always wearing at least one.”
I tilted my head and held up my left ring finger.
“But my wedding ring already has defensive magic on it.”
“That’s exactly what I said!” Enolius chimed in from behind, his eyebrows twitching. “I told him one ring was enough. Do you have any idea how much mental strength, mana, and focus defensive magic consumes? No matter how brilliant a mage I am, it’s not something I can just slap on like spit!”
Loik ignored the mage and personally fastened a ruby necklace around my neck.
“Especially this necklace—make sure you wear it. I’ve set it so that the magic circle activates if you press down hard on it.”
“A magic circle?”
The grumbling Enolius cut in again. “If an emergency arises, press the necklace firmly. Your location will be transmitted to the Grand Duke immediately.”
Eek.
I had been fiddling with the necklace, but I quickly pulled my hand away from the ruby.
“What if I press it by mistake?”
Enolius scratched his head. “Then you’ll just have to be careful not to press it by mistake, won't you?”
As if that were helpful.
Loik straightened the necklace and said, “Tiern will protect you well… but if anything urgent happens, press the necklace first. I will come running immediately.”
“The Capital is so far away, though,” I murmured, a bit of a whine slipping out. “How could you get there, Loik?”
“I will find a way, no matter what it takes.”
Loik gently lifted my hand and kissed it.
“So, Annette, you don't need to be afraid of anything. Understood?”
His soft, soothing voice made my heart swell with emotion.
‘I was just saying that. With so many people going, what could possibly happen? Don't worry about me and just take care of yourself.’
I knew I should say those things, but my mouth wouldn't open, fearing my voice would tremble.
Seeing my tearful face, Loik also pressed his lips thin. I could see his Adam's apple bobbing heavily. Finally, he lowered his gaze and toyed with my hand, which he held tightly.
“Don't push yourself too hard. Take plenty of rest and travel slowly. If you get tired along the way, make sure to tell Tiern you need to stop and rest.”
I couldn't answer and simply nodded.
“Perel will handle most things on his own… but in the Capital, try to stay as close to the Countess as possible. Even if the Empress or the Crown Princess requests a meeting, you don't have to entertain them.”
Loik finally looked up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, speaking tenderly.
“And don't skip your meals. I’ve instructed Berni, so if you lose your appetite, ask him to make you some spicy tomato stew.”
“…I’ll have to come back quickly. The spicy tomato stew Loik makes is the best.”
At those words, Loik forced a smile.
“When you return, I’ll make you as much as you want.”
This was the first time since coming to Blenheim that I would be away from Loik for so long.
“I think I’m going to miss you. What should I do?”
I looked up at him as I whispered, and his black eyes wavered pitifully.
“I will miss you too.”
His lips trembled slightly as he pulled me into a careful embrace. The cool scent of winter wrapped around me softly. I stayed in his arms until Enolius cleared his throat, signaling that it was time.
After lingering for a long while, the carriage procession finally departed for the Capital.
It had already been several days since then.
“Grand Duchess, you look tired. Are you alright?”
At the Countess’s question, I suddenly snapped back to reality.