Chapter 49
Chapter 49
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Wife Waits in the Wheat Field
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In Elric's memories, Moon Shadow was not a particularly pleasant connection.
He had met them directly only three times, but each encounter had interfered with him in one way or another, so his impression could hardly be good.
Even setting aside everything else, the incident at Elbus Graham's wedding stood out especially.
The man, who had rarely settled down with any one woman, had finally decided he wanted to live with someone.
Elric had rushed there from the battlefield, abandoning even his duties, to bless his close friend's bright future—only to run into Moon Shadow attempting to assassinate Elbus.
Afterward, they had conveyed their apologies, but it hadn't sat well with him.
And now, one more personal grievance added to that today.
"Truly troublesome at every turn. You lot."
Elric sat in his chair, leaning on his cane as he looked down at them.
The sight of them bowing their heads was clear submission.
But that didn't make him feel any better.
'Coincidence, or intentional?'
Someone now knew of the connection between Sword Ghost Kasha and Elric Portman.
He wanted to cut their throats right then to silence them, but at this point, with no idea how many others might be involved behind them, that wasn't the wisest move.
Beyond that, why were these people out here at all?
It was the moment he licked his lips, thinking he needed to find out.
"C-Count! It was Count Nimrud's commission!"
The one who appeared to be the senior Moon Shadow member cried out desperately.
Elric's eyebrow rose.
"Nimrud?"
It was the father of that sniveling wretch he'd met at the clothing shop.
Hiring assassins, no less.
Elric asked, feeling uneasy.
"How much does he know?"
"How much, you say..."
"I mean, how much does he know about me."
Moon Shadow flinched.
In a trembling voice, he confessed everything he knew.
"W-Well..."
To sum up his words:
Count Nimrud simply sought to assassinate Elric for insulting his heir, the Young Master, and tarnishing the family prestige.
It was absurd, but Elric was genuinely pleased that they hadn't uncovered the connection to Kasha.
That left one more thing to consider.
"Then I need to know why you lot, who were playing around in the west, are here."
Just business expansion? What nonsense.
Elric knew who was manipulating Moon Shadow from the shadows—even they probably didn't.
Given his temperament, there was no reason for Moon Shadow to expand to the east.
"I don't like lies."
As Elric released his killing intent, the Moon Shadow assassins swallowed dryly.
And in the words they barely managed to spit out amid their terror.
"Th-That is..."
Elric's mind went blank.
*
Tiria checked herself in the mirror after finishing her preparations.
A modest navy dress, hair neatly braided and pinned up, makeup applied just enough without being heavy.
It was the same as any other banquet attire, but satisfaction filled Tiria's heart as she gazed at her reflection.
Of course it did.
This banquet was different from the others because Elric would be with her.
How could her heart not flutter at their first royal palace banquet together?
She wouldn't have to trail behind the Family Head as before, spending the evening talking business with trading partners like she had for the past nine years.
Nor would she have to sit alone in a corner of the hall, killing time blankly like last year.
No, even a corner seat wouldn't matter.
Just being with Elric in that moment, at that time—that alone would bring Tiria immense contentment.
"Milady, the Young Master's preparations are complete."
Tiria felt a small thrill at Aldio's approach and words.
But one couldn't show private emotions to a servant.
"Understood. Let's head out, then."
"Yes, and..."
"We agreed to drop that matter."
Aldio flinched.
Tiria suppressed the rising embarrassment inside her and coolly brushed past his expression.
It was undoubtedly about the bed.
"Even for a short time, how could we let the Family Head sleep on an uncomfortable bed? Nobles must seek comfort even in a single night's rest."
When she first saw Elric's bed broken, she'd been flustered, but she'd acted on instinct without thinking.
First, she'd pulled him into her own bed; second, she'd delayed the delivery of his new one.
It was reflexive, so yes, there was some embarrassment.
But weren't they husband and wife?
She wasn't asking for anything grand—just to share a bed and sleep. How could that be called excessive greed?
They hadn't even done anything particularly intimate; they'd truly just slept.
She wouldn't claim there was no regret at all, but Tiria was overflowing with satisfaction even so.
In that process, Aldio, who delivered the letters, had somewhat caught on to her scheme—that was the one misstep, if it could be called that.
She'd managed to silence him with excuses, but every so often, he showed this troubled look, as if pricked by conscience.
"Uh..."
Aldio glanced at her and soon nodded.
What came next carried a hint of self-justification.
"Yes, of course. You are husband and wife, after all. And now it's time for an heir..."
"Butler."
"...Yes, my apologies."
Aldio drooped and lowered his head.
For some reason, Tiria felt sorry and awkward, so she murmured softly, almost offhand.
"...We'll start on that when the time comes. Producing an heir is a noble's duty, after all."
Her voice came out utterly businesslike.
It was her bad habit: the more tense she got, the more she hid her emotions.
Aldio's expression brightened slightly.
Heir.
Tiria knew well that having a child brought joy not just to her.
She still avoided mentioning it outright because she didn't want their bed to feel like a mere duty.
"...Let's go."
Tiria rose from her seat.
Enough stray thoughts.
Dwelling on them would only spoil the good time ahead.
She headed to Elric.
*
"You're here."
Tiria felt her heart leap wildly at Elric greeting her at the main gate.
Seeing her beloved in an unfamiliar look was thrilling in itself.
The light brown suit matching his hair was so composed.
The subtle powder, applied without harming his features, emphasized a refined beauty, and his swept-back hair revealed a smooth, handsome forehead.
"...Shall we depart, then?"
Tiria said, staring unnecessarily at the ground.
Meeting his eyes felt difficult.
He chuckled lowly in response.
"Let's do that."
For some reason, his voice was more subdued than usual.
As they boarded the carriage, she glanced over and saw his face deep in thought.
She recalled he hadn't been thrilled about the royal banquet.
Perhaps he was nervous.
Then, as his wife, easing that tension was her role.
Tiria gazed out the window and said.
"There won't be any major issues. Even at a banquet, all eyes will be on the central nobles."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes, we just need to pass the time appropriately and leave."
"...I see."
His reply was a bit slow, as if lost in other thoughts.
A pang of disappointment rose in that moment.
He let out a small grunt and belatedly added a word.
"You're beautiful today."
Tiria flinched, her fingertips freezing.
Her gaze snapped to Elric.
A dazed sound escaped her.
"...Pardon?"
"You look a bit different from usual. I meant it suits you well, the adornments."
He met her eyes with a gentle smile.
Embarrassed, she shifted her gaze to the window.
Couldn't he say it once more?
She needed confirmation that it wasn't a dream.
She nearly asked, but in the end, Tiria pressed her lips shut.
Hearing it again might really make her heart burst.
-I'll marry a peerless beauty.
Even if she wasn't quite the peerless beauty he'd dreamed of back then, had she gotten closer?
Was she at least past the point of being called ugly?
Her lips kept trying to curve up, hard to control.
Tiria turned her gaze to the window again.
Suppressing her tremor, she expressed her gratitude.
"You look good too, Family Head."
It was sincere, but tension made it come out stiff.
What a foolish habit—even now, if only she could pretend it was a slip and infuse it with heart.
As she thought that, a reply came.
"It's not an outfit you picked. Of course it suits me."
Her hand clutching the dress hem wouldn't stay still, fidgeting.
Her palm felt sweaty, adding to her distress, when the carriage arrived at the palace.
Why did the usually gray palace look so vibrant and colorful today?
Was it the weather, or her mood? She couldn't tell.
"Then, let's go."
Elric descended first and extended his hand.
His posture was a bit awkward.
Still, it was an escort.
Tiria took his hand anxiously, worrying about the sweat.
As their fingers intertwined, a ticklish sensation wriggled inside her.
"...Yes."
Tiria lowered her gaze, her eyelashes casting shadows.