HGOS 15

At Kasia’s blunt question, Jester forgot everything he had been about to say.

Kasia herself had nothing more to add. She had already resolved to stay by Jester’s side until Rael and Lucy were born, so this situation was not entirely unexpected. Still, in her previous life, Jester had only ever come to her bedroom on the nights they had agreed to share a bed, so she couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

I really don’t want to…

It felt as though a bolt from the blue had struck her. If she were being honest, she wanted to make an excuse about feeling ill and send him away. But she couldn’t keep rejecting her husband forever, so after swallowing a sigh, Kasia let it go.

Bearing an heir was also one of a baroness’s duties. It wasn’t as though she could calculate exactly when Rael and Lucy would be conceived and say, We’ll only sleep together on these specific days.

Quietly rising to her feet, Kasia removed her outer robe and walked toward the bed.

“Come over here.”

Jester’s head turned stiffly, following her every movement.

Well… it couldn’t be helped. If they were going to do it, then they should just do it.

But what was with that detached expression and calm voice?

“M-My lady.”

As Kasia casually slipped off the dressing gown she wore beneath her robe and began pulling down the straps of her silk chemise, Jester called out in a flustered voice. She tilted her head.

“Yes? Is something wrong?”

“A husband and wife… naturally sleep in the same bed, do they not? That doesn’t mean we have to… do that every single night. Forget any strange ideas. Let’s simply lie down together and have an honest conversation. That’s… yes, that’s what I meant.”

Desperately averting his gaze from Kasia, who looked as though she would soon be completely undressed in her thin nightwear, Jester repeated Paul’s advice almost word for word like a parrot.

Jester felt oddly proud of himself for managing to recite the lines without stumbling.

Kasia, on the other hand, was both suspicious and bewildered.

He just wants to sleep together? What’s he plotting?

The way he kept acting like a completely different man from the one in her previous life unsettled her.

After staring at his face through narrowed eyes for a long moment, Kasia finally let out a soft sigh and nodded. She had no particular reason to refuse.

“Very well.”

Avoiding her unwavering gaze, Jester awkwardly stood up. Once again, his hands and feet seemed to move together in an unnatural rhythm. With stiff, clumsy steps, he finally reached the bed, sat beside her, and cautiously leaned back against the headboard.

“If there’s something you want to say, then say it.”

“…”

Jester simply stared straight ahead without answering.

Watching his rigid profile became exhausting. Unlike Jester, whose entire body was tense, Kasia lay down comfortably before speaking.

“I heard Miss Vita is still confined to her quarters. Didn’t Paul tell you I was leaving her punishment up to you?”

Finding the silence unbearable, Kasia brought up Vita instead.

“She wronged you. Her punishment is yours to decide.”

“You don’t have to worry about my feelings. Then I’ll have Paul’s lift Miss Vita’s confinement tomorrow. You should enjoy your reunion with your old friend.”

“My lady!”

“Yes?”

“Why do you keep misunderstanding the relationship between Vita and me? I won’t say I bear no responsibility, but I told you over and over that it wasn’t like that. I asked you not to misunderstand.”

A misunderstanding?

Was it really?

Kasia recalled Vita’s voice echoing from Jester’s room late that night in her previous life. She couldn’t ask what had truly happened—it belonged to a future that hadn’t occurred yet.

But remembering the strangely intimate relationship Vita herself had hinted at, and how Jester had kept her close despite disrupting the hierarchy within the castle simply because they had grown up together, Kasia couldn’t simply believe him.

After letting out a quiet sigh, she turned onto her side, facing away from him.

“All right.”

“I won’t misunderstand.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Hm… thank you. And tomorrow, when we inspect the territory, dress warmly. It’s cold. I… told Paul to prepare a suitable coat for you, so wait a little longer. Tomorrow, wear several layers…”

“…”

“…Kasia?”

She was already asleep.

Receiving no reply except the soft, rhythmic sound of her breathing, Jester let out an incredulous laugh.

“Are you asleep?”

When he cautiously asked, she suddenly rolled over.

Jester flinched in surprise.

“…She’s asleep.”

Judging by her expression, she really had fallen asleep almost instantly.

His eyes drifted to her lips, which moved faintly in her sleep.

I truly don’t understand.

Is she even human… or is she an angel?

Moonlight streaming through the window settled gently over her silver hair.

Jester found himself utterly captivated.

Her long, graceful eyelashes cast delicate shadows across her face.

Her skin was flawless and translucent.

Even her lips glistened as though kissed by morning dew.

His hand moved of its own accord, almost reaching out to caress them before stopping.

This is driving me insane.

He had been terribly mistaken.

How had he ever thought he could spend the night beside a wife like this without doing anything?

Feeling sorry for himself already, he carefully rose, intending to leave before temptation overwhelmed him.

“Mm…”

“Huh!”

Jester sucked in a sharp breath.

Still asleep, Kasia stretched out one leg and wrapped it firmly around his thigh, as though refusing to let him escape.

The hem of her chemise shifted, revealing her slender, snow-white leg.

His vision nearly spun.

Panicking, Jester quickly looked away.

“K-Kasia.”

As he tried to move free, her sleeping body instinctively tightened its hold around his thigh.

Truthfully, he could have escaped if he used even a little strength.

But for reasons he couldn’t explain, Jester pretended otherwise and quietly lay back down beside her.

Facing her sleeping face from such close proximity, he felt as though his heart might burst from his chest.

If I want to live a long life… sleeping beside her every night is impossible.

That thought proved entirely correct.

Jester spent the entire night wide awake, secretly watching his wife—the woman who was dangerous to look at, yet impossible to look away from.

The inspection of the territory went smoothly.

The procession was modest, consisting of only a handful of resident mercenaries and attendants, but the people of the territory welcomed their lord and lady with overwhelming enthusiasm.

Perhaps it was because of Kasia’s dazzling beauty, but the reaction was far warmer than anyone had expected.

Jester was secretly pleased.

He was happy that the people had accepted the new mistress of Greze Castle so wholeheartedly.

And the sight of Kasia walking beside him with light, cheerful steps, fluttering like a butterfly, was simply adorable.

“That calf is quite cute. Be sure to take good care of it and make sure it’s healthy.”

“Livestock used for farm work need proper healthcare. It may seem expensive at first, but hiring someone who specializes in caring for livestock and having them regularly visit the territory will benefit everyone in the long run. If the oxen fall ill and die, farming becomes much more difficult.”

“My goodness. Did you make this beautiful ornament yourself? I’d like one. I’ll gladly pay for it.”

“There aren’t many people living here, so artisans can’t survive on sales within the territory alone. If we could establish trade routes to other territories or even the capital, they’d be much better off. Why not ask Paul to look into export opportunities?”

“This food smells wonderful. The aroma alone makes me want to stay here. The rooms are spotless, too.”

“To be honest, Greze Territory doesn’t have many attractions. There are almost no visitors, so running an inn is incredibly difficult. In winter it’s even worse. The castle’s finances aren’t ideal, but if we carefully manage the budget and provide small subsidies during winter, it would help them greatly.”

Jester had believed that simply having a beautiful and kind noblewoman visit every corner of the territory and encourage the people was already more than enough.

Instead, Kasia carefully examined every aspect of their lives, offering thoughtful advice even Jester himself had never considered.

By the time the inspection was nearly over, Jester was stunned.

Watching Kasia pay such close attention to the people made him feel ashamed.

Even if he had never expected to become a ruler, he had already served as lord for several years.

Yet he had left all matters of governance to Paul and had never truly taken the time to understand the lives of his people.

Compared to Kasia, his shortcomings stood out in every possible way.

“I think… we’ve seen enough. Let’s head back. It’s getting cold.”

Lost in admiration as he watched her, Jester finally noticed that the cold had turned Kasia’s cheeks rosy.

“Just one more place.”

With earnest eyes, Kasia pointed toward Margaret’s inn.

That was the place she had wanted to visit from the very beginning.

Before they even reached the entrance, the cheerful Margaret hurried outside to greet them.

“My goodness! My lord! My lady! I can’t believe you’ve come all the way to this humble place.”

“Humble? The delicious smell alone drew us here. It’s only a shame we’ve already had lunch. Next time I’ll be sure to come back for a proper meal.”

“Oh my…! My food isn’t worthy of serving someone like you, my lady.”

“Not at all. Your cooking is…”

Margaret, who had died in Kasia’s previous life, was standing alive before her.

For the first time since returning ten years into the past, Kasia silently thanked the heavens.

Emotion welled up inside her, and her eyes grew red.

Margaret noticed immediately.

“Goodness. Did something get into your eye?”

“Are you all right?”

Alarmed, Jester gently cupped Kasia’s cheek.

Forcing a smile, she assured him she was fine before gently pushing his hand away and taking Margaret’s hand instead.

“Ah.”

“Why are your hands like this? They’re terribly swollen.”

“It’s… it’s nothing.”

“You must have some kind of side job. There can’t be many guests in winter. I’m sorry I can’t do more to help.”

From inside her coat, Kasia took out a small gold ring and slipped it into Margaret’s hand.

It was one of the pieces of jewelry she had brought from Ruberno.

Even in her previous life, she had secretly sold her own jewelry to help the people because she felt guilty spending the castle’s money without Jester’s approval.

“M-My lady! This… I can’t accept this!”

“Please. Take it. I brought plenty of valuables from my family home. This is nothing to me. Just promise you’ll treat me to a meal someday. All right?”

“M-My lady?!”

“And don’t overwork yourself. If you lose your health, everything else is meaningless. You have children to care for, and a husband too. You have to stay healthy. Understand?”

“My lady… I really can’t accept this. My lady! My lady!”

“Dear, let’s go! Hurry!”

Knowing Margaret’s personality, Kasia was certain she would force the ring back into her hand if they lingered.

She immediately grabbed Jester’s arm and hurried away.

Dear?

Jester froze for a moment after hearing that affectionate title slip naturally from Kasia’s lips.

Then he noticed her embarrassment and silently looked toward Margaret.

Please accept it.

Receiving the unspoken command in Jester’s firm gaze, Margaret finally lowered her head, her cheeks flushed red, and quietly thanked them.

Having successfully forced the gold ring into Margaret’s hands, Kasia walked away feeling much lighter.

“My lord!”

Just then, a strange man’s voice called after them.

Running out of Margaret’s inn was a man neither of them recognized.

He had a scruffy brown beard and carried a large leather bag made from animal hide slung at his side.

Approaching them with an easygoing smile, he introduced himself.

“My name is James, a wanderer who sought refuge here after fleeing the neighboring Kingdom of Calypson. May I have the honor of greeting your angelically beautiful wife?”

James extended his hand.

Caught off guard, Kasia hesitantly placed her hand in his.

He lightly kissed the back of it.

Watching silently, Jester’s brows furrowed deeply.

“After arriving in this unfamiliar empire, I’ve been searching for a place to settle. Finding a territory ruled by such kind leaders has filled me with joy. You see, I’m preparing a business venture. The only problem is that I’m short on startup funds. If your gracious lady would kindly help me establish myself here, I’m certain I’ll succeed and repay your generosity many times over.”

What kind of absurd introduction was this?

He had obviously seen Kasia giving Margaret the gold ring.

Jester’s expression darkened.

“You there.”

“You rude fool! What do you think you’re doing? Apologize this instant!”

Before Jester could continue, Margaret rushed over and scolded James herself.

Kasia quietly observed James.

It seemed that after seeking asylum, he had drifted into Greze Territory with nowhere else to go and was currently staying at Margaret’s inn.

He doesn’t look like he has a single coin to his name.

Margaret must be letting him stay for free again.

Kasia found him rather shameless.

“N-No, please, just take a look at this first! I’m telling you, it’s guaranteed to become a huge success!”

Just as Kasia was about to reprimand him, James reached into his leather bag and pulled something out.

The moment Jester saw it, he exploded in anger again.

It looked like a horrifying clump of human hair, as though someone’s scalp had been peeled off whole.

How dare he wave such a grotesque thing in front of Kasia?

“Are you mocking us?!”

Jester shouted furiously.

“W-Wait, dear!”

The instant Kasia recognized what James was holding, her eyes widened in shock as she hurriedly stopped Jester.

She knew exactly what it was.

…It’s a wig.