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Chapter 17
However, when Livenia opened her eyes, she found herself in an unfamiliar place.
She had never even entered this room before—she had never even stood in front of its door—so she could not immediately tell where she was.
But she soon realized it from the warm air, even though there was no smell of burning wood.
Ah… this is Heinrich’s bedroom.
In the ducal manor, only two places were heated with mana stones: Heinrich’s bedroom and the Dowager Duchess’s room.
Livenia calmly looked around, and her eyes met Heinrich’s, who was sitting beside the bed.
He blinked his ruby-like eyes and asked worriedly,
“Are you alright, madam?”
He had likely stayed by her side the entire time; his face looked exhausted, and he was holding a clean handkerchief.
Without realizing it, Livenia touched her forehead and cheeks.
There was not a single drop of sweat, despite having been unwell—as if someone had continuously wiped her clean.
And that “someone” was right in front of her.
Livenia met Heinrich’s gaze and remained silent.
Not because she was still dizzy.
It was because it had been so long since she had encountered something so pure—one person treating another with nothing but goodwill, expecting nothing in return.
“Madam, are you still dizzy? Should I call the physician?”
His hand resting on her forehead was small but firm.
So young, yet already diligent with sword training.
Even if he had lost his father at a young age and was in despair, no one would blame him. He could be stubborn or sulky if he wanted.
Livenia felt like patting this overly mature boy.
But she was not used to such gentle actions, so instead she spoke only in rational terms.
“Your Grace, thank you sincerely for taking care of me. However, next time, please do not do this. My room is already prepared in the ducal manor, and there are maids assigned to care for me.”
She thought she sounded stern, but Heinrich did not look discouraged at all.
“The temperature in my room is regulated by mana stones, so it’s not dry. The physician said overwork is the main cause, but staying in a dry room all day also contributes. If my wife is unwell, it is my duty as her husband to provide her with a comfortable place.”
It was so logically structured that it was hard to believe an eight-year-old had said it.
Livenia was momentarily speechless, but decided she had to clarify things properly.
“Do you understand that this is a political marriage?”
“Yes. I was told that you married me in place of caring for House Baldwin, and received appropriate compensation for it. I was young… so I didn’t hear the details of that compensation.”
He seemed mildly curious about that “compensation.”
But Livenia continued instead of answering.
“You are of high status, Your Grace. If it becomes known that you personally nurse your wife, it will not be good for you publicly. The ducal household is unstable right now, so internal matters may easily leak outside.”
“Even if it’s a political marriage, we are still husband and wife. And part of this is because I am still too young.”
“That is exactly the problem. Because you are young, if our relationship appears too close, it will give the impression that I am controlling the ducal house even after you come of age.”
She would divorce him anyway before that happened—but what about the rumors that would accumulate until then?
Heinrich seemed to have no further argument and fell silent.
Only then did he look slightly stubborn—like a child.
Feeling a bit guilty, Livenia softened her tone.
“Your Grace, do you understand what I am saying? The most important thing is that you are not seen as someone easily manipulated as the Duke of Baldwin.”
Fortunately, Heinrich nodded firmly.
Livenia sighed in relief and stood up.
Her head still hurt, but it was manageable.
“Then I will return to my room now. Thank you again for your concern, Your Grace.”
She placed a hand over her chest and bowed.
It was far too formal for a wife addressing her husband—an act of clear distance.
Even without compensation, Livenia wanted to do her best for Heinrich.
Because he was the first person to promise her happiness.
However, not long after, she would completely abandon all her methods.
Livenia returned to her bedroom at dawn after working all day in her office.
The only unusual thing was a small shadow lingering outside her room.
It looked like a young maid, holding only a short candle, appearing almost pitiful.
“Who are you?”
The young maid seemed so lost in thought that she didn’t notice Livenia approaching.
Startled, she bowed deeply.
In doing so, the candle nearly fell, but Livenia quickly caught it.
“Do not act carelessly.”
Despite Livenia’s voice lacking warmth, the maid looked awestruck.
Fortunately, she quickly composed herself and bowed again.
“P-please forgive me, Madam. I couldn’t think of any other way to see you secretly given my status…”
A maid accompanying Livenia immediately scolded her.
“How dare you loiter in front of the mistress’s bedroom! Kneel at once!”
It was inappropriate for a servant to linger near the lady’s chambers, so the scolding was justified.
But the maid’s frightened expression suggested she was not simply ignorant of her mistake.
There was a reason she had come.
After a moment of thought, Livenia spoke.
“Follow me.”
She brought the maid back to her office.
And the maid had something very important to say.
“T-the thing is… the young master—no, the master’s belongings keep disappearing. At first, it was just a handkerchief. I asked the head maid, and she told me not to worry… not to concern myself with noble belongings. I didn’t want to be suspected, so I ignored it…”
It was natural for servants to manage and track their master’s belongings.
The maid’s judgment had been correct, but she had not been given the proper conditions to act on it.
Livenia asked calmly,
“So they have continued to disappear?”
“Yes. The master is quite forgetful with his belongings, so he doesn’t seem to mind… but rings, brooches, ties… and recently, even the dagger passed down from the previous Duke has gone missing!”
That was serious. It was practically a family heirloom.
But something felt off.
Heinrich is forgetful with his belongings?
Livenia had observed him closely for months.
Even without conversation, she had come to understand that Heinrich was extremely meticulous.
He folded handkerchiefs perfectly. He even corrected his elderly nanny’s mistakes.
His table manners were flawless, and his tutors said he never skipped assignments or even preparation work.
And yet he only lost his belongings?
It was not impossible—but it felt wrong.
Livenia decided she needed to confirm it.
She invited Heinrich to a small tea party in a large room between their bedrooms, on a terrace attached to it.
She thought he might refuse—but he accepted immediately.
She dismissed all servants and personally poured tea into his cup.
“I apologize for taking your time when you must be busy, Your Grace.”
“No. It is the duty of a husband to make time for his wife.”
Despite Livenia’s earlier strict boundaries, Heinrich seemed determined to uphold the “duty of a husband.”
She found him endearing—but also too sincere, to the point of concern.
After some thought, she decided to ask directly.
“Your Grace, have you been losing many items lately?”
“Ah.”
She expected embarrassment or confusion.
But his reaction was different.
Slight surprise—then composure, and a faint smile.
He recovered instantly, as if he had already understood the situation.
Livenia, instead, was the one surprised. He truly was an extraordinary child.
“It seems someone told you something, Madam.”
“Yes. I heard your belongings have been disappearing. They said you are known to be somewhat forgetful, so they weren’t sure what to think.”
He sat perfectly upright and drank tea with flawless etiquette.
Only after praising the tea did he speak.
“You said something before, Madam. That I should not give the impression of controlling the ducal household.”
“Yes.”
“I thought about that. Who would perceive such an impression? It wasn’t difficult to figure out. Closest would be the retainers… and further out, the imperial court.”
