IBDVW 14

Chapter 14

“If you want, I suppose that’s fine too.”

What was so difficult about patting someone’s head?

Without a second thought, I reached out and stroked his hair again. It felt exactly like there was a golden retriever sitting right in front of me.

How should I put this…? It doesn’t feel like I’m living with a husband, but with a large dog.

The image of him wagging his tail happily came to mind, and I could practically picture him sprinting off if I threw a stick and yelled, “Fetch!”

Maybe that was why I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.

“What is it that amuses you so, my lady?”

“Your behavior. You remind me a lot of someone I know.”

“That much?”

Yes. Exactly like the puppy currently running around in my head.

“Very much so.”

At my answer, his expression shifted subtly. It wasn’t displeased, but it wasn’t pleased either—something in between.

“Does that bother you?”

That’s a shame. He matched the image of a puppy so perfectly. Maybe I’d have to imagine him as a different animal from now on.

“If my lady finds it agreeable, then I have no objections.”

Rather than the weight of his words, it felt like his attention was entirely focused on my hand as it continued to stroke his hair.

“By the way, what shampoo do you use?”

“…Pardon?”

“Your hair is so nice. It’s softer and finer than mine.”

The strands of Adrian’s hair slipping through my fingers were smoother and finer than my own, which I diligently brushed every day.

Ah. There’s no such thing as ‘shampoo’ here.

Only then did I realize it, seeing the puzzled look on his face.

In this world, shampoo and conditioner didn’t exist—other things were used instead—so there was no way Adrian would understand.

“The first thing I said was half a joke, and the second part was true. I was just curious because your hair is nicer than mine.”

It was too late to take my words back, so all I could do was gloss over it.

“If I cut my hair short, do you think my hair would get better too?”

“My lady suits her current appearance more. Both your hair and the atmosphere you have now.”

I had been thinking of changing things up a bit, but is my current look really that much better?

I thought I’d look nice with short hair too…

Seeing how firm Adrian was about my hairstyle, I figured I’d have to consider a short cut after the divorce.

“Still, I really can’t figure you out, Duke. Sometimes you seem like a good person, and other times you seem… strange.”

Since I’d already shelved the haircut idea, I decided to say what I’d been wanting to before heading back inside.

I didn’t know when I’d get another chance to speak freely like this, and it felt better to say it to his face than behind his back.

“The same could be said of you, my lady. Some days you seem endlessly kind, and on others you surprise me with words I’ve never heard before, as though you fell straight from the sky.”

Falling out of a book would be more accurate than falling from the sky.

After all, it’s hard to say that his wife is truly ‘Elysia.’

“If I seem like someone who fell from the sky, do you dislike that?”

“I wouldn’t say I dislike it.”

“Then that’s enough. The fact that you even go along with my silly wordplay makes me think you’re not such a bad person after all.”

Of course, there were also times when I thought otherwise—like when he didn’t listen to me properly—but I swallowed those words.

Whether I said them or not, it didn’t seem like Adrian would care either way.

“Shall we head back now?”

“Yes, my lady. That would be best.”

I withdrew my hand from his hair and looked toward the mansion.

I should find my parasol on the way back.

If I could retrieve the parasol I’d casually let the wind carry away, it would be the perfect time to rest afterward.

But which direction did it fly off in?

Hopefully not too far.

“Do you regret it?”

Just as I was about to move, I noticed Adrian looking somewhat reluctant.

“……”

The thought crossed my mind that, just as I liked napping under the sunlight, Adrian might enjoy being praised or having his head patted by someone.

“Then let’s do this. Every time something happens that deserves praise, I’ll give you the reward you want, Duke.”

Just don’t ask for anything too difficult.

As I said that and waited for his reaction, I managed to spot my parasol not too far away.

“What do you think?”

“Wouldn’t that put my lady at a disadvantage?”

“Then when there’s something worthy of praise on my end, you can give me a reward as well.”

I hadn’t expected him to think of my position too.

“Do I really look like someone who’d ask for a difficult reward?”

“Yes, my lady.”

…Really?

How petty. At times like this, you could at least say no once.

The way he answered without a second’s hesitation made me oddly disappointed, even though I didn’t really have a reason to be.

“I might ask for something small, you know.”

“For example?”

So he wanted an example. That was easy enough.

“Could you get my parasol from that branch over there?”

I pointed to my parasol neatly caught on a branch beyond the thick trees.

“As you can see, I’m rather short. You could probably slip me into your pocket and no one would even notice.”

Of course, that was just a figure of speech.

If I were really that small, I’d be bite-sized.

And in that case, my life wouldn’t be about divorcing and finding a new beginning, but about surviving among animals and plants.

“Even if you are small, my lady, you would still stand out.”

“Why?”

I hurriedly asked as Adrian went to retrieve the parasol.

Under the dense trees, it would’ve been completely out of my reach, but Adrian simply jumped lightly on the spot, caught it, and handed it to me.

“Because that is the kind of person you are.”

As he shaded his eyes with his free hand, the sound of grass rustling softly in the breeze reached my ears.

He really does strike when I least expect it.

A man who never gives you time to adjust.

“I hope the weather is nice tomorrow too. Even better if it’s clear every day.”

Holding the parasol he’d returned to me, I looked up at the sky alongside Adrian.

Under the dazzling sunlight.

* * *

Tap. Tap.

Perhaps because it had been so long, my steps felt light. I’d only recently returned after graduating, which made the place even more dear to me.

“It’s been a while, Floria.”

“It has, Master. I’ve returned as your proud disciple after graduating top of my class at the Academy.”

You’ll welcome me happily, right?

When I added that, he burst into hearty laughter.

Being in the very top room of the Mage Tower, the voices of people below sounded faint and distant.

It really has been a long time. He hasn’t changed.

If anything, he looked younger as the years passed, which was impressive in its own way—as if time itself avoided him.

“Of course I welcome you.”

“And you’ll throw a party too?”

“How about holding the party at your estate instead, Floria?”

“That won’t do. I have a new sister-in-law now—I can’t burden her with preparing a party.”

“That applies to me as well.”

That was a bit disappointing.

Between us, you could throw a party with a snap of your fingers.

After all we’d been through together, was one little party really too much?

“Putting the party aside, you acted like you’d be gone for a while—so why did you come back so early, Floria? When I told you to graduate early because I needed your help with my research, you didn’t listen at all.”

Right. That had happened.

It hadn’t even been that long, yet it felt like something from the distant past.

“I told you already. I have a new sister-in-law. I was curious about who would marry my brother.”

“You’re telling me that’s more important than my research…?”

“Of course it is. I can help with your research anytime, but finding out who my sister-in-law is couldn’t wait.”

At that, I heard a long, weary sigh.

You shouldn’t be clutching your neck already. You need to live a long, healthy life.

So you can pass your position on to me someday—there are still plenty of things I want to do.

“There’s another reason, actually.”

“What is it? This time, I truly hope it’s more important than my research.”

He really must be getting older. Even his way of speaking had changed.

“When I was at the Academy, someone said something rather strange. They wondered what if this world were inside a book, and we were nothing more than people moving according to its words.”

“That would be a dull world indeed.”

“Exactly. I was going to say something to them, but when I looked again, that person was already gone.”

If this were truly a world inside a book, then my life—my brother sending me abroad just to protect me—would all be meaningless.

I scoffed openly and quickly erased the memory.

“I rushed back after graduating just to tell you that—but there’s something even more surprising.”

“And what would that be this time?”

“The person who said those strange things looks just like my sister-in-law. Like they’re twins.”

The ruby-red eyes. The rare silver hair.

Exactly the same.

But something feels off.

They looked alike, yet somehow different—like two people with the same appearance but different souls.

“It must be a coincidence.”

“Of course. That’s why I came to tell you first, Master. Even I don’t know what happens next.”

When I shrugged, he flicked my forehead.

“Instead of respecting an old man, you tell such vague stories and expect me to sleep?”

That hurt! You could’ve at least given me a chance to dodge. How petty.

“You seem to have forgotten, Master. I’m a firm believer in staying single. Do you really think I’d respect old men? Look elsewhere for a disciple like that—I’ll remain your excellent assistant instead.”

“You really never let a single remark slide.”

“That’s my charm. If not me, who would stay by your side and listen to you ramble?”

Laughing softly, I edged toward the door in case another flick came flying.

“I’ll start helping with your research tomorrow. For now, I’m going to visit my brother and his precious new wife.”

Warping was child’s play.

And I’ve already prepared a gift. Might as well go now.

“I’ll be going, Master. See you tomorrow.”

After waving lightly, I snapped my fingers.

To my sister-in-law’s room!

I quickly reviewed the destination in my head.

The last time I saw her after the ball, she was in the garden looking up at the sky with my brother. It’s been almost a week.

But maybe I rushed too much.

—Thud!

I botched the landing and rolled across the floor.

“Sister-in-law, it’s been a while.”

I lifted my head to greet the first person I saw—then realized there was someone else there too.

“Brother, it’s been a while.”

“Floria.”

…What kind of situation have I just walked into?

It’s daytime. Broad daylight.

Cold sweat prickled down my back.