TDOT~26

Chapter 26 

 An Unwelcome Child

Last night, Frida did something so embarrassing she wanted to die. She was thankful Daniel said he would forget it, but…

If he was worried I’d be embarrassed, wouldn’t it have been better to just pretend not to know? Why did he wait for me to wake up just to remind me?
Her head hurt so much everything felt annoying. Even giving a normal apology or acting shy felt too hard. Her head and stomach spun, like she was dreaming while awake. She reached for the teacup Daniel handed her, but missed at first, her hands lost in the air. Daniel kindly placed the cup into her hands and waited until she held it tight before letting go.

“The cook said what you drank last night was almost like water. If you feel this bad from that, you really shouldn’t drink at all.”

Frida never drank except for medicine. She didn’t even want to be close to alcohol.
Where’s Matilda? Why is the Duke taking care of me like this? Frida looked at the teacup and then at Daniel, her lips dry.

“W-Why are you… doing this, Your Grace? Ugh, my head…”

Pain hit her so hard she closed one eye. Every time Daniel spoke, her head ached even more, like his words were little needles poking into her scalp.

“Your maid looked very busy helping in the kitchen.”

At Muenheim Castle, there weren’t enough servants, so everyone had to do many jobs. Even Matilda, who cared for Frida, helped in the kitchen, cleaned, and even worked in the fields.
Frida held the cup tightly and tried to steady herself, just focusing on the pain in her head. She drank the tea in one gulp. It was sweet and warm, sliding down her throat and spreading through her body.

“Ugh…”

She tilted her head back and drank every drop. When she finished, Daniel took the empty cup and put it on the table. Frida rested her heavy head on the bed. She knew she must look terrible, but she didn’t have the energy to fix herself. Her voice was heavy as she spoke.

“Your Grace, I’m sorry, but… could you please leave my room? When I feel better, I’ll come see you. If you want to talk about last night, let’s do it then.”

“I have no intention of questioning a wife who can’t even sit up by herself.”

But instead of leaving, Daniel stayed right by the bed. He looked even bigger than usual, wearing a dark shirt and coat, with his pale hair and calm eyes. Frida blinked a few times and finally noticed the delicate rose patterns on his clothes. As she looked down, Daniel suddenly touched her forehead, nodded, and said,

“But there’s something between us that needs to be settled. I want to talk about it. You don’t have a fever, so could you spare a moment?”

“A problem?”

Frida tried to focus, though her eyes were still blurry.

“Yes. I think you feel too much responsibility about it. I decided it’s best if we clearly talk about where we both stand.”

About what? Responsibility?
She was still dizzy, but Frida waited for Daniel’s words, thinking he could sort things out better than she could.

“I don’t need a child. The line of Duke Richard will end with me, or someone the Imperial family chooses will inherit.”

Oh… The Duke doesn’t need a child… That was her first thought.

“So, please don’t trouble yourself over this anymore.”

I see. That’s how he feels. But… why?
Frida’s eyes searched Daniel’s face. She honestly couldn’t understand. Why would a noble man not want a child? Why end the Richard line?
The Richard family was one of the twelve oldest and most famous ducal houses in Svergen, even the family of the current Emperor. Most nobles would want to have as many children as possible to continue their name. But Daniel was saying he would end it.
Daniel saw her confused face and smiled a little to himself.

“Why would I have a child who wouldn’t be welcomed anywhere?”

Frida didn’t answer.
Sometimes, even if someone doesn’t say it out loud, their words are clear.
Even tired and hungover, her pale face looked at him as if to say, That can’t be right…
Did she know? That all the hard days he fought just to live one more day meant nothing to others?
The Empress Dowager would never allow Daniel’s child to exist, and he didn’t want to pass on such a life to anyone.
Before Frida could say anything, Daniel spoke again:

“You became Duchess Richard because you fit the requirements.”

Frida’s purple eyes were clear as glass, but a faint line appeared between her brows.

Muenheim Castle was busy getting ready for new guests in Skadi Hall. In ten days, Baron Boiled and his wife would arrive, so Frida stopped other tasks to help decorate. She fixed a tapestry showing a lake view, then walked down the hall with Muriel.

“I really don’t get it. What do you think, Muriel?”

She’d asked this question many times. Muriel shook her head firmly.

“I’ve told you so many times, I have no idea either.”

Frida stomped her foot in disappointment, hands on her hips.

“Think about it! You have lots of brothers, so you should know more than me.”

“My brothers are just focused on making more Rosivalts. They’re nothing like His Grace.”

Frida’s shoulders slumped.

“That’s how most men are. Even my dad, after having three daughters, kept trying until he finally had a son, my little brother Albert.”

Albert must be fifteen this year…
Her youngest brother, with his special golden hair, was the only one in the family not cursed. She missed her little brother, who used to say, “I’ll protect you, big sister,” while swinging a wooden sword.
Thinking of her parents, who always sent worried letters, made Frida’s eyes sting a little. Muriel gently led her to the window, away from busy servants. A cool breeze full of tree and grass scents blew in through the open window.

“Actually, there are a few stories my brothers told me.”

Frida perked up and leaned close.

“What? Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I just remembered now.”

Muriel crossed her arms and tried to remember.

“My oldest brother went to college with the late Duke Richard’s cousin. Because of that, he sometimes visited the ducal estate. Back then, the Richard lands were near the city of Celleno, right?”

“I know. After the Duke’s son became Emperor, it became royal land.”

Muriel nodded.

“Back then, the Duke and the Empress Dowager were really close.”

Frida rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows that! Empress Dowager Marguerite was famous for loving her husband’s illegitimate son like her own. When I got married, everyone said she stopped pretending to be so kind.”

Actually, people started doubting the Empress Dowager’s kindness much earlier.
When Daniel, who had helped his brother become Emperor, was denied a title for a long time, rumors spread that the Empress Dowager herself was against him. Later, when Daniel was given land in Utrecht instead of the prime land near Celleno, people whispered that the Empress Dowager didn’t like her stepson.
The marriage to the Hakbon family was the final proof for many people that the Empress Dowager was harsh and unkind to Daniel, who risked his life for them.

“They weren’t just close, they were very, very close. My brother said the Duke used to call the Empress Dowager ‘Mother.’”

Just then, Muriel stopped and looked around.

“What are you two doing here?”

A black-haired head suddenly popped through the second-floor window, scaring Frida so much she fell over backward.

“Ahhh!”