TDOT~46

Chapter 46 

Beast, Lecher, Womanizer

Daniel felt like he’d been plunged headfirst into the icy lake melted from the Altas Mountains.

“A child?”

Daniel froze, letting go of Frida’s skirt and slowly pushing himself up. Frida’s hands, which had been wrapped around his shoulders, slid down his arms and fell away. As the heavy feeling in her chest disappeared, Frida blushed and breathed easier. She couldn’t look anywhere except at Daniel’s strong, bare body. Their eyes met, and her heart pounded wildly as she tried to smile.

“Maybe it’s impossible, but I want to try. You never know—a miracle could happen.”

She remembered how Baroness Boild had also struggled to have a child.

“I was old, and I thought it was hopeless. I’d almost given up, but then one day, like a miracle, a child came to us.”

The baroness said that once she had such a precious child, she couldn’t leave her husband’s side. Even though Frida knew the Boild couple had been sent here to watch Daniel, she couldn’t help but like the baroness. It was rare for a noblewoman to go through so much trouble just to stay with the man she loved. Frida admired her courage—even if it was a bit reckless.

Yesterday, after thoroughly checking the baroness, Dr. Anton said there was no problem, but she should still get plenty of rest.

“Weren’t you afraid? It couldn’t have been easy to travel so far while pregnant.”

“Not at all. It was worse for me to stay in Celeno and worry alone.”

Baroness Boild shook her head, answering without a second’s hesitation.

“I wanted to be there when my first child was born. And honestly, Stefan can’t do anything without me. When things get tough, a husband and wife should help each other and get through it together. Isn’t that what marriage is?”

The baroness smiled so beautifully. Frida had left her quickly that first day, but she wanted to talk more next time. As she walked back to Marian Hall, she felt a small hope growing in her chest.

Maybe it’s possible for us, too, Frida thought. Her body might be weak, but Daniel was healthy. If they were lucky, maybe they could have a child. Last time she’d been scared, and her cycle had just started, so she’d pulled back. But this time, she wanted to try. Earlier, when she called his name, Daniel had seemed surprised but not uncomfortable. Maybe, just like the baron and baroness, they could start calling each other by name more often and become closer.

Truthfully, she was still scared about sharing a bed with Daniel for the first time. But as a married couple, it was something they would face someday. Besides, Daniel had promised not to take a mistress, hadn’t he? If they were going to spend their lives together, maybe—just maybe—they could be happy, loving each other for the rest of their days. Frida’s hand trembled as she gently touched Daniel’s chin.

“Daniel, I want to have a child who looks like you.”

Not a weak child like herself, but a strong, healthy child like Daniel. A child who could run and play outside in the sunshine, without needing to hide under a hat. A child who would celebrate every birthday with joy. Even if she left this world before seeing the child grow up, Daniel would be there—a father much stronger than any mother. Frida forced a big smile, blinking back tears.

“If you help me, I’ll try my best.”

Daniel stared at her quietly, not saying a word. This was not the reckless man from a moment ago, but the Daniel Richard she always knew. His eyes studied her, searching, looking different from usual. Even his breathing calmed down. Suddenly, Frida worried about him and tried to push herself up—but Daniel pulled away first, got off the bed, picked up his shirt, and put it on. The air around him felt cold, so different from just a moment ago.

“D-Daniel? What’s wrong?” Frida’s voice trembled, confused.

Daniel ended the confusion with a single sentence.

“Go back to your room.”

Later

Everything annoyed Daniel—the loud slam of his bedroom door, even the maid who was startled to see him coming out of Frida’s room. Usually, people didn’t see the lord of the castle much, so she was surprised, but today that bothered Daniel even more. He walked down the hall and spoke to the maid in a cold voice.

“Why are you coming out of a room that doesn’t belong to you?”

“M-my lady didn’t answer when I knocked…”

“Look at me.”

Daniel recognized the maid from seeing her around Frida. He didn’t know her name, but her face and voice were familiar. As he turned away, pulling on his jacket, he hadn’t even taken three steps when hurried footsteps came up behind him—Muriel appeared, out of breath.

“Matilda, have you still not found the young lady…?”

She was clearly exhausted from searching everywhere for Frida. Today, her usual fuss seemed especially annoying.

“Your Grace,” Muriel bowed.
“What’s with all the fuss?”
“We can’t find the young lady. She’s not in her room.”
“So?”
“I think she must have gone to Scadi Hall to check on the guests. She was worried all night and probably went to look around first thing. You don’t need to worry, Your Grace.”

Muriel’s firm voice didn’t even consider that Frida might have been in Daniel’s room. The anger that should have been directed only at his wife now spread to innocent maids and loyal knights. He almost lost control and yelled at them, but just then—

“Your Grace! Why are you so angry…?”

Frida appeared, hair tangled from the bed, lips swollen, cheeks red, and marks on her neck that could only have come from kisses. Anyone could see what had happened.

“My lady! There you are! I’ve been looking for you all morning.”

“…Oh, Matilda.” Frida replied.

Daniel glanced at the maid hurrying over to Frida, then started walking to the stairs.

“What happened to your hair… and your neck… Oh my!”

From behind, he could feel Muriel’s accusing eyes. He could almost hear what they were thinking:

Heartless brute. Beast. Lecher. Womanizer.

He needed somewhere to escape.

Soon after

A heavy door banged open. Dominic, lounging in a chair, jumped to his feet. Stefan straightened up too as Daniel strode in, not even glancing at Stefan.

“Get ready to hunt. Now.”

Dominic rang the bell without hesitation.

“So suddenly? Feeling restless?”

It was nothing unusual. Daniel handed Dominic arrows, then a quiver.

“How many days’ rations should we take?”

“Don’t need much.”

“Makes sense—plenty of game this time of year.”

Dominic waved for Stefan to move aside and stacked the gear. Suddenly he frowned.

“Are we bringing the ‘flower deer’ too?”

“Yes.”

“Tch. He’s going to be noisy.”

As Dominic left to give orders through the open door, Stefan finally got Daniel’s attention with a persistent look.

“Speak.”

Daniel sharpened his sword with a leather strap as he spoke. Yesterday, he’d been the perfect, polite duke. Today, he was like a wild beast. Which one was real?

Stefan took a breath and asked,

“Your Grace, how long will the hunt last?”

“We’ll see.”

“Should I come with you?”

“Do you know how to shoot a bow?”

Dominic snickered.

“No.”

“Know how to bleed an animal? Or skin it?”

“No.”

“Ever slept outdoors in the mountains?”

“No.”

Daniel held his finished sword up to the sunlight, the reflected light shining in Stefan’s face. Then he sheathed the sword and looked at Stefan with cold, unreadable eyes.

“And what do you think?”

Stefan realized he’d been staring and cleared his throat.

“May I ask what you mean, Your Grace?”

“Why should I take someone useless like you hunting? If you have a reason, say it now.”

“…I have none.”

Daniel slowly walked over to Stefan, towering over him.

“Go see the duchess. She’s probably waiting for someone as useless as you.”