TMLAM 13

Chapter 13

All weekend long, Kristan and Aidan met with merchant guild leaders to ask about industry trends. Sure enough, they heard that demand for stone was increasing. A trend that had begun in the capital was now spreading outward.

They went straight to the quarry afterward and confirmed the situation with their own eyes. Fortunately, because a recession had hit shortly after excavation began, there was still plenty of stone left in reserve.

“So this really is a wind stirred up by Miss Roella.”

The words were exactly right. Kristan, leaning his head back against the edge of the bathtub, narrowed his eyes slightly.

Jeyman, who had come from the capital, also spoke highly of Roella’s abilities.

“With Miss Roella’s level of competence, she wouldn’t fall behind even in the capital. I’ve seen it myself—among typists, it’s rare to find someone that skilled. And on top of that, her ability to review documents and read the flow of the times is exceptional… She’s truly a blessing to the North.”

Roella’s name came up repeatedly throughout today’s meeting, and the northern nobles all seemed curious about her.

Kristan let out a small chuckle. Roella was inserting herself into his life in ways he’d never expected.

I only expected her aptitude as a compatible partner…

It was astonishing.

Kristan rose from the bathtub. He found himself deeply curious about what Roella might be doing tonight. It wasn’t even 9 p.m. yet.

She might be asleep on his bed again, just like yesterday.

Before he realized it, Kristan let out a short laugh.

He had never met anyone so bold and carefree in his entire life. And yet, that very carefree nature of hers seemed to be rubbing off on him.

It made him feel like everything would turn out fine.

Kristan put on his sleepwear and wrapped a robe around himself. It was time to sleep. The fact that he was actually looking forward to this time surprised him.

But the moment he stepped into his bedroom, he flinched.

Roella was standing there with her head bowed deeply.

The heart of a hardened knight thumped loudly. Her long hair hung loosely as she stared at the floor. Was she greeting him with the crown of her head? Why?

“Did you drop something on the floor?”

It was a reasonable assumption.

Roella clenched her teeth and spoke.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace!”

Roella had decided to confess and seek redemption. Being fired on the spot would be far worse than coming clean now.

“For what?”

“…I dared to intrude upon Your Grace’s bed. I never should have done that…! It will never happen again! Please forgive me!”

She sounded downright resolute.

“Ah.”

Kristan narrowed his eyes and smiled. What had meant nothing to him had clearly been weighing on her mind.

When Roella lifted her head, her eyes were trembling.

She looked frightened.

She’s scared… over something like this?

After all that boldness? Grabbing his hand without hesitation. Falling asleep beside him. Meeting his gaze with wide eyes.

Fearlessly invading his life—

And now she’s afraid?

Kristan brushed his hair back and spoke, amusement thick in his voice.

“If you’re sorry, then have a meal with me.”

“…Pardon?”

A meal? Roella blinked in confusion. Kristan gestured toward the sofa.

“I didn’t get to eat dinner. I was asking if you could stay until I finish eating.”

“Oh!”

Roella broke into a bright smile and gave a thumbs-up.

“For a stressful Monday, late-night food is the best! What should I prepare?”

Kristan burst into laughter without realizing it. She seemed to get better and better at making him laugh by the day.

* * *

Lulu.

Last night, I had a fun late-night snack with Kristan. That had to be a signal that he’d forgive me for sleeping on his bed, right? If there was any loyalty tied to the sandwiches and turkey we shared, then surely that was the case.

Thanks to that, I started today in much better condition.

Time flew by.

Kristan and Aidan were incredibly busy repairing bridges and roads, so I was able to focus comfortably on my own work.

Before I knew it, the six weeks that had seemed endless were coming to an end.

* * *

“Hah… you really pulled this off.”

They’d thought they couldn’t be surprised anymore after everything Roella had done—but they were wrong. She continued to astonish them. Within the six weeks she’d promised, she had finished organizing three years’ worth of ledgers.

“I see.”

Kristan smiled softly. By now, her miracle-like work efficiency—and her occasional eccentric behavior—no longer felt unfamiliar.

No, he’d grown used to it.

He’d even developed a strange faith that if it was Roella, she could accomplish anything.

During that time, Kristan and Roella had gradually begun sharing the occasional late-night meal. Kristan often missed meals due to his workload, and those moments naturally turned into dinners together.

It all started with sandwiches and roasted turkey.

A small, trivial beginning.

Roasted turkey was one of the castle chef’s specialties, so it appeared frequently on the table. Even late at night, freshly roasted turkey was often served.

It digested easily and was a dish the chef was confident in. What turned that unremarkable turkey into something special was Roella herself.

Just yesterday—

“Mmm! Tearing into poultry legs makes me crave beer! I really tried to resist, but I can’t! Do you dislike beer, Your Grace?”

With her eyes sparkling as she called out for beer, Kristan ended up drinking with her—for the first time in a long while.

Because of his physician’s warning that alcohol could worsen mana addiction symptoms, he’d avoided drinking for years.

But with Roella, it felt fine. Just being near her made his body feel lighter.

Roella enjoyed drinking quite a bit.

“Ahhh! This is amazing, right?”

“What exactly is amazing?”

“Oh—just that it’s delicious! Are you okay, Your Grace? Poultry legs and beer are the perfect match. I used to eat them together all the time.”

“…I suppose they do go well together. I don’t usually drink, so this is my first time eating like this.”

“Oh dear, you’ve been missing out on one of life’s greatest pleasures! Now that you know, it’s fine. Shall we toast?”

With beer foam clinging to her lips as she smiled brightly, Roella was completely different from the countless noble ladies Kristan had known.

Most noblewomen tried to appear delicate and perfect at all times.

Given Kristan’s age and title, there were many who coveted the position of Grand Duchess.

Yet Kristan had remained unmarried entirely by choice.

It wasn’t for any dramatic reason—he simply hadn’t felt the need. If an heir were required, he could adopt a relative’s child. Preferably one with strong talent and skill with the sword.

More fundamentally, though, he didn’t want children.

Any child of his bloodline would inevitably inherit his suffering.

Kristan knew that pain better than anyone—and he didn’t want to pass on a cursed bloodline.

Some called the dragon’s mana a blessing, but for the vessel that bore it, it was no different from a curse.

If one asked the short-lived Grand Dukes of the past, they would surely say the same.