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Chapter: 18
Jace politely greeted Kagan and me before answering.
“I came after hearing about the festival from Emmet. It’s a bit disappointing that I heard about Wayriver later than him, but if it’s an interesting place, I can’t afford to miss it.”
His face had already regained its signature playful smile.
“The festival starts tomorrow.”
“That’s exactly the problem. Emmet is good at digging up information, but he always seems to miss something important.”
I let out a small laugh as I thought of Emmet Schumann, the so-called meticulous young nobleman. Jace scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, then stretched his lips into a grin.
“Well, I don’t mind. If I can build up a few small debts with that guy, it becomes useful in many ways. I can get an extra drink out of him or something. I’m free anyway, so I might as well stay an extra day and enjoy myself.”
There was no way the eldest son of a wealthy marquis family was actually as free as he claimed. Still, his relaxed attitude had the effect of easing the tension around him, and for that I was grateful.
The fear that had spread through the crowd gradually lifted, replaced by soft, relieved smiles.
“Phew. It’s such a relief that the Duke came.”
“What did that man think he was doing, causing trouble in Wayriver, not even knowing who our lord is?”
“If Count Rigen hadn’t been here, we would’ve had to drop everything and run.”
“What a shameless man.”
“Let’s also thank the Count’s friend who gave him the wrong festival date. Haha.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Emmet and I didn’t really do anything. Especially Emmet.”
Jace humbly dismissed the praise while happily accepting snacks and drinks offered by the villagers. Watching this, the villagers who had laughed earlier began glancing toward me.
“By the way, what brings the Duke and Duchess here?”
“We heard you were preparing for the festival, so we came to greet you. There are many people I’m meeting for the first time.”
“Oh, I met the Duchess at the wedding.”
“Yes, I remember. Mrs. Sam, how have you been?”
Most of them were seeing me for the first time, and I could feel countless gazes on me. I met their eyes one by one and greeted them. Fortunately, they all looked at me kindly, and the tension in my shoulders eased.
“I’m so glad our Duchess is here in Wayriver now. The Duke must feel much more reassured too.”
Hmm. It might take some time before I properly fulfill that role.
“Duchess, hello. I run a clock shop over there with my husband. My daughter, who was born last month, has purple eyes just like yours, so I’m truly honored and—”
“Alright, alright, that’s enough. Let’s leave them be. They’re probably out on a date.”
“Why? I think they came to encourage us with festival preparations.”
“Madam, shall we go clear the tables together?”
“Wait, please! You’ll come tomorrow too, right, Duchess? We received festival lights sponsored by Winfris, so tomorrow the square will be even more beautiful. I’ll even bring my daughter out for a bit.”
The clock shop owner was dragged away by another woman, but she still smiled brightly at me and promised she would come tomorrow.
“…Welcome, Count.”
I gave Jace a slightly delayed greeting.
“You’re staying at my castle today, Jace.”
Kagan also made a gentle offer.
“I’ll have you brought here tomorrow in time for your appointment.”
“Is that alright?”
Everyone knew Jace was not the type to refuse hospitality.
“Ah, the weather is good and my luck is good too. As expected, I am a man blessed by Wayriver.”
His carefree remark made even the workers listening from afar laugh again.
I found myself liking Jace a little more. He truly cared about Wayriver. Having a relative who respected my husband and valued his territory felt like a great blessing.
“Oh, I finished the book you lent me last time, but I left it at Rigen’s place. I wanted to hear your thoughts too, Duke.”
“You finished it already?”
I was surprised, remembering how thick the book had been.
“Yes. There wasn’t much else to do. If I’m going to stay home and read instead of going out drinking, my mother is quite pleased.”
Even so, finishing it so quickly was impressive. As I was quietly admiring him, he suddenly added as if remembering something.
“By the way, that drunkard came to my house, saw the book, and insisted on reading it too. Said he liked the cover or something.”
Kagan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“I’m surprised Emmet showed interest in reading. His mother was worried he might have dyslexia.”
“Don’t even get me started. He only has ‘dyslexia’ when he’s studying things he hates. When it’s some noblewoman’s romance novel, he reads it with great passion.”
“I see. If it helps Emmet develop an interest in books, I suppose I should let him read mine freely. Once you’re done…”
He suddenly stopped and looked at me.
“Oh, I almost forgot the Duchess said she would read that book.”
“It’s alright. I can read it later.”
I quickly waved my hand.
“I’ll read it after you, Duke.”
I didn’t want to take away the joy of friends sharing a book and discussing it together. The only reason I had been interested in the book at all was because it belonged to Kagan. And even then, the owner hadn’t even read it yet.
So I firmly added that there was no need for me to be given priority.
“Since we’re husband and wife, we can even read it together.”
Even if Kagan’s face stiffened or turned red, I no longer paid it any attention.
“Oh dear, my apologies.”
Jace spoke in an exaggeratedly regretful tone.
“I underestimated how close the two of you are. I suddenly feel lonely.”
No one comforted Kagan, who muttered the word “close” in a serious tone.
“I suppose I should go find a wife too. I’ll wander the streets and see if any young lady will take me in.”
“You’re not coming with us to the castle?”
I asked quickly, forgetting we had been on a date. I felt a little sorry, as if we kept pushing him away.
“No, no. I actually reserved a few books from old man Hans. I’ll see you at the castle this evening.”
Jace tipped his hat cheerfully and walked off toward the shopping street.
It didn’t seem like just an excuse this time. The bookstore owner, who had been glancing toward us, even waved at him warmly as Jace arrived, making a circle with his thumb and index finger as if signaling that the request had been fulfilled.
“Um, my lady.”
The silence left by the lively young man didn’t last long.
A small girl’s voice came from behind us, and Kagan and I both turned around. She looked about ten years old. She lifted her head and looked up at me.
“Would you buy the candy I made? I live in Philondi in the neighboring village, and I came here with my mother after hearing about the spring festival in Wayriver. We worked really hard making these candies.”
In her hand, she held a peach blossom coated in golden candy. She also showed a small leaf box hanging from a basket on her arm.
“There are ten candies in each of these boxes. They’re made from carefully cleaned eucalyptus leaves.”
“Oh, how pretty.”
When I gently shook the neatly woven leaf case, a crisp rattling sound of candies echoed.
Ah, why did Mila tell me to leave my money pouch behind?
I looked at Kagan as if asking whether I could afford this as a penniless person, and he slightly nodded.
“Would you like two? Or how many of these can you sell?”
Kagan and Mila both had a weakness for cute and sweet things.
“I only brought ten boxes today. Would you like to take all of them?”
“Yes. All of them.”
I paid the girl and received the entire basket of candy. Having completed her entire sale at once, the girl smiled brightly and ran toward a woman helping nearby.
“Would Sir Ben like candy too?”
With my right arm linked with Kagan’s and a basket in my left hand, I walked happily down the peach tree path, swaying lightly.
It felt like a luxury. I felt like a rich woman.
Buying everything a merchant had!
The fact that it was just a small candy worth less than a single silver coin per box didn’t matter. Even though the silver coins also came from Kagan’s pocket, that didn’t matter either.
“I’ll pay you back for the silver coins.”
I glanced at him awkwardly, and Kagan frowned slightly.
“There’s no need to worry about coins like that.”
“But still.”
It was meaningless anyway, since even my living expenses came from his pocket. But once I started working properly in the future, that would change.
Someday, I would have my own small business. It would feel even more rewarding when giving gifts to family members.
“By the way, it seems this festival has spread to other territories as well. Mila said it was the first time she’d heard of such a small festival. I should write a thank-you letter to Count Velia for supporting the merchants.”
When I first met her at my wedding, she seemed somewhat difficult and stern, but it turned out she was generous when it came to charity.
There were so many people I wanted to meet and so many things I wanted to do that each day felt too short.
“Oh, there’s a bird I’ve never seen before. It’s so small and cute. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in any field guide. I wonder what it’s called.”
Every day felt like it passed in the spirit of a busy festival.
“Wow, look at that willow decoration. The ribbon knot is so elaborate and artistic. Who could have designed something like that?”
Kagan, who had been walking with a blank expression all this time, suddenly stopped in front of the willow tree. It must have truly caught his attention. After silently staring for a long while, he finally spoke.
“…I was thinking it was pretty.”
Pretty? The ribbon on that tree?
I tilted my head and looked up at it.
“And it kind of resembles a flower.”
He raised his hand and pointed toward the peach blossoms blooming across from the willow tree.
