Chapter 39
The healing spring, and the man who’s much too buoyant
Upon their arrival, Izar was held up by the Marquis of Deneb for quite a while.
Perhaps it was the difference in atmosphere compared to the typically reserved and terse men of Arcturus.
‘The Marquis of Deneb talks too much.’
Just like his second son, who flutters about the court. However, the moment they were led into the room, Izar also paused in his steps.
Inside, Freesia stood still as a statue.
“Your Grace, you’ve returned.”
“……”
Izar made an effort not to scowl.
He had no intention of pretending to be a doting couple, but in front of those who were not his vassals, pretense was necessary.
Yet, Freesia followed him, chattering away.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“For what?”
“For allowing me to use the spring here and for helping with the monster extermination.”
Izar did not respond to her. Freesia spoke as if he had done something grand, but from Izar’s perspective, it was hardly the case. Strengthening alliances with neighboring territories was important, and subjugating monsters was a noble task.
‘Using the spring is just a small bonus.’
Yet, Izar glanced over his shoulder at her. Though her long dress hid it well, the sight of her bandage-wrapped legs before was distressingly wretched.
The physician had even said, ‘Some wounds are so deep, they’re likely to scar.’
‘So, let’s rid her of the scars before sending her away.’
He considered this the last of his humane duties. But still, Freesia seemed to have more to say, her voice fading as she spoke.
“What about our accommodations during our stay…?”
“What about them?”
There was no other choice but to use this room for the duration of their stay. This petite woman wouldn’t even occupy a quarter of the bed, so he planned not to mind at all.
But misunderstanding his gesture, Freesia earnestly nodded.
“Right… I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“…”
Izar just stared at her in silence.
This shepherdess, barely recovered, was daring to be so bold with him again.
With a heavy sigh, Izar nonchalantly pointed to the bed.
“Just sleep over there in the corner.”
“Ah. Yes.”
“And make sure to visit the spring within the permitted time.”
Though it was merely a bonus, the Deneb family rarely opened this place to anyone unless for significant reasons.
Seeing she understood, Freesia hurriedly nodded.
“Yes, I’ll make sure to visit.”
“As for the escort.”
He couldn’t leave this woman unattended, not in a place deemed safe.
‘Sending a maid… wouldn’t be appropriate for the healing spring.’
It was a grave matter to carelessly let someone of lower status enter the water. And sending knights posed its own issues.
‘She’ll have to lift her dress to enter the water.’
For a man who was not her husband to see a woman’s legs was a grave impropriety in the empire.
There was only one conclusion.
“Your Grace?”
“Haah.”
“…?”
Freesia looked puzzled, and Izar let out a sigh filled with frustration.
Well, if he had decided to fulfill his duty, what was adding one more task to the list?
***
Izar decided to keep watch while Freesia used the spring.
Despite completely misunderstanding the situation, Marchioness seemed to give them a knowing look.
However, Izar merely ignored her as he led Freesia into the dense forest.
The ancient forest’s scent mixed with the cool sound of water created a refreshing atmosphere.
Yet, before heading to the spring, Freesia looked up at him once more. Izar decided to wait under a giant tree during the wait.
“Your Grace, you’re not going to enter? Just waiting here would be…”
“Permission to enter was granted to only one person.”
“Yes, then… I’ll be quick and return soon.”
Freesia hurriedly stepped down the flat rocks towards the water.
Soon, a ‘splash’ sound was heard as she touched the water.
Splash, splash… the sound continued as if she was walking in the water.
After some time, the sound of Freesia humming reached him, carried by the wind.
“Quite enjoying herself, huh.”
He brought her here for healing, yet she seemed to be having fun.
Despite his cynical thoughts, Izar leaned his head back against the tree.
The rustling of leaves mixed with her voice was as refreshing as flowing water, prompting Izar to slowly close his eyes.
‘Whatever brought me here…’
It was peaceful, a tranquility he hadn’t felt in a long time. Even the aching in his temples that had been bothering him lately had subsided…
Izar pressed his temples, murmuring,
“Why am I like this?”
Izar had never been sick in his life, not even a cold.
But lately, the pain in his temples had become annoyingly frequent. Even the medicine from the physician didn’t seem to work well.
‘Since when has it been like this?’
It was the same when Freesia was lying ill, and going further back…
On the night of their wedding at the ducal residence in the capital—when he had left her behind. The same throbbing pain had lingered.
What were those fleeting scenes about?
But then, Freesia let out a short scream.
“Ah!”
Izar instinctively grabbed his sword hilt and ran towards the sound.
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