Chapter 106
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The room at the end of the corridor, chosen because it was the largest on Fiona’s floor, came with an equally large dressing room attached.
Though signs of rummaging were evident, there the two found several sets of clothes that might fit Caligo’s body perfectly.
If, as the Emperor claimed, he was of Aquileia Grand Ducal bloodline, it seemed the men of that house had been robustly built for generations.
If not… these garments fit so perfectly one might think they were originally his…
Questions about Caligo’s identity rose once more, but with no way to verify them now, she set them aside for the time being.
“Seeing so many men’s clothes, this must indeed have been used as the master’s quarters.”
Having concluded this, Fiona selected a shirt that looked comfortable for movement and a clean pair of trousers, and had Caligo try them on.
A short while later, seeing Caligo emerge from the dressing room, both women found themselves simultaneously clapping their hands.
Having bathed cleanly yesterday and now dressed in proper clothing, Caligo looked remarkably neat and tall.
“More than I thought… not bad?”
Finding herself awkwardly praising her husband so openly, Fiona trailed off ambiguously. Fortunately, Marie agreed without particularly quibbling.
“I agree with milady a hundred percent.”
But regardless of the two women’s enthusiastic reaction, Caligo’s face showed something like impatience and dissatisfaction.
“What’s wrong? Are the clothes uncomfortable?”
When Fiona asked, he shook his head and hesitated, then revealed his true feelings.
“Must I stay here?”
At this unexpected response, Fiona’s eyes widened.
She had thought he was fine following whatever was asked of him, but perhaps the sudden change in environment unsettled him.
She suddenly worried whether she had moved too quickly.
“Why? Is it too bright compared to where you stayed before? Should I hang curtains?”
But Fiona’s guess missed the mark entirely.
“No, that doesn’t matter. But I dislike this room. I wish to stay with Fiona.”
…Ah, so that was it.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Fiona scratched the back of her neck for no reason. Whether because she felt Marie’s gaze upon her, his words seemed particularly awkward to her now.
Caligo was staring intently at Fiona, waiting only for her answer.
“Um, Caligo. I’m not particularly well-versed in etiquette either, but one shouldn’t stare so intently at another’s face like that. And as for staying together…”
Having brought this up awkwardly, he complained with an even more dissatisfied expression.
“So I cannot share a room, nor can I look upon your face. Why?”
“It’s not that you cannot look—it’s that you shouldn’t stare so intently that it becomes uncomfortable.”
“But I want to look. Continuously, if possible.”
“I never said you couldn’t look. Just that you should also look at other things while…”
“I don’t wish to look at other things. The only thing I wish to look at is Fiona.”
“What if you both used the same room?”
Unable to bear their pointless sparring, Marie intervened with a suggestion. Though she was smiling, her expression somehow already seemed weary, making Fiona even more embarrassed.
“In the capital, it’s common for noble couples to have separate rooms, but this is the North. I think milady and the master should simply live as comfortable.”
“R-really? If Marie says so, then…”
Feigning reluctant agreement to share a room, Fiona once again scratched her neck furiously.
No one was saying anything, and she wasn’t normally one to be easily embarrassed—why she felt so abashed, she couldn’t understand.
Of course, sharing a room with Caligo was not something she disliked.
“More pressing is the matter of attending to His Highness the Grand Duke… I can certainly help with meals, but attending to his clothing or bathing…”
“I’ll manage that part somehow.”
At Fiona’s words, Marie nodded.
“Then while I tidy this room, I’ll prepare the necessary items for His Highness.”
“Yes, I’d be grateful if you would.”
Hearing Fiona’s answer, Marie respectfully greeted the two and withdrew. Her step somehow seemed lighter than usual.
“Well then, shall we return to our room?”
As Fiona, carrying Caligo’s clothes, said this, he finally erased his dissatisfaction and obediently followed behind her.
When it came to expressing his will, wasn’t he already nearly normal? Fiona thought for a moment.
* * *
From the day she brought Caligo from the military camp, Fiona’s daily routine changed somewhat.
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