Duke of the Beast and the Vicarious Bride - Chapter 76

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

These people cared not whether she was a broodmare Grand Duchess or a girl who slaughtered pigs. Compared to the imperial officials who had regarded her as little more than a vessel for an heir, at least these women treated her as a person.

Thus, with a considerably eased demeanour, Fiona cautiously ventured her purpose.

“I am dreadfully bored. Might there be some task I could help with?”

Morin looked mildly taken aback.

“Well, now. I hardly think there is work here suited to a lady of your station….”

“I am confident in any kitchen work. Washing up is fine, preparing ingredients as well. What I am best at, truthfully, is butchering meat.”

Anything that might fill the hours would be welcome.

Fiona’s enthusiasm seemed to trouble Morin, but the other women, now intrigued, gathered around.

“Butchering meat, she says? Were you from a butcher’s shop, then?”

“Surely she only helped with odd jobs! What could that slender frame manage?”

The remark struck a nerve, and Fiona bristled despite herself.

“I have fifteen years’ experience handling a blade. Bring me cattle, pigs, sheep, goats—anything you like.”

At this bold claim, a murmur of admiration rippled through the group.

“Well, well. The master’s wife is a butcher’s daughter. You live long enough, you see everything.”

“For a madhouse like this, I suppose the mistress needs that sort of mettle.”

“Pretty face, but there is backbone there, wouldn’t you say?”

“If she has the skill, it is to our benefit, is it not? Captain, the butcher’s lady is bored to death—give her something to do.”

Unfortunately, Morin explained that there was no pressing work at present. But it was not an outright refusal.

“Once a fortnight, the soldiers bring in a game. If you find yourself still at loose ends then, do come down.”

She added, perhaps noting Fiona’s faint disappointment, a small concession.

“For now… if you are truly restless, I suppose you might peel some potatoes.”

“Yes, good.”

Even this small excursion to the kitchens had injected a spark of vitality into her tedious existence.

It occurred to her, belatedly, that Jayden might disapprove. She dismissed the thought lightly.

With the imperial entourage gone, she saw no reason to play the demure count’s daughter. She had no desire to seek permission for every move she made. Fiona resolved to act as she pleased.

If Jayden learned of it later and raised a fuss… well, she would deal with that when the time came.

And so, kitchen work was added to Fiona’s daily routine. Marie looked thoroughly dismayed, but it was impossible to bend her stubborn mistress’s will.

* * *

Day followed upon day, each much like the last. As weeks of this monotonous yet tranquil existence passed, a change began to stir beyond the keep’s walls. Spring was approaching.

Though the north was ruled by cold throughout the year, its grip loosened considerably in spring and summer, they said.

It was not the full-blown spring of the central capital, but through the snow cover, now thin as a woman’s veil, mosses and lichens and hardy wildflowers raised their heads.

The sun lingered longer in the once-perpetually gloomy sky, and a faint warmth began to permeate the air.

It was the season when all living things stirred to activity. Which meant, of course, that the mountain range’s monsters would also awaken from their long hibernation, descending upon villages to fill their winter-starved bellies.

“Time for patrols to commence, in other words. Ah, your husband will be accompanying us, naturally.”

Jayden, who for some reason was sharing a meal with Fiona after a considerable interval, delivered this news.

With the warmer weather came the season of monster appearances. They would survey the mountain border, identifying likely emergence points and estimating the forces needed at each stronghold.

“Is that so? And what exactly does Caligo do there?”

She replied with a show of complete indifference, but in truth, she was deeply curious. According to Jayden, Caligo had been a valuable asset to the imperial forces since the full-scale subjugations began five years ago.

She had vaguely assumed he killed monsters, but she had no clear picture of how he fought, nor how dangerous the creatures truly were.