Chapter 122
‘Well, I can ask later.’
For now, as the ‘Duchess with four more husbands,’ it was urgent to greet the people of the Duke’s castle.
Soon they reached Duke Troys’s castle, a typical residence of a northern great noble.
Perhaps due to the harsh local conditions, the people there had a stiff disposition. Percival kept introductions brief.
“These are my wife’s other husbands.”
“I see, my lord.”
After the brief introduction, no one looked puzzled at their group. Instead, they were extremely respectful toward the ‘Duchess’.
‘No disputes about a ‘great duke’s wife’ being unacceptable?’
Even shameless Eugenie was at a loss for words.
Percival, though saying nothing after bringing Eugenie to his hometown, was visibly excited. He even gathered courage to suggest a walk.
“Madam, shall we take a stroll before dinner?”
“Ah, yes. Shall we?”
The wide garden boasted a style that maximized natural beauty in the northern climate.
As Eugenie wandered, admiring the style different from the capital’s, she suddenly widened her eyes at the view beyond the garden’s main gate.
“Percival, is that a family graveyard?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Oh.”
For great nobles, a cemetery was traditionally just behind their castle. Unlike the Norton family, which was wealthy but not very old, this was a different sight.
‘If I want to see that right after arriving, I’m probably crossing a line.’
Eugenie pressed down her curious feelings. There’s a time and place for curiosity.
Wasn’t there something more important to ask Percival?
“By the way, Percival, have you ever been to that abandoned mine?”
“Not at all.”
Percival shook his head.
“The magic stone veins dried up long before I became the head of the household. No one lives there…”
“Hmm. But no one’s bought it either?”
“The surrounding vegetation has withered, farming is difficult, so it’s a questionable area.”
“Uh-huh.”
Eugenie stuffed the dripping bits of information into her mind. Though premature generalizations were dangerous, anything related to magic that lacked information had to be remembered.
“…Then when did it become an abandoned mine?”
“Well, I don’t recall the exact time.”
Percival frowned, trying to remember.
“Probably it was already declining when the Troys family settled here about a hundred years ago.”
“Hm.”
Eugenie bit her lip in thought. Before going to the abandoned mine, maybe she should first investigate what had happened here a century ago.
Meanwhile, Percival silently watched the pondering Eugenie.
‘Finally, I have something useful for the Madam besides the bedroom?’
If so, he’s very pleased. To him, a couple meant a relationship where such actions were freely shared.
But in his purple eyes, a different feeling gradually crept up—a fierce possessiveness that inevitably emerged when with a monster’s mate.
* * *
At dawn the next day, the group headed to the abandoned mine area.
As Percival said, the surrounding flora had long since withered away. Even for the north, known for short wildflowers in summer, the scenery was desolate.
“That cave is the entrance to the mine, Madam.”
“Good. Is everyone ready?”
Those entering were Eugenie, Percival, and Carter—the local lords of the area. Meanwhile, Magnus, Alfred, and Cassius stayed outside to prepare for emergencies.
“Ah… this.”
Someone at the back sighed softly. Eugenie turned to see who it was.
“Cassius?”
“…”
“What’s wrong?”
Her younger husband frowned, unusually quiet the entire trip.
“This place… it feels strangely familiar.”
“Not deja vu?”
“No, no. Lady, I think you’d understand.”
Cassius sighed with a somewhat pale face.
“That’s where I used to be.”
“Oh… oh!”
Eugenie glanced inside and outside the cave, gasping softly.
No way. It truly was the place from Cassius’s memories—
Then this is the place where Theodora Norton once grabbed his collar and threatened him as a child!
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