Chapter 79

Maybe it was the magic that altered his appearance, but Ignis seemed like a completely different person.

His long, dark lashes fluttered softly, like flower petals.

His chiseled features, almost sculptural in the lighting, and pale skin kept pulling her gaze back to him like they were meant to tempt. Tall, broad-shouldered, and lean with just the right amount of muscle, it was as if someone had crafted him straight from her imagination.

Ignis must have just taken a bath, as his skin was warm to the touch, still holding a trace of moisture.

Karentina swallowed hard and mumbled.

“Wh-what is it?”

“You’ve got some thread in your hair.”

Ignis gently removed a strand of red embroidery thread from her hair.

“Oh, Madam Sharon was taking my measurements earlier to make me a hat. That’s probably why…”

Karentina fumbled over her words, sounding unusually flustered.

“I see. Then sleep well, my lady. We’re leaving early tomorrow.”

With that, Ignis turned and headed up the stairs without looking back. Left all alone, she stood frozen, like she had turned to stone.

‘Zion… Turns out the real dangerous animal wasn’t Ignis. It was me.’

Karentina, her face burning red, fanned herself furiously and rushed up the stairs to her room.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

Karentina woke up earlier than usual, having spent the night kicking her blanket in embarrassment. She lay there, bundled up in it, rolling around until her eyes slowly drifted to the window.

Thankfully, the rain had stopped.

Outside, the peaceful countryside stretched out quietly. Far off in the distance, she could see the glowing orange sun rising and the waves of the sea gently rolling in.

Aside from nearly falling under Ignis’s spell, her body felt light and refreshed.

‘It must’ve been the oysters, eel… all stamina boosters? No wonder I’m so full of energy.’

Come to think of it, Madam Sharon had six kids. It seemed there was a good reason for that.

Karentina stifled a small laugh, deciding to lock away that embarrassing memory for good.

She debated staying in bed a while longer, but eventually sat up slowly. After a quick wash and brushing her teeth in the little bathroom connected to her room, she lazily ran a brush through her hair. She briefly considered doing some embroidery out of boredom, but firmly shook the thought away. Instead, she slipped into one of the more casual dresses Madam Sharon had lent her, something simple enough to put on without help.

With minimal ties and buttons, it was easy to manage on her own.

“Maybe I’ll go for a morning walk.”

She had eaten plenty of healthy, revitalizing food, and once she went back to the North, there likely wouldn’t be another chance to visit the West for a while. After being cooped up in the mansion for so long, her body was restless. As she descended the stairs, holding the glossy, waxed wooden handrail, a maid who was cleaning nearby jumped in surprise.

“Oh my! My lady, you’re already up?”

“Yeah. I rested a lot yesterday, so I woke up early.”

“Was the bed uncomfortable by any chance?”

Seeing the concern on the maid’s face, Karentina waved it off with a smile.

“No, not at all. I slept so well and feel great this morning. I think it was because a lot of the dishes yesterday were healthy.”

When Karentina answered with a bright smile, the maid nodded in agreement.

“Of course. People in the West eat stamina-boosting foods all year round, not just during holidays. I’ve even heard of nobles having children in their seventies!”

“R-Really?”

“I think the master and mistress are thinking of trying again, too… Children are blessings, after all.”

“….”

Karentina slowly turned her head, like a wooden doll, deeply regretting hearing about Western bedroom matters she never wanted to know.

“The master and mistress probably went to check on the farm early this morning. Should I go and call them back?”

“Already?”

“Oh, yes. Even if they didn’t say it out loud, I’m sure they were concerned after all that rain yesterday.”

“I see.”

They really were incredibly diligent people.

“Is there anywhere around here that might be worth visiting?”

The maid set down her broom and thought for a moment.

“There’s a little trail next to the estate that leads to the sea. Would you like to try that?”

“The sea? It’s not far from here?”

“Not at all. It’s really close to the estate. Norman will show you the way. Norman!”

At the sound of the maid’s call, Norman trotted over happily and stopped right in front of her.

“She recently had puppies, so she needs a morning walk every day. Madam says it helps ease her postpartum anxiety or something like that. In any case, I have to open the door for her to go out.”

Postpartum anxiety? Maybe she was stressed from dealing with too many puppies? Feeling sorry for her, Karentina reached out and gently patted Norman’s head.

“Then, can I take her on the walk instead?”

“Pardon? Are you sure, my lady? Should I call that handsome knight to escort you?”

“No! It’s fine. If anything seems risky, I’ll head straight back.”

In the end, the maid gave a reluctant nod and pointed to the trail with her finger before handing Karentina a small pouch.

“There are some treats for Norman in there. She’s a smart dog, so she’ll take good care of you, my lady.”

Saying that, the maid immediately opened the door.

Norman, moving at her usual unhurried pace, began sniffing everything around her as she headed toward the little trail next to the mansion. The smart dog walked briskly but often paused to make sure Karentina was still following, then would slow her pace.

Karentina fed Norman one of the treats the maid had given her and took a deep breath of the crisp forest air.

“Wow!”