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‘Where the hell did that brat go?’
That lizard generally preferred to stay by Rahan's side. It claimed to have no strength if it was away from him.
However, since that night, the lizard had not appeared in the cabin. Iris had also suggested looking for it, but there was a difference between Rahan looking for the lizard and Iris looking for it.
So Rahan pulled Iris toward him to distract her, saying, “You’re probably out there eating bugs or something.”
“Let’s go together.”
Thinking Rahan was heading to the village after stepping out of the cabin, Iris pulled on him.
“Today is the Regular Market.”
She must have been keeping track of the dates even in the midst of everything. She said the Regular Market, held once every fifteen days, was today. Left with no choice, Rahan waited for Iris to get ready to go out. Of course, it wasn't an easy process.
“How is it?”
As Iris turned around to show him the clothes Rahan had bought her, he covered his face with his hands.
The clothes the Vera Sisters had sold Iris were all designs that revealed the neckline or had wide-open backs. They were meant to make her look alluring, but the problem was that the hickeys Rahan had left were all visible.
“…I don’t think you can wear that.”
With his face flushing red, Rahan pointed to the back of Iris's shoulder. She checked the area and gasped, “Oh my!” in embarrassment.
‘Women are so flighty...’
Of course, he was grateful for that flightiness. However, he couldn't let her go to a crowded Regular Market wearing clothes like that.
In the end, Iris took out and put back on the old clothes she had worn at the convent. Rahan clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
“Maybe I should buy some clothes today.”
But in a small village like Vandel, there were hardly any people who bought clothes. Most people sewed their own or asked the Vera Sisters.
When he realized there probably wouldn't be any clothes at the Regular Market either, Rahan grumbled petulantly. It was the same on the way down to the village.
“I need to get back to the Grand Duchy quickly. As soon as we arrive, I’m going to plunder the Grand Duke’s seamstresses.”
Since he had been the guard for Grand Duke Yvette Lacheis, Rahan knew how excellent the Grand Duke's seamstresses were.
The Grand Duke's wardrobe was lined with luxurious and magnificent dresses and surcoats, and the seamstresses crafted clothes for the Grand Duke to wear just once using the finest fabrics.
Iris walked with her arm linked in Rahan's, giggling.
“I’m really fine. These clothes are comfortable because I’ve worn them for so long.”
“I’ll show you that new clothes can be comfortable too.”
Your husband is rich. Just as he was about to brag, Iris asked something entirely different.
“Rahan, you married me because of the Grand Duke, didn't you?”
“…I guess it worked out that way?”
“What kind of person is… the Grand Duke?”
Rahan eventually burst out laughing. Despite her hesitation, a hint of inevitable jealousy was etched onto Iris's round cheeks.
She tried to hide it, but she couldn't conceal the clumsy behavior typical of a girl fallen in first love.
“Why, why are you laughing?”
“Because you're cute.”
Realizing Rahan had seen right through her, Iris shouted in embarrassment.
“What is?! I didn't ask with any strange intentions! I just...”
“You dummy.”
Rahan pulled Iris into an embrace and kissed her repeatedly. Iris blinked at the short kisses landing on her cheeks and forehead.
“The Grand Duke and I aren't that kind of relationship. She's practically my mother's age.”
It was a statement that would have made Grand Duke Lacheize shudder in disgust if she had heard it. However, Iris pouted slightly and whispered softly.
“I-I’m just curious because she took you in, Rahan...”
What kind of person was she?
The Princess who had taken in a baby with Red Eyes. And the person who had arranged her marriage.
It was mysterious. Since Abbot Wilbert had only met the Grand Duke once, he had nothing to tell Iris. In fact, until recently, she hadn't been particularly curious about what kind of person the Grand Duke was.
Just...
“I wonder what kind of person she is, that Rahan would even marry me because of her...”
“...”
“If the Grand Duke had chosen someone else, I wonder if someone else would be by Rahan's side...”
That was what she was curious about.
To Rahan, it sounded absolutely adorable. Seeing the sulking Iris, Rahan laughed out loud.
“She’s an interesting person. Though not as much as you.”
“...”
“Well, shall we say she's a greedy person? Not the kind who scrapes together gold and jewels, though. She's closer to someone who spends lavishly.”
It was true that Grand Duke Yvette Lacheis had taken him in. However, Rahan held a much colder perspective on the Grand Duke than others did.
Naturally. Wasn't she the person who held his life in her hands? People thought he was absolutely loyal to the Grand Duke, but he was far from absolute loyalty.
“How does she spend it? For other people?”
“Hmm... I was going to say that, but thinking about it, that's not quite it.”
However, when trying to answer Iris, Rahan found it difficult to summarize the Grand Duke in a single word.
She was a person who lived for her own greed. It was just that her greed was focused on the realization of her ideal. That didn't mean she was a philanthropist of the 'I will realize the happiness of all people' variety.
While others' greed lay in their own comfort, honor, and stability, her greed was power. More accurately, it was closer to 'how far can I achieve with power.'
“How far... can I achieve with power...?”
Iris looked up at him with a face that seemed to almost understand. Rahan scratched the bridge of his nose awkwardly.
“She has a lot of complaints about her father's reign.”
Yvette Lacheis had always wondered while watching the Emperor by his side.
It was like the feeling of a genius looking at an ordinary person and wondering, 'Why can they only do that much?' When given the power, why, oh why.
That was why she had jumped into the struggle for the throne. She hated seeing those inferior to her hold power and repeat stupid mistakes.
The Grand Duke spent her wealth generously for the people. And she strengthened her dominance. By ensuring people didn't starve and stabilizing the territory, she grasped even greater wealth.
Since becoming Grand Duke Lacheis, her habit of speech had been, 'I think I could do better if I were Emperor,' so imagine how it was.
“I think I might understand...”
Iris tilted her head. Rahan gave a short laugh.
“That person didn't send me because she felt sorry for you or pitied you. It was to solidify her own position. But as a result, the fact that it helped you in your predicament...”
He then subtly checked Iris's reaction.
“Right?”
“Of course. What about you, Rahan?”
Iris asked with a beaming smile. Rahan winked.
“Is it just 'help'?”
Laughter and kisses were exchanged between the two.
“Is there anything else you're curious about?”
After thinking for a moment, Iris opened her mouth. “Ah.”
“I'm curious about Rahan's house.”
“My house?”
“Yes. What kind of place does Rahan live in? Actually, there are many things I feel sorry for regarding Rahan.”
He was a man whose name was renowned as the Grand Duke's knight. He must have lived in a place a hundred times better than the old convent.
Though she didn't say it, Iris always felt sorry whenever she looked up at Rahan sleeping in the attic of the cabin every night. She felt like he was suffering because of her.
At the same time, her imagination about where Rahan lived grew.
What kind of place did this man live in? He probably doesn't like flashy things, but he must have lived in a very wonderful place, right?
I heard the Lord of Arnsberg's mansion has fourteen rooms; is it bigger than that? How many rooms are there? Is there a well in the courtyard? There must be a stable too, right?
But Rahan's answer to Iris's question was unexpected, delivered with an awkward expression.
“I... don't have a house.”
“What?! You don't have a house?!”
Iris's eyes widened. Rahan gave a bitter smile.
“I never really had a reason to own a house... I lived in the Ducal Palace.”
Since he was the Grand Duke's knight, there were quarters provided for knights. Of course, he could have had his own house if he wanted, but Rahan was alone and had only returned from the expedition two years prior.
“So, using one room is similar to you. There's no particular reason to feel sorry.”
“But still.”
“Well, I will have to buy a house once we go back. With you... ah.”
Rahan, who was about to say he should buy at least a mansion once they returned to the Grand Duchy, suddenly realized.
The lady walking with her arm linked in his was Iris Achen. She was the legitimate daughter of House Achen. Though she was with him now, she would eventually have to go to the Achen Ducal House.
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