CH 65.1

Afterwards, the attendants began to serve the meal.

Lustrous foods and delicious steaming dishes are served in luxurious teaware. Fresh fruit, thinly sliced salmon, and perfectly cooked steak. Anyone could tell that the Grand Duke had paid special attention today.

“I told them to prepare your favorite meal today.”

Even before she went to the capital, he insisted that they eat together once a day, but after she returned, Anne ate only in her bedroom. So, this place was very uncomfortable.

Anne silently tapped the blade on her fingertips several times with her fingers. As she fiddled with the knife, the polished surface felt even colder. However, she couldn’t compare it to her poor heart.

Since then, the dining table was dead silent. In the meantime, only the sound of meat being cut echoed. Anne, who straightened the knife, sliced the skin of the meat thickly. As the veins of the rare sirloin were cut, red liquid smeared on the white plate.

Even so, her head was filled with the thought that what had to be cut with this knife was not meat, but rather the Grand Duke’s body who had committed a terrible deed.

“In the meantime, we …”

The Grand Duke held out his hand in front of her. Anne’s eyes, staring at the large palm, wavered for a moment. His hands, which had been patting her back and reassuring her, made her feel tight inside. Anne’s eyes, which were fixed only on the plate, slowly lifted up.

“It’s true what you wished for…  I hope to do better in the future.”

“…”

“I admit it. My negligence for not caring about you.”

He decided not to see her as the woman from before. He changed his mind, wanting to stop looking at her as her past self and treat her as a single person.

Moreover, he felt sorry for Anne, and realized that he still loved her.

So he decided not to be cold even now, but it was difficult for him as he had forgotten how to speak to her affectionately. Unskilled at conversation, he decided to reach out for reconciliation before bringing up the topic about County Libelois.

“Since when have you been interested in me? You told me to live as if I was dead, so I am doing that.”

Anne’s face was stained with disbelief. She knew his detestable true nature, so now his acting like a loving husband was very pretentious.

The Grand Duke belatedly remembered what he had said when she brought that up. He didn’t mean that at the time, but in the end, he hurt her anyway.

“At that time, I was careless. I apologize.”

“Now you’re apologizing. Are you asking me to believe you?”

“It must be hard to believe. Still, I have no intention of doing the same to you as before. I will be a normal husband.”

When he looked serious, showing his seriousness, Anne’s head pounded.

I’d rather you act the way you were before…

If he spit out low words and treated her harshly like before… It would have been more convenient. Then she’ll be able to properly vent her anger.

She doesn’t know why he suddenly had a change of heart, but after they returned, he completely softened up. He didn’t push for sex as recklessly as before. She only thought so at first, but after returning from the capital they never shared a bed.

When Anne gave no response, the Grand Duke became flustered and changed the topic.

“They say that the reconstruction of the village, which was hit by the previous avalanche, is almost complete. Why don’t we take some time to go there together?”

“No. I don’t want to see that woman who lost her child.”

Anne finally understood the woman’s feelings who had wept bitterly. Her experience of losing her child pierced her heart.

Why did you kill your own flesh and blood?

Anne raised her head and looked right at the Grand Duke. The delicious meat did not pass her throat, but the stinging thorns were stabbing her throat instead. Because she couldn’t say that.

She thought she wanted to ask him that question right here and now. Why did you kill the child?

“That… Hahhh.”

The Grand Duke, who was about to say something at her resolute refusal, took a long breath before choosing his words. He tried to check her condition before bringing up the County, but apparently it was difficult to mention right now.

“I heard that the greenhouse is decorated quite well… If there are any other breeds you want, I will get them. Are there any flowers you want?”

“What flowers do I want . . .? Oh. Please save Abelsis.”

“Abelsis…? Isn’t that a poisonous weed?”

The Grand Duke, who did not know what was inside her, tilted his head in bewilderment. Anne raised her mouth and let out a soft voice.

“It blooms white flowers in spring, and they say it’s pretty.”

“Anyway, it would be dangerous to keep something like that for ornamental purposes…”

He didn’t like the fact that the flower she wanted was poisonous. He was afraid that the maid may make a mistake while preparing a flower tea.