Come and Cry at My Funeral - Chapter 43
That’s right, I’m interested
After that unforgettable meeting with the Marquisate’s second son, Izar had left early in the dawn with the knights of Deneb.
Instead, Freesia remained with Thea and her new escort knight.
“…I will follow your command, my lady.”
The knight was none other than Sir Van Dike.
Especially when she heard that he had volunteered for the position, Freesia could feel joy internally for the first time in a while.
It was a welcome piece of good news amidst a series of painfully repeated mistakes.
‘Even in this second life, Izar is still too difficult.’
Was apologizing for her mistakes also considered ‘acting like a wife’?
Recalling how harshly he scolded her at night made her feel like crying, but her eyelids had only warmed up a bit, the tears never rolling down her cheeks. Just like always.
During her stay in the Deneb domain, her days followed a routine.
During the day, while Sir Dike waited at the edge of the forest, Freesia submerged her wounds in the ‘healing spring’.
The first day was exciting because she was with Izar, but afterwards, she spent her time with the Marchioness.
Every time, Freesia was on edge, watching one person closely.
‘I should avoid Albireo Deneb as much as possible during the remaining schedule.’
His forehead recovered quickly, but there was no need to deliberately create awkward situations between them.
‘Fortunately, he’s busy chatting with the ladies here.’
And unlike the people of Arcturus, the people of Deneb enjoyed gathering in the banquet hall every evening to drink together.
As everyone was drunk and singing, Freesia could quietly sip her drink in a corner on the second floor.
She watched Izar talk with his knights on the first floor.
She liked that his brow wasn’t furrowed in irritation, and it was nice to see him smiling faintly at some amusing story.
‘I’ll go in after watching a little more.’
Just a bit more. Just one moment more.
But perhaps she was too focused.
“Are you having a pleasant evening, Your Grace?”
“……?”
She belatedly noticed a man approaching and taking a seat on the empty chair beside her.
Next to her, Albireo was smiling pleasantly as if they had been friends for the longest time.
He even continued to engage her in conversation.
“May I know what you find so amusing?”
Freesia almost opened her mouth in surprise.
‘Why… Why is this man sitting with me?’
And while Freesia was at a loss for words, Albireo looked in the direction she was gazing and laughed even louder.
“Oh. You were watching your husband?”
“……!”
“Staring at him like that, anyone would think that the Duke’s face has been lathered with honey.”
“Sir Deneb.”
Freesia’s face flushed with heat.
Ironically enough, no one in the Arcturus domain had realized that Freesia harbored feelings of love for Izar.
Or even if they did, would they have cared?
Her very existence was a stain upon the household’s honor.
So, this was the first time someone so blatantly exposed her feelings.
‘I’ve only ever dared to say it once myself.’
She had mustered the courage just once to give Izar a silk bracelet…
…Thinking about it, Izar hadn’t really reacted…
But at this moment, she was more irritated by this man who was treating her like a fool.
“I apologize for the injury, but please refrain from such rude remarks in the future.”
“Oh… It wasn’t my intention to be rude.”
Albireo spun his usual, leisurely smile.
“Madam, you are quite graceful. Almost like someone from 300 years ago.”
Albireo chuckled as he lifted his own glass of wine.
It was evident from the life of the imperial court that he was accustomed to.
Surrounded by emotional and physical infidelity, where a pure and devoted love between married couples was considered old-fashioned.
In a world where not showing one’s love openly was deemed sophisticated.
After all, wasn’t it that most noble marriages were arranged, and it was enough if there was a semblance of respect between the couple?
‘So a noblewoman looking at her husband with such affectionate eyes dripping love could only belong in an old tale.’
…However, Freesia could not have known what Albireo was thinking.
She tried hard to guess what this man’s intentions might be.
‘It seems like he just wants to make fun of me. I don’t know why.’
Thanks to being shunned by the nobility for three years, she had become exceptionally good at noticing such things.
‘So, how should I respond to this?’
There was no malice in the man’s smile, and she knew that he did not intend to insult her gravely.
But seeing him eagerly await her response, perhaps he wanted to see this simple commoner girl shy away.
As if she was a spectacle to behold.
So, Freesia decided to boldly retort this time.
