Come and Cry at My Funeral - Chapter 70
For women who spend most of the year busy in their estates, a trip to the capital is a special delight.
It was a break from household duties, a chance to catch up with the latest trends starting in the city, and an opportunity for active engagement with families that have been out of touch due to distance.
If the lord forbade them from going, the women would cry, refuse to eat, and make a huge fuss.
‘Even if Izar commanded it, isn’t it too easy for her to comply?’
Typically, only the dead or those plotting something would stay as calm as this.
‘For instance…’
Freesia quietly observed Thea, who was re-preparing for departure.
Even if she wasn’t going to the capital, she could still create obstacles.
Wouldn’t she first try to win over the person closest to Freesia who served her?
“…Thea.”
“Yes, Madam!”
“Has Lady Electra summoned you recently?”
“Huh?”
Thea’s eyes widened at Freesia’s sudden question. Then, after seeing Freesia’s calm green eyes, she hastily waved her hands in denial.
“M-Me? No, not at all! That never happened!”
“Hmm.”
“It’s true, Madam!”
Freesia simply hummed in response without saying anything. Judging by that expression, she wanted to believe her for now…
But human hearts usually follow the words of the stronger.
‘Just as they follow me, thinking I have Izar’s favor or something.’
The moment it becomes clear that’s not the case, even those who seem loyal may leave.
“Thea.”
“Yes, Madam…”
“I have no intention of forcing you to swear your loyalty to me. You and your family are tied to this land.”
And Freesia fiddled with the button necklace.
The number that appeared today was 265.
There was no reason to demand genuine loyalty for someone who was going to die anyway.
Just two more months. If she could just safely get through the time needed to save Riegel Betelgeuse, she could achieve her goal.
That was enough.
“If Elder Madam Electra threatens you because of me, just follow along for now.”
“I beg your pardon…!”
“Just let me know if you have to do such a thing. If you do, I’ll give you a generous dowry in about… nine months.”
“Huh?”
“With that amount of money, you can start anew. You won’t have to work as a maid anymore.”
“…!”
What a stroke of luck, Thea thought. If she could suddenly acquire such wealth, she could endure the trivial nine months with her eyes closed.
But Thea, who was overjoyed, suddenly opened her mouth with a sense of déjà vu.
“But, where will you go after those nine months, my lady?”
“Go? Where would I have to go?”
By that time, she would be in a coffin.
‘If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll be interred in the family tomb beneath this castle.’
But there was no need to be so frank about such matters.
Still, even if she were to say everything she wanted to, she didn’t know how Izar would take it.
“Hm…”
Just thinking of him, she let out a sigh involuntarily.
The current Izar, more forthright and wary than her ‘husband’ at twenty-six, was truly… difficult to grasp.
‘I was considering confessing my condition after saving the Imperial Grandson and gaining his trust.’
She had secretly hoped that along with his trust, she might garner a bit of his pity. That he might take the initiative to cure her terminal condition.
That maybe, he would feel just a little bit heartbroken for her.
She had never seen Izar show a face of sorrow, so she couldn’t possibly imagine it with her limited imagination.
But the mere possibility of him feeling sorrow was bittersweet. Of course, recalling his recent attitude made her confidence wane.
…And Freesia hesitantly opened her mouth with a thought that suddenly crossed her mind.
“Thea. I have something to ask.”
“Yes, Madam!”
“Do I have many bad sleeping habits?”
“…Huh?”
* * *
On the day the entourage of House Arcturus was departing for the capital, the aide, Charles, cautiously observed Izar’s mood.
His lord wasn’t exactly thrilled about going to the imperial court, but his mood was particularly off today.
“Are you alright, my lord?”
“…”
Instead of answering, Izar slightly furrowed his brows, letting his gesture speak for itself.
He silently glared at the small carriage following him.
That shepherdess truly was a disaster that had come into his life.
After sharing a bed with her last time, his insomnia had not returned. However, Izar realized there was another abyss below the abyss that he knew.
Since that night, he started having the same dream every night, which he had so desperately wished to avoid.
The memories from his childhood, which he had tried to bury like a tomb, were preferable to the horror of these dreams.
It was a dream where the shepherdess was under him, writhing and sobbing in agony with a desperate voice.
