If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 71
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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“We have prepared a barracks for you to stay in during your visit. It may not compare to a mansion, but the servants have prepared it to the best of their abilities.”
“I didn’t come here to rest comfortably. As the head of the Kristin family, I wish to commence my official duties.”
“I’ve been briefed, somewhat. You intend to inspect the lands owned by Kristin?”
Fortunately, it seemed that Ethan’s second letter had also arrived in good time.
“Yes. A lot of lands were disposed of arbitrarily while the seal was in Stella Calvino’s possession. I thought it would be best to start checking from Arta in the Midwest.”
“You’ve made a good decision. As the rightful Duke Kristin, it’s fitting for you to personally take action and demonstrate the dignity of a family head.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Sir.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Oh, wait.”
Agatha hesitated as she was about to walk away, turning back as if she had something more to say.
“Do you have something to say?”
“I heard from Sir Ethan. About your injury…”
It seemed she was careful in her words, worrying that sharing secrets of the knights might inconvenience Ethan.
“Yes, but it’s nothing serious. Such injuries are common in our line of work.”
“Do you often get hurt like that?”
After speaking, Agatha closed her mouth, regretting her words. It seemed foolish to be surprised at knights getting injured often when they risk their lives for the country.
“Not so often.”
“Really?”
“I’m an exceptionally skilled knight.”
But contrary to her concern, he looked down at her with a light, teasing tone and a smile, seemingly making a joke to ease her tension.
Would the other knights realize that the Knight of Blood and Ice was making jokes to ease his wife’s tension?
Agatha covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed. It was unlike him to make a joke that boasted about himself.
“First, you should go to the barracks and recover from the journey.”
“I won’t stay long. I plan to quietly inspect the land and return.”
“Is there a reason to hurry?”
“I don’t want to interfere with your work.”
Being here might already be an interference. Agatha felt hypocritical for saying she wouldn’t be a bother while potentially being the biggest nuisance.
“Interfere? Please don’t think like that, Madam.”
“Uh…”
“Yes?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
She noticed how often he addressed her as Madam.
To others, they might seem like a distinguished Duke and Duchess, but she lacked the audacity to nonchalantly call him her husband after a hastily arranged betrothal ceremony followed by years of separation.
It was difficult for her to look directly at Cain, who called her ‘Madam’ with a tone that was perhaps too calm and gentle, without changing his expression.
Holding her hand tenderly and walking a few steps further, they reached an area lined with tents, which seemed to be the barracks of the knights as Cain had described.
“The tents at the very front are used by half of the senior knights. Behind those are the junior knights, and then the rest of the senior knights. My tent is located at the very back.”
“Is there a tent for the servants from the Marquis’ residence?”
“Certainly. There are tents on the left side for the servants. We set up a few more tents immediately after receiving the message. They can sleep there.”
“I see.”
It was then time to hear about the tent she would be using. However, Cain, after briefly mentioning the servants’ tents, said nothing more.
“Excuse me, Sir.”
“Yes.”
“Where is the tent I will be using?”
Cain stopped walking and turned around, his expression seeming to question why she would ask such a thing.
“You didn’t mention it.”
She added, feeling unnecessarily intimidated by his gaze despite doing nothing wrong.
“You can share my tent.”
“What?”
“A husband and wife ought to share a bed, after all.”
His tone was almost jesting yet his face was serious.
Confused whether it was a jest or earnest, she was flustered. Cain then started walking again, pulling her along. As she turned her head, she thought she saw a smile on his lips, but perhaps it was her imagination.
Agatha hurried her steps.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
In the deep, quiet dawn, after the masters had left the Marquis’ residence, the back door opened.
A middle-aged woman with a black cloth wrapped around her head peeked out half her body as if wary of being seen. She carefully closed the door behind her. At that moment, the cloth fell from her head to her shoulders. It was the chief handmaid, Teschen.
As if waiting for her, a carriage approached. Teschen took one last look around before boarding the carriage, which then set off towards its destination on a very quiet night.
After a while, the carriage entered a secluded forest path. At the entrance of the path, a flag embroidered with gold and red patterns fluttered, marking the insignia of Grand Duchy Norfolk.
