My Contract Husband Resembles the Male Protagonist - Chapter 48
“There was no mention of anyone specific.”
“For example, assuming it’s Lady Lockhart, just a hypothesis.”
Soho anxiously looked at Dale, but he surprisingly didn’t seem to be displeased by the idea.
“All those phenomena occur when one does not want to be discovered by the other party.”
“Being caught.”
“Yes. For example, like a surprise birthday party or a surprise gift.”
“……”
He listened seriously to Soho’s story.
“As far as I know, the Lockhart family prepares gifts for their loved ones around this time when the crops are ripe and it’s time to share warmth in the early winter!”
“That’s strange.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. It’s all about preparing for the harsh winter, sort of a surprise gift. Hahaha.”
The Emperor’s broad back was still. He crossed his legs, pondering.
“Was there such a tradition in the Lockhart family?”
“Absolutely. I have investigated Lady Lockhart and learned about the various aspects of the family at Your Majesty’s command, so you can trust me.”
Soho was internally praying for salvation. Of course, it was a blatant lie.
But it was better than suggesting the Lady might be having an affair.
That was a matter of life and death.
Furthermore, it could be a matter of national survival.
Lady Lockhart’s presence meant that much to His Majesty.
“It’s certain since it was investigated in the Lockhart family’s territory.”
Soho had done his duty as a chief aide.
Then, Dale, who seemed to be slowly contemplating, turned his head.
“That’s nonsense.”
He picked up the imperial seal with a nonchalant expression as if it didn’t matter to him.
However, the seal wasn’t aimed at the document but at his own hand.
“……”
Dale rubbed and cleaned his hand, then stamped the document with the seal.
With a face that seemed lost in thought, he picked up a pen and began writing in a worm-like script.
“A gift.”
“……”
“Perhaps that might be the case.”
The corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
Although it was a cold day, cold sweat trickled down Soho’s back.
“He’s already getting agitated. He’s secretly looking forward to it!”
There’s no taking back what’s been said now.
Soho, observing the Emperor appearing somewhat pleased, fervently clasped his hands together in prayer.
Could there really be such a tradition? It was a white lie for the sake of world peace.
Please.
Please let it be nothing serious, Lady.
It must not be infidelity.
“Please!”
***
“Do you have something to tell me?”
Today, Dale hovered around me all day long.
Why is he acting like this when he never did before?
Could he have noticed that I lost the ring?
Pretending not to be focused on me, Dale squatted down near the field.
“It’s nothing.”
Was it just my imagination, or Dale leaned his large body and earnestly started to cultivate the land.
‘I need to find it quickly.’
I squinted, scanning the field Dale was tilling, wondering if the ring might appear from it.
But it seemed not to be there.
‘But why doesn’t Dale seem tired?’
He followed me to work in the field today but didn’t look worn out at all.
Instead, he seemed to enjoy playing with the dirt, vigorously turning the soil like a farmer delighted by the scent of nature.
‘As long as one of us is happy, that’s good enough.’
I sighed.
“Who could possibly be picking them?”
I pondered, observing the traces that seemed as if someone expertly avoided traps to selectively eat only the herbs.
Avoiding those with poison or a strong bitter taste, they chose only the herbs beneficial for health.
“It must be someone who knows precisely which herbs to consume.”
Considering the size of the footprints, it seemed to be a man.
A man who could move his body nimbly, for sure.
“Dale, aside from you, are there any young men here?”
“About 30 young men in their twenties in the village.”
“Among them, is there anyone with extensive knowledge or education on herbs?”
“Not that I am aware of.”
“I see…”
If someone was so hungry they ate anything they could find, they would have consumed herbs that could provoke a toxic reaction in humans.
In a small village like this, surely there would have been rumors if someone fell ill.
That meant the culprit likely wasn’t from this village.
