The West Wind's Destination - Side Story 1
“Sir, are you seriously fretting over a mere sigh?”
Ruslan commented, somewhat scolding Aseph, who was finding it hard to concentrate on his work in the office. If Aseph had any recent concerns, nine times out of ten, it was about something to do with Zephyr.
They had their grand wedding ceremony not long ago, and on paper, they were officially marked as a lawfully married couple. Zephyr’s name was now officially ‘Bea Westwind Vilkanos’, and the child Zephyr had brought along was being educated as the legitimate successor of the Vilkanos Archduchy.
Well, Homun was already a perfect young master of House Vilkanos, not even needing much education. Surprisingly, at such a young age, he was already extremely popular among the household members. Both mages and alchemists were eager to have a conversation with the child.
Despite Aseph having Zephyr so perfectly, he often showed restless reactions just over a single word or sigh.
This time, it was because he had given a gift, and all he got was a sigh in return. Aseph, sighing deeper than the sigh Bea let out, looked quite ridiculous to Ruslan.
“Guardian, alchemists typically don’t like inefficient items. Flowers are pretty but essentially useless.”
“Is that so?”
Ruslan knew that Aseph had been gifting various flowers to Bea these past few days. Flowers might be pretty to look at, but once they wilt, they become useless. Even flowers used as herbs lose their potency after blooming and being beautifully packaged.
Ruslan offered the best advice he could.
“So, perhaps she’d appreciate it more if you found something she needs, rather than flowers?”
“I’ve asked if there’s anything else she needs, but she always says she doesn’t need anything. But it’s not just about that…”
Aseph sighed.
“Recently, she’s been doing nothing.”
“Nothing at all?”
Exactly that.
Whereas before Bea would immerse herself excessively in research, now she seemed to be doing virtually nothing compared to those times.
For Aseph, this was actually welcome. When Bea was absorbed in work, she wouldn’t notice even if she started having a nosebleed, so careless was she with her own health. Considering Bea treated her body like a disposable tool, Aseph hoped she would at least take breaks and rest a bit while working.
However, he didn’t wish for her to be entirely disengaged.
Recently, Bea has been idly staring at the sky or sitting in the garden killing time until she falls asleep. When Aseph speaks to her in a gentle voice, her responses are somewhat delayed. It’s impossible not to be worried.
“Could she be suffering from depression?”
‘That Zephyr?’
Upon hearing this, Ruslan thought it was absurd, but considering that it was Aseph, who knew Zephyr best, who was suggesting it, it seemed it might be true.
However, Aseph’s subsequent worries seemed completely unfounded.
“Maybe she feels suffocated in the mansion. She used to live freely, never staying in one place.”
“Is that so?”
“Nor was she someone who mingled with others.”
Zephyr had escaped from the world to live in seclusion, and wasn’t it because she was not used to socializing?
Trying to fit reality into such forced speculation, the entire theory was becoming nonsensical. However, Aseph, deeply entrapped in his delusion, continued to ponder over the wrong issues.
“She had even visited the West recently. Sometimes she even offers advice to the household members.”
“…She doesn’t do that much anymore either.”
Aseph pressed his forehead in distress.
“Maybe this marriage wasn’t such a good thing after all.”
“Hmm.”
The wedding Ruslan remembered was truly grand and lavish. You wouldn’t think it had been planned as hastily as possible. It took place almost immediately after Bea recovered from her illness.
It was due to Bea’s known position. Aseph neither pressed her to abandon her past nor erase the Westwind name completely. Instead, he publicized where Zephyr belonged, loudly declaring she was under Vilkanos’s protection. For Aseph, Bea’s past was something to be vindicated, not something to be ashamed of or hidden.
And Ruslan couldn’t find any sign of discontent on Bea’s face during that time. Of course, she hardly ever expressed satisfaction either.
In truth, Aseph’s worries weren’t about public opinion or profit and loss but closer to concerns about their relationship.
But that was something the two of them should discuss.
“Didn’t you talk about all that during your honeymoon? Why are you worrying about it now?”
“Well… cough.”