DIANE BENTINCK POV:

Young lady, wake up.

Uh?

If you don’t get up, you’ll miss the lord’s departure. As a wife, you should see him off everyday.

The voice that flowed into my ears woke me up. I looked up as I tried to open my eyes.

“Monica…?”

An old woman with glasses and gray hair looked at me from the side of the bed. In her hands were a white cloth with blood on it. A bucket of water was in her other hand.

“You’ve just missed the young master. He just took off without eating breakfast." Monica put the cloth in the bucket and squeezed it. She pulled off my blankets and helped me sit up straight. My lower body was a little stiff.

“Did you…clean me?” I wasn’t sticky anymore like last night. How many times had I wetted the bed last night?

My entire body was covered in different fluids.

“Yes. I couldn’t carry you to the bath since that might’ve woken you and you’re too big for that.”

Monica chuckled.

“Are you saying I’m fat?”

“No, no. Not at all. Haha…” Monica gave the bucket to a servant who was standing by the door. She opened up the curtains which made light come into the room.

I looked around the room and noticed something.

‘Mm?’

Clyde’s suit was neatly folded on a chair. His opened suitcase was next to the chair.

“Where did he go?” I stood up and drank the glass of water on the bedside table. There were some painkillers as well.

“Ah…” Monica hesitated. “He…left without telling me where he's going. His expression didn’t seem good by any means. Surely you didn’t upset him in some way?”

“I don’t think so. Plus, I was being rammed too much to do anything. You know, I was only given time to breathe in-between his ejaculations.”

Monica coughed at my words.

“Did he say anything?”

“Not much. Only that he’ll be going to the kingdom’s walls to volunteer to wipe out monsters. The red hunt’s mess has already been dealt with but the aftermath still needs to be taken care of. Some monsters are trying to come into the kingdom. What a troublesome bunch.”

“I see.” I put on a gown and sat by the mirror. My hair was a mess.

I rung the bell on the table. A maid came in a minute later. She began fixing my hair. Another two arrived and brought clean clothes. This room belonged to my parents, which was why it was so big. My room was down the hall.

“Has father said anything? He told me that he’ll leave what needs attention for today since the last week had been too hectic. I don’t even have any idea what state my store is in.”

“Actually.” Monica put a note in my hand. “He sent this with a messenger eagle.”

“….?”

I looked at the contents.

You are to remain at the residence until the marriage takes place. Wait for further orders.

Crash…!

I threw all the items that was on the mirror’s table on the floor.

A vein popped out of my temple.

“That’s in five years….!” I raised my voice and punched the mirror.

“Calm down, young lady.” Monica put her hands on my shoulders as I flared.

“…Eh?” I looked at my hands in surprise. They were trembling non-stop.

‘Why…am I suddenly like this?’

“Tch.” I sat down again. My composure returned after I breathed calmly. “What does he mean by this? Should I remain here while my store has no owner? Am I to do nothing but listen to this absurd order?”

“Maybe he will change his mind. Please trust him. Perhaps he doesn’t want you returning to the village while the culprit to all these disappearances hasn’t been found yet.”

“Yes, I agree!” The maid exclaimed. “The master cares deeply for the young miss!”

‘Is this maid’s name Julia? I can’t remember if it is or not.’

“….” I closed my eyes for a second. “I suppose so.”

‘Will Jessica and the other assistants be fine without me?’

“What about Clyde’s parents?”

“They left earlier than when master Clyde left. It was before sunrise. I saw them off to the kingdom’s gates and arrived back at the manor an hour ago.”

“Ugh.” I held my head in my hand.

‘Is this a test?’

I was always given tasks to test my competence. In a week, the mayor and his vassals would visit the manor. My father and he were close friends. He was not only the mayor of Pira city but also the owner of the kingdom’s biggest Auction House, Agardia Tower. He was a large shareholder in the academy as well so his influence in the kingdom was one of the greatest despite not being of noble blood.

The reason for his visit wasn’t just to congratulate me on my marriage but also to discuss a certain matter.

There had been rumors circulating that princess Charlotte was thinking of selling the same potion that healed her mother. This was a big deal so plans had to be made to attract her to the mayor’s auction house. Since the potion is capable of having potency greater than the current Pope’s elixir, it was no wonder why so many people wanted it.

Since my father was absent, I was now expected to sit in the meeting.

I was feeling strange knowing that he gave me such a big task.

“Am I…feeling nervous?” My hands were shaking non-stop. Surely, I wasn’t feeling anxious?

I had never backed down even in front of a royal.

“Ah. Lady Monica forgot to tell you this: the mayor said that his son would also come to visit.” The maid that did my hair said when she returned from the kitchen with my food. Monica left just a while ago.

“Aaaaah!!!!” I pulled my hair. “Just another headache!!”

“Y-Young miss?”

◇

At the east side of the kingdom’s wall where the sun didn’t reach…

Clyde opened his eyes and looked up at the kingdom’s walls. It casted a huge shadow over the site. He had just finished clearing out a bunch of monsters with another group of people. As thanks for his help, they offered him lunch.

Oh, Clyde. Fate is unpredictable…

“You bitch.”

He thought about everything that happened last night.

“Any day now, huh?”

◇◇

After Diane fell asleep, Clyde remained awake to stargaze. Well, there weren’t any stars in the sky tonight. In this world it was similar to an evil omen if there were no stars in the sky.

Sitting by the fire, he looked up at the moon. The world seemed so peaceful and quiet.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

‘Why, old man? What did you mean when you said I should get full control of my power? Is this not enough?’

He looked at his hands.

“Am I not at the level to be able to learn the truth?”

That was ridiculous. He was already so powerful. He could even beat a seventh year student at Graponia Academy. Was it truly possible to become stronger than he already was?

“Why aren’t you giving me answers, you old fart….” Clyde murmured and watched the flames dance.

“Well, why don’t you come to my domain and find out? The answers you seek may be within your grasp.” A whisper of a woman came from his ear.

“Huh?” There wasn’t any time to be baffled by the voice.

As if something was pulling him somewhere, Clyde sunk into a deep sleep whilst sitting on the chair.