Grand Duke, Please Stop Obsessing Over Your Wife! - Chapter 44
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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44.
He’s probably trying to tell me what he couldn’t say when we last met, right?
‘What story should I hear as a descendant of the First Saint?’
The North seemed to have more information about the First Saint than the Empire.
Annelize readily accepted.
“I’ll go. Tell him I’m coming.”
The Duke was also away on other business. I should be able to go and come back quickly.
* * *
In front of the village square.
People whispered when they saw Annelize.
‘What is there to whisper about when we’re already acquainted? They all seem to be praising me though.’
“I’m sorry. I’ll warn them to be careful.”
Alriksen hurried his steps in embarrassment.
That’s when it happened.
“It’s the Saint!”
‘What’s this about now?’
Along with a clear, bright voice, her skirt was tugged.
A girl who appeared to be about five years old was standing there.
“Saint, why did you come to our village?”
The child’s eyes sparkled brightly.
“Sorry. I’m not the Saint.”
“No, you are. You’re the Saint. You have blonde hair and you’re pretty.”
She confidently spoke to someone she didn’t even know for that reason?
Even after being told no, the child was stubborn.
“You are though. The blonde, beautiful Saint defeated the Frost Monster and saved us.”
The story about revering the First Saint Annelarion as sacred must be true.
Seeing that even a child like this knows the legend.
“Sorry. Unfortunately, I’m really not the Saint. I’m a distant descendant of the Saint.”
“Really?!”
The girl’s mother came over belatedly and took the child in her arms.
“I’m sorry, my lady. So… then what Elli said about the new mistress of the North being of Solariccen bloodline was true?”
“That’s right.”
Starting with those words, the villagers flocked around Annelize.
“She’s a descendant of the First Saint.”
“Really? Was it true?”
“No wonder she looked holy.”
“My lady, how about staying at our house?”
“Everyone calm down! The lady will be received in the living room of my house as village chief!”
The commotion that lasted about an hour finally ended with the village chief’s mediation.
“I’m sorry, my lady.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m happy to be welcomed.”
In the living room, a conversation with Alriksen began over warm tea.
“We talked about the Frost Monster back then. Do you remember, my lady?”
“Yes. I also remember that you said you’d tell me next time.”
Alriksen nodded.
“It’s about why the Frost Monster roams the North every day when blizzards blow.”
He looked around as if checking whether someone was listening before speaking.
“That monster is still searching for Lady Annelarion. For revenge.”
“Still? But Lady Annelarion passed away long ago.”
“Exactly. I wish someone would let that monster know.”
Alriksen sighed and continued.
“The Frost Monster checks the face of every human it encounters. If it’s not the person it’s looking for, it leaves them in the fields and departs. Fortunately, even if they survive, those who see its eyes suffer terrible fever for weeks.”
A giant monster with ice scales and chilling golden eyes.
He shuddered just thinking about the monster’s eyes.
‘What deep hatred must it be? What did Annelarion take from the monster to make it hate her so much?’
Alriksen looked worried.
“So you must be even more careful, my lady. Since you’re a descendant of Annelarion, it might try to harm you.”
He continued speaking.
“I’ll tell you how to confront the Frost Monster, my lady.”
* * *
‘My ear is itchy.’
At that moment. The southern mountain range of the Grand Duchy.
Duke Aperhis suddenly felt an itch and rubbed his left ear.
Where he stood was atop a dizzyingly high cliff.
Flags marking the boundaries of the kingdom, empire, and northern territory each fluttered in the wind.
His gaze followed a man running between the birch forest.
‘Pathetic as expected.’
The Duke narrowed his eyes and glared at Third Prince Iskasian Hildegard.
What’s so special about that human that he receives Annelize’s favor?
Looking again, he still didn’t like him.
‘Dull blue eyes, really.’
The Duke who saw Third Prince Iskasian turned his head as if finding him ridiculous.
There was nothing more to see. He couldn’t find anything noteworthy about the Third Prince.
‘Even if that human had clung to Annelize and proposed, would she have accepted?’
At best, he’d fare no better than his brother.
Of course, the reason for this displeasure was absolutely not because of Annelize Solariccen.
He disliked everything related to the Imperial Family.
‘I don’t even know why I agreed to contract with the Emperor to receive the ducal title from the Empire in the first place.’
Someone had recommended it favorably. If only he could remember, he’d want to go confront them.
‘As expected, the Hildegard clan doesn’t sit well with me.’
If not for Annelize’s request, he wouldn’t have batted an eye whether the Emperor’s bloodline lived or died.
Right. If not for Annelize’s request.
‘She’ll be happy to know that Iskasian Hildegard is alive.’
The Duke made a bored face and lightly gestured away the mercenaries chasing the Third Prince.
* * *
Alriksen opened his mouth with a serious expression.
“My lady. Please take care of the camellia flower.”
He held out a porcelain box to Annelize.
Annelize’s face colored with confusion.
“Why are you giving this to me? And didn’t you say the shrine should only be opened on lunar eclipse nights?”
“I switched it out. There’s a fake box in the underground shrine now, but no one will know.”
Alriksen continued.
“Protecting the village’s faith is important, and protecting the First Saint’s descendant is also important. This was the best method I could think of.”
“Village Chief…”
‘Village Chief Alriksen. He looked weak, but he’s more stubborn and resolute than I thought.’
Well, of course he would be, having survived in the harsh North all this time.
Annelize saw him in a new light.
Even so. She couldn’t readily accept Alriksen’s proposal.
“I understand the bad blood between the First Saint and the Frost Monster, but I’ve already encountered that monster. It just stared at me quietly.”
“That’s what makes it more frightening, my lady. It’s surely waiting for a chance to attack you.”
“If I take the flower, the village won’t be protected. What about that?”
She declined several times, but Alriksen’s attitude was firm.
“You are a descendant of the First Saint, my lady. Her blessing should rightfully be with you. The Saint would want that too.”
“Alright. I’ll accept it for now, but I’ll return it after the next blizzard passes.”
Annelize had no choice but to accept his request.
‘The villagers will think the real one is inside the shrine.’
She felt like she was lying.
Still, she couldn’t refuse because she knew Alriksen did this out of genuine concern for her.
“I’ll tell His Grace the Duke about the monster. Maybe we can find a solution.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Before saying goodbye, Alriksen hesitated.
“What is it? Feel free to ask.”
“By any chance… does His Lordship remove his mask in front of you?”
His tone was cautious. Annelize nodded.
“Yes.”
“Phew.”
Alriksen let out a sigh of relief.
“I see. I’m truly glad. He always wears that mask… and he’s always alone too. If I may say so, he seemed lonely. The fact that he showed you his bare face means he’s comfortable around you. I’m relieved His Lordship has someone like that.”
His expression showed genuine relief.
Annelize didn’t know how to respond, so she just smiled.
“His complexion has probably improved a lot.”
That was an objective fact. Honestly, even the Duke would probably admit it.
“Please stay by His Lordship’s side in the future, my lady.”
“See you next time, Village Chief Alriksen.”
Annelize didn’t answer Alriksen’s final request.
She stood at the village entrance and organized her thoughts.
‘A flower that drives away Frost Monsters.’
Annelize looked at the porcelain box Alriksen had given her with an uneasy expression.
She hoped there would never be a need for this, contrary to his worries.
‘It’s not like I’ll live in the North forever. After the contract marriage ends, I’ll live a life where Frost Monsters don’t matter anyway.’
Alriksen’s words naturally came to mind.
[His Lordship seems happy these days. It’s thanks to you, my lady. Please stay by His Lordship’s side in the future, my lady.]
‘Still, it’s good to hear that the Duke seems happy being with me.’
Even though they couldn’t be together forever. Wouldn’t it be enough if they enjoyed the time they spent together?
“Annelize.”
Annelize was startled by the voice coming from behind her.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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