Chapter 10

"I don’t know. Is that such a big deal?"  

"..."  

Millian shot Karina a sharp glance at her curt tone before finally speaking.  

"You barely managed to slip in before the gates closed. During winter, no one comes to the Duchy. Even trade with merchants comes to a complete halt. That’s why we have to stock up enough supplies to last through the season."  

Though his expression still held a hint of exasperation, Millian explained in detail.  

Since Karina seemed to be listening attentively, his mood improved slightly.  

"And once midwinter arrives, we begin the full scale monster subjugation. Most of my people are natural born hunters. Even an average beast can be taken down if three or four villagers teaming up."  

"Wow!"  

Karina let out a sincere sound of admiration.  

The southern lands where she came from were known for their peace. It was the farthest place from war. The land was filled with breathtaking scenery, and in autumn, luscious fruits ripened everywhere.  

Hearing her admiration, Millian’s shoulders squared slightly with pride.  

Transforming this barren, desolate land into what it was now had been his and the previous Duke’s achievement. Because of that, both Millian and the people of the North held a deep attachment to their territory.

It was no surprise that every year, nearly one-third of the entire population, men and women, volunteered for the annual monster hunt.  

"Regardless, you barely made it in before the gates closed. If you had been even a little later, you wouldn’t have been able to enter. Fighting monsters is a tough task. So never, under any circumstances, step outside the Duchy’s borders."  

"I have no reason to go out." Karina answered obediently.  

Millian gave her a skeptical look before finally nodding.  

I feel a bit dizzy.

She pressed a hand to her forehead and stood up.  

A chill ran through her body. Whether it was due to exhaustion or the issue the old physician had warned her about, she couldn't tell.  

"I’d like to rest now. Can I go directly to the annex?"  

"If that’s what you prefer, then go ahead."  

"Thank you for allowing me to stay despite my sudden arrival."  

"I never said I allowed it willingly. The real problem is that I can’t just kick you out."  

Millian nitpicked her words on purpose. If she left now, she’d be walking straight into the heart of winter, when the monsters grew most ferocious.  

From the moment Karina arrived, Millian knew that, at the very least, he wouldn’t be able to send her away until late spring, when the snow had melted and the cold had subsided.  

"Very well, then." Karina answered lightly and rose from her seat.  

Millian glanced at the untouched teacup and let out a faint smile.  

"Fang, guide her."  

"Yes, Your Grace."

Karina left behind her brief encounter with Millian.  

“Still, I’m sorry for acting on my own.” Before leaving, Karina added a final remark.  

Unless he came to the annex himself, the two of them wouldn’t have any reason to meet again. The distance between the annex and the main estate wasn’t far, but it wasn’t close enough for their paths to overlap.  

Leaving behind Millian, who looked surprised by her sudden apology, she quietly followed Fang outside.  

“The annex will need at least an hour to be prepared, even if we hurry. Is there anything else you require?”  

“I don’t need a maid, a servant, or anything else. I can handle my own meals, so just stock the pantry with ingredients.”  

“But…”  

“His Grace himself said that the duchy is safe. That means the Duke’s residence must be even safer. More importantly…” Karina’s voice dropped a notch as she followed Fang. The smile that had lingered on her lips since entering this place slowly faded.  

“I came here because I needed time to think alone.”  

“Still, you might find it inconvenient without any help.”  

“If it really becomes a problem, I’ll speak to His Grace.”  

Karina’s firm stance left Fang with nothing more to say. In the end, he conceded.  

After assuring her that he would return once the annex was ready, Fang disappeared.  

Karina sank onto the bed with a thud.  

“Do I have a slight fever?” Pressing her palm against her forehead with practiced ease, she turned to look out the window.  

There were no pursuers from the count’s estate.  

She hadn’t expected anything, but still…

“Has there been any news from Count Leopold’s territory? Any sign of military movement?”  

“Well… it’s always been a peaceful place, so there’d be no reason for them to mobilize troops.”  

“Oh! I did hear that they had a bountiful harvest. Apparently, they won’t have to worry about food shortages this winter either. But why do you ask about the count’s land?”  

“No reason. I was just curious.”

Thinking of the people who had laughed at her words, Karina lay down sideways on the bed. Even so, it had been an enjoyable journey, perhaps the most joyful one she could ever recall in her life.  

“So, I’ve made another memory.” She murmured to herself.  

How many more can I create before I die?

If she had only one year left to live, Karina hoped every moment would be meaningful.  

What did he think when he saw the letter?

The thought suddenly crossed her mind, and she turned her head. Perhaps he thought nothing of it.  

With a faint, deflated chuckle, she closed her eyes. She felt a bit warm. There was no doubt that her fever was rising.

***

Two months ago.  

“My goodness, Master! The lady… Lady Karina went missing!”  

At the sound of the urgent voice just as breakfast was about to end, the count sitting at the head of the table with his brow furrowed.  

The maid, who had rushed in, was panting while clutching something tightly in her hands.  

“A-ah, I apologize for entering without knocking.”  

Realizing how the Count might perceive her intrusion, the maid hastily bowed in apology. The Count set down his utensils and looked at the bowed maid.  

“That child often goes out to take care of matters without saying anything. What’s so urgent that you had to come running in like this?”  

His voice carried mild reprimand, making the maid lower her head with a slightly embarrassed expression. She hesitated before speaking.  

“Well… it doesn’t seem like she just went out for an errand.”  

“Did something happen?”  

“When I went to clean the lady’s room today, I found this note on her desk.”  

Bowing deeply, the maid extended a small piece of paper she had been holding.  

The Count took the letter and unfolded the neatly folded note. His gaze rested on the paper briefly before moving away. There wasn’t much to read, just a single line.  

[I am leaving on a journey.]

The short note gave no hint as to why she had left.  

As Count Leopold remained silent, the Countess reached out and took the note from him.  

After reading the single line, her expression hardened.

"What is the meaning of this? She suddenly went on a journey without saying a word?"  

"I-I don’t know. I only discovered it this morning…"  

"When was the last time you saw Karina?"  

Count Leopold asked as he looked at the maid, who had shrunk her shoulders.  

The maid stiffened as she tried to recall. When was the last time she had seen her?  

"Ah! T-two days ago. I think that was the last time I saw her. It was when she was going out."  

"And yesterday?"  

"Yesterday..."  

The maid rolled her eyes, clenching and unclenching her fists as she desperately tried to remember. However, no matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t recall seeing Karina at all the previous day.  

After a moment of silence, she shook her head.  

"I don’t remember seeing her."  

"What about the others?"  

"I'm not sure…"  

The maid's expression turned into one of distress. Karina had always been a master with little presence.  

"Did none of you see Karina yesterday?"

The Count's gaze shifted to Abelia and Ferdinand.  

Since Enrich had returned home at dawn due to work, there was no way he could have known Karina's whereabouts.

Abelia and Ferdinand exchanged glances before shaking their heads in unison.  

"I didn’t see my sister yesterday."  

"Me neither. She wasn’t in her room, so I just assumed she had gone to the market again."  

Count Leopold lowered his gaze and reread the note. It didn’t say where she had gone, when she would return, or what she was going to do. 

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