Psyche was taken aback by his sudden actions, and took a step back in confusion.
"What are you doing? Get up!"
However, Cloud seemed to have no intention of rising again.
As if searching for something, he quickly put on a serious expression on his face.
“Originally, there should be a decent sword or something like that...”
But all he had was the powerful sword he used in his mercenary days.
Suddenly he began reciting the Knight's Oath.
“In the name of the Governor, Claude Arresin...”
“Get up!”
Saiki unintentionally made a sound upon hearing the familiar name.
“Sorry...”
In the end, after hearing Cloud swear in silence, Saiki understood who he was and why he was pleading with her like that.
He got up
Arsen was one of the rulers that Alastair served when he still seemed like a noble.
Although Saiki only vaguely remembers Cloud's father from her childhood days.
“It's somewhat similar if you look closely.”
Psyche watched him carefully.
If he belonged to the Arisin Family, all of his actions were meaningful.
“I have learned to obey everything the master says.”
His father always repeated this phrase as a habit.
Since Arisin truly wished for Alister's prosperity, Cloud could be considered the most loyal ruler among them.
“It's strange... How did we meet in a place like this?”
“I don't even know if it's lucky that we're meeting here.”
“Why?”
Claude, or rather Claude, gave her a crumpled letter from his pocket.
"What is this?"
“It is a message sent to rebuild the Arisin family... and you are the recipient.”
“…!”
Psyche looked terrified.
The content started with an inquiry about Psyche's irresponsibility in giving away Aleister's lands and ended up sounding like an insult.
However, the most absurd part was that since Saiki no longer had the qualifications to be a Lord, the letter suggested stripping her of the title and choosing a new Lord.
“Who sent this?”
“It's written there, isn't it?”
Cloud pointed his finger down.
“This is…”
She frowned upon hearing the familiar name.
“Raytlyn Alastair?”
“Yes. Isn’t she your cousin? I thought I should check the facts. Seeing the expression on your face, it seems like they are still moving as they please. Just like back then, so many years ago.”
At his words, Psyche remembered the nightmares she had been trying so hard to forget.
It seems that the past that died came creeping out like a ghost.
“Why… again.”
After returning to her hometown, she tried to spend some time alone, but...
She unconsciously made a more determined expression.
“This can't happen again.”
She let out her inner thoughts without realizing it and then was surprised and covered her mouth.
However, her words were a reflection of her resolve.
She could no longer play with any more ridiculous schemes.
While she could take responsibility during her absence from the territory, choosing a new master was not something she would allow them to boldly suggest.
Claude nodded in agreement, opening his mouth to speak.
"They do not care about the development of the region or the lives of the people. It is just despicable greed. I also believe that this must be stopped."
“…”
That was true.
She could not turn a blind eye to their atrocities. Suddenly, Saiki felt an urgent need.
I will find the solution quickly.
Claude nodded and extended his hand to her.
She quickly realized his words, sat down quietly, and adjusted her posture to facilitate the conversation. It seemed that the child was in a deep sleep.
They started riding through the dark forest.
❖ ❖ ❖
After several days of travel, they arrive at the castle where Psyche originally lived.
Around the abandoned castle, twisted trees created irregular shadows, and ivy climbed the castle walls without any order, obstructing the view.
“Ah…”
Psyche stood with Claude at the front, feeling the passage of time.
“The inside should be pretty good.”
With her baby in her arms, Psyche quickly entered.
However, getting inside was quite a challenge.
Thick and tough weeds, as tall as their waists, were blocking the way to the main gate.
“Wow, can we get past this?”
Claude clicked his tongue, and as Psyche struggled forward, she said with a sigh.
"If you step on the side of the roots, you'll fall. Watch out baby."
“It will be fine.”
They went through difficulties but were able to enter the castle.
However, the inside of the castle was not much different from the outside.
Having stood empty for several years, it was perhaps an expected sight.
It was not possible to feel warm, and the dust had accumulated so much that the furniture seemed barely recognisable, with large cobwebs in every corner.
Claude placed the child in the most decent place and quickly began to clean up.
Psyche hesitated about where to start, but Claude, being the mercenary he was, quickly cleaned everything up.
Finally, after half a day, a suitable space for rest appeared.
“Wow… I didn't expect it to be this bad.”
“Just keep still, ma'am, I'll do everything on my own.”
Claude said, rubbing his temples as if he was exhausted. Psyche became irritable.
"Why! It's still better with two than one!"
“It's better to be alone. If the mistress stumbles, cleaning becomes more difficult.”
“…”
It wasn't entirely untrue, so Saiki made a firm expression but refrained from saying anything else. Especially after he claimed to have helped before and ended up making things even messier.
She couldn't ignore her days as a duchess. The hired help, who came and went every day, gradually became part of her daily life.
There were difficult days she had to endure...
Despite her past in which she had to handle everything on her own, comfort quickly wears off of being human. Psyche felt that she could not do anything without the help of others.
Claude seemed to sense her mood and added with a sigh: “When the mistress’s relatives arrive, you will have to deal with them. Find a way to deal with them. There is no need to bother yourself with this kind of nonsense. Everyone has their own responsibilities.”
Saeki smiled softly and nodded in agreement with his words. Yes, this was not the time to be afraid of such things. Greater challenges awaited them.
“Oh, before that.”
"Yes?"
Claude, who was about to stand up to resume work, was surprised by her words.
“Husband, no, the Duke will most likely come here. So, I think we need to get some Fantasy Grass.”
“Oh, this? I think there might be some left over from when we cleaned up earlier.”
"Really? Where is he? He may not like Alistair's family members, but…"
She muttered as she walked towards the direction Claude pointed.
Although this might not work for the Duke, who is highly skilled at swordsmanship, he might still not have immunity to the Fantasy Grass. The Fantasy Grass can only be collected around Alister Lands, especially around Alister Castle, so the Duke may not have encountered it yet.
She thought it might work at least the first time, so she prepared a hallucinogenic drug using fairy weed. She then sprinkled it around the castle gate and surrounding areas to ensure that the Duke would not discover this place.
Only then did she begin to feel some relief. She didn't want to meet the Duke again. Not because she might end up dead, but because guilt over the missing child tightened her throat every time she saw him.
Now, she no longer had the courage or desire to confront him.
As if it never happened...
Like a dream on a midsummer night, she desperately wanted it.
❖ ❖ ❖
It's been a week.
During that period, the castle became completely habitable.
Although there were undoubtedly rooms that had not yet been organized, the inside of the castle was much more tidy compared to when she had first returned.
Psyche took care of the child, and thought of ways to confront her sub-family relatives. Claude skillfully secured food and necessities from various places.
While getting the baby's things, Claude had a misunderstanding, and wondered if he was newly married.
Psyche gave the baby a name. He was a blond boy with green eyes. She named him “Sherid” and cared for him with great care.
Even though it had only been a week, the little girl was smiling happily whenever Saiki appeared as if she recognized her. Seeing the little girl eased Saiki's guilt somewhat.
They thus spent a few days in a fairly comfortable atmosphere.
But that was only for a short time.
“It looks like they have arrived.”
Claude, who was looking down from the window, formed a fist and spoke.
Psyche, who had been watching Sheride, suddenly stood up, her face tense.
“You brought a lot.”
Claude, who was looking at them, frowned.
"Am I okay? It doesn't look like he's missing, does it?"
Saiki asked with a worried expression.
“Clothes do not define a person’s personality. The truth is that the Duchess herself deals with people like them...”
“Duchess, don't say that!”
“I understand. I know!”
After hearing this, Claude, who had fallen from the windowsill, approached Psyche.
Her behavior changed dramatically when she stood up straight.
In her majestic expressions and movements, she looked like a high-ranking aristocrat or even an empress. Claude was stunned for a moment.
Saiki smiled gracefully and spoke.
“Okay, shall we go meet my father’s relatives?”