181 Young Officer
[Catherine, Duchess]
The mansion is usually quiet.
It’s a busy place with a lot of people, but the duke’s estate and mansion are so wide and big.
The endlessly stretched corridors and countless rooms are so many that even the people who live here have never been to them, and there are separate aisles that servants use when working, so there are not many opportunities to see people wandering around in the hallways. did not
But today, even though it is late at night, there are many people.
In the hallway leading to the office, there was an endless line of servants moving things according to the order of the servant.
There are many objects in the duke’s family that have historical value or important significance to the family.
It was such things that the servants moved.
It seems that all the things that decorated the outside of the mansion and the entrance, and the things that were in places where they could easily burn, were all moved to a safe room.
There are a lot of things, so it will be this noisy for a while.
It should not be scratched, so when you move such a valuable item, you must properly wrap it before moving it and opening it again.
Although it looks simple, it is a lot of work.
‘Really… a war is really going on.’
Seeing the busy faces of people, I suddenly felt the war on my skin.
A corner of my heart seems to be whirling with anxiety.
Catherine passed the servants and headed for the office.
As we headed there, the number of people gradually decreased.
This is because it does not overlap with the aisles that move objects.
However, servants could still be seen from time to time, and attendants were waiting in the hallway in front of the office to wait on Oscar.
The door to the office is closed, but it seems that work is still in full swing.
Seeing Katrin’s appearance, the attendant who opened and closed the door moved.
Katrin quickly raised her finger to her lips.
Recognizing Catherine’s will not to do so, the attendant stopped moving.
An attendant standing against the wall of the corridor drew closer to Catherine and bowed her head.
“…”
“I don’t want to interfere with Oscar-sama’s work. I’ll see you for a while when work is a little less.”
Saying that, Catherine approached the door, and the doorkeeper grabbed the handle.
The door opened a little, leaving a very small gap.
Catherine brought her eyes closer to the door, and searched for Oscar’s figure through the narrow gap.
Oscar-sama, who normally sits at his desk, is standing today.
Around it, unlike usual, several military officers were standing and talking about something.
One pointed to something on the desk, and Oscar shook his head.
It’s hard to see, but judging from the actions that follow, it looks like he’s looking at a map.
Everyone’s faces looked serious and a little tired.
“Ma’am, the air is very cold.”
The servant’s words were heard, and Anne placed a light shawl on her shoulders.
I didn’t bring anything like this when I left the bedroom, so the attendant gave it to me.
Katrin looked around the room for a long time with the shawl on.
It seems to have been standing like that for a very long time.
Catherine quietly stepped back.
With a wink, the attendant quietly closes the door.
“thank you.”
After saying that, I turned around and the servant who first approached Catherine opened her mouth.
“In a little while, it’s time for hot drinks and stew.”
Since it’s break time, he suggested that we go in and take a look.
The desire to do so was like a chimney, but Katrin shook her head.
“It’s okay. If I go in, it’ll take up some time. I’ve seen Oscar-sama’s face, and I’m going back now.”
“…”
The attendant smiled softly and stepped back.
“excuse me….”
Catherine hesitantly opened her mouth, and the attendant looked at her quietly.
“Would you recommend that you take a break and close your eyes for a moment?”
The attendant’s face softened even more.
“Okay. I’ll tell you what your wife said and be sure…”
No longer seeing the smiling attendant’s face, Catherine turned away.
I feel like crying if I stay here any longer.
Probably no one knows how painful the decision to go back without meeting Oscar is accompanied by the pain of vomiting blood.
It’s so sad and painful that it makes my head fall to the ground.
As I trudge along with my head down, Anne came close to my side and held my hand tightly.
“I know, ma’am. I know very well how much you endure that feeling, having seen it since I was little.”
Anne took a small breath and tightened her hand once more.
“You’ve grown up a lot, young lady. To think that the little stubborn girl who sticks out her mouth and doesn’t move a single step from the spot when things don’t go her way has become an adult like this… It’s really heartbreaking for this Anne…”
“…”
I don’t feel like being praised.
Catherine lightly pinched the back of Anne’s hand with her other hand.
“It hurts, lady!”
“I pinched it slightly. It hurts so slightly that I can’t even feel it!”
“My skin is sensitive. I wonder if I’ve become an adult, so I quickly act like a child.
As I chatted with Anne, my heart that had been so depressed that I couldn’t leave my feet just a moment ago became a little lighter.
Suddenly I see Anne and she is smiling.
Hmm, thanks anh It was just to lighten my mood.
Catherine squeezed Anne’s hand, and she tightened it too.
“Looks like there’s really going to be a war.”
As I muttered abruptly, Anne let out a long sigh.
“I really think so. It’s a little scary.”
“yes?”
“But it’s okay, lady. I’ve been walking around and heard some stories, but they say that this castle is so strong and tall that it has never been captured.”
That’s natural.
Because the Duke’s family is the strongest in this kingdom.
It would be rather strange if it was captured.
Anne smiled.
“Yes, and if the enemy comes, I will protect you.”
“…”
Anne, thank you, but if you’re an enemy you can protect, you won’t be able to come this far.
But thank you so much for the words.
“Okay, then I’ll protect Anne.”
“Um… then, isn’t it better to just take care of each other than to protect each other?”
“That too.”
Some of the conversations are a bit odd.
Catherine went into the room with Anne, having such a silly conversation.
“Sorry for being late.”
“Don’t talk like you’ve grown up all of a sudden. It’s weird.”
It seems a bit embarrassing.
Anne said with a sullen face and undressed Catherine.
As Catherine lay down on the bed, Anne turned off the light and left.
I stare blankly at the ceiling in the dark.
I felt as if a dream that had fallen into a dark hole had come true.
It seems that he is lying in a hole now.
‘… War.’
Silently muttering the words in her mouth, Katrin silently glared at the darkness.
***[Heroine Oscar]***
I think I saw shiny blonde hair through the crack in the door.
But the heavy door of the office was already closing when I turned my head.
‘Could it be that Catherine came?’
No, it can’t be.
By the time Katrin was already asleep.
I sent a message just in case she waited, but I didn’t think she would be awake.
‘Well, it must have been an illusion.’
I thought so and worked, but after a while the door opened wide.
There are several carts loaded with food.
It contained a stew with plenty of vegetables and meat, a few easy-to-eat foods, and hot tea with honey.
It was prepared by Benno because everyone works late today.
It seems that civil servants and military officers felt hunger only after seeing food.
A gurgling sound was heard somewhere.
A few could not stop their work and took their bowls of stew to their desks to eat, while others just stood and drank tea.
A few people gather at a narrow side table to talk about work and eat food.
I looked at the map and took a cup of honey tea.
My mind is busy and I have no time to rest.
Somehow I have no appetite.
Benno came over and spoke quietly.
“Your wife stopped by for a while. It seems she only saw the owner’s face through the crack in the door.”
“ah….”
The blonde I saw earlier must have been Catherine’s.
“They say you shouldn’t interfere with work and that you just passed away. But…”
Fine wrinkles formed around Benno’s eyes and he smiled.
“The owner seems tired. He asked me to take a break and take a break.”
“… Am I that haggard?”
“yes.”
“…”
“More than anything, your wife is worried about you, so why don’t you close your eyes a little?”
“…”
“Your wife has grown more mature than when she first came here.”
I took a sip of the tea as I listened to Benno’s emotionless speech.
Catherine’s worries are a little embarrassing, a little happy, and something makes her heart tickle.
‘It’s like a real wife.’
No, of course, since we’re a couple, we’re really wives…
For some reason, Benno was looking at me with a happy face while Catherine was drinking tea, feeling more like playing house than when she was young.
“…”
Not knowing what’s going on, a few older officials look at me with expressions similar to Benno’s.
So, don’t do that face.
Shame on you!
*
When it was dawn and the sky was about to brighten, I finished my work.
“After a short break, we’ll gather again when the sun rises.”
It was only one day, but today the amount of work was enormous.
There was literally no time to sit and rest, so the officials must have had a hard time.
The tired officials each bowed their heads.
“Yes, Duke.”
“Thank you for your effort.”
Some of the chins had sprouted beards overnight.
Mine will be similar.
Maybe it’s because I’m growing up, my beard has grown fast since the beginning of this year.
Leaving behind the officials who were sorting out the papers, I left the office.
The distance from the office to the bedroom felt quite far today.
Upon arriving at the room, Benno wipes his face and body with a hot towel.
I think I dozed off for a while while he let himself go.
When I came to my senses, I had already changed into pajamas.
Other times I wear it by myself, but today I must have been really tired.
I was completely unaware of Benno’s change of clothes.
“Master, rest in peace. See you in a few hours.”
Listening to Benno’s greetings, I went to the next room, which was staggering, and I saw Catherine’s face sleeping like a doll.
It doesn’t wake up even if I lift the blanket and go in sideways.
Sleeping Kulkul put her in his arms as if hugging a doll, and the lukewarm body temperature warmed her up pleasantly.
this is marriage
A thought popped into my tired mind.
My wife who comes to where I work, takes a peek at me, and leaves words of concern.
I closed my tired eyes, soaked in a feeling of happiness I had never felt in my previous life.
My body is tired and I feel like I’m going to die, but I’m incredibly happy.
*
Is it morning already?
I don’t feel like sleeping.
I think I closed my eyes for a very short time, but I felt a bright light on my eyelids.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Catherine’s eyes right in front of me.
staring intently at me
“Catherine?”
“Oscar, get some more sleep. Your under eyes are still a bit dark and you look tired.”
I think I was worried.
Was that why you were watching?
It seems that the power of the eyes is too strong for such a thing.
Looking at it so closely, I feel a bit ashamed.
I pulled Katrin into my arms and stroked her hair.
When I saw her, the first thing I had to say was something.
“I’m sorry, Katrin. I should have told you first after the steppe people arrived, but I was busy and was late.”
“…”
“The Steppe Tribe will be attacking soon.”
Catherine’s body stiffens.
I stroked her hair gently.
“The preparations are good, so there is no need to worry too much. But for the time being, I will be away from the castle.”
When steppe tribes invade the kingdom, they will eventually head for the capital.
It is not yet known which path they will choose.
You can choose a road far from the Duchy, but you might try to penetrate it.
What was certain was that it was more advantageous to wait elsewhere than in Eldoni.
There are several fortress cities on the borders of dukedoms and other territories.
No matter which direction the Steppe Clan attacks, it’s closer than in Eldoni, and it’s better to wait there to fight the Steppe Clan as soon as possible.
‘Besides, I absolutely have to stop them from entering the dukedom.’
From nob le mt l dot com
Do not turn this territory into a battlefield.
Even if they steer towards the Duchy, they must be destroyed before they set foot on this land.
For that reason, I needed to defeat them as soon as possible, choosing a place far from the duchy.
That thought would be the same for all other lords.
Katrin tilted her head to look at my face.
I met her eyes and opened my mouth quietly.
“Without me, you are in charge of this castle. All payments will be made through you, Catherine.”
“…”
“The burden will be heavy for you who are still young, but your mother, Benno, the captain of the guards and other officials will all support you.”
I stopped talking, kissed Katrin on the forehead, and looked into her eyes again.
“Catherine, take care of this castle and people.”
Katrin jumped up and sat up and hugged me as if covering me from above.
“Don’t worry, Oscar. I will guard this castle until Oscar comes.”
Well, there’s little she can do.
Even if payment was made, it was only a formality, and the decision itself was made by those in charge of each part of this castle.
But if she stays centered and dignified, that alone will be of great help.
Katrin, who held me while holding me from above, whispered softly.
“Please be careful. You must be healthy, really healthy.”
Perhaps the young wife’s words were so sweet that her face naturally grew hot.
I nodded while covered by her.
“Don’t worry, Catherine.”
At my words, Catherine hugged me tighter without answering.