It's Too Late for Regrets - Chapter 3.3

Ines stayed inside the mansion throughout the fall and winter of that year.
After the harvest festival ended and winter came, not only did farming on the Gelnor Plains stop, but development in the western wilderness also paused for a while. Winters in Eleanor, located in the north, were especially harsh.

Naturally, there was less need for the Grand Duke to oversee fieldwork in person, so Rayan spent a good amount of time at the mansion until early winter.
Because the master of the house was present, people were less openly hostile toward Ines.

In the fall, after Ines voiced a small complaint to Rayan, he gave strict orders to the head maid and butler:
<Make sure nothing like that ever comes out of the Grand Duchess’s mouth again. That maid, Ronya—treat her better. And don’t even think about being disrespectful while I’m away. Understood?>

In truth, few people followed that order sincerely.
Among the staff in Eleanor, no one welcomed the presence of a bastard child.
They, too, had once benefited from Eleanor’s favor, only to feel betrayed by Millian Eleanor, a bastard himself.

Prejudice doesn’t disappear easily.
When Jenaireal hatred toward a group gets directed at one person, it often turns crueler.
So, the Grand Duke’s order was only a temporary fix.

To the mansion staff, Ines was still treated more like the Duke’s mistress than his wife.
Based on how Rayan behaved, it wasn’t a wild assumption—he usually visited Ines at night, and even then, didn’t stay long.

Still, because of Rayan’s command, that winter passed by relatively peacefully.
Ines’s health was also stable.

“It doesn’t seem like your condition has worsened since last time. Keep taking your medicine regularly, and drink a tea made from boiled Menent roots once a week. It helps with regaining strength.”

The royal physician recited the same routine lines every day before leaving.
He never once mentioned how much longer she had left to live. That made her a little anxious, but Ines decided to think positively.

‘I’m probably fine.’

She felt healthier than before.
The Menent tea, which was supposed to give temporary energy boosts, worked especially well.
If things stayed this way, she might live much longer than just ten years.

Robert had said it, too—if she got treatment from better doctors in a good place, she could live a long time.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better, Your Grace!”

A cheerful girl with black hair ran up to her. It was Ronya, the maid assigned to serve Ines directly.
Ines smiled and patted her head.

“Yes, I’m fine. How about you, Ronya? Are the other maids still bothering you like before?”
“No! They’ve suddenly become really nice. They don’t hit me anymore, and they even eat with me now!”
“I’m glad to hear that.”

The mansion staff’s attitude had clearly changed. Even when Rayan was away, they no longer ignored Ines’s words or did nasty things like hiding her medicine.

“I’ve brought the thread, needles, and fabric you asked for, Your Grace.”

Berry set the sewing materials on the table. Ines, now used to the process, slipped on a thimble and picked up the needle and thread.

To pass the dull winter, Ines worked on making a patchwork blanket as a gift for Ronya.
She knew the maids had laughed at her before for not knowing how to embroider, so she asked Berry to teach her.
She also studied writing every day, as not knowing the Lezan language was seen as another flaw.

At night, when Rayan visited, she asked him with quiet hope:
“You’ll go out with me in the spring, right?”

“…How many times are you going to ask the same thing? Yes, I promised.”

Rayan always gave a definite answer, though he did seem a bit annoyed by the repeated question.

‘He’ll be staying at the mansion now… The servants are much kinder… As for Aunt… I’m still not sure, but…’

Kyra was still a difficult person to deal with, but Ines did her best not to offend her.
Perhaps that effort was paying off. Though Kyra asked about her health a few times, she no longer scolded her as harshly as before.

It felt like Ines was slowly getting closer to the happiness she’d wished for.
‘I hope I can truly settle down here.’

As she embroidered Rayan Eleanor’s name onto a handkerchief, a glimmer of hope appeared on her face.

But the happiness she’d dreamed of came in a slightly different form.

It began just as winter was turning into spring—on the day news arrived that the Torgen barbarians in the east were threatening the border.

“…This is insane.”

Rayan groaned as he shut the report.

Unsettling activity had been detected beyond the western wilderness owned by Eleanor about a month ago.
At first, they thought it was just minor looting as usual, but the scale soon grew concerning.

It hadn’t been that long since they signed a truce with Jenaire, and now Torgen was causing trouble too.
Suppressing his irritation, Rayan spoke up.

“I should go in person, Aunt.”

Kyra, who had been quietly observing him, murmured with a heavy voice,
“…Sending you to war again…”

“It won’t take as long as it did with Jenaire.”

Rayan quickly did the math.
There wasn’t time for another years-long war like the seven-year conflict against the barbarians on the border.
By spring, development in the wilderness and operations in Gelnor would resume, so this mission would likely be more of an expedition than a war.

Rayan looked up.
“I’ll probably be able to return about once every six months.”

“Every six months… I see.”

A faint smile appeared on Kyra’s face—a mix of relief and worry, hiding her true feelings.

“I always believe in you. You’ll protect this land more faithfully than your father, my brother, ever did.”
“Yes.”

Rayan gave a slight nod in response. His eyes dropped back to the report, then paused.

Should he say something to Aunt Kyra about Ines?

When he was away, Kyra handled all domestic affairs.
Normally, that would have been the Grand Duchess’s job, but Ines wasn’t given the authority to interfere in politics.

Kyra had taken charge of Eleanor’s administration ever since the previous Grand Duchess passed away.
She would be in charge of Ines, too, while he was gone.

Rayan thought for a moment. The answer came quickly.
‘…No need.’

It was better not to risk upsetting Kyra by bringing up Ines’s name. He could just give a heads-up to his aide instead.

Besides, Ines hadn’t complained about her life since last fall.
As long as things stayed the same, half a year would probably pass without any issues.

Rayan’s thoughts soon turned to more pressing matters.

“By the way, the Crown Prince and his delegation have returned from Jenaire.”
“His Highness? I’m glad to hear they’re safe.”
“Yes. If there’s anything urgent that needs approval while I’m gone, please consult His Highness. I’ll send him a letter in advance.”
“Understood. You’ll return for your father and stepmother’s memorial, right?”
“I’ll make sure to come back.”

The memorial for his parents, brutally murdered by Uncle Millian, took place at the end of summer.
Rayan’s green eyes darkened.

If he wanted to return in time for the memorial, he would have to leave soon.
He closed the report and stood up.

Rayan came to see Ines after the news of the Torgen expedition had spread throughout the Grand Duchy.

“I heard you’re leaving…”

He had meant to tell her in person, but in the rush of preparing for departure, he had completely forgotten.
There was no need to go out of his way, though—apparently one of the maids had already told her.

“Is it a dangerous expedition?”

Worry filled Ines’s face. As he buttoned his sleeve, Rayan gave a short reply.
“Not really.”
“Oh, that’s good. When will you be back?”
“Sometime in summer. Maybe early autumn.”
“Summer…”

Ines trailed off. Rayan glanced at her face and quietly watched her expression shift—she still couldn’t hide her feelings.
Disappointment, unease, fear. Her blue eyes were full of those emotions. He found it satisfying.

“Then… can I go out alone?”

But just as he felt satisfied, Ines shattered it as always. His expression hardened.

“Spring is almost here.”

Ines was anxious in her own way. She had waited all winter for spring, only to be told she might have to wait until fall.

That felt too long.
Wouldn’t it be fine to go out just with Berry, Ronya, and a few guards? It’s not like she planned to travel far—just a short trip to the capital.

“Stay here and wait at the mansion until I return.”

As if reading her thoughts, Rayan said firmly,
“No going out alone, Ines.”

She blinked in confusion.
To her, this didn’t seem like something worth such a firm refusal.

“Why…?”

Rayan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stared sharply at her, who was still thinking about going outside.

Whenever Ines acted in ways he didn’t expect, it annoyed him deeply.
To Rayan, Ines was a necessary part of this mansion.
But unlike the other parts, she had the ability to run away whenever she wanted.

So, it was best to stop her from even thinking about going outside.
Rayan unconsciously tried to calm the edge in his voice.
He knew well how to make her stay quiet.

“Berry told me the scenery in the Rhine Valley is beautiful in spring. I want to see—”

Ines tried to keep speaking, but stopped.
Suddenly, she was overshadowed by Rayan, who had leaned down to kiss her.

As she felt his tongue slip between her lips, Ines thought vaguely,
‘Something feels different today…’

The way he sucked on her lower lip and explored the soft inside of her mouth was much gentler than usual.

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