Die Melusine - Chapter 47

Since returning from quelling the rebellion in Bartone, the Grand Duke hadn’t left the villa even once. But yesterday afternoon, he had gone out—and now, he was still nowhere to be found. Lately, he’d never stayed away from her this long…

Just past noon, Melusine finally opened her eyes, and the empty bed beside her felt oddly unfamiliar. She looked around the room, aimlessly, as if searching for something. The grand bedroom was completely still—just her, alone.

The two of them usually didn’t fall asleep until dawn, and Kieron was always so alert he could hear even the faintest footsteps in the hallway. So naturally, there were no servants waiting nearby anymore. That was simply his preference.

Until now, Melusine had eaten, taken walks, even bathed—entirely according to Kieron’s schedule. Maybe that’s why the sudden freedom felt so… uncomfortable. It didn’t suit her, despite having once loved the peace of swimming alone.

She reached cautiously for the pull cord by the bed—just as Kieron had shown her.

“Miss Melusine!”

Anne’s cheerful voice rang out as she entered the room, and only then did Melusine feel a bit at ease.

“There should be lunch prepared in the drawing room. Would you like to eat now?”

“Um… where’s Kieron?”

She didn’t want to eat alone. She wanted to wait, to eat with him.

“Ah…”

Anne’s expression tightened slightly, as if something was bothering her.

“Why? He’s not coming today either?”

“Well…”

Anne hesitated, opening her mouth and closing it several times.

“His Grace might… not be able to return for a while. Even longer than last time.”

Melusine’s eyes widened.

“Huh? He can’t? …Why?”

At least last time, he’d told her he was going away—explained where he was going. This time, nothing. Not a word.

She had thought they were getting closer—closer every day. But maybe that had just been her own delusion.

“This time of year, he’s usually at the Imperial Palace. He’s expected to stay for about a month—sometimes even longer. There’s a celebration for the Emperor’s birthday.”

Melusine didn’t understand how long a month truly was, but she knew it meant she wouldn’t see him for a while. Longer than she thought. That alone made her stomach twist, her vision blur slightly.

How was she supposed to carry his child if she couldn’t even see him? No—how was she supposed to simply live without him?

“The… Imperial Palace? Birth… day?”

“Yes. His Majesty’s birthday. The day he was born.”

Melusine tilted her head in confusion. The idea of remembering a date—let alone celebrating it—felt strange to her. Everyone came from the sea, and returned to it. That was all.

“Is it far?”

“Sorry?”

“That place… where Kieron went.”

“Oh, very far. From Triton, the empire’s southernmost point, all the way to the capital. Even with good weather, it takes at least three days to travel.”

Anne held up one hand and folded her fingers one by one, trying to explain it more clearly.

Three days just to get there. Then how much longer would it be before she could see him again?

“Three days? More like five, minimum.”

“K-Kieron!”

A deep voice cut into their conversation.

Melusine turned quickly toward the door—and there he was, leaning casually against the frame.

She jumped to her feet in surprise, face lighting up for a split second—only to fall again when she realized how flustered she looked. In her hurry, the bed wobbled, and she lost her balance, stumbling awkwardly.

Tsk.

With a click of his tongue, the man stepped forward and wrapped a firm hand around her waist.

“Kieron… the Im—Are you really going to the palace?”

Melusine gripped his forearm tightly, her voice strained.

“…Yeah.”

It was true.

The reply came so bluntly, his expression so unaffected, that a sudden ache rose in her chest. She bit her lip hard.

Should she say it? She hesitated. Maybe—like last time—he’d dismiss her feelings as irrelevant, pass over them without a thought. But even so… she didn’t want to just let him go without even trying.

So this time, more clearly, more firmly than ever before, Melusine asked:

“Can I go with you?”

Anne, standing quietly nearby with her head bowed, visibly flinched.

Even if Melusine lived more or less as the Grand Duke’s mistress, to ask to accompany him to a royal banquet at the Imperial Palace? That was far beyond what imperial protocol would allow.

Worried that something might go wrong—or that Melusine might get hurt—Anne anxiously looked to her master, trying to read his face.

“Do what you want.”

But something completely unexpected happened.

The Grand Duke agreed. He actually allowed Melusine to come to the palace.

“Really?”

Melusine’s fingers clutched tighter at his shoulders, her lips curling into a faint, fluttering smile. Her cheeks flushed with color as joy spread across her face.

Kieron’s gaze lingered quietly on that change in her.

“Really?”

She asked again, breathless, her voice bright with excitement.

In reply, Kieron gave a small, silent nod.

“Thank you! Thank you, Kieron!”

Overcome with joy, Melusine wrapped her arms around his neck and bounced on her toes, squealing softly.

In truth, Kieron had come back for one reason: to take her with him. He wasn’t about to leave what was his behind in this secluded villa again.

“Let’s head out right away.”

With that, Kieron slipped an arm under her legs and lifted her into his arms.

“Eek! Ahh!”

In an instant, Melusine was hoisted high toward the ceiling, letting out a delighted cry as if she were a child getting a piggyback ride. The floral patterns on the wallpaper spun in dizzy circles before her eyes.

The last time he lifted her like this, she’d felt a jolt of fear—worried she might fall. But now? Not even a trace of that fear remained.

All she felt was pure joy, wrapped safely in the most secure arms she knew. She didn’t even care where he was taking her. Just the fact that she was going with him—just knowing she’d be able to keep seeing him—was enough.

Maybe this was the happiest moment she’d had since coming onto land.

Melusine looked deeply into his golden eyes, which gazed steadily back at her—and then she broke into the biggest, brightest smile she could manage, laughing freely from the heart.

***

As Anne helped Melusine into the carriage, she startled at the sight of the Grand Duke’s troops lined up before and behind them.

It didn’t look like they were heading off to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday—it looked more like they were marching to war. Anne, who had been excited to see the capital for the first time in her life, found herself so tense she could hardly breathe.

And yet, despite this being the Grand Duke’s procession, there were only five carriages in total.

Apart from the one carrying Melusine and Anne, the rest were loaded with gifts for His Majesty, minimal supplies, and just a handful of noncombatants essential for the palace visit.

Anne had already learned from managing the estate that her master detested pomp and extravagance—but she hadn’t expected him to keep things this sparse even on a journey of this scale.

Most nobles would’ve insisted on riding in ornate carriages covered in gold and jewels. But the lord of Triton insisted on horseback. As always—just like he was riding into battle. No different from his soldiers.

“Miss Melusine, are you enjoying yourself?”

Across from her, Melusine was pressed against the tiny carriage window, completely absorbed in the view outside. Anne was reminded of the last time they visited town, when she’d been just as wide-eyed and delighted.

“Yes! It’s amazing! But… where’s Kieron?”

She had assumed he’d ride with them…

As the carriage began to gently clatter along, Melusine leaned even further out the window.

She hadn’t really been watching the scenery. She’d been looking for the Grand Duke.

“He’ll be at the very front of the procession,” Anne explained. “He’s the one leading us, after all.”

Melusine gave a quiet “Ah,” and nodded, seeming to understand—but her face was clearly tinged with disappointment.

“So the Im… perial Palace. What is it, exactly?”

“It’s the castle where His Majesty the Emperor lives. The sovereign of the Empire. The ruler of this land.”

Anne realized she may have made it sound too complex—Melusine’s expression only grew more puzzled.

“Remember I told you that His Grace is an incredibly important person?”

Melusine nodded.

“Well, the Emperor is the only one in the Empire who outranks our lord.”

“So… he’s stronger than Kieron?”

The innocent question, so childlike and sincere, nearly made Anne burst out laughing.

“Well… truthfully, I’m not so sure about that—”

“No one’s stronger than Kieron.”

Her lips were set in a determined pout, a stubborn little smile blooming on her face. It reminded Anne of her youngest sibling, who had once firmly believed their father could beat anyone in the world.

Still, Anne eagerly nodded in agreement. As long as Melusine was happy, it didn’t really matter who was stronger.

Having rushed to prepare and depart, Anne soon began nodding off in exhaustion. She slipped into sleep not long after.

How much time had passed?

A murmur of voices stirred her awake. Blinking, she realized—she was alone in the carriage.

What on earth?

Was this a dream? Dazed, Anne leaned out the window to look around in panic.

“Miss Melusine? Miss…?”

Close to the carriage, she spotted the Grand Duke’s back.

Why wasn’t he up front with the rest of the procession?

And then—she saw Melusine, nestled in his arms, riding with him on his horse.

Ah. Thank goodness.

Anne let out a long breath of relief, the anxiety in her chest finally easing. She took a moment to gather herself, realizing dusk had already fallen.

They had just entered the foothills of the Laphiro Mountains, which lay just beyond the borders of the Triton Duchy.

The setting sun brushed the steep, rugged peaks with soft strokes of violet warmth. And beneath that sky, Melusine’s quiet laughter echoed faintly as she whispered to the man holding her—glowing redder, and redder still in the light of the fading day.