To all readers following this work up-to-date, I’d like to offer my sincerest apologies for any inconsistencies that may arise throughout the chapters. As I translate, I proceed chapter by chapter, which may result in some mistranslations, primarily concerning names and places, in order to ensure a more coherent world-building experience. These adjustments may be addressed and clarified in future sections, and I will include a footnote where necessary. Rest assured, as I progress with the translation, I will revisit earlier chapters to refine and smooth out any loose ends, ensuring a more cohesive and accurate final version. Moving forward, I intend to avoid such inconsistencies. Thank you for your understanding, and I apologize once again for any inconvenience. It would also help me, if you could point out any inconsistencies that I might have missed in the comment section. Thank you and happy reading~
I’ll be increasing the pods to 7 starting this chapter. Hope you’ll understand.
TNBTW | Episode 26
by cookieAs Edith raised her head abruptly, her gaze met Skyle’s, who was intently watching her.
“I…”
Edith’s lips trembled slightly as she was caught off guard, entirely unprepared for such a question from Skyle.
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However, the surprise quickly gave way to a faint brightness on her face as she realized this was the first time he had inquired about her well-being.
“I’ve been eating well and taking care of myself.”
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“Is that so?”
The last time she had seen him, the empty look in his eyes had lingered in her mind, weighing on her heart. Sharing a conversation like this now felt refreshing, as though a bridge had been built between them.
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“Yes, of course! Thank you for asking—”
“I don’t think so.”
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Her cheerful smile froze in place, the words striking her like a cold gust of wind.
‘I said I’ve been doing well… What does he mean by saying otherwise?’
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As her thoughts spiraled in confusion, Skyle’s calm eyes swept over her briefly, as though he were appraising her.
“You’ve grown thinner. During the wedding preparations, you seemed to be in good physical condition. Now, I’d estimate you’ve lost at least five lambs (around 1.5 kilograms).”
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Nutritional status…
Edith was left momentarily speechless at his blunt and overly precise observation.
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It was true—she had lost some weight. Though she hadn’t measured it precisely, his estimate was probably correct. Planning the party had kept her busy, and afterwards, her visits to the orphanage and the time spent with the children had taken a toll.
But she could swear it wasn’t enough to cause concern. Frankly, it wasn’t even noticeable to others. It was more like she had returned to her usual weight after gaining some while living in the duchy before the wedding.
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‘Did I gain too much weight before the wedding? No, that can’t be it.’
Edith concluded that Skyle had an almost unsettling eye for detail, and with that thought came a rising sense of embarrassment.
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“…Thank you for your concern, but I assure you, I’m perfectly healthy.”
“That’s good to hear. Maintaining proper health is vital for successfully completing the contract.”
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She paused at his words, her chest tightening slightly. For successfully completing the contract—the reason for his concern was laid bare. It was because she was his contractual partner.
It was logical, of course, but it stung all the same. Not because she harbored feelings for him—far from it—but because it saddened her to see how rigidly he adhered to his need for reason. It was as though every word and action without a clear purpose was a waste to him.
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‘Doesn’t living like that exhaust him?’
Worried as she was, Edith kept her thoughts to herself.
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“Would you care to join me for dinner?”
Skyle’s voice broke the silence as he glanced briefly at the enormous clock on the wall. His punctuality seemed almost ritualistic.
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“Sure.”
She answered easily, following behind him.
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***
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“Kairant! I had no idea you traveled somewhere so far!”
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“The teleport station near the southern border makes the journey relatively quick.”
A month ago, Edith had heard that Skyle had left for the southern provinces to oversee a reconstruction project.
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Kairant was the name of an ancient kingdom bordering the empire’s southern territories.
It was referred to as an ancient kingdom because it had once invaded the empire, taking advantage of the chaos caused by the Continental War over diamond mines. However, the kingdom ultimately collapsed, and its lands were now part of the empire’s southern territories.
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“To think that wizards are involved in reconstruction efforts… I could never have imagined such a thing.”
War always left scars in its wake. In other words, it demanded repair. Rebuilding the crumbled castle walls and homes destroyed by siege weapons fell to those who remained behind.
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Of course, someone had to take on this work, but Edith never imagined it would involve Skyle. It dawned on her just how expansive the Ministry of Magic’s areas of activity were.
“Laborers primarily handle the work, but in terms of efficiency, they can’t match a wizard’s capabilities—especially when it comes to tasks like reconstructing a fortress.”
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“That does make sense. Kairant… Is it very different from the Empire?”
“The average temperature is higher than in the empire’s southern regions, and it’s generally drier. It’s even hotter than the Empire’s summer.”
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Given the vast size of the empire, there was significant climate variation across regions.
As a governess, having knowledge of regional characteristics was essential, so Edith was somewhat familiar with the empire’s different areas. However, she knew little about foreign lands.
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Edith listened intently, her face alight with curiosity. Skyle, who had been quietly observing her, hesitated briefly.
‘Hmm? Does he have something to say?’
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As she puzzled over the unnatural pause, he finally began to speak, his words slow and deliberate.
“…As such, their skin tone is relatively darker than that of imperial citizens, and regardless of gender, they tend to be tall and lean.”
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It seemed Skyle wanted to add something more, but at that moment, the main course arrived, and he closed his mouth.
“Today, we prepared a special meat pie.”
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Perhaps because the master of the house had returned after his long absence, the chef appeared to have outdone himself. The meat pie placed on the table was far more elaborate than before.
The top was latticed like a waffle and generously topped with spiced, sautéed meat, garnished with basil. It was a visual feast.
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“This pie was delicious last time! I’m so happy to have it again.”
“Oh, you’re too kind. Please let me know anytime you’d like to have it, and I’ll ensure it’s prepared for you.”
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The chef replied, his face beaming with pride. After serving the pie, he departed with a spring in his step.
“This was one of the dishes served at the party. The chef worked so hard to create beautiful and delicious dishes. The children absolutely loved it.”
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“Children?”
Edith, who had just picked up her fork to cut the pie into bite-sized pieces, paused mid-motion. Come to think of it, she hadn’t yet explained the situation to Skyle.
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“…Have you perhaps heard anything from Bill?”
About how the party turned into a complete disaster…?
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Edith swallowed the thought before it could escape her lips.
“I told him I’d hear all about it once I returned.”
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“I see…”
Lowering her fork, Edith carefully chose her words.
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In summary, it was quite simple: No one had attended the party she had worked so hard to prepare, and the food, which was at risk of being wasted, was donated.
“Well, the food prepared for the party ended up being served to the children at the orphanage. Not a single crumb went to waste.”
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Even so, saying it like that stung a bit. Edith tried to soften the blow, but in the end, she lowered her head.
“I’m sorry, Skyle. The party didn’t go as planned. Not a single person attended. I didn’t want to tarnish the duchy’s reputation, but…”
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The party’s failure had been a significant shock to Edith, but that was all. She hadn’t been deeply hurt—after all, she was only a duchess for three years.
For Duke Devion, however, things were different. He would remain in this world permanently, and everything Edith did as the duchess would reflect upon him.
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She felt immensely sorry for him, especially knowing how much he accommodated her.
“I told you, didn’t I? I had no expectations.”
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“You did.”
Edith replied, forcing a weak smile to his calm reminder. Should she be relieved that she hadn’t disappointed him? Even with her positivity, that was hard to do.
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The meal continued in silence, with none of the usual clinking of cutlery breaking the quiet.
“Were the preparations inadequate?”
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As warm tea and dessert were being served, Skyle, who had remained silent the entire time, suddenly spoke.
Caught off guard, Edith blinked, only to realize he was referring to the party.
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“I…”
Memories of the time spent preparing for the party flashed through Edith’s mind.
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“I gave it my all. I wouldn’t dare claim it was the finest party ever held, but I made sure it wouldn’t disgrace the duchy’s honor.”
Were the preparations inadequate? No, absolutely not. She was confident in that.
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Her clear eyes now gleamed with determination. Skyle, gazing into those resolute eyes, asked again.
“Then, was the party’s failure something you could have prevented at the time?”
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Edith drew a slow breath. After a failure, countless “what-ifs” often surfaced. She was no different.
If only she had been more well-versed in social circles, if only she had been somewhat aware of the situation, perhaps she could have done something.
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“No. At the time, it would have been beyond me.”
But those were only hypotheticals. They were desperate attempts to rationalize things after knowing the outcome.
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Even turning those what-ifs into reality would have been difficult. Edith did not underestimate herself, but she knew she lacked the ability to master social dynamics in such a short time.
Admitting this meant exposing her limitations, but Edith was willing to do so.
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“However, I’ve learned something from this experience, so I’ll do my best to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Instead, she resolved to improve. Someday, she would make herself useful to the husband who had no expectations of her, at least as his contractual partner.
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