MHYFMAMD Ch 12

Tenesia was grateful for being saved, but having her freedom and will taken away in return was worse than she thought. She suppressed the urge to hit her chest and swallowed her groan.

 

At this rate, all plans may end up in vain.

 

‘How can I make him trust me? What should I do… … .’

 

“I guess you don’t want to talk.”

 

“Just, wait a moment!”

 

Tenesia became impatient and stretched out her hand to grab him.

 

“Wandering around in the middle of the night… you might find it disagreeable. But there’s a reason for everything.”

 

“Is there a reason you’re snooping around my house?”

 

He crossed his arms and made an indifferent expression.

 

“A reason for snooping around, neither as a rat nor a thief…  Let’s hear it then.”

 

“That… … .”

 

The rising fever and curse combined together made her delirious. Tenesia continued speaking, barely keeping her vision clear.

 

“I can’t… speak of it, but… … .”

 

“Then the negotiations are off.”

 

“Please believe me!”

 

A voice like a single scream echoed through the corridor.

 

“This… I cannot say anything due to circumstances, but I will swear on my family’s name that I will never do anything that would cause trouble to you, Margrave.”

 

“What could I possibly gain by taking your word? Unless I’m farming carrots to feed to the cavalry.”

 

“If you have a hard time believing me, I will make a vow to the spirits. Please, just believe me.”

 

Tenesia pleaded earnestly.

 

“If it’s a spirit, you would believe it, right? Just as Grace believed in the spirits, so would you, Margrave”

 

Dietrich could not answer Tenesia’s words.

 

Five years. It has been five years since Tenesia died. It was the first time in five years he had heard someone mention ‘spirits’.

 

These days, even the existence of God is becoming decadent. Let alone using spirits, most of them were unaware of their existence.

 

The situation within the Haberfeld estate was similar. Rather than looking for spirits on the barren land, people wandered around looking for animals that could give them at least one more bite to eat.

 

No one mentioned spirits.

 

Except for just one person.

 

‘Akelart has one rule. What you promise to the spirits must be kept.’

 

Grace. This was what his wife said to Dietrich.

 

She had told him, stretching out her hand and feeling the wind slip through her fingers.

 

‘Like air, spirits are always around us.’

 

“Spirits are always around us.”

 

What broke his thoughts was the voice of an unfamiliar woman.

 

Is it a coincidence? The woman’s words were eerily similar to Grace’s.

 

‘It couldn’t be a coincidence.’

 

She was a purposeful individual. From her clothing to her behavior. How many people approached him with a purpose in the year after my wife disappeared?

 

This woman was among the worst. She acted uncomfortably similar to Grace, using their supposed connection as an excuse.

 

In some ways, She might have been wiser than others. Merely changing the hair or eye color wasn’t enough to please him.

 

However, it felt like the precious memories between him and his wife were being invaded, and it was disgusting enough to make Dietrich’s stomach churn.

 

It was as if she was trying to overlay herself on his memories of his wife.

 

“… You really have a way with words.”

 

A bitter tone came out between twisted lips.

 

“It seems lying down and not being able to move has taught you to chatter.”

 

He held Tenesia’s wrist tightly.

 

“Whatever Grace told you, do you really think that justifies your actions now?”

 

You cannot protect Haberfeld by easily trusting others. Objective information and judgment. That was Dietrich’s ability that kept him alive until now.

 

There was only one ultimate reason why he accepted Tenesia.

 

That damn madness. All he had to do was survive one day when the red moon rose. However, his wife’s traces were different. He wanted to find any remnants left of the person who brought Grace’s letter.

 

However, that reason should not tarnish his memories with Grace.

 

“Get out of my sight right now.”

 

“…….”

 

“Didn’t you hear me? Pack your bags right now… … .”

 

The moment her small head touched his chest, he stopped speaking.

 

The soft body through the thin cloth. It was obvious even without asking what she was hoping for and doing now.

 

‘You’ve gone too far.’

 

There was no need to look any further. Dietrich grabbed Tenesia’s shoulder to push her away.

 

“……?”

 

Something was off.

 

“Young lady?”

 

“…….”

 

“Lady Blanchette.”

 

“…….”

 

“Hey.”

 

It was when he realized that things were going strangely that he forcibly tried to lift Tenesia.

 

Thud. Tenesia’s neck tilted like a doll with its strings cut.