MHYFMAMD Ch 31

It was night, but Dietrich had not yet arrived.

 

Even as Tenesia, exhausted from waiting, ate dinner alone, and while she was preparing for bed, the castle gates, which were firmly closed, did not open.

 

She knew that the maids behind her were exchanging nervous glances, but she ignored it.

 

Dietrich was a busy man.

 

Even when she was Grace, it was common for him to return later than scheduled. So, there was nothing strange or worrying about the situation.

 

‘Still, he used to at least send me a message  saying he was going to be late.’ 

 

A slight feeling of regret seeped in.

 

However, knowing that she was no longer Grace, she shook her head lightly, pushing the rising emotions back.

 

“Well then, have a peaceful night.”

 

When the maid who had been waiting for the last time left, silence descended upon the room. Tenesia placed a candle beside the nightstand and laid her head on the pillow.

 

“Anima. Nympha. You’ve worked hard today.”

 

She whispered quietly, and she felt the energy that had surrounded her body gradually leave her. The cold that followed immediately made her pull the blanket up to her head.

 

“…It’s cold.”

 

Even though she wrapped herself in the soft blanket, the chill seemed unwilling to leave. The burning heat rising from her body caused a dull ache whenever the blanket brushed against it.

 

Tenesia burrowed deeper into the blanket. The small gap she left open to breathe made a soft rustling sound.

 

She wished she had asked them to light the stove before leaving. A late regret mixed with her shivering body.

 

If Dietrich had been there, would the cold have been more bearable if she were in his large arms?

 

She recalled the night she spent with Dietrich. His body temperature was slightly warmer than others. Every time they held hands or leaned against each other, a warm sensation pressed against her skin.

 

She wanted to be held in his broad arms. Tenesia hugged her empty arms, curling her feet up.

 

The scent emitting from the blanket reminded her of Dietrich’s embrace. A satisfied expression appeared on her face as she slowly drifted into a deep sleep.

 

The next morning, after a restful sleep, her body felt much more refreshed than the night before.

 

Still noticing the empty spot beside her, she rang the bell.

 

Soon after, Emily entered the room with a basin of water. She poured the hot water into the basin on the side.

 

“Madam, everything is ready.”

 

While Tenesia washed her face, Emily tied her hair with a string and draped it over her shoulder. For a while, only the sound of water splashing echoed in the quiet room.

 

Tenesia glanced over at Emily, who was quietly attending to her.

 

‘The atmosphere is strange.’

 

Unlike the warm personality she showed when they first met, Emily worked calmly. But even that seemed different when she was alone.

 

“Do you have something to say?”

 

“Oh, no. I just couldn’t help but stare at your skin, Madam. It’s so white.”

 

“Is that so…?”

 

At first, she had thought Emily was simply trying to make a good impression, a servant trying to do well by the new lady.

 

But the longer they were together, the more Tenesia couldn’t shake the strange feeling. She was kind, but cold. There was no aversion to her service, but a gaze that seemed to be probing followed her every movement.

 

‘It’s probably nothing.’

 

She had already experienced the bluntness of the Blanchette family once before. Tenesia shrugged it off, not taking it too seriously.

 

The clothes she had ordered were delivered quicker than expected. Tenesia was able to avoid looking too much like a person of lower rank.

 

The clothes, made slightly thicker to fit her frail frame, fit perfectly. Once she draped a shawl over her shoulders, a small smile crept onto her lips.

 

It was perfect. The thick fabric gave off a warmth that was more comforting than she had expected. Tenesia spun lightly, and the layers of lace woven into her lavender-colored skirt swirled around her before settling.

 

Since it wasn’t winter yet, she could manage with this. But once the true winter came, it would be unbearable.

 

‘Maybe I should build up my stamina before winter comes.’

 

Although she lived with the knowledge that her life was short and did not know when she would die, she had no intention of ending her life just lying in bed.

 

At the very least, she didn’t want Dietrich to find out that she had a limited time to live. She didn’t want to give him the same pain she had caused him when she was Grace.

 

‘For now, my goal is to move around the castle as normally as possible.’

 

It was important to first understand her physical condition. Pushing herself too hard could bring back the fever that had just subsided.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“I thought I’d take a walk around the castle, to get some fresh air.”

 

Emily offered to guide her, but Tenesia declined.

 

“I want to take my time and look around. I’ll ask for help next time.”