So the Duchess Disappeared

33. Oath of Submission

Startled by his sudden actions, Psyche took a step back in confusion.

“What are you doing? Get up!”

However, Cloud seemed to have no intention of getting up again.

As if searching for something, he soon put on a serious expression.

“Originally, there should be a decent sword or something…”

But all he had was the rugged sword he used during his mercenary days.

Suddenly, he began to recite the knight’s oath.

“In the name of the gods, Claude Arisen…”

“Arisen?!”

Psyche unintentionally made a sound at the familiar name.

“Sorry…”

In the end, having heard Cloud’s oath in silence, Psyche understood who he was and why he was begging her in this manner.

‘Arisen.’

Arisen was one of the gods whom Alister used to serve when he still appeared noble.

Although Psyche vaguely remembered only Cloud’s father from her childhood days.

‘It’s somewhat similar if you look closely.’

Psyche observed him carefully.

If he belonged to the Arisen family, every action made sense.

“I learned to obey everything the master says.”

This phrase was always repeated by his father like a habit.

Since Arisen genuinely wished for Alister’s prosperity, Cloud could be considered the most loyal god among them.

“It’s strange… how did we meet in a place like this?”

“I don’t even know if it’s fortunate that we met here.”

“Why?”

Claude, or rather Cloud, handed her a crumpled letter from his pocket.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a letter sent to rebuild the Arisen family… and you are the recipient.”

“…!”

Psyche looked appalled.

The content began with an inquiry about Psyche’s irresponsibility in abandoning Alister’s territory and ended almost like an insult. However, the more absurd part was that since Psyche no longer had the qualifications to be a lord, the letter suggested stripping her of the title and choosing a new lord.

“Who sent this?”

“It’s written there, isn’t it?”

Cloud pointed at the bottom with his finger.

“This is…”

She frowned at the familiar name.

“Raitlin Alister?”

“Yes. Is she not your cousin? I thought I should confirm the facts. Seeing your expression, it seems they’re still moving as they please. Just like back then, several years ago.”

At his words, Psyche was reminded of the nightmares she had been trying so hard to forget.

The past that had died seemed to crawl out like a ghost.

“Why… again.”

After going back to her hometown, she had tried to spend time alone, but…

She unconsciously made a more determined expression.

“This can’t happen again.”

She blurted out her inner thoughts without realizing it and then was startled, covering her mouth.

Nevertheless, her words were a reflection of her determination.

She couldn’t play along with any more absurd schemes.

While she could bear the responsibility during her absence from the territory, choosing a new lord was not something she would allow them to suggest so audaciously.

Claude nodded in agreement, opening his mouth to speak.

“They are not interested in the development of the territory or the lives of the people. It’s only vile greed. I also believe it must be stopped.”

“…”

That was right.

She couldn’t turn a blind eye to their atrocities. Suddenly, Psyche felt an urgent need.

“I will find a solution quickly.”

Claude nodded and extended his hand to her.

Quickly catching up to his words, she calmly sat down, adjusting her posture to facilitate conversation. The baby seemed to be in a deep sleep.

They began riding through the dark forest.

❖ ❖ ❖

After several days of travel, they reached the castle where Psyche originally lived.

Around the abandoned castle, crooked trees created irregular shadows, and ivy climbed the castle walls without any order, obstructing the view.

“Ah…”

Psyche stood with Claude in front, feeling the passage of time.

“The inside should be somewhat fine.”

With the baby in her arms, Psyche quickly entered.

However, entering inside was quite challenging.

Thick and tough weeds, reaching up to their waists, blocked the path to the main gate.

“Wow, can we get through this?”

Claude clicked his tongue, and as Psyche struggled ahead, she said with a sigh.

“If you step on the root side, they will fall. Watch out for the baby.”

“Alright.”

They went through hardships but managed to enter the castle.

However, the inside of the castle was not much different from the outside.

After being empty for several years, it was perhaps an expected sight.

No warmth could be felt, and dust accumulated so much that the furniture looked barely recognizable, with large cobwebs settled in every corner.

Claude laid the baby in the most decent-looking spot and quickly began cleaning up.

Psyche wavered on where to start, but Claude, being a mercenary, swiftly cleaned up everything.

Finally, after half a day, a space suitable for resting emerged.

“Wow… I didn’t expect it to be this bad.”

“Just stay still, my lady. I’ll do it all alone.”

Claude said, rubbing his temples as if exhausted. Psyche became irritable.

“Why! It’s still better with two than one!”

“It’s better alone. If the mistress stumbles around, it becomes even more challenging to clean up.”

“…”

It wasn’t entirely untrue, so Psyche made a determined expression but refrained from saying anything more. Especially after he claimed to help before and ended up making things messier.

She couldn’t ignore the days she spent as the Duchess. The hired help, who used to come and go every day, had gradually become a part of her daily life.

There were difficult days she had to endure…

Though she had a past where she had to handle everything alone, comfort quickly rusts a person. Psyche felt like she couldn’t do anything without help from others.

Claude seemed to sense her mood and added with a sigh, “When the mistress’s relatives arrive, you’ll have to deal with them. Find a way to handle it. You don’t have to bother with this kind of nonsense. Everyone has their own responsibilities.”

Smiling softly, Psyche nodded at his words. Yes, it wasn’t the time to be intimidated by such things. Greater challenges awaited them.

“Oh, before that.”

“Yes?”

Claude, who was about to stand up to resume work, was surprised by her words.

“My husband, no, the Duke is likely to come here. So, I think we need to get some Fantasy Grass.”

“Oh, that? I think there might be some left from when we cleaned earlier.”

“Really? Where is it? It may not appeal to the Alister household members, but…”

She mumbled as she walked towards the direction Claude pointed.

Even though it might not work on the Duke, whose swordsmanship was top-notch, he probably still had no immunity to Fantasy Grass. Fantasy Grass could only be collected around the Alister territory, especially around the Alister Castle, so the Duke might not have encountered it yet.

Thinking that perhaps it might work at least the first time, she prepared a hallucinogenic drug using Fantasy Grass. She then sprinkled it around the castle gate and nearby areas to ensure the Duke wouldn’t discover this place.

Only then did she start feeling a bit relieved. She didn’t want to encounter the Duke again. Not because she might end up dead, but because the guilt over the lost child tightened her throat every time she saw him.

So now, she had neither the courage nor the willingness to face him.

Just as if it had never happened…

Like a dream on a midsummer night. She desperately wished for it.

❖ ❖ ❖

A week passed.

During that time, the castle became quite habitable.

Though there were undoubtedly rooms yet to be organized, the inside of the castle was much tidier compared to when she first returned.

Psyche took care of the baby, contemplating ways to confront her relatives from the branch family. Claude skillfully procured food and necessities from various places.

While obtaining baby items, Claude even received misunderstandings, wondering if he was a newlywed.

Psyche named the baby. It was a blonde, green-eyed boy. She named him ‘Shered’ and took care of him with great care.

Even though it had been just a week, whenever Psyche appeared, the baby grinned happily as if recognizing her. The sight of the baby did somewhat alleviate Psyche’s guilt.

Thus, they spent a few days in a somewhat comfortable manner.

But it was only for a short while.

“It seems they have arrived.”

Claude, who had been looking down from the window, made a fist and spoke.

Psyche, who had been watching Shered, stood up abruptly, her face tensed.

“You brought quite a lot.”

Claude, who was looking at them, furrowed his brows.

“Am I okay? I don’t look like it’s missing, do I?”

Psyche asked with a worried expression.

“Clothes don’t define a person. The fact that the Duchess herself is dealing with people like them…”

“Duchess, don’t say that!”

“I understand. I know!”

Upon hearing this, Claude, who had fallen from the windowsill, approached Psyche.

Her demeanor changed dramatically when she stood up straight.

In her dignified expression and gestures, she looked like a high-ranking aristocrat or even an empress. Claude was momentarily stunned.

Psyche smiled gracefully and spoke.

“Well, shall we go meet my father’s relatives?”