So the Duchess Disappeared

38. Reunion

Upon Helen’s words, Psyche’s entire body stiffened.

“They, they’re looking for someone?”

Simultaneously, Psyche immediately thought of Clint.

Holding Shiret in her arms again, she asked with difficulty, “It can’t be… After more than four years since I left the Marquisate. There’s no way he’s still looking for me.”

After forcing herself to think it wasn’t true, Psyche slowly composed herself, putting on a nonchalant expression.

Helen, as if it was nothing much, shrugged her shoulders and continued speaking.

“Yeah. But it seems like he couldn’t find you. Left in a hurry, didn’t he? Said he’d stay until today. I heard it while I was out in the busy district yesterday. Where was it? He was staying at the inn?”

Psyche felt a strange sensation but dismissed it, thinking it couldn’t be true. The Marquis and her didn’t have such a deep relationship in the four years since she left, and there was no reason for him to look for her.

But then, suddenly.

“Could it be… because of the baby?”

Psyche found herself chewing on her lip unconsciously. Was he so obsessed with the lost child?

Thinking like that, Psyche became even more restless.

“….”

“Oh, Sister, are you interested?”

Not knowing Psyche’s inner thoughts, Helen chuckled mischievously and continued.

“Sister was married to a noble in the capital. So, the level has to be up there, right?”

Suddenly coming to her senses, Psyche asked in surprise, “What are you talking about?”

“I mean, about remarrying. Sister isn’t bad looking, and with a bit of dressing up… Are you seriously considering it? Should I find out where the inn is?”

“Helen!”

“Oops! Why are you yelling!”

Psyche erupted in anger without realizing it.

“Strange. Especially today.”

Helen pouted as she stuck out her lips.

“I’m tired. I’m going out.”

“Sister is really whimsical.”

Seeing Helen leave with a blank expression, Psyche was left alone with Shiret.

Unknowingly, she sighed deeply.

“Ma!”

Suddenly realizing Shiret was in her arms, Psyche forced a smile.

“Were you bored?”

“Ma, ma!”

Shiret, feeling like Psyche was showing interest in him after a long time, burst into giggles.

Thinking back, she had only thought about doing something grand for his birthday and didn’t consider playing with him.

Feeling guilty, she said, “Things don’t seem to be going well.”

Due to the story she heard from Helen, it seemed like it wouldn’t amount to much.

After clearing the paperwork aside, she properly embraced Shiret again and let him see her face.

“Shall we go out for the first time in a while?”

“Kyaah!”

As if understanding her words, Shiret, with arms flailing, showed his excitement.

Feeling a sudden pang of guilt, Psyche prepared to go outside.

Part of the reason she distanced Shiret from her was because she became the lord and had to take care of the territory.

Today is also his birthday.

“Shiret really likes you.”

“Seems like you’re more excited?”

Psyche looked at the two men standing in front of her with eyes that seemed a bit displeased.

Rumors of Shiret and Psyche going out together quickly spread throughout the castle, and since everyone knew about Shiret’s secret crush on Psyche, all the staff willingly assisted them.

Suddenly, with a beaming face, Claude volunteered to accompany them.

“What about me? I’m just volunteering as a bodyguard to ensure both of you go out safely.”

Claude wore an unjust expression, but mischief was evident on his face.

“Well, you talk the talk.”

“Haha. Of course. Where should we go? Should we head towards the bustling district?”

“Oh, no!”

When Psyche seemed startled, as if something bothered her, Claude made a peculiar expression.

“Just say you don’t want to go there; is that place not to your liking?”

“Well, it’s not… Anyway, let’s not go to such places. Let’s go somewhere less crowded. There’s nothing good about standing out for no reason.”

“Hmm, where would our young lord prefer to go?”

Claude turned his head towards Shiret.

“Kyaah! Ma-ma!”

“He says anywhere is fine as long as the lord is there.”

“What? Are you translating Shiret’s words as you please?”

“Isn’t that right? Shiret and I understand each other. We can comprehend everything he says.”

“Nonsense.”

“But it’s true.”

Claude made a sulky expression.

“Alright. Let’s get going for now.”

“Shall I guide you to a nice place?”

“Let’s go to somewhere not too cold.”

Winter in the Alistair territory wasn’t as harsh as the capital, but it was still severe. The surrounding mountains made it feel even colder.

Regardless, she didn’t know how much the castle had been maintained to endure the winter. Claude nodded his head.

“Oh, and not to the bustling area!”

In case it was Clint. If by any chance it was Clint, should she meet him? Psyche nervously entrusted Claude with a request regarding Clint.

He acknowledged and began sitting beside the coachman, starting the carriage smoothly.

After a while, the carriage started rolling smoothly over the ground.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Kyaah-ma-aaah!”

As they passed through the bustling area and somewhat left the city outskirts, a village appeared where the entire city could be seen.

Although there weren’t many people, the scenery looked quite picturesque.

The cool wind blew refreshingly, making the mood naturally pleasant.

Shiret seemed very excited too.

He held onto a strand of Psyche’s dress, laughing joyously.

“Is it good?”

“Maah!”

Shiret nodded his head vigorously.

“We’ve been talking for a long time. I should teach Shiret to speak.”

Psyche murmured to herself, looking at Shiret with pitiful eyes.

Indeed, Shiret’s language development was slower than children of the same age. While some children were already speaking fluently, Shiret couldn’t utter a single word correctly.

“No, he’s just a bit late.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Feeling a sense of responsibility for Shiret’s delayed speech, Psyche’s mouth was bitter.

Moreover, because he liked it so much, she regretted not going out with him more often.

“Here, please wait.”

“Where are we going?”

“I asked around on the way, and it seems there’s a festival in the village today. Near this area, street vendors will set up when it gets dark. I’ll go look around and be back, so please wait here.”

“Got it. We have to return soon.”

“Yes, yes.”

After playfully pinching Shiret’s cheek, Claude quickly ran ahead.

“Come here, Shiret.”

Holding the edge of her dress, Psyche pulled Shiret towards her, and they both sat down.

Then, she lightly tapped her knees.

In response, Shiret smoothly blushed, leaned in, and nestled against her, as if it were the most natural thing.

“The sunset is about to happen. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Psyche asked Shiret.

“Kyaah!”

Shiret just nodded happily, enjoying being with Psyche.

“Let’s come out together more often.”

“Maah!”

Shiret laughed cutely.

Although Psyche didn’t know whom he resembled, Shiret’s appearance was extraordinary. With honey-like golden hair, his tousled waves seemed unusual for a common child. His eye color matched his hair, shining like jewels at times.

In truth, Psyche kept him at a distance partly because of his appearance; he didn’t seem like a discarded child. She still had vague thoughts that his parents might be searching for him, making it difficult for her to readily accept him as her son.

Psyche looked into the eyes of the child, feeling that it was time to break down the walls between them.

“What a terrible thing I did.”

Because he knew about being called ‘mom’ as he followed her.

“Come here, Shiret.”

She tightly embraced Shiret, and the warmth conveyed a sense of joy.

After embracing him, she sat him next to her.

“What shall we play?”

“Maah!”

Shiret showed the most excited face in a while and burst into laughter as if he’d be happy doing anything as long as Psyche was there.

After considering their options, they started making a flower crown with the flowers nearby.

Shiret seemed to enjoy everything Psyche did.

Without realizing the passage of time, they gathered wildflowers until their fingertips turned blue.

“We, Shiret. It’s so beautiful.”

“Mama-mama!”

Handing Psyche the poorly arranged flowers, Shiret blushed.

“Are you giving this to me?”

Psyche received the somewhat clumsily picked flowers with a hearty smile.

Shiret was more beautiful than the flowers.

He was incredibly charming.

In that moment, Psyche couldn’t help but superimpose him with the child she had lost.

“…”

“Maah?”

Noticing Shiret’s sudden stiff expression, Psyche quickly pulled him into her arms.

“No, no! It’s so pretty. But Shiret is much prettier than the flowers.”

Psyche forced a laugh, trying to hold back her tears.

The painful memories became more vivid the more she tried to forget them. Over time, some things got better, while others became more agonizing.

The memories of her child belonged to the latter.

As time passed, it didn’t get easier, making Psyche’s attempt to smile all the more painful.

Her tearful smile reflected in Shiret’s golden eyes.

Then, Shiret slowly opened his mouth.

“Mama…?”

“…”

Psyche widened her eyes in surprise.

“Urruh?”

Though the pronunciation was a bit unclear, Shiret was calling Psyche ‘mom’ and even asking if she was crying.

She couldn’t believe she was hearing the sound of ‘mom’ from him, especially considering how delayed his speech was. His question about her crying made it even more emotional.

Complex feelings overwhelmed her as tears burst out uncontrollably.

“…”

However, she couldn’t make a sound in front of Shiret.

Even though all the suppressed emotions were pouring out, she couldn’t cry out loud. Instead, an involuntary choked sound escaped her.

Shiret, with an uneasy expression, quickly plunged into her embrace.

“No, no! It’s so beautiful. But Shiret is much prettier than the flowers.”

Psyche forced a smile, holding back tears.

In front of Shiret, she couldn’t make a sound. Despite the overwhelming surge of emotions, she couldn’t cry aloud. She had to pretend to be fine and forced a choked sound instead.

Shiret looked at her with a helpless expression and joined in her tears.

“Huuaaah.”

“Uhh…”

However, at that moment.

Suddenly, a man’s shadow loomed over the side where Psyche was sitting.

“Here, why are you crying?”

The voice, spoken from close by, was…

So familiar and unexpected that Psyche was shocked, raising her head abruptly.