Chapter 17
However, when she opened her eyes, Rivenia found herself in an unfamiliar space.
She had never entered this room before—hadn’t even stood before its door—so she couldn’t immediately tell where she was.
But when she noticed the warmth in the air, despite the absence of a scent of burning wood, she quickly realized.
‘Ah, this must be Heinrich’s bedroom.’
In the ducal mansion, only two rooms were heated using magic stones—Heinrich’s bedroom and Lady Baldwin’s.
Rivenia calmly looked around and met eyes with Heinrich, who was sitting next to the bed.
Blinking his ruby-like eyes with worry, Heinrich asked, “Are you alright, Madam?”
He looked tired, as if he had been sitting beside her the entire time. A clean handkerchief was in his hand.
Instinctively, Rivenia touched her forehead and cheeks.
There wasn’t a trace of cold sweat, which meant someone had been wiping her down consistently.
And that someone was sitting right in front of her.
Rivenia held his gaze silently.
It wasn’t because she was still dizzy.
It had just been so long since someone treated another person with such pure kindness, without expecting anything in return.
“Madam, are you still feeling dizzy? Shall I fetch the physician?”
The hand resting on her forehead was small but firm.
Apparently, Heinrich had been diligently keeping up with his sword training.
At such a young age, having lost his father and falling into despair, no one would have blamed him for being stubborn or acting out.
Yet, here he was—stoic and composed.
Rivenia wanted to stroke the boy’s head.
But she wasn’t used to such tender gestures, so instead, she found herself defaulting to logical words.
“Your Grace, I sincerely thank you for taking care of me. But please, don’t do this again. There’s a bedroom prepared for me in the mansion, and maids who can nurse me.”
She intended her words to be firm, but Heinrich responded clearly, without shrinking back.
“But my room is heated with magic stones and doesn’t get dry. The physician said overwork was the main cause, but staying in a dry room all day may have contributed. If a wife is sick, it’s the husband’s duty to provide a comfortable place for her. That’s what I believe.”
It was hard to believe an eight-year-old could speak so logically.
Rivenia was momentarily speechless. But she forced herself to speak, knowing she had to address the issue.
“Do you understand that this is a political marriage?”
“Yes. I heard that Madam agreed to care for House Baldwin on my behalf and received compensation for it. I… didn’t hear the details of that compensation, since I’m still young.”
Heinrich seemed curious about what that “compensation” was.
But Rivenia didn’t answer and instead continued with what she had to say.
“Your Grace holds a high status, and it would not reflect well if it became known that you personally tended to your wife. The household is in a delicate state, and internal affairs are more likely to leak.”
“Even if it’s a political marriage, we are husband and wife. And you’re overworked partly because I’m still young.”
“That’s exactly why this is a problem. Because of your youth, if it appears that we are too close, people will think I’m controlling House Baldwin even after you come of age.”
They would eventually divorce, of course—but what about the inevitable rumors until then?
Unable to argue further, Heinrich clamped his lips shut.
Only then did he look slightly stubborn—and like a child.
Feeling guilty, Rivenia softened her tone and asked, “Do you understand what I’m saying? It’s most important that you, as Duke Baldwin, are not seen as someone easily manipulated.”
Thankfully, Heinrich gave a strong nod.
Rivenia sighed in relief and rose from the bed.
Her head still ached, but it was bearable.
“Then I’ll return to my room now. Thank you sincerely for your concern, Your Grace.”
She placed a hand on her chest and bowed.
The gesture was overly formal for a wife toward her husband—and clearly drew a line.
Even if there were no compensation, Rivenia wanted to do her best for Heinrich.
Because he had been the first person to promise her happiness.
But not long after, Rivenia found herself rescinding all of her resolutions.
Rivenia worked in the study all day and only returned to her room at dawn.
What was different this time was the small shadow loitering near her bedroom door.
Judging by the clothes, it was a young maid, holding nothing but a short candle—looking pitifully shabby.
“Who’s there?”
The maid must have been lost in thought; she didn’t even notice Rivenia approach from behind.
Startled, the girl bowed deeply.
In the rush, her candle nearly fell, but Rivenia caught the candlestick with swift reflexes.
“Do not behave so carelessly.”
Though Rivenia’s voice was cold, the maid stared at her in awe.
Fortunately, she regained her senses and carefully took the candle back, bowing her head.
“L-Lady, I apologize for my rudeness. But given my status, I had no other way to meet you in secret…”
Rivenia’s attending maid scolded the girl.
“How dare you loiter near the lady’s chambers? Kneel at once!”
It was indeed inappropriate to hover near the lady of the house’s bedroom, so the scolding was justified.
But judging by the maid’s frightened expression, she seemed aware of her wrongdoing.
And yet, she had come anyway—meaning she had a compelling reason.
After a moment of thought, Rivenia spoke.
“Come with me.”
She took the maid back to the study.
Rivenia had something important to ask.
“T-The young master’s belongings seem to be disappearing… At first, it was just a handkerchief. I asked the head maid, but she told me not to worry and to stay out of noble matters. I didn’t want to be accused of anything, so I tried to forget it.”
It was normal for servants to manage their master’s belongings.
The maid had made a sound judgment, but clearly wasn’t given the means to carry it out.
Rivenia calmly asked, “Are you saying his things kept disappearing afterward?”
“Yes. The young master often misplaces things, so he doesn’t seem to notice… But rings, brooches, neckties… And just recently, a dagger passed down from the previous Duke went missing!”
That was serious. Losing a family heirloom was no small matter.
But something didn’t sit right with Rivenia.
‘Heinrich misplaces things often?’
She had been observing Heinrich closely for several months.
Even without speaking, you can learn a lot about someone—and she had learned that Heinrich was meticulous.
He folded handkerchiefs with precise corners, helped his aging nanny with forgotten tasks, and followed table manners so perfectly that not a single utensil would be out of place.
His tutors said he never missed a single assignment—not even prep work.
So how could someone like that be losing items so often?
It wasn’t impossible—but it raised suspicion. She had to verify it.
Rivenia invited Heinrich to a small tea party. The location was the terrace of a large room situated between her room and his.
She thought Heinrich might decline, but he accepted readily.
Rivenia dismissed the servants and poured the tea herself.
“Thank you for taking the time, Your Grace. I know you’re busy.”
“No. It’s a husband’s duty to make time for his wife.”
Despite how Rivenia had drawn clear boundaries last time, Heinrich still referred to his “duties as a husband.”
Rivenia found the boy endearing—but at the same time, feared that his upright nature might someday get him hurt.
After a moment of hesitation, she decided to just ask directly.
“Your Grace, have you been losing things lately?”
“Oh.”
She thought he might be embarrassed—or confused.
But Heinrich’s reaction was entirely different.
Though a little surprised, he quickly composed himself and smiled.
He seemed to understand the situation instantly, leaving Rivenia more surprised. He really was no ordinary child.
“Someone must have told you.”
“Yes. They said your belongings keep disappearing, but they were unsure what to make of it since you tend to lose things often.”
Heinrich sat upright and drank his tea with perfect etiquette.
Only after offering praise for the tea did he respond—another mark of proper decorum.
“You told me once, didn’t you? That it’s important not to give the impression that you control the duchy.”
“Yes.”
“After hearing that, I thought about it. Who would form that kind of impression? It wasn’t hard to figure out. The retainers nearby—and more distantly, the imperial court.”
