The southern district was nothing like the quiet outskirts most would expect.
Recently, the region was thriving.
Wide stone roads stretched through rows of established shops and trading houses, their polished facades reflecting the steady flow of commerce. Carriages moved in orderly lines, merchants called out their goods with practiced ease, and well-dressed patrons filled the streets with purpose rather than idleness.
It was not the capital-
But it was already close enough to rival it.
And at the heart of it all-
Was the Duchy of Schuan.
"...Are these ongoing constructions part of my father's recent projects?" Esmeralda murmured, glancing out the carriage window.
Belle hesitated.
"...A significant portion, Milady."
"I see,"
Esmeralda had been so busy both lazing around and rushing about that this was the first time she truly saw the Duke carry out the ideas she had casually mentioned during their dinners.
Back then, she hadn't thought much of her words, speaking them almost without care. Yet the Duke had taken them seriously, finding value in her simple suggestions and using them to solve the regional problems he often talked about at the table.
---
The carriage slowed as it passed through one of the main avenues.
Clear water flowed through newly constructed stone channels lining the streets, weaving seamlessly between buildings. Workers adjusted valves with careful precision, directing flow where needed, while merchants filled basins without the usual strain of limited supply.
People gathered-not in desperation, but in curiosity.
Admiration.
"I'm telling you, it's the Duke's daughter-Lady Esmeralda herself!"
"They say she's been different lately!"
"The Duke improving infrastructures gave all credit to her, so it must be her doing..."
Esmeralda leaned back slightly.
"...That sounds suspiciously like praise."
---
Her gaze lingered on the flowing water.
Steady.
Controlled.
Reliable.
Unlike everything else in her life.
---
The carriage came to a stop.
But Esmeralda did not step out immediately.
Instead-
She exhaled quietly.
"...This is honestly too tiring already."
Her original plan had been simple.
Live quietly.
Avoid the main story.
Avoid unnecessary attention.
Avoid dying.
A very reasonable plan.
And yet-
Now she had:
A prophecy she did not ask for.
A disease that refused to be predictable.
A Crown Prince who had decided to be persistent.
And a growing number of problems that required her involvement.
"...Somewhere along the way," she murmured, "this became significantly more stressful than anticipated."
---
She stepped out of the carriage.
Composed.
Elegant.
As if she had not just mentally abandoned all responsibilities.
---
The study hall Esmeralda funded stood just beyond the main commercial district.
Strategically placed, yet removed enough to remain undisturbed.
Inside-
It was chaos.
Organized chaos.
"...This is reassuring," she murmured.
---
"Lady Esmeralda!"
A scholar hurried toward her.
"We weren't expecting your visit."
"I prefer it that way," she replied. "It reveals who is actually working."
"...Of course."
---
Her gaze swept the room.
"I trust the water system proposal has not failed catastrophically."
The scholar straightened.
"Not at all, Milady! Implementation has already begun-and with great success."
"So I noticed."
"...The people seem pleased."
"They are, Milady. The system has improved access across multiple districts-especially in areas owned by the Duchy's businesses."
"...Good," she said. "It would be unfortunate if we improved infrastructure without benefiting from it."
"...Yes, Milady."
---
They led her toward the design table.
Refined diagrams.
Expanded routes.
Better flow distribution.
It was working.
Because it made sense.
Because it followed rules.
Because it could be controlled.
---
"...At least something is cooperating," she murmured.
---
The door opened behind her.
She didn't need to turn.
"...And here I thought this progress was entirely their own."
Aziel stepped inside.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"Lady Esmeralda."
"Lord Aziel-"
"What are you doing here, my lord?" she asked.
"I am supplying the necessary materials," he replied.
Ah.
That made sense.
Stone.
Metal valves.
Structural reinforcements.
"...So you've embedded yourself into my region."
"I have contributed to it."
"Profited from it."
"That as well."
"Milady," a scholar approached, "if you would follow me, the thing you have requested last time is complete."
Aziel looked clueless-
While Esmeralda had this mischievous look on her face.
"Come, my lord, I think you need to see this as well." she said with a grin on her face.
Aziel and Esmeralda followed the scholar as he walked deeper into the halls of the study.
Esmeralda then turned to look at Aziel.
For a brief moment, her gaze lingered on him-
As if trying to read something that wasn't immediately visible.
She had recalled seeing him at the Hunt.
The image was still clear in her mind.
Aziel emerging from the woods, steady and composed, with Amaria in his arms.
It had looked-
Significant.
Important.
Like the beginning of something.
A thought lingered.
Had he already fallen for the blessed child?
And-
Before she could stop herself-
Curiosity got the best of her.
"I saw you carrying Lady Amaria at the hunting competition," she started, her tone carefully neutral.
Aziel glanced at her, as if recalling the moment.
"Ah, yes. She was nearly attacked by a wild animal when I saw her."
Esmeralda shifted slightly.
"And you... rescued her?"
Aziel let out a quiet chuckle at her question.
"Are you assuming I ran away?"
"N-No, it's just-"
Esmeralda faltered.
The words caught in her throat before she could properly form them.
She was too embarrassed-
And yet, at the same time, too curious to let it go.
Unfortunately-
Her curiosity wasn't delivered properly.
Aziel did not press her further.
Instead, he continued calmly.
"Certainly, I would have defended her. But before I could act, the boar suddenly became submissive."
Esmeralda's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Submissive?"
"Yes," Aziel replied. "It was strange. A wild, untamed animal behaving that way without cause."
A brief pause.
"It must have been the Goddess' blessing."
Esmeralda hummed faintly at that.
"While I was escorting her back to camp," he continued, "she tripped and injured her ankle."
He shrugged lightly.
"That was all."
A quiet moment passed between them.
Esmeralda wasn't satisfied.
Not even close.
Aziel's response was too neutral.
Too simple.
Too... unaffected.
"...Did your heart skip a beat?" Esmeralda asked, attempting to sound casual.
Aziel let out a short laugh.
"Lady Esmeralda, just because I touched a woman does not mean I would instantly fall for her."
Esmeralda blinked.
"Besides-"
He paused.
Then looked at her.
"I already have a lady in mind."
Esmeralda stiffened. She had thought that Aziel did not bother with women until he met Amaria.
"...w-wait what? Really? Who?"
Aziel chuckled.
"That is something I will keep to myself."
Esmeralda stared at him, clearly thrown off.
"You see-" Aziel stepped slightly closer, lowering his voice just enough for only her to hear,
"She's already taken."
And just like that-
He moved ahead of her.
Leaving her where she stood.
Stunned.
A-A forbidden love!?
That was impossible.
The book never said anything about Aziel falling for a married woman.
What has become of this book?
Seriously.