Ch.287287. Shipwrecked

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“Why me too…?”

That question flowed from Beatrix inside the carriage.

It wasn’t wrong—she had planned to return to her family home in the Kilgore Marquis territory during this vacation and spend a leisurely time.

For someone always suffering from overwork, nothing was more desperate than rest.

At least, being called by her close friend and suddenly dragged to the Kendrid Border County was never part of her plan.

Especially since this cold neighborhood, where knife-like winds constantly cut through the skin, was even more of an aversion for Beatrix.

“Hey, you know I hate the cold. When it’s too cold, I really can’t think straight…!”

“I need a strategist, Beatrix. Among those I know, you’re the most suitable talent for this role.”

“…”

“Originally, this would be Darwood’s job to organize, but since he’s our current objective, we have no choice.”

Her friend who dragged her here was just spouting such nonsense.

“What strategist?”

Elnore, hearing those words, gazed out the window with sorrowful eyes.

When a beauty worthy of being called a national treasure made such a gesture, it was picturesque in itself, but Beatrix waited for the coming nonsense without blinking an eye.

“…What nonsense?”

“I’ve never seen you make sense when you’re in that state.”

“…”

After a moment of silence from Elnore following Beatrix’s powerful fact-bombing, she cleared her throat and opened her mouth again.

“Beatrix.”

“What.”

“Do you perhaps know how to get pregnant successfully?”

“…”

See?

Beatrix swept her face once as if about to tear off her facial skin.

“…When did things progress that far?”

“They haven’t yet.”

“…”

“But now there are quite a few people aiming for it, so my goal is to conceive in one go. That way, even those unworthy ones will know their place—”

“First, just shut up for a moment.”

Beatrix grabbed her throbbing head that felt like it might break and said those words.

She didn’t even want to bring up what political meaning it had for someone from the Tristan Dukedom to step foot in the Kendrid Border County, or what the aftermath would be…

It seemed like common sense discussions around that Darwood fellow were becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

But still, she had to ask this.

“So, according to you.”

“Hmm.”

“…There are multiple women besides you who are desperately trying to have that guy’s child?”

“That’s right.”

“…”

She wished she wouldn’t nod to such crazy talk without blinking an eye.

All those people on her checklist of “women around Darwood”…

All of them carrying one man’s child…

‘…This could lead to the continent’s destruction?’

She genuinely thought so.

“…”

Beatrix sighed and fell into thought for a moment.

Honestly speaking, at this point, she felt strongly that saying anything to Elnore or the other women was meaningless.

Just hearing this made her dizzy from the chaos. To resolve this mess, the first place she needed to target was…

“Elnore.”

“…When we arrive at the Border County, I’ll go somewhere alone for a bit.”

Beatrix said with narrowed eyes.

The reason was simple.

‘At least, I need to check his mental state.’

With everyone rushing at him like that.

If he was still running away pretending not to know like before, well.

She intended to discipline him until his mind was straightened out.

●

—she said.

Beatrix, whom I unexpectedly encountered before dinner, had just explained everything.

“…So that’s the situation.”

I was wondering why this person suddenly appeared here, and now it’s perfectly clear.

“Yeah. It’s not even funny. The Kendrid Border Count and the Tristan Dukedom on the brink of all-out war because of one man.”

“…All-out war?”

“When a high noble suddenly barges into someone else’s territory without notice, it usually involves such hostile business. There are numerous protocols that must be observed between people whose every move becomes a topic of discussion. Originally, I shouldn’t be here either.”

Beatrix said while continuously rubbing her bright red hands.

The Kendrid Border County is an extreme frozen land. For a civil official lady, even being outdoors briefly like this must be a harsh environment.

Moreover, we ended up on a terrace where cold winds blow fiercely as we looked for a secluded place to talk alone. Even I’m feeling a bit chilly.

But even in that state, Beatrix continued her sentences. As if it were an extremely important topic.

“But you know what’s even more ridiculous?”

“What is it?”

“They received us as if they already knew we were coming. Not like an all-out war, but like they were expecting guests. It made me wonder if these supposedly mortal enemy nobles were really at odds.”

“…”

“And as soon as we said we were coming to see you, the Knight immediately flipped out and interrogated us about our business and reasons?”

“…”

“As if seeing you briefly was far more important and significant than a hostile high noble suddenly appearing without observing any protocol.”

“…”

I have nothing to say.

Beatrix, who had been sniffling and rubbing her hands, sighed deeply and said:

“The kids are much more serious about you than you think.”

“…”

“Probably not just the Knight, but Elnore too, and the other women around you.”

“…”

“Do you have the confidence to handle all this that you’ve started—”

Beatrix, continuing her words, momentarily lost her speech and widened her eyes as a fur coat was draped around her.

I had taken off my coat and put it around her.

It was something I did because seeing her shivering was too pitiful to ignore.

“You looked cold.”

“…”

Beatrix’s round eyes quickly narrowed.

“…Right. This is exactly why things get so complicated.”

“…”

What does that mean?

“Anyway, are you seriously listening to what I said—”

“I was listening. Thank you for your concern.”

“I’m not concerned…?”

“That’s how it sounds to me.”

“…”

I scratch my head with a slightly weak smile.

“It’s not a matter of whether I have confidence or not. If they’re that sincere about me, then it’s only human to do my best to return those feelings.”

“…”

“I’ll do it because it’s what I should do.”

“…”

“I appreciate your concern, senior.”

“…You’re just good with words.”

When I responded with a smile, Beatrix let out a sigh as if swallowing many words she still wanted to say.

“Don’t disappoint Elnore. Despite appearances, she’s a very tender-hearted girl.”

After saying that, Beatrix turned her body around.

“…I have a lot to say… but judging by the looks of it, we’ll be staying in the Border County for a while, so I’ll talk to you then.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes. Above all, I’m really freezing to death. My body hasn’t been well lately…”

Seeing Beatrix trembling and saying that makes me smile bitterly.

This person—maybe because I’ve only seen her chattering and snapping at people. Seeing her trembling with tears almost forming in her eyes looks quite cute.

“Since the Border Count is waiting in the banquet hall now, let’s go down together—”

As Beatrix was saying this, her body staggered greatly. As if a sudden dizziness had disrupted her sense of balance.

Probably as she said, her already poor health was negatively affected by purposely coming outside to face the cold wind.

Her eyes are shaking greatly too. As if even she didn’t expect her body to sway this much.

Normally, this would just end with an awkward fall.

“…Uh…”

The problem is.

This is a wide-open terrace.

And befitting an extreme frozen land, the ground is covered with slippery snow.

Beatrix’s body, completely losing its center, caught on the nearby terrace railing.

Her tall stature for a woman clearly had a terrible influence at this moment. The railing that caught around her thighs couldn’t serve as a safeguard, and instead caused Beatrix’s body to tilt over the railing.

As if about to fall over to the other side.

“…”

Huh?

In that moment, my eyes catch what’s beyond the terrace.

The Border Count’s castle is built on quite a high hill. Below is a vast snow-covered forest.

If left alone.

Beatrix will fall straight down there.

“S-Senior?!”

Startled, I rush to grab her body.

No, suddenly slipping and falling over the terrace—you can’t even complain about such a major accident. It’s too absurd!

Thinking this, I hurriedly ran and grabbed her body, but.

“…Huh?”

My body tilts over too.

“…”

Ah.

That’s right.

Right now, my life isn’t in particularly grave danger. Meaning dire emergency doesn’t apply.

If I were “in the middle of falling” maybe, but right before falling, it doesn’t help much.

In other words, I don’t have the physical ability to support a woman’s body that has completely lost balance and is heavily affected by gravity, especially on this slippery floor.

Which means.

“Waaaahhhh-!”

“Kyaaaahhhh-!”

Both Beatrix and I tumbled over the terrace.

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