I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration - Chapter 134

‘I had already fallen for Edith by then, and on that subject, I wanted to believe that I was different from other men.’

I was stupid, childish, and arrogant.

‘I wish I had talked to her more seriously back then…… I think I’ve hurt her too much over the years, for such a sweet girl……’

Killian let out a long sigh as he watched Edith celebrate the wedding of the woman who had tried to hurt her.

‘If she’s left alone, she’ll probably pretend to be strong and take it all out on everyone else, but no, I’ll protect her.’

She lifted her chin in defiance and said what she had to say, but in the end, she was the one who embraced him.

“Lizé’s so beautiful today, it’s almost unreal.”

“You’re prettier.”

Lowering his face to Edith’s ear as she clapped her hands, Killian pretended to answer, then kissed her cute little auricle and nibbled on it.

Ears are Edith’s weak spot.

“Aw! Killian!”

Just looking at Edith flinching made Killian drool.

“How long will the wedding last?”

“I don’t know, but the reception will go until midnight.”

“……shit.”

Edith smirked at Killian’s low swearing.

“Do you know how eager a bride is to take off her heavy dress immediately?”

“Is it just me who can’t get you undressed right now?”

Cringing at the lewd whisper of Killian’s voice, Edith glanced playfully at Killian and slapped him on the forearm.

Then she whispered in his ear, “After the luncheon, we can disappear for an hour and no one will know.”

“That’s nice to hear. Your room, or mine?”

“……or the balcony on the third floor where no one comes?”

“Ha…… really, you’re going to torture me.”

“Remember your grandfather’s funeral, Killian. Oh! Our turn to clap.”

Killian and Edith clapped along with the others, putting on the dignified faces of a count and countess again, but inside they were just a pair of newlyweds drunk in love.

***

Killian’s creation as Count of Ryzen had been decided while I lay convalescing.

At the time, it was apparent that Killian would be going down to Ryzen any day now, so Duke Ludwig hastened to report to the imperial court, and on paper, Killian was Count Ryzen from then on.

Cliff and Lizé’s wedding had delayed our departure, but we did not neglect our preparations, and soon after Cliff and Lizé’s wedding, we were on our way to Ryzen.

“Take care of yourself.”

“Please stay in good health, mother and father. I will write to you as soon as I arrive.”

On the day we left Ludwig Mansion, the Duchess could hardly contain her tears, and the Duke, too, was in a mood of sadness and remorse.

But since Cliff was already the heir apparent, it was only natural that the second son should receive another title and leave for the estate after marriage.

“I’m jealous that you’re one step ahead of me,” Cliff said wistfully as he shook Killian’s hand goodbye.

“Come to think of it, I am. I guess it’s been that way since I got Edith.”

“Who’d have thought you’d be this talented?”

Oh, right.

Killian was bragging about me everywhere, embarrassing me.

Now that I think about it, I remember Cliff saying that Killian had a complex because he had never beaten him.

Whether it was thanks to me or not, I’m happy that Killian has gotten over his complex about his brother.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while longer, we hurried out of the capital; time was of the essence if we were to reach our stopover town before nightfall.

“All right, let’s go!”

At Killian’s command, the carriage I was riding in rattled and began to move.

I squeezed Anna’s hand as she sat next to me.

“Are you nervous?” she asked.

“Nervous and…… excited.”

I flashed Anna a nervous smile.

But I don’t feel scared or anxious.

This all feels very good.

“It’s going to be a lot different, Anna. Not just for me and Killian, but for you.”

“Thank you for this opportunity, ma’am.”

“It’s very awkward to be called ma’am.”

I laughed out loud with Anna.

But the ride to Ryzen was far from comfortable.

The carriage ride over poorly maintained roads gave me a headache, and the area under my eyes seemed to grow darker by the day as I had to relieve myself in the grass and had difficulty bathing properly.

However, the fatigue disappeared as soon as we arrived at Ryzen.

“This is…… Ryzen!”

“What do you think? It’s still a small town, but there’s a lot of potential for development.”

“I love it, I really do.”

While my heart was pounding at the view of Ryzen from the carriage’s window, the carriage carrying us entered the castle.

“Welcome to the new owners of Ryzen. I’m Vincent, the castle’s butler.”

Vincent, the butler who had been managing the castle for years, looked a little younger than Philip at Ludwig Mansion.

But he looks like he’s got a good head on his shoulders, and the castle, which hasn’t had an owner in years, is very clean and tidy.

Moreover, the furniture and other items that had been ordered and sent in advance were all in their places, indicating that he had organized them upon arrival.

“Well…… it’s a lot less than the Ludwig Mansion, but……”

“I like it.”

It’s hard not to like the things I’ve picked out and ordered to be made, discussing each one with Killian.

But even that seemed insufficient to Killian.

“If there’s something you need, don’t worry, just tell me, and I’ll get it ordered right away.”

I wonder if this is how a young master feels, who has never known a lack since childhood.

What else is there to buy when the castle is filled with all the right things?

“No, this is enough to live on. If you need something, you’ll have to ask my permission to buy it. You have a tendency to waste money.”

“Do I……?”

“Yes. You got mad at me for selling things I didn’t need.”

“That’s not what I was angry about……!”

“If we’re going to develop the estate, we’re going to have to tighten our belts,” I said, balling my fists.

Killian smirked. “Well, I guess the roles are reversed from what I thought, but…… I’ll have to work hard to keep up with you.”

“Of course! If you’re lazy, I won’t let you off the hook just because you’re my husband, I’ll scold you!”

“Hahaha! I guess I’ll just have to work harder because I’m afraid of you.”

Are you laughing now?

Can you really keep up with the schedule of a Korean office worker who is accustomed to working overtime?

I smiled at Killian like a boss who smiles nicely in a job interview even though he has a dark intention to exploit his workers.

No need to intimidate him already.

After our tour of the castle, we bathed and changed into comfortable clothes, then climbed up to the ramparts for some fresh air.

A cool breeze blew through and dried my still-damp hair.

“It’s beautiful.”

“It is the most beautiful of my father’s estates.”

Not-so-rugged mountains surrounded the estate, and wide open fields grew wheat and barley.

There were some orchards in the distance, and there were quite a few private houses.

“The market has been growing in recent years.”

“Once we make it easier for people to travel through Mount Philiac, Ryzen will grow explosively.”

“Before that happens, we need to increase security and develop roads.”

“Oh, and we need a clinic and a school! If the commoners have a clinic they can go to if they’re sick or injured, the population of the estate will increase, and if we teach the children properly, there will be fewer thieves and beggars.”

“Right, then we’ll have to find good doctors and teachers, and to pay for their labor, we’ll have to tighten our belts…… as you say.”

We talked for a while more about what it would take to develop Ryzen, and then I took a deep breath.

It wasn’t because I had nothing to say.

My heart was pounding in my chest and I needed to calm it down a bit.

Originally, there was hardly any fine dust in this world, but Ryzen had cleaner air than the capital.

Then I smiled and said, “You know, I was honestly scared. If it wasn’t for our physical intimacy……”

“……what do you mean?”

“I actually didn’t think you’d bring me here, thank you.”

“If I don’t bring you…… who do I bring?”

“Well, like Count Sinclair said, you could have divorced me and remarried a woman from a real decent family.”

I was grateful in my own way, but Killian’s expression was growing grimmer by the minute. His eyes seemed to be burning with fire as he stared at me.

“Killian……?”

“So, you’re saying that the reason I brought you here is because of…… physical intimacy?”

“No?”

“Physical intimacy? Physical intimacy you say? Ha……! Is this woman really……!”

I was confused, not knowing what I had done wrong, when Killian suddenly and forcefully wrapped his arms around my waist and smiled ominously.

“You’re going to pay a heavy price for degrading the love of Killian Ryzen to lust. Don’t you think?”

“W- what?”

“I love you, you silly girl! I love you!”

At that moment, I was a little dazed. I wondered if I had just heard something from Killian……

Then Killian scooped me up.

“Aah! Killian!”

“Save your throat, Edith. You’re going to be screaming in bed from now until tomorrow morning.”

It wasn’t until later that I realized what had offended Killian, but it was too late.

I buried my face in my hands, feeling so embarrassed as the maids around me widened their eyes and urgently lowered their heads.

Of course, there’s no way I’d hate a situation where my male lead loves me.

The End.