Chapter 108
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109.
Julian approached the sofa with brisk strides, his expression tinged with irritation.
He gathered the blankets scattered across it and arranged them back in their proper place.
With a sharp gesture, he snatched the pillow from Rebecca's arms and hurled it onto the bed.
"Rebecca! I'm not a beast. I'm a person with reason and intellect. How could you treat me that way?"
"Is that so? From what I've learned, men say that if they restrain themselves too long, the pain below becomes unbearable. So wives must endure and understand, no matter how difficult...."
"Who on earth spouts such nonsense?"
"My mother. And many noblewomen, including Lady Duncan."
At the mention of his mother, Julian swallowed the harsh words that had been about to escape his lips. He placed his hands on his hips and exhaled a long sigh.
"Listen well, Rebecca. Any man who claims he can't endure it either has something wrong with his lower regions or is a fool trying to mask his sinister intentions with exaggeration. By that logic, all monks should have perished long ago, no? Do you see me as one of those wretches?"
"Are you saying you're different from other men?"
"No, I'm saying that's what's normal. Of course, being in the same bed with someone like you would be extraordinarily difficult! But it doesn't mean I'd lose my reason over it."
It was a fascinating perspective.
Since she had never discussed such intimate matters with Zeppelin, Rebecca felt as though her eyes had opened to an entirely new world.
"Then what do you think about the notion that the wife bears sole responsibility for not conceiving?"
"What do I think? You create it together, so why would the wife alone bear responsibility? Besides, men who spout such drivel are usually shooting blanks anyway."
"Hmm. Is that so? Then, I mean...."
After that, Rebecca bombarded Julian with questions about men that had long puzzled her.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she fired away question after question, utterly devoid of shame.
It was Julian who wished he could crawl into a mouse hole and hide. His face flushed crimson at some of the more provocative inquiries.
Yet he answered each of her questions faithfully.
The seemingly endless barrage of questions finally appeared to be drawing to a close.
Julian collapsed onto the bed, utterly drained, and spoke.
"What sort of men have you been meeting? I don't know anyone in my circle who's that peculiar."
Rebecca settled carefully beside him with a satisfied expression, gazing intently at his face.
"I suppose so. It seems my life has been filled with nothing but strange people. Thanks to you, so many of my questions have been answered. I apologize for the misunderstanding earlier."
"I'm glad it was helpful."
A moment of silence fell between them.
The servants' efforts to ensure the Duke and Duchess's romantic first night were now bearing fruit.
A fragrance meant to enhance intimacy between man and woman tickled Julian's nostrils.
Gulp.
The sound of Julian's throat constricting reached Rebecca's ears.
She hesitated for a moment, then rose from her place as if making a decision.
"Well then, sleep well."
Rebecca quickly extinguished the candles and the phonograph.
As darkness descended upon the bedroom, she climbed back onto the bed and pulled the blankets up over her head.
The bed was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate five people.
Julian gazed blankly at Rebecca's back, which lay at a considerable distance from him.
He wanted to touch her, to hold her.
But if he did, she might flee from him forever.
Every time he thought he'd gotten close, she would retreat backward.
Julian withdrew his outstretched hand and closed his eyes.
Rebecca, exhausted from the day, fell asleep quickly.
Her soft breathing sounded like a sweet lullaby to his ears.
Rebecca, who had been tossing and turning, rolled over to face Julian.
He carefully pulled the blanket back up over her and gently stroked her hair.
He had never shared a bed with his parents.
For the first time, I realized how profoundly moving it was to have someone's warmth beside me.
Julian carefully caressed Rebecca's sleeping face.
"Mmm...."
Rebecca, who had rolled over, pressed herself against him and draped one leg across his thigh.
"Hah...."
Julian felt his breath catch in his throat.
Rebecca had rather poor sleeping habits.
Though even that was endearing, as their bodies continued to press together, it became increasingly unbearable.
He desperately fled from Rebecca, but she pursued him relentlessly as if mocking his escape.
'Is she pretending to be asleep?'
But no matter how he looked at it, Rebecca was clearly in a deep sleep.
"Sigh...."
Finally, Julian surrendered and pushed himself up from the bed.
It seemed sleep would not come easily tonight.
Since he'd be awake all night anyway, Julian silently left the bedroom.
* * *
After finishing a simple meal in the Kitchen, Julian picked up a bag of food and made his way to the Stable.
Fortunately, because he moved as quietly as possible, none of the servants woke from their slumber.
Neigh—
The black horse, recognizing Julian's footsteps, greeted him with a cheerful whinny.
"Gunter. Have you been well?"
Julian gently stroked Gunter's glossy coat.
Gunter snorted and rubbed his face affectionately against Julian.
He fed Gunter a handful of oats, then placed the food bag into the saddle pouch. With practiced ease, he mounted Gunter's back.
Soon after, Julian urged Gunter toward the Alchemy Tower.
Gunter galloped at precisely the pace Julian desired.
The horse seemed to read his mind—accelerating when speed was needed, slowing when restraint was required.
As Julian synchronized his movements with Gunter after so long, a faint smile played across his lips.
Gunter was the fastest horse he had ever seen.
Once a popular racer at the track, the horse had nearly been sold to a butcher after sustaining an injury.
Julian, who had kept a watchful eye on him, had taken Gunter in and nursed him back to health. In gratitude, Gunter had recovered swiftly.
Since then, the two had traversed the entire nation as one.
Neigh!
A fallen tree appeared ahead. Gunter cleared it with effortless grace.
Julian held firm atop Gunter's muscular frame as the horse bounded forward.
As they landed with a heavy thud, the communication stones in his pocket rattled.
Wondering if he might have dropped something, Julian opened his pocket to check its contents.
Fortunately, all four communication stones remained safely nestled within.
Reassured, Julian pressed Gunter to an even greater speed.
How long had they been riding?
Soon, the Alchemy Tower came into view, illuminating the night sky like a lighthouse.
* * *
Built from gray brick and situated deep within the Forest, the Alchemy Tower was so massive that it could be seen from anywhere in the Johannes Territory.
Despite its elegant exterior, the interior of the Alchemy Tower was, at best, chaotic, and at worst, filthy.
Every room was scattered haphazardly with alchemical materials and books.
Yet each had its own peculiar order, and anyone foolish enough to attempt cleaning would face the wrath of an entire assembly of angry alchemists.
Julian carefully navigated around the papers strewn across the floor, making his way to the Third Floor where the night shift team had gathered.
"You've been working hard late into the night."
"Your Grace!"
Apeli, who had been mixing reagents, startled at the sudden sound of Julian's voice from behind and turned around.
Julian extended the food bag as he spoke.
"I've brought a late-night meal. I suspected you'd all be skipping dinner again in favor of your research."
"Oh! We can always trust in Your Grace's culinary skills."
Julian often personally brought snacks for the alchemists in this manner.
The reason Julian invested such affection in the Alchemy Tower was both because it was the Duke's Residence's greatest source of revenue and because it kindled his own intellectual curiosity.
Apeli tore open the food bag and let out a triumphant shout.
It was a sandwich made with Julian's special sauce.
"Everyone! The Duke has brought sandwiches! Come eat and join us!"
"Sandwiches?"
"Gasp! The Duke!"
The alchemists, who had remained unresponsive to any other sound, finally lifted their heads at the mention of food.
With hollow bellies clutched in their hands, they rose unsteadily from their seats, their eyes shadowed by deep, dark circles.
"Good grief. They look like corpses that have come back to life. Take it easy and rest while you eat."
Julian spoke with concern as he watched the alchemists devour the sandwiches ravenously.
His tone was so tender that Eustaf would have wailed dramatically about unfair treatment had he been present.
"It's fine. We're so close to completing the research that we don't feel tired even working day and night."
"You mean the teleportation stone you mentioned before?"
"Yes, that's correct. I finally figured out the formula for spatial flow that had been giving us trouble. So with this mana stone I've infused here... wait?"
"What's wrong?"
Apeli muttered something while eating his sandwich.
"The type of mana stone seems to be wrong. Let me recalculate..."
He abandoned his sandwich and rushed to the desk, frantically scribbling calculations on paper.
Julian clicked his tongue at the sight of his own sandwich, abandoned after just two bites.
I preferred diligent and capable subordinates.
But the alchemists here were such relentless workaholics that I had grown weary of them.
Since no one ever took vacation, I had eventually established regular days to close the Alchemy Tower.
"Though I doubt you've come to bring us midnight snacks while you're enjoying your newlywed days, Duke. Is there something you need?"
Nadin brought Julian a cup of coffee as she spoke.
Julian accepted a mug inscribed with "The Greatest Alchemist."
The fragrant aroma of coffee stimulated my senses.
"Bongani Mountain beans."
"I knew you'd recognize it immediately. Coffee beans from Bongani Mountain have become so expensive lately that even with considerable expense, they're hard to obtain. Of course, we don't have to worry since you procure them for us, Duke."
"Right. Feel free to tell me anytime if you need anything. Anyway, I came today because of this."
Julian placed a pouch containing a communication stone on the table.
Nadin nodded after checking the contents of the pouch.
"Ah. It's been a while since you've used it. Understood. I'll guide you to the Communication Room right away."
"Thanks. Make sure to tell Apeli to finish his sandwich. Otherwise, I'll force him to take a vacation."
"That's the scariest thing I've heard all day. Hey! Did you hear that, Apeli!"
Apeli waved his hand dismissively, his nose still buried in the paper as his hand moved rapidly across it.
"It seems Apeli actually wants to rest?"
Nadin shrugged her shoulders once toward Julian before heading toward the Communication Room.
The Runaway Countess Returns
E-book publication.
January 12, 2022
Author.
Gin-eun Night Sky
Publisher.
Desert Fox
Published by.
Woongjin ThinkBig Co., Ltd.
Submission Inquiries.
naver.me/54VzzLSn
Blog.
blog.naver.com/wj_fennecfox
Twitter.
@wjt_fennecfox
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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