Afterstory: The Warmest Winter in the World (7)

Ashley leaned toward Theorad, looking up at him with an invitation that was difficult to mistake.

Her neckline fell forward as she bent, and when she drew nearer, the softness of her chest pressed against his arm. Ordinarily, Ashley would never have behaved quite so boldly in daylight—least of all in the office where she governed Pelgaroin.

Theorad wanted to put a stop to it. Yet she had just declared that her wishes were an order from his superior, and for an instant he was too taken aback to respond.

“What do you suppose I'll do next?”

A wicked little laugh escaped her. Her slender hand moved along the inside of his thigh. She leaned closer until their breaths mingled, and her fingers reached toward his groin.

At last Theorad recovered his senses and caught her wrist.

“…Your Excellency. Please stop.”

For a moment, silence.

Ashley stared at him, then pouted.

“What? I said it was an order.”

“I can't obey an unreasonable order.”

“Since when is seducing my own husband unreasonable?”

“Your Excellency, this office is for governing the county, not for displaying affection between husband and wife. And look at all the papers waiting for your approval. If you keep putting them off, you'll never finish today's work.”

His gentle rebuke cooled some of her excitement. He wasn't wrong, which made it difficult to argue. But her pride wouldn't permit a complete retreat.

“…Then kiss me.”

Her cheeks reddened as she spoke. The blue eyes fixed on him were unexpectedly anxious.

Theorad gave her a helpless little smile and bent his head. Ashley closed her eyes, accepting the kiss.

It was over almost as soon as their lips met.

Ashley opened her eyes halfway and glared.

“That's all?”

“Yes. We can do the rest when we're back at the mansion.”

As though we'll have time then.

They had children to look after when they went home. A week had already passed without the intimacy she missed.

It's been a whole week, Theorad…

She wanted to say it aloud, but stopped herself. Pressing him further would only exhaust him, and she knew how much work was waiting. At last she exhaled.

“Fine.”

With a sigh, Ashley returned to her desk and turned her attention to her duties.

Rustle, rustle.

Pages slipped beneath her fingers. Most concerned the canal under construction.

There was enough funding, the legal questions had been resolved, capable engineers had been secured, and workers were ready. Yet the smaller details kept generating fresh problems.

Ashley had insisted that the canal serve more than cargo transport. It ought to provide irrigation and water to the people as well. That made the route more complicated, with extra sections needing protection and reinforcement.

After meetings with the nobles and consultations with Theorad, they had brought in additional contractors and stabilized the plan. Even so, as Pelgaroin's ruler, Ashley needed to examine every contract carefully.

And there's still more.

The canal was hardly her only responsibility.

New imperial magic-stone mines were being developed one after another. Pelgaroin had to recruit miners at intervals and arrange the workers and supplies being sent to support those projects.

The imperial government had also passed a measure called the Witch Quota System, intended to protect witches who had long suffered discrimination. The county needed to respond promptly to the new law.

The empire did not simply impose duties. It periodically sent skilled people and materials in gratitude for Pelgaroin's support. The imperial household had contributed generously to the canal project the previous year.

People had begun to say, “Her Majesty treasures the Pelgaroin family.”

The reason may be to win me over, though…

Ashley had a suspicion about Benelia's generosity.

The emperor seemed determined to persuade her to allow a relationship with Theorad. Was Benelia truly in love with him?

The thought tangled her mind badly enough that her quill stopped moving. Theorad noticed.

“Are you having trouble?”

“Pardon? Oh…”

“There's been so much work lately. And it looks as though you'll be occupied until spring at the earliest. I worry that House Deharem's welfare projects have added to the burden.”

As if that were the problem.

“Please. Those projects will benefit the County of Pelgaroin for years to come. Why would I resent them? Besides, there are two other people I've been growing rather annoyed with.”

“Who are they?”

“Father and my second older brother.”

“May I ask why?”

Ashley made a disgruntled sound and dipped her quill again.

“Ever since Father handed the family over to me, he's washed his hands of managing the estate. He knows how much I'm struggling, yet I keep hearing about him going off to enjoy himself—or going hunting with Fred. It's maddening.”

“He'd be hurt to hear you say that. Could you look at it more generously? Your father worked hard for this county for many years. He deserves to enjoy his old age.”

“…I suppose he does.”

She couldn't very well demand that a man who had governed faithfully until retirement go on carrying her responsibilities.

Ashley sighed, signed the contract and put it aside. She reached for the next stack.

There was none.

Huh?

Had she really finished already?

She looked toward the window and realized that already was hardly the word. Sunset had filled the room with amber light. She had been so absorbed in the work that she'd lost track of the hours.

“You've worked hard,” Theorad said. “That should be enough for today.”

His tone had softened now that their duties were done. He was sorting the remaining papers into neat piles.

Watching his profile, Ashley felt another little surge of frustration. Without speaking, she tugged at his sleeve.

“…?”

He turned. She looked up at him expectantly, rather like a puppy waiting for praise.

Theorad understood. With no further business between count and deputy, only husband and wife remained. He bent toward her, intending to give her a proper kiss this time.

“Your Excellency! Knight Marhan reporting!”

The voice from outside the door brought them both to a halt, their noses almost touching.

“Marhan never does notice the timing,” Ashley muttered.

“Indeed…”

What could they do? Theorad straightened his clothes and opened the office door. Marhan saluted.

“Deputy Count! I need to report on the management of vegetation near the manor—”

“Very well. Tell me as we walk.”

“Ah… Yes, my lord. This way!”

Theorad and Marhan went down the corridor together. As their footsteps faded, Ashley glared at the door, then remembered something.

The letter.

She still hadn't read the emperor's latest message. A letter written and sent personally by the ruler of the empire could not simply be ignored.

What would Benelia ask this time?

With an uneasy breath, Ashley broke the seal and unfolded the paper.

Count Ashley,

This time, let us meet and speak in person. I intend to visit the County of Pelgaroin soon. You need make no preparations for my reception. I shall come to you as one who has sinned.

That was all. Benelia wanted a meeting and would explain herself face-to-face.

Ashley did not know what she intended to say, but a visit was exactly the opportunity she needed. At last she might discover whether Benelia's feelings for Theorad were genuine or some elaborate joke.

---

That evening, after returning to the mansion with Theorad, Ashley spent time with her daughter as usual. She read Roselia stories, made her snacks and listened to the day's adventures with attentive interest.

One thing was different: Roselia fell asleep much earlier than expected. Apparently she'd spent the day playing tag with Beynon and Havid.

Ashley could hardly have asked for a better opportunity.

Ordinarily, she spent the hours after returning home caring for her daughter and putting her to bed. By the time she was finished, the chance to enjoy a quiet evening alone with Theorad had usually passed.

But tonight…

Her spirits rising, she slipped out of Roselia's room. She lit a small lamp and made her way toward Theorad's bedchamber, careful not to let her footsteps carry through the corridor.

Her heart beat quickly, and her mouth felt dry. There was nothing unusual about seeking affection from her own husband, yet the anticipation still made her nervous.

She was doing her best to look composed when she stopped short of his door.

Someone else was approaching through the darkness, carrying a lamp.

Linea.

The elf wore sheer nightclothes that left very little to the imagination. Her purpose was plain.

“Ah…”

Linea stopped too. For a moment, the two women stared at each other, their cheeks growing hot.

Ashley cleared her throat.

“I couldn't sleep. I thought I'd take a walk in the courtyard.”

“Me too…”

“…Dressed like that?”

Silence fell.

Linea flushed more deeply. She was mortified to have been caught, but she had no intention of turning around.

Neither did Ashley. She raised her chin and met Linea's gaze. Her grip tightened on the handle of the lamp.

Even if it's you, Ashley… Linea thought.

Even if it's you, sister… Ashley thought.

Their eyes narrowed in the quiet corridor, each woman's fierce resolve meeting the other's.

I'm not giving way tonight.

Thus an entirely unexpected contest began in Deharem Mansion.