I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 191

Beatria set up a separate place to invite the two, as the garden was prone to drawing attention from others.

From there, the garden scenery was easily visible, and the relatively calm atmosphere was quite suitable for conversation.

“By the way, you seem to have found a wonderful lover, Duke.”

Beatria, who served tea herself without any attendants, glanced at Edgar and graciously offered her congratulations with a modest smile.

I had heard the rumors a few times, but they truly looked great together. Despite his somewhat mischievous appearance, one could see that his eyes held a calm depth, indicating that he was a man of considerable gravity.

It struck a nostalgic chord, reminiscent of my initial impressions when I first met my husband, and I couldn’t help but get a bit sentimental.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. But, we, about the tea…”

Edgar, expressing his reluctance on behalf of Ariel, approached Beatria. It felt rather awkward to see a woman of the Empress’s stature serving tea without any attendants, but what made it even more uncomfortable was that she was serving tea for both of them.

“You can’t make your guests do that. Don’t worry; I’m quite adept at serving tea myself.”

But Beatria simply declined with a gentle smile, indicating she didn’t need help. After all, serving tea herself was a part of her hobby. Watching others enjoy the tea she prepared brought her joy amidst the humdrum of daily life.

“Please sit comfortably over there. A maid will return soon with some snacks.”

“Then, Your Majesty, I’ll excuse myself.”

“Excuse me.”

The two spoke in unison as they sat down, a smile appearing on Beatria’s face.

Ariel was doing somewhat better, but Edgar clearly seemed uncomfortable around someone of higher status. Still, having seen many sly nobles, I found it refreshing to see a man with such a genuine demeanor. It was quite a visual treat.

“By the way, the reason you called us was…?”

“Oh, there’s not really a reason. I simply miss having conversations with those outside the palace since I spend all my time here.”

In other words, she brought them along for company.

“I suppose the Empress must feel lonely.”

“Well, I don’t know. Perhaps…”

To lighten the mood, Edgar joked, but the response from Beatria felt a bit strange. It sounded like a wife who had grown disillusioned in a once-vibrant marriage.

Edgar momentarily felt he might have said something unnecessary, but Beatria quickly intervened, making it clear that wasn’t the meaning behind her words.

“Don’t misunderstand. Though my husband is busy, he does care for me quite a bit.”

“Oh, I see. I feel somewhat sorry for having spoken out of turn.”

“Hehe, it’s fine. Besides, your imagination might not be too far from the truth.”

“…Excuse me?”

Both Edgar, who had been nodding off, and Ariel, who was leisurely sipping her tea, suddenly froze in place. Something about Beatria’s words felt oddly pointed.

Not so much that it was pointed, but it seemed she had openly revealed a truth.

“Before ascending the throne, we were rather close. But now, it feels quite distant, even to me as his wife.”

“What’s the reason…?”

“Well, I guess it started to feel like there was a psychological distance between us, slowly growing apart. I thought it was just the typical weariness that comes after marriage.”

Despite having only just met, Beatria was delving into quite personal details. She felt safe, knowing Edgar did not appear to be the gossiping type, and that there was trustworthy company nearby.

“But my husband cared for me without fail, but at the same time, he was also pushing me away.”

“That’s a bit hard to understand.”

“Right? Even I’m not sure what I mean by that… but still, that’s how it seems.”

Cared for yet pushed away. Edgar pondered deeply on what a peculiar expression that was. If they were truly distant, he wouldn’t even bother to show that he cared on the outside.

“Is there some reason behind it?”

While he didn’t want to interfere in another’s family matters, especially their private relationship, curiosity bubbled within him. After all, mundane stories such as these spark more interest than significant issues, which is likely the reason why gossip thrives.

“Perhaps you both misunderstand each other.”

“…Ariel?”

Edgar turned at the sudden voice beside him. It was surprising because Ariel typically kept quiet and listened in such situations.

“Though it was a matter with my father and not the same as Her Majesty’s, I believe that sometimes a few missing words between each other can lead to conflict.”

The examples might differ. Ariel had been acting poorly just to receive a bit of disdain from Yulken, whereas with the Emperor, the reasons behind his behavior were a mystery.

However, even a neutral third party like Ariel seemed to feel that the Emperor did not cherish the Empress.

Given that she had only heard snippets of the current story, she couldn’t be certain, but if he truly did want to push his wife away, could the Empress genuinely feel cherished?

Perhaps, like her own experiences, there were untold reasons involved. Since she usually refrained from meddling in others’ business, this was an exception, and it sparked that intuition.

“I wouldn’t say there was a lack of conversation.”

“Maybe it was more a lack of revealing your true feelings. When His Majesty sensed changes in himself, did you ever try to reach out and inquire?”

“…I haven’t. Unfortunately.”

Beatria had a notably gentle disposition. Despite the changes in others’ attitudes, speech, and behaviors, she found it hard to express her discontent.

This was also true when interacting with Bartheus; although she had doubts about his actions, she never made an effort to express them. She merely turned away in sadness as she watched her husband seem to drift away.

Instead of being quick to understand reality, it was more accurate to say she had a passive nature that avoided uncovering the truth.

“My father once told me something when he and I cleared up all misunderstandings and spoke.”

“What was that?”

“He said the mistakes he’d made were so significant that he couldn’t even dare to approach me. But his caring feelings remained, and he wanted to express them in some way.”

Puff.

Beatria couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought that Yulken possessed that kind of side to him. And part of her felt that there might be a clue in his words.

After all, in the gaze her husband cast upon her after their marriage, she could sense a strange darkness and guilt.

“There might be things I don’t know.”

Perhaps, although she tried her best to understand and consider her husband, she hadn’t made an effort to comprehend his inner world.

While that might be ideal for building a peaceful relationship, eventually, the wounds hidden away would surface at some point.

Beatria didn’t want that.

“Thank you, Duke. As you said, it might be a bit late, but…I need to reach out to my husband now.”

“Yes, I hope you achieve what you intend. Your Majesty.”

Beatria felt a wave of mixed emotions as she looked at Ariel, who had bowed her head respectfully in front of her.

It felt like just yesterday when they first met, and Ariel was just a girl barely reaching her waist. How had she grown so much, now standing before her as a mature woman offering advice?

It was incredibly bittersweet.

“Thanks to you, my heart feels a bit lighter today. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?”

“Ah, tomorrow I plan to return to the family home with the dawn carriage…”

It was a tough schedule to change, set long in advance. In the first place, Ariel wasn’t someone who could easily alter plans, even if the Empress asked her to.

Today’s connection remained significant, and there were still things waiting for her back at the family home.

“Is that so? What a pity. If you come again, please do talk with me! And bring along your significant other too.”

Edgar froze at the sudden指指 from the Empress, his surprise clear as he turned away. Ariel pressed her foot on him, as if to say, “What are you doing?”

Despite the considerable pain, he couldn’t even let out a scream, hastily agreeing.

“I-I’m honored, Your Majesty.”

“That’s a relief.”

With a gentle smile, Beatria wrapped up the meeting. She initially wanted to chat until dinner but suddenly felt the urge to see her husband upon hearing Ariel’s words.

No matter how much time passes, as long as love doesn’t fade, aren’t couples still couples?

In the end, it’s the faces of those you love that come to mind during the happiest, most joyful, and most sorrowful times.

And if you add one more to that list, perhaps the slightly foolish face of their son.

Click.

And so, the two quietly closed the door and left the room.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Edgar suddenly questioned his lover.

“What’s got into you? Giving advice so freely like that.”

“I don’t know. I just felt empathy for her, thinking her situation might be similar to mine.”

In a way, they shared a deep understanding. People often despise those with similar personalities, yet show sympathy for those in similar circumstances.

Ariel wasn’t much different, which is why she offered her opinion.

That was all there was to it.

“You mentioned before that if I had spoken with my father even a little earlier, things might have been different.”

“That’s right.”

“I just conveyed that. In a sense, you’re the one who helped.”

Ariel calmly shifted the credit onto him, gently taking his hand. Even now, she thought that what Edgar had given her, and indeed what he had offered to the Robeheim family, was immeasurable.

Even after a lifetime, she probably could never repay him fully.

And it wasn’t just her feeling; both Yulken and Helene often echoed such sentiments.

“Let’s take another stroll through the garden. We still have some time.”

“The garden? What’s got into you?”

Seeing her lead him by the hand, Edgar’s eyes widened in surprise, as she appeared far less interested than she had earlier.

With an unexpected shy smile, trying hard not to meet his gaze, Ariel softly replied,

“Just… I feel like I want to be alone with you a bit longer.”

She still craved his warmth.

Perhaps, even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to fill that gap.