How to Survive as the Wife of The Monster Duke

“Did you have a dream?” Ilyin asked, meaning to ask if Bertha had a premonition.

“You don’t need a premonition to know that! It’s a waste of a night to dream like that!” Bertha scowled, frustrated. Ilyin smiled awkwardly, trying to diffuse the tension. “So, what did you send? You didn’t just assume I would understand, did you?”

Ilyin hesitated for a moment before responding. “To fulfill the contract as it is.”

“That’s right, damn it!” Bertha slammed her hand on the desk and cursed before taking a deep breath. “He’s a scumbag! Aren’t we going to see the collapse of the Arlen estate in our dreams soon?” Bertha’s enjoyment was palpable, and Ilyin couldn’t imagine the extent of her delight.

“Why, are you surprised because I like you so much?” Bertha asked, catching Ilyin off guard.

“A little,” Ilyin responded, unsure of what to make of the situation.

“Did you think I would be so kind as to apologize to your father for being too harsh on you?” Bertha slammed the desk and glared. “It was him who was too much! And does he treat his superiors well? When I go to the Arlen territory, the soldiers who see my face look at me as if they want to stab me in the back.”

Bertha’s words poured out like a waterfall, and she took a breath after venting her frustrations.

“Very well done!” Bertha exclaimed, holding the hand of her lovely granddaughter. Ilyin finally laughed at her cool words and Bertha stroked her hand. “What are you afraid of, dear?” Even Bertha knew the answer. Ilyin must have had a difficult time under her father for twenty years. Bertha felt a wave of sadness and pity wash over her.

“Don’t be afraid. You’re a lovely person, no matter what you do,” Bertha reassured Ilyin. But a shadow still lingered on her granddaughter’s face. Bertha gently covered Ilyin’s face with both hands. “Whenever you question if you’re being bad, you’re not. Remember that.”

“No, you’re already too cautious,” Bertha continued, stroking Ilyin’s cheek with the back of her hand, which contained the memories of her years. “Don’t walk on thin ice when you look at the world.”

Bertha paused for a moment, taking in the winter landscape outside. “Winter may be a kinder world to you here, but it’s okay to be a little harsher with the world. And remember, there’s no one who will curse you.”

Bertha then hugged Ilyin tightly, hoping that her words had provided some comfort to her granddaughter.

* * *

The summer sun shone brightly as the Acid Top buzzed with activity. With a plethora of goods needing transportation to the north, the demand was high, and everyone was busy. While summer was a time of abundance, it also meant people were more active, leading to an increased need for goods.

However, in the northern regions, summer was the perfect weather for movement, except for the winter regions. From January to April, the weather was perpetually cold, and it was impossible to traverse.

“Hurry up and load it onto the cart!” someone yelled. “Be careful not to damage the goods!”

Milo watched the disorganized chaos with a raised eyebrow. He didn’t mind the lack of organization as long as the reports were coherent, but he was a true Delrose, and what mattered was the quality of the content.

“Has the carriage that went to the northern gate returned?” Milo asked.

“It should be arriving soon,” someone replied.

As Milo looked around, a worker shouted, “The carriages that went north are coming back!”

Milo turned to the direction of the noise and gasped in shock. “What’s that mess?” he exclaimed.

The other workers dropped their work and looked in the same direction.

“Did the carriage break down?” someone asked. “Was there a rollover accident?”

Milo examined the carriage’s condition and concluded that it wasn’t a rollover accident. He had grown up in the winter region and was familiar with military gear.

“That’s a blunt weapon mark,” he said.

“What the hell happened?” someone else asked.

Milo pushed his way through the crowd to approach the carriage. Inside, he found someone from the winter region.

“Everyone, focus on your tasks!” he commanded loudly, gesturing towards the man. Milo, more comfortable speaking to the man in private, asked, “What happened at the Northern Gate?”

“It was a bit strange,” the man replied, becoming much more humble. Milo’s position in the winter region was much higher than his. “When the soldiers at the gate heard that it was from Acid Top, they asked us to wait for a moment,” he explained.

As the soldiers inspected the carriage, the atmosphere grew tense, and the soldiers became increasingly sharp. However, the carriages belonging to the other upper people passed through without incident. Only Acid’s carriage was treated differently.

“What?” Milo was surprised.

The soldiers who had asked them to wait soon returned with some people from a nearby outpost. These individuals held higher positions than the soldiers and were dressed more comfortably, with a relaxed expression. Accompanied by several sergeants and others, they were not particularly friendly.

“Where are you going with this thing?” one of them had asked. “What is in the carriage? Give us a list.”

Despite the fact that Acid Top was not engaged in any illegal activities, they relentlessly attacked the carriages with their weapons, trying to find out what was inside. The only “flaw” they found in Acid’s carriage was one thing.