Grand Ducal Couple’s After Marriage Love story

Her face turned crimson when she thought of that, until Abel pulled her out of her thoughts.

Duchess Erna?

Oh, I am sorry. By chance are you from Aether? Erna asked.

No, madam. Why do you think so?

Nothing. Its no big deal. You can go now.

The embarrassment of having pointlessly compared someone from far away and thinking of Kalion made Erna rush him out.

After Abel left, she hastily began gathering the things thatd been pushed back over the past few days.

She counted the days on her fingers how many times shed gotten to rest for a long time after becoming the grand duchess. In the past when she had serious menstrual pains she had insisted on bringing documents to the bedroom and processing them, even when lying down.

But that is impossible this time. She had blacked out for a long time, and even Kalion had helped her so she couldnt look at the papers for a while

I was incredibly busy, she muttered under her breath. She resented Kalion as she signed the papers frantically.

***

Time had gone by, and it was lunchtime, but Erna still couldnt get up from her seat. Orp eventually brought in her meals, and after setting the table, she told her Eat after the next page as she grabbed Erna and sat her down.

Orp pleaded, Please eat something. Whats going to happen if you faint again?

Do I look like Im going to faint?

N-no right now you look healthy, madam still, you must not get sick again! Chairman Vanessa also asked me to do so.

Oh, Vanessa

When Vanessas name was mentioned, Erna sighed and sat on the sofa. Oblivious to Ernas frustration, Orp was so elated about Ernas decision to eat that she continued to push food in front of her.

Speaking of Chairman Vanessa, it must be loud over there today, said Orp.

Clueless, Erna asked, Why?

Why what? I dont think youve looked at the document yet The new delegates from Haband have been requesting some pretty annoying things.

Haband? What kind of requests? Despite it being her country, Erna frowned every time the name Haband was mentioned.

Hold on, lets see Orp found a hunk of papers after rummaging through Ernas desk drawers. These are Habands requests

Crazy bastards. Seriously. A deep sigh came from Ernas mouth as soon as she saw the thickness of the papers. At first glance, it had to be dozens. How could all of those be Habands requests? They must think Hessenguard is their slave.

Orphe smiled bitterly when Erna muttered in a disdainful voice. As a native of Haband, it was ironic how she was perfectly angry on Hessenguards behalf.

I dont know who the new messenger is, but Ill break his leg this time. No, thats not enough. Because you can still work with a broken leg. Well, this time I cant work properly for some reas

At that moment, Erna realized that Habands delegates had never once moved from Hessenguard. Before she had come to Hessenguard, the royal members that had been sent here had been assassinated.

After that, when she arrived a plague had broken out and everyone had had to leave. Since then, the long war in Haband had continued. As soon as the delegates came back here, the representative had been stung by a bee and fallen down, so their work couldnt be done properly.

With Erna now deep in thought after realizing that fact, Orp, sitting next to her going through papers, scowled.

My word! They say they want to stay in the Grand Castles main building. And they want me to replace all the walls, furniture, and bedding with new ones because of the plague from ten years ago? Orp sucked her teeth as if flabbergasted. How many people died of the disease ten years ago?

Erna felt weird at Orps mumbling. They said that the plague from ten years ago had completely swept across Hessenguard. The stench of burnt corpses had permeated not only the city but the Grand Castle, and delegates of Haband and Aether, unable to withstand it, had fled, leaving behind the young duke they had brought.

Orp, however, was talking like that wasnt anything too special.

The plague wasnt a big issue ten years ago? I heard that quite a lot of people died said Erna.

I, too, thought that at first, but at that time many more people died from the war than the plague. They say that its still going around, but almost no one has caught it. And many people who caught it have recovered. So we just said amongst each other, Isnt the rumor too big?

Erna shut her mouth at Orps explanation. She remembered well whatd happened at that time. Because she had been shivering alone, not knowing when shed catch the plague.

At that time, Erna remembered the person who had delivered the news about the plague to Marquess Canavan.

Vanessa.

It was Vanessa who had reported the number of bodies burned every day, not only in the capital but also in the entire Hessenguard area.

Then, a familiar voice entered along with a knock.

Duchess. Its me, Vanessa. May I enter?

Normally this would be a welcomed visit, but Erna had to stare at the door, unable to answer and frozen in her seat.