# 48
Looking back carefully, there were several situations that warranted such speculation.
From the beginning, Aachen treated her with open arms.
It was hard to believe that their relationship had only come about to unite their two countries. He was so cute.
The same applies to his treatment of her daughter, Shevilyn.
Not only because he saved the little girl's life, but also through his everyday words and actions...
Even on the way to the Grand Duchy, he was extremely careful, making sure that Chevelin would not suffer.
Every little habit he had was so precise.
It just doesn't seem to be his nature. He doesn't treat everyone that way either.
But this kindness did not extend to others.
The rumors about the Countess of Riole as his mistress were completely ridiculous.
Aachen did not grant Rosanna who publicly threw herself at him
The slightest chance. He didn't even look at the maids.
Helen let out a light laugh as she remembered what the maids had said.
“It is difficult to serve the Grand Duke. Not that he mistreats us, of course, but… it seems as if he does not allow anyone to get close to him. He only accepts minimal help.”
“He always wears gloves inside the castle.”
"But he doesn't seem to mind the Grand Duchess's touch. That's what I find strange."
For someone who hates physical contact, it was surprising that he washed her feet himself on their first night together.
Daisy and Lily entered the room with me, ready to intervene if necessary.
At the time, she was too shy to say anything, but Lily later admitted that she almost fainted from shock.
Even Garen mentioned that Aachen Master is difficult to understand, no one can comprehend what is on his mind.
However, the Grand Duke does not seem demanding of his servants…
However, when he was in front of her, his feelings were clear.
His smiles became more relaxed as time passed.
Everyone says he has changed a lot since the first meeting.
Helen still cannot forget the day when Revan caused a stir in Aachen.
Every time you see him, you feel guilty.
However, he didn't mention it even once, as if to reassure her not to worry.
She found herself paying more attention to his maturity than before.
But she was careful.
Perhaps because she had tasted the bitterness of separation before.
Or maybe because she has matured so much that she no longer believes in the illusion of immortality.
Even Revan, who had once sworn to love her forever, changed easily.
She was afraid to give her heart again and get hurt.
Nothing lasts.
Living together forever does not exist.
So, you shouldn't believe in it.
It's just a meaningless emotional game. Helen knew this more than anyone.
It wasn't long after her relationship with Revan ended, and yet...
However, when she was with Aachen, she couldn't think about those things.
When she looks at Aachen, her heart beats faster, and her face turns red.
Even when she doesn't want to, she can't control her feelings.
She didn't know what to do with these growing feelings.
She couldn't control it, and this made her even crazier.
This is the problem.
Even though she knew she shouldn't, the promises she made to herself were falling apart.
What was she supposed to do now?
It felt wrong to look at Aachen with such feelings. I felt guilty towards him.
"cardamom."
“…Your Highness?”
Maybe because she was thinking about him, she heard his voice clearly behind her.
His voice was unmistakable.
“I was wondering where you went, and here you are. Aren't you cold?”
Helen slowly turned to face him.
Aachen carefully wrapped a thick shawl around her shoulders.
“You will catch a cold. Even if it is a short distance, you should wear a shawl when you go out.”
As he gently took care of her, Helan couldn't hold back her tears any longer.
“Please…don’t shake me like that. The more you do that, the harder it will be for me to push you away.”
The words were buried deep in her heart.
She didn't want him to know.
If he realized how you felt, there would be no way back.
."Hale? Did something happen with Countess Reul?"
Aachen frowned, his sharp gaze searching for answers.
If the answer had been yes, his eyes would have clearly declared that he would not leave Rosanna unpunished.
“This… something got into my eye. It hurts, that’s all.”
I made up an excuse hastily, but he didn't seem entirely convinced.
"…Is this correct?"
However, Aachen did not press further. He simply reached out and gently stroked the corner of her eye.
Then, as if to go along with her excuse, he blew gently near her eyelashes.
“Does it still hurt?”
"…I'm fine."
“Your crying... makes me feel strange.”
Helen felt embarrassed to cry in front of him, so she quickly wiped away her tears.
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. Truly, nothing happened… Countess Reul did nothing.”
“...Actually, Hale, I have something I want to show you. Do you have a minute?”
Aachen slowly pulled his hand away from her face as he spoke.
Something to show you?
Out of curiosity, Helen tilted her head
She tilted her head slightly.
“Well, I'm not too busy now. The reading meeting is over, so...”
“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
As soon as she answered, a slight smile appeared on Aachen's lips.
Then, with a snap of his fingers, he activated a teleportation spell.
“Your Highness...!”
Within seconds, the ground beneath her feet changed.
“This place...”
Helen blinked in surprise, looking around.
“This is a newly built villa.”
"villa…?"
“With all the reading meetings and the workload you've been getting from Garen, I've noticed that you've been tired lately. I've been worried about you.”
This explanation made something come to Helen's mind.
“Don’t tell me… you weren’t on a property inspection mission, you actually came here?”
“Yes, that's right. I apologize for deceiving you. I wanted to keep it a secret until the villa was completed...”
Achen had a look of confusion on his face as he apologized.
“So this is the secret he kept from me earlier.”
He had secretly prepared this place to help her relieve her exhaustion.
It was true that she was exhausted from preparing for the reading session.
“Not to mention taking care of Shivalin and monitoring Luan—you were really exhausted.”
But she never expected that Aachen would notice this on his own and build her a villa.
She remembered how he had deliberately changed the subject to avoid being found out, and she couldn't hold back her laughter.
“I love it, Your Highness.”
Helen took a look around the villa.
“This place might suit my taste better.”
The villa was luxurious, but very different in atmosphere from Hestor Castle, which made it a refreshing change.
However, wherever she walked, she did not encounter any escorts.
“Isn't there anyone here?”
Helen asked, surprised.
"I didn't bring any servants. I thought you might prefer peace and quiet."
Hearing Aachen's response, Helen became suddenly concerned for the children still in Hestor Castle.
“Children...”
She was especially worried about Luann, who Henry had humiliated in front of everyone.
“Oh, don't worry. I already informed them.”
The sound of crashing waves reaches them through a slightly open window.
“This place... is it the sea?”
She turned to the window and saw familiar surroundings.
Vast sandy beach.
The smell of the sea she remembered, the deep blue waves the same color as Aachen's eyes all filled her vision.
“Yes. This is Oswaltz Sea.”
Helen came out quickly and walked along the beach.
With every step, she felt the rough sand shifting beneath her feet.
“It really is the Oswaltz Sea.”
She had been here before, but the winter surroundings had a completely different charm.
“It was never like this before...”
Maybe because she wasn't alone this time, or because her reason for being here had changed.
'Then, I came to throw myself away...'
The undulating waves still sparkle beautifully on the surface.
Her contemplation as she rose and fell filled her with inexplicable excitement.
A particular spot came to her mind, where the Oswaltz Sea looked particularly picturesque.
This time, she wanted to visit him with Aachen.
Helen took the initiative and started walking towards the edge of the cliff.
Aachen followed her without a word.
As soon as they reached the cliff, the entire Oswaltz Sea was revealed before them.
The view was stunning as usual.
As they stood side by side, admiring the view, Aachen spoke of the divine beast.
“I have to show you the Divine Beast, Hel.”
“…which is said to only live in the Oswaltz Sea?”
The memory of him leaning close to her on the tower and proposing to see them together came back to her mind, which made her deeply ashamed.
Seeing this, Achen laughed lightly before muttering something.
Whoosh
A vortex sweeps the ocean.
“…?”
Soon, a white whale emerged from the choppy waters.
“This is the Divine Beast of Belzeit, Hel.”
The white whale, as depicted on the bunting at the castle, was decorated with blue roses.
“……!”
As he swam freely among the waves, Helen's eyes met his, and suddenly, she was extremely dizzy.
"Hale? Are you okay?"
“Your Highness...”
She no longer had strength in her legs.
As Helen stumbled, her body swayed dangerously.
"……cardamom!"
Aachen quickly caught her, keeping her from falling, but his voice sounded far away.
‘Why is it so hard for me to breathe? I… I can't even speak.'
She pressed her chest, gasping for breath. She wanted to say something, but her lips refused to open.
“Please, open your eyes!”
“……”
"Helen! Please!"
His trembling hands gently touched her cheeks.
Helen felt his touch, and her eyes blurred and she lost consciousness.