If You Wish For A Married Couple’s Duties - Episode 112

“I think the one lacking manners isn’t me, but Nihir, Father.”

Dooha tilted her head with a smile on her face.

“His younger sister and her husband have come back bearing gifts, and yet he hasn’t even shown himself.”

“There’s a reason for that…”

“Moreover, I’d even personally received Nihir, who came all the way to the castle without sending a word in advance. It’ll be rather disappointing if I’m being neglected like this.”

“He looked for you?”

Kahar’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Nihir went to visit you? When?”

Dooha’s eyes narrowed.

Her father was someone who couldn’t lie. Even if he tried, it was always evident.

‘As expected, he came on his own without consulting Father. In that case, Father probably doesn’t even know about the hunting contest.’

Dooha lifted the teacup before her.

“A while ago. He came to convey that Father’s health has worsened. But it seems that Father wasn’t aware?”

“…I had no idea.”

The thick and rough hands that were resting on his knees trembled.

Dooha merely raised an eyebrow at that sight.

“So, what’s the reason Nihir is unable to receive us?”

“Your older brother went hunting for sacrificial game. He’ll be back around evening.”

The present king of Bashal was the chieftain of the earth tribe.

His royal palace was quite a distance away from the land of the wind tribe.

“Then it can’t be helped. We’ll have no choice but to wait till Nihir’s return.”

“Then stay for the night before leaving.”

“No, I’ll return as soon as my business is done.”

“…By any chance.”

Cautiously, Kahar spoke in response to his daughter’s chilly demeanour.

“Did something happen between you and Nihir?”

“Well, there’s always something happening between me and Brother.”

Each time, Kahar had always taken his son’s side.

As though it were a matter of course.

“What else could’ve happened now? You’re only asking because it bothers you that he came to the castle and left empty-handed.”

Dooha raised her teacup nonchalantly.

A tart scent wafted from the fermented tea made with goat’s milk.

She finished her tea in a gulp and stood up.

“I’ll be taking my leave first. Until Nihir returns, I’ll remain in the guest room, so you don’t have to worry.”

“No, there’s no need.”

Kahar fidgeted with the teacup in his hand as he spoke.

“I’ve left your room untouched, so rest there.”

“You left my room untouched?”

Dooha looked down at her father with furrowed brows.

“There wasn’t really a need to leave an unused room.”

“Even so, I thought that if I left it behind, it might be used someday.”

Was he thinking that Dooha would visit at least once?

Dooha clenched her fist.

Her father had always been like this.

In the end, he would always acquiesce and act as if he were always looking out for her.

She would have preferred if he had been completely cruel like Nihir, so she could fully resent him.

Dooha glanced up at the circular stone ceiling and then lowered her head again.

“You’re right. My original room is larger than a guest room, so it would be better to stay there.”

She placed her hand on the still-seated Duke’s shoulder.

“You should get up too. It must have been tiring to ride all the way here.”

“…Very well. I’ll take my leave first. Father-in-law.”

The duke’s expression didn’t look that great for someone that rose from his seat obediently.

Dooha felt a weight in her heart, probably from keeping him in an uncomfortable position for too long.

* * *

“Leonhart?”

After she’d finally emerged outside, Dooha looked back and was met with a surprising scene.

Her already pale husband’s face was even whiter now.

With a bloodthirsty gaze, like he was ready to devour anyone.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

“…D*mn it.”

Leonhardt muttered a curse and grabbed her shoulder.

“I got it.”

“What?”

He ground his teeth and lowered his head.

“…I’ve got a cramp.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Dooha realise that the duke had been sitting in an unfamiliar position for a long time.

Even Bashalians would get cramps if they sat for too long, much less a Duke from the Empire.

“Why didn’t you speak up sooner? If I’d known, I would have gotten up immediately.”

“After all, I can’t be seen as a lacking man in front of my Father-in-law.”

“What? Why would you think that?”

“As a man paying him a visit as his son-in-law, one that he has never met yet, I should at least appear like a normal guy.”

“That’s why I said you shouldn’t have worried that much about it.”

“That won’t do. After all, he’s still your blood-related kin.”

Leonhart echoed the same words Dooha had told him regarding Daniel.

“Did you say that on purpose?”

“Partly. Do you understand how it feels to be on the receiving end now?”

Dooha looked at him with a bewildered expression and then let out a chuckle.

“Yes, I was wrong. Anyway, you’re still holding a small grudge.”

“I’d say I have a knack for bringing things to a close.”

Leonhart responded back like he found her behaviour today odd.

“You’re the one who’s not quite yourself today.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I’ve never seen you make your point so sharply.”

Dooha fell silent at his accurate observation.

In truth, she didn’t have a reason to confront her father so vehemently.

Lashing out wouldn’t erase all of their past bitterness.

Besides, the one that had always made things difficult for Dooha was Nihir, and not her father.

If she wanted to vent her anger, she should’ve directed it at Nihir.

“I think a certain someone had once said that if there’s a chance for both sides to benefit, it’s better to let things slide instead of fighting, no matter how bad your relationship is.

“When did I get into a fight? This much is already considered smooth sailing.”

Dooha muttered curtly.

“In any case, it’s not like anything good will come out of being close to each other, be it for me or Father. Your situation is different from mine.”

“Well, if my wife says so, then so be it.”

Leonhart’s cramp seemed to have been relieved, and his back was straightened.

“Unlike me, there’s no harm in keeping Father close, so there’s no need to force me like this.”

“Who was the one that detested being lectured?”

“It’s said that couples tend to resemble each other.”

The duke withdrew, not having any intention of forcing the issue any further.

“If you don’t want to listen, then I won’t speak any further.”

“My Lord!”

In the midst of their back-and-forth, Claude approached them.

Since Baron had accompanied them on the hunting competition previously, Claude insisted on joining them this time. Staying cooped up in the castle didn’t suit his disposition.

“The Wind Tribe has conveyed that there will be a welcoming banquet in the evening, and they request both of your attendance.”

“A banquet?”

“Apparently, it was the will of the Duchess’s Father.”

Why does he keep doing useless things that aren’t necessary?

Dooha was about to express her intent to decline, saying it was unnecessary.

“Convey to them that we’ll attend.”

Leonhart was a beat faster, and answered firmly.

“Leonhart!”

“Don’t be so upset, Madam.”

As he coaxed Dooha, a corner of his mouth curved upwards.

“It’s a good opportunity for us too.”

“Won’t your older brother also attend the dinner party? It should take place after he returns from hunting.”

That’s not all.

The banquet was organised by the former chieftain and was, in essence, a banquet held for the princess of Bashal, who’d left Bashal for the marriage alliance with the empire, as well as her husband.

It could even be seen as a grand celebration involving the entire tribe.

“Am I wrong?”

“…No.”

It was frustrating, but his words were entirely true.

In the end, Dooha had no choice but to follow his words.

“Then I’ll convey your attendance to them.”

Claude bowed slightly to the two of them and then left.

“Now then.”

Leonhart looked at Dooha with folded arms.

“There’s still plenty of time until the banquet, and your brother won’t be back for a while. What shall we do from now onwards?”

“What else can we do? We look for any of the other warriors who came to the hunting grounds that day…”

“How are you planning to find them?”

“That’s…”

Dooha couldn’t find the words to say.

It was because she couldn’t think of any bright ideas.

“It’s not something that you can solve by racking your brains right now, so you should enjoy yourself when you can.”

“Enjoy myself? What…”

“We’re in a new place, so shouldn’t we at least take a look around?”

Leonhart extended his hand out to her politely.

Just like a noble lady that was asking a knight for an escort.

“In that sense, I’d like to have someone who knows this place well to guide us around.”

“Are you serious? There’s not really much to see.”

“It doesn’t matter. I just want to look around my wife’s hometown.”

Leonhart raised an eyebrow, like he was saying, “What are you doing, not taking my hand quickly?”

In the end, once again, Dooha had no choice but to take her husband’s hand.

* * *

“…I’m pretty sure I was formally invited as a guest.”

Leonhardt gripped the large hat sitting atop his head.

“Since when have I fallen so low that I have to disguise myself like a spy?”

Dooha snapped at the duke, whose face was filled with disgruntlement.

“Weren’t you the one that wanted to take a tour? Unlike the Esbaden castle, the land is small, so if you stand out just by the slightest bit, everyone will notice and follow you around.”

As everyone in the Wind Tribe had silver hair, the Duke’s golden hair couldn’t help but stand out even further.

“That’s true, but this…”

“Think of it as an experience. When will a Duke from the Empire ever put on Bashalian clothes?”

Dooha examined the Duke’s Bashalian outfit and then smiled with satisfaction.

The clothes Bashalian men wore were simple.

Above a pair of thick pants was a long one-piece garment that reached below the knees, secured by a waist strap.

Due to the cold weather, the minimal adornments consisted of the fur of beasts wrapped around the sleeves or collar.

“Well, that outfit suits you quite well too.”

Dooha’s eyes, which had been studying the Duke’s outfit, drifted upwards to his head unknowingly.

When a small head was covered by a large fur hat, it looked as though he had a bird’s nest on his head. She couldn’t help but laugh at that.