The Earl’s Bad Wife - Chapter 12

Chapter 12 Soul Purification?

Morning.

For the first time in our married life, Im having breakfast with my husband in the estate. He told me today was his day off.

With that, my husband asked me what my plans were for today.

Im thinking of going to the river for baptism

Eh

Baptism is a ceremony where you purify your sins by pouring holy water over your head. Its done when you reflect on your actions and think, this wont do.

Believing a rumour I wasnt certain was true or false, I wound up arbitrarily deciding that my husband was a scoundrel.

That was a grave sin.

During the time Id remained ignorant, my soul may have been corrupted.

I must hold a baptism and cleanse the evil within me, I thought.

Once the baptism is over, Im planning to ask my husband for fogiveness again.

You dont have to baptise at a cold season like this

Im told that the colder the water, the holier it is

Oh, is that so?

I had to finish the baptism before the sun rises to the sky and the weather gets warm.

I thought our discussion was over with this, but my husband posed an unexpected question at me.

Herminsama, would you mind if I joined as well?

How come

Id like to try removing an evil spirit, myself

Is that so? Its going to be pretty far, will you be alright?

I think itll be fine

If thats the case, then lets go together

Yes

After breakfast, I rode a carriage with my husband and several maids and headed off to the entrance of a nearby forest.

Getting off the carriage, I turned back to look at my husband.

Its going to take about three hours from here to get there by foot

I guess its quite the location then

Its because the lower section of the river is conscpicious

I see

Well be going into the forest so I came here wearing not a dress but a stand-up collared tunic and pants. The maids were also similarly dressed.

My husband put on an attire that was completely for strolling around town.

Well, it does seem easy to walk in, so I dont think theres any problem with it.

I roamed around this forest with Alexioneesama since I was young. Im also familiar with where the river was.

As a precaution, I wore a bell in my belt to ward off wild animals. Theyre pretty timid so they wont show up when I have this out. I did sort of have a sword in my waist just in case, though.

We proceeded into the forest smoothly before sunrise.

Since the two maids originally served under Alexioneesama, they were used to walking in the forest.

It seems my husband followed along without a problem too.

Midway, we took a break.

Taking off his coat and laid it on the ground, my husband offered it to me to sit on.

Thank you

Its my pleasure

Since he went to the trouble to do it, I decided to gratefully sit down. My husband sat beside me as well.

The maids built a fire there and prepared to brew us some tea.

Theyre quite amazing, arent they? Those girls

Yes, theyre the maids I pride myself with

Im sure glad I brought you guys along when I got married.

The estate was brand new but the familiar servants were there so I was able to feel at ease even when I return home.

I had to express my gratitude to my husband who answered my request.

Because of that, uhm

Yes?

Being stared hard at, I became at a loss for words.

Its just one word of thanks yet I couldnt say it right.

I plucked a grass near my hand and pointlessly played with it.

Herminsama, that grass may I know what it is?

Eh

The one Id been holding was a violet leaf. A poisonous plant.

Theres no problem with simply touching it, but if ingested, a person will suffer from numbing for three days and three nights.

I see. You seem to know quite a bit, dont you?

I learned it from Alexioneesama. She said if you dried it up and boiled it, it turns odorless and tastless so you can use it for a lot of things

I see

Of course, Ive never used it for anything so far, though

Thats good to hear

Alexioneesama taught me a lot about plants in this forest like how they can be used for medicine or as spices. It seems hed enjoyed himself the most when I was telling him about the poisonous plants.

Come to think of it was it alright that I asked about poisonous plant?

Ah!

I ended up explaining when he asked but I had been told not to reveal the virtues of poisonous plants.

I.. wasnt supposed to talk about it

I guessed as much

Please dont tell anyone!

Had I always been this much of a loose lip?

Or was it because my husbands way of asking too good?

No, no, I cant lay the blame on someone else.

My soul really is corrupt.

Ive got to baptize and purify myself fast.

Dejected, my shoulders sagged.

For some reason, Im not myself when in front of my husband. I dont understand the reason, though.

Hahh, I let out a large sigh.

And Ive never told anyone about the poisonous plants up till now

Its alright. Ill pretend like I never asked, so please dont worry

Really?

Really

With an earnest expression, my husband told me, Ill swear on my sword.

Then, Ill take your word for it

Thank you very much

We took a break from our conversation here and had a light meal as we drank the tea the maids brewed for us.

Like this, it felt as if the tea and food I usually enjoy in nature was tastier than usual.

but I dont have the time to be lazing around, though.

After taking a breather, we began to move again.

An hour and a half later since we our break, we arrived at the river.

There, in the place that was designed as a waterfall lake, cold water was streaming in.

When my husband dipped his hand in the waters surface, an sublime expression crossed his face.

Its quite cold

Yes, if it wasnt cold, my corrupt soul wont get purified after all

Is that so

Mimicking my husband, I touched the water with my fingertips as well.

Eek!

I retracted my hand in a panic.

It was a lot colder than I imagined so a strange cry came out, Im so embarrassed.

Timidly, I looked back at my husband who was behind me.

Ah, pardon me

With a hand on his mouth, my husband laughed.

T-this is so embarrassing!

I decided to pretend like I hadnt seen him laughing.

Anna Maria, the bucket please

Yes

Lets finish this so we can quickly go home, I thought as I scooped the river water with the bucket.

Uhm, Herminsama

What is it?

Wouldnt it be fine not to go that far?

Why?

Your soul isnt corrupt

Eh

Ive never seen any other lady whos pure as you, inside and out, Herminsama

T-that I bet you say that to all the ladies dont you?

No, just to you

His eyes didnt appear like he was telling a lie.

Again, I ended up doubting him.

I fell into a pit of self-loathing.

In the first place, why did you want to do a baptism?

Thats

Because I spoke and did terrible things when I doubted you. That was inexcusable so I confessed it all without hiding a thing.

So youd been worried about something like that

S-something like that, you say

Im fine with just my important person knowing that the rumours are a lie

Why?

Who knows, I dont quite understand myself

I may have nerves of steel, my husband said. I dont believe thats it.

When I asked whether he was really alright with that, he nodded with a smile.

I was so happy and relieved that you realized that the rumours werent true as well, Herminsama

Thats why, you dont have to do the baptism, my husband said.

Then, for what reason did we even come here for

For a picnic?

This is quite the extreme picnic, isnt it?

We climbed a decent-looking cliff before we arrived here, and descended down a slope that looked as if we could tumble down from it

It was surprisingly fun, my husband said.

Besides, I learned how soothing it is to be in nature

Really? You think so too?

Yes. Coming into contact with the abundant greenery of the forest, I wonder whether I was cleansed both mentally and physically

Although Id been discussing the splendor of excursions at tea parties and similar events up till now, maybe because they werent interested, they all just listened to me with an uncomfortable look on their faces.

My husband told me hed like come to the forest and have fun again.

Then, Ill make a boxed lunches when we do

Im looking forward to it

Me too

We made a promise inside the forest.

After that, we spent another three hours walking around inside.

After we returned home, we entertained my husbands relatives who came to visit and had our evening meal together.

It appears that today had been a productive day.

Tomorrow, when I go to Dorotheoneesama, I have to talk about various things and ask her for help.

Although I was worried about what to do if I trouble her or if I end up getting hated, thinking it was for the child, I thought of being brave.

When I told this to my husband, he came back with a surprising response.

Then, lets go together

Eh?

I think its better if we go together, both husband and wife

That would be reassuring, but what about work?

Ill slip out

Is that so?

Hearing that my husband would be coming along, I felt completely relieved.

Firi: (;

Hey wait! Hermina, you should tell him not to skip work!!