C53
No matter how cold the winter is, the seasons change. Even if you are shivering with cold in the winter, when spring comes, the cold forgets your memory, and only the warm sunlight envelops your body.
Bianca quickly got used to the feathery bedding and the taste of ripe, juicy olives, taking for granted the soft silks that swathed her skin and the warmth of the ever-burning fire.
He was a long way from before his regression. She couldn't even remember the texture of cheap cloth with holes sticking out because it was rough.
The bed, which was like a stone floor, and the taste of soup without any ingredients had been long forgotten.
Physical pain is easily forgotten and the body is perfectly used to the calm present, but there is one thing that will never be forgotten. It was the humiliation just before his regression.
The humiliation and pain left in his memory only etched a deeper wound. Reflecting on the horror that she does not want to experience again, Bianca decided that she could not live this life like this, and by having an heir with Zachary, she tried to cement her position in the Arno family.
Zachary seemed to have a hard time turning her down at first, and the first night still seemed daunting.
But Bianca did not give up.
She even thought about seducing Zachary more explicitly. However, as his direct attempts continued to fail, it was necessary to find another way. To be honest, he has been impatient until now. What the hell was the problem?
As Bianca struggled, the answer came from an unexpected place.
Recently, Bianca gathered the maids and taught them how to weave lace. It was because Bianca had a limit to knitting alone. At first, the maids looked at Bianca and kept their mouths shut, but as the monotonous manual work continued, they began to open their mouths one by one. It wasn't long before they realized Bianca was friendly enough to have a conversation, they chatted and joked as they knitted with the needle.
“Men are really weird. They say they want women to take an active role, but if you approach them openly, their passion will cool down."
"I know right. The last time, the butcher looked at me all day, and when I got close, he backed away pretending not to know me.”
"Oh, it's because the guy isn't very ambitious."
“Sometimes men are very afraid. They only approach a woman who stands still, and they cuddle up when a woman approaches them first."
Only then did Bianca understand.
Until now, of course, Bianca had viewed the couple's relationship as an aristocratic political marriage, far removed from desire or love. She thought that if she just told Zachary that she was ready to have an heir, Zachary would be happy to accept it acknowledging the advantages of the successor, but that was a mistake.
They were men and women before they were political partners. It was clear that Bianca's behavior, openly bringing up the subject of successor and sleeping together, in a word, "would calm Zachary down."
So what do men like in women? A woman who acts like you can't reach her? A woman who proudly lifts her chin and secretly shoots a glare if you don't pay attention to her?
Bianca, who had only been vaguely aware of this, sighed. She seemed more likely to start creating good feelings after continually meeting. However, Zachary was busy, and even in the same castle, it was not easy to see her face. Bianca held her head.
So time passed. One day, when the snow on the field melted, revealing the dark brown soil, and shoots sprouted on it, Zachary suddenly ordered Vincent to call Bianca to the garden.
-Count…? Did something happen suddenly?
Bianca asked in surprise. Concern flashed in her eyes. Vincent urged Bianca with her usual forceful face of hers.
"If he goes, he'll know."
The corners of Vincent's mouth twitched as if he was trying not to laugh. But Bianca couldn't see it because she was obsessed with why Zachary would have called her. Even though she was determined, she still couldn't comfortably accept the meeting with Zachary. Bianca frantically followed Vincent into the garden.
As soon as Bianca reached the garden, Zachary approached Bianca. It was surprising that Zachary was waiting for Bianca, but most of all, he couldn't take his eyes off the “big thing” next to him. Zachary said as he walked over to her.
“This is what I promised you.
A horse was next to Zachary. A Palomino* with a creamy white mane and tail!
(The Palomino horse is a type of golden ocher horse. This type of horse stands out, in addition to the attractive golden color of its coat, for its shiny white mane and tail.)
She was pretty with white spots on her forehead and legs. Zachary's hand held the horse's reins firmly, and even if he hadn't, he looked like he'd stay put. The horse looked at Bianca silently, blinking.
When he first said he wanted to learn to ride a horse, he thought it was just about learning a necessary skill for the future, but when he met the horse, his passion for horseback riding grew rapidly.
That's how it went. Bianca fell in love with this horse at first sight.
Bianca approached the horse cautiously and reached for the horse's back. The short hair of the horse tickled the palm of Bianca's hand.
“You are so kind. Yes very beautiful, you are so beautiful…
Bianca's voice, who liked horses, softened like a spring breeze.
Zachary's gaze, looking at Bianca like that, gleamed like a hazelnut in the spring sunlight. If it was the previous Zachary, he would have given the gift to Vincent to give it to him since he was so busy with work, but he really wanted to deliver it to him personally. Zachary handed the reins to Bianca and looked at her.
-What do you think? I chose it carefully, but...
Zachary has given Bianca countless gifts, but this pony was the first gift he gave Bianca personally. As much as he had always imagined what kind of expression she would make when she received the gift from her, Zachary's heart pounded when he looked at her.
Bianca accepted the reins Zachary handed her. In an instant, the heat of her body temperature rose in Bianca's fingertips. It was as if she had touched fire. Bianca thought it was because she was so nervous. After all, isn't this the first time she's received a living being?
Bianca's pale cheeks turned red like a ripe peach. Bianca looked at Zachary, smiling as brightly as a plum blossom.
“The pony is so beautiful. Thanks, Count.
Everyone around her was surprised by Bianca's smile of pure joy. Yvonne and Gaspard knew that Bianca had a deep heart, but they never expected her to smile like that. It was natural for Vincent's mouth to drop open.
Zachary widened his eyes as if he was surprised and looked at Bianca without saying a word. The corners of his mouth turned down hard, and his black eyes bored into Bianca without wavering. Those who didn't know Zachary well might mistakenly believe that Zachary was uncomfortable.
And of course Bianca misunderstood that too.
"Yeah, he really doesn't like me smiling like that."
Bianca clumsily lifted the corners of her lips, but she was so happy with the gift that it was hard for her to manage her expression. She also thought, “What does it matter if Zachary feels uncomfortable? I am happy".
Also, seeing Zachary's deadpan expression too often, it seems that he has developed a relative resistance.
Only tolerance developed, but there was still a long way to go before he realized the true intentions hidden behind that expression. Mistaking that she knew Zachary better than she thought, Bianca hummed and nuzzled the horse's neck.
"What should I call it...?"
“Come to think of it, you still call me that these days.
-Yes? How?
Bianca tilted her head at Zachary's sudden comment and asked. As soon as Bianca asked, another wrinkle grew across Zachary's forehead. Bianca realized that she was wrong.
Bianca reflected on her conversation with Zachary, but she was so lost in joy, she couldn't remember what she had said.
“… Earl.
—….?
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