Toxic Marriage - Chapter 10.2

Chapter 10.2

Judging by how long it took to bring the medicine to this place, which was completely cut off from the outside, it was possible to roughly trace back to the nearest town where the herbalist was located.

“Since it didn’t take two days for the medicine to be brought in, the nearest big town is about two days away.”

If she could buy time for two days to escape from this place, she would be able to go to a nearby village and borrow a horse from the station to get out of Niflheim.

But the problem came next.

“Will you go straight to the Cardinal when you leave this place?”

Her destination was still undetermined.

There was no answer from Freya. She had assumed she would, but hesitated unexpectedly.

“I don’t know. If I go to the Teacher, the Margrave’s side might hold him accountable for abducting me… I’m not sure I can talk about what I’ve seen and gone through here to refute them.”

It was definitely not an easy task, as the emperor would certainly try to support the margrave.

But judging by the way she moved her eyes, it seemed that it wasn’t just for that reason.

“Let’s think about it a little more. Think of a place where it would be safer, and I would never again fall into the Margrave’s grasp.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And, I’m sorry, Risyr.”

Risyr looked puzzled at Freya’s words.

“What…?”

“If you hadn’t followed me, you wouldn’t have had any reason to go through something like this. But I brought you here for no reason, and now you’re suffering.”

He felt a little bitter at her apology. Her apologetic attitude seemed no different from worrying about an old friend.

However, he soon let go of his bitterness, content to be with her in this moment of crisis.

“Are you inside, Lady?”

Just then, Erik came to the door.

When Risyr looked at Freya, she nodded as if giving permission.

As he walked to the door and opened it, Erik was standing blankly in front of him. Erik’s expression soon turned sour upon confirming that the person who opened the door was Risyr.

“Even if you are an escort knight, please refrain from being alone together. Miss Freya is now the wife of the Margrave.”

“I’m the only person here from Miss Freya’s hometown. She’s not feeling well, and her condition could get worse if she doesn’t have anyone to rely on.”

“Yes, but I can’t guarantee how long Master will let you two stay glued to each other. And also…!” Erik glared at Risyr. “You should start using polite language. Even if you are the Lady’s escort knight, I will no longer tolerate your disrespect.”

“…”

Risyr’s eyebrows twitched, but there was nothing he could do. In principle, it was right that he, who was below the margrave’s attendant, used honorifics.

Hm. Erik glared at Risir and then turned his head to Freya.

“How are you feeling today, Lady?”

“Not very well,” Freya briefly answered.

“But you still need to leave this room in the evening.”

“Why?”

“Master has told me to prepare dinner for the both of you.”

Freya frowned as if she didn’t like that order.

“If it’s pig liver again, I won’t eat it.”

“It’s not that…! I was told to prepare a normal meal.”

Despite Erik’s hasty explanation, Freya was not satisfied.

“I’m still feeling weak. Did he say he must eat with me?”

“It also means that Master will personally look after his wife who is not feeling well.”

“If that was the reason, he should have come here a long time ago.”

“I wish that were true, but he’s such a busy person…”

“Yes, I get it. I guess.”

Freya answered insincerely, fiddling with her fingernails. She had been skipping meals for the past few days, so her face was pale, and she looked visibly sickly without any particular effort.

“So when?”

“Sorry?” Erik, who had been standing there dumbfounded, asked back.

“When should I go?”

“Ah… I’ll come get you.”

“Yes, then please come back later. I have a headache, so I feel like I need to lie down for a while.”

Erik scratched his cheek awkwardly at her request. Freya, who had ordered him to leave, was already lying down on the bed and covering herself with the blanket up to her neck.

Erik had no choice but to move and glance back at her. Why did he feel swayed whenever he faced her?

‘I thought she was just a frightened sheep trapped in a cage.’

Even though Freya had spent several days crying, Erik felt a little strange.

***

Freya pretended to lie down, but as soon as Erik and Risyr left the room, she threw back the blanket and got out of bed.

‘Why are we having dinner together all of a sudden?’

She had expected him to come to check up on her after being bedridden for several days, but having a meal was a little unexpected.

Didn’t it feel as if he knew she was faking it?

In the meantime, what was certain was that she should not let her guard down at all in front of that man. He was no different from a snake that would open its mouth and bite her neck if she showed any opening.

But despite knowing this, Freya’s heart trembled anxiously as she recalled the moment he had kissed her.

How else would he try to manipulate her?

Freya came to her senses, vowing that this time she would not be swayed by his tricks.