Toxic Marriage - Chapter 11.2

Chapter 11.2

“Administrative matters are handled by my twin sister Arne.”

Recalling what Erik had said before, Freya guessed her identity.

While Erik had the aura of a pretty little boy even though he was a man, she was just openly pretty.

The woman approached her, her fluttering blonde hair resemblant to her brother’s. She had a fierce expression that didn’t match her pretty face.

Arne stopped in front of Freya, the corners of her eyes slightly upturned like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Perhaps for that reason, she had a slightly more sensitive atmosphere than Erik.

Freya, who was observing Arne, lowered the hand that had been stretched out towards the painting, pretending that she wasn’t doing anything.

“There’s dust on the painting.”

Arne checked the painting after Freya’s half-hearted excuse. There was no dust at all.

“Even so, please refrain from touching this painting in the future.”

“Why?”

Normally, if you tell someone not to do something with such a scary face, they wouldn’t do it; but Freya didn’t back down easily. She really wanted to know why.

Arne, who had the corners of her eyes slightly raised, fixed her expression.

“It’s a precious painting.”

“In what sense?”

“This is a painting that accurately embodies a silver-antler deer.”

Embodies?

The deer’s silver antlers were unusual and the figure was magnificent, but wasn’t it usually said that they were drawn beautifully rather than ‘accurately’? Her attitude, which made it seem like it meant something great, was quite puzzling to Freya.

“What is this deer?”

Arne had no choice but to explain to Freya, who smiled so beautifully and looked curious as if she would touch the painting again if she didn’t tell her.

“It is the deer of greed sent by an angel known as the spirit of Niflheim.”

“… The deer of greed sent by an angel…”

Angel and greed were two words that didn’t match. Like lunatic and animal lover.

“The silver-antler deer is not well known outside of Niflheim, but it is said to be a spirit that the angel Urd, who looked over this place, sent to the land of hunger and poverty with pity. According to the legend, it is said that those silver antlers can save even a dying person.”

Then, it really was a spirit. A poor animal that could save someone only by offering its silver horns.

“If it’s a good deer, why is it called the deer of greed? It doesn’t look like it, but it must be greedy.”

“It’s not that the deer is greedy, but that many people are after it. It is said that the deer can cure any incurable disease with its antlers and that its beautiful appearance captivates people, so everyone who sees it wants to have it. So much so that there were even territorial wars to own the deer. Because of that, it completely disappeared one day.”

Arne looked at the large painting of the deer.

“Master said that he has seen the deer once in person. Remembering that time, he called an artist and had him paint it.”

“I didn’t know he had that kind of sensitivity.”

A sharp gaze scanned Freya.

“I heard you weren’t feeling well enough to get out of bed, but you look fine.”

“I had a fever until this morning, so I came out of the room to cool down. The medicine the doctor brought must be of poor quality because I’m not getting any better.”

With that said, Freya pretended to have a headache and pressed her forehead. Perhaps because her face was so pale, Arne didn’t say anything else.

Taking advantage of that, Freya pretended to know her.

“Are you Arne, who is in charge of the administration of this place on behalf of the Margrave?”

She was vigilant for a moment, but she soon nodded.

“That’s correct.”

“I hope a greeting will come first next time, not criticism. I know you don’t welcome me, but I’m still the official wife of the Margrave.”

“… I apologize.”

Her personality was similar to Erik’s. Harsh, but also knowing how to accept reasonable criticism.

“I wasn’t looking for an apology. There aren’t many women I can talk to here.”

“…”

“See you next time.”

Freya gently grabbed Arne’s hand and then let it go. A faint smile flashed across Freya’s pale face.

***

Thanks to Arne, Freya was able to kill some time.

The silver antler deer or whatever wasn’t a very helpful piece of information, but it was a great learning experience to find out who the administrator, Arne, was. A strict and picky person.

“It’s Erik. I’m coming in.”

Just then, Arne’s twin brother Erik, who looked just like her, showed up to take Freya to dinner.

Arne’s face, which kept coming to her mind, overlapped with Erik’s.

“Do you need time?” he worriedly asked as he saw Freya staring blankly at him. “We can wait a moment, but you have to go even if you pass out during the meal.”

“No, let’s go.”

Freya stood up from the bed she had been sitting on.