How to Survive as the Wife of the Monster Duke - Chapter 205

Ilyn had once seen a ledger related to the sun at Beaufort Manor. There was an entry for “residential expenses,” and Ilyn assumed it referred to the issues regarding the upper chambers of the estate and such. It seemed odd to use the vague term “related expenses,” but perhaps that expenditure was primarily used for Delrose’s mansion.

“I never expected to meet the lady of the house in person!” exclaimed the maid, unsure of how to act in front of Ilyn.

“I thought I would never see the master and mistress in my lifetime.”

Their duty was to manage the estate so that it could be used whenever the winter master returned. However, the most recent person to have seen Aden was more than a decade ago, in the mansion during his childhood.

Therefore, they couldn’t recognize the owner entering the estate and had to confirm it again.

“Indeed…”

As Ilyn took a leisurely stroll around the manor, she couldn’t help but utter peculiar words.

“You all live like sun people.”

The last place Ilyn’s footsteps reached was the garden.

“Ha-ha, it’s amusing to hear you, my lady, call us sun people. I’m worried we might look ridiculous.”

With a playful smile, Ilyn addressed the gardener.

In contrast to the approaching summer weather, the gardener was dressed heavily. Although it would be fine to wear short sleeves, they chose to stick to long-sleeved clothing.

“Isn’t it hot?”

“It is, my lady.”

The gardener shook their head and adjusted their wide-brimmed hat. A ray of sunlight pierced through the woven straw and landed on a patch of their head.

“Oh dear.”

The gardener flinched and swiftly turned the hat to the side. Despite the mess inside the hat, they showed no signs of concern.

Meanwhile, the beam of sunlight that had been piercing just below their eyes disappeared into thin air. Only then did the satisfied gardener sigh. Suddenly, they jerked their heads down in surprise.

“Oh dear, I’m not used to serving someone of high stature.”

“It’s alright. It seems like you dislike sunlight.”

If winter people dislike sunlight, what would happen if summer arrived in a winter region? Ilyn’s expression grew clouded.

“Oh, no, it’s not like that. It’s just too hot today.”

“…Too hot?”

“Yes, the sun is exceptionally bright today.”

Ilyn glanced at the gardener’s long sleeves.

“It was difficult for me to see the sun for a long time when I first came here. Maybe it’s because I rarely saw the sun…”

The gardener scratched their cheeks.

“Indeed, even Lord Milo, who has been under the sun for a while, had a tough time.”

“Ah…”

That could be a possibility, Ilyn thought, and the gardener burst into a hearty laugh.

Thanks to that, about two hundred people who didn’t want to work this job probably passed in front of me.”

“Because of the sunlight? “

“That’s part of it.”

The gardener pointed to the trees behind them. Summer had arrived, and lively leaves swayed with the wind. Beneath them, a well-maintained flower garden was visible, larger in scale than one could grasp at first glance.

If they were managing it alone, it would be incredibly challenging.

“Do you think there would be such a thing as a pile of these in a winter region? Instead of doing unfamiliar work, they’d rather hold a sword…”

The gardener spread their hands, not just one or two. After a while, they snapped back to reality.

“Oh dear, my mouth… this darn mouth! Mouth!”

As they scolded themselves, they lightly slapped their mouths with their gloved hands. Ilyn was taken aback, and Etra, who had been listening all along, grabbed the gardener’s wrist.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“It’s okay.”

Ilyn smiled warmly. She gestured towards Etra, who was holding an umbrella.

Then, the gardener flinched and swiftly turned the hat to the side. Despite the mess inside the hat, they showed no signs of concern.

Meanwhile, the beam of sunlight that had been piercing just below their eyes disappeared into thin air. Only then did the satisfied gardener sigh. Suddenly, they jerked their heads down in surprise.

“Oh dear, I’m not used to serving someone of high stature…”

“It’s alright. It seems like you dislike sunlight.”

If winter people dislike sunlight, what would happen if summer arrived in a winter region? Ilyn’s expression grew clouded.

“Oh, no, it’s not like that. It’s just too hot today.”

“…Too hot?”

“Yes, the sun is exceptionally bright today.”

Ilyn shifted her gaze to the gardener’s long sleeves.

“When I first came to the sun, it was difficult for me to see the sunlight for a long time. Perhaps it’s because I haven’t had many occasions to see the sun.”

The gardener scratched their cheeks.

“Even Lord Milo, who has spent a long time under the sun, had a hard time for a while.”

“Ah…”

That could be a possibility, she thought, and the gardener let out a hearty laugh.

“Thanks to that, about two hundred people who didn’t want to do this job probably passed by me.”

“Because of the sunlight?”

“That’s also true.”

The gardener pointed to the trees behind him. The vibrant leaves rustled in the summer breeze. Beneath them, a well-maintained flower garden displayed a neatness that was hard to comprehend at first glance. The garden was larger than expected, making it difficult to grasp its scale, especially for someone managing it alone. It seemed like a challenging task to maintain it all by yourself.

“Do you really think there could be such a treasure trove in a winter region? Instead of taking up unfamiliar work, everyone would rather wield a sword.” 

The gardener laid out row after row of plants, lost in his thoughts. After a while, he snapped back to reality. 

“Oh, I’ve done it again. Curse my tongue! My foolish tongue!” 

He angrily smacked his gloved hand against his own mouth. Startled, the girl named Etra, who had been listening attentively, grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” she said. 

Ilyn smiled and gestured toward Etra, who was holding an umbrella. 

“I actually want to enjoy the sun a little.” 

Etra immediately tried to close the umbrella. But the girl pointed at the sun. 

“Isn’t it a bit chilly for a winter person like you?”

 “…” 

In the end, Etra had no choice but to use the umbrella with the gardener. A silent battle unfolded between the bewildered gardener and Etra, who was trying to calm him down.

“Can I be of any help?”