How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

Not only the glass workshop, but the other industries needed to be developed quickly as well. Until then, I supposed there was no choice but to continue relying on trade revenue, and I let out a small sigh.

Still, considering the enormous profits that poured in from a single round of Eastern Continent trade, it was not truly something to worry too much about.

“Even so, it would be nice if the problem of food could be fundamentally resolved. Without potatoes, there is really no solution.”

I had realized it during the scurvy crisis, but this world did not have potatoes as a crop at all. Feeling unsettled, I muttered again without thinking.

“If there are no potatoes, could there at least be sweet potatoes or corn instead…?”

Tristan, who was beside me, turned this way with a puzzled expression, as if he had heard me.

“What did you say?”

“Oh, no. It was nothing. Just talking to myself, so please do not mind it.”

Embarrassed, I quickly shook my head. Tristan tilted his head briefly, then turned his gaze away, and I clicked my tongue lightly to myself.

Forget it. There was no way they would exist. I had gotten my hopes up for nothing.

With that, the meeting gradually came to an end. The retainers all wore bright expressions. It seemed they felt Hezekia had finally gained some breathing room through this voyage.

“You must have suffered greatly during the long voyage.”

“We have been eagerly awaiting the return of Your Highness and the Grand Consort.”

As some of the retainers who had remained behind to protect the territory exited the office, they hesitated and greeted me when our eyes met. Gehardt and several knights who had accompanied us on the voyage stopped and glanced this way with faint smiles. Startled, I waved my hands awkwardly.

“No, I only rode the ship. I did not really do much. You all must have worked harder here, taking care of the territory…”

As I smiled awkwardly, Tristan, who was the last to rise from his seat, turned his gaze toward me and spoke quietly.

“No. Without the Grand Consort, we would never have come this far.”

“….”

For a moment, I was left speechless as I looked up at him. His expression was serious and composed. For such a simple statement, my heart began to pound unexpectedly hard. Unsure how to respond, I hesitated with my lips parted.

At that moment, a commotion sounded from the corridor outside the office. Butler Wilhelm hurried inside. I had heard that he was unable to attend the meeting because he was caring for Walter, whose body had not yet fully recovered, so his sudden appearance was unexpected.

“Wilhelm? Did something happen to Walter?”

I asked urgently, but Wilhelm shook his head. Taking a deep breath, he slowly bowed. The hem of his neatly arranged clothes trembled faintly.

“Grand Duke, Grand Consort. I came to properly pay my respects, even if belatedly. I was preoccupied with caring for my foolish child and could not spare the time… I sincerely apologize.”

His voice was low, but it wavered slightly. When he lifted his eyes to look at me, an emotion too deep for words was contained in his gaze. It was a feeling I could hardly imagine myself. Flustered, I shook my head and stopped him.

“What are you saying? That Sir Walter returned safely is reason enough to be grateful. Besides… the subjugation of the pirates was thanks to His Highness and the knights, so there is no need for you to thank me.”

A faint sheen of moisture flickered at the corners of Wilhelm’s deeply lined eyes.

Instead, he bowed deeply to me once more. Then, as if setting down a heavy burden, he hesitated for a long while before finally speaking with great difficulty.

“Grand Consort. How can you say such a thing, when Hezekia has changed so much since you arrived? Only now does this old man truly understand that the burden His Highness carried alone after ascending the ducal seat at such a young age has been one that you have shared alongside him.”

“….”

At those words, I lowered my gaze. Something deep in my chest stung sharply. I did not deserve to hear such words from Wilhelm. From the beginning, I had not done any of this for Hezekia, nor for Tristan. I had only started to secure alimony and living expenses so that I could arrange a safe divorce as quickly as possible.

Now that matters had progressed smoothly and Hezekia’s situation had improved significantly… The truth was that I was hesitating because I did not want to give up my place to the “real Grand Consort” who would truly share Tristan’s burden. Those tangled thoughts churned within me, leaving my heart increasingly unsettled.