The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 196
For a lord who ruled lands with forests, mountains, or open fields, it was common practice to maintain a hunting ground, regardless of whether the territory was vast or small.
If the natural environment did not provide one, hunting grounds were sometimes created artificially.
After all, hunting was a pastime and a prominent leisure activity enjoyed by nobles.
Naturally, House Bayern also possessed hunting grounds.
A short carriage ride inland from the ducal residence led to a forest.
The forest was surrounded by fences stretching several kilometers to prevent dangerous or harmful animals from entering.
This was a safety measure to guard against accidents.
The hunting grounds were so vast that one needed a carriage or horse to traverse them.
Not far past the entrance to the hunting grounds was a stream.
Having returned from an inspection tour, Ash headed there to bring Nina and Ian back to the mansion.
Nina and Ian, with their clothes rolled up, were happily playing in the stream.
The two of them laughed brightly as they splashed about, trying to catch freshwater fish with their bare hands.
It was questionable whether they could actually catch anything that way.
It seemed their true goal was splashing around in the water rather than catching fish.
ââŚâŚâ
Had he ever seen his wife smiling so brightly and innocently, like a child?
And when was the last time he had seen Ian playing and laughing like a boy his age?
As he stood there, lost in bittersweet, tangled thoughts.
Nina spotted him and came out of the water, holding Ianâs hand.
She twisted her waterlogged skirt to wring it out and asked.
âWhen did you get here?â
Fair, slender legs naturally revealed.
His deep gaze fell on the pale scars marring her delicate skin, and his voice came out low.
ââŚI just arrived. Itâs nearly dinner time, so how about we head back now?â
âWeâre going to spend the night here today.â
House Bayernâs hunting grounds were vast.
Because of the size, cabins had been built at intervals for hunters to rest in when they grew tired.
And just a five-minute walk from this stream was one of those cabins.
âAre you saying you plan to spend the night in a cabin?â
Why choose to spend the night in an uncomfortable cabin when their home was far more convenient?
Considering they had spent the whole day playing, wouldnât it be better to rest at home?
âYes, I asked Jeffrey earlier to prepare the cabin ahead of time. Marsha will be bringing boxed meals soon, so⌠would you like to eat with us?â
Although he had originally planned to return to the mansionâŚ
Ash found himself nodding after glancing back and forth between Ninaâs radiant smile and Ianâs sparkling, excited eyes.
As if he were powerless to refuse their wishes.
* * *
The cabinâs interior contained only a small sitting room and two rooms.
Built to provide shelter from rain or for brief rests, its exterior and interior were modest and simple to the extreme.
Yet Jeffreyâs touch had transformed the space into something far more presentable.
A tablecloth and vase adorned the worn wooden table, and the bedding had been prepared in advance.
After dinnerâ
Ash carried the exhausted Ian and laid him on a cot.
Then, with a poker, he stoked the flames in the fireplace.
Perhaps now, with the sun having set, he could truly feel the chill of nightfall.
âMmm⌠so warmâŚâ
Nina approached the fire and stretched her hands toward the blaze.
Crackle, crackle.
The sound of burning firewood, the flames swaying and dancing. Ninaâs eyes followed them quietly.
With her by his side, the worries that had gnawed at him throughout his inspectionâwhether aphrodisiac-tainted substances had infiltrated his territoryâfinally eased.
The tension that had kept him on edge softened, replaced by a sense of tranquility.
âŚThe thought that he wished this moment could last forever lingered only briefly.
Nina lay down beside the fire.
âI like being warm, so Iâll sleep here.â
Curling up like a cat, she yawned and settled herself near the hearth.
Ash looked down at her pale foot peeking out from beneath the blanket, toes wiggling slightly.
Even her toes looked beautiful.
Despite the late hour, she showed not a trace of caution or guardedness.
As if compelled by the desire to make her conscious of him, he set the poker down and leaned closer to her.
