“I know what Kaern is worried about. I won’t be a hindrance at all. So please let me join as well. Okay?”

“Sigh, Herena.”

In response to my stubbornness, Kaern let out a long sigh, seemingly frustrated.

“You know, it’s not because you’re a hindrance. As I mentioned, I have no intention of exposing you to danger. So, I don’t want to discuss this matter any further.”

It was entirely expected that he wouldn’t agree.

However, I couldn’t back down at this point.

If I had intended to give up halfway, I wouldn’t have brought it up.

Organizing my thoughts quickly, I spoke to him.

“How about this, then? I’ll stay at the Duke’s estate while resolving this incident.”

“What?”

His face filled with surprise again at my unexpected proposal.

“You mentioned being worried about being alone. I’ll come into the Duke’s estate. So, please let us work together.”

My recent suggestion seemed to trigger deep contemplation in Kaern.

I watched him nervously, preparing myself in case he rejected it again.

However, my mind was blank, and all I could do was silently pray for his approval to come out of Kaern’s mouth.

How much time had passed?

As Kaern seemed to be contemplating more than I had anticipated, my anxiety gradually subsided.
So, unable to endure any longer, the moment I decided to speak, a pleasant low voice broke the silence.

“Okay. Let’s do that.”

“Me? Really?”

Although I had hoped for it, when the answer came from his mouth that he understood, I was surprised and stumbled over my words.

“But come in right away today.”

“Today?”

“Yes. I’ll have a room prepared for you immediately.”

“Oh, okay. I understand. I’ll do that.”

As soon as I finished answering, I stood up from my seat. I took a carriage, rushed home, packed my belongings, and returned to the Duke’s estate with Amy after a few hours.

“Miss Herena.”

As I got off the carriage, the butler greeted me. I had secretly hoped Kaern would be there to welcome me, but since he wasn’t, I looked around with a disappointed heart.

“The Duke suddenly had urgent matters, so he is currently in his study. Please follow me. I will guide you to the room where you will stay.”

“Alright.”

I followed the butler into the mansion. Straight up to the second floor, I stopped in front of a certain door.

“This is…”

Surprised by the unexpected location of the room, I looked at the butler with a puzzled expression.

“The Duke asked me to offer this room to you.”

“But if it’s next to the Duke’s room, wouldn’t it be the future Duchess’s room?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“This doesn’t seem right. Please offer another room.”

Even after thinking a hundred times, I couldn’t use this room.
So, I waited at the door and asked the butler for a different room.

“That… I can’t do anything about it since it was the Duke’s order.”

The butler, with an awkward expression, recommended that I use the Duke’s wife’s room.

“But…”

“Why not rest in the room for now and ask when the Duke finishes his work?”

“… Alright. Then, please let me know as soon as the Duke finishes his work.”

Considering the butler’s proposal, I decided there was no need to unnecessarily trouble him with my stubbornness, as the issue could be resolved by talking to Kaern.

“Understood. Then, please rest.”

Saying so, the butler opened the door and left. I had no choice but to enter the Duchess’s room.

“Wow.”

However, as soon as I entered, admiration burst out involuntarily at the sight that captivated my eyes.

The spacious room, as wide as Kaern’s room I saw once before, was overall white and clean. Expensive and elegant golden furniture was tastefully arranged, giving a neat yet sophisticated feeling.

“It’s beautiful.”

I exclaimed continuously, carefully exploring the room. Despite not being used, the room seemed to be cleaned and maintained every day, with not a speck of dust in sight.

Approaching the window to look outside, I could see the garden at a glance, similar to Kaern’s study.
It might be a coincidence, but the room prepared for the future Duchess seemed to be filled with my preferences, making my mood peculiar.

When such thoughts crossed my mind, my chest felt ticklish for some reason.

‘Not good.’

Although the butler told me to rest here until Kaern arrives, I felt it would be better to go outside and calm my emotions rather than building unnecessary expectations.

So, after telling Amy not to unpack yet, I headed straight to the garden.

When my mind felt dizzy, focusing on something I liked was the best way to regain composure.

Working on the garden absentmindedly, I straightened my back, brushing off the dirt from my hands. By the time I realized, the sun had set, painting the sky red.

Feeling considerably relaxed, I sat on a bench, quietly gazing at the sky.

The reddish light illuminated the flowers, creating a beautiful scene.

‘Yes, this is enough.’

Even if Kaern decides to marry someone else in the future and we can no longer be together, I have had enough with the time spent with him.

Lost in such thoughts for quite some time, I suddenly felt a presence behind me. Then, something covered my shoulders.

Turning around, I saw Kaern putting his outer coat on me.

“Kaern.”

With a slight smile, I called out to him.

“Is the work all done?”

“I just finished. Have you unpacked everything?”

“Um, no.”

“You haven’t unpacked yet?”

“No.”
Observing Kaern’s puzzled expression, I stood up.

“I think I should use a different room.”

“A different room? Why?”

“I can’t use the room prepared for the Duchess.”

“I don’t exactly understand why you can’t use that room, but what I can say for sure is that the room was not prepared for the future Duchess you mentioned; it was created for my fiancee.”

At my words, Kaern slightly narrowed his eyes.

“Even if we say that room is for the future Duchess, there’s even more reason for you to use it.”

“But…”

“Is there something you don’t like about the prepared room? If there’s anything uncomfortable, please tell me. I’ll try to redecorate it to your liking as much as possible.”

“No, no. I really like the room now.”

“Really? Fortunately, it has been prepared for a long time… for you.”

I missed part of Kaern’s words due to a sudden gust of wind.

“The wind has gotten chilly. Let’s go inside now. I ordered the meal preparation when I went out earlier, so if we go in now, we can have a warm dinner right away.”

“Yes. Then, I’ll rely on your hospitality for a while.”

Feeling a strange joy in Kaern’s words, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse and obediently headed towards the mansion with him.

Entering the dining room, I tried to sit across from Kaern, but he grabbed my wrist.

“Sit closer.”

Saying that, he led me to a seat next to him.
Wanting to have the meal close to him, I pretended to give in and sat next to him.

“Do you like wine?”

While the servants were away bringing our meal, Kaern asked me.

“I’m not really fond of alcohol.”

“Really? It’s often better not to drink.”

Saying that, Kaern emptied the wine in his glass in one gulp.

Watching him, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of taste the wine he was drinking had.

“May I have a glass too?”

“You said you don’t like alcohol.”

“I have a feeling the wine Kaern drinks must be delicious.”

“This one has a high alcohol content, so it’s better for you not to drink it. I’ll ask them to prepare a lighter one for you.”

As Kaern was about to call a servant, I quickly stopped him.

“No, I want this one.”

“Alright then. Just take a sip.”

In the end, Kaern reluctantly gave in to my insistence.

As the glass was filled with wine, I took a sip right away.

“It’s delicious.”

“Is it alright?”

“Yes, it’s good.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

“Do you like alcohol, Kaern?”

“I don’t enjoy drinking to the point of getting drunk. However, I do have a glass or two of wine to help me sleep.”

“Ah… Does drinking alcohol help you sleep better?”

“To some extent.”

The mention of needing alcohol to sleep seemed to make him uncomfortable.