Before we knew it, Hwanggung Gymnasium had become the hottest place among the nobility, nicknamed the “Bridge of Love.”

In the space filled with heated breaths, when men and women exerted themselves to shape their bodies, their gazes could not help but meet.

In a fleeting glance, some relationships sparked, while others pretended not to notice when they didn’t like the other person staring at them.

Until recently, banquets were the main stage for nobles, but now the location had changed to the gym located in an annex.

Rumors even circulated that nobles without a membership would be ostracized.

The early members sometimes taught latecomers about exercises and offered advice.

In the process, many men and women exchanged glances.

“I wonder which handsome man will come today.”

A noblewoman, trimming her hair in front of the gym mirror, hummed.

A bracelet proving gym membership adorned her wrist.

“I had someone in mind yesterday. I wonder if he’ll come too.”

“Who?”

“Well, why? That guy. Tall and with incredibly broad shoulders.”

“The Northern Duke?”

“Oh, that guy is the Northern Duke?”

“You didn’t know?”

For those wearing workout clothes that highlighted their figures, attention was bound to be drawn. Kasus’s well-defined and masculine body radiated charisma no matter what he wore, but he shone the most in workout attire.

His broad shoulders and wide chest were tempting for any woman to lean on.

Even when Kasus stayed still, he attracted the gazes of numerous women.

However, while walking around the gym with Artia and observing the members’ postures, Kasus rarely paid attention to the women. His focus was solely on men approaching Artia.

If someone dared to talk to Artia, Kasus, like a ghost, would immediately rush over, alert and watchful.

The male members were scared enough not to approach Artia easily.

Sometimes, when brave men approached Artia, asking for help under the pretext of needing assistance, Kasus would twist his lips and place his hands on their shoulders.

“If you don’t know, I’ll show you.”

“…”

The opponent was always the same.

Kasus detested those who dared to flirt with his wife.

Among the men who approached Artia, some genuinely wanted to learn about exercise, but Kasus was indifferent.

“Your foot direction is wrong.”

“Ah.”

“It should be like this, not here.”

The men who wanted to learn from Artia inevitably had to take lessons from Kasus.

When women approached Kasus for exercise advice, he responded with a nonchalant face.

“Go downstairs.”

“No, I want to learn from the Duke…”

“You’ll learn much better downstairs.”

Downstairs, Kesa and Hari were present, teaching other nobles through juniors.

The noblewomen who wanted to receive exercise advice from Kasus couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
He didn’t give any openings, so I had to tighten my chest.

Leo, who had secretly followed Artia into the palace, was very quiet.

Almost like he didn’t exist, he barely revealed his presence.

To avoid any harm to Artia, he suppressed his temper.

Even if someone annoyed him with unpleasant behavior, he quietly let it go.

If he were a duke, there would have already been a fuss, but this was undeniably someone else’s land.

While Artia stayed in the palace, Leo either went hunting with the knights or stayed in his room.

After hearing about Artia being freed from the curse, Leo was lost in deep thought for a few days.

He was glad that he no longer had to vomit blood, but at the same time, an inexplicable fear crept in.

Even when Leo was young, Artia was too competent.

Not only did she firmly establish her position in the Wellington family, but she also captivated the heart of her brother, Casus. Moreover, she was gaining the trust of the crown prince in the palace.

Thanks to that, Leo, who would have attracted attention when he first came to the palace, could lead a more comfortable life.

When he was younger, he didn’t think much about it, but upon careful consideration, she was an extraordinary woman.

She managed tasks that not just anyone could handle on her own.

“Since the first clash with the wooden sword, she was extraordinary.”

Leo recalled the first confrontation with Artia.

Her figure, wearing a pink dress, energetically defeating him.

When Artia, with a wooden sword aimed at his throat, lifted the corner of her mouth, Leo’s heart sank.

“I really thought I was going to get a beating.”

He remembered the time when he couldn’t acknowledge Artia, who had subdued him in just one round, despite expecting to win unconditionally.

“I was so young then. It’s amusing to think about it now.”

Zen, who overheard Leo’s murmuring, turned his head to look at him. Zen, sharpening a hunting bow under a tree, raised his eyebrows and asked.

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, just reminiscing about the past.”

Leo, who had become almost as tall as Zen, immersed himself in old memories, smiling subtly.

“It seems like a pleasant thought.”

“Me?”

“You’re smiling.”

“Oh, really.”

“What were you thinking about?”