“Oh my.”

I felt proud as the princess exclaimed in admiration at the herb garden.

The prince also seemed impressed, though he didn’t voice it out loud.

My precious children, I’m so proud.

You don’t have anything like this, do you?

“Did the duchess really plant all of these herself?”

“Yes. I planted and tended to them myself. This is mountain balm grass, good for calming the mind and body. That over there is root bontas, effective for headaches. And the ones planted in front are herbs that help with toothaches.”

Caught up in the moment, I couldn’t help but brag a little about my babies.

My children are so effective, you know.

The princess seemed quite fascinated by the herb garden. She was circling around, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Then she stretched out her hand, pointing to Dante’s flower bed, and asked:

“Then, that flower bed… *snort*”

The princess suddenly turned around and covered her mouth, her slender shoulders shaking.

“Oh dear.”

The prince quietly sighed beside her.

He then gave me an awkward smile.

“My sister has been rude. I apologize.”

“No, it’s alright.”

“Ahem. Excuse me, Duchess. When I imagined the great Richter Duke tending to a flower bed, I couldn’t help but laugh.”

The princess, having finally controlled her laughter, apologized while covering her mouth with a handkerchief.

But this was quite peculiar.

There was an apology at the beginning, but she still said everything she wanted to say.

No. I don’t understand why she’s putting down our Dante. Our Dante works so hard on his flowers.

Indeed, the thought ‘royalty’ crossed my mind.

They seem arrogant and a bit unpleasant.

I thought we’d probably never be friends…

“But seeing how well it’s tended, it seems he genuinely enjoys gardening. The Duke has found a good wife and a good hobby.”

Maybe she’s not such a bad person after all!

One shouldn’t judge people based on prejudice.

That’s right, of course.

It’s absolutely not because she praised me. But I couldn’t help my shoulders rising with pride.

“Would you like me to introduce you to more? I think I really like this garden.”

“Of course. Oh, and I’ve also prepared potted herbs that are good for relaxation in your room.”

“My goodness. Could I take some as a souvenir?”

“Of course. Please, take whatever you’d like.”

Ah, really.

This lady has truly fallen for my herb garden, hasn’t she?

I hope she doesn’t end up secretly taking some later.

As I was basking in ridiculous self-admiration, feeling rather smug…

“It’s truly amazing.”

The one who muttered this exclamation was the prince.

“Pardon? What is?”

At my question, the prince blinked his eyes rapidly.

He seemed startled, as if he had spoken without realizing it.

“What’s so amazing?”

I pressed further, now even more curious. He awkwardly scratched the bridge of his nose, then alternated his gaze between the garden and me.

Then he carefully opened his mouth.

“To be honest, I thought you wouldn’t be able to adapt here. The image of you crying on your wedding day was deeply etched in my mind.”

“Oh my. Joshua!”

Before I could respond, the princess jumped up and approached the prince.

“What are you saying?”

“Ah, I apologize if I’ve offended you. I just wanted to express how good it is to see the change.”

The prince waved his hands in a troubled expression, adding an excuse to the princess’s words.

“I’m sorry, Duchess. He didn’t mean any harm. It’s just that my brother can be unnecessarily honest at times.”

Your Highness.

It seems that being unnecessarily honest might be hereditary.

However, contrary to the princess’s concern, I wasn’t particularly offended.

It might be my misconception, but it really didn’t seem like he had any ill intentions. Rather, it felt more like…

“Are you perhaps envious?”

“…Pardon?”

“Ah. No, no. That’s not it. It’s, it’s fine.”

When the prince asked back dumbfounded, I quickly corrected my words.

Phew. That was close.

Caught up in the unnecessarily honest atmosphere, I almost blurted out my true thoughts.

This is why atmosphere can be dangerous.

Secretly heaving a sigh of relief, I stroked my startled chest and answered again.

“It’s not strange for you to think that way. Honestly, I really didn’t want to get married back then.”

This time, instead of an unnecessarily honest answer, I gave a just excessively honest one.

The two seemed a bit taken aback, as if they hadn’t expected such a response from me.

Amidst this, I, the only one who remained calm, continued speaking with a slight smile.

“Honestly, I couldn’t help it. Everyone around me was making a fuss, saying I was being sold off to a cursed family, saying things like ‘What a pity, how unfortunate, how sad.’ I thought I was being sold as a human sacrifice with no way out. I tend to be easily influenced by the atmosphere, you see. But…”

Yes, but.

“When I actually came here, it turned out to be such a wonderful place. Everyone is so kind, it’s free, and it’s a great place to live. And just look at my husband’s face. Is that the face of a monster? It’s an amazing face!”

As I spoke, my emotions grew more intense.

The princess nodded, covering her mouth with her fan, as I sought agreement with all my heart.

“The Richter Duke is indeed handsome.”

“That’s right! But it’s not just his face that’s handsome. He’s warm-hearted and sensitive too. He’s a good person with consideration ingrained in him. It’s just that people who don’t know anything keep calling him a monster or cursed, making him uncomfortable, so Dante just keeps his mouth shut out of exhaustion. My husband is also quite sensitive to the atmosphere, you know.”

Whew.

After finishing my explanation without a single lie, I was out of breath.

As I was heaving my chest, catching my breath, suddenly laughter erupted.

“Ha, haha.”

The owner of the laughter was the princess.

She, who had been covering her lips with her fan, was now clutching her stomach and cackling.

…She’s really a unique person.

I had been thinking she was quite unusual since earlier, and as if seeing through this thought, the princess straightened her bent waist.

“You’re really interesting. If I had known the Duchess was such an amusing person, I would have made connections earlier. What a shame.”

The princess approached me in large strides and firmly grasped my hand.

What is this situation?

Whether it was pretense or sincerity, I couldn’t tell, but there was only one answer I could give now.

“Oh my. We can become close from now on, can’t we? Ohoho.”

Following my added laughter, the princess’s laughter joined in.

We held each other’s hands tightly and giggled.

To others, we might have looked like the best of friends.

“Then, would you be my friend as well?”

What’s with him now.

The prince, who had been standing nearby just smiling all this time, quietly interjected.

The princess glanced at him as if finding it absurd, but the prince, seemingly unconcerned, just stared at me intently.

His golden eyes were glistening moistly.

…How did he know I’m weak to teary-eyed handsome men.

“…It would be my honor.”

“Wow. I’m glad.”

In response to my answer, which I tried hard to keep from sounding reluctant, the prince smiled brightly.

“I look forward to our friendship. Friend.”

Oh my, goodness.

What’s with this sunshine pretty boy.

I suddenly realized anew that the prince was the owner of no ordinary beauty. I hadn’t noticed until now because I was focused on maintaining the upper hand, but looking at him properly…

No. Even without looking closely, it was an exceptionally handsome face.

If Dante was a cold beauty, this one was the very embodiment of a warm beauty.

Ha. It’s really like going from hot to cold water here.

Just as I was thinking that all the national treasures of the empire’s faces were gathered here…

“Huh?”

Something soft gently draped over my shoulders.

“My, my. What an interesting sight this is.”

“My wife has a weak constitution. I was worried, so I came out.”

The one who calmly responded to the princess’s whistle-like words was a familiar voice.

“Dante?”

Is he done with his work?

When I looked up with questioning eyes, Dante met my gaze.

Then, without a word, he adjusted his outer coat that he had draped over my shoulders.

…W-what, what is this?

It was an action I wouldn’t have expected from the usually shy guy.

What’s going on? He said he was going to work, but did he go study ‘How to Look Like a Loving Couple’ or something?

“Oh my, oh my. Goodness gracious.”

That lady over there isn’t an audience member, but her reactions haven’t stopped since earlier.

What’s absurd is that my nape heated up at those words.

Even though I was the one who first boasted that we should look like a loving couple and told him to trust me.

Now that Dante was taking the initiative, my face was flushed as if we’d been caught in the act of dating.

Get a grip, Serpina.

Dante is just acting right now too.

Don’t get too immersed on your own, Serpina.

“It seems the Duke cherishes his wife dearly.”

Please, stop.

However, despite my desperate internal plea, the princess was looking at the two of us with a mischievous smile.

Alright. This is my cue to step in.

If I shamelessly link arms and say ‘That’s right.’…

“Yes. I do cherish her.”

Huh?

“She’s someone far too good for me. So I cherish her dearly.”

Gulp.

I swallowed dryly and buried my hot face in the coat draped over my shoulders.

Oh my. Goodness.

…Since when did he become such a method actor?

Even knowing it was an act, it was such an incredible performance that it made me wonder, ‘Am I perhaps truly loved?’

Whew, whew.

Calm down, Serpina.

As I buried my face in the coat and took deep breaths, my heart, which had been racing inconsiderately, gradually calmed down.

After successfully calming myself, I felt a surge of pride.

Our male lead, turns out he’s a natural-born actor!

While the princess across from us was patting the prince’s shoulder, exclaiming “Oh my, goodness. Who knew the Richter Duke could be such a romantic!”, I gently tugged on Dante’s sleeve.

“…?”

Dante, reading my signal, slightly lowered his gaze.

I extended my hand just enough for him to see, and gave a thumbs up.

‘Super nice acting. Awesome!’

With a wink and mouthing the words, Dante’s expression became peculiar.

Hmm. Did he not understand?

That could be the case.

I shrugged my shoulders and waved my thumb a couple more times.