If I were to say now, ‘Actually, that was a lie, I don’t want to be friends,’ wouldn’t that be the same as challenging the prince to a fight as a duchess?

Besides, well.

I’m someone who’s going to leave anyway.

After the divorce, I have no intention of returning to the count’s estate.

Of course, they probably wouldn’t accept me back either.

In the end, I’ll have to live naturally as an ordinary citizen.

A commoner with a royal friend…

It seemed like there would be more benefits than drawbacks.

After opening a cafe, I could advertise it as ‘A taste recognized by the prince’ and it would be good promotion, wouldn’t it?

After thinking that far, I nodded obediently.

“Alright. Let’s be truly pure friends. I look forward to it, friend.”

At my answer, the prince’s expression brightened considerably.

“Of course. I look forward to it too, friend.”

“Are we speaking informally now?”

Surprised by the sudden casual speech, I asked, and he tilted his head and asked back.

“Of course. We’re real friends now. Though we’ll have to be careful in public, of course.”

Is this okay?

Is it alright to exchange casual speech with the prince?

But he looked so sincere.

Well, fine. If the prince is the one suggesting we speak casually, how can I refuse?

In a way, isn’t this like a royal command?

“…Fine then. But no changing your mind later. No purges for insulting royalty if you’re in a bad mood. That’s forbidden.”

“Of course. I promise.”

And so, I unexpectedly gained a royal friend.

It’s hard to call it a gain exactly, but it was certainly an unexpected outcome.

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“Thanks to you two, I had a pleasant stay.”

The princess and prince left two mornings later.

“I’m truly glad you had a comfortable stay.”

I responded with a kind smile to the princess’s greeting, delivered with crescent eyes.

The princess’s smile deepened.

“When His Majesty hears that you two are getting along so well, he’ll be overjoyed. He’s hoping more than anyone that you’ll live happily together.”

Oh. What an honor for the family.

Anyone would think the emperor was a close relative.

But instead of grumbling, I put my hand on my chest and made an expression of being moved.

The princess’s smile deepened even more.

“Well then, I’ll be going now. See you next time, Duke. And Duchess. We’re friends now, after all.”

“Of course. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

It was a farewell that could have been between best friends.

“Have a safe journey.”

Dante, who had been silent throughout, only spoke as the princess was about to board the carriage.

It’s probably just my imagination that it sounded like he was saying ‘get lost already’.

The princess looked us over with a sly smile before boarding the carriage.

“Let’s go, Joshua.”

At the princess’s call, Joshua paused as he was boarding the carriage and turned back.

“I look forward to seeing you again as well.”

“Yes. Take care.”

At my response, the prince left a bright smile before boarding the carriage.

The carriage carrying the two slowly moved away.

Phew. They’re finally gone.

Watching the uncomfortable guests leave felt refreshing.

I must have been inwardly tense the whole time while pretending otherwise.

Just as I was thinking of heading back home, a window of the moving carriage opened and a large hand came out, waving enthusiastically.

Then it was pulled back in as if grabbed by something.

It seems the prince was waving goodbye but was stopped by the princess…

Mom. I think my new friend might really be a bit strange after all.

But what can I do about spilled milk now? I’ll just have to be more careful about choosing friends in the future.

Clicking my tongue, I linked my arm with Dante’s.

“Let’s go in now too.”

After two days of acting like a couple with great chemistry in front of the guests, linking arms had become an unconscious action.

“It’s finally quiet now. I think I’m not really cut out for hosting guests.”

“You worked hard, Madam.”

“Not at all. You worked harder, Dante.”

Seeing how he had a stiff expression throughout the two nights and three days, he must have been quite uncomfortable facing the royals.

From the second day, he really seemed at his limit, with a haggard and pale face from morning.

How upset I was seeing our male lead’s face so rough.

“How about we have a full Northern-style dinner tonight?”

“That sounds good.”

“Great! I’ll ask Ena to prepare a feast.”

I hummed a tune as I pulled on Dante’s arm.

He followed without resistance, matching his pace to mine.

Somehow, returning home together after seeing off the guests felt incredibly peaceful.

[This is the timeline separator]

That day, after eating a lot of Northern traditional food, I slept sprawled out all day.

As the tension in my body eased, sleep kept overtaking me.

The next day, I woke up past noon.

“Goodness. How many hours did I sleep?”

“You must have been very tired, Ma’am.”

Mari nicely wrapped up my oversleeping.

“I suppose so. It does feel like I’ve climbed a big mountain.”

“You really worked hard, Ma’am. You’ve been so busy with preparations and everything lately.”

“You’re right. I was exhausted.”

I indulged in some whining without hesitation.

After all, I really did try my best in my own way.

“I really don’t understand why they had to stay for two nights and three days.”

“I know, right? There’s a world of difference between having one meal together and staying overnight.”

“Maybe royals just don’t have any sense of propriety?”

“…Oh.”

My eyes nearly popped out at the casual royal slander.

Right. Of course. Given how bad the relationship is between the Richters and the royal family, those who’ve worked for the Richters for a long time would view the royals negatively.

I suddenly felt determined to keep my newfound friendship with the prince a secret.

If it got out, I’d probably be treated as a great traitor.

Feeling oddly guilty, I averted my gaze and got up.

“Where are you going?”

“The field.”

“What? Aren’t you going to rest more?”

“No. I have some urgent things to do.”

After a quick meal and changing into comfortable clothes, I headed straight for the field.

It was true that I had some urgent business to attend to.

Ah. These clothes really are the most comfortable. I finally felt like I was wearing clothes that suited me.

The dresses hastily bought from the dressmaker were shoved into the farthest corner of the wardrobe as soon as the guests left.

While organizing the clothes, Mari murmured with a bitter smile.

Poor thing.

I felt sorry for her, remembering how she had been excited, thinking that maybe Madam was starting to develop a taste for dressing up.

But what can we do?

Comfortable clothes are the best.

I arrived at the field with a basket tucked under my arm. Today’s destination wasn’t my field, but Dante’s flower garden.

The flowers in full bloom were swaying gently in the wind.

I crouched down in front of Dante’s flower garden, humming a tune.

They’re so pretty today too.

It was a good decision to plant mostly cold-resistant ones.

I admired my own choice as I busily moved my hands to harvest the flowers.

People passing by occasionally struck up conversations.

“Oh, Madam. Getting right back to work? Haha! Madam, you truly shine the brightest here!”

Markops, who was passing by with garden shears.

“Could I have some lavender too? I’d like to use it in cooking today.”

Ena, requesting to share some lavender.

“Is there anything I can help with today? Oh, I’ve already filled the watering can!”

And Siena, bouncing around the area like a puppy playing in the snow.

It was a bit hectic, but not unpleasant.

Yes. This is what peace is.

I stopped when the basket was about half full.

Lavender on one side.

Chamomile on the other.

Looking at the flowers piled up neatly, I couldn’t help but smile contentedly.

Now then, the next thing to do is…

[This is the timeline separator]

“Madam went out to the field since midday. I wonder what she’s up to?”

“Well. It looked like she was harvesting flowers.”

Dante, who had been answering Barhan’s question nonchalantly, paused.

This feels like I’ve been caught.

Sure enough, Barhan was watching him with a pleased smile.

“I thought so. You were watching her through the window.”

He was suddenly exposed for not doing his work and just staring at Serpina.

But it couldn’t be helped.

When she’s in sight, his attention naturally gravitates there.

Especially since the bedroom and study face the garden, Serpina’s field is clearly visible.

And of course, Serpina crouching in the field, busily doing something, is also clearly visible.

When he absent-mindedly stares at her, he loses track of time.

“Since you’re not doing any work anyway, wouldn’t it have been better to go out and spend time with her?”

“…”

“Your Grace?”

“Stop talking nonsense and help with the work. There’s a lot of paperwork that’s come in.”

It was clearly an attempt to change the subject in a grumpy manner.