They also went under the large cedar tree decorated with lights and ribbons in the central square to check their fortunes for the year.

It wasn’t until the sun set and it was time for dinner that they returned to the villa.

Upon returning to the villa, Nathaniel headed to the open-air hot spring in the annex.

Since Nathaniel declared that he would stay in the room because he couldn’t stand hot water, I had to go alone.

“Hmm. Why dislike something so good like this?”

As I immersed my body in the warm water, it felt like my muscles were relaxing.

“Ah, this is heaven.”

Looking up at the sky, the black night sky was full of twinkling stars.

Since being reincarnated into this world, it felt like I was truly enjoying a proper rest.

“I hope Nathaniel enjoyed it too.”

I felt grateful that he joined me today.

He’s a man who originally dislikes crowds and noise.

During the festival season, many people came with their families, and there were also many children.

“Come to think of it, I feel a bit more tolerant of children than before.”

Nathaniel fundamentally disliked people.

Moreover, he particularly disliked young children who couldn’t control their emotions.

“Did spending time with Prince Henry have an influence?”
However, today he showed a completely different side. He couldn’t even take his eyes off the playful children.

As if he were searching for something, persistently.

‘Oops!’

Something crossed my mind.

It had already been almost a year since we became a couple.

Although we are still young, people around us occasionally talk about the succession.

‘I used to dislike it, especially when it came to Empress.’

Nathaniel was the one who skillfully prevented that. I recalled the bold statement he made in front of the Emperor who wanted to see his grandson desperately in the early days of our marriage.

It was a subtle threat, saying that since we had followed orders and got married, there was no need for further interference.

Of course, due to the ignorance of the nobles, things escalated into a bigger issue.

“Thoughts have meandered.”

Anyway, the important thing was that Nathaniel had started to take an interest in the children.

Children who aren’t even our family!

‘Could he possibly want to have a child?’

My mind became complex for a moment.

We had recently confirmed our feelings for each other, and having a child had been on our minds for some time.

“Theresa’s matters are not settled yet, and it’s complicated in various ways.”

Moreover, both Nathaniel and I were already overwhelmed with work.

It seemed better to finish the current tasks before considering having a child.
“Okay!”

After organizing my thoughts, I quickly left the bath, dried myself, and put on clothes. I put on a thick, padded outer garment and headed to the bedroom. As I approached, Nathaniel, who was sitting by the window, turned his head towards me. The warm scenery of Hierah, far warmer than the capital, tinted his face.

“Your face is red, Jaina.”

“Well, I just came out of the hot water.”

Suddenly, facing him, embarrassment overwhelmed me. In the end, I turned my head away to avoid Nathaniel’s gaze. The shadow cast by his silhouette on the wall began to move suddenly.

“What’s, what’s happening.”

A cold hand gently swept my arm. Even though it wasn’t the first kiss, my heart pounded strangely, as if it would burst.

“Jaina.”

In response to his sweet voice, I unconsciously shouted desperately.

“Let’s think about having a child later!”

“If you’re not feeling well today, I’ll go set up the barrier alone…”

Oops.

In response to Nathaniel’s words, I tightly closed my mouth. I wanted to fly into the sky or bury myself underground out of embarrassment.

“Ca-Can I go tomorrow?”

In the end, tears welled up as I spoke. I still couldn’t face Nathaniel.

“Uh? Uh… Take a break.”

He, too, sounded flustered. The sound of footsteps passed by me. When I heard the door opening and closing, my body relaxed. I slumped to the floor.

“Sigh… I can’t live like this. Seriously.”

Why did I have such a misunderstanding!

After getting angry with Maximilian, Theresa felt uncomfortable throughout.

“Sigh… It’s not easy to be angry.”

Ironically, Maximilian seemed no different from usual. He treated her kindly as always and looked at her with the same care as before. If there was something different, it was that Theresa was keeping a slight distance as Maximilian wished. Although she expected to feel comfortable, strangely, she felt uneasy.

‘Pull yourself together. How many times are you going to let this happen?’

Theresa thought she should take a walk. She got up, put on her coat, and went down the stairs. The well-maintained exotic garden was a place she hadn’t visited with Maximilian.

‘Originally, I should have explored here too, but…’

A few days ago, she ended up coming alone because she couldn’t resist the wind that eventually blew up. Theresa walked along the well-designed walking path, observing her surroundings. The snow, melted and refrozen, sparkled on the tall spruce trees, catching the light.

“It’s like jewels.”

Sitting on a nearby wooden bench, she admired the sparkling scenery like a fairy tale.

‘Come to think of it, why did I think of wanting to see the garden in winter?’

When she thought about it, from the beginning, when she came to Wintersong Castle, she had wanted to see the garden. As if she already knew how beautiful this place was. Lady Lee also found it strange that Theresa wanted to visit the garden. After a moment of contemplation, Theresa found it inexplicable.
Lady Lee found it strange that she wanted to visit the garden. Theresa, who pondered for a moment, found it inexplicable.

“I have only one person to tell me about this place.”

Perhaps it was because of the stories Maximilian told in his childhood.

With a vacant expression, she looked at the picturesque garden.

Thinking back, she felt like she had lived this short life for Maximilian. The places she wanted to visit and the things she liked were all tailored to Maximilian’s taste.

‘What is left for me?’

After removing the title of Maximilian’s fiancée, there was nothing left.

Theresa had to face the image of herself that she had been avoiding.

A shell that everything was tailored to others.

Theresa gazed at the dazzling afternoon scenery with a vacant expression. Emotions she had forgotten or thought she had already overcome surged back.

“Teresa?”

Before her, the culprit of all this appeared. Seeing him, everything she had suppressed burst out.