The water was rising. Marianne instinctively realized that once the water reached her heart, she would be submerged in him once more.

Her world would be filled with him, and she would no longer be able to breathe.

“It’s not the person who laughs as if his lungs were pierced, but you, who I need.”

Ugh.

The trickling water wetted her cheekbones. Striving to conceal her trembling heart, Marianne consciously wiped her expression clean. Her unreadable eyes were directed at him.

“Again, Liam is a good person who can empathize with others’ pain. You can’t do that.”

“I can empathize too.”

Christoph responded with a twisted tone, as if annoyed. He stood upright, his shoulders back, and his voice emanated confidence.

“Who do you think defended Paul Keller pro bono? Who couldn’t overlook the unfortunate circumstances of a wrongfully accused boy and donated their skills? Can you say I lack empathy after all this?”

“How long are you going to milk that story?”

Flick. Christoph let out a laugh. Marianne glanced at him as if questioning why he laughed. He quickly raised an eyebrow.

“It’s like seeing you from our student days.”

Only then did Christoph gaze intently at her face.

The Marianne of their student days was just like she is now. No matter the opponent, she never lost. Even if it was Michael Hindenburg.

But at some point, she became less talkative. Instead of rolling her eyes and retorting, she had sat beside him with a faint smile.

Realizing this only now, Christoph wore a bewildered expression. He stopped walking. Absently, he stroked his chin.

Marianne casually responded, looking back at him.

“It’s unlike Mrs. Schneider to drag things on, isn’t it?”

“….”
I realized anew, after becoming Mrs. Schneider, that the words used by the nobles and commoners differ. A single action, a single phrase from me leads to the reputation of the Schneider family. So I couldn’t speak thoughtlessly. I feared you’d become a laughingstock because of me. I feared people would ask where you found such a low-class woman.

“Marianne, you are…”

Christoph’s dark pupils wavered. He hadn’t known she felt that way. He had been completely oblivious to her internal struggle.

Marianne wore a kind smile, and so Christoph thought she was happy. He assumed her contentment came from attending glamorous parties, buying expensive items, and spending time with noblewomen.

As his own name grew more prestigious, he believed her confidence would increase. The honor of being Mrs. Schneider.

—If the girl had merely been swayed by money and jewels, this dispute would not have occurred in the first place.

Suddenly, he recalled what Duke Schneider said this morning. He truly knew nothing about Marianne.

Damn it.

The curse that had become a habit these days scattered in his mouth. He clenched his teeth and slowly formed a fist.

He had no words, even if he had ten mouths. All he could do was seek Marianne’s mercy.

Christoph moistened his lips. A twisted metallic sound leaked out.

“Now I understand what you meant by shining on your own.”

“…”

“You’re more than qualified, Marianne.”

Marianne looked at him with trembling eyes. Each time he whispered affectionately, her frozen heart seemed to melt. The piled-up firewood crumbled one by one. Warm water filled her ankles.

“So now I’ll stand by your side. Just as you’ve stood by mine, this time I’ll protect you.”

“Hm.”

Finally, Marianne took a short breath. She hastily turned her back. If not, her unsteady expression would be exposed.

Footsteps followed her like a shadow from behind.

Shuffle, shuffle.

Marianne bit her lip. She swallowed the emotions surging up. She resented Christoph, who was shaking her entire being while appearing unconcerned.

And yet, a nonchalant voice flew in from behind.

“In the last few days, I’ve learned more about you than in the last three years. Pathetically so.”

Marianne said nothing. It seemed he didn’t expect a response anyway. As Christoph moved, he muttered in a soft voice.

“I didn’t even know you disliked vegetables.”

“Hm.”

Marianne let out a soft moan as if attacked out of nowhere. Her ears turned red. His careless words felt like a reprimand to a child who was a picky eater.

Maybe it was a feeling of inadequacy.

“I don’t dislike them.”

Marianne turned around and stubbornly denied it. Christoph raised one eyebrow. Suspicion flickered in his dark pupils.

“Your plate still had broccoli and spinach on it. Not just today, but every time we eat, Marianne.”

He responded with an indifferent tone, as if stating a simple fact. And so, Marianne could not argue anymore.

She shot Christoph a glance and moved with a brisk, angry step. He followed her with a puzzled look, not understanding her sudden change in attitude.

“Marianne.”

Marianne did not respond.

“Are you angry?”

“…”

“Why?”