“If you weren’t there, we would probably have become the dragon’s meal.”

It was fortunate I could help. I let out a sigh of relief and filled him in on what had happened in his absence.

“The war order was withdrawn. Serdis personally asked the Emperor to do so, presuming that you wouldn’t return unharmed.”

Even if they weren’t certain he would die, the fact that Hertian was away for a few days provided some sort of opportunity for exploitation. But they probably didn’t expect him to return so quickly.

“It seems they’ve decided to kill me for good.”

“Don’t worry.”

If Hertian died, it would be like me dying as well. Neither of us should disappear until we’ve thoroughly exploited each other.

“You won’t die at their hands.”

I firmly gripped Hertian’s hand and reassured him, then pulled my hand away as if remembering something.

“Has your anger towards me subsided?”

A recent event before Hertian’s disappearance came to mind. He avoided me due to a minor incident that happened inside a wardrobe in the palace.

“Did I show anger towards you?”

“Back then, after coming out of the wardrobe, you were very uncomfortable. So you left at dawn.”

“That wasn’t because I was uncomfortable.”

He answered immediately.

“Then why?”

“That’s…”

His face flushed, Hertian wiped his face.

“You don’t have to say it if it’s difficult. Just think of it as me assuming you were uncomfortable.”

I grumbled with a disappointed expression. He then licked his lips and spoke.

“I was shy because I had never been that close to you.”

“Shy? But we’ve cuddled every night since we got married.”

“But we only slept.”

What is he even saying?

“I even touched you? Your body is so warm, Hertian.”

It wasn’t just sleep. His hands were so cold while he slept, so I snuggled closer.

Yet, he found contact with me embarrassing, which seemed bizarre.

“I may have let you touch me, but I never touched you.”

He mumbled, avoiding my eyes. His ears were reddening.

“Alright. Let’s consider the misunderstanding resolved.”

I decided to end the conversation. My own face was heating up as well. Continuing this topic would surely ignite a fire in my mind.
He stood up from his seat and returned with a clean cloth.

“Close your eyes.”

Due to washing his face alone, some blood stains remained on his face.

“What are you going to do?”

“What else would I do with a cloth? I’m going to wipe your face.”

“You can do something else.”

“Be still.”

I playfully pushed down his eyelids, and he finally quieted down.

‘He looks especially handsome today.’

Perhaps it’s because I see his face nearly every day.

Having been separated for barely two days, his face seemed new to me.

It would be a national loss in many ways if Hertian were to die. Such goodlooking men appear maybe once in a hundred years.

“Fortunately, there are no wounds on your face.”

Only now had Hertian’s fair skin become clean.

“I looked in the mirror earlier and saw a monster standing there.”

“I was also shocked. When you came with your face covered in blood, it seemed as though a grim reaper had arrived.”

“…What is a grim reaper?”

Ah, a slipup.

Grim reaper isn’t a term here.

Even though I’ve lived here for nearly 10 years, words from my past life still occasionally slip out.

“It’s nothing.”

“My lady, you often use words I don’t understand.”

Hertian opened his eyes slightly. Our eyes met up close. He gently took my hand that was wiping his face and whispered softly.

“I’ve always wondered where those words come from. I couldn’t find them anywhere, not by asking around or by looking in books.”

This is tricky.

I didn’t realize he’d remember every word I said.

I was contemplating how to explain.

‘I actually come from the modern world, where it is said that a grim reaper comes when you die.’

But then,

“Your Grace, My Lady.”

Just then, the steward of the townhouse knocked on the bedroom door.

‘Nice timing, steward.’

I set aside the cloth I was using to wipe and gestured to Hertian, who then approached the steward to inquire.

“Someone has come to see My Lady.”

“To see my wife?”

“They sent a carriage, saying they will escort her to the agreed upon location for dinner tonight.”

A letter I received last night flashed through my mind.

After returning from meeting the Emperor, a letter from Cassian was in my room.

‘I said I would come to see you this evening.’

I had been so preoccupied, I hadn’t given it a thought. It’s a meeting I’ve been looking forward to.

“If I hadn’t returned, Hertian, I would have postponed. There’s no need to do that now.”

“Did you have another engagement?”

Hertian asked with a worried look. Given the recent tumultuous events, it was understandable he’d worry about me going out.

“Yes, a quick dinner appointment. It’s nearby, so I’ll be back shortly after eating.”

I smiled reassuringly. I didn’t mention that I was meeting Cassian. There was too much happening in the short time since arriving in the capital for me to delve into my personal life.

Hertian didn’t press for details. Instead, he simply added,

“I’ll assign a knight to accompany you.”

“Thank you.”

(This is a time marker.)

510 letters.

That was the number of letters exchanged between Cassian and me thus far.

I pulled out a small mirror for a final check on my face.

I wasn’t nervous until just before arriving, but as the meeting time approached, my heart couldn’t help but flutter.

I arrived at a quiet restaurant in the capital.

As I entered, the staff naturally led me to a private room.

The man opened the door and nodded.

Seeing the man’s face through the open door, I quickly averted my gaze. Not yet. I wasn’t quite ready.

The man pulled out a chair for me.

“Thank you.”

Ah, should I have used informal speech since it’s Cassian?

Everything felt awkward.

Where should my gaze go? What should be the first thing to say?
‘Should I introduce myself?’

Even though I was the one who requested this meeting with Cassian, the awkwardness was there for a reason.

Because of what Hertian had said.

Whenever I read Cassian’s letters, I often remember those words.

‘It seems the person who sent the letter really likes Miss Anette.’

Until then, the wind had been calm; now it felt like a gusty storm.

“Your face looks gloomy. Are you uncomfortable?”

Amid all sorts of distractions, Cassian spoke first. He was using polite language with me as well.

“No, not uncomfortable, just awkward.”

“What could possibly make us feel awkward with each other?”

That’s true. We’ve known each other for such a short time.

“Just relax.”

His voice, as refreshing as a spring breeze, comforted me.

But this voice. It sounded familiar, but from where?