Mine?

Hertian’s words echoed in my ears.

I had heard something similar before.

Before the marriage, in the imperial palace, from Serdis.

“Am I Hertian’s property?”

“Does that make you uncomfortable?”

He probed into my feelings.

When I heard it from Serdis, tears streamed down my face, filled with discomfort and anxiety.

I didn’t want my future to be ruined by him. No, I didn’t want my life twisted by anything.

Once was enough to end my life emptily.

This time, I wanted to live without being held back by anything.

“My lady?”

I could clearly define who Hertian was to me.

‘A perfect partner.’

It’s all due to the contractual marriage that he describes me as his. As long as the marriage lasts, I am Hertian’s and he is mine.

But, the words just now…

They felt oddly unsettling, yet like a boundary was being drawn.

That’s why my feelings of being upset melted away like snow.

“I don’t mind…”

Right now, simply having Hertian by my side was good enough, regardless of what he thinks of me.

“Is this gift really not a joke?”

I had forgotten to open the gift.

“Yes. Thank you for treating me to good food today.”

He carefully pulled the gift box toward himself and smiled brightly, as if holding a bouquet of flowers.

“I’m truly happy. I’ll keep this in my dowry box.”

His exaggerated reaction made my eyes widen.

“Do you plan to keep it locked up and never open it?”

Then Hertian chuckled softly.

“I’ll open it.”

The box lid opened, revealing an emeraldenchanted brooch.

Seeing the enchantment that seemed even clearer in the sunlight, he took gloves from his jacket and delicately removed it.

“I’m touched.”

“Do you like it?”

“Very much. The gem resembles the color of your eyes.”

Unintentionally matching the color of my eyes had deeply moved Hertian. His black pupils sparkled and seemed to glow.

“I’ll pin it on for you.”

He abruptly stood up. His haste knocked the chair backward. Even then, he was fixated solely on me. A warm gaze enveloped me.

On the left collar of the jacket.

He pinned the enchantment there. It suited well with the white jacket.

He gently touched the enchantment and softly spoke.

“It feels like my arrhythmia has healed.”

“I should’ve bought one with a healing effect.”

I regretted not asking the jeweler.

“Is there such a thing?”

Hertian was oblivious to the enchantment.

“No. It’d be nice if there was.”

I didn’t tell him about the tracking feature. It could hurt his pride.

‘I hope you understand it’s for you.’

I softly closed my lips, hoping he’d understand.

But suddenly, his once cheerful expression hardened.

“Did you also buy a gift for someone else?”

“Yes, I bought another one.”

Because I also bought a violet gift.

Hertian appeared displeased. As if it was unfortunate the gift wasn’t exclusive to him.

“Is the other for Cassian?”

“It’s for Princess Violet.”

I had considered buying one for Cassian.

But I didn’t.

I still didn’t know what to give to him, the Marquis of Valosone.

“I see.”

He seemed somewhat satisfied.

“Still, I should give a gift…”

My contemplation deepened.

“I’ll handle it myself.”

“Is Hertian for Cassian?”

When I asked in surprise, he smiled.

“If he’s a longtime friend of my lady, I think he can also be a good friend to me.”

(This is a time separator.)

Before returning to the townhouse after the meal.

We headed to another destination.

“Are you that happy?”

“Yes, it’s the first time we’ve been apart this long, so I miss him a lot.”

We were on the way to Count L’Orangerie’s estate.

It had been a long time since I passed through the capital square on this road. Yet it felt as familiar as if I had walked it just yesterday.
I took in the passing crossroads through the open window.

‘Who knows when I’ll be back here.’

All I thought was that I needed to spend quality time with my parents and clan members.

But then, a familiar silhouette appeared on the alleyway leading to the Earl’s residence.

A woman with flowing purple hair.

‘Princess Violet?’

Her face reflected in the dimming light. It was Violet.

“Wait. Stop the carriage for a moment!”

I instinctively knocked on the carriage door.

“What is the matter?”

“There’s the princess. I’ll quickly go greet her and come back.”

I briefly explained to Hertian and quickly ran into the alley.

I held a gift for her in my hand.

I spotted her again at the alley’s entrance and immediately shouted.

“Your Highness!”

But she seemed not to hear and walked into the alley, disappearing into the dark shadow. I followed but could find no trace of her.

“Where did she go?”

This didn’t seem like an alley where Violet would be. The back alley behind the marketplace was mainly populated by commoners. Sunlight didn’t reach it due to closely built structures, making it a dark place even during the day. I continued to search for her through this narrow alley.

“Princess Violet, are you here?”

My voice echoed softly through the empty alley. No sign of life.

Then I saw a figure passing at the far end. I couldn’t see the face clearly, but the small stature was unmistakably female.