Mine?

Hertian’s words echoed in my ears.

I had heard similar words before.

Before marriage, from Serdis at the imperial palace.

“You say I’m Hertian’s?”

“Does that upset you?”

He pinpointed my emotions with his question.

When I heard it from Serdis, I was so uncomfortable and anxious that tears streamed down my face.

I hated the idea of him ruining my future. No, I hated having my life twisted by anything.

One meaningless end to life was enough.

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

“My lady?”

I could clearly define what Hertian meant to me.

‘A perfect partner.’

His expression of me being his is all due to our contract marriage. As long as we maintain the marriage, I am Hertian’s and he is mine.

But, what he just said…

It felt like drawing a line, yet strangely provocative.

Perhaps that’s why. The hurt feelings melted away like snow.

“I don’t… feel bad about it.”

It seemed that just having Hertian by my side was enough for now. Regardless of how he thought of me.

“Is this a real gift, not a joke?”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t opened the gift yet.

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

He pulled the gift box preciously to his chest and smiled brightly like someone holding an armful of flowers.

“I’m truly delighted. I’ll treasure this as a family heirloom.”

I opened my eyes wide at his exaggerated reaction.

“Are you going to put it away in the castle without opening it?”

Hertian chuckled softly at that.

“I’ll open it.”

The box lid opened, revealing an emerald-colored enchant brooch.

Seeing the enchant shining even more clearly in the sunlight, he carefully took it out wearing gloves from his jacket.

“I’m touched.”

“Do you like it?”

“Very much. It’s a jewel that resembles the color of your eyes, my lady.”

Though unintended, the resemblance to my eye color seemed to move Hertian even more. I felt his dark eyes sparkle and shine.

“Let me put it on for you.”

He stood up abruptly. The chair fell backwards from his sudden movement. Despite seeing that, Hertian kept his eyes fixed only on me. His gentle gaze enveloped me.

Left jacket collar.

That’s where I pinned the enchant. It matched well on the white jacket.

Gently touching the enchant, he spoke softly.

“It feels like all my arrhythmia has been cured.”

“I should have bought one with such healing effects.”

I briefly regretted not asking the jewelry store clerk.

“Are there such things?”

Hertian didn’t seem to realize it was an enchant.

“No. I just wish there were.”

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

‘Still, I hope you understand it’s for you.’

I gently closed my mouth, hoping he would understand.

But then, his beaming expression suddenly hardened.

“Did you perhaps buy gifts for others as well?”

“Yes. I bought one more.”

Since I had also purchased a gift for Violet.

Hertian showed signs of sulking at those words. As if disappointed it wasn’t an exclusive gift.

“Is the other one for that person named Cassian?”

“It’s for Lady Violet.”

I had considered buying one for Cassian.

But I didn’t.

I wasn’t sure what to give him, the Viscount of Valosone.

“I see.”

He looked somewhat satisfied.

“But I should still give him a gift…”

My worry deepened.

“I’ll treat him personally.”

“You’ll treat Cassian?”

When I asked in surprise, he smiled gently.

“If he’s your old friend, I think he could become a good friend to me as well.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Before returning to the townhouse after our meal.

We headed to a different destination.

“Are you that happy?”

“Yes. It’s the first time I’ve been away for so long, so I miss them a lot.”

We were on our way to the Leanberia estate.

This road passing through the capital’s square felt so familiar, as if I had walked it just yesterday, even though it had been a long time.

I took in the passing scenery with the window open.

‘Who knows when I’ll come here again.’

My only thought was to spend quality time with my parents and family members.

But then, in the alley leading to the estate, I saw a familiar figure.

A woman with long, flowing purple hair.

‘Lady Violet?’

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

“Wait. Please stop the carriage for a moment!”

I instinctively knocked on the carriage door.

“What’s the matter?”

“I see the lady over there. I’ll just greet her briefly and come back.”

After a quick explanation to Hertian, I got off the carriage and ran quickly towards the alley.

I held her gift in my hand.

I spotted her again at the alley entrance. I immediately called out.

“My lady!”

But she didn’t seem to hear me and walked into the alley. She disappeared into the dark shadows. I followed into the alley, but couldn’t find any trace of her.

“Where did she go?”

This wasn’t an alley where Violet would likely be. The back alleys of the market square were mainly where commoners lived. Due to buildings constructed close together, sunlight didn’t reach here, making it dark even during the day. I entered that narrow alley and continued searching for her.

“Lady Violet, are you here?”

My voice echoed softly in the alley. The alley was quiet, without a single sign of life.

Then I saw someone passing by at the far end. I couldn’t see their face clearly, but the small figure was definitely a woman.

“My lady!”

I turned the corner of the alley following where she disappeared. And then I came face to face with an unexpected person.

“Anette?”

I saw silver hair neatly tied at the end of a lowered robe.

“Michael?”

It wasn’t Violet, but Michael.

“Why are you here?”

“I thought I saw Lady Violet so I followed her in. Did you happen to see her?”

“Why would the lady be here? I’ve been here the whole time and haven’t seen even a shadow of her.”

At Michael’s words, I looked around the alley again. There was no one.

“I’m sure I saw her…”

“Maybe you mistook someone else in the darkness?”

“I suppose so.”

After all, Violet would have no reason to come here.

“But Michael, why are you here?”

The same applied to him. What business would Michael have in a commoner neighborhood?

Although Michael was said to be closest to Cassian, I didn’t know much about him beyond what kind of person he was.

“I had someone to meet briefly.”

“Who?”

When I asked again, Michael shook his head slightly.

“Someone you don’t need to worry about. It’s difficult to say because of family matters.”

“Ah…”

I understood him right away.

Cassian always avoided talking about himself in this way.

I hadn’t thought it would continue even after meeting me, so it made me feel a bit uneasy.

“I’ll walk you to the end of the alley.”

“Okay.”

Michael and I walked the alley in silence. I disliked the awkward atmosphere, but couldn’t think of what to say at the moment. We could have talked about everyday things, but somehow it didn’t feel right.

‘I thought Cassian and I would have endless conversations when we met.’

It was a reality different from my expectations.

“Michael.”

I finally thought of something to say.

“Yes?”

“Are you free this week by any chance? I was thinking we could have dinner together.”

I remembered what Hertian had said earlier.

He wanted to treat my closest friend.

“Of course. I was worried I might go to the North without seeing you again.”

Michael responded readily to the invitation with a gentle smile.

“Great. I’ll send a formal invitation with the exact date and time.”

“Okay. I’ll look forward to it.”

The awkward atmosphere was instantly dispelled by the invitation conversation. I felt more at ease than before. Michael must be making efforts in his own way too.

“There’s the Grand Duke.”

I saw Hertian looking for me at the end of the alley. I waved my hand so he could spot me. His gaze soon stopped in our direction.

At the same time, Michael’s footsteps halted. I looked up at him standing still.

“Anette. I have some remaining business, so I’ll go ahead.”

“Huh?”

“See you later.”

Before I could even say goodbye to him, he vanished somewhere into the alley. As I stared at the direction where he disappeared like a mirage, Hertian approached in one breath.

“Did you find the lady?”

“No.”

“I thought I saw someone next to you until just now. Was it someone else?”

“It was Michael.”

At my quiet murmur, Hertian immediately frowned.

“Michael Valosone, that guy…”

Then he muttered something inaudibly.

[This is the timeline separator]

The tearful reunion lasted quite a long time.

A whole basket of handkerchiefs piled up, soaked with tears from my mother, father, and the mansion staff.

Not to mention how messy my dress had become.

It was covered in stains from each other’s tears and mucus.

“Do you have a dress I can change into?”

I asked with a sniffle, and my mother took my hand.

“Your room and clothes are still exactly as they were. Let’s change there.”

As my mother said, the room was unchanged from before I left. The bedding, the dressing table, everything was the same.

“It’s been over a month since I went to the North. Why haven’t you cleared it out yet?”

“You need a place to rest whenever you return. A place to sleep when you’re tired and rest when you’re exhausted.”

Tears welled up again.

I had just changed clothes, but they would become a mess again.

“Please don’t say such things…”

Mother gently stroked my cheek with her warm hand.

“Shall I nag you to your heart’s content after so long? Do you know how much I worried about your health here?”

“I get enough nagging from the Grand Duke now. I’ve heard it until my ears have calluses.”

My mother, with reddened eyes, smiled brightly.

“Still, I’m relieved that the Grand Duke continues to cherish you.”

“Don’t even mention it. He worries about me regardless of my own body.”

Mother looked me over from head to toe and nodded.

“Seeing that you’ve gained weight, you must be eating and sleeping well.”

I do eat a lot.

Every day when I finish all the meat dishes, Hertian appears with dessert.

The worry about losing my appetite in the North was unfounded.

Rather, I was in the process of discovering new tastes.

“Of course. Don’t you know how strong I am?”

To completely ease my mother’s worries, I rolled up my dress sleeve and flexed my arm.

But seeing my thinner-than-expected arm, mother’s expression darkened again.

“What do you mean you’re eating well? I mistook your swollen face for weight gain.”

“You know I tend to gain weight in my belly more than my arms and legs.”

As I lowered my sleeve with an awkward smile, mother now caressed my stomach. Her face became even more troubled than before.

“There’s so much talk about how good your marital relationship is, but no news yet?”

Mother asked with sparkling eyes.

‘She’s waiting for a child.’

I’m sorry, mother.

A child will never come.

“It doesn’t happen just because you want it. Please wait patiently.”

“You have a weak body, so it will be much harder if you have a child when you’re older. It’s better to have one now if it happens.”

“I don’t want to right now. There’s a lot to worry about with the territory work and many things to do.”

I hinted that I wouldn’t have a child right away while telling her about what had been happening.

“You’ll get used to all that before the child comes.”

Of course, it didn’t work on mother at all.

“I’ll help you with everything, so don’t worry.”

“Don’t do anything!”

“Sigh. You don’t understand your mother’s heart.”

Until then, I hadn’t known.

How desperately mother wanted a baby.