Male Lead's First Wife (5 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 036

While he was stunned, Yerpi was flustered before Raymond’s familiar, composed expression from yesterday.

She hesitated, wondering if this was really the right approach. After a brief silence, Raymond finally replied.

“It would be best… to become closer with Dante.”

“Indeed, that’s what I thought.”

Yerpi brightened at his belated agreement.

An adult forming a deeper bond with the child was certainly good news. If that adult were family, it was even better.

“I think I can help. Fortunately, Dante has opened up to me.”

“Yes. If help is available, we should accept it.”

“…!”

Such an unexpectedly agreeable response.

For a moment, the man before her seemed like a completely different person.

Most of all, seeing someone who detested intrusions into his personal space actually listening to her words made her feel strangely happy.

She didn’t understand why it felt so good to be needed.

Her previously wavering confidence suddenly strengthened, and into it sparked a genuine flame of sincerity.

‘Raymond truly wants to grow closer to Dante.’

For now, it would be best to create opportunities for them to spend time together—planned meetings, not just accidental encounters.

They didn’t necessarily have to talk each time. It would be difficult to reveal their true feelings while still on guard, and idle conversation in such a state could easily turn into an argument.

Deep in thought, Yerpi suggested a few ideas.

“How about sharing a hobby with Dante? It would be even better if both of you are beginners. Otherwise, sightseeing could be nice. Perhaps a picnic somewhere nearby?”

There would certainly be more activities they could do together if they looked for them.

She freely shared anything else that came to mind that might help improve their relationship.

The reason Yerpi, usually so cautious, could speak so openly was simply because Raymond was listening to her with serious, attentive eyes.

As she spoke without pause, she met his gaze.

Raymond’s eyes, subtly shifting with his mood, appeared a deeper golden hue today.

His masculine features, matching that gaze, blended perfectly with the afternoon sunlight.

Truly befitting a male lead—Raymond possessed not just a perfect face, but a unique aura only he could exude.

Yet, apart from his handsome appearance, the area around his eyes looked slightly darkened.

‘Could he be tired?’

She was briefly distracted by observing him.

“Will you be joining us too?”

Surprised by the unexpected question, Yerpi immediately answered.

“Of course.”

She nodded, already forgetting she had been quietly admiring him.

She didn’t understand why he was asking—after all, it had already been settled that she would be present between the two.

‘Otherwise, they’d end up fighting.’

Each time she put Dante to sleep, Yerpi would tell the child positive things about Raymond.

How deeply he worried about him, how he had stepped forward more eagerly than anyone else in this matter. And—

“He regrets misunderstanding you.”

She had cautiously brought up the most critical issue, but Dante refused to even listen.

Seeing the child flick his black tail dismissively, as if to say “So what?”, she nearly sighed aloud.

Yet, despite these worries, Raymond seemed very pleased with Yerpi’s response. Leaning slightly toward her across the space where she sat, he said,

“We’ll try each one in turn. After all, we can’t grow close all at once, can we?”

“Wise words.”

Such an unusually proactive attitude.

At this rate, their relationship might recover quickly. The thought made Yerpi smile brightly, already imagining that day.

Raymond gazed at her, almost spellbound. Yet, despite his dreamy eyes, he noticed Yerpi’s concern.

“Your Grace, are you feeling somewhat fatigued?”

“What?”

“The area around your eyes looks rather dark. The communion is in two days—may I check your condition early?”

Raymond often appeared with Dante, but recently he had been leaving the castle frequently.

When she happened to ask Johan, she heard there had been an issue in the Spring Territory.

‘Could he have expended a lot of energy?’

It worried her, but the only thing she could do was to examine and purify Raymond’s spirit during the communion.

He might have considered it an overstep. Yet, he calmly extended his hand.

“Yes.”

Does he trust me?

She found it strange that he so readily accepted every suggestion she made. Yet, she gladly took his outstretched hand.

‘That’s odd.’

Upon inspecting his spirit, she found no sign that he had used significant energy.

Could it be his body, not his mind, that was weary?

She worried he might have insomnia, but as these thoughts arose, the faintly tainted aura around him was fully purified.

“It’s done.”

She started to let go of his hand. But Raymond reached out again, stopping her.

“…Compared to that child, isn’t this too careless?”

“What?”

This level of impurity could be cleared simply by holding hands. More importantly, his fatigue seemed to stem from something else.

But who was “that child”?

His grip tightened slightly on her hand—but only for an instant.

“Nothing. A picnic. Yes. Fine. Outdoors.”

Muttering to himself, Raymond pulled away. Before Yerpi could fully grasp his meaning, he set a plan.

“The day after tomorrow would be best. I’ll send someone once the time is decided.”

With that, Raymond turned his back. Left standing there, Yerpi could only watch his retreating figure.

‘Could he be mocking me because he dislikes picnics?’

That didn’t seem likely.

And what did he mean by “compared to that child”?

She thought they had grown a little closer, yet he remained full of mysteries.

But these thoughts soon faded, chased away by the voice ringing in her mind.

[Yerpiii—!]

“Master, please wait!”

Behind Dante, who dashed across the grass, several distressed maids scrambled to catch up. Ignoring their calls, Dante spotted Yerpi and leapt straight into her arms.

[You left me behind! What were you doing with that man!]

“Dante, calm down. And don’t call His Grace ‘that man’.”

[Don’t care, don’t care! I hate Yerpi!]

He clawed at her chest, complaining like a jealous lover confronting a cheating partner.

No amount of soothing helped.

‘Could he have separation anxiety?’

Yerpi gave an apologetic glance to the maids, who stood nearby gasping for breath.

That entire day, Yerpi had to carry the child clinging to her the whole time.

Bedtime arrived.

Dante still showed no sign of wanting to leave her side, but as night fell, he seemed to calm down.

Lying in bed, Yerpi gently stroked Dante’s head and cautiously began speaking.

“Dante, earlier I spoke with His Grace…”

[I don’t want to hear it.]

Dante opened his eyes briefly, then curled up and pretended to cover his ears with his front paws.

Seeing this, Yerpi couldn’t help but sigh—just slightly. But Dante flinched, then cautiously peeked at her expression.

[…I wasn’t trying to ignore you. I just…]

To the young dragon, Yerpi’s quiet sigh seemed far more frightening than any terrifying adult dragon.

Trailing off, the child finally voiced his true feelings.

“Raymond hasn’t apologized to me.”

Yerpi’s eyes widened at this first real confession.

‘So that was it.’

The child didn’t hate Raymond. He simply resented the memory of his uncle not trusting him.

The young dragon, lowering his eyes, looked deeply sorrowful.

Yerpi gently stroked his small back.

“Perhaps he simply didn’t get the chance to talk with you?”

[…Do you think he’d even want to talk to me?]

Noticing Dante’s interest, Yerpi whispered kindly.

“Of course. Let’s give him the chance to apologize. His Grace wants to clear up the misunderstanding too—he even made plans.”

“Really? What plans?”

“The day after tomorrow, we’ll all go on a picnic together. Playing in a nearby garden might naturally lead to conversation.”

After a long pause, Dante quietly nodded.

‘Thank goodness.’

An opportunity had finally arisen to dissolve the lingering tension between them.

That night, Yerpi fell asleep with hopeful anticipation.

The next day, and the day before the appointment, passed the same way. On the morning of the picnic, a maid even tied a beautifully crafted mini cloak around her neck.

Arriving at the meeting spot, they found Raymond already standing there.

He glanced briefly at the young dragon in Yerpi’s arms and uttered just one short phrase.

“You’ve come.”

[…Ggggrrrrr.]