Olivia entered the grand gate of the Duke’s mansion. It seemed like she could feel Jade’s gaze from behind, but Olivia just walked on. At the entrance to the garden, in front of the carriage, the Duke was standing.

They had locked eyes with the Duke, who had been gazing at the gate. The somber atmosphere quickly dissipated. The Duke blinked and smiled.

“Did you drive them away well?”

Olivia smiled faintly.

“It seems so.”

“Weren’t you overwhelmed by driving them away?”

A very ambiguous statement. Was he asking if it was physically exhausting or if it was emotionally taxing?

His eyes, which seemed to be searching for something, looked worried. As if he was looking at a sick patient, like he did a few days ago when she was bedridden. Olivia deliberately walked lightly.

“Definitely not.”

Except for the fact that the envelope she was holding had crumpled from the force in her hand. She was oddly calm.

She knew the reason better than anyone.

“Now, it seems like we are going to have a family.”

Family.

It was an impulsive statement, but she didn’t think it was wrong. Rather, she thought it was the most appropriate word.

Because now, she was truly going to be married to the Duke.

A word that had only seemed heavy was somehow ticklish. Olivia glanced at the Duke. His eyes, which were looking at her, narrowed and curved.

That affectionate gaze made Olivia slowly part her lips.

“Eh, Edwin.”

Her soft voice spread over the cool night air and disappeared, like spring light. The name itself was elongated and solid, resembling that tall man. Olivia called the Duke’s name again.

“Edwin.”

It was awkward at first, but easier the next time. Even the way her lips curved up at the end of the last syllable was pleasing. Like always filled with joy, she found herself smiling when calling his name.

Olivia turned to share this strange insight, but Edwin was gone.

What?

Olivia turned around and found Edwin three steps behind her. He was standing still, as if he had frozen midwalk.

“Why are you like that, Edwin?”

Edwin slowly blinked, his eyes focusing as if waking from a dream. As Olivia tilted her head, Edwin’s face turned bright red. Edwin raised his arm to cover his face.

“No, I just. Didn’t think you would really call me that.”

Like a broken machine, his words were stuttering. Olivia chuckled in vain. Edwin avoided her eyes, looking embarrassed. Somehow, it made her feel even more mortified.

“I just, His Highness told me to call him by his name.”

“Ke, keep calling me that. It sounds better.”

He spoke well without making eye contact, but Olivia also felt stiff with embarrassment.

Is the night supposed to be this hot?

Olivia fanned her burning cheeks. The tepid wind tickled her cheeks. Or perhaps, it was tickling her heart.

When Olivia took the first step, Edwin walked beside her. Their two elongated shadows walked awkwardly, as if sewn together.

“Are you going to walk here?”

A coarse voice rang out again. Olivia’s eyes widened as she looked to the side.

Good heavens. She had completely forgotten about the large carriage.

The large brown horse by the carriage blinked its gentle eyes, looking at Olivia.

The coachman seated on the coach surveyed the garden with a puzzled face.

“It takes more than 10 minutes even by carriage. Shall I go first?”

The coachman asked cheerfully without tact. Her face felt like it was blushing again. Olivia quickly ran towards the carriage, saying,

“I want to ride.”

“What about Your Highness?”

“……I want to walk. It’s hot.”

Edwin replied in a low, subdued voice, then slowly came to the carriage and simply closed the door.

The coachman tilted his head as if he had figured something out and nodded with satisfaction.

Indeed, a great knight seems to be practicing physical training regularly.

The coachman raised his thumb towards Edwin with a proud face, and lightly shook the reins. The horse that had been blinking its large eyes started to walk again.

Inside the carriage, Olivia was glued to the window. She was curious about the Duke’s face.

“…What?”

She continued to be curious about why it was red.

Olivia muttered in a disappointed voice. He had purposely turned his back to me, so I couldn’t see his face. After looking at his broad back, Olivia sat straight in the carriage.

After all, it was a face that I would continue to see later. Olivia began to practice calling his name. Even if Edwin’s face turns red, I will not be affected.

Edwin, Edwin.

It’s a really nice name. The corners of my mouth rise every time I call it.

Before Olivia knew it, she was smiling brightly. Thoughts of Jade that had remained in a corner of her mind also silently flew away.

.

.

.

Looking at the slowly moving carriage, Edwin washed his face again. The face that touched his palm was feverishly hot.

The throbbing heartbeat felt like it would burst through his palm. Edwin clenched his fist.

I knew it would be good. But I didn’t know it would be this good.

“…I must have looked foolish.”