The sun outside the window was setting. I had been conversing and chatting with the ladies, and time had flown by so quickly. I was startled to see the sunset.

I had clearly been talking with Sina about the painter Cortina, when Yezar entered with the Duke of Wyden, naturally shifting our gathering toward where Marchioness Stemun and Duke Pireoa were playing chess.

We passed the time playing chess, until Sina and Berry mentioned their children were probably waiting, and began preparing to leave—that was when I glanced outside the window.

“Today was truly delightful. I wanted to show you my child, but they’re quite shy.”

Katrin, who had just returned from comforting her child, said with a gentle smile. A six-year-old child who shied away from strangers and stood timidly—just imagining it was adorable.

“It’s perfectly all right. I’m grateful you invited me today. I’m happy to feel closer to all of you ladies.”

The other ladies beamed and said they’d see each other again soon. I happily agreed. Soon, everyone quickly departed, likely concerned about their children waiting back at their estates.

Since I had no urgency, I bid them farewell and prepared to leave last. Just as I was about to board the carriage—

I noticed Katrin studying my hair.

“Julietta, are you truly all right about your hair? Ah, I feel so terribly guilty.”

“Don’t worry at all. Once I return to the Dukedom, I’ll ask the maids to trim it neatly for me.”

When I replied with a smile, Katrin paused in thought, then spoke.

“Julietta, could you tilt your head toward me for just a moment?”

Not knowing what she intended, I followed her request. She then carefully removed a hairpin she was wearing and gently fastened it into my hair.

“Katrin?”

“Your cut hair was hanging loosely. Here—take this. It suits you well.”

“You really don’t need to give me something like this.”

As I tried to return it, she stopped me.

“Please don’t say that. I can clearly imagine how heartbroken the maids would be when they see Julietta’s hair. And you’re newly married—this is exactly the time you’d want to look your most beautiful.”

Katrin’s gaze shifted toward Yezar standing behind me.

“If it were me, I’d be upset. So please, wear it.”

Hearing her say that, I couldn’t refuse any longer. I gently touched the hairpin. My hair had been unevenly cut, and with the breeze, strands had been drifting into my field of vision.

“Katrin is so thoughtful. Paying attention to such a small detail.”

“Yes, I’ll accept it gratefully. Thank you, Katrin.”

She smiled brightly, then suddenly stomped hard on the Duke of Wyden’s foot beside her.

“Your Grace, please take care on your way home. Next time, I’ll be more careful.”

Only then did her foot quietly return to its place, seemingly satisfied. I couldn’t help but laugh. They were such an amusing couple.

“Yes. Let’s spar again next time, Your Grace. For now, I’ll be off with my husband.”

I hurried toward Yezar, who was waiting, and naturally linked arms with him.

“Did you witness anything entertaining?”

“Yes. The Duke of Wyden is utterly powerless against Katrin. But the way they look at each other is so affectionate—it was lovely.”

“I’m glad you can relax and laugh here.”

He seemed concerned, recalling the unpleasant incident I’d experienced at Marchioness Yekert’s tea gathering.

“Well, partly because everyone here is kind, and also because Yezar is by my side. There’s no reason not to smile, is there?”

Because the person who always offers me warmth and comfort is right beside me—that’s why I could laugh even more. The sunset painting the sky was as red as Yezar’s cheeks right now.

***

After happily meeting the ladies and returning to the Dukedom, I was met with the pale, horrified expressions of maids staring at my cut hair.

“My lady! Wh-what happened?!”

They stammered, utterly shaken. Now I understood why Katrin had been so worried.

“I see. A noblewoman’s hair must be very precious indeed.”

Perhaps because I’d lived in seclusion for so long, I hadn’t realized hair carried such significance.

“I was sparring with the Duke of Wyden and it got cleanly sliced off. But if we trim it nicely, won’t it be fine?”

At my words, the maids fell silent, half-dazed as if their spirits had fled.

“Ah… was that not the right thing to say…?”

I was promptly detained and subjected to a long lecture from the maids before being forcibly seated for a haircut. Even as they trimmed my hair, they couldn’t stop whimpering—the sound was almost deafening.

“I’m fine, but seeing their reaction… I feel a bit guilty. I should apologize later.”

Yet after finishing my haircut, the maids claimed they needed emotional recovery and immediately left, barely performing even basic duties. The room shifted from a scene of sobbing to eerie silence, leaving me disoriented. The one whose hair was cut was perfectly fine, while everyone around her was utterly devastated.

Still, with the quiet restored, I proceeded with what I’d planned to do immediately upon returning.

“I should write a letter to Felanne. An angry letter.”

This incident made it clear that I needed to reinforce her silence. As I wrote the letter, I suddenly set down my quill.

Actually, going to see her in person might be more satisfying. It wasn’t yet completely dark, and Yezar wouldn’t stop me from stepping out briefly. It was about time I was allowed some freedom.

And then I was caught.

“Where exactly are you heading, my lady?”

Goosebumps rose on my skin. His voice, usually so pleasant to hear, now sounded like a scene from a horror film. I stammered nervously.

“Well… I was just thinking of going to see Felanne…”

“At this hour?”

“It’s not even fully dark yet! And I wasn’t planning to climb over any walls!”

“So you were planning to sneak out through the front gate?”

“Heheh…”

“That laugh won’t work. You agreed to seek my permission, didn’t you?”

That was true. I definitely had. But I’d thought he might not grant it, so I considered sneaking out anyway.

“Then… could I get permission now?”

He firmly shook his head. If Yezar said no, then it was no. I gave up cleanly and instead tied the angry letter to a messenger hawk, sending it off.

After all, I was the one who broke the promise. There was no excuse. After sending the hawk, I collapsed onto the bed. Yezar watched me silently.

“Now I won’t go out. You don’t need to watch me like this.”

“It’s not watching. I finished my work early because I wanted to spend more time talking with you, so I came to the bedroom.”

Wait—did that mean I had just tried to leave, abandoning a husband who had intentionally finished early to spend time with me?

“Do you dislike being with me? You keep wanting to go meet the head of Felanne Trading House.”

His eyes drooped sadly. Instinctively, I felt guilty and blurted out.

“No! Of course not! It’s just… Felanne made a mistake, and I wanted to scold her properly. I was worried it wouldn’t come across strongly enough in a letter.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! How could I ever dislike being with Yezar?!”

Clutching both fists tightly as I pleaded, his expression finally softened. Relieved, I patted the spot beside me.

“Sit here and talk with me, Yezar. What should we talk about today?”

“How about telling me about today’s sparring? I’d like to hear how it felt using real blades—I’d like to take it into consideration.”

It was unlike him, always concerned for my safety. Overjoyed, I tightly grabbed his hand and shook it excitedly.

“Yezar, really?! Then… will you use real blades when sparring with me?”

“It will be dangerous, but if that’s what you wish, I will.”

I’d expected an immediate refusal. Now that he’d agreed, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d done something wrong.

“Um… Yezar, are you perhaps angry with me?”

“I’m not angry. I did hesitate, but there are things that simply can’t be learned without real blades. Watching your swordsmanship, I found myself captivated without realizing it.”

“T-that’s an honor! I thought you were just saying nice things so I wouldn’t be disappointed.”

The Duke of Wyden had also said I had talent in swordsmanship. Now, I could believe such praise was genuine.

“You truly have talent. You apply what you learn with frightening precision. Didn’t you keep up with the Duke of Wyden’s movements during sparring?”

“Yes… I got completely absorbed. Seeing such a beautiful arc traced by the blade, I instinctively predicted where the next strike would come from.”

“That’s the essence of sparring. But Julietta, as the Duke of Wyden warned, don’t recklessly throw yourself into danger. A single misjudgment can lead to an irreversible injury.”

Yezar’s expression was utterly serious. He was a knight who willingly risked his life with every swing of his sword.

It was only natural for him to warn me. On a battlefield where lives could shatter in an instant, my actions might defeat the enemy before me, but leave me vulnerable to the next attack.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be careful.”

“That’s all I ask. I never want to see you get hurt. It would break my heart.”

His fingers gently brushed over my cut hair. Even though the maids had trimmed it neatly, the uneven length stood out against the rest.

I suddenly felt embarrassed. Only now did I understand Katrin’s words. Even if he didn’t find my hair ridiculous, uneven strands simply weren’t beautiful.

“Does… the cut hair bother you?”

“Not at all. Even if your hair is slightly cut, you’re still as beautiful as ever.”

At his words, a shy, delighted smile spread across my face.