How could I possibly kiss him in front of others? Even now, when it’s just the two of us, my face is already this flushed.

“But even so, when it’s just us, I can muster some courage. I’ll try my best. Just like Yezar tries for me!”

Hiding my selfish intentions, I made an excuse. I said this was just to ensure our relationship wouldn’t be questioned.

But the question he asked next left me utterly flustered.

“Are you saying, my lady, that you’ll make an effort when no one else is around?”

When no one else is around… Does that mean I just suggested we kiss in private?

Uh… Did I just say something outrageous?

“No, no! I mean, that’s technically what I said, but I didn’t mean it like I want to touch Yezar all over in private or anything! I, I mean…”

Flustered, my words came out in a jumble. Kissing in front of everyone would just be… too embarrassing, that’s all I meant.

Besides, my innocent contract husband was earnestly trying for me, oblivious to my scheming heart. How could I shamelessly back out now?

“So, it’s just that you’re embarrassed? About kissing me in front of others?”

“It’s partly embarrassment and partly unfamiliarity… But I know it’s unnatural to keep blushing like this, so I want to try in my own way.”

Clenching my fists, I showed him my determination. Then he patted my head. I didn’t understand why he suddenly did that and called out to him.

“Yezar?”

He quickly pulled his hand back and apologized to me.

“Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. It’s just that you looked so cute, my lady.”

Trying to calm my suddenly racing heart, I said to him,

“We agreed in our marriage rules not to say things like that.”

“We also said to be flexible, didn’t we?”

Oh. Now that he mentioned it, I recalled what he had said.

“…If we respect each other’s intentions, how about we adjust the rules so we don’t cling too tightly to them?”

He had a point, and I had no comeback. He said we shouldn’t be too bound by the marriage rules and just respect each other.

“That’s true.”

“Yes, it seems you’ve remembered now, my cute lady.”

Not once, but twice, he called me cute. His teasing intent was all too clear. Somehow, it made him seem cheeky.

I was flustered by his every action, while he was relatively relaxed, smiling.

I could see the flush on his face had mostly faded. Unlike me, who was getting redder by the moment.

I pressed the back of my hand to my cheek, trying to cool down, when he asked me,

“So, my lady, how do you want to make an effort?”

How do I want to make an effort? I thought for a moment before answering.

“Well, since everything is new for us, I think it’s better to take it slow. Whether it’s the formal contact we need to show or anything else.”

We were as awkward as newlyweds, after all. If we tried to tackle something big recklessly, my mind would short-circuit.

Like how I kept recalling that night I kissed him all day long.

“Little by little, slowly. Yes, I think that’s good too.”

“And you shouldn’t laugh if the other is clumsy. Or tease them. Like just now.”

At my request, he laughed, his shoulders shaking. I was being serious, so what was so funny?

I shot him a sulky look, and he noticed, apologizing.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I keep laughing. And I wouldn’t tease you, my lady. You’re already trying hard enough.”

“Then why did you keep saying I’m cute?”

What if I start harboring vain hopes because he says things like that? The world is full of women who melt at a handsome man’s compliments.

“Is it wrong to think you look cute, my lady?”

He laughed again. His laughter, unbroken since earlier, lingered in his voice.

“It’s not exactly wrong… but saying things like that isn’t good.”

“Why isn’t it good? When your brother comes tomorrow, we’ll have to whisper sweetly like this.”

That was no different from declaring he’d call me cute in front of Weaslet and act all lovey-dovey. Would he only be satisfied when my face turned tomato-red?

Yezar is so calm. Why am I the only one burning up, impatient, and constantly drawn to his lips?

“Julietta?”

My gaze locked onto his lips again as he called my name. Ugh, I was hopeless. This was practically an incurable disease.

“…Yezar, let’s move up tomorrow’s contact to today. Since Weaslet is coming tomorrow, as you said, it’ll be hard to practice then.”

“What? My lady, what did you just say?”

“I said let’s do it today. After that, I’ll tell you the rest of my efforts. We’re still in the middle of our conversation, right?”

At that, Yezar took a step back. But then he stepped forward again. It seemed he’d instinctively retreated. Unfortunately, I had no intention of stopping.

“Are you running away? Why? Let’s do it one more time.”

“My lady, I think you should calm down.”

“I’m perfectly rational. First, I think practicing to get closer to you now, then talking about my next efforts, is the better approach.”

Why does he keep teasing me with that laugh? If I get closer, my face will turn endlessly red.

“I think this is enough for today.”

“If you escape today, I’ll chase you down and catch you. Having caught you once, the second time will be easy.”

Realizing I was serious, he stammered.

“I-I’m not escaping.”

“Really? Then why isn’t the distance between us closing?”

When I took a step forward, he took a step back. This wasn’t a game of tag.

I leaped toward him quickly, like when I aimed a sword at him, trying to grab him. But the moment I rushed into his arms, my balance faltered. His body collapsed onto the soft grass with a thud.

I pinned his arms down with my hands to keep him from escaping. Somehow, I ended up straddling him.

“My lady, please don’t do this.”

His pleading voice was tinged with emotion. Under the warm sunlight, I could see his eyes reddening in real-time.

Anyone watching would think I was about to devour him.

“Now your face is as red as mine. I like it.”

“You’re really too much, my lady…”

Uncharacteristically, he grumbled, trailing off. But I had plenty to say too.

“Exactly. If you hadn’t prepared to run, this wouldn’t have happened. You tease me, but when I get close, you’re the one running?”

“But when you approach so boldly, my lady, I… I don’t know what to do. You’re really unaware of yourself.”

Unaware? Who’s he to say that? I was strolling in the garden to forget what happened that night.

But he showed up, bursting the greed I’d suppressed so carefully.

I casually replied to the man avoiding my gaze.

“Just close your eyes.”

“That’s what you said at the wedding.”

“You remember that?”

“Even if it’s just for show, swear your love and close your eyes.”

I vaguely recalled saying that.

“I remember. It was our wedding, even if it was a contract. How could I forget…?”

I finally got his face to flush, but now mine was burning. His mouth was the problem.

Spouting such sweet words, making my heart race on its own.

“Honestly, I forgot. Thanks for remembering. It’s our first marriage, after all. Forgetting a special day wouldn’t do.”

I admitted I’d been thoughtless about this.

“Then, if you’d get off me…”

I wasn’t quite generous enough to grant his earnest request.

“No way.”

I slowly pressed my hands to his chest and lowered my head. My wavy red hair cascaded softly beside his face.

It hadn’t even been a year, just a few months. Why were my emotions so much more intense than back then?

I kissed the cheek of the man whose eyes were tightly shut. Then his eyes opened.

“I told you to close your eyes. Why did you open them?”

“Well, it wasn’t my lips but my cheek…”

“I never said I’d kiss your lips. Besides, you kissed my cheek too, Yezar. So this counts as practice, right?”

Why was he the one flustered? It’s not like he’s disappointed I didn’t kiss his lips.

“Yes… I suppose so.”

His voice sounded weak. I loosened my grip on his arms, preparing to get up.

If someone saw us like this, they might seriously misunderstand.

“Well, that’s unlikely, right? There are hardly any servants around the garden.”

Just then, a dull thud came from nearby. Turning my head, I saw a man in dirt-covered work clothes standing there. Beside him was a pair of gardening shears that had fallen.

Oh, right. There was a servant. The gardener who tends the garden.

“P-please, continue what you were doing. I-I didn’t see anything, my lady.”