As Yezar appeared, my hand was immediately freed.

‘Thank goodness. I was worried because there was no sign he’d let go.’

“I’m s-sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it…….”

“If you didn’t mean anything, then what were you doing? Holding my wife’s hand so tightly. I thought you were doing it on purpose. But of course, that must’ve been my mistake.”

Though he spoke with a smile, an eerie chill emanated from him. Sensing that killing intent, the man named Corden broke into a cold sweat and shouted.

“I’ll be taking my leave now!”

And with those words, Corden fled far into the distance. I was surprised he could run so fast through the crowd.

I wondered why someone so fearful had dared to approach me in the first place. As soon as Corden disappeared, Yezar dropped his menacing aura and smiled at me.

Then, he took the hand Corden had held and asked me.

“Madam, would you care to step out onto the balcony with me for a moment?”

“The balcony?”

So many people were desperate to exchange even a single word with him. Could he really leave with me like this? The Emperor might appear at any moment.

It was nice not having to face Bertisha, but if the Duke wasn’t present to pay proper respects when the Emperor arrived, rumors would inevitably spread.

As I hesitated, a familiar voice reached me from behind.

“Julietta. Are you there?”

“Father, Julietta is over there. Next to Duke Ferhaem.”

“Hey, Julietta! You actually showed up today without skipping!”

The men of the Orbetian family had gathered together, waving their hands. I really didn’t want to meet them in this state.

After that day, after receiving such comfort, I’d grown tired of pretending to be fine. Like a cornered mouse, I accepted his proposal.

“All right. Let’s go to the balcony quickly.”

Then, with a gentle smile, he led me away.

“Yes, Madam.”

***

Click. I heard the sound of him closing the door and drawing the curtains. Catching my breath for a moment, I asked him.

“Won’t your family follow us?”

“No. Drawing the curtains also signals that we wish to be alone. They won’t come in recklessly.”

“That’s a relief.”

Oh, truly a relief. If I’d been prepared, maybe it would’ve been different. But in that chaotic moment, I didn’t think I could face my family and laugh casually.

Even if Weaslet were one thing, I no longer knew what to say to Father or my eldest brother……

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. It’s just the two of us here.”

Ah, now that I thought about it, I’d been holding Yezar’s hand the entire time we rushed to the balcony. My palms might be sweaty, so I quietly tried to pull my hand away.

But he didn’t let go. Lifting my head to look at him, I saw a trace of sadness in his eyes. Could it be the Emperor had entered while we were coming here? Was that why he looked like this after seeing Bertisha?

As I worried about how to calm his heart,

his face drew closer. His shimmering blue eyes captivated my gaze.

“I asked you to look at no one but me. It pains me to see you meeting another man’s eyes.”

So the reason he looked sad was because of me?

“You were sad because of me?”

“Could there be any other reason? That man, Byron Corden, rudely held my wife’s hand and locked eyes with her. And you smiled back at him.”

Seeing him gazing at me with such sorrowful, reddened eyes, I instinctively apologized.

“I was wrong…….”

I was the criminal here. How could I have made him look so sorrowful at this gathering? Seeing such a delicate, tearful beauty made my heart ache.

“But I didn’t smile because I liked him. You’re so at ease in events like this and in high society. I brought you here, asking you to trust me, but I myself have no social grace, so I was nervous. I smiled only to avoid burdening you. If that upset you, I apologize once more.”

What was I thinking, dragging him here without any experience in society? Recalling my recklessness, my face flushed involuntarily.

At that moment, he intertwined his fingers with mine, lacing them together. He smiled like a soft spring breeze.

“I’m the one who should apologize. I suppose I was angry just thinking that such a rude man had seen you smile.”

“You were angry?”

“Yes. I love seeing you smile. It’s like a bright sun, always bringing me peace.”

Certainly, no one else could overhear our conversation. There was no need to say such affectionate things just to put on a show.

Since Weaslet’s visit, his awkwardly tender words had become surprisingly natural. It was truly bad for my heart.

“Therefore, your mere presence by my side gives me strength and support. The reason I could calmly face all those nobles rushing at me today was because of you, who always promises to stand by me.”

“Even if you say such kind things…… I’m the one who’s grateful. You protected me, driving away that man Corden who dared to be so rude to me.”

If it weren’t for him, I’d have had to keep enduring that unpleasant conversation.

“It’s fine to hold hands with Yezar, but others make me uncomfortable. It felt burdensome when they kept holding my hand and coming too close.”

Now, holding Yezar’s hand felt completely natural. At first, I’d been careful not to touch him more than necessary, worried he might dislike it.

“How should I interpret that statement?”

“In what way?” His voice was oddly cautious, as if afraid something might shatter if touched. He observed my every move, seeking my intent.

The closeness between us, our hands intertwined, brought a sudden realization.

“Exactly as it sounds. Unlike others, holding Yezar’s hand now feels natural. Other things still feel awkward…… So clearly, our efforts have borne fruit!”

Saying it was the result of effort was somewhat accurate. But even if you tried hard to hold the hand of someone you disliked, discomfort would remain.

Therefore, the fact that holding his hand felt neither burdensome nor awkward probably meant I had feelings for him.

A truth I’d never admit to Yezar.

“Effort……. I suppose one could see it that way.”

“Yes. Isn’t that right?”

I smiled, gently shaking our interlaced hands, and he smiled back at me.

“But shouldn’t we start heading back to the ballroom soon? If you’re not there when His Majesty the Emperor arrives, the gossips will have a field day.”

“We do need to return, but before that, there’s something I’d like to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not good at acting.”

“What?”

What strange thing was he saying? Well, he was naturally an honest man who disliked falsehoods. Of course he’d be bad at acting, which required fabricating everything.

Still, he perfectly fulfilled every duty of an ideal husband—even as he had earlier in front of the Marchioness Stemun.

“The color of the gem on your necklace, the brooch—I was the one who chose it.”

What? So that wasn’t acting?

“Really? I thought you said that because Yezar is where all the nobles pass by. To make our newlywed status obvious!”

I’d been newly impressed by his acting, but—

“Of course, I followed the steward’s advice completely when deciding on the dress code. But for accessories, I wanted something that carried your essence.”

Earlier, I’d only admired his shy response. Now realizing he’d actually been embarrassed while speaking the truth, the tips of my ears turned red.

He should’ve just told me earlier. I hadn’t known anything.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well, wouldn’t it be embarrassing? And I thought you might not want such things…… So I kept it a secret.”

Was it because our fingers were laced together? I could feel his fingers gently stroking the back of my hand. Why did he keep trying so hard to play the perfect husband?

“There’s no way that could happen! If you’d told me, I would’ve had a gem crafted in a color matching your eye shade and worn it today!”

“You would’ve?”

“Yes. Why do you keep trying to be the only one playing the ideal husband? Please let me act as the Duchess, as Yezar’s wife, in an ideal way too.”

I boldly claimed my right. Then he curled the corners of his eyes and asked me.

“I thought I’d be the devoted husband loving you alone. But you’re saying you don’t want that?”

“Yes, I don’t want that. I want to give back as much as I’ve received from Yezar.”

“That’s dangerous. What if I give you so much you can’t possibly bear it?”

If it was something I couldn’t bear, did he mean alimony? If the alimony I received for failing as a proper wife was beyond my capacity to bear……

“It’s fine. I’ll stay by Yezar’s side as a loving wife, doing my best so that won’t happen. I strictly uphold my contracts, after all.”

The irony was that while upholding the contract so meticulously, I’d grown close—and accidentally developed feelings along the way.