“Then let’s go to the bedroom today to talk. Understood?”

“Talking with you, my lady, is fine anywhere.”

His brightly smiling face melted away all negative emotions. Seeing his cheerful heartbeat and slightly flushed face, I lowered the hand that had been patting his back.

“…Is it also fine to talk while holding me like this? You’re not letting go.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Realizing he was still holding me tightly, he slightly loosened his grip. But when I tried to pull away, his arms wrapped around me again.

“Yezar?”

“If I said I wanted to stay like this a bit longer, would you mind?”

I shook my head. Today, he probably needed someone’s embrace. I also wanted to keep whispering to him that he did well, so he wouldn’t feel sad.

“It’s fine. Just let me adjust my position.”

It was just that the position was uncomfortable. Staying like this would definitely cramp my legs. Then he lifted me up and sat me on his lap.

I wasn’t facing him but looking to his side. This position was definitely more comfortable for my legs.

“Is it less uncomfortable now?”

His breath tickled my ear. Before I knew it, his arms were wrapped around my waist.

“Yes… the position is more comfortable now.”

My heart, however, was not. His face was so close that my heart was racing. Soon, he gently kissed my cheek.

“Yezar… why my cheek…?”

“It’s just warm.”

His body temperature seemed higher than mine. Still, since he was smiling happily, I thought it might be okay to let it slide this time.

‘At this rate, kissing my cheek might become as familiar as holding hands.’

Even though getting used to such affection wouldn’t do me any good, I didn’t stop his lips from landing on my cheek again.

But when I later realized that the “little while” Yezar mentioned lasted until we reached the ducal estate, I felt an odd sense of being tricked by him.

Two months had passed since the banquet. While handling the now-familiar duties of the duchess, I noticed an item that had arrived for me.

“What’s this?”

Untying the ribbon on the beautifully wrapped box, I found a painting inside. The delicate brushstrokes and unique light expression told me it was a work by the painter Cortina.

“Pelanne, you sent it so quickly.”

I thought Weaslet was supposed to give it to me before visiting the ducal estate. But considering her busy life, I was glad it arrived even now.

I glanced out the window. The once-clear sky was now covered with dark clouds.

‘Truly summer. A rainy summer…’

I didn’t like rain, but with Yezar by my side during those times, it wasn’t as bad as before. I stood up, holding the painting, and headed to Yezar’s study to show it to him.

I also needed to discuss where to hang it in the ducal estate. When I knocked on his study door, an aide opened it.

“Oh, it’s the lady. Your Grace, the lady is here.”

The sound of a quill scratching stopped, and soon he was standing in front of me.

“What is it, my lady?”

The aide, now used to his master’s puppy-like reaction to me, tactfully turned away.

“I received a painting by the painter Cortina as a gift! I was wondering where to hang it. And I wanted to show it to you.”

I held the painting up for him to see clearly, and he admired it. This painting by Cortina depicted a moment in winter.

“It’s a beautiful painting. I didn’t know winter could be expressed so uniquely.”

“Yes. Isn’t it amazing how it captures such warmth even in a cold winter? I want to hang it somewhere prominent.”

“How about the reception room? The wall there is empty, and I was thinking about what to put up.”

The reception room would be visible to guests. It’d be nice to show it to Sina, Katrin, and Berry when I invite them to the estate. Especially Sina, who’d probably smile with joy.

“That’s a good idea. Which reception room?”

The ducal estate was so large it had several reception rooms. He answered,

“I’ll show you where. Let’s go, my lady.”

He was probably in the middle of work. But since it’s just for a moment, it must be fine, or he wouldn’t have suggested it.

“Yes, Yezar!”

On the second-floor reception room wall, he and I tried the painting in different spots and decided on the perfect place. Just then, the sound of rain tapping the window reached us.

It must be summer. The sound of rain was becoming more frequent. Then he pulled me into his arms.

“Are you alright, my lady?”

“Yes, I’m fine when you’re by my side, Yezar.”

On rainy days, I didn’t like being alone. But with him, leaning into his embrace, there was no room for dislike.

“Good. But haven’t we forgotten something today because we were busy?”

Oh, right. We were both caught up with work today. I quickly pulled his face toward mine. As always, he was so tall.

“Yezar, please lower your head a bit.”

I said, putting my arms around his shoulders. His arms naturally wrapped around me as his head lowered. Our lips met softly, parted, and met again, sharing breaths a few times.

“Haa…”

Struggling to breathe, I exhaled, and he pressed his lips to mine, breathing into me. The biggest change over the past two months was this.

Kissing him had become as routine as a morning greeting. What started as shy first attempts, repeated dozens of times, now only slightly flushed my face without making my heart feel like it would burst.

“Sorry. I’m not scared anymore.”

“It’s alright, my lady.”

He kissed the tip of my chin, and my eyes trembled. This was entirely my fault. On a thundering night before, I had pulled him close, asking for his embrace, trembling uncontrollably even in his arms.

Then he kissed me. The shared breath and warmth of his touch stopped my trembling. It became so familiar that on rainy days, kissing him felt like part of the routine.

‘Who would’ve thought my prediction two months ago would come true.’

The difference was that kissing on the lips had become more familiar than kissing on the cheek. When his lips slid from my chin to my pale neckline, my body shivered.

“Y-Yezar! Not there, please…”

Sometimes, for reasons I didn’t understand, his lips lingered on my neckline. Even though kissing was familiar, my neck felt strangely sensitive. He pulled his lips away and hugged me tightly. The spot where his lips had been tickled.

“It’s because of the rain.”

“I said I’m fine with you by my side, Yezar. Oh, Yezar.”

“Why do you call me, my lady?”

“Marchioness Stemun gave me two invitations to the painter Cortina’s exhibition. She said it’s held when it’s hot. It’s probably happening soon.”

It wouldn’t be long before the greenery deepened and the sun grew harsher.

“So, Yezar, how about we go see the paintings and have a date…?”

Couples make time for dates. My words shouldn’t sound awkward. To do our best as a contract couple, we should live like other happy couples.

But waiting for his response, I felt terribly anxious. The soft sound of rain irritated my ears, and the darker-than-usual surroundings unsettled me.

Yet his gentle voice made it all vanish in an instant.

“That sounds good, my lady.”

Behind him, it was as if a light had turned on. He alone shone for me.

I smiled brightly and replied,

“Yes, Yezar!”

Time passed quickly, and our relationship had deepened compared to before. But I found it strange that Bertisha, whom I thought would send the invitations, hadn’t contacted me in nearly two months.

It was odd.

Even knowing Yezar no longer paid much attention to Bertisha, I felt uneasy because I knew she wasn’t the type to stay quiet.

Soon, I learned why Bertisha hadn’t contacted me. News of her pregnancy flooded the papers.

The next day, I read the front-page article in the imperial newspaper about Bertisha’s pregnancy. It said she was eight weeks along.

‘No wonder it was quiet. She’s carrying Camileo’s child.’

I had a feeling news would come soon. There were brief mentions in short epilogues about their loving moments and their adorable child.

She probably couldn’t meet people often due to needing rest during her pregnancy. Sending me invitations didn’t make sense.

‘It’s a relief she’s not scheming something.’

With her sharp mind, Bertisha navigated the challenges before her. Conversely, it meant she was adept at seeing through and crafting schemes.

If I fell into her perfectly laid trap, I’d just be a pawn moving as she wished on her chessboard.

‘Still, a new life is something to be blessed.’

As the empress, Bertisha had the solid support of the commoners, and some towns were in a festive mood.

‘A child…’

Since I wouldn’t do such things with him, I wouldn’t have a child, but I couldn’t help imagining it. A child whose tiny hands would reflexively grab my finger. A child toddling after Yezar and me. A precious being, one of a kind, resembling both him and me.

I had never thought about wanting a child before. But being with him made me want so many things. As I folded the newspaper, lost in thought, I noticed a letter addressed to me. The sender was Bertisha.