When Yezar was by my side, he always seemed mature. But before his mother, he resembled a child.

That sight was endearing to watch, and at the same time, I felt a twinge of envy. Perhaps this was what a close-knit family truly looked like.

As I watched the two bickering, a forgotten presence suddenly came to mind.

“By the way, where is Father?”

I should have asked earlier. I’d been swept up in the moment with Mother and hadn’t thought of it.

“Hmm. He said he was tired and went to rest his eyes briefly. He’ll probably be here soon, won’t he?”

“Having Father here too would make things noisy. Let him rest a while longer. I’ll greet the lady tomorrow.”

At Yezar’s reply, I quickly tried to say it was fine.

“Yezar, there’s really no need to—!”

But he cut me off firmly.

“Mother arrived without warning, so it’s better to properly prepare and welcome her tomorrow, Madam. And Mother, there are things you need to prepare too. Don’t go startling everyone.”

Then Mother glanced at me and Yezar in turn, and chuckled softly.

“Yes. Since I came without notice, it’s better we all have a meal together tomorrow and talk then. Rest well, my dear. See you tomorrow.”

With a cheerful farewell, Mother left. She seemed to be heading toward Father’s quarters. As soon as the door closed, Yezar sighed and apologized to me.

“I’m sorry, Madam. It must have been uncomfortable for you to be alone with Mother. I didn’t expect her to come while I was away at the palace.”

Certainly, a mother-in-law could be an awkward presence for a daughter-in-law. But perhaps because she was far more straightforward and refreshing than I’d imagined, it hadn’t been uncomfortable at all.

I’d even gotten to fully witness the secret of Yezar’s childhood… Then, a sudden thought occurred to me, and I cautiously asked Yezar.

“Yezar… Did you suggest talking tomorrow morning because you were worried I might feel uncomfortable around your mother?”

“Yes. Father and Mother are very informal with people, so I thought it might be overwhelming. But I also thought you’d feel pressured and still force a smile even if you were uncomfortable…”

Seeing the man flustered and struggling to explain, I couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

“Hehe.”

“Madam?”

Having a husband who steps forward to look out for me like this before I even feel uneasy… I realized I probably wouldn’t have to endure any in-law hardships.

“I wasn’t uncomfortable at all. In fact, I enjoyed it. Still, I’m grateful you thought of me first.”

“No, I should thank you, Madam, for welcoming Mother so well despite her sudden arrival.”

“I’m the one who should thank you. Mother even showed me those adorable pictures of you as a child.”

“Madam! Please, for the love of—just forget about that…”

His face flushed, clearly embarrassed. The Yezar I’d always seen as perfect now looked different. And rather than disappointing, it was endearing.

***

The next morning, I woke up with a start. Normally I’d rise much later, but today Mother and Father were here, so I’d tried my best to wake up as early as possible.

“Waking up early makes me drowsy. I stayed up late talking with Yezar last night, so there’s no helping it.”

Only after entering the bedroom did I hear about what had happened at the palace—something I hadn’t been able to ask about because of Mother’s arrival. As Yezar’s behavior changed from the way he used to gaze at Bertisha like a sunflower, the true nature of Bertisha, unnoticed by everyone until now, was finally revealed.

And Camileo had come to realize it too.

Camileo, infinitely kind to those within his boundaries but merciless beyond them, had struggled so helplessly when faced with love—avoiding the truth, denying it, then crumbling under its weight.

“Hard to believe. Love seems to change people in so many ways—and only makes things harder.”

I hadn’t particularly liked Camileo, but I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. Still, I had no intention of offering him comfort.

“Bertisha probably still doesn’t know how Camileo truly feels.”

How would Bertisha react when she realizes that even Camileo’s love, something she thought belonged to her, is slipping away? Would she blame me again and lash out?

“If so, I won’t hold back next time. I never want to see Yezar’s pained expression again as he stares at my bruised cheek.”

Truthfully, all of this began with Bertisha. Her greed had sown doubt in love, led to deception, and caused suffering for many. The protagonist of this world was no longer Bertisha.

If she still couldn’t accept that fact, then all that awaited her was a fall. She seemed to have already crossed halfway down that path, but I had no desire to stop her.

Rather than pulling the bell cord to summon the maids, I swiftly tied my hair and got ready, then headed out to see Yezar training at dawn.

Normally at this hour, I’d still be asleep. I wanted to surprise him and see the delighted smile on his face.

But at the training ground, I was met with an unexpected scene.

Yezar and Father were locked in a sword duel. The knights watched in awe.

“When the Duke was young, he always lost. Now, it’s the former Duke who can’t withstand his son’s strength.”

“Well, he is older now, so it’s inevitable. Still, his presence is formidable—chills run down my spine.”

And in the middle of the knights, Mother stood shaking her head and calling out.

“You! Stop pushing yourself just because you don’t want to lose to your son! You have a bad shoulder—don’t overexert yourself!”

Apparently displeased by her words, Father’s blade surged forward toward Yezar. The clash of steel rang out beautifully.

Though it was barely noticeable, Father seemed strained keeping up with Yezar’s sword, yet his technique remained excellent. I was watching the father-son sparring with keen interest.

Then Mother, noticing my arrival, happily called out.

“Oh! My dear, why are you up already? You should rest more. Aren’t you tired?”

At the same time, the match ended. An annoyed grumble followed.

“Getting old really takes its toll. Tsk.”

Father clicked his tongue, lowered his sword, and turned his gaze toward us.

“Let’s go have breakfast then—good heavens, is our daughter-in-law here to see me?”

His stern expression instantly melted into softness. The gentle look I’d seen on our wedding day was now directed at me.

I couldn’t help but smile. Of course, Mother quickly shooed Father away and pulled me tightly into her arms.

“What are you saying? She came to see me.”

“Garne, why else would our little bride wake up so early and come to the training ground? She came to see my face, of course!”

Caught unexpectedly between Father and Mother, I blinked in confusion.

Soon, their quarreling eyes turned toward me.

“Alright. Little bride, answer seriously. Who did you come to see?”

“My dear, obviously it was me, right?”

It was like the childhood question of “Do you like Mommy or Daddy more?”—I was utterly flustered. But under their insistent gazes, I hesitated, then carefully answered.

“My husband…”

At my reply, Yezar, who had been catching his breath behind me, stepped forward and pulled me into his arms. Looking triumphant, Yezar smiled contentedly.

“The Madam says she wanted to see me. Let’s stop arguing and go have breakfast. Mother, Father.”

As Yezar led me away, I couldn’t help but notice Mother and Father giving Yezar a sharp, almost menacing look. Surely it was just my imagination?

***

At the breakfast hall, I looked at the plates being pushed toward me.

“Have some of this too. You’re too thin.”

“No, eat this. It’ll make your bones strong.”

Beaming, Mother and Father kept offering me food. Unable to bear it any longer, Yezar intervened.

“That’s more than a person can eat. Mother, Father.”

“But son, just look at our little bride. She needs to be stronger.”

“Yes, she’s too skinny.”

Their gazes, scanning me back and forth, overflowed with affection. So I put the food they offered into my mouth and chewed slowly.

“Madam, please don’t push yourself.”

“No, I can finish it!”

Confidently declaring so, I began eating bite after bite. Yezar, alarmed, quickly tried to stop me—he must have realized I was eating far more than usual.

“That’s too much. Overeating isn’t good for you…!”

Even Mother and Father, who had been happily watching me eat, gradually began to gently restrain me.

“Sorry, dear. You can stop now. We only offered because you looked too thin.”

“Yes, little bride. Don’t eat more. Overeating isn’t good for the body.”

I smiled brightly at their words, chewed thoroughly, swallowed, and replied.

“Overeating isn’t good for the body. But you offered because you care about me, right? I was so touched by your kindness that the food just kept going down. So please, don’t worry!”

At my cheerful response, Mother and Father glanced at each other for a moment, then cleared their throats awkwardly.

“Still, don’t eat any more.”

“Yes, I don’t want to cause you worry. I’ll stop now.”

For some reason, after my reply, Mother and Father looked at me, then stepped forward and tightly held both of my hands. They didn’t say a word, but the warmth of their touch was comforting.