My ears didn’t deceive me. Yezar was saying he liked me. For a moment, I couldn’t grasp the situation.

I had watched him struggle with love by his side. Then, seeing him rise as if nothing happened, I thought it was time for him to find true love and be happy, that I was just an obstacle, and that’s why I mentioned divorce.

My mouth moved on its own.

“Since when…?”

“Like being soaked by spring rain, at some point, I found myself captivated by you, my lady. You’ve colored my heart.”

My face flushed instinctively. My heart pounded as if it might burst. How could he say such lines without even a change in his expression?

‘But does that mean I no longer have to leave this place for his sake?’

To think I could stay by the side of those who care for me, talk with him like this, spar with him, and spend time together. I felt the emptiness inside me scatter in an instant.

‘Yezar isn’t the type to lie or joke about something like this. It’s okay to believe him, right?’

The situation was so surreal that I carefully chose my words to avoid saying something foolish.

I wanted to say I felt the same, that I liked him too. But my lips wouldn’t part easily.

It was a feeling I’d kept hidden from him for so long. Still unable to believe this moment, I couldn’t muster the courage. Then, he took my hand.

“I’m sorry, my lady. Even knowing this is a contract marriage, I couldn’t help but develop feelings for you.”

His blue eyes were calm and deep. Looking into them, it felt like I could see straight into his heart.

Regret, sadness, longing, and yearning. At the very bottom of those emotions, there was undoubtedly a sweet affection. Now I understood why Yezar was so reluctant to divorce. Because he liked me. It was as if he was saying he didn’t want to part.

“People’s hearts can’t be helped, can they?”

Yes. Just as I was drawn to him, this was inevitable. There was still much to discuss with Yezar, but for now, I should properly convey my feelings, right?

Maybe we’ve been missing each other all along. With the anticipation that I could finally say the words that had risen to my throat, I smiled brightly.

He wrapped my wrist with a soft handkerchief.

“Yes. So I’ll try to tempt you to fall for me, my lady.”

“What?”

Temptation isn’t necessary… And why is this handkerchief wrapped so tightly around my wrist?

“And for the time being, you’re forbidden from going out, my lady.”

“Forbidden from going out…?”

“Until this contract marriage ends, you must fall for my temptation. Don’t you think spending as much time together as possible will build affection?”

“That’s true, but such a rough method isn’t necessary…!”

“If I leave things as they are, you’ll run away, won’t you? Saying I’ve developed unnecessary feelings in this contract marriage. Cruel lady…”

His voice was filled with disappointment. Had I ever been cruel to him? And running away?

Of course, if there was a time when I didn’t have even a speck of feelings for Yezar, I might have thought this talk of extending the contract was absurd and packed my bags without hesitation. But not now.

Seeing my aggrieved expression, he sighed and responded.

“From the start, you drew a line, saying we’d be strangers after a divorce and acted coldly. At least when it came to our relationship.”

Ah. I did say that. But now that time feels so distant, it must have left quite an impression on Yezar.

“But it’s true that after a divorce, we’d be strangers…”

I didn’t say anything wrong. After a divorce, it’s cleaner and better for both to live as strangers.

But Yezar cut me off before I could finish.

“Yes. You were so firm about it. That’s why I’m trying to prevent us from becoming strangers.”

“No, Yezar. Just listen to me for a moment…!”

“I don’t want to hear it yet. Please, spend a little more time with me before you say it.”

Yezar was pleading with me so earnestly. As if it was incredibly important to him right now. I was momentarily at a loss for words. What did he think I was going to say to respond like that?

Does Yezar really think I have no feelings for him at all? I paused my attempt to confess and asked seriously.

“Even if you regret not listening to me now?”

He answered without hesitation.

“Yes, Julietta.”

“Then don’t regret it.”

“I won’t regret it, my lady.”

His gaze weakened my heart today. And it was also a bit infuriating. How could he not notice even a hint of my feelings all this time?

Of course, I never imagined Yezar would like me either, so I’m not one to talk.

‘Haa…’

I looked at him quietly. The image of him clinging to me and shedding tears last night came to mind. Yezar was more afraid of love than I thought.

Even with Bertisha, didn’t he choose to give up and stand behind her? Even if I confessed my feelings now, it felt like he wouldn’t believe me.

He might think I’m lying about loving him to plan my escape.

‘What’s so great about a man who can’t even notice my feelings? Getting curious and softening at his talk of temptation.’

Really, what am I doing because of this timid contract husband? He’s mistaken, thinking I’m rejecting him when I’m about to confess.

“Fine. I’ll talk after spending more time with Yezar. Is that okay?”

I spoke out of pique, and he smiled charmingly.

“Thank you, my lady.”

That face melted the slight anger I felt. As I subtly turned my head, he followed. It was as if he was making full use of his face.

His talk of temptation didn’t seem to be just words. Oh, this is troublesome. Even when he was still, I liked him, but now that he’s trying to tempt me, I can see it.

My heart was pounding. Then, something suddenly came to mind.

“But the talk of me wanting a divorce must have spread all over high society. Are you okay with that…?”

The idea that a seemingly perfect couple faced a crisis after just over a year was undoubtedly a topic that piqued the interest of every imperial citizen.

Especially if it’s the Duke and Duchess Ferhaem.

“Yes. It’s actually a good thing. If rumors spread that a foolish duke is desperately trying to win his lady’s heart, wouldn’t you take pity on me and give me more attention?”

“…I don’t pity you at all. You’re this handsome. What’s pitiful about you?”

Yezar’s eyes softened into a gentle curve. I’ve seen that smile of his so many times. Why did I only now notice the affection in it?

“Then shall I make a pitiful expression? For you, Julietta?”

And Yezar seems to be quite forward in his approach. I shook my head and let out a small laugh.

“No. I’d prefer you tempt me differently.”

If Yezar isn’t ready to believe my feelings yet, I’ll give it a try too. Just as he’s tempting me, I plan to instill confidence in him. So that one day, he’ll believe my confession.

“Say you love me, like you did that night, whispering to me. Then my heart might waver a little.”

I thought his whispering love was because of magic, so my heart was tinged with sadness. So I want to hear those words from his mouth again, properly this time.

“I love you, my lady.”

He stopped just short of our lips touching and whispered.

“So please, love me too, my lady.”

Even though I already love him. Asking me to love him. Unable to answer honestly, I turned my head primly.

“…This isn’t the end of your temptation, is it?”

“Of course not. How could it be? We still have time, don’t we? Let’s make the most of it, my lady.”

His low, smooth voice clung sweetly to my ears.

From that day, Yezar began tempting me in earnest. From keeping me close, never letting me out of his embrace, to speaking to me like this now.

“You’re like an angel, my lady. How did you come to be by my side…?”

His fingers brushed through my hair softly. But his lips, which seemed ready to press against my cheek, didn’t touch. That was quite a pity.

The natural physical contact we had became more cautious. And its frequency dropped significantly. Before, it was just practice to appear as a perfect couple. But now that I know his feelings, I can tell.

He’s hesitating, probably worried I might be uncomfortable. Honestly, I’m dissatisfied. Now that I know he likes me, I want to touch him without guilt.

I want to do even more.

‘…Honestly, now that I think about it, wasn’t our natural physical contact partly because Yezar wanted to touch me? And now he’s acting all coy.’

The fact that this bear-like man was actually a fox was new, but… his coyness was frustrating. I quietly racked my brain.

Soon, a good idea came to me, and I flashed a mischievous smile.