“Julietta! The news about the divorce—it must be a mistake, right?”

“Yes, it is. It seems someone spread a false rumor to damage your relationship. We should respond firmly!”

“People only look down on you the more you act meek in situations like this. We’ll show you exactly what to do!”

As soon as Sina, Katrin, and Berry arrived, they rushed over to me and poured out these words. But it wasn’t a false rumor, nor had they misheard. Seeing them so passionately angry on my behalf made me feel strangely guilty.

“That rumor isn’t false.”

I heard a sharp intake of breath. Unsure of what else to say, I repeated the same excuse I’d given to the maids.

“My husband and I had our first marital quarrel. In the heat of the moment, I blurted out the word ‘divorce.’ But how quickly the rumor spread. I’m sorry if I startled you.”

At last, they nodded as if they finally understood.

“It’s about time you two had a fight.”

“Exactly. When couples argue, emotions run high, and sometimes you naturally think it’d be better to separate.”

“And since it’s your first fight, you must have been even more confused about how to handle it.”

Having discussed things exactly as I’d hoped, they turned their gazes toward me.

Then Sina opened her mouth and asked.

“So you invited us here on purpose? Because you didn’t know how to reconcile?”

I shook my head in response. Then I spoke with a lonely expression.

“…My husband was at fault, so we haven’t reconciled yet. My heart hasn’t settled. He seems eager to appease me, but I’m not ready to forgive him just yet.”

“May I ask, what was the reason for the argument?”

The question I’d been waiting for came from Katrin. I suppressed the smile tugging at my lips and poured out my feelings before the sympathetic ladies.

“My husband… suddenly started treating me so cautiously. I always wished he’d be more proactive with me, but now that he’s creating distance, it hurt me deeply. That’s why we fought. Hic.”

As I lowered my head as if on the verge of tears, they patted my back and offered handkerchiefs. I quietly accepted one and said to them.

“I wish he’d treat me like he used to. He keeps saying he loves me, but his actions are completely different… What should I do?”

Today, the reason I invited them to my mansion was to provoke physical affection from Yezar, who had been keeping his distance and avoiding contact with me.

Though the house arrest was merely in name, I wanted to abide by his words, so I schemed to invite them over. I hoped that by appearing distressed and seeking their advice, they might offer some solution.

Moreover, recalling how alarmed they were upon hearing the divorce rumor and sending letters, I felt I should properly explain things to set their minds at ease.

After all, Sina, Katrin, and Berry were precious to me.

“Could it be… Yezar has another woman?”

“Heavens! That’s impossible. There must be some other reason.”

“Really?”

“Of course! How could a man with such a lovely wife ever stray? It’s unthinkable.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just so anxious…”

As I sniffled, the ladies quickly comforted me. Then, as if my anxiety needed immediate soothing, they began offering words of reassurance.

“No, no! You have every right to feel uneasy. Don’t cry.”

“Exactly, Julietta. The devoted Duke Yezar Ferhaem could never take interest in any woman besides you. There must be a reason.”

“Yes! Don’t be so gloomy. Honestly, how could the Duke treat such a lovely Julietta so cautiously that she’d become angry? It’s utterly baffling.”

Just as I was being comforted in their arms, the parlor door opened. There stood Yezar, as expected.

Lately, he’d been clinging to me like he suffered from separation anxiety. He’d shower me with endlessly sweet words, making others blush from the intensity. Yet his physical touch had drastically decreased, leaving me utterly miserable.

That’s why I’d deliberately invited guests and told him to come in only when the conversation reached its peak.

Apparently, he couldn’t wait any longer. Judging by his sudden entrance.

“Wife, you don’t seem well. Wouldn’t it be better to send the guests off and rest for now…?”

For the record, I was perfectly fine. He was simply using my health as an excuse to get rid of the ladies so he could be alone with me.

In the past, I might have believed he genuinely worried about my health. But ever since he confessed his feelings, his hidden intentions became crystal clear.

Yet knowing that every one of his transparent schemes was merely a ploy to spend more time with me made my heart flutter involuntarily. Seeing this, I realized I was helpless after all.

“You’re right. I’ve been emotionally drained lately… Katrin, Berry, Sina. I’m sorry for inviting you and cutting things short, but may I excuse myself? My husband will see you out.”

Saying this, I briefly greeted them as if avoiding his presence and stepped out of the parlor.

‘I hope the ladies convey my feelings well. Telling him directly would be too… exposing my heart.’

I subtly wanted to send him a signal, hoping he’d understand. As childish as it was, I wanted Yezar to realize my feelings and beg to hear my confession.

***

I waited for Yezar’s return with a fluttering heart. The ladies must have given him some hint.

He surely realized I didn’t dislike physical affection. He wasn’t the kind of man who’d miss such a clue.

I hoped he’d kiss me like before, hold my hand, pull me tightly into his arms… and whisper his love to me. Eventually, the bedroom door opened.

I slightly suppressed my fluttering heart and called out to him.

“Did you see them off properly?”

“Yes…”

His voice sounded unusually serious. Had Sina, Katrin, and Berry pressured him harshly? But knowing their nature, they probably advised him to care more for me… and subtly mentioned that physical affection was essential in marriage.

I approached him, who stood stiffly.

“Why do you look like that? Did something happen?”

Then Yezar carefully asked me.

“Wife…”

“Yes?”

“Could it be… you’re carrying my child…?”

A child? What on earth was he talking about?

“Marchioness Stemun said that even if Steemun hadn’t noticed the pregnancy, she advised me to treat Julietta more affectionately, saying emotional distance follows physical distance.”

Ah. Could it be Yezar thought the reason he’d suddenly started treating me cautiously was because I was pregnant? My selfish, desire-filled mind, which had only hoped for physical intimacy like before, became utterly confused.

But Yezar stepped closer, clearly determined to hear my answer.

“Are you truly carrying my child?”

Normally, Yezar would have dismissed such a notion as absurd. After all, we hadn’t shared a bed.

How could I possibly be pregnant? But recently, we had spent the night together. Given that possibility, his question wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

I was about to immediately deny it. To explain that I’d only used the divorce talk as an excuse when questioned about our relationship. That’s what I should have said.

But then, a sudden realization struck me, and my eyes widened. Thinking back, during that emotionally charged night, we hadn’t used contraception. And since then, I hadn’t visited a physician—only received medicine. Precisely…

“I don’t know. We didn’t use protection, so… perhaps I am pregnant…”

Before I could even finish speaking, he lifted me into his arms. Startled by the sudden embrace, I cried out.

“Y-Yezar?!”

“Let’s go see your physician immediately, wife.”

“But the odds are higher that I’m not pregnant.”

My menstrual cycle wasn’t in the risky phase, and I didn’t have any noticeable symptoms. The likelihood of pregnancy was actually quite low.

“Still, we must confirm. And…”

He looked down at me. Our eyes met, and his gaze softened warmly. His gentle lips firmly pressed against mine. The soft, long-missed sensation made me forget how to speak.

Soon, a moist warmth filled my mouth. Even after our lips parted, I gazed at him in a daze, overwhelmed by the pleasant sensation.

“I’m sorry for making you feel neglected. I thought you’d dislike it, but now I realize… you never truly disliked our kisses, did you?”

Embarrassed by the blush spreading across my cheeks, I lowered my head deeply.

“…I don’t know.”

“I’m glad you didn’t deny it. At least one of my efforts hasn’t been in vain.”

His voice, laced with amusement, was utterly enchanting. How could I have ever thought this cunning man was innocent and docile like a gentle bear?

He was simply a thousand-year-old fox.