Instead of his usual gentle face, I saw his eyes focused seriously, watching my movements.

It was a mystery how I ended up sparring with the sub-male lead of the original story. But right now, rather than such a strange feeling, it was a priority to focus on the current match.

As I rushed in first and swung my sword, he blocked it as if he had expected it.

“Your center of gravity is leaning forward.”

“Ah, it was something I was pointed out before. Yezar also points it out.”

Smiling brightly, I stepped back for a moment and clashed swords again. Perhaps due to the difference in physique, I could see that my and his perspectives were different.

‘It would be better if I could get a little deeper inside.’

First, while pushing away the downward force, I secured space and thrust the wooden sword from bottom to top.

As expected, he immediately blocked it and quickly changed his posture to attack.

As if pushed by the momentum, my body kept being pushed back.

‘How can he be so good even with an unfamiliar hand? It seems like I can’t even graze him.’

Unlike a stationary wooden dummy, it was very difficult to deal with a person who moved in real-time, changing postures and making unexpected surprise attacks.

He seemed to know that I was struggling, and I felt that he was trying to pierce my weakness to quickly end the match.

Then, I remembered what one of the Marquis Family’s knights had told me in the past.

‘Young Lady, you particularly don’t defend your left side well. When you are impatient, the defense on that side becomes loose.’

‘Then what should I do?’

To that question, the knights said that if it was an opponent who had not crossed swords with me much, I should just pretend to show an opening and find the timing to attack the opponent.

‘But we will take care of the escort anyway. Young Lady, you just need to know.’

I remembered laughing at his words that if it was a situation where the escort was not properly done to the point where I had to step in, my father would kick them out.

I didn’t know that memory would be helpful. My husband, who wanted to end the match quickly and let me rest, turned the direction of his sword towards my left side.

‘My husband considers me even in such a moment.’

But this kind consideration of his gave me an opening.

As I defended according to the direction of his sword as if I knew it and quickly corrected my posture, I felt Yezar get startled for a moment.

But as expected of the leader of the Blue Knights, known for being unmatched in swordsmanship, he quickly tried to block my attack.

‘But it’s too late.’

Because one of the praises I received while learning swordsmanship was that I attacked so fast that the opponent couldn’t come to their senses.

Before he could correct his posture, the tip of my wooden sword grazed his chin.

‘I barely hit him―!’

Unable to hide my joy, I smiled brightly and tried to continue the attack. But he immediately corrected his posture, defended, and pushed my sword away.

Still, I tried to defend without being pushed back and counterattack somehow, but after a few more exchanges, it ended with the wooden sword flying out of my hand.

I plopped down and caught my breath.

“Ah, it’s regrettable.”

Even if I tried to attack again, the wooden sword had flown far away and I couldn’t pick it up. Moreover, my defeat was a natural result from the moment I lost my sword.

I looked at my aching wrist. I had some pride in my speed. Yezar, who attacked relentlessly and pushed me with strength, was not an easy opponent.

A shadow fell in front of me as I sat down with a thud.

“As expected, I’m no match for Yezar.”

“I think I pushed you too hard.”

He had returned to his usual gentle expression and looked at my condition anxiously.

“No, it’s not. If you hadn’t taken it seriously, I would have been angry instead. Thank you.”

Although my wrist ached, it was clear that it would heal with simple treatment when I returned, and I was rather glad that I had a short spar with him.

‘If I tell the Marquis Family’s knights when I return, how envious will they be?’

Just imagining it made me happy, and when I smiled brightly, Yezar smiled back.

“You would have been great even if you became a knight.”

“Hey, don’t say that after winning.”

“I mean it.”

Then, it means he’s sincere. It felt good, like a compliment.

I quickly tried to get up and brush off the dirt from my clothes.

But when I stood up, my whole body tingled.

‘…I think I overexerted myself by suddenly moving my body.’

I thought I had done some basic training next to Yezar. Was it because I was too lethargic in my room while preparing for the wedding?

Or was it because I was busy focusing on my duties as the duchess after coming to the ducal family and didn’t do much physical activity?

For whatever reason, it was currently difficult to move.

“…I’m sorry, Yezar. I think I overdid it.”

“Why is that?”

“My legs are trembling because I suddenly moved and my muscles are strained.”

After all, doing things in moderation is good for the body. I was about to ask him to support me from the side. But he suddenly said something unexpected.

“If I carry you, the problem will be solved.”

“What?”

“You agreed.”

Then, suddenly, my body was lifted and I was tightly held in his arms. Startled, I tried to stop Yezar’s action.

“Ah, you don’t have to! Put me down!”

“It’s dangerous, so don’t struggle. And aren’t your legs hurting?”

“But it will be hard for Yezar…”

“It’s not hard at all.”

He answered refreshingly and walked briskly while carrying me. I didn’t have the strength to struggle anymore, so I just gave up and entrusted my body to him.

But I didn’t forget to urge him.

“I’m only being carried like this today! Because my legs are trembling from the strain!”

“Yes. I understand.”

Yezar looked at me, who was chattering and urging him, with a honeyed gaze, as if he was very happy about something.

So I unknowingly became embarrassed and my cheeks turned red. It was not good for a neat contractual marital relationship.

Ditban, the doctor of the Perhaem Ducal Family, sighed deeply as he wrapped a bandage around Julieta’s wrist.

“I heard you were sparring, but couldn’t you have gone easy?”

“Is the lady’s condition that bad?”

It wasn’t terribly bad, but she shouldn’t strain her wrist for the time being.

Ditban was about to say that. But Yezar’s worries continued.

“I should have controlled my strength more… She said she suddenly moved too much and her legs lost strength… And…”

“Young mas… No, Your Grace, please sit still.”

While Ditban examined Julieta, Yezar kept circling around like an anxious puppy. It was almost dizzying, and even when told to calm down, he wouldn’t listen well.

So Julieta also spoke to Yezar, meaning to calm him down.

“That’s right, Yezar. I’m completely fine. Sit down.”

The words of the doctor who had been with the Perhaem Ducal Family for a long time had no effect. But when the duchess told him to calm down, Yezar immediately sat down and quietly looked at her.

‘This is like a puppy meeting its owner.’

Although he didn’t intend to say it to the person he served, that analogy was the most appropriate.

After finishing wrapping the bandage, Ditban glanced at Julieta. Intense red hair, lively green eyes. Upturned eyes and an overall lively and bouncy atmosphere.

‘A completely different style from that child.’

He couldn’t help but think that. Anyone who had stayed in this mansion for a long time would know about the young master’s desperately one-sided love.

Bertisha and the young master, who was now the duke, had been close since childhood, so the servants naturally had a chance to see her face at least once.

Ditban, who had stayed in this mansion for a long time, had also met Bertisha. The girl in his memory was small and young, as if men should protect her.

Yes, she was just like a lily of the valley.

‘Even though she was from a lower-ranking family, she seemed well-educated, dignified, and gentle. The young master fell in love at first sight and followed her around.’

Back then, he didn’t say much, but Ditban didn’t really like Bertisha.

It was evident to his eyes that even though the young master’s feelings were obvious, she only gave him room without being interested in progressing their relationship further.

‘But fortunately, the young master doesn’t come to me for emotional reasons anymore.’

He knew it wouldn’t end well. But he didn’t expect it to become so serious. The young master’s room, where he arrived led by the head maid, was a mess.

Mental illness was an area that Ditban could not handle. It was heartbreaking to see the young master lock himself in his room, swallow his pain, and become haggard day by day.

It was even more heartbreaking for Ditban, who had been watching the young master’s condition as a doctor since he was a very young child.

‘In the middle, he showed improvement for some reason, and then suddenly announced his marriage, so I wondered what kind of lady she was…’

“It’s wrapped neatly. Thank you.”

After thanking him with a bright smile, she immediately ran to the young master’s side.

Seeing her reassuring the depressed man that she was perfectly fine, a smile unknowingly escaped his lips.

Yes, the lady who had now become the mistress of the ducal family was not someone to be protected, but seemed reliable enough to protect someone.

As proof, wasn’t the child who had been locked in his room with a face as if he was about to die now smiling as if his eyes were melting?

However, there was a puzzling point. According to the rumors spread in the ducal family, the lady and the young master had a secret romance that led to marriage.

As far as he knew, during the time Yezar was suffering from the fever of unrequited love, he was not properly prepared to meet another woman.

In the meantime, he didn’t know how the two met and got married to the point of looking at each other with honeyed eyes, but Ditban sincerely hoped for their happiness.

On the other hand, the young master, who had been like a child, had grown splendidly, and there had never been a scratch on him no matter who he sparred with.

But he also thought that the woman who left a scratch on the young master’s chin like that was not ordinary. However, for guiding the foolish young master who only swallowed his wounds inwardly, a strong-willed lady like her was much better.

“My lady, I will be really careful next time…”

“I said it’s okay! Why the long face! Come on, smile. Quickly!”

“Yes, my lady.”

‘But this lovey-dovey act is cringe-worthy.’

Ditban slightly turned his head and looked out the window. The treatment had been over for a long time, so he earnestly hoped that this cringey couple would leave now.