What I should prioritize first…

Ah. Why does my stomach feel so fluttery? My heart is melting from just one gift. That’s why I also wanted to do something for him.

“Then, may I give you a gift as well?”

“What? To me?”

His eyes widened as if he hadn’t expected that question. I smiled brightly in response.

“Yes. I want to see you happy too, Yezar.”

Of course, a single gift from me probably doesn’t mean much to someone respected by so many people. But gifts are about give and take. Even if it’s not something big, I thought it would be nice if it could bring him a small joy.

“If it’s from you, my lady, anything is welcome.”

“Really? Even if I give you something you dislike?”

When I deliberately teased him, he replied wittily.

“Yes, because there’s nothing I dislike if it’s from you, my lady.”

Usually, it’s harder to choose when someone says they like anything. I’ll have to think hard about it. Even though he said there’s nothing he dislikes from me, I wanted to give him something he needs if possible.

‘It’s a good day.’

The subtle scent of roses brushed past my nose. Even though it’s a contract marriage, the time I’m spending with him right now is very precious to me.

The carriage arrived at the ducal residence. I held Yezar’s hand and stepped out of the carriage. The servants who had been waiting approached me with wide smiles on their faces.

“Did you have a good time at the tea party?”

“Yes. It was enjoyable.”

The servants exchanged glances with each other, nodded, and then looked at me. Their gaze was as hot as the midday sun.

“Is that so? Then, my lady, do you know how quickly His Grace finished his work and left?”

“It was a pity we couldn’t see him rushing, saying he shouldn’t be late to pick you up.”

“That’s right. It was clear to us that you two are in a completely sweet newlywed phase.”

That was the first time I heard about that. When I turned my gaze to Yezar, he answered in embarrassment.

“I was worried that if I was late, I might miss you.”

“Next time, please let me know in advance and I’ll wait for you. For you to come pick me up, Yezar.”

I said that thinking of how he seemed worried about possibly losing me. He answered a little belatedly.

“…I will do that.”

I could clearly see the side of his face. His gaze wasn’t directed at me, but I could see him covering his mouth with his hand, not knowing what to do.

Feeling a bit embarrassed by his reaction, I turned my head. And I hurriedly said,

“Then, I’ll go wash up now. I’m tired from the outing since it’s been a while.”

“I also have some things to finish up, so I’ll take my leave now.”

Anyone could see that we were hurrying to disappear, but I was too flustered to notice Yezar’s reaction. Soon, I took the maids and climbed the stairs, feeling an inexplicable heat rising in my body.

It should still be chilly since it’s early spring. Why does my body feel so hot?

“Hey. Can I wash with cold water?”

“The cold water might be too chilly in this weather. Will you be alright?”

“Right. I guess it was hot outside.”

“My lady, what should we do with the bouquet of roses you’re holding? His Grace gave them to you, right?”

Ah. Come to think of it, I had been holding this bouquet of roses the whole time. What should I do? Since I received them, I want to put them somewhere I can see.

After thinking for a moment, I handed the bouquet to May and said,

“Can you put them in a pretty vase and place it in the bedroom? I think it would be nice to have them where I can see them.”

“Yes, my lady. I’ll put them in the prettiest vase and place it in the bedroom!”

Reassured by her bright answer, I moved to the bathroom. Soon, I entrusted my body to the maids, received their assistance with bathing, and changed clothes.

Then, as I entered the bedroom, May greeted me with a wide smile.

“Welcome, my lady. I placed them in a pretty vase as you instructed!”

I then saw the roses placed in a white vase.

“Thank you. They’re beautiful.”

Unlike the gifts that kept coming without having time to see the giver’s face, these felt more special. To the point that I would regret them withering later since they’re flowers.

“Hey, May. What would His Grace like to receive as a gift?”

The answer came not from May, but from Ember.

“His Grace would like anything you give him, my lady. But if you’re giving him something, it would be special if it’s something he can use when going out.”

Ember was someone who had worked at the ducal residence for a long time and had taken care of Yezar. So her advice was valuable.

“When you say something he can use when going out, what do you mean?”

“Perhaps gloves? I happened to overhear that he was planning to order thin gloves instead of the thick ones he used to wear, now that the seasons are changing.”

That was truly important information. I quickly grabbed her hands.

“Thank you, Ember! If possible, can you make sure Yezar doesn’t get the gloves before I buy them?”

“Hoho. Of course. I’m always on your side, my lady.”

Then, now I just need to gather information and give Yezar a gift at the right time.

“Okay. I’ll try to find the rest on my own. I really hope Yezar will be happy.”

At that moment, Ember, who was still holding my hand, said to me,

“My lady, you think of His Grace very much…. My lady, can you spare a moment to talk with me?”

Her voice was gentle but very polite and serious. So I instinctively became tense. What conversation does she want to have with me?

Could it be that I’m not fulfilling my role as the duchess well? But I attended the tea party, built friendships with the ladies, and tried to get along with the knights and servants without issues.

Trying my best not to show my nervousness, I answered,

“It’s alright, you can speak comfortably.”

Ember, who smiled gently, then said to May,

“May, can you leave us for a moment? I have something to discuss with Her Ladyship.”

May also seemed to not understand the situation well, as she looked at me and Ember before bowing her head.

“Yes, head maid.”

With May gone, only Ember and I were left in the room. I thought Ember would speak right away, but she just gazed at me silently for a few seconds. Her eyes seemed strangely sorrowful.

“My lady, you speak as if you will leave soon, but thanks to you, His Grace has been able to smile. I know you are working hard to learn the ducal family’s affairs to lighten His Grace’s heavy workload, boost morale by mingling with the knights, and carefully look after the servants.”

I thought I would be scolded. Being praised like that made me blush in embarrassment.

“That’s… I think anyone else would have done the same, not just me.”

“No. That’s not true. It was possible because it was you, my lady.”

After answering like that, Ember let go of my hand and took out a thick envelope from inside her clothes to hand to me. I looked at Ember, unable to understand the meaning. She politely replied,

“To me, you are no longer someone who will leave, but the mistress of this ducal residence. So as the head maid of the ducal residence, I thought I must show this to you, my lady.”

I carefully opened the envelope to see what was inside. What came out were letters. Several letters were inside the envelope.

‘Letters? Letters sent to Yezar?’

As I checked who sent them, I felt my face stiffen involuntarily.

The sender was none other than Bertisha de Cloud. In other words, Bertisha Hermine, who became the empress, the female lead who received Yezar’s unwavering love.

“Judging from the fact that you purposely gave me these letters, I can tell. The person His Grace loved is Her Majesty the current empress, right?”

I had to pretend not to know who Yezar loved. This level of response was appropriate. Ember soon nodded.

“I see. What’s the reason for showing me these letters?”

Even though I knew the reason, I asked the question so she could explain. Then she opened her mouth.

“His Grace never replied to these letters. He only read them painfully, very painfully.”

Ember’s voice was trembling as she said that.

“I have worked at this ducal residence since His Grace was young. That’s why I witnessed up close how much His Grace suffered because of love more than anyone else. Now that he has finally met you and can smile… As someone who has taken care of His Grace since childhood and as the head maid of this mansion, I can’t just watch him suffer and break down again.”

At that moment, I could understand. Those who cared for Yezar when he was struggling with love also had to watch him helplessly in pain.

“May I dare to make one presumptuous request to you, my lady?”

Her eyes were already glistening with tears.

“Please help His Grace sort out his past love that is making him suffer. This is my request to you.”

Bertisha Hermine. The woman who has now become Bertisha de Cloud. The person who always showed only her back to Yezar. The person who made the always confident and forward-looking Yezar crumble endlessly.

But I wondered if it was right for me to help sort out his feelings at someone’s request.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s right to sort out His Grace’s emotions at someone’s request. It would be disrespecting His Grace’s feelings.”

“I understand. I’m really sorry for making a presumptuous request….”

“So first, I’ll ask Yezar for his opinion. Whether it’s okay for me to help him sort out his emotions. Ember, I want to help him not because of your request, but because I want to.”

“My lady….”

Tears flowed from her eyes. Really, the people of this mansion are so emotional.

“Thank you for telling me as the head maid of the ducal residence. I was happy that you considered me the duchess of the Perhaem Ducal House.”

I carefully wiped away Ember’s tears. Then, as if proving she wasn’t the head maid of the ducal residence for nothing, Ember quickly composed herself. Seeing her return to her usual self, I couldn’t help but smile.