Once I realized it, I should have been surprised. Strangely, my heart was calm.

‘It’s more strange that I don’t feel fluttering emotions for Yezar, who is so kind and considerate even at moments like this.’

Such thoughts came to me naturally. Yezar was kind and gentle, and sometimes he would stay by my side and offer warm comfort. Like slowly getting soaked in spring rain, he as a person was melting into me.

“Thank you, Yezar.”

I smiled, grasping his hand. The warmth transmitted from his fingertips was unchangingly warm.

‘This is just right as it is. Moderate fluttering, familiarity, comfort.’

I didn’t wish for anything more than that. I didn’t want our contract to end in a messy way either. That’s why I tried to be more cautious and not remind myself of my feelings.

If I cross the line, even good memories might be tainted with hurt. But just this much. Isn’t it okay to feel this much fluttering and liking for him?

I felt such a desire. Unlike what I had firmly told him, my line seemed to have blurred somehow.

‘But Julieta, only go this far. Any more feelings than this are not good. Yezar must be comfortable knowing that I have no feelings for him.’

This was a resolution I made on my own, unknown to Yezar.

We chatted cozily in the carriage. Even though it was just small talk about everyday things, it was so enjoyable that I couldn’t help but smile.

Moreover, since I’ve been receiving sword training from him recently, just talking about that was beneficial and pleasant.

“So when I swing my sword, my movements tend to be big, right? I’m wondering how I should address this.”

“Since madam’s specialty is attacking in a sweeping manner and pushing forward at high speed, it would be better to eliminate unnecessary movements. The larger the movement, the more openings are revealed. When I have time, I’ll observe your form.”

“Really? If Yezar looks at it, it should be trustworthy.”

I was excited as I answered, then I noticed the beautiful lake visible outside the window.

“Oh my. Yezar, can you see? The lake is so pretty.”

Since the glove shop was near the village, he suggested we should stop by the lake first.

As it was a lake owned by the duchy, there shouldn’t be people wandering around nearby. It seemed like a good idea to spend some quiet time there, so I accepted his suggestion.

But he didn’t tell me it was such a beautiful lake.

“I’m glad the weather is clear today. I was worried what if it was cloudy. Do you like it?”

“I love it so much! Yezar must have come to this lake often, right?”

“I’ve come a few times with my family, but it’s the first time I’ve come with someone other than family. Still, I’ve thought that someday I’d like to come here with someone and show them.”

It was unexpected. Given his nature, I thought he would have shown this place to Bertisha first. To think I was the first.

But I was careful not to let my mood get too excited.

‘The person he wanted to show this to someday was probably Bertisha, not me.’

Perhaps it was an obvious fact. The love I had seen from him was so intense. But then he added unexpected words.

“I’m glad I could show it to Julieta. I’m happy to see you blushing and enjoying it so much.”

For a moment, I gently touched my cheeks, wondering if I had shown too much that I liked it. Then I asked him playfully with a smile.

“If I splash water by the lakeside, would it be against the dignity I should maintain as a duchess?”

“It’s alright. Madam always pleases me with unexpected actions, don’t you?”

I thought it didn’t matter whether the person he wanted to show this to was Bertisha or not. He was showing me this beautiful lake right now.

“Is that so? If Yezar is pleased, then I’m happy too.”

It seemed we had arrived as the carriage slowly came to a stop. I got out of the carriage holding his hand. The lake, which was beautiful even from afar, was so clear up close that you could see the bottom.

“Wow. I was going to splash around, but it feels a bit sorry to do so in such a clear lake. Shall we walk along the lakeside together?”

“That’s fine with me too.”

The hand that hadn’t let go since getting out of the carriage led me. The cool breeze blowing ruffled my hair. Through the gaps, I could see his radiant face.

“Isn’t the wind refreshing?”

“Yes, it’s cool. What did you usually do when you came with your family?”

I was suddenly curious about his childhood stories. He thought for a moment and then answered.

“As soon as we arrived at the lakeside, I was picked up and thrown in by my father.”

“Thrown in?”

“Yes, it was summer then, and when I said it was hot, I was suddenly thrown into the lake and went splash into the water. So I was completely soaked.”

“Your father treated his son quite roughly.”

“It was so rough it was problematic. My mother was laughing beside him and wiped my head with a towel.”

A boisterous father saying ‘Aren’t you cooled off now?’ and a mother brightly laughing while wiping her son’s head beside him. A son in between, completely wet and grumbling. The image of a happy family naturally came to mind.

Perhaps that’s the kind of family I’ve been dreaming of.

“Still, it sounds like you had fun.”

“My parents were quite cheerful people. Though now they’ve moved to the quiet outskirts of the capital, saying they want to find another life. They really don’t seem to care about their son at all.”

His quietly sighing appearance didn’t suit him. Well, he was closer to having a quiet personality. Sometimes the lively parents must have been overwhelming for him.

But I could understand how his mother and father felt when they left unburdened.

“That’s probably because they trust Yezar, isn’t it? When I look at Yezar, I often think there couldn’t be such a wonderful person. You diligently do your best in your work, take care of and worry about your subordinates. Even when work is hard, you don’t complain about it being difficult, but move forward in a way that makes people trust and follow you.”

I wasn’t saying this because I had good feelings for him. Yezar was truly someone everyone would follow and respect.

“Anyone would have done the same.”

“No, it’s difficult for ordinary people. Isn’t it because Yezar is like this that your mother and father trusted you and passed on the duke’s title? If you were an unreliable son, they wouldn’t have passed on the title so early, right?”

At that, Yezar fell silent. Somehow, it felt like he was gripping my hand even tighter.

I stopped for a moment and looked at him. He was covering his face as if embarrassed.

“…I feel shy when you praise me so much.”

He must have been used to hearing such words, but seeing him embarrassed made me laugh even though I shouldn’t.

“Haha. Then, I should keep praising you. So that Yezar gets used to it!”

“You’re being mischievous.”

“Mischievous? I’m just saying I’ll recite the truth while I’m beside you since you get embarrassed even when I speak the truth.”

I shouldn’t do this. But his honest reactions made me want to tease him. As we bickered like this while walking along the lakeside, I suddenly felt hungry.

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t eat breakfast properly, did I? In the rush of being washed and changed, all that entered my mouth was a single cherry tomato?’

Remembering that I only ate that one thing, it wasn’t strange that I was starting to feel hungry. Yezar probably didn’t eat breakfast properly either, as he was preparing the lunchbox early in the morning.

“Hey, Yezar. Aren’t you getting hungry?”

“You’re right. It’s time to be hungry. Shall we sit on that bench over there and eat the lunchbox?”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

Finally getting to eat the lunchbox he prepared, I was already excited wondering what it would taste like. I sat quietly on the bench, wiped my hands with a handkerchief, and opened the lunchbox.

Inside were sandwiches filled with seafood, pasta mixed with bite-sized lamb and tangy sauce, salad with cheese, and heart-shaped cut fruits.

‘Heart-shaped? Did someone advise him to shape it like this because we’re newlyweds?’

“Did you shape these, Yezar?”

As I poked at the fruits, he replied.

“Well, the chef recommended that you would like it if I did this.”

I see, so that’s how it was. Still, thinking that he personally shaped and put them in made me smile broadly.

“Perhaps, do you dislike the heart shape?”

“No, it’s very pretty! Next time, it might be nice to try star shapes too. They’re sparkly and pretty, right?”

“Still, I prefer this shape.”

Did he like the heart shape? Maybe he liked it because it was cut surprisingly prettily?

“Hearts are pretty too!”

For some reason, Yezar’s expression seemed to become subtle at my response. Ah, I forgot something.

“Thank you. For preparing this so thoughtfully. It’s almost too pretty to eat.”

I should have expressed gratitude. How could I forget that? He made time to prepare this for me. No wonder his expression became subtle.

Yezar responded to me kindly as usual.

“Not at all. Just thinking about you eating happily with a smile made me happy.”

My husband really does say such pretty things. I was about to eat the food with my fork when I looked around.

Probably because there were a few maids to serve us and guards, I wanted to appear as affectionate as possible. They might not hear our conversation from far away, but they could probably see our appearance roughly.

“Hey, Yezar.”

“Yes, madam.”

“Would you open your mouth?”

At my response, he opened his mouth without any suspicion, and I popped in a piece of lamb he had prepared. His pupils dilated for a moment.