I noticed that he was staring blankly at me without even chewing his food.

“Ah, you should eat. The maids and guards are watching us?”

Yezar was surprised only for a moment, then began to mumble and chew the lamb. I glanced at the maids and guards and saw them smiling as they watched us.

‘Phew. This should be enough to not look strange, right?’

I put down my fork and looked at the still-warm food. Such care, really. They even cast a warming spell to keep it from getting cold.

“Wasn’t it hot? I thought the one who made it should eat first.”

He swallowed his food and replied to me.

“I wanted to hear your opinion after you ate first, my lady.”

“Ah. I didn’t know! I’m sorry. I’ll eat now!”

Even without tasting it, I could guess how it would taste. The lamb was dripping with juices, the vegetables were fresh, and the sandwich looked delicious. Surely, it would be tasty.

“Just a moment.”

“Yes?”

I waited, wondering if there was some order to eating. He picked up a piece of lamb with his fork and held it out to me.

“You should say ‘ah’ too, my lady.”

“What? No. It’s fine since the maids and guards already saw me feeding you.”

I waved my hand dismissively, but he was immovable.

“Say ‘ah’.”

I hesitated and asked.

“Do I really have to?”

“Yes. You must.”

His eyes shone more solemnly than usual. I carefully opened my mouth and accepted the lamb. Yezar watched me with satisfaction.

As I chewed, the juices spread in my mouth and a sweet taste enveloped my tongue.

“It’s so delicious…”

How was it cooked to be this delicious that I couldn’t help but exclaim? Did they use magic?

“Is that so?”

I chewed thoroughly and swallowed before answering his question.

“Yes! It’s just to my taste, you could say. It’s so delicious.”

“Please try the sandwich too. I paid special attention to make it suit your taste.”

I quickly took out the sandwich and took a bite. The bread was chewy, and the saltiness of the seafood blended well with the tangy sauce, making my mouth feel refreshed.

Especially, the chewy shrimp meat became sweeter as I chewed, matching well with the bread.

‘It’s really delicious. The chef at the Perhaem duchy is good at cooking too. But this, how should I say it? It feels like it was made sweeter and tangier to suit my taste.’

I was hungry and the food was delicious, so I ate while chewing without conversation. Yezar even handed me water, telling me to eat slowly lest the food get stuck in my throat.

When I had eaten a fair amount, I opened my mouth in happiness.

“I think I overate because it was so delicious.”

That shouldn’t happen. I had put on this dress, but if my stomach sticks out even a little, it would look unsightly. But it was just too delicious.

“Thank you for enjoying the food. I was worried it might not suit your taste.”

“How could it not! I really enjoyed it. Yezar, is there anything you can’t do? God is unfair.”

Truly, where else could you find such a perfect man? To think he’s even good at cooking. Usually, people have at least one flaw.

Yezar seemed to have no flaws.

At that moment, Yezar’s hand touched my lips.

“Just a moment, my lady. There’s something on your lips.”

His touch was careful as he wiped it with a handkerchief. Surprised, I unintentionally shouted.

“…I, I’m not a child!”

“I know. You’re my wife.”

“Then why are you wiping something off my lips? I could do it myself.”

“Taking care of my wife is also a husband’s duty. What’s strange about that?”

When he said that, I had no reply. There’s nothing strange about a husband taking care of his wife. It’s not strange, but why do I feel somewhat deceived?

“Shall we ask the maids to clean up here and go buy the gift you’re going to give me?”

Although I felt uneasy in a corner of my heart, there was nothing specific to point out, so I nodded.

Before boarding the carriage, as we walked briefly by the lakeside, Yezar laughed out loud.

“Heh.”

“Why are you suddenly laughing?”

“I’m sorry. Just remembering how happily you ate what I made makes me laugh.”

“Was my eating that funny…?”

Was it because I ate voraciously, making my dressing up meaningless? But I was hungry and the food was too delicious to restrain myself.

“No. I’m laughing because I’m happy. I wasn’t one to laugh often, but every moment with you makes me laugh.”

So he’s saying it wasn’t because my eating was funny? Thank goodness.

“I laugh a lot when I’m with you too, Yezar. Because the time I spend with you is so enjoyable.”

“You’re such a bright person, I was worried you might find it boring with me. I’m glad you say it’s enjoyable.”

“Ahaha. What are you saying? How could it be boring?”

There were people around me every moment at the Perhaem duchy, leaving no room for boredom.

At the Orbetian county too, I had people precious to me, but sometimes I wished for someone who would treat me as an equal, not as a master to be served.

“Yezar, you treat me as an equal. Even though I was close with the servants at the Orbetian county, there was always some distance because to them, I was the young lady they had to serve.”

Especially in this place where classes are divided, even if I tried to get closer, those of lower status would draw the line first. Saying they couldn’t dare to treat the young lady they serve so casually.

I understood, but it was quite sorrowful.

“Becoming the Duchess of Perhaem, I felt comfortable at the social gatherings I attended. I didn’t know chatting with other ladies could be so enjoyable. I learned that thanks to Yezar.”

Although it was an unintended relationship, it was still enjoyable. Even if there’s a set ending, these memories won’t disappear. I wanted to make more good memories.

“I really like these times when I can chat quietly with Yezar like this. You didn’t know that, right?”

Because he’s a good person. I thought falling for him was something I couldn’t avoid.

This fluttering feeling of liking the time with him more, if it didn’t progress beyond this level, it would be fine.

Then, Yezar looked straight into my eyes and asked.

“…I didn’t know. Did you like it that much?”

His eyes were sparkling like a puppy waiting for a treat. I should be able to answer with a smile right away to those words. But somehow I felt embarrassed.

“Um. Well…”

“Why aren’t you answering?”

His urging made it even harder to speak for some reason.

“If you stare at me like that… Ah, really. Once is enough!”

I walked briskly forward. Then he quickly caught up with his long legs and blocked my way.

“Please say it one more time. Please?”

Before I knew it, he was asking me with a smile in his eyes. His face was sparkling like sunshine.

‘Ah, really. That face is a weapon, a weapon.’

He was really bad for my heart.

“…I like it.”

“What?”

To his question, which he surely must have heard already, I shouted with my face all red.

“I really like the time chatting with Yezar!”

Only after shouting did I realize my voice had been too loud. I covered my mouth right after speaking, but I heard startled sounds from behind. The gazes of the maids who had been quietly cleaning the bench and the guards following us were all directed towards us.

I hurriedly added.

“This is, well, a misunderstanding…! It’s a misunderstanding…”

But as if they couldn’t hear my later words, the maids shouted.

“It’s alright, madam! We didn’t hear anything!”

“That’s right! We won’t come close thoughtlessly. Please talk comfortably!”

‘Ah. Ahhh. What should I do? What to do…’

After shouting that it was alright, the maids continued cleaning the bench. My gaze naturally turned to the guards behind. They all turned their gazes away and coughed.

“We, ahem, didn’t hear anything either.”

“Of course. No one noticed that you’re still passionate even outside.”

‘Ahhhhh!’

I let out a silent scream. I could feel my face turning red like a tomato. Unable to endure any longer, I climbed into the carriage as if fleeing. It didn’t seem like my face would cool down quickly.

“My lady, are you angry?”

“No. I’m not.”

“Really?”

It was Yezar’s careful question after being silent since boarding the carriage. I blurted out my true feelings.

“…You’re really annoying.”

Of course, it was me who shouted there that I liked chatting with Yezar. However, Yezar was clearly at fault too for persistently asking me to say it again.

Then he apologized to me, flustered.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you would shout like that.”

“That’s because you kept wanting to hear it. I was embarrassed. That’s why I shouted in the heat of the moment…”

Of course, in their eyes, it would look like nothing unusual for a newlywed couple, but still, shouting that I liked it in front of everyone was embarrassing.

“What can I do to make you forgive me?”

“It’s fine. If you’ve apologized, that’s enough.”

I didn’t want to keep grumbling and ruin the mood. We had to buy his gift soon anyway.

“Then, how about this?”

“What?”

When I asked curiously, he said something similar to what I had said.

“I like it too. I really like the time chatting with you, my lady.”

“Yezar?”

“Would it make you feel better if I say this? Or should I say it in front of the guards and maids?”