Perhaps, if Yezar noticed my expression, he might worry. He’s quite a caring person, so it was obvious he’d be concerned about my state even in the midst of his busy work.

“Huh. It’s fine. Wizlet will come anyway.”

Yezar would also be relieved to see Wizlet taking care of me in various ways.

I wrote a reply to Wizlet with some mild nagging and suggestions about when he should come. Of course, I didn’t forget to add a postscript.

– P.S. Weren’t most of the people asking about our couple young noblemen? If so, it seems they were trying to casually talk to your new sister-in-law while asking about me. I hope you notice soon. Hoping that you’ll realize the feelings of a sibling who doesn’t want to see her brother getting rejected.

After dotting the final period, I handed the letter to Ember. Imagining Wizlet jumping around saying “Could that really be what it was?” as soon as he received this letter made me smile involuntarily.

The oblivious Wizlet probably hadn’t noticed that the noblemen’s intentions were elsewhere, but my future sister-in-law Aneta Planchd was one of the most beautiful women in the empire.

I don’t know how Wizlet ended up with her, but I’ve listened to him complain a few times about guys who keep trying, as if having a goalkeeper means you can’t score.

‘He really complained like that but still didn’t notice? Isn’t he an idiot?’

It was pathetic that he was grumbling about not being able to enjoy dates peacefully because of us. It was obvious he still didn’t know he was being intentionally interfered with.

“I really wonder why Aneta chose Wizlet.”

She must have had many other good options. I thought again that her taste was quite unique.

As the night grew dark, I waited for Yezar in the bedroom. I had little work to do today, so I had come to the bedroom early.

As I was absently staring at the moon in the night sky, Yezar also entered the bedroom earlier than usual.

“It seems your work finished early today too, Yezar.”

“Yes, is it the same for you, my lady?”

“That’s right. So I was waiting to see when you’d come.”

This kind of conversation between us had become familiar. The time we spent chatting about each other’s daily lives and getting to know each other was always a small joy before going to sleep.

“Oh right, I got a letter from my little brother. He said he’d drop by our mansion sometime.”

Yezar knew that, unlike with my other family members, I exchanged letters regularly with Wizlet. Perhaps that’s why he was favorable towards Wizlet.

“When did he say he’d come? I’d like to properly entertain my brother-in-law.”

“He just said he’d come visit sometime, so I wrote some good dates in my reply. I’ll let you know as soon as I get his response.”

“I understand.”

“But, are you not uncomfortable?”

“About what?”

“Well… about my family coming to your mansion.”

I said this because I was worried, as he tended to say everything I said was fine. Then Yezar called out to me.

“My lady.”

“Yes?”

“How long are you going to keep drawing lines with me? Didn’t we agree to live like a normal couple?”

I recalled his expression, like a large dog with drooping ears and tail. I clearly remembered what I had promised him.

‘Does that mean I shouldn’t act like a contract wife, drawing lines?’

‘Absolutely forbidden. Even if you’re drunk, please don’t say such things.’

Remembering that day, I felt so sorry that I carefully took Yezar’s hand.

“Did I upset you with unnecessary words?”

“I was a little hurt. What’s the difference between Julieta’s family and my mansion? Your surname is Perhaem, and this is your mansion too. I’d like you to remember that.”

“I’m sorry for hurting you. Instead, would it make you feel better if we did something like a real couple?”

Yezar hesitated for a moment at my suggestion. Then, after moving his lips a few times, he asked.

“What do you mean by something like a real couple…?”

“Something we can do now, at night.”

This time, he creaked like a robot.

“What? Ah, no matter what, that’s…”

Oh no. Was he too hurt? Is this not enough to make him feel better?

“Is this not enough? I’m sorry for not keeping my promise to you.”

“Ah, no. How could it not be enough? I’m just surprised…”

“It’s okay. You just have to receive it, Yezar.”

“I’m receiving? What on earth are you planning to do…!”

He looked at me, flustered. I just smiled brightly and replied as if telling him to trust me.

“Don’t worry and just stay still. Yezar, why don’t you close your eyes for a moment?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed greatly. He seemed to be thirsty. As if making a big decision, he closed his eyes, completely stiff. Somehow, it made me want to laugh.

“If you’re going to do it, you need to let go of my hand, you know?”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Only then did the strength in his hand loosen. I pulled my hand away and moved behind his back. At the rustling sound, his body flinched. He seemed tense. There was no need for that.

I carefully placed my hands on his broad shoulders. Somehow, his body was hot. The tips of his ears were bright red.

I pressed his shoulders firmly, recalling what I had done before. What I was planning to do was a massage.

In my previous life, when my mom came home tired from work, I had seen my dad carefully approach her and massage her shoulders, arms, and legs, pressing firmly.

Then mom would wave her hand and say,

‘You must be tired too after finishing work. Just go in and rest.’

‘It’s okay. Your shoulders and legs are all knotted up. I should loosen them for you. Who else would do it?’

‘You’re not hateful at times like this. Not hateful at all. Thank you.’

I couldn’t remember my parents’ faces from my previous life anymore, but I did remember that mom was smiling then.

So now, I was doing what I thought was something a real couple would do for Yezar, who was feeling hurt.

Taking care of and worrying about each other when returning home tired from work. That’s what I thought real couples did.

“How is it? Does it feel good?”

I tried pressing hard, but I wasn’t sure if he would like it.

Soon, Yezar let out a deep sigh. Then he covered his face with both hands.

“I am trash.”

“What? How can such a handsome, kind, and perfect trash exist in this world? Don’t say such nonsense!”

But as if his soul had already been stripped bare, Yezar shook his head with his face buried in his palms.

“My innocent wife knows nothing.”

Me, innocent? I had never thought of myself that way. When Yezar said that, my conscience pricked me sharply.

Among the novels I had read, there were many that were too hot, even dirty, to dare show others. I probably knew more about the affairs between men and women than this innocent man.

“No, Yezar, you misunderstand. I’m not as innocent as you think!”

But my words didn’t seem to reach Yezar, as he started muttering to himself.

“Haa… Right, there’s no way my wife would… I’m trash. How dare I think of my wife like that…”

To bring Yezar’s mind back from wherever it had gone, I firmly pressed his cheek. Startled, Yezar looked at me.

“My lady?”

“Was my massage that bad?”

“Ah, no. It felt good.”

“Then why are you suddenly saying self-deprecating things?”

“Ah, that, that is…”

He kept stumbling over his words suspiciously.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been so caught up in work lately that my mind wandered for a moment.”

Ah, so that’s why he was so exhausted. I reignited my determination to continue the massage.

“Is that so? Then give me your hands now.”

“Pardon? Wasn’t it over after massaging my shoulders?”

“What are you saying! I didn’t intend to ease your hurt feelings with something so simple. My hands are more capable than they look. Trust me and leave it to me.”

With a half-dazed expression, Yezar extended his hands to me. I took his hands in both of mine and pressed his palms firmly. He let out a groan.

“Ah… Ugh.”

“How is it? It feels good when I press here, right?”

“Haa. Yes…”

But for some reason, his groans sounded like moans. Was it because of the lewd demon that had settled in my mind?

To avoid showing my embarrassment, I diligently pressed his palms and then reached for his arms. His protruding veins and muscles fit snugly in my hands. As I kneaded them diligently, my body felt strangely hot.

‘Oh… Something’s not right.’

The massage I knew wasn’t like this. For some reason, the more I kneaded and pressed his body, the stranger the sounds I heard and the sensations transmitted to my hands became.

“N-now I’ll massage your legs.”

It seemed better to quickly move on to massaging somewhere else. I grabbed his firm calves. Then I naturally spread his legs and positioned myself between them to press the muscles.

As my hands slowly moved past his calves towards his thighs, about to press firmly, he grabbed my wrists.

“S-stop! Not there.”

His voice was too urgent and somehow filled with heat.