She still spoke to me with a bright face.

“My actions may be unpleasant, but I’ve just been sad that Yezar has been distancing himself from me and Camileo for no reason lately. I wanted to meet with you to find out why.”

“He may have been trying to keep his distance after getting married. You know. The closer men and women are, the more unfavorable rumors spread.”

At that, Bertisha covered her mouth and laughed.

“Well. Don’t such rumors spread even if it’s not between a man and a woman?”

Was Bertisha saying this because she knew about the rumors between Yezar and Camileo? But if she knew, why wouldn’t she correct such rumors?

While Camileo might not know, Yezar was still bearing the stigma of being called homosexual in the rumors.

“Besides, if that’s the case, there seems to be no reason to push Camileo away too. He didn’t attend the national wedding either. If he doesn’t attend this banquet as well, Camileo might feel hurt.”

Camileo was the name of the male lead in the original story who made me choose a life of seclusion.

Of course, the original story had already ended and I wasn’t entangled in bad relations with Bertisha, so it should be fine, but my body instinctively felt aversion.

“This is a peaceful method. If he keeps avoiding, it could be uncomfortable for official duties too, so he might be summoned to the imperial palace by imperial order. So please speak well to the Duke’s wife. So that we can clear up misunderstandings and become close again. I beg you.”

Bertisha, who had come closer, brushed away my fallen hair and tilted her head sideways.

Though her tone was friendly, if you analyzed each word, this was not a request but an order. Yezar wasn’t ready to face Bertisha yet. He had struggled even with just letters.

If he faced her again and suffered, those who had watched him struggle before would surely suffer along with him. I didn’t want that.

“Your Majesty the Empress, you haven’t asked once how the Duke has been doing all this time. Usually, if you were close, wouldn’t that be what you’re most curious about?”

At that, Bertisha’s pupils dilated and her hand that had been touching me fell. She had only asked about my relationship with Yezar. And then she was telling me to bring Yezar, who wouldn’t meet her, before her.

If she were truly a friend, she would have asked me worriedly what had happened and why he was avoiding her, not threatening like this.

“Well, Yezar and I have shared so much time together. I know better than the Duchess what he might be doing, so I didn’t ask.”

Bertisha said this with a bright smile. It was an incredibly beautiful smile, but it felt like poison hidden in soft petals.

Her tone, confident that she knew Yezar better than me, his wife, seemed to be mocking me. I didn’t back down and said to her.

“No. Your Majesty doesn’t know well. The appearance of my husband when he’s by my side.”

“That can’t be. I know well the image of Yezar quietly taking care of others from behind.”

From Bertisha’s perspective, Yezar would be like that. He would have watched over her from behind, taking care of her and just silently observing.

But the Yezar I came to know, not from her perspective but in reality, was an incredibly colorful and shining person.

“The Duke shines the most when he steps forward, not from behind. He has a bad habit of trying to bear difficult things alone, but when you approach him at those times, he speaks honestly.”

He was honest about his emotions. His face quickly turned red and he was very shy. Though he tended to dig himself into holes, he laughed well, sometimes played pranks on me, and had a sly side too.

“When walking beside me, he matches his pace to mine and always thinks of me first. When my shoe heel broke, he knelt down to examine me and focused on me.”

Then he said it wouldn’t do and tried to carry me in his arms.

‘If it’s not disrespectful, may I carry you, my wife?’

‘Yezar, me? Won’t I be heavy?’

At those words, he laughed and lifted me up in an instant.

‘But you’re so light like this. Keep your arms around me, it’s dangerous, my wife.’

Even thinking back on it now, I thought he was overprotective. The more I was with him, the more I smiled too.

“Yezar is always like that with people close to him. I’ve experienced it too.”

Yes. Yezar must have treated Bertisha kindly too. In the novel, Yezar was a devoted secondary male lead to Bertisha after all.

“Yes, he probably was. That’s the kind of person he is. But now that I’m his wife, Yezar won’t have to care for anyone else besides me.”

Her graceful body was trembling. Her calm eyes were shaking as if hit by waves.

Yes. Although I might not be the one Yezar cares for, I intended to make sure he wouldn’t have to care for Bertisha anymore.

This much heartache from a painful first love was enough. It would be a waste to spend his future time on it too.

“Your Majesty the Empress, so I’ll make one request too. Please stop sending letters to my husband. It makes him uncomfortable.”

I was speaking to her in a surprisingly calm and polite tone. I only realized today that I could make such a voice.

I was glad to meet the female lead I liked from the novel. But it seemed we wouldn’t be able to have a good relationship like in the novel.

“I didn’t know Yezar was uncomfortable. Thank you for telling me.”

“No, I’m sorry to have to convey my husband’s words like this. I’ll persuade my husband well so that we can attend the official banquet together as a couple. Don’t worry.”

I smiled brightly at her as she had done to me. Bertisha smiled back at me too, but her eyes weren’t smiling.

It didn’t seem good to return to the tea party venue in this state. Everyone already knew my health wasn’t good anyway. I thought I could use that excuse to leave the tea party.

I didn’t want to stay longer at the tea party I had attended out of courtesy anyway.

Following behind her, I paused for a moment and turned my body towards where the carriage was.

“Your Majesty the Empress, I think I’ll go back now as I’m not feeling well.”

Then she, who had been walking silently, turned to look at me. With a beautiful smile like when I first saw her, she said to me.

“Alright. Your complexion wasn’t good. Go quickly. I’ll explain well to Duchess Eckert for you.”

“I’m grateful for Your Majesty’s generous understanding.”

I greeted her and quickly turned around. I had to leave this mansion before Bertisha finished the tea party and met Yezar.

‘What time is it now? It seems too early, he probably won’t be here yet.’

I was feeling very anxious. It was more so because of the thought that Bertisha and Yezar might encounter each other here right now. Perhaps misunderstanding my anxiety, the maid guiding me asked:

“Are you alright? Did you force yourself to attend despite not feeling well?”

Her voice saying this was weak and her eyes were dull. But there was kind concern in them.

“I had to respond to Duchess Eckert’s invitation.”

As I answered evasively, the maid bit her lip for a moment before replying.

“The madam really dislikes it when people attend and leave in the middle. She’ll surely torment you, Duchess. I know because I’ve been watching.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

It was pure curiosity. All the servants in this mansion had dead eyes and showed no interest in anyone.

“…I thought I might be able to speak well to the madam for you. Although I’m just a maid, I’m good at making excuses. I’ve helped other ladies sometimes.”

“You’ve helped other ladies?”

“Yes… The madam is a difficult person, but she doesn’t dislike people who treat her respectfully and flatter her.”

“Why did you go out of your way to help?”

The maid answered calmly, even with her nearly dead eyes.

“I just found it hard to see other people’s faces grow dark. Although I’m just a lowly maid and they are noble ladies I should serve.”

This maid was simply saying she found it difficult to see others in distress. When I remained silent for a moment, the maid lowered her eyes. As if used to it.

“I apologize. If you wish to punish me for meddling impertinently and offending you, I will accept it gladly.”

“I was just surprised for a moment. There’s no way I would punish you. There’s no punishment for someone so kind who worries about others. Umm… by any chance, have you thought about changing jobs?”

The maid’s dead expression came alive.

“Pardon?”

Only then did she look about my age, which made me smile. Clearly this wasn’t a situation to smile, but still.

“I think someone who worries about others even while prepared to be punished is exactly the kind of talent the Duke’s household needs. If it’s alright with you, I’ll tell the head maid to send a letter of recommendation.”

“How, how could I accept such an excessive offer…”

But her face was flushed, as if she didn’t dislike the idea.

“Can I take that as a yes? I only worried about myself even when seeing the dead faces of the servants here. You’re different, so I like you. I’m sure everyone at the Duke’s household will like you too.”

I thought bringing in reliable talent might be one of the duties of a Duchess.

“Th-thank you, Duchess! I, I will serve you with my life!”

“Alright. Before you go, I’d like to know your name. Will you tell me?”

“It’s Lopi, my lady!”

She went from calling me Duchess to my lady in an instant. That made me want to laugh somehow, but there was no time for this.

“Alright, Lopi. Will you guide me to where the carriage is now?”

Lopi nodded while sniffling, then pointed ahead. Ah, I hadn’t noticed because I was distracted, but we had already arrived.

But an unexpected person was standing there. He seemed surprised to see me too and asked:

“Julieta? Why are you out so early?”

“Why did you come to pick me up so early, Yezar?”

“Well, the Duke’s household servants urged me to come quickly, and my preparations finished earlier than expected, so when I arrived it was now.”

I could understand why the Duke’s household servants had urged him. They probably expected that I, knowing nothing, would be chewed up and torn apart there, so they rushed Yezar. This worked out well.

I hurriedly grabbed his hand.

“M-my wife! Why are you grabbing my hand so urgently…!”

Today, there was no time to watch him get flustered.