‘Clearly, it seems to have been just a gathering of ladies at first.’

When exchanging letters about where to meet and what to do, I didn’t think Yezar would end up coming along.

“My lady, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

“Ah. I’m worried that I might have taken up Yezar’s time.”

“That’s not possible. If we go to the villa on the outskirts of the capital owned by Count Warden’s family, Count Warden will be there, and I’ll have a proper opportunity to discuss swordsmanship with him. I’ve heard that Count Warden’s territory is excellent for knights to train. I wanted to meet him and have a proper conversation.”

Right. It all started with Countess Warden’s suggestion. When she proposed the villa owned by Count Warden’s family on the outskirts of the capital as the venue for this gathering, Marchioness Stemun and Countess Fireoa agreed enthusiastically. They did ask for my opinion, but I had no reason to object when they had already agreed.

As the weather warmed up, the idea of going on a spring outing together came up, and since the venue was Count Warden’s family villa, the atmosphere shifted towards a couples’ gathering being fine too.

Marchioness Stemun, seemingly considerate of me who joined later, said it was okay to take my time to respond. It seemed she took into account that Yezar might have difficulty making time due to his many commitments.

I wanted to get closer to the ladies and was looking forward to the meeting. But I was worried about Yezar’s tight schedule. At that moment, Ember appeared before me.

‘My lady, do you have something troubling you?’

She merely asked that, but the result was this current situation. Somehow, it was decided that Yezar would attend, and before I knew it, letters of acceptance had already been sent to the ladies.

Surprised, I was about to send another letter when Lofi approached me, sniffling.

‘My lady. I thought the wound had healed… but it seems it hasn’t fully recovered yet.’

‘Oh my. Lofi, are you alright?’

‘If an angelic lady like you could spare even a few minutes for a lowly maid like me, I would be truly happy. It would feel like all the pain is gone.’

Thus, distracted as if bewitched, I completely forgot about sending another letter, and by the time I came to my senses, everything was settled.

I glanced at Yezar sitting across from me. I could see his profile as he looked out the window. His sharp nose bridge, long eyelashes calmly lowered, and slightly parted lips looked like they belonged in a pictorial.

As I stared blankly for a moment, he seemed to feel my gaze and turned his head. His straight lips curved upwards into a smile.

“Do you have something to tell me, my lady?”

“Ah! Well…”

Not having the confidence to boldly admit that I had been secretly admiring his face, I came up with another reason.

“I don’t think I thanked you for coming along. They said it was a couples’ gathering, and I thought I’d feel lonely if I went alone. Thank you for making time.”

“No matter how busy I am, there’s no way I wouldn’t have time for you, my lady. Between a married couple, I think this is not something to be thanked for, but natural.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is.”

Being used to always being pushed aside due to busy schedules, his attitude of prioritizing me made my heart flutter.

‘He probably doesn’t know. That for some people, making that time is very difficult.’

“I still want to say thank you. I’m very happy. I’m not yet used to someone making time for me.”

I ended up saying something I shouldn’t have again. Why can’t I control myself in front of him? As I lamented this, he moved from his seat opposite me to sit beside me.

“Y-yes, Yezar?”

“I’ll make you get used to it. To me, Julieta is the most precious person.”

“Yes. While I’m the duchess, you are also the most precious person to me, Yezar.”

Because we promised. To treat each other like a real couple.

“That…”

“Yes?”

Did he have something more to say? As I stared at him intently, he soon shook his head.

“It’s nothing, my lady. Thank you for thinking of me that way.”

“Yes, Yezar.”

“…I’ll try harder.”

He’s already doing so well. Yet he says he’ll try harder. He really is such a good person.

***

As we chatted in the carriage, we entered the outskirts of the capital.

“Come to think of it, the Warden family seems to be located far from the capital. Their villa isn’t near the capital either. I wonder if there’s a reason for that?”

“The Warden family avoids getting close to political circles, that’s why.”

“Is that so? I didn’t know that.”

“The Warden family has been a house that focused solely on martial arts for generations. They didn’t prefer getting entangled in complex politics.”

Well, if they don’t desire high positions and purely wish to cultivate martial arts, they wouldn’t want to get involved in complicated politics. It wasn’t uncommon for families to be ruined by mistakenly getting involved.

“Normally, they wouldn’t have met with me, who is close to the current Emperor. If rumors spread that they’re close to Duke Perhaem, it would disrupt their quiet life.”

It was an issue I hadn’t considered. I wondered if I had thoughtlessly brought Yezar along.

“Should I have declined Countess Warden’s invitation? Maybe they reluctantly invited me because of Marchioness Stemun, even though I’m an unwelcome guest…”

“That’s not possible. If they were reluctant, they would have changed the venue to another quiet place. Moreover, they wouldn’t have mentioned it being a couples’ gathering.”

I was happy to meet people who didn’t see me as a young lady or madam they had to serve, but comfortable companions. I panicked for a moment, wondering if I had been tactless.

“Right? That’s how it is!”

I grabbed his hand and shook it. Yezar smiled at seeing my face regain its vigor.

“Yes, my lady.”

Really, what a relief. Though there might have been other intentions at first, now I just wanted to have a good time with them.

“It seems we’ve arrived. Shall we get off, my lady?”

“Yes, Yezar.”

He got off the carriage first and extended his hand to me. I took his hand and calmly stepped down from the carriage.

A waiting servant guided us.

As we opened the door to the reception room and entered, the ladies were already seated. Next to the ladies, figures who seemed to be their husbands were seen attentively taking care of them.

At the sound of someone entering, sparkling gazes all turned towards us.

More precisely, they were directed at me, arm in arm with Yezar.

“Finally, the last guests have arrived. As I felt last time, Duke and Duchess Perhaem are so fresh and lovely.”

Saying this with a smile, Marchioness Stemun was whispering something to her husband. The ladies sitting beside were also poking their husbands’ sides and asking,

“We had times like that too, didn’t we, dear?”

“Ahem. There are others present. We should talk about such things at home, Berry.”

“Count Warden, this villa is as good as our home. Don’t you have anything to say?”

“You have a name, Eric. Why are you calling me so formally, Katrin?”

Seeing the couples being so affectionate, I didn’t know what to do and just clutched Yezar’s collar tightly. Then Marchioness Stemun called out to us.

“Why are you so tense? Come, sit down. It must have taken some time since it’s a bit far from the capital. Katrin was so worried that something might have happened to Julieta while coming with the Duke.”

At that, Countess Warden smiled softly. As if she was glad we arrived safely.

“Nothing happened. Thank you for your concern. But calling me Julieta…”

As I sat down and asked Marchioness Stemun, she hurriedly apologized to me.

“I’m sorry. I was so happy to see Duchess Perhaem that I unconsciously…”

Then Countess Warden and Countess Fireoa, who were nearby, spoke as if they were used to it.

“Sina is always like this. When she meets someone she likes, she just rushes in.”

“That’s right. Sina wanted to call Duchess Perhaem comfortably. Even though it’s rude to do so without permission.”

Sina seemed to be Marchioness Stemun’s nickname. Seeing her apologetic appearance, I was about to say it was okay.

“Stop it. Katrin, Berry. It just came out without thinking. I’m sorry. It must be burdensome. I won’t do it again.”

When Marchioness Stemun said that, I missed the timing to say it was okay. Actually, I was happy to be called Julieta. After all, the ladies called each other by comfortable nicknames.

As I hesitated, wondering how to speak, Yezar took my hand.

‘Huh? Why suddenly my hand…’

He moved his lips. It’s okay. They all like you. That’s what he was saying.

‘Ah, he saw me hesitating from beside me. Right, I didn’t come here alone.’

“It’s okay. It wasn’t rude. I would be happy if you called me Julieta, just like how you ladies call each other by nicknames.”

At that, the ladies’ eyes all widened simultaneously.

“Really? Then, please call me Sina too. Julieta.”

“Oh my. Me too. Please call me Katrin.”

“Please call me Berry comfortably too.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at their eager faces, each claiming to be first.

“Alright. I look forward to our friendship. Sina, Katrin, Berry.”

As I said that, they all laughed happily, saying it was great. I glanced at Yezar and mouthed ‘thank you’ just as he had done, and he responded with a smile in his eyes. He really is always reliable.