Is this, in its own way, a form of comfort? Or are there other intentions behind these words? Whatever it is, my gloomy mood has improved considerably.

“That’s right. It might have been like that. If we weren’t married, we would have lived our separate lives. If we happened to meet at a party, we would have just exchanged brief greetings and nothing more.”

Thinking about it that way made me dislike the idea. The moments of sparring with him were so enjoyable. The casual conversations we shared before sleep had become the time I looked forward to most in a day.

“I might not like that. If this moment were to disappear, it would feel too lonely. So I don’t regret it.”

I rested my head on his shoulder. This too had become so natural after doing it once or twice that it was troublesome.

“I know how precious it is to have someone to share worries with, share likes with, and spend time with. Thank you. For always listening to me seriously. All my useless thoughts have flown away!”

What’s the use of countless what-ifs? What matters is the present.

‘Still, if I could meet the young Julieta even once, I’d really want to hug her. She must have been very lonely by herself.’

There were many things I wanted to tell her. The most important thing I’d want to say is that you are incredibly happy now.

“Was I of help?”

To his carefully asked question, I answered without hesitation.

“Yes! Very much so. So shall we go back now? You said you’d prepare a place for us to wash up. Yezar is also sweaty after sparring. It must feel uncomfortable.”

“I’m fine. But I can’t let my lady smell my sweat, so I’ll wash up thoroughly.”

Yezar might not know, but he didn’t smell of sweat at all. His body scent just became stronger, always giving off a pleasant fragrance. Is this a sub-male lead buff from the original work? Why don’t I have such a buff?

Thinking this, I picked up a wet towel and wiped his sweat. I gracefully ignored Yezar’s voice saying it was fine.

***

‘Now I feel refreshed.’

After washing and changing clothes, I returned to my original fluffy state. Perhaps because I moved around during the sparring session, my body felt much lighter.

As I looked for where the ladies might be, I found only Sarsina sitting there, with Katrin and Berry gone somewhere.

“Julieta, are you alright now?”

“Yes. I think I overdid it by moving so suddenly. But where are the others?”

“Well, you see. My husband is still deeply engrossed in chess. Berry went to watch, and Katrin seems to have gone to soothe her child who must have woken up.”

I remembered her saying that she couldn’t leave the child alone at the villa because it would cry constantly without its mother nearby.

Surely, Katrin’s child was 6 years old? It was indeed an age when they would frequently seek their mother.

“So I was quietly waiting here for Julieta.”

“Weren’t you bored waiting?”

“Not at all. As it happens, I have something to talk about.”

A private conversation? Judging by her bright smile, it didn’t seem to be a serious matter.

“What is it about?”

“It’s about the Duchess of Eckert. Recently, after attending the Duchess’s tea time, haven’t there been unfavorable rumors circulating about Julieta?”

She hadn’t mentioned this when we exchanged letters. It seems she had been concerned about it inwardly.

“Yes, there have been. I heard through my butler that the Duchess of Eckert seems to have spread unfavorable rumors about me.”

“I see, so it was true. The reason I brought this up is because I was worried that Julieta might have fallen out of her favor because of me, leading to those bad rumors spreading.”

Lady Stemun’s voice was cautious as she said this. But I really didn’t mind.

“It’s alright. I don’t pay attention to such rumors anyway.”

“Really? But I feel so sorry about it. So I was going to take action to prevent the Duchess of Eckert from doing such things anymore. But for some reason, the Eckert duchy seems to be in a difficult situation and very busy.”

That must be because of me. Felanne’s handling of matters was impeccable. It seemed my rumors weren’t spreading further, and since the risk of cutting ties with Felanne’s trading company was too great for the nobles, they tried to avoid getting involved with the Eckert duchy.

“I’m touched that you were going to take action personally out of concern for me.”

“Of course. You came to meet me first after all. I can’t stand it when someone not only insults me for my background but also targets those close to me.”

The butler had mentioned that some people occasionally look down on Lady Stemun for being of mixed blood. Even though there’s hardly any difference in appearance. I couldn’t understand why they would despise someone so much just because they had foreign blood mixed in.

“Julieta. So if you ever experience any unpleasant incidents like with the Duchess of Eckert, please make sure to tell me.”

“Yes, I’ll definitely tell you, Sarsina.”

Since she was the painter Cortina protected by the imperial family, it felt reliable.

“And if we become closer, someday please tell me about the secrets Julieta is hiding.”

“Pardon? Secrets? I don’t have any such things.”

I calmly lied. I did have many secrets I was hiding from her. But it seemed Sarsina had noticed my lie.

“Actually, I know. It was Julieta who made things difficult for the Duchess of Eckert, right?”

“How did you know…?”

Even if she obtained information from behind the scenes as the painter Cortina, she shouldn’t know that I was a co-operator of Felanne’s trading company.

“I’m acquainted with Felanne. So I heard a little bit. That the reason for cutting ties with the Eckert duchy was actually at the request of the Duchess of Perhaem.”

So much for impeccable handling. I should have remembered that it was Felanne who first showed me the works of the painter Cortina.

Still, it seems she didn’t mention that I was a co-operator. I should be grateful that she kept that secret, I suppose.

“Yes, that’s right. The rumors about me were fine, but when I heard that they openly beat the servant I had requested to be sent and said they would make them spy, only then did they send them. So I couldn’t stand by. I really hate those who bully the weak.”

It still pained my heart to recall it. The thought of someone being beaten because of me was horrific.

“That sounds like something a splendid knight would say. I was curious about what you had been doing, seeing the calluses on Julieta’s hands. I’m glad to have solved that mystery today.”

“Learning the sword isn’t a secret. I would have told you if you had asked. Come to think of it, Sarsina, you also have calluses on your hands. Most ladies wouldn’t have those.”

I casually threw out a comment related to her identity. I wasn’t the only one hiding secrets, after all.

“That’s right. As I worked, calluses naturally formed on my hands. I’m sorry, but what kind of work I do is a secret I can’t reveal. It’s contradictory of me to ask Julieta to share her secrets while saying this, but neither Katrin nor Berry know.”

Even Empress Bertisha didn’t know the identity of the painter Cortina. There was no way she could tell me.

“Everyone has their own secrets, don’t they? Whether we know each other’s secrets or not, isn’t it enough if we enjoy the time we spend together?”

“Pfft. That’s true. Still, although it’s not quite a fair exchange, take these.”

She handed me two exhibition invitations.

“It’s an art exhibition featuring the works of the painter Cortina. I’m only telling Julieta this, but there will be a very special painting at this exhibition.”

“A special painting?”

Her words to me naturally came to mind.

‘But seeing Lord Perhaem looking at Julieta reminded me again. Of those brilliant feelings from back then.’

She had said that she felt like capturing those emotions from that time somewhere.

“Yes. It’s a work that could be called the painter Cortina’s masterpiece of the ages. It’s also a new work that the painter Cortina will present after taking a break for a while.”

“I’m curious. I once collected and viewed the painter Cortina’s works, you know.”

“Really?”

It must surely be a secret known only to some people in the imperial family. Is it alright for her to look at me with such sparkling eyes, as if hinting that she is Cortina?

But I also wanted to give her my honest impression.

“Yes. I loved the brilliance of such beautiful colors. The expression of radiant light, and the delicate brush strokes when depicting undulating waves were wonderful. But I suppose the reason I kept looking at the painter Cortina’s paintings was because there was something in them that naturally warmed my heart.”

“In that case, you’ll like the new work as well. It’s a piece that expresses the most brilliant emotions, more than any other work.”

I wondered what those emotions from that time she expressed were. I was already excited.

“Giving me two tickets, does that mean you want me to go see it with my husband?”

“Yes. I’d like you both to see that work together. The exhibition will be held when it’s hot with the sun blazing down, so it’s still a while away though.”

“I’ll definitely go see it.”

There was no reason not to go when the artist herself was insisting we come see it together. Of course, I did tease her a bit by casually throwing out a comment.

“But Sarsina, how do you know so much about the painter Cortina’s work that hasn’t been unveiled yet?”

“I have connections. I can’t tell you the details. I’d get scolded if it was found out.”

She lied nonchalantly without showing any signs of being flustered. If I hadn’t read the original novel, I might have been completely fooled.

“If you happen to know any more stories about the painter Cortina, please tell me. I’m a fan.”

But Sarsina’s face lighting up instantly at the word ‘fan’ was too honest to a fault.