The sun could be seen setting outside the window. Time flew by so quickly while playing and chatting with the ladies. I was startled to see the sunset.

Surely, we were talking about Sina and the painter Cortina. When Yezar came in with Count Warden, we naturally moved to where Marquis Stemun and Count Pireoa were playing chess.

That’s how we spent time playing chess, and then Sina and Berry started preparing to leave, saying the children would be waiting, so I looked out the window.

“I had such a lovely time today. I wish I could have shown you my child’s face too. But they’re quite shy.”

Cathrine, who had just come back from comforting her child, said. A 6-year-old child being shy and hesitant – it sounded adorable just imagining it.

“It’s alright. Thank you for inviting me today. I’m glad I got closer with the ladies.”

The other ladies smiled brightly and said we should meet again next time. I happily agreed. Soon, they all left quickly, seemingly worried about their children at home.

Since I wasn’t in a rush, I said goodbye to them and prepared to leave last. Just as I was about to get into the carriage.

I saw Cathrine examining my hair.

“Julieta, is your hair really alright? Ah. I feel so sorry.”

“Please don’t worry about it. When I return to the duchy, I’ll ask the maids to trim my hair.”

As I said with a smile, Cathrine, who had been pondering for a moment, said to me.

“Julieta, then could you tilt your head towards me for a moment?”

Not knowing what it was about, I tilted my head as she asked, and she took out the hairpin she was wearing and carefully pinned it in my hair.

“Cathrine?”

“The cut hair was falling out. Here, take this. It suits you well, my lady.”

“You don’t have to give me something like this.”

As I tried to give it back, she stopped me.

“Don’t say that. I can clearly see how the maids will tear up when they see Julieta’s hair. And you’re newlyweds. It’s a time when you want to look pretty.”

Cathrine’s gaze shifted to Yezar behind me.

“If it were me, I would have been upset. So keep it.”

Hearing that, I couldn’t refuse anymore. I carefully touched the hairpin. The awkwardly cut hair had been blocking my view when the wind blew.

‘Cathrine is so thoughtful. She even cares about things like this.’

“Yes, I’ll gratefully accept it. Cathrine.”

She smiled brightly and firmly stepped on Count Warden’s foot beside her.

“Duchess, please take care on your way back. I’ll be more careful next time.”

Only then did her foot smoothly return to its place. I couldn’t help but laugh. They were an interesting couple.

“Yes. Please spar with me again next time, Count Warden. Now, I’ll be going with my husband.”

I ran to Yezar who was waiting and naturally linked arms with him.

“Did you see something amusing?”

“Yes. Count Warden really can’t resist Cathrine at all. But I liked how affectionate their gazes were towards each other.”

“I’m glad you could laugh comfortably here.”

He seemed worried because I had a bad experience at Marchioness Yekert’s tea time.

“Well, it’s partly because everyone was so nice, and because Yezar is beside me. There’s no reason not to smile, is there?”

Because the person who always offers me comfort is by my side. That’s why I could smile more. The sunset coloring the sky was as red as Yezar’s cheeks right now.

***

After enjoyably meeting the ladies and returning to the duchy, I faced the pale expressions of the maids who saw my cut hair.

“My lady, w-what happened!”

They were in a state of panic, even stuttering. I could see why Cathrine had been so worried.

‘I see. A noble lady’s hair is very precious.’

Maybe it’s because I’ve been in seclusion. I didn’t know hair held such important meaning.

“It got cut off while sparring with Count Warden. But we can trim it nicely, can’t we?”

At my words, they were left speechless. They seemed half out of their minds.

“Ah, was I not supposed to say it like that…?”

I was caught and given a lecture by the maids before being held down to have my hair trimmed. Even while trimming my hair, the maids didn’t stop their sobbing sounds. It was deafening.

‘I’m fine with it. But seeing their reaction makes me feel sorry somehow. I should apologize later.’

But the maids who finished trimming my hair said they couldn’t calm down and left after doing some simple chores. It had been a scene of wailing, and now the silence felt unfamiliar. The person whose hair was cut was fine, but those around were devastated.

Still, since it had become quiet, I carried out what I had planned to do as soon as I returned.

‘I should write a letter to Ferotia. An angry letter, that is.’

It seemed necessary to seal her lips again on this occasion. As I was writing the letter, I put down the quill.

It might be better to meet her in person. It wasn’t that late at night yet, and Yezar wouldn’t stop me from going out for a while. It was about time he let me go.

And I was caught.

“Where are you going, my lady?”

A chill ran down my spine. His voice, which had always been pleasant to hear, sounded like a scene from a horror movie today. I said hesitantly.

“Well… I was thinking of meeting Ferotia for a moment…”

“At this hour?”

“It’s not that dark yet. And I wasn’t planning to climb over the wall!”

“So you’re saying you were planning to sneak out through the main gate.”

“Hehehe…”

“That laugh won’t work. Didn’t you agree to get my permission?”

Right. I definitely did. But I thought he might not give permission, so I was going to sneak out quickly.

“Then can I get your permission now?”

He shook his head firmly. If Yezar said no, it was no. I gave up cleanly and tied an angry letter to the messenger bird.

I was the one who broke the promise anyway. There was no room for excuses. After sending the messenger bird, I slumped down on the bed. Yezar was watching me.

“I won’t go out now. So you don’t have to watch me like that.”

“I’m not watching you. I finished my work early and came to the bedroom thinking I could have a long conversation with you.”

Does that mean I was trying to forcefully go out, leaving behind my husband who came looking for me on purpose?

“Do you dislike being with me? You keep trying to go meet the head of Ferotia’s merchant group.”

His eyes drooped sadly. Feeling sorry, I shouted.

“No! Of course not. It’s just, Ferotia made a mistake and I wanted to scold her properly. I thought if I sent a letter, it might not be conveyed properly.”

“Was that it?”

“Yes. There’s no way I would dislike being with Yezar!”

As I pleaded with my fists clenched, his eyes finally softened. Feeling relieved, I patted the space next to me.

“Sit beside me and let’s talk, Yezar. What should we talk about today?”

“How about the sparring you did today? I’d like to hear how it was using real swords, for reference.”

It was unlike him, always worrying about my safety. I was genuinely happy and shook his hand vigorously.

“Yezar, really?! Then, will you use real swords when sparring with me?”

“It would be dangerous, but if you wish, I will.”

I thought he would refuse right away. When he gave permission, I wondered if I had done something wrong.

“You’re not angry with me, are you?”

“I’m not angry. I did consider it, but there are things that can’t be done without real swords after all. Watching your swordsmanship, I couldn’t help but be captivated.”

“I-I’m honored! I thought you were just saying nice things so I wouldn’t be disappointed.”

Count Warden also said I had talent for swordsmanship. Now I could believe and accept this praise purely.

“You really do have talent for swordsmanship. You apply what you’ve learned frighteningly well. Didn’t you keep up with Count Warden’s movements during the sparring?”

“Yes. I got immersed without realizing it… Seeing the sword drawing such beautiful trajectories, I could predict where it would come from.”

“That’s the beauty of sparring. But my lady, as Count Warden warned, don’t throw yourself in prepared to get hurt. A moment’s judgment can bring irreparable injury.”

Yezar’s expression was as serious as could be. He was a knight willing to wield his sword at the risk of his life, after all.

It was natural for him to warn against such judgment of mine. On the battlefield where life crumbles in an instant, my actions might take down the enemy before me, but couldn’t block the next enemy’s surprise attack.

“I’m sorry. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“That will do. I don’t want to see you get hurt. It pains my heart.”

His fingers brushed through my cut hair. Even though the maids had trimmed it nicely, there was still a difference in length from the other hair.

Somehow I felt embarrassed. Now I understood what Cathrine meant. Even if he didn’t find my hair ridiculous, hair of different lengths wouldn’t look pretty.

“Do you… dislike my cut hair?”

“No. Even with slightly cut hair, you are still beautiful, my lady.”

At that answer, a smile escaped me.