“I wasn’t okay at all.”

I just tried to pretend I didn’t know. In fact, I desperately wished that I would be prioritized over work, that he would properly make time for me just once.

But knowing he wouldn’t, I drew a line saying I shouldn’t wish for it. I thought that would make me feel better.

‘The people of House Perhaem are kinder than I thought. They keep giving me what I wanted, making me not want to go back.’

They make me develop desires when I had none before. At first, I was content with Yezar’s kindness in caring for and comforting me. Then I fell for him and came to want more.

It was the same with my family. Even if others didn’t come, I wasn’t too upset knowing Wizlet’s heart as he sent occasional letters.

But then I was told I didn’t need to understand such situations. That it was okay to be upset and angry about being neglected due to work, that it was fine to throw a tantrum, that they would accept it all. Hearing that, the dam I had built up in my heart collapsed helplessly.

‘This isn’t right. I’m weak to these things.’

It would have been enough to keep as good memories. I didn’t want more than that.

“It’s not good at all… Rather, it would be better to draw a proper line.”

Like the servants at Count Orbetian’s mansion drawing a line. Then I too would keep that line and treat them as kindly as possible as their lady.

The longer I stay here, the stranger I become. I couldn’t tell if it was for better or worse.

It was when I was pressing a damp cloth to my swollen eyes from crying too much. The door suddenly opened with a thud.

Startled, I looked toward the door to see Wizlet standing there. As I felt it had been quite a while, I wondered where his new sister was and why he was alone.

They always went around as a pair. But somehow Wizlet’s face looked troubled.

“Hey… you.”

Why is he dragging out his words like that? He always spoke playfully.

“Julieta, were you crying?”

Oh no. I quickly turned my head away. Then I cleared my throat as best I could and answered.

“How could that be? Why did you suddenly come, little brother?”

But my words didn’t work on Wizlet. He came over to me and pulled my face to look at him.

Seeing my swollen eyes and reddened eyelids, Wizlet’s expression contorted.

“You were crying. Why didn’t you tell me? If you had said you were having such a hard time…!”

He messed up his hair in frustration and got angry. In an instant, Wizlet’s eyes sharpened and he walked out alone without giving me a chance to say anything.

With an ominous feeling, I hurriedly followed after him. It was more ominous because Wizlet only had such an angry face when he had made a big mistake.

“W-wait a moment! Brother!”

He didn’t stop even when I called. As I ran anxiously wondering what on earth he was going to do, I heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed.

As I turned the corner, I prayed that Wizlet, that bastard, hadn’t caused trouble. And I witnessed Wizlet pointing his sword at Yezar’s neck.

“You crazy bastard! Why are you pointing a sword?!”

Now he seemed to have decided to ignore my voice completely. Wizlet was asking Yezar in an ice-cold voice.

“Duke Perhaem. Why is my sister crying?”

Where did he sell the honorifics? Besides, he can’t even handle a sword well, but to point it like that in someone else’s mansion… He really has a quick temper, that’s for sure.

“My lady was crying?”

“Yes. Somehow I only saw the Duke at the front gate. Did you deliberately hide my sister when I came?”

In Wizlet’s imagination, I had already become an abused wife. It really wasn’t like that.

Unable to stand by any longer, I tried to intervene between them. Yezar saw my face and asked me, turning pale.

“My lady, w-why is your face… Did you really cry? Were you upset because I was inadequate in taking care of your brother?”

“Ah, no! That’s not it. There’s a bit of a misunderstanding here.”

Ignoring Wizlet who was pointing a sword at his neck, Yezar kept worrying about me. Realizing the situation was turning strange, Wizlet uttered words of doubt.

“What kind of situation is this now.”

That’s what I wanted to say. I’m the one who wants to ask what this situation is.

***

“So you’re saying it was just dust in your eye?”

Nod nod.

“And I happened to come in then, misunderstood, and pointed my sword at Duke Perhaem?”

Yes, you bastard. Even after explaining the situation, Wizlet didn’t easily remove his suspicion. Judging by how he still threw away honorifics, that was the case.

“I was worried, my lady. Your eyes are swollen. Is just a damp cloth enough?”

And Yezar was Yezar, worrying about me whether or not Wizlet looked at him with suspicious eyes.

“Yes. It’s fine. You can stop examining my face now.”

His hand was stuck to my cheek, examining my face. I was told to show we get along well, not to stick together like this.

“But thinking that my lady cried where I wasn’t… I’m so upset.”

“There’s no need to be upset. At this rate, Yezar will cry.”

He really might cry. Seeing his drooping eyes as he looked at me, that seemed to be the case. It seems Yezar is overprotective of me, no less than Wizlet. Even though he knows well that I’m not the type to go around getting beaten up somewhere.

“I’ll bring some warm tea. What kind of tea would you like, brother-in-law?”

“Anything.”

“Wizlet!”

“What.”

What are you doing so childishly? It’s not like you’re having a battle of nerves.

“I’m sorry, Yezar. I’ll apologize on behalf of my inadequate brother.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“Why are you acting like that to someone who was considerate enough to prepare things because you were coming, little brother? Fix your attitude.”

Not to mention drawing a sword and pointing it at someone’s neck in their mansion. It could have become a big problem if he made an issue of it. But Yezar generously let it go without making it an issue.

“It’s alright, Julieta. I’ll bring the tea, so talk with your brother. Aren’t you glad to see him after a long time?”

Well, that’s true, but. Yezar smiled and gently wiped my eyes.

“But please don’t cry while I’m gone. I don’t like tears forming in my lady’s eyes without me knowing.”

Saying that, Yezar left. I let out a deep sigh.

“Do you still doubt after seeing that?”

“He could be especially kind to you in front of me.”

He seemed to have no intention of removing his suspicion until the end. Since he knew from the beginning that our marriage was political… I understand the psychology of doubting everything, but…

“You know from rumors that he’s not that kind of person. Did his surprise at seeing my face look like acting?”

“He did look surprised.”

Then why won’t you admit it?

“Okay. I understand how you feel, little brother. It’s fine to be suspicious, but apologize properly later. I feel so sorry to my husband.”

“Alright. I’ll apologize, okay?”

Finally agreeing to apologize, I let out a sigh of relief.

“So where did your new sister go, and why did you come alone?”

Since Yezar left to let us talk alone. I asked Wizlet comfortably. Wizlet got upset at my question. As if asking what I took him for.

“I still have common sense. It’s been a while since I came to see my sister. We agreed to go on a date in the afternoon. We planned to go there later.”

“I must have worried you quite a bit?”

“How could I not worry? You’re my only sister. There are rumors that you’re getting along well with Duke Perhaem, but I still worry. It wasn’t even a love marriage to begin with, so what’s with going on dates in disguise among commoners before marriage? How could I not be suspicious?”

Though he was busy teasing me in his letters. It seems he had been worrying about that part on his own. I wondered why his reaction was so intense.

“So when you saw me crying, you immediately ran to Yezar and pointed a sword at him? Thinking this was all a lie?”

Wizlet cleared his throat awkwardly and turned his gaze aside as he answered.

“…Yes.”

It seems he’s embarrassed to speak honestly. Soon he messed up his hair.

“So if anything happens, contact me. Okay? What’s so important about a duke or whatever.”

“Ahaha.”

“Why are you laughing?”

“Well, it just seems so reckless that you misunderstood on your own and pointed a sword you can’t even handle well at the captain of that Blue Knights.”

If you could handle it well, maybe. Isn’t it that you got angry at your own thoughts and did that even though you can’t handle a sword?

“Little brother hasn’t changed at all.”

“How could I change in such a short time?”

“That’s true. But I’m glad you came to visit. It’s nice to see your face after so long.”

“Why are you saying things like that…”

Seeing me say something I don’t usually say, I could see him blushing and getting embarrassed on his own.

“Pfft, hahaha. Wizlet, your face is red?”

“What’s red. And you should call me little brother. Your speech is getting short again.”

As I teased him while looking at Wizlet’s face, I took a breath and asked.

“Little brother, how is nanny doing?”

Then he readily answered.

“She’s doing well. What’s there to not do well? But I think she thinks of you a lot.”

I could hear her gentle voice calling “my young lady” as if it was just yesterday.