“Why such a face? Is it because I was with Duke Pieren?”

“No, not that.”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but nothing really happened. We just met by chance in the hallway. He offered to escort me first so I couldn’t refuse.”

“By chance?”

“Yes, by chance.”

No matter how much I emphasized chance, Bake’s expression did not soften.

He would naturally be so, because his mind would be filled with all sorts of thoughts.

But Bake’s depression didn’t last long, no, it couldn’t.

All along the ride in the carriage, as I kept sending worried glances, Bake, pretending to be a good husband, had to smile, even if forced.

“Don’t look at me like that. I just need to think for a moment.”

“Well, that’s a relief. I was worried that you might misunderstand.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

Bake stretched a smile once and then shut his mouth tightly.

Then, after a long silence, he cautiously opened his mouth, checking my mood.

“…Do you really intend to accept His Majesty’s proposal?”

“I can’t remember, but it’s a promise I’ve already made. Of course, I have to keep it.”

“…Do you trust His Majesty’s words?”

“There’s no reason for His Majesty to lie to me.”

When I laughed comfortably, Bake could not say a word and only licked his lips.

It seemed he wanted to keep me away from the emperor in any way possible, but unfortunately, I had no such inclination.

To escape the surveillance surrounding me, I had to go to a place where Bake’s influence did not reach.

“Don’t worry too much. Everything will be fine. I’m familiar with imperial etiquette. And above all, His Majesty’s words are all correct.”

“Correct? What?”

“That I can’t rest forever.”

“You can rest as much as you want if you wish. I don’t mind.”

“I’m not okay with that. Honestly, my body is all better. It’s just that my memory hasn’t come back.”

I drooped my head with a gloomy expression.

“I understand you’re anxious. But you don’t need to rush to regain your memory.”

“You also want me to regain my memory.”

“Of course, that’s true. But I care more about you than that. I don’t want to see you suffer because of your memory.”

At Bake’s gentle overlapping hand, I slowly raised my head.

Looking at his affectionately smiling face, it seemed that Bake was going to play the good husband today as well.

“Do you really think so?”

“Of course. You can always build new memories.”

“…Can I?”

“What matters is not the memory, but the fact that you are my wife, and I am your husband. Remember only that for now.”

“…”

It sounded familiar, it was what I had said.

As I chewed on that memory, I locked eyes with Bake. I could no longer deal with my husband with the emotions of that time.

“…Thank you. For saying that.”

“No, I’m more sorry. I couldn’t help more.”

“Don’t say that. I’ve been hanging in there because you’re here. And I will continue to do so.”

“Huh?”

“Actually, I was more encouraged because of you. Seeing you endure like a pillar, I wanted to do better. So, will you cheer for me so that I can do well?”

Bake, who had realized too late that he had missed the opportunity to persuade me, had a look of surprise, but it was already too late.

There was only one thing Bake could say to me, who was solidifying my will by making excuses.

“Of course I will cheer for you.”

“I knew you’d say that.”

As I laughed, Bake had no choice but to follow suit.

Even if I tried to feign calm, I saw the pupils shaking anxiously as I clasped both hands.

“But now, I have no memory. His Majesty has been generous, and since we are children, there won’t be a big problem, but there are some concerns.”

“If you feel like it’s going to be hard, tell me right away. I’ll talk to His Majesty well.”

“It’s not that, I want to bring someone who can help.”

“Someone who can help?”

“I’m talking about Margaret.”

Bake tried hard to keep his face under control, but I clearly saw it.

For a moment, the corners of Bake’s mouth rose when I mentioned Margaret.

“Well then, it’s settled. As Lady Fisher is your maid, there’s a reason. There won’t be a problem even if she accompanies you.”

Bake spoke with confidence, but in fact, Margaret was only a guest who had stayed for a while due to circumstances. She had never once worked as my maid.

However, since I lost my memory, she became my maid, and naturally began to use the annex that she used to use again.

Of course, it would not be only her who was cooking as before.

I turned my head, forcibly holding back the nausea at the memory of the entangled flesh I saw that day.

Just then, outside the carriage that had arrived at the mansion, I saw Margaret, who had come out first and was waiting.

So I turned my head again and smiled at Bake. I defiantly accepted Bake’s escort as I got off the carriage, and even after getting off, I naturally clung to him.

I knew perfectly well what Margaret’s gaze on me would be like, but I didn’t care.

After all, this was mild compared to the scene I saw.

Even more so compared to what would happen in the future.

“Did you like my gift?”

“I can only thank you for the wonderful gift.”