Loen looked at Sycar with a delighted look, as if he was seeing the most wonderful man in the world.

“He’s so gentle. Affectionate, you know. Didn’t you see earlier? As soon as Yura spat out the juice, he wiped her lips immediately. How enviable. If I were to have a lover, I’d like someone so caring and affectionate.”

While Loen was looking at Yura with such an envious gaze, Jeremy sneakily glanced at Sycar.

Sycar was pouring wine for Yura, gently tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Look at that. He’s tucking her hair behind her ear. A man so caring and affectionate is rare, right?”
Watching that scene, Jeremy also thought that the Duke was indeed a rare person.

Although the Duke was infamous for being ruthless to people, whenever she saw him being as affectionate as the Duke’s wife, it was hard to believe.

“Isn’t drinking wine and letting your hair fall into it an unusual thing even in your world?”

Oh, was that so?

Whether it was beer or soju, I was trying wine for the first time since coming here.

I wondered why people would pay such an expensive price for alcohol, but after having a glass of wine here, I seemed to understand why people sought wine despite its high cost.

Moreover, since it was alcohol after a long time, I felt invigorated by the sensation of alcohol flowing into my veins.

So, perhaps due to being too absorbed in the wine, I, too, unintentionally dropped a strand of hair into the wine glass.

Upon seeing that, Sycar tucked my hair behind my ear.

“Did you get drunk after just one glass?”

“Don’t worry. I won’t drink to the point of getting drunk.”

“It’s okay to get drunk, but don’t drop your hair into the wine glass.”

“Oh, right. Do you know that this is the second time today I’m telling you not to talk like that?”

“Don’t drop it.”

I spoke firmly, but I knew that habits were not easily corrected. Still, if I kept reminding myself, I might eventually fix it.

“It seems like you might drop your hair into the wine glass again, so it’s better to pass it over.”

Sycar even tucked the remaining strand of my hair behind my ear.

“But don’t you drink wine?”

“I don’t drink alcohol.”

It was unexpected that Sycar, who seemed like the type to carry a barrel of alcohol and drink, did not drink alcohol.

“It’s surprising that you don’t drink. How can you not drink alcohol?”

“Alcohol makes people weak.”

“Isn’t it supposed to make people stronger? I thought drinking alcohol makes people lose their fear and gain courage. So, they can say things they couldn’t normally say.”

“That’s not courage; it’s the judgment being clouded. Do you know what happens if you give alcohol to soldiers on the battlefield?”

“What happens?”

“At first, everyone becomes happy, dances, laughs, and it becomes a cheerful atmosphere. However, as they raise their voices, they start talking about the accumulated grievances, and in the end, crying and hugging each other, they break into loud sobbing. In the end, alcohol weakens people the more they drink. I can’t allow myself to become weak. That’s because, from a young age, Sycar believed that he had to be strong to protect the family. So, he never allowed himself to become weak, laughing or crying throughout his life.”
“People are human. Because we’re human, we can have moments of weakness. I believe that, since we’re all vulnerable, we can comfort each other. The weak parts I have might be strong points for someone else, and the weak points for someone else might be strong points for me. So, we protect each other’s weaknesses and turn them into strengths.”

“I don’t think that applies to me.”

“You’re weak to me.”

Sycar, who had been silently listening, glanced at me as if asking what kind of nonsense this was.

“I’m weak to you? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t you dislike it when I get hurt?”

“Because it bothers me when you get hurt. It must be unpleasant.”

“You dislike when I get hurt, when I starve, when I have nightmares. You dislike everything about me.”

“Well, that’s natural. You’re my wife, and I have to take care of you.”

“That’s why you’re weak to me. If I get hurt, you’ll be upset. So, that becomes your weakness. We’re beings that are weak to each other, and that’s why we take care of each other.”

It wasn’t a soft tone, but Sycar, tucking a strand of my hair that fell beneath my ear, said, “Your words seem to indicate vulnerability to things that are precious.”

Vulnerability to things that are precious…

Taking Sycar’s hand, which was tucking my hair behind my ear, I asked, “Are you saying that what’s precious to me right now?”

Sycar’s eyes, which had been indifferent and emotionless as they looked down at me, shook a little.

“Of course, everything of mine is precious. Is there anyone who doesn’t consider their possessions precious?”

“So, what you’re saying is that I’m yours. Right now.”

Without any hesitation, his gaze, which was originally unmoved and indifferent, felt a bit warmer.

“Because you’re my wife.”

“So, you like me?”

“Of course.”

I was left speechless by his sudden and easy agreement.

No, I didn’t intend for him to answer so confidently. I wanted him to confess to me, broken self-esteem and all. But Sycar was confidently saying, ‘Of course.’

“Are you moved by that?”

I probably don’t have a face that shows I’m moved right now. Can someone say they’re moved looking at my dumbfounded expression?

Before I could say anything, Sycar grabbed my hand and pulled me closer.

“Then let me make you a little more moved.”

Then, wrapping his arms around my waist, he kissed me.