I arranged for a bath to be ready so that Sycar, who might have sweated from riding a horse, could wash immediately upon arrival this spring day.

Then, with Kian, I sat in the living room, somewhat anxious, waiting for him.

Perhaps because it had been too long, my waiting heart became strangely anxious, and without realizing it, I was tapping the table with my fingers.

Seeing me like that, Kian approached gently and firmly held my hand.

“Mother, are you very nervous?”

“Oh, no. It’s not that. I don’t know why, but I’m a bit anxious for some reason. Sorry. Was I too noisy?”

“Not at all. I can just feel Mother’s emotions. It’s because I’m a bit nervous too, thinking about meeting the Duke after such a long time.”

“Even our Kian was nervous.”
“I remember what you advised me before the Duke left, Mother. I wonder if I’ve managed to live up to your expectations and not disappoint you….”

“Oh! Kian!”

I tightly held Kian’s hand.

“He has always been good to me. You’ve become such a reliable and well-mannered young man.”

“I still have a long way to go.”

If it were three years ago, Kian would have happily said, ‘Really?! I’m so glad! Mother!’ But now, even when praised, he showed modesty.

He had become so well-mannered and reliable that it was beyond words to describe.

But I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Kian. Sycar would soon see the things Kian just showed me.

Perhaps Kian didn’t reveal his feelings because he didn’t want Sycar to find out about his embarrassed actions.

Although they had decided three years ago to get along well, there was still some barrier between them.

Come to think of it, Sycar would find out everything about what I’ve been doing for the past three years, but I wouldn’t know anything. Somehow, it felt a bit unfair.

While chatting with Kian and waiting, a loud cheer could be heard from outside. When I opened the window, I saw Sycar leading soldiers.

Even from a distance, his dignity and presence were overwhelming.

‘He’s back!’

I hurriedly stopped, held Kian’s hand, and walked down slowly.

As we just came out of the entrance, I saw Sycar jumping off his horse.

With his hair fluttering in the warm spring breeze, Sycar walked toward us, extending his arms as if to embrace us.

“It’s been a long time.”

Kian and I looked at each other, then slowly approached and hugged Sycar.

Kian, looking awkward, only extended his body toward Sycar without reaching out his hands.

Anyway, the three of us, as a family, reunited after a long time, embracing each other.

Then the cheers of the soldiers, including the servants, resounded in our ears.

“The Duke has returned!”

“The Duke has returned triumphant!”

“Hurrah for Sycar Blake! Hurrah!”

As I raised my head, a man standing tall among the soldiers caught my eye. It was none other than Duryon.

When I waved my hand towards Duryon, he smiled and bowed to me.

I gently smiled as I rested on Sycar’s broad chest.

‘I’m really relieved that everyone is safe.’

Once again, the cheers of the people reached us, and as I looked up, several carriages were entering all at once.

“Sycar? What’s all that?”

“Rosemary, for the family’s peace.”

Looking closely, the carriages were full of blooming rosemary. I was a bit moved because I didn’t expect to remember this.

Among the preparations made to welcome Sycar, having prepared bathwater was a brilliant move.

As he entered the mansion, his first request was to prepare a bath.

“You prepared the bath in advance?”

“Well, I thought you might look for the bath first, so I prepared it in advance.”

“You’ve become quite thoughtful.”

“Your way of speaking is back.”

I thought he had corrected his way of speaking a bit, but after returning from the expedition, it was back to the way it was.

Of course, dealing with rough soldiers there might have made his speech seem cold, but it felt like starting everything over again.

After bathing, as expected, Sycar took my hand first and began reading my memories.

Look at this. It really feels like it’s been reset.

“Hm. You’ve become quite close to Hersia. She’s Gillian’s cousin, so is it necessary to be so friendly with her?”

Apart from Gillian, Hersia is kind…

Before I could finish my explanation, Sycar read the next memory and said, “You’re maintaining a good balance with Laidox. But your travels are too frequent, aren’t they? And what’s this? It seems like you repeatedly started writing letters but didn’t finish… If you wanted to write a letter, why didn’t you?”

Ah, right. I didn’t think he would read my memories, so I worked hard to write and erase letters.

This feels like I’m gradually being exposed. I gave a very straightforward answer.

“Let it go.”

Even after a long time, Sycar still listened to me well. So, he immediately checked the next memory.

“The night I left on the expedition… I slept very well.”

Hmm. I couldn’t help but sleep well because I was tired. Why, am I a bit upset?

Although Sycar didn’t show it, there was a slight expression of disappointment. His lips twitched for a moment.

He put my hand down as if he had read all the memories.

“It seems you did well without me. Taking care of the mansion and everything.”

“Thanks to Lady Vica, I was able to get by without any difficulties.”

Only then did he carefully examine my appearance.

“Your hair has grown a lot.”

“Time has passed accordingly.”

“Long hair isn’t bad, is it?”

Even I could see that long hair wasn’t bad. With long hair, I could show off more diverse hairstyles, and when I wanted a change, the maids would make my hair sparkle.

As I was playing with my long hair, Sycar, without warning, threw a teasing remark.

“Until I left this place, you were twenty-seven. Now you’re thirty. In your thirties.”

It might not feel good to be told like this.

I felt a bit excited, sensing my face turning red.

“During your expedition, I spent my twenties at the mansion. Now that I’m in my thirties, treat me like an adult. Got it?”
Sycar leaned back in his chair with a stern face, looking at me with a serious expression.

“That might be a bit challenging. Anyway, it looks complicated from my perspective.”