At this moment, Dante felt very conflicted.

‘Totally nice acting! Awesome!’

Though he didn’t know what “nice” meant, it wasn’t hard to guess it was a compliment.

The “awesome” expression at the end was a word Serpina often used instead of praise.

The winking eye and the cutely raised white thumb were also proof that it was praise.

Which means.

She must have misunderstood his sincerity as acting.

And as extremely skillful acting at that.

He wanted to correct her immediately, but looking at that innocent face, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

In fact, Dante had been lingering around for quite some time.

He dealt with urgent matters as quickly as possible. Concerned about leaving Serpina alone between the two royals, his hands moved swiftly on their own.

Just as he was about to leave the office, catching sight of the coat draped over the chair was purely coincidental.

“Ugh. Don’t you think it’s getting a bit chilly now?”

The memory of Serpina shivering in the early northern autumn that came to mind was also coincidental.

He hurriedly headed towards where the three were, clutching the coat he wouldn’t even wear.

But once he arrived at the garden.

Dante missed his timing to come out upon hearing the soft conversations.

He hid behind a wall, listening to the dialogue.

“Ahem. Ahem. I’m sorry, madam. Just imagining the great Duke Richter tending to a flower garden, I couldn’t help but laugh.”

…Chelsea. That woman really.

She had always been particularly mischievous since childhood.

Especially when young Dante made a mistake, she would rush over just to mock him.

It seems she hasn’t changed much even as an adult.

Dante was just sighing with his brows deeply furrowed when.

“To be honest, I thought you wouldn’t be able to adapt here, madam. The image of you trembling on your wedding day is deeply etched in my mind.”

The words struck right at the core, piercing his heart.

He too couldn’t forget Serpina at the wedding.

And not just that.

They might not know, but Serpina right after the wedding seemed like someone who had given up on life.

It’s unimaginable now how she’s changed, but the desperate and haggard Serpina of that time was not easily forgotten.

So much so that she still appears in his dreams occasionally.

Dante waited for the response, forgetting even to breathe.

He felt like a prisoner waiting for his sentence.

“It’s not strange that you thought so. Honestly, I really didn’t want to get married back then.”

It felt like his heart dropped with a thud.

Although he had heard similar words from Serpina’s own mouth before, hearing her admit to someone else that she “didn’t want to get married” was another shock.

More accurately, he was afraid.

Afraid that Serpina might remember those feelings from back then again.

That she might recall the fear of that day and come to despise him.

His heart, already grown so much, was greedily desiring her.

If Serpina were to avoid him now, could he bear it?

All sorts of thoughts chased each other, creating a deep quagmire.

A dark and deep quagmire big enough to swallow Dante whole.

His hand clutching the ownerless jacket tightened. Above his clenched jaw, bulging muscles protruded.

“Honestly, I couldn’t help it. With everyone around saying I was being sold off to a cursed family, all ‘Oh, how unfortunate, how pitiful, how sad,’ making such a fuss, I thought I was being sold as a human sacrifice with no way out. I tend to be influenced by the atmosphere, you see. But…”

Ah.

“Once I actually came, it turned out to be such a wonderful place. Everyone is so kind, free, and it’s so pleasant to live here. Besides, just look at my husband’s face. Is that the face of a monster? It’s an incredible face!”

Oh my.

The tightly clenched fist loosened. He barely managed to catch the jacket that nearly fell to the floor.

“Duke Richter is indeed handsome.”

“Right! But it’s not just his face that’s handsome. He has a warm and sensitive heart too. He’s a good person with consideration ingrained in him. It’s just that because ignorant people keep giving him strange looks, calling him a monster or cursed, Dante gets tired and keeps his mouth shut. My husband is also the type to be influenced by the atmosphere, you see.”

The words that followed made him bring his hand to his mouth.

Otherwise, a foolish laugh soaked in happiness would have escaped uncontrollably.

How could this be possible?

Serpina could easily push him into a quagmire, or make him soar into the sky.

She made him go back and forth between heaven and hell dozens of times.

One word from her, one laugh, one action.

Those small things colored him with tens of thousands of emotions.

So.

This vulgar, petty, and childish emotion must be one of those tens of thousands of emotions.

“Then, would you become friends with me as well?”

The voice mentioning friendship was irritatingly grating.

“…It would be my honor.”

While hoping Serpina would firmly refuse.

“Wow. I’m glad.”

Hearing her voice saying she’s glad, not knowing his feelings, a burning sensation rose in his stomach.

This was surely jealousy.

Jealousy, despite one-sidedly loving her.

Even while thinking it was ridiculous and presumptuous, he couldn’t quell the burning in his stomach.

“I look forward to our friendship.”

What? Looking forward to our friendship?

At those words that seemed to declare they would meet often, Dante rushed out before he knew it.

His steps striding towards the three people had no hesitation.

Serpina’s delicate back came into view.

He unfolded the coat in his hand and draped it over Serpina’s shoulders.

The sight of her looking up at him with wide eyes while wearing his coat was excessively lovable.

As much as Serpina was lovable, the jealousy burning inside Dante grew larger.

So.

“The Duke seems to cherish his wife dearly.”

To the princess’s words that he would have normally ignored, he answered with utmost sincerity.

“Yes. I cherish her.”

There was no time to feel embarrassment.

Does a dog barking to protect its owner feel shame?

“She is someone far too good for me. So I cherish her dearly.”

The sharp gaze at the end was directed not at the princess who asked the question, but at the prince.

[This is the timeline separator]

After the Duke and Serpina left.

Chelsea and Joshua were on their way to their respective rooms.

“The Duke was glaring at you. When did you earn his dislike? You’re quite quick.”

To Chelsea’s playful words, Joshua shrugged his shoulders.

“The Duke never liked us from the beginning. You know that too, sister.”

“Hmm. I had no idea?”

Joshua shook his head at Chelsea’s brazen attitude.

It was then that Chelsea’s steps came to an abrupt halt.

“Joshua. What are you scheming?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know, you brazen boy.”

Chelsea was right.

Joshua knew roughly what she was talking about.

“Why did you ask to be friends with the Duchess?”

“You were the one who suggested we get close first, sister.”

As Joshua answered with an incredulous tone, Chelsea let out a hearty laugh.

However, contrary to her laughing mouth, her eyes were sharp.

“Ah. Right. It’s because of me? I had no idea you respected me enough to make friends just because I did.”

“I’m glad you know now, at least.”

At his good-natured smile, Chelsea clicked her tongue.

“You really don’t back down easily, do you?”

The two resumed walking.

“Whatever it is, don’t cause any trouble. This sister is usually very very merciful, but sometimes can be very very cruel too.”

“I really just wanted to be friends. She seemed like an interesting person.”

Joshua said in an aggrieved tone.

He really was aggrieved too.

His suggestion to be friends with the Duchess was truly made with pure intentions.

He really just wanted to be friends, that’s all.

After all, she’s the Duke’s wife.

Wouldn’t it be the act of a scoundrel to harbor impure thoughts towards someone’s wife?

However, Chelsea, who seemed to have already thoroughly misunderstood, flashed a smile at Joshua.

“Oh my. Stop bullshitting and go to sleep.”

Slam.

With words that could be either a greeting or a curse, Chelsea entered her room.

“As always. Believe whatever you want to believe.”

Joshua muttered quietly as he crossed the empty hallway towards his own room.

[This is the timeline separator]

That night.

When I opened my eyes, it was still before dawn.

“…I’m thirsty.”

Perhaps from talking too much, my throat was dry. I glanced to the side and saw Dante sleeping peacefully with his eyes closed.

Geez. Even his sleeping face is perfect.

With a small sigh of admiration, I carefully got out of bed so as not to wake Dante.

Checking the water jug beside the bed, it was awkwardly empty.

Ah. I want to gulp down more.

Can’t be helped. Let’s go to the dining room.

With that mindset, I was about to drape a cloak over my nightgown when.

“Where are you going, Serpina?”

A husky voice asked drowsily.

When I turned around, Dante, who had apparently woken up, was looking at me with half-open eyes.

Oh no. I’m sorry.

“Did I wake you? I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. I’m a light sleeper. Where are you going? Shall I come with you?”

Seeing his attitude as if he was about to get up, I waved my hands frantically.

“No, no. I’m just thirsty and going to get some water.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Come on. I’m not a child. I’ll just quickly drink some water and come back, so go back to sleep.”

Despite my words, Dante maintained his half-risen posture.

Geez. I can’t deal with this, really.

I approached Dante and firmly pushed down on his shoulders.

As he lay back on the bed in confusion, I covered his eyes with one hand and patted his chest with the other.

“Now. Go back to sleep. Unless you want to see me go crazy with guilt.”

I could feel Dante chuckling at my stern warning.

I laughed along once and removed my hand, and Dante had obediently closed his eyes.

“Sleep well.”

After whispering softly, I left the room.

Ugh. Is it because it’s night? It’s even chillier. I should quickly get some water and come back to sleep.

I hurriedly moved my steps.