As if understanding my answer, Camileo nodded.

“Yes. Of course. You wouldn’t be able to tell me, would you? I must have overstepped. How is Duke Ferhaem doing…?”

To this question, asked with concern for Yezar’s well-being, I answered honestly this time.

“Yes, he laughs a lot and always quietly fulfills his duties as usual.”

“I’m glad he’s still the same in that regard. Thank you for telling me, Duchess.”

Seeing Camileo smile with relief, it seemed he truly cherished his memories with Yezar and had been worried. My aching heart eased slightly, and without realizing it, I said:

“…Wait a moment, Your Majesty. The reason my husband kept his distance from Your Majesty wasn’t because of any fault of yours. It was simply because the circumstances weren’t favorable.”

Even if Camileo had been someone unpleasant to me, he wasn’t to Yezar. I hoped their friendship wouldn’t be ruined.

“Please don’t worry, and please understand my husband’s reasons that he couldn’t speak of. But the fact that my husband wanted to meet and talk first means he wishes to continue his bond with Your Majesty! I hope you can view my husband’s courage in a positive light.”

Camileo then laughed warmly.

“It seems the Duke has indeed married a wonderful woman. I was somewhat disappointed he kept your existence a secret from me. But now, I naturally understand why he would.”

Hearing those words, I felt my own liking for Camileo rise slightly.

***

“Julietta, what brings you here? It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face.”

Valentino’s arms were loaded with a heavy bundle of documents. He seemed busy.

“Yes, Elder Brother. It has been a while. Her Majesty the Empress called me briefly for a conversation.”

“Is that so? Didn’t you just speak with His Majesty the Emperor a moment ago?”

“Oh, we briefly shared thoughts about the paintings of the artist Cortina. I happen to really like the artist Cortina’s works.”

“Really? That’s the first I’ve heard.”

Well, of course—Valentino had graduated from the Academy, started working in the Imperial Court, and rarely stayed at the Count’s estate since. He had no way of knowing what I liked or what I usually did.

“Yes, I love them very much. I got a bit lost just now. Would it be a bother if I asked you to accompany me to where the carriage is?”

My elder brother shook his head and said it was fine. I asked to carry about half of the heavy-looking documents and walked beside him.

“Is your work at the Imperial Court not difficult? You once told me your direct superior was quite a strict person.”

Hearing this, my elder brother looked surprised.

“You remember all that? I only mentioned it in passing.”

“I remember everything. Whether it’s something Elder Brother says, Younger Brother says, or Father says—it’s all precious to me.”

After all, we didn’t have many conversations to begin with. If I didn’t remember even these little things, I’d know nothing at all. It was also my own way of trying, since I came into Julietta’s body, to grow closer to my family.

Before long, the Ferhaem Dukedom’s carriage came into view. I wondered why I had wandered so much when the path was this simple.

I stopped briefly and handed the documents I was carrying back to my elder brother.

“Thank you for listening, Julietta. I should visit the Ferhaem Dukedom again soon just to see how you’re doing. But my schedule never seems to match.”

A familiar phrase flowed into my ears. As my elder brother began to walk away with a customary farewell, I grabbed his arm.

“Wait, Valentino Elder Brother.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know what my favorite food is?”

“Julietta, your favorite food?”

“Yes.”

When I asked this, my elder brother fell into thought. He seemed to be searching through distant memories, then finally answered hesitantly.

“Hmm. Did you like sweet things…?”

Hearing that, the smile I had been wearing faded.

‘I knew you’d answer like this…’

I felt foolish for being disappointed all over again.

“I don’t dislike sweet things. From what I know, Elder Brother prefers light meals in the morning and avoids heavy foods. You’re also allergic to nuts, so you steer clear of them. But honestly, since our last meal together was so long ago and hazy, I can’t say for sure if your tastes have changed.”

My cheerful response must have felt unusual, because Valentino reached out his hand toward me.

“Julietta, your expression suddenly…”

I took a step backward. My clear avoidance left Valentino flustered. Still, I acted as if I hadn’t noticed and asked:

“We barely know anything about each other. Can we even call ourselves family?”

My brother didn’t answer. He just stared at me, speechless. It had always been me who had to say it was fine to be neglected, and it had always been their backs I had to watch.

But now, I was tired of it.

“I’m sorry. That was inappropriate. I’ll be going ahead now, Valentino Elder Brother.”

This time, I wanted to be the one to turn my back first. I was utterly fed up with seeing the backs of people who would never turn around on their own.

“Julietta! Wait a moment! Let’s talk…”

I didn’t turn around at his call. I simply climbed into the carriage and instructed the driver to head to the Dukedom.

‘…This time, I was the one who turned away.’

I couldn’t understand why tears were forming.

***

The moment I stepped out of the carriage, I wanted to see Yezar. If I could just be in his arms, these feelings would surely settle.

‘I didn’t cry much, so there shouldn’t be any trace on my face. It’ll be fine.’

Thinking this, I hurried toward where he was—only to find Yezar waiting at the main gate, as if he had been expecting me.

Without realizing it, I ran to him and threw myself into his embrace, while the servants giggled and watched us.

“Wife?”

To his quiet question, I whispered softly.

“…We’re in front of the servants. This is just acting like a loving couple.”

Yes, really. Not a trace of ulterior motive—well, actually, plenty of ulterior motive. But how could I possibly resist when the moment I thought of him, I just wanted to be with him?

I said it boldly, straight-faced.

“I missed you, Yezar.”

Then Yezar’s face flushed as red as my hair.

“I missed you too, wife.”

‘Ah. Seriously, why is my husband so kind? It makes it impossible to treat this as just business.’

But of course, I couldn’t dislike such kindness. My gloomy mood had already vanished, and I was smiling. As we held each other tightly, the knights made remarks.

“If anyone saw this, they’d think you’d just returned from months at the battlefield.”

“You two are so affectionate. Love is practically dripping off you.”

“We know you’re newlyweds, but sometimes you’re just too shameless…”

“You all want to spar with me again, don’t you?”

Yezar’s words, spoken while still holding me tightly, were chillingly cold. Immediately, the knights turned on each other.

“He said it!”

“No, it was him!”

“Are there only traitors here? Of course, I didn’t say anything—it was them!”

I burst into giggles. At first, I’d only wanted to see Yezar. But now, the warm gazes of the watching servants and the knights’ exaggerated reactions felt endearing.

I playfully asked the knights:

“If you don’t want to spar with Yezar, should I spar with you instead? Didn’t one of you knights used to want to spar with me?”

The knights panicked, slapping each other’s shoulders. Then, the one who had once raised his hand and asked if he could spar with me when I first trained with them was pushed forward by the others.

He looked around flustered.

“W-what? Why are you pushing me? I didn’t say anything!”

“That one! He was eager to spar with the Lady!”

“No! That was then! I decline human mannequins!”

I tilted my head, puzzled by the knight’s desperate-sounding reply.

“Human mannequin? I’m not even a proper knight—you should be showing me some leniency.”

After all, I’d only recently acquired a sword, and I lost every time I sparred with Yezar. Then, Yezar, who had been silently listening, looked at me and said:

“If my wife wishes, I’ll help you prepare for the sparring. What do the knights’ opinions matter?”

“They matter… mmph!”

“If the Lady wants it, it must be done. That one will be absolutely thrilled!”

“The Lady isn’t even a formal knight. Why would a member of the Blue Knights be so afraid?”

I smiled brightly at their reactions and nodded.

“Then it’s settled!”

And just like that, one knight’s opinion was effortlessly dismissed.

***

It was midnight. Leaning against the headboard, I chatted quietly with Yezar.

“Sparring with someone other than you feels awkward, yet strangely refreshing. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Since I can’t anticipate them, there are many moments when I let my guard down.”

“Still, you lasted quite a while. Besides, the knight you sparred with looked like he was about to cry the moment it ended.”

That was true. I was pretty sure I had lost the match. I still couldn’t understand why that knight had wiped away tears as if on the verge of sobbing.

“He shouted that he wasn’t a human mannequin.”

Remembering the afternoon’s events, Yezar couldn’t hold back his laughter. Soon, his hand gently stroked my cheek as he tenderly asked:

“Then why didn’t you tell me about your visit to the Imperial Palace, wife? Was truly nothing out of the ordinary?”