Swish. I could feel my face turning as red as an apple.

“It’s not lacking, is it…?”

It wasn’t lacking, but feeling embarrassed was a separate matter. Seeing Yezar laughing so leisurely, I didn’t want to stay still either.

So, just as he had kissed my cheek, I tried to kiss his cheek in return.

‘But if I do that, he won’t be flustered, will he? I don’t want that.’

I didn’t want to board the carriage with only my face burning bright red. So instead of his right cheek, I gave a quick kiss to his lips.

“M-Madam!”

Oh. He turned red. I was incredibly embarrassed, but wouldn’t it be fine if we were both embarrassed?

“So, this much should be okay, right?”

Giggling as I looked at him, he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. His usual composed demeanor was nowhere to be seen, and his shy self emerged.

“This kind of thing isn’t good… Really.”

“Who started it first? Hurry up and get in the carriage. The servants are probably watching us.”

Unable to bear their intense gazes, I couldn’t bring myself to look back. Holding his hand tightly and giving it a shake, Yezar, who had been frozen, finally moved.

‘Oh, I shouldn’t have kissed his lips after all… I’m so embarrassed I could die before we even start our date!’

I should be used to this kind of contact by now, but I don’t know why I’m so embarrassed.

***

Fortunately, after getting into the carriage and some time passed, the awkward atmosphere eased.

Yezar, sitting naturally beside me, spoke softly about what he had found out.

“I looked into it beforehand, Madam. They say a newly painted piece by the artist Cortina will be displayed at this exhibition. I heard she’s been on a break, so we should thank Marchioness Stemun for giving us an invitation to such a special exhibition.”

“You’re right. She even mentioned there’d be a special painting. I’m really looking forward to that one. She said I should definitely see it with Yezar.”

What kind of painting would make her say to see it with him? Her paintings are always so captivating that I lose track of time looking at them.

As I spoke to him with great anticipation, Yezar cautiously asked me.

“Um… Madam.”

“Yes?”

“Originally, after viewing the paintings, we planned to dine at the reserved restaurant and then take a walk by the lakeside.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Would you mind if we changed the plan and went somewhere else instead of the lakeside?”

“Somewhere else?”

Curious, I asked, and he hesitated.

“Would you mind if it’s a secret…?”

Mind? Some people might feel uneasy going somewhere unknown.

‘But honestly, I don’t care where we go. As long as Yezar is with me, anywhere is fine.’

So I answered with a bright smile.

“No. If it’s a place Yezar wants to go, I’m fine with anywhere. So let’s go where you want.”

“Then it’s a promise to go together?”

His question, as if seeking confirmation, made me chuckle.

“Yes, let’s definitely go together.”

***

“Wow… There are quite a lot of people.”

As soon as we got off the carriage and showed our invitation, I saw nobles entering the exhibition hall. It wasn’t as crowded as a banquet at the palace, but still.

More people had gathered than I expected.

“We should be careful not to get separated while looking around.”

Clinging tightly to Yezar’s arm, he laughed for some reason.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because you’re clinging so close out of nervousness, Madam. It’s cute.”

If he says it that loudly, everyone passing by will hear. When I glanced aside, those looking our way quickly turned their heads.

‘See? They somehow noticed us arriving and are staring…’

Does being the wife of a popular husband mean enduring this kind of attention all the time? I don’t like that.

Sighing briefly, I recalled how Sina used to drive away everyone’s attention and put it into action.

“Even if you say that, I’m not going to kiss you.”

Playfully smiling as I tapped his cheek with my fingers, I saw the people around us gasp and hurry forward.

‘Phew. One display of affection, and the crowd disappears. Pretty convenient.’

Thinking I’d learned something useful, I looked at him. But for some reason, his expression seemed a bit… sulky.

“Then will you kiss my cheek?”

Before I knew it, he grabbed my hand that was tapping his cheek.

“…W-What are you doing in a place like this!”

Doing it in front of servants was one thing, but in front of nobles was another. The latter was definitely harder.

“And this is an art exhibition. That kind of affection…”

“It was a joke. Your face is red, Madam.”

“A joke?”

My voice cracked in surprise. Then he curved his eyes.

“Yes. My lovely Madam, I don’t want to be the newlywed couple causing a scene with affection at an art exhibition either.”

I realized he’d completely gotten me. But for some reason, seeing his ears turn red… he seemed shy too, so I didn’t mind his teasing this time.

“Then let’s hurry inside.”

Gently pulling his arm as I held it, he matched my steps. Even though his stride was longer than mine, his effortless consideration in always matching my pace warmed my heart.

‘…The date hasn’t even started, but why does my heart keep fluttering!’

Blaming my innocent heart, I presented the exhibition invitation and stepped inside.

***

The exhibition hall was quite spacious, perfect for leisurely browsing. I thought I’d need to be careful not to get distracted in the crowd, but it didn’t seem necessary.

Before I knew it, I was completely engrossed in Cortina’s paintings.

“Goodness, Yezar, that painting is one of my favorites. Isn’t the picture of a cute little girl smiling while playing with a toy just adorable?”

“As you say, Madam, it’s very charming.”

Since it’s rude to talk loudly in an exhibition, I whispered in his ear whenever I wanted to say something.

Then he’d whisper back in my ear. I loved how his sweet voice settled so close, so I kept stopping to share my thoughts on the paintings with Yezar. Then it hit me.

‘Am I bothering Yezar too much? I keep stopping, and he’s answering everything I say!’

He might want to quietly enjoy the paintings. Worried I was disturbing him, he leaned down to speak to me.

“The painting of three flowers is nice. There’s even a red rose like your hair color, Madam.”

“Oh! You’re right. But Yezar, am I holding you up too much by talking about the paintings…? You must want to enjoy them too. I feel like I’m disturbing you.”

As I hesitated, he shook his head. Soon, his sweet voice flowed clearly into my ear.

“No way. It feels like we’re having a conversation just for the two of us, and I like that.”

‘…A conversation just for us.’

That thought made it feel like we were the only ones in this vast exhibition hall.

‘Should I bring some of the artworks I passed to Felanne to the Ferhaem ducal estate? If we set up a space for art, we could really enjoy and discuss them together.’

Sharing secrets while admiring art, our eyes meeting, and then…

‘Ah! What am I thinking, Julietta? Get a grip.’

By now, my own bold thoughts didn’t even surprise me. The soft touch and pull of contact always felt good.

Yezar was engrossed in the artwork, but my mind was elsewhere. Calming myself, I continued looking at the paintings when a question struck me.

‘Where’s the painting Sina said we absolutely had to see?’

We’d walked through the entire exhibition hall, but I hadn’t seen anything that seemed like the very special painting she mentioned.

Wondering if it was hidden somewhere, I parted a curtain to enter. There, nobles were gathered, quietly gazing at one painting.

Their faces were immersed in nostalgia, as if recalling a tender moment. Some whispered with their partners beside them.

‘That’s it.’

Instinctively, I felt it. That painting was the very special one Sina meant.

Curiosity surged about what kind of painting it was. Cortina’s works always captured the heart.

If she called this one special…!

“Yezar, let’s hurry to see that painting!”

“M-Madam! You can go slowly. You might trip.”

“Oh, sorry. I got excited without realizing.”

Matching steps with him again, I stood before the painting. Seeing it, my cheeks flushed without me noticing.

‘Oh. This is…’

The painting showed a young girl, clutching a bouquet of blooming flowers, laughing as if she might cry. What was so joyful, yet sad enough to bring tears?

Her clear eyes seemed to hold a trace of pain. But beside her was a boy, kissing her hair as if to comfort her.

Though I couldn’t tell what he whispered while kissing her wavy hair, his eyes reflected the image of the little girl.

It was as if someone had secretly captured a moment of their love. The sweet young lovers were contained in a single frame.