But Camileo did not know that Yezar had once loved Bertisha. Therefore, he probably failed to notice the awkwardness between Yezar and Bertisha.

Certainly that must have been the case—yet a single assumption flickered through my mind.

Could it be… that on the day I quarreled with Bertisha, our conversation was secretly relayed to Camileo?

‘If Camileo had learned of it, he wouldn’t be this quiet….’

Given his nature, if he were to act, he would have done so long ago—either confronting Yezar in a jealous rage, or raising his voice in anger at Bertisha for knowingly holding onto Yezar’s feelings.

Yet quite some time had passed since that summer. This silence was strange.

“What discomfort could there be in the Empress and me being in the same place? Camileo doesn’t even know anything happened between the Empress and me.”

“And if he did know…?”

“Then he would have questioned me about the truth by now. Camileo cannot forgive betrayal. Especially since he values the people close to him, he turns merciless the moment someone crosses that line.”

Yezar was implying the same thing—that if Camileo had known, he would have acted long ago.

“But the three of them were so close. I don’t understand why they’d deliberately exclude the Empress and speak only between themselves. Perhaps… the Emperor is simply waiting?”

“What do you mean by that, my lady?”

He asked, clearly puzzled. I revealed my suspicion to him.

“…The Empress is now with child. Could that be why the Emperor is delaying his confrontation? Even if he somehow overheard my conversation with the Empress and guessed what had happened, he wouldn’t be certain.”

Even if he had accidentally learned of that conversation, he might have only harbored suspicion without proof.

Thus, he might have kept watch over Yezar and Bertisha’s meetings, and within his affection for her, doubt might have bloomed—making his behavior cold and distant.

“That’s possible. He’d need to ask both you and the Empress to confirm the truth. But the Empress would never confess honestly… Or she might deflect by bringing up the child in her womb.”

In that case, Camileo would remain inactive at least until Bertisha gave birth. I cautiously asked Yezar.

It was a topic we hadn’t mentioned since that day.

“…Yezar, you said you’ve completely moved on from your feelings for the Empress?”

I asked, just to be sure, and he answered without hesitation.

“It was nothing but the past, my lady. It feels like an illusion I was briefly entranced by.”

“Then perhaps it would be better to tell the Emperor the truth…? I don’t want the distance between you two to grow any further.”

Their friendship ran deep. Losing a long-reconciled, close friend would be painful for Yezar.

“Regardless of the past. Yezar now harbors no feelings for the Empress, and besides—he’s my husband.”

I deliberately emphasized the last sentence, as if asserting ownership. A petty emotion welled up inside me. His blue eyes shimmered. Somehow, he seemed to find my words endearing.

“Then may I tell the Emperor that I love my wife? That I cherish her more than anyone else?”

He leaned close, whispering so near our lips nearly touched. He sounded as if he truly meant it. My voice nearly trembled, but with time, I’d grown better at calmly fabricating words.

“Unless you plan to reveal it’s a contract marriage, wouldn’t it be better to say so? After all, a married couple is meant to love each other, isn’t it?”

It was only natural. If we weren’t going to expose all the truth, it was better to firmly define our relationship with clarity.

As Yezar said, it was all in the past. Yezar had only ever watched Bertisha from afar. He never reached out first, never kissed her.

After the wedding, he had completely avoided her and welcomed me as his wife. Because even harboring such feelings after Camileo and Bertisha became lovers and spouses felt like a sin.

Even if Camileo blamed him for emotions long since abandoned, like winds of the past… this foolish man would silently accept it.

Even if punishment came for feelings now buried in the past, he would bear it gladly.

“Yes. A married couple is a relationship of love and respect. Just as I respect my wife.”

Was it the blanket wrapped around my body? Or the warmth of his body raising my temperature? Heat spread through me.

He had already put all his emotions behind him—he wouldn’t need me anymore. Yet I still carried unnecessary feelings, like an unintended byproduct of our contract marriage. Now, instinctively, I felt I might be the one who needed to let go.

Before I selfishly clung to Yezar and spoiled the warm, sunlit memories we had. Before that, perhaps I should leave his side.

‘Yezar, if you knew my feelings, wouldn’t you think the same?’

I kept the question I couldn’t bring myself to ask hidden in my heart.

***

As I watched the carriage heading toward the palace, I looked at the letter I had received. Valentino Orbetian.

It was a letter from my eldest brother. The letters he once sent daily had now become sporadic—two days, five days, a week passing between them.

I felt guilty for not replying. I knew that meeting would only lead to the same cycle repeating itself.

Perhaps this feeling meant I was just being foolish. Judging by how Weaslet, who occasionally visited the estate, never mentioned my eldest brother, it seemed he hadn’t spoken of it either.

‘…Eldest brother, isn’t it time to stop sending these letters? Meeting again would only hurt me once more. I don’t want to hope anymore.’

Countless disappointments, painful enough to last a lifetime, came rushing back. I knew how lonely it was to endlessly wait for someone. How wretched it felt to crave love while dwelling alone in sorrow. Their retreating backs, always leaving, remained vivid in young Julietta’s memory. Always the ones waiting: young Julietta and me. Always the ones leaving: family. Eldest brother. Father.

‘Father… ever since Mother passed, you’ve buried yourself in work.’

Even if he understood my resentment, unlike my eldest brother, Father probably didn’t even have time to write such a letter. He throws himself into work to forget Mother’s traces.

I exhaled deeply, filling my chest with a sharp, cold ache. It was a sigh that had now become resignation.

Hiding a bitter smile, I stood and surveyed the interior of the estate. As the harsh winter drew to a close, spring would soon bring life anew. It was time to gradually replace the thick carpets, bedding, and even the servants’ attire.

‘Now that I think of it, the late Duke and Duchess said they’d visit for our anniversary. I should ask Yezar when he returns from the palace whether there’s anything to prepare.’

Just as he had carefully prepared and asked me when welcoming my younger brother, I wanted to do the same. After all, they were his family.

I wanted to make them as happy as possible.

“Ember, this time I noticed some unused rooms haven’t been properly maintained. I saw doors rusted, windows rattling in strong winds. They seem to need repairs overall.”

“I’m sorry, my lady. I assigned the maids to clean those areas, but since the rooms aren’t frequently used, oversight was inadequate. It appears some were negligent in their duties.”

“Then check into it—perhaps reduce their pay or reassign cleaning zones. If we’re short-handed, it wouldn’t be bad to hire more this time. Managing such a large estate naturally requires many hands.”

Hearing my words flow with ease, Ember broke into a bright smile.

“Yes, my lady. I’ll take your advice and arrange recruitment. I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re here in the Duke’s household.”

“You flatter me… Saying such things makes me start believing it too easily.”

“You may believe it. And if, by staying, you come to wish to remain forever as the Duchess, it would be my joy to serve you.”

Honestly. Ember was always frantic about keeping me in the Duke’s household.

“I don’t wish to desire too much, Ember. Just being able to create memories during the time I have left is enough for me.”

Hearing this, her shoulders slumped in apparent disappointment. I awkwardly smiled, avoiding her gaze. Then, from far away, a young maid came running.

“Huff, huff—Head Maid!”

“This is in front of the lady. How can you run and shout like that?”

Despite Ember’s scolding, the girl opened her mouth urgently.

“I-I’m sorry. The late Duke and Duchess have suddenly arrived, huff, huff…”

Huh? What did she mean? Weren’t they supposed to come on our anniversary? It was still too early for their visit. Yet from afar, cheerful footsteps could already be heard.

“My daughter-in-law is here, you say?”

“W-Wait a moment! The Duke isn’t home, and we’re not ready to receive you yet…!”

“I have no particular interest in my son. I just want to see my lovely daughter-in-law’s face.”

At that, Ember, standing beside me, let out a long sigh.

“Oh dear… Not a single thing about her has changed at all.”