I knew Sikar said those words in front of Grandmother to show off how much he loves me and why we got married,but they were still pleasant to hear.

“Well, what should we do? I was planning to show you the temple after seeing this room,but there are so many people in the main hall that I’m not sure if Yura can go.”

I was about to say I couldn’t go to the temple,wondering how to refuse politely without causing offense, when Sikar spoke up as if representing me.

“It might be difficult for Yura to go, Grandmother.I’ll stay here with Yura, so how about you go with Kian?”

I felt a wave of relief.Thanks to him knowing me so well, he sometimes answers awkward questions on my behalf, which feels reassuring.

‘It’s like he scratches an itch perfectly.’

“Alright, that sounds good.We shouldn’t do anything to make Yura uncomfortable.I’ll go see the temple with Kian, so you two enjoy some cozy time together.”

Cozy…

Grandmother’s mention of “cozy” reminded me of Sikar’s earlier suggestive remarks,and my face flushed hot.

“I’m sorry that I can’t go see the temple with you, Grandmother, and that Kian has to go alone.”

“Going out with my great-grandchild isn’t a burden. Don’t say such things.”

Grandmother…

I knew that because Sikar grew up lonely as a child,Grandmother thinks of his childhood when she sees kids and treats them kindly,but experiencing it myself was incredibly touching.

I tightly held Grandmother’s hand as she was about to leave.

“Thank you so much, and I’m sorry…”

Grandmother gently squeezed my hand back and gave a comforting smile.

“I’ll accept your thanks, but not your apologies.Having something inconvenient is a matter of needing care, not something to be sorry for.”

“Grandmother…”

Even though I became the wife of a madman,how fortunate it is to have such a wonderful grandmother-in-law.

Grandmother patted the back of my hand a few more timesand then extended her hand to Kian.

“Kian, let’s go see the temple with Grandma.”

“Yes, Grandmother.”

Before Kian left, I gave him a kiss on the cheek and said,

“Kian, have fun seeing lots of interesting things with Grandmother.”

“Yes, Mother.”

I wanted to go with Kian and see the sights too,but it was better than going and fainting or getting sick, so I had to reluctantly stay behind.

When I glared at Sikar, he cleared his throat once,touched Kian’s cheek, and told him to have a good time.

“Then we’ll see you later at the chapel.”

“Yes, Grandmother. See you later.”

After Grandmother and Kian left, I looked at the fabrics in the room.

The fabrics were all dull colors like brown and navy, ordinary cotton types,but the finished clothes were pretty enough to be coveted, like dresses Alpine girls might wear.

The men’s clothes were all simple cotton shirts, vests, and pants.

“I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be sewing.”

“I’ve only ever sewn during home economics class, so I’m quite clumsy,but thinking that someone will wear what we make feels rewarding.”

“Then let’s do it diligently.”

Sikar handed me a needle, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes.

“Aren’t you going to help?”

“I’m tired.”

“You should help. Don’t we want to make as many as possible?”

“If I don’t get enough nap time, I might be so tired tonight that I’ll want to share your bed.”

“…”

For the sake of a peaceful night’s sleep, I decided not to urge Sikar any further.

By the way, when I tried sewing, it felt like my vision was going dark.

But volunteering is about conveying heart, not skill,so as long as I don’t sew too crookedly, it’s half a success.

Trying to follow Grandmother’s sewing on the clothes she made wasn’t as easy as I thought.

Sewing and flower arranging are said to be essential for noblewomen here,but I might be a failure as a noblewoman.

Still, I’m not a craftsman, but if I sew carefully stitch by stitch like one,even if my sewing is a bit messy, I might make pretty clothes.

As I was diligently sewing, thinking someone would wear what I made,there was a knock, and Grandmother came in.

“Oh, Grandmother.”

As I started to stand, Grandmother gestured for me to sit back down.

“It’s fine, sit back down.”

But Kian was nowhere to be seen, and Grandmother was alone.Just as I was about to ask, she spoke first.

“Oh, Kian is touring the temple with the priests.”

Then she handed me the clothes she was holding.

“I forgot to give you this earlier.”

“What is this, Grandmother?”

“Everyone here, even the devotees, wears the same clothes, so change into this.”

I thought Grandmother’s clothes looked simple,but it turns out they were the clothes worn by the devotees here.

“Yura.”

“Yes, Grandmother.”

“You’re not good at sewing.”

To be found out so easily…

“Yes, Grandmother. I’m sorry. I’ve never really sewn before…”

“Oh, that’s not why I said it. Sewing isn’t necessarily a woman’s virtue.When I was young, I hated sewing and embroidery. I enjoyed riding horses and shooting arrows more.”

As expected, since Grandmother is from the Sitar tribe,she grew up playing in a different league.

“I was saying that if sewing is hard, how about cutting the fabric instead?”

“It’s difficult, but I think it’s kind of fun, Grandmother.I also feel a bit greedy to finish what I’ve started.”

“Alright, do what’s comfortable for you.Whatever makes you feel at ease.”

“I’ll try to make something pretty, even if I’m lacking.”

“But, Yura, is it okay to let Sikar sleep like that?”

“Huh?”

“If he naps too much, he might not let you sleep at night.We have a lot to do tomorrow, so it’s better to sleep early tonight.”

Not immediately understanding what she meant,it took me a moment to realize, and my face flushed belatedly.

With a kind and warm smile, Grandmother spoke softly.

“You should wake him, right? I’ll head out again.”

“Yes, see you later, Grandmother.”

After Grandmother left, I looked at the clothes the devotees wear.The clothes were robes similar to the vestments worn by priests.

Unlike the luxurious velvet silk fabric Sikar was wearing,these were woolen garments with a cozy feel. They felt quite warm when I tried them on.

But how do I wake Sikar?

As I pondered how to wake the solemnly sleeping Sikar,I almost poked his arm with the knitting needle I was holding but decided to spare him.

Even if I poked him, he’s the type who wouldn’t bleed a drop,but poking with a needle felt too cruel, so I let it slide.

When I tapped the back of his hand, he suddenly grabbed my handand pulled me toward him.

“Is that how you wake someone? You need to get closer than that.”

Caught in Sikar’s arms, I pushed against his chest with force.Of course, he didn’t budge, and my face ended up buried in his chest again.

“You’re awake, so let me go already.”

Sikar set me back in my original spot.

“It seems Grandmother wanted this and subtly left to have you wake me.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I’ve seen a similar situation when I was young.”

“This kind of situation?”

“When Grandmother wanted a younger sibling for me.”

“What are you talking about? Grandmother told me to wake youbecause she was worried you’d keep me up at night if you nap too much.”

I pushed against Sikar’s chest. Well, it was more like he let himself be pushed.

All the while, Sikar was staring at me intently.His gaze felt suffocating.

Breaking the quiet silence, I grumbled.

“No matter how sexily you stare at me, it’s absolutely not happening. Don’t even dream of it!”

“Hmm… Do I look sexy?”

Did I just say sexy?

“N-No? That was a slip of the tongue.”

Sikar placed his hand on my head and slightly raised one corner of his mouth.

As if he could see right through me.

“Being honest with your feelings isn’t bad.I know now that you think I’m not just good but sexy.”

“No, it wasn’t sincere, it was a slip of the tongue!”

“Let’s say it was.”

I’m the one letting it slide.

“Stop saying weird things and change your clothes.Grandmother said to wear the robes the devotees wear while we’re here…”

Sikar held up the clothes I handed him and frowned.

“They expect me to wear these gaudy robes that priests wear?”

“Why not? I think they’d suit you.”

“Of course, you’d think I look good in anything. You’re completely smitten.”

“Ugh, fine. Just change. I’ll wait outside.”

“Don’t go.”

“It’s awkward. I’ll wait outside…”

The moment I turned, Sikar threw something over my head.

Judging by the white color, it seemed to be the shirt he was wearing.

“Don’t go outside for no reason. Stay there until I’m done changing.It’ll be more uncomfortable out there with all the people around.”

You’re more uncomfortable than the people out there.

A moment later, Sikar took the shirt back.It was just a passing comment, but he looked charming in the robe. He really did look good in anything.

“If you stare at me with that dazed expression, I’ll want to pull you close again.”

What’s that supposed to mean!

I quickly held out both hands to stop him.

“Don’t even dream of it.”

Sikar chuckled, crossed his arms again, and leaned back in the chair.

“Now that I’ve changed, I guess I can go back to sleep.”

“No way. You need to stop sleeping now.”

“Why not?”

“If you sleep now, you won’t sleep tonight, will you? So stop sleeping.”

“What does my not sleeping at night have to do with you?”

“Well, I mean… that’s…”

Yeah, why did I say that?

Grandmother only said that because she thinks we’re a real couple.

“What were you thinking?”

“I mean, if you don’t sleep at night and toss and turn,I won’t be able to sleep properly either.”

But Sikar didn’t take my words at face value.

“You’re hoping I’ll make tonight a good memory.”

A good memory? Does he think kissing me would be a good memory for me?

“D-Don’t misunderstand.”

As always, Sikar skipped over what he didn’t want to hearand raised the corner of his mouth coolly while looking at me.

“Should I really keep you up tonight?”