“Even if I explain it, you don’t understand. If he had asked me to marry Bianque, I would have taken the challenge instead of marriage.”
“War?”
He says Valquiterre is like his brother.
I was surprised by the possibility of war that he casually mentioned.
“No, you’re kidding, right?”
“Do you think it’s a joke?”
Kaian leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. When he lifted his chin slightly and lowered his gaze, he looked even more arrogant.
“No matter how much you are Valquiterre, you can’t force me to do something I don’t like.”
I quickly thought over his words.
'Then you didn't really hate marrying me so much?'
Even though he talked to me about being Vermont, he didn't turn away from me on the first night.
He treats me kindly like he does these days.
Although I had become a Duchess for nearly half a year, I, who had never had a romantic relationship before, could not control my feelings of unrequited love.
As time passed, everything about Kaian seemed right and good.
There were times when I stopped myself because I thought I was falling for him too much, but my life has been different for a while since I came to the capital.
Kaian had no hesitation or reluctance to present me before others as Duchess and took me wherever they could go together.
Kaian who ignored women as if he did not even feel the flirting of women who were passionately attracted to him, only noticed that my legs were hurting when I slightly flinched or stopped walking.
Every time he casually treated me like his wife, I was a little touched.
Doesn't that mean that Kaian also has feelings for me?
I, who fell into the hope circuit, was so captivated by him that it was as if I had blindfolded myself.
The emotions I had become aware of swelled out of control.
Meanwhile, I felt like a fanfare was ringing in my ears when I heard from Kaian that no matter how much Valquiterre was the King, he could not force anything on him.
'Ah. I really can't stand it.'
My emotions once again became unbearable.
I wanted to hug Kaian.
Yesterday, yesterday, and this morning, I hung my arms around his neck and kissed him, but I missed the black hair that tickled my forehead.
When I was leaning in his arms, I felt bad for the hard chest that touched my head, and I wanted to smell the good smell from him.
Even if I was sitting in a place where I could reach him, I felt like I was going crazy if my body wasn't in contact with him.
Knock. Knock.
A servant called to him from outside the door.
“Duke. The messenger sent by His Majesty the King has arrived.”
Kaian suddenly pursed his lips in annoyance and lifted his teacup, pretending not to hear.
“Duke?”
I could hear several people pacing in the hallway outside.
“Shouldn’t you go?”
“Do I really need to listen to something that is worse than not hearing it?”
When he arrived in the capital, he received the 'king's command' without even guessing, so I now clearly understood why he was like this.
“Your Majesty has sent him, so you’re really not going to see him, are you?”
“So, did you call Valquiterre ‘Bark’?”
I smiled and said yes.
"Yes. It’s not possible when other people are present, but he told me to call him at his convenience.”
On the other hand, since I was able to attend to the King alone in the public garden and on the hunting ground without Kaian, I wanted to be praised for treating thr royal family, and his relatives, appropriately even in the absence of his husband.
“It’s a big deal. He is the type of person who rarely gives up his side.”
“He was really kind to me.”
If only Princess Bianque had been half as kind to me as Valquiterre.
Then I would have had more fun every time I came to the capital from now on.
Although I still had regrets, it was better for either of me to get along with Valquiterre and Bianque rather than both of them opposing me.
“You’ve told me a lot about him. I was nervous because I had never been active in social circles, but I made no mistakes.”
I hope it wasn't just my mistake that I was acting like a Duchess without any problem. I secretly hoped that Kaian would tell me that I was doing well.
“What’s there to be nervous about? Except for Bianque, there is no woman of higher status than you.”
“But I can’t embarrass you.”
“If someone starts a fight, don’t lose.”
"Yes?"
“The world of wives is also surprisingly difficult. I can’t stand to see what happens to my wife.”
Instead of praising me, which I wanted to hear, Kaian encouraged me to fight.
“Whether you hit them with a fan or throw a teacup. Suppress the steamship.”
...Hey, Duke?
I was embarrassed.
'Are you disappointed that I was standing there looking so foolish when I saw Princess Bianque?'
Is that why they are trying to instill these social tactics?
“Are you serious about what you just said?”
I was confused as to whether he was being serious or trying to tease me.
Tearing me was one of the things Kaiann enjoyed, he said.
“You’re too kind. The fight between noble ladies also affects the education of successors. Temnes should never be ignored.”
Ah, that could be possible. It was something I had never thought of.
Since there were only two Princesses in Vermont, there was no opportunity to see how they were raising a son and heir.
I, who had been nodding eagerly at his words, became dumbfounded.
‘A son. He doesn't even know if I can get pregnant or not.'
I suddenly felt depressed and turned the topic.
“Is Bark his childhood name?”
"Yes."
“I thought you didn’t call him that before, so I was going to ask you later. How about you?"
I was just about to ask Kaian if he had a different name that he used to call as a child.
Knock.
“Duke.”
A servant in the hallway urged him on.
“I guess I’ll have to go back for a while.”
Kaian stood up and lightly kissed my cheek.
“Just resting. Or should I tell you to run the bath water?”
When I went to the hot springs last night, I only soaked my sore legs. Moreover, I had not washed properly since I suddenly had to ride the carriage in my pajamas.
“Will you? I need to wash up and rest.”
"I will be back."
However, Kaian looked at me without saying a word and did not go out to the bar.
Why did they make such a fuss about going from the bedroom to the living room?
I escorted Kaian to the bedroom door. Finally, he gave me a light kiss on the cheek before he left the bedroom.
"Cute."
I muttered to myself without realizing it.
“Is there something in my eye?”
The sight of a man who treated me differently made me generously dismiss the way he had spoken to Bianque yesterday in such a creepy and scary way for a reason.
The yardstick that was busy measuring affection in my mind lost its balance and became increasingly tilted.
I knew that this was the guy I had been afraid of before, but he wouldn't do that to me.
It wasn't something that could be objectified in the first place.
How can we measure and evaluate something that brings warmth to the heart, comforts the soul, and so on?
As I was immersed in my feelings, there was a knock on the door and the maids who waited on me came in.
"Hello, Duchess.”
"Nice to see you, Duchess.”
The maids who greeted me politely both had young faces.
The maids, who seemed to have just passed their coming-of-age ceremony, felt fresh even in their steps.
“I’ll help you take a bath.”
“No way. There is no need to attend to the bath.”
As m I spoke, the maids who heard my voice looked at me as if bewitched.
“Is it because you don’t trust us?”
"Give me a chance, Duchess. We can do well too.”
"No. I don’t usually take baths with help.”
In the first place, I, like Irena, was not a Princess from birth.
The village of Flogne was located deep in the mountains, so there were several springs with clear, clean water around the village.
Among them, I decided to use the closest one as a place to get drinking water, and I used the rest freely for doing laundry and bathing.
I often played in the water with Hannah and was good at drying my body and changing my clothes.
Not only did I not grow up to be so clumsy that I needed someone to help me with that much work, but there was no one among the daughters of the vassals who wanted to become my maid. I had only one maid, Hannah.
However, I felt it was too strange to receive such attention from Hannah, who had been my best friend since childhood, so I naturally ended up washing alone.
The maids could not hide their disappointment at my rejection.
“Then I will accept your clothes.”
“After you wash, I'll comb your hair.”
I was wearing my nightgown and robe.
I unbuckled my belt and took off my nightgown, revealing my body in my underwear, and as soon as they saw my white and clean skin, the maids made a fuss.
“You are so beautiful, Duchess.”
“You have fair skin like a statue.”
“Thank you.”
In a very awkward atmosphere, I went into the bathroom and tried to lock the door.
But just as I was about to close the door, I could hear them giggling through the crack in the door.
“She's very pretty, but I guess it’s just for ornamental purposes.”
“The Duke deserves to have high standards.”
Claudel frowned unconsciously.
The errand boy sitting in front of Kaian was on the verge of crying.
“I will only show my face at the birthday party.”
"Your Highness. If you do that, I’ll be in trouble.”
This is because Valquiterre told them to bring Kaian to the hunting ground immediately.
“How long are the capital’s nobles waiting to see you?”
“They can’t wait.”
Those on the receiving end of messenger speech methods were always helpless.
“Go and tell His Majesty the King. Should I show my face at the hunting ground today and skip the dance, or should I take a break and attend the dance to tidy up? I will do whatever you want.”
"It's not possible, Your Highness."
The errand boy, thinking of his predecessors who had lost their jobs due to Valquiterre's harsh decree, clung desperately.
“He said that if you can’t bring His Highness with you, don’t even think about returning to the castle.”
“Tell him that I will stay at my mansion until he returns to Rowen.”
The errand boy felt like he was about to faint as he felt like a bomb was being dropped with every word he spoke.
Kaian's mood was different from what he seemed on the outside, as he was exuding coldness as always.
'It's a good thing I came to the mansion.'
How can a person live just by working?
It has been known for a long time that the best way to recover from fatigue is to laze around while holding your wife.
Kaian was in a good mood, so he patted the royal messenger on the shoulder and spoke generously.
“If you ever lose your job, come see me. The Duke family will hire you.”
"Ah...”
He walked out of the drawing-room, leaving behind the dejected prospective unemployed.
Kaian quickly returned to the bedroom as if he had hidden some treasure.
However, his wife, who he thought would welcome him with her smile, was sitting on the chair wearing only her thin underwear and bathrobe.
“Why are you doing that?”
What happened in that moment...
“Kaian. I want to be obsessed.”
He says Valquiterre is like his brother.
I was surprised by the possibility of war that he casually mentioned.
“No, you’re kidding, right?”
“Do you think it’s a joke?”
Kaian leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. When he lifted his chin slightly and lowered his gaze, he looked even more arrogant.
“No matter how much you are Valquiterre, you can’t force me to do something I don’t like.”
I quickly thought over his words.
'Then you didn't really hate marrying me so much?'
Even though he talked to me about being Vermont, he didn't turn away from me on the first night.
He treats me kindly like he does these days.
Although I had become a Duchess for nearly half a year, I, who had never had a romantic relationship before, could not control my feelings of unrequited love.
As time passed, everything about Kaian seemed right and good.
There were times when I stopped myself because I thought I was falling for him too much, but my life has been different for a while since I came to the capital.
Kaian had no hesitation or reluctance to present me before others as Duchess and took me wherever they could go together.
Kaian who ignored women as if he did not even feel the flirting of women who were passionately attracted to him, only noticed that my legs were hurting when I slightly flinched or stopped walking.
Every time he casually treated me like his wife, I was a little touched.
Doesn't that mean that Kaian also has feelings for me?
I, who fell into the hope circuit, was so captivated by him that it was as if I had blindfolded myself.
The emotions I had become aware of swelled out of control.
Meanwhile, I felt like a fanfare was ringing in my ears when I heard from Kaian that no matter how much Valquiterre was the King, he could not force anything on him.
'Ah. I really can't stand it.'
My emotions once again became unbearable.
I wanted to hug Kaian.
Yesterday, yesterday, and this morning, I hung my arms around his neck and kissed him, but I missed the black hair that tickled my forehead.
When I was leaning in his arms, I felt bad for the hard chest that touched my head, and I wanted to smell the good smell from him.
Even if I was sitting in a place where I could reach him, I felt like I was going crazy if my body wasn't in contact with him.
Knock. Knock.
A servant called to him from outside the door.
“Duke. The messenger sent by His Majesty the King has arrived.”
Kaian suddenly pursed his lips in annoyance and lifted his teacup, pretending not to hear.
“Duke?”
I could hear several people pacing in the hallway outside.
“Shouldn’t you go?”
“Do I really need to listen to something that is worse than not hearing it?”
When he arrived in the capital, he received the 'king's command' without even guessing, so I now clearly understood why he was like this.
“Your Majesty has sent him, so you’re really not going to see him, are you?”
“So, did you call Valquiterre ‘Bark’?”
I smiled and said yes.
"Yes. It’s not possible when other people are present, but he told me to call him at his convenience.”
On the other hand, since I was able to attend to the King alone in the public garden and on the hunting ground without Kaian, I wanted to be praised for treating thr royal family, and his relatives, appropriately even in the absence of his husband.
“It’s a big deal. He is the type of person who rarely gives up his side.”
“He was really kind to me.”
If only Princess Bianque had been half as kind to me as Valquiterre.
Then I would have had more fun every time I came to the capital from now on.
Although I still had regrets, it was better for either of me to get along with Valquiterre and Bianque rather than both of them opposing me.
“You’ve told me a lot about him. I was nervous because I had never been active in social circles, but I made no mistakes.”
I hope it wasn't just my mistake that I was acting like a Duchess without any problem. I secretly hoped that Kaian would tell me that I was doing well.
“What’s there to be nervous about? Except for Bianque, there is no woman of higher status than you.”
“But I can’t embarrass you.”
“If someone starts a fight, don’t lose.”
"Yes?"
“The world of wives is also surprisingly difficult. I can’t stand to see what happens to my wife.”
Instead of praising me, which I wanted to hear, Kaian encouraged me to fight.
“Whether you hit them with a fan or throw a teacup. Suppress the steamship.”
...Hey, Duke?
I was embarrassed.
'Are you disappointed that I was standing there looking so foolish when I saw Princess Bianque?'
Is that why they are trying to instill these social tactics?
“Are you serious about what you just said?”
I was confused as to whether he was being serious or trying to tease me.
Tearing me was one of the things Kaiann enjoyed, he said.
“You’re too kind. The fight between noble ladies also affects the education of successors. Temnes should never be ignored.”
Ah, that could be possible. It was something I had never thought of.
Since there were only two Princesses in Vermont, there was no opportunity to see how they were raising a son and heir.
I, who had been nodding eagerly at his words, became dumbfounded.
‘A son. He doesn't even know if I can get pregnant or not.'
I suddenly felt depressed and turned the topic.
“Is Bark his childhood name?”
"Yes."
“I thought you didn’t call him that before, so I was going to ask you later. How about you?"
I was just about to ask Kaian if he had a different name that he used to call as a child.
Knock.
“Duke.”
A servant in the hallway urged him on.
“I guess I’ll have to go back for a while.”
Kaian stood up and lightly kissed my cheek.
“Just resting. Or should I tell you to run the bath water?”
When I went to the hot springs last night, I only soaked my sore legs. Moreover, I had not washed properly since I suddenly had to ride the carriage in my pajamas.
“Will you? I need to wash up and rest.”
"I will be back."
However, Kaian looked at me without saying a word and did not go out to the bar.
Why did they make such a fuss about going from the bedroom to the living room?
I escorted Kaian to the bedroom door. Finally, he gave me a light kiss on the cheek before he left the bedroom.
"Cute."
I muttered to myself without realizing it.
“Is there something in my eye?”
The sight of a man who treated me differently made me generously dismiss the way he had spoken to Bianque yesterday in such a creepy and scary way for a reason.
The yardstick that was busy measuring affection in my mind lost its balance and became increasingly tilted.
I knew that this was the guy I had been afraid of before, but he wouldn't do that to me.
It wasn't something that could be objectified in the first place.
How can we measure and evaluate something that brings warmth to the heart, comforts the soul, and so on?
As I was immersed in my feelings, there was a knock on the door and the maids who waited on me came in.
"Hello, Duchess.”
"Nice to see you, Duchess.”
The maids who greeted me politely both had young faces.
The maids, who seemed to have just passed their coming-of-age ceremony, felt fresh even in their steps.
“I’ll help you take a bath.”
“No way. There is no need to attend to the bath.”
As m I spoke, the maids who heard my voice looked at me as if bewitched.
“Is it because you don’t trust us?”
"Give me a chance, Duchess. We can do well too.”
"No. I don’t usually take baths with help.”
In the first place, I, like Irena, was not a Princess from birth.
The village of Flogne was located deep in the mountains, so there were several springs with clear, clean water around the village.
Among them, I decided to use the closest one as a place to get drinking water, and I used the rest freely for doing laundry and bathing.
I often played in the water with Hannah and was good at drying my body and changing my clothes.
Not only did I not grow up to be so clumsy that I needed someone to help me with that much work, but there was no one among the daughters of the vassals who wanted to become my maid. I had only one maid, Hannah.
However, I felt it was too strange to receive such attention from Hannah, who had been my best friend since childhood, so I naturally ended up washing alone.
The maids could not hide their disappointment at my rejection.
“Then I will accept your clothes.”
“After you wash, I'll comb your hair.”
I was wearing my nightgown and robe.
I unbuckled my belt and took off my nightgown, revealing my body in my underwear, and as soon as they saw my white and clean skin, the maids made a fuss.
“You are so beautiful, Duchess.”
“You have fair skin like a statue.”
“Thank you.”
In a very awkward atmosphere, I went into the bathroom and tried to lock the door.
But just as I was about to close the door, I could hear them giggling through the crack in the door.
“She's very pretty, but I guess it’s just for ornamental purposes.”
“The Duke deserves to have high standards.”
Claudel frowned unconsciously.
***
The errand boy sitting in front of Kaian was on the verge of crying.
“I will only show my face at the birthday party.”
"Your Highness. If you do that, I’ll be in trouble.”
This is because Valquiterre told them to bring Kaian to the hunting ground immediately.
“How long are the capital’s nobles waiting to see you?”
“They can’t wait.”
Those on the receiving end of messenger speech methods were always helpless.
“Go and tell His Majesty the King. Should I show my face at the hunting ground today and skip the dance, or should I take a break and attend the dance to tidy up? I will do whatever you want.”
"It's not possible, Your Highness."
The errand boy, thinking of his predecessors who had lost their jobs due to Valquiterre's harsh decree, clung desperately.
“He said that if you can’t bring His Highness with you, don’t even think about returning to the castle.”
“Tell him that I will stay at my mansion until he returns to Rowen.”
The errand boy felt like he was about to faint as he felt like a bomb was being dropped with every word he spoke.
Kaian's mood was different from what he seemed on the outside, as he was exuding coldness as always.
'It's a good thing I came to the mansion.'
How can a person live just by working?
It has been known for a long time that the best way to recover from fatigue is to laze around while holding your wife.
Kaian was in a good mood, so he patted the royal messenger on the shoulder and spoke generously.
“If you ever lose your job, come see me. The Duke family will hire you.”
"Ah...”
He walked out of the drawing-room, leaving behind the dejected prospective unemployed.
Kaian quickly returned to the bedroom as if he had hidden some treasure.
However, his wife, who he thought would welcome him with her smile, was sitting on the chair wearing only her thin underwear and bathrobe.
“Why are you doing that?”
What happened in that moment...
“Kaian. I want to be obsessed.”
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