After conversing with Viscount Lesa, I treated him to a sumptuous meal. At least it gave him the impression that I treated him better than Kaiser or Prince Cain. It was a relatively easy task, considering Prince Cain likely didn't pay much attention to Viscount Lesa.
As I was giving instructions to my maid, I heard a cavernous voice behind me.
“I guess I’d better take care of Madam’s meals.”
“Oh, that’s a surprise!”
I looked back, my heart pounding. Julian was walking from the end of the hallway. I touched my neck for no reason and smiled sheepishly.
“I was just about to go eat.”
“Let’s go together.”
“Julian too?”
I thought it was an obvious question, but Julian didn't answer. When I blinked, Julian, who had been standing still like a statue, asked.
“Do you hate it?”
Contrary to his appearance, this man was secretly timid. I smiled faintly and linked arms with Julian.
“Let’s go. What’s on the menu today?”
“I don’t know.”
"You don't know something so important. You're being rude when you ask your wife out on a date. Be more mindful next time."
Julian wasn't the kind of guy who would play along with my ridiculous jokes. He just smiled faintly and accepted my pranks.
“Yes.”
And I liked that about Julian. The only thing I regret about him is that he was too tall and too high to pinch his cheek.
Julian and I sat across from each other at the table. I assumed Julian wouldn't eat, but would instead watch me eat. But the butler blocked the other servants from entering the dining room and began moving the trays himself.
I asked, "Are you sure you want to eat together?" but held back for fear that Julian would run away.
Soon after, the soup arrived, and Julian took off his mask and placed it on the seat next to him. Julian's bare face, the same one I'd seen at the villa, was clearly visible. A rare, bluish magic stone glowed faintly. Watching the butler adjust the mask, I asked with concern.
“Are you sick?”
Julian understood my question and answered it right away.
“If I were sick, I wouldn’t have been able to bear it.”
“That’s fortunate.”
It didn't hurt when I touched it. He said it had been like that since birth, so it didn't seem to hurt. If it had, it would have been excruciating, so I was relieved.
After taking a sip of soup with a spoon, I looked at Julian again.
“Why do you look like that?”
I smiled and shook my head.
“I like eating with you.”
It was great to feel like I really became a new family.
After I'd had a bit of a drink from the soup, I put down my spoon. Julian wasn't the type to talk much, so when I kept quiet, conversation didn't flow easily. I wanted to talk to him, so I suddenly remembered one of my plans and confessed it.
“I’m thinking of planting one or two people in the Eriant Mansion.”
Julian asked, as if surprised.
“Is it okay for you to tell me that?”
Then the next tray arrived. I continued the conversation, contentedly watching the food arrive before me.
“You said you would protect me?”
I've never been one to refuse anything from others. I was especially fond of anything Julian gave me.
The butler came over and poured me some wine, and I smiled after expressing my gratitude with a nod.
“If it gets out that I did this, you defend me.”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to say in defense?”
“I’ll have to think about that.”
"What's there to think about? Your wife was always obsessed with beauty, and she was jealous of Ari Eriant, so that's all I have to say."
At my words, Julian chuckled softly and shook his head. His attitude was absurd. I laughed too and playfully retorted to his words.
“Why? Are you so stupid that you think it would diminish your reputation?”
"No."
Julian spoke with great seriousness.
“Because my wife is more beautiful than Ari Eriant.”
"What!"
I couldn't help but let out a loud noise. Even though there were only three people in the restaurant—me, Julian, and the butler—their behavior was completely devoid of any sense of courtesy. I covered my mouth and coughed.
“That’s ridiculous...”
I tried to say something to Julian, but his face flushed, and the words rolled off my tongue. After mumbling for a while, I could only laugh out loud in embarrassment.
“Don’t say such weird things!”
I couldn't take my hand off my mouth and didn't know what to do.
But Julian frowned, as if he didn't understand my attitude. It seemed as if the question, "Why are you reacting like that?" was written all over his face, leaving me even more flustered. I fanned my face, as if bewildered.
“Have you ever seen Young Lady Eriant?”
"There is."
“But how can you say something like that? At least make a joke.”
"Joke?"
Julian raised his wine glass and looked puzzled.
“Why is it a joke that my wife is more beautiful than Ari Eriant?”
“Well...”
I thought back to when I first met Ari. It was before I even returned.
She resembled Shuan, but possessed a gentle, infinitely warm aura. Whenever Ari appeared at a party, everyone, regardless of gender, would glance at her. The jewelry and dresses she wore quickly became trendsetters and sold like hotcakes.
"Why did such a woman become Prince Cain's mistress? She could have proudly become the Crown Princess."
I was lost in thought when I suddenly realized that Julian was staring at me.
"Anyway, saying I'm more beautiful than Ari Eriant is a bit much. Just say I'm pretty."
Julian still didn't seem to understand what I was saying, but he nodded as I spoke. He's secretly obedient, you know?
I smiled and took a bite. The meat's juices gently coated my tongue. After I finished my meal, I spoke excitedly.
“Wow, it’s so delicious. Eat it quickly, Julian.”
But Julian rose from his seat without even eating. He extended his hand to the butler, who, as if he knew what he was saying, held out a white handkerchief.
“Julian? Huh?”
I instinctively tried to cover my nose, but Julian offered me a handkerchief first. I rolled my eyes and saw red blood peeking through the cracks in the handkerchief. Nosebleed? I moved my hand in confusion, but Julian gently stopped me.
“Stay still.”
My embarrassment wasn't simply the fact that I had a nosebleed. It was the fact that it happened in front of Julian that made me nervous. Even though Julian already knew something was wrong with my health, I wanted to hide it as much as possible.
“Hey, I’ve been a bit busy lately. I’m just tired.”
Julian sighed at my words.
"I know."
“It’s true.”
Instead of answering my excuse, Julian turned his head towards the butler.
“Butler, where is the doctor?”
“The doctor you summoned separately hasn’t arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence yet. Should I call the doctor who resides there?”
“So be it.”
“It’s just a nosebleed. It’s not like I can go to the doctor...”
“Madam, remember our promise.”
That left me speechless. I held my nose in my handkerchief and spoke in a hoarse voice, as if expressing regret.
“The meal today was really delicious...”
Then the butler spoke immediately.
“I will prepare and do it again after you receive the diagnosis.”
Only then did I smile brightly.
“Thank you.”
I looked up, patting Julian's hand with the one he was holding.
“Julian will also be eating with me then.”
“Madam, really...”
“Am I pretty?”
I told you that earlier, didn't I? Julian looked at me with those eyes, briefly touching his forehead, then twisted his lips into an uncontrollable laugh.
“Yes. Take this.”
Julian replied with a helpless grin, gently pressing his handkerchief to my nose. I burst out laughing and grabbed the handkerchief with both hands, and Julian lifted me from the chair. The butler approached and placed a mask over Julian's face.
I couldn't help but laugh, thinking we looked quite funny. As we climbed the stairs, Julian asked, almost teasingly, "What's going on?"
“Why is there so much laughter?”
“Why doesn’t Julian smile much?”
“I didn’t think about it.”
"I know. I've had a lot to laugh about. And judging by the fact that you've been laughing more lately, I guess you're reaping the benefits of having a good wife."
Julian chuckled at my impudent remark. "See, thanks to me, there are more things to laugh about. How wonderful."
I tilted my head back slightly and took the handkerchief off my face. Fortunately, the nosebleed seemed to have almost stopped. I was too embarrassed to wipe the blood thoroughly in front of Julian, so I kept the handkerchief on my face.
Julian strode briskly up the stairs and quickly arrived at my room. He lay me down on the bed and covered me with the blanket. Soon after, there was a knock on the door, and the doctor entered.
“I will see you for treatment.”
The doctor asked for my understanding and began examining me. Since Julian hadn't hired a new doctor, I didn't have high expectations. And true to my expectations, the doctor gave me answers that seemed obvious even without having to ask.
"It seems you were tired from the journey to the capital. Get some rest and you'll feel better soon."
Since I had no expectations whatsoever, I just nodded roughly.
“Yes. I’ll be going now.”
"For a moment."
It wasn't me, but Julian, who stopped the doctor from retreating. I looked up at him with a questioning expression. After a moment of hesitation, Julian waved his hand and sent the doctor back.
I sat up and leaned back against the headboard.
“Why did you call the doctor?”
Julian sat down on the bed without answering. He then touched my forehead and cheeks to check for a fever.
“There’s no fever.”
"I told you it would get better with a little rest. Why are you ignoring me?"
“...It’s nothing.”
“It’s a bad habit to not answer.”
When I spoke sternly, Julian groaned in response and turned away from my gaze.
As I was giving instructions to my maid, I heard a cavernous voice behind me.
“I guess I’d better take care of Madam’s meals.”
“Oh, that’s a surprise!”
I looked back, my heart pounding. Julian was walking from the end of the hallway. I touched my neck for no reason and smiled sheepishly.
“I was just about to go eat.”
“Let’s go together.”
“Julian too?”
I thought it was an obvious question, but Julian didn't answer. When I blinked, Julian, who had been standing still like a statue, asked.
“Do you hate it?”
Contrary to his appearance, this man was secretly timid. I smiled faintly and linked arms with Julian.
“Let’s go. What’s on the menu today?”
“I don’t know.”
"You don't know something so important. You're being rude when you ask your wife out on a date. Be more mindful next time."
Julian wasn't the kind of guy who would play along with my ridiculous jokes. He just smiled faintly and accepted my pranks.
“Yes.”
And I liked that about Julian. The only thing I regret about him is that he was too tall and too high to pinch his cheek.
Julian and I sat across from each other at the table. I assumed Julian wouldn't eat, but would instead watch me eat. But the butler blocked the other servants from entering the dining room and began moving the trays himself.
I asked, "Are you sure you want to eat together?" but held back for fear that Julian would run away.
Soon after, the soup arrived, and Julian took off his mask and placed it on the seat next to him. Julian's bare face, the same one I'd seen at the villa, was clearly visible. A rare, bluish magic stone glowed faintly. Watching the butler adjust the mask, I asked with concern.
“Are you sick?”
Julian understood my question and answered it right away.
“If I were sick, I wouldn’t have been able to bear it.”
“That’s fortunate.”
It didn't hurt when I touched it. He said it had been like that since birth, so it didn't seem to hurt. If it had, it would have been excruciating, so I was relieved.
After taking a sip of soup with a spoon, I looked at Julian again.
“Why do you look like that?”
I smiled and shook my head.
“I like eating with you.”
It was great to feel like I really became a new family.
After I'd had a bit of a drink from the soup, I put down my spoon. Julian wasn't the type to talk much, so when I kept quiet, conversation didn't flow easily. I wanted to talk to him, so I suddenly remembered one of my plans and confessed it.
“I’m thinking of planting one or two people in the Eriant Mansion.”
Julian asked, as if surprised.
“Is it okay for you to tell me that?”
Then the next tray arrived. I continued the conversation, contentedly watching the food arrive before me.
“You said you would protect me?”
I've never been one to refuse anything from others. I was especially fond of anything Julian gave me.
The butler came over and poured me some wine, and I smiled after expressing my gratitude with a nod.
“If it gets out that I did this, you defend me.”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to say in defense?”
“I’ll have to think about that.”
"What's there to think about? Your wife was always obsessed with beauty, and she was jealous of Ari Eriant, so that's all I have to say."
At my words, Julian chuckled softly and shook his head. His attitude was absurd. I laughed too and playfully retorted to his words.
“Why? Are you so stupid that you think it would diminish your reputation?”
"No."
Julian spoke with great seriousness.
“Because my wife is more beautiful than Ari Eriant.”
"What!"
I couldn't help but let out a loud noise. Even though there were only three people in the restaurant—me, Julian, and the butler—their behavior was completely devoid of any sense of courtesy. I covered my mouth and coughed.
“That’s ridiculous...”
I tried to say something to Julian, but his face flushed, and the words rolled off my tongue. After mumbling for a while, I could only laugh out loud in embarrassment.
“Don’t say such weird things!”
I couldn't take my hand off my mouth and didn't know what to do.
But Julian frowned, as if he didn't understand my attitude. It seemed as if the question, "Why are you reacting like that?" was written all over his face, leaving me even more flustered. I fanned my face, as if bewildered.
“Have you ever seen Young Lady Eriant?”
"There is."
“But how can you say something like that? At least make a joke.”
"Joke?"
Julian raised his wine glass and looked puzzled.
“Why is it a joke that my wife is more beautiful than Ari Eriant?”
“Well...”
I thought back to when I first met Ari. It was before I even returned.
She resembled Shuan, but possessed a gentle, infinitely warm aura. Whenever Ari appeared at a party, everyone, regardless of gender, would glance at her. The jewelry and dresses she wore quickly became trendsetters and sold like hotcakes.
"Why did such a woman become Prince Cain's mistress? She could have proudly become the Crown Princess."
I was lost in thought when I suddenly realized that Julian was staring at me.
"Anyway, saying I'm more beautiful than Ari Eriant is a bit much. Just say I'm pretty."
Julian still didn't seem to understand what I was saying, but he nodded as I spoke. He's secretly obedient, you know?
I smiled and took a bite. The meat's juices gently coated my tongue. After I finished my meal, I spoke excitedly.
“Wow, it’s so delicious. Eat it quickly, Julian.”
But Julian rose from his seat without even eating. He extended his hand to the butler, who, as if he knew what he was saying, held out a white handkerchief.
“Julian? Huh?”
I instinctively tried to cover my nose, but Julian offered me a handkerchief first. I rolled my eyes and saw red blood peeking through the cracks in the handkerchief. Nosebleed? I moved my hand in confusion, but Julian gently stopped me.
“Stay still.”
My embarrassment wasn't simply the fact that I had a nosebleed. It was the fact that it happened in front of Julian that made me nervous. Even though Julian already knew something was wrong with my health, I wanted to hide it as much as possible.
“Hey, I’ve been a bit busy lately. I’m just tired.”
Julian sighed at my words.
"I know."
“It’s true.”
Instead of answering my excuse, Julian turned his head towards the butler.
“Butler, where is the doctor?”
“The doctor you summoned separately hasn’t arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence yet. Should I call the doctor who resides there?”
“So be it.”
“It’s just a nosebleed. It’s not like I can go to the doctor...”
“Madam, remember our promise.”
That left me speechless. I held my nose in my handkerchief and spoke in a hoarse voice, as if expressing regret.
“The meal today was really delicious...”
Then the butler spoke immediately.
“I will prepare and do it again after you receive the diagnosis.”
Only then did I smile brightly.
“Thank you.”
I looked up, patting Julian's hand with the one he was holding.
“Julian will also be eating with me then.”
“Madam, really...”
“Am I pretty?”
I told you that earlier, didn't I? Julian looked at me with those eyes, briefly touching his forehead, then twisted his lips into an uncontrollable laugh.
“Yes. Take this.”
Julian replied with a helpless grin, gently pressing his handkerchief to my nose. I burst out laughing and grabbed the handkerchief with both hands, and Julian lifted me from the chair. The butler approached and placed a mask over Julian's face.
I couldn't help but laugh, thinking we looked quite funny. As we climbed the stairs, Julian asked, almost teasingly, "What's going on?"
“Why is there so much laughter?”
“Why doesn’t Julian smile much?”
“I didn’t think about it.”
"I know. I've had a lot to laugh about. And judging by the fact that you've been laughing more lately, I guess you're reaping the benefits of having a good wife."
Julian chuckled at my impudent remark. "See, thanks to me, there are more things to laugh about. How wonderful."
I tilted my head back slightly and took the handkerchief off my face. Fortunately, the nosebleed seemed to have almost stopped. I was too embarrassed to wipe the blood thoroughly in front of Julian, so I kept the handkerchief on my face.
Julian strode briskly up the stairs and quickly arrived at my room. He lay me down on the bed and covered me with the blanket. Soon after, there was a knock on the door, and the doctor entered.
“I will see you for treatment.”
The doctor asked for my understanding and began examining me. Since Julian hadn't hired a new doctor, I didn't have high expectations. And true to my expectations, the doctor gave me answers that seemed obvious even without having to ask.
"It seems you were tired from the journey to the capital. Get some rest and you'll feel better soon."
Since I had no expectations whatsoever, I just nodded roughly.
“Yes. I’ll be going now.”
"For a moment."
It wasn't me, but Julian, who stopped the doctor from retreating. I looked up at him with a questioning expression. After a moment of hesitation, Julian waved his hand and sent the doctor back.
I sat up and leaned back against the headboard.
“Why did you call the doctor?”
Julian sat down on the bed without answering. He then touched my forehead and cheeks to check for a fever.
“There’s no fever.”
"I told you it would get better with a little rest. Why are you ignoring me?"
“...It’s nothing.”
“It’s a bad habit to not answer.”
When I spoke sternly, Julian groaned in response and turned away from my gaze.
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