On the way to the palace, I rode in a shabby carriage, but on the way back, I boarded a beautiful carriage with the Grand Duke's family crest emblazoned across the door. Julian kissed the back of my hand and spoke incomprehensibly.
“I’m getting anxious because there are so many people looking for you.”
I thought those words meant that the people in the Grand Duke's residence, like my family or maids, were waiting for me.
“Did my family come to the capital?”
“That may be true.”
I questioned that statement, but I didn't ask any further questions because I sensed Julian was trying to hide something. I just wanted to hurry and see my family.
But as I rode the carriage onto the main road, I understood what Julian meant. Through the carriage window, I saw a throng of people. Their colorful hair made it look like rows of colorful candies.
“What festival is there?”
Julian didn't answer my question and opened the carriage window. At that moment, a clear shout was heard.
“Her Highness, Grand Duchess Duchzan!”
“Duchzan! Duchzan!”
"Congratulations!"
I couldn't understand the situation. Why were all these people congratulating me? Why were people who had never even met me...?
When I looked confused and didn't understand, Julian patted my shoulder and said,
“It is thanks to this that your heroic tale has flowed all the way to the capital.”
“A heroic tale?”
“It’s a story about a hero who saved people from demons and delivered supplies.”
“I just...”
I simply did what I had to do. I simply wanted to preserve the honor I had as the eldest daughter of the Winsley family, something I hadn't been able to do before my return. It was also a simple act, born from the simple conviction that if someone vulnerable was in danger right before my eyes, I had to save them.
As I said that, Julian lifted my hand again and kissed the back of my hand.
“I’m proud of you.”
I could read affection and respect in Julian's eyes as he looked up at me.
“Can a proud wife cause a major accident?”
“As much as you want.”
Julian readily agreed. I looked at him with a pounding heart and then knocked on the steering wheel.
“Stop for a moment.”
As the carriage stopped, Julian opened the door, as if he understood my intentions. We slowly stepped out of the carriage. I saw people standing on both sides of the main road. I held Julian's hand and stood in the middle of the road.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess!”
“That’s great, Layla!”
Someone called the Grand Duchess's name without any fear, and I wasn't offended at all. I smiled brightly and waved in that direction. Then I stood calmly and spoke to the people.
"The subjugation of the demons wasn't my sole responsibility. It was the combined efforts of the Winsleys, the Duchzans, the Sashas, the Eriants, and finally the Heyra clans that enabled us to safeguard the Empire."
The crowd stopped cheering and listened to my story. I smiled and shook Julian's hand gently.
“More than anything, it was possible because my husband fully supported and encouraged me.”
I lifted my head and lightly kissed Julian on the cheek. Julian hugged my waist, gently lifting me up before lowering me to the ground. The white dress embroidered with gold threads fluttered like a bird's wings.
I was startled, clutching his shoulder tightly, but soon burst into laughter. A joyful laughter echoed through the crowd.
It was clear that the easygoing appearance of the Grand Duke and his wife was having a positive influence on the people. I looked around again. I made eye contact with as many people as possible, and in a way, spoke to them about what seemed to be the most important topic.
"My family, the Duchzan and Winsley families, will not be complacent or take credit for this accomplishment. We pledge our loyalty to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, who will one day become the Empire's only sun, and together we will build a prosperous empire."
The crowd roared again. I smiled brightly at the crowd.
Hearing this story, I felt as if I were walking on clouds as I recalled the Emperor, who was busy grinding his teeth. Julian, too, had a rare, exhilarating expression. A deep smile spread across his exceptionally beautiful face, and the women's screams, as if they were about to collapse, were heard.
I covered Julian's face with my hand, thinking, "Oh no." If Julian's handsome face were exposed to the world, something like this would happen someday.
I hurriedly pushed Julian into the carriage. The absurdity of the scene caused a roar of laughter, but I remained deadly serious.
As the carriage started to move, I grumbled and complained.
“I knew this would happen to me! My husband is so handsome, what should I do?”
Julian said with a face that was still handsome, as if to say, "What's the problem?"
“Then let’s do this.”
“How?”
"Neither you nor I will go outside the Grand Duke's mansion. You will only see me, and I will only see you. Then there's no need to stomp around like this."
Julian reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my forehead. I stared at him, entranced by his words, then shook my head.
“No.”
Julian's expression softened as if he were disappointed by my firm words.
“Why?”
“You promised.”
I held Julian's hand tightly. I especially grabbed his pinky, intertwining it tightly with mine. Julian complied without resistance.
"Let's make lots of people we love, and among them, let's love each other the most. Even if I feel anxious, I will see the wide world with you."
In truth, my world wasn't that big. It wasn't like Julian's, where I could treat a small, tiny villa as my entire world, but the bordering fiefdom and the Marquis's residence in the capital were my entire world.
So, our journey to expand our world may be arduous. Nevertheless, I wanted to love the world with him.
So I wanted to prove to everyone in this world that we are happy and that curses don't matter to us at all.
Julian looked disappointed when he heard what I said, but soon nodded.
“If you wish.”
“You'll find it much happier later, trust me.”
Julian didn't seem to believe everything I said. Even after being freed from the curse, he still couldn't fully trust or love people. His life had shaped him that way.
That's why I couldn't help but resolve to make him even more deeply happy. I wanted him to feel like he had truly lived a rich life, having known many people, including myself.
Instead of answering, Julian rested my head on his shoulder. I didn't force myself against him any longer, but simply settled into his embrace.
Perhaps it was the simple scent and broad shoulders I'd longed for. For a moment, I thought, "Living solely in the Grand Duke's mansion, as Julian had suggested, wasn't so bad."
But when I arrived at the Grand Duke's residence and saw my family bursting into tears at the sight of me, I smiled at Julian and spoke to him with my eyes.
Look, it's a good thing to have many loved ones. I want to share this happiness with you.
Julian seemed to understand what I said and hugged me.
Another month passed after the meeting. We were still in the capital. My father had no choice but to return to Winsley Estate, but he promised to visit the Grand Duke's residence again around the time I gave birth.
I was enjoying a picnic with Adam on a large mat spread out in the garden of the Grand Duke's residence. My belly, where the baby was sleeping, had grown a little more, and now anyone could tell I was pregnant.
My legs were starting to go numb as I sat there, groaning as Adam nagged me and patted my calves. I chuckled as I ate my cookies.
“Oh, I don’t know when I’ll ever be treated like this by the youngest.”
“I’ve always been good to you, sister.”
“That’s true, but.”
I tried to pinch Adam's cheek, but he quickly dodged my hand. He seemed to be at an age where he didn't want to be treated like a child.
I pouted in regret as I picked up a cookie and ate it. While we were chatting away, a maid approached and reported.
“Madam, the Countess of Winsley is here.”
“Bring her over here. We’d love to have a picnic together.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Not long after the maid headed back toward the main gate, my mother appeared. She wore an elegant white hat, and her lips were unusually pouty. Adam whispered to me.
“When I see her like that, she really looks just like my older sister.”
I chuckled and nudged Adam in the ribs with my elbow.
“Mother! Come quickly.”
Mother hurried her pace a bit, as if she already had a lot to say. She sat down carefully on the mat and then began to vent her frustration.
“Your doctor said.”
“Mother, did you meet Tien again?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know if it’s a boy or a girl before you name it?”
It seemed like my mother had been nagging me again. She seemed worried about how to name the baby before it was born.
“But that doctor just smiled mischievously, and what kind of person is that...”
"He's not the kind of person who would ever tell you. Just give up. Even if Julian were to leave, he wouldn't tell you."
“Then what should we do?”
“You can do both.”
At those words, my mother's expression became one of pity. She even groaned, asking how she could possibly choose two when it was so hard to choose just one. Still, her expression seemed somehow joyful, so I ended up laughing.
The maid who had just come to tell me the news about my mother approached me again. Just by her more hurried pace than before, I could tell what she meant. My eyes lit up and I asked her first.
“Has His Highness come?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I pulled the shoes I had taken off straight towards me. Then my mother stopped me and stood up.
“Come on. Adam and I will make way for you, so you and my son-in-law can play house.”
“Playing house?”
“Then? When you two play together, it doesn’t seem like adults dating, but more like kids playing.”
Mother said teasingly and shook her head. Adam giggled in agreement, then followed her up from his seat. I blushed and lay down on the mat.
Not long after my mother and Adam left, a familiar figure began to appear in the distance. I raised my hand high and waved, and he awkwardly waved back.
The sight was so lovely, I felt happy just looking at it. Even when my mother teased me for playing house, I couldn't help it.
Even if I were married and had children, I would still get excited just by seeing his shadow. That was the ticklish feeling I had for Julian.
“I’m getting anxious because there are so many people looking for you.”
I thought those words meant that the people in the Grand Duke's residence, like my family or maids, were waiting for me.
“Did my family come to the capital?”
“That may be true.”
I questioned that statement, but I didn't ask any further questions because I sensed Julian was trying to hide something. I just wanted to hurry and see my family.
But as I rode the carriage onto the main road, I understood what Julian meant. Through the carriage window, I saw a throng of people. Their colorful hair made it look like rows of colorful candies.
“What festival is there?”
Julian didn't answer my question and opened the carriage window. At that moment, a clear shout was heard.
“Her Highness, Grand Duchess Duchzan!”
“Duchzan! Duchzan!”
"Congratulations!"
I couldn't understand the situation. Why were all these people congratulating me? Why were people who had never even met me...?
When I looked confused and didn't understand, Julian patted my shoulder and said,
“It is thanks to this that your heroic tale has flowed all the way to the capital.”
“A heroic tale?”
“It’s a story about a hero who saved people from demons and delivered supplies.”
“I just...”
I simply did what I had to do. I simply wanted to preserve the honor I had as the eldest daughter of the Winsley family, something I hadn't been able to do before my return. It was also a simple act, born from the simple conviction that if someone vulnerable was in danger right before my eyes, I had to save them.
As I said that, Julian lifted my hand again and kissed the back of my hand.
“I’m proud of you.”
I could read affection and respect in Julian's eyes as he looked up at me.
“Can a proud wife cause a major accident?”
“As much as you want.”
Julian readily agreed. I looked at him with a pounding heart and then knocked on the steering wheel.
“Stop for a moment.”
As the carriage stopped, Julian opened the door, as if he understood my intentions. We slowly stepped out of the carriage. I saw people standing on both sides of the main road. I held Julian's hand and stood in the middle of the road.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess!”
“That’s great, Layla!”
Someone called the Grand Duchess's name without any fear, and I wasn't offended at all. I smiled brightly and waved in that direction. Then I stood calmly and spoke to the people.
"The subjugation of the demons wasn't my sole responsibility. It was the combined efforts of the Winsleys, the Duchzans, the Sashas, the Eriants, and finally the Heyra clans that enabled us to safeguard the Empire."
The crowd stopped cheering and listened to my story. I smiled and shook Julian's hand gently.
“More than anything, it was possible because my husband fully supported and encouraged me.”
I lifted my head and lightly kissed Julian on the cheek. Julian hugged my waist, gently lifting me up before lowering me to the ground. The white dress embroidered with gold threads fluttered like a bird's wings.
I was startled, clutching his shoulder tightly, but soon burst into laughter. A joyful laughter echoed through the crowd.
It was clear that the easygoing appearance of the Grand Duke and his wife was having a positive influence on the people. I looked around again. I made eye contact with as many people as possible, and in a way, spoke to them about what seemed to be the most important topic.
"My family, the Duchzan and Winsley families, will not be complacent or take credit for this accomplishment. We pledge our loyalty to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, who will one day become the Empire's only sun, and together we will build a prosperous empire."
The crowd roared again. I smiled brightly at the crowd.
Hearing this story, I felt as if I were walking on clouds as I recalled the Emperor, who was busy grinding his teeth. Julian, too, had a rare, exhilarating expression. A deep smile spread across his exceptionally beautiful face, and the women's screams, as if they were about to collapse, were heard.
I covered Julian's face with my hand, thinking, "Oh no." If Julian's handsome face were exposed to the world, something like this would happen someday.
I hurriedly pushed Julian into the carriage. The absurdity of the scene caused a roar of laughter, but I remained deadly serious.
As the carriage started to move, I grumbled and complained.
“I knew this would happen to me! My husband is so handsome, what should I do?”
Julian said with a face that was still handsome, as if to say, "What's the problem?"
“Then let’s do this.”
“How?”
"Neither you nor I will go outside the Grand Duke's mansion. You will only see me, and I will only see you. Then there's no need to stomp around like this."
Julian reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my forehead. I stared at him, entranced by his words, then shook my head.
“No.”
Julian's expression softened as if he were disappointed by my firm words.
“Why?”
“You promised.”
I held Julian's hand tightly. I especially grabbed his pinky, intertwining it tightly with mine. Julian complied without resistance.
"Let's make lots of people we love, and among them, let's love each other the most. Even if I feel anxious, I will see the wide world with you."
In truth, my world wasn't that big. It wasn't like Julian's, where I could treat a small, tiny villa as my entire world, but the bordering fiefdom and the Marquis's residence in the capital were my entire world.
So, our journey to expand our world may be arduous. Nevertheless, I wanted to love the world with him.
So I wanted to prove to everyone in this world that we are happy and that curses don't matter to us at all.
Julian looked disappointed when he heard what I said, but soon nodded.
“If you wish.”
“You'll find it much happier later, trust me.”
Julian didn't seem to believe everything I said. Even after being freed from the curse, he still couldn't fully trust or love people. His life had shaped him that way.
That's why I couldn't help but resolve to make him even more deeply happy. I wanted him to feel like he had truly lived a rich life, having known many people, including myself.
Instead of answering, Julian rested my head on his shoulder. I didn't force myself against him any longer, but simply settled into his embrace.
Perhaps it was the simple scent and broad shoulders I'd longed for. For a moment, I thought, "Living solely in the Grand Duke's mansion, as Julian had suggested, wasn't so bad."
But when I arrived at the Grand Duke's residence and saw my family bursting into tears at the sight of me, I smiled at Julian and spoke to him with my eyes.
Look, it's a good thing to have many loved ones. I want to share this happiness with you.
Julian seemed to understand what I said and hugged me.
***
Another month passed after the meeting. We were still in the capital. My father had no choice but to return to Winsley Estate, but he promised to visit the Grand Duke's residence again around the time I gave birth.
I was enjoying a picnic with Adam on a large mat spread out in the garden of the Grand Duke's residence. My belly, where the baby was sleeping, had grown a little more, and now anyone could tell I was pregnant.
My legs were starting to go numb as I sat there, groaning as Adam nagged me and patted my calves. I chuckled as I ate my cookies.
“Oh, I don’t know when I’ll ever be treated like this by the youngest.”
“I’ve always been good to you, sister.”
“That’s true, but.”
I tried to pinch Adam's cheek, but he quickly dodged my hand. He seemed to be at an age where he didn't want to be treated like a child.
I pouted in regret as I picked up a cookie and ate it. While we were chatting away, a maid approached and reported.
“Madam, the Countess of Winsley is here.”
“Bring her over here. We’d love to have a picnic together.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Not long after the maid headed back toward the main gate, my mother appeared. She wore an elegant white hat, and her lips were unusually pouty. Adam whispered to me.
“When I see her like that, she really looks just like my older sister.”
I chuckled and nudged Adam in the ribs with my elbow.
“Mother! Come quickly.”
Mother hurried her pace a bit, as if she already had a lot to say. She sat down carefully on the mat and then began to vent her frustration.
“Your doctor said.”
“Mother, did you meet Tien again?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know if it’s a boy or a girl before you name it?”
It seemed like my mother had been nagging me again. She seemed worried about how to name the baby before it was born.
“But that doctor just smiled mischievously, and what kind of person is that...”
"He's not the kind of person who would ever tell you. Just give up. Even if Julian were to leave, he wouldn't tell you."
“Then what should we do?”
“You can do both.”
At those words, my mother's expression became one of pity. She even groaned, asking how she could possibly choose two when it was so hard to choose just one. Still, her expression seemed somehow joyful, so I ended up laughing.
The maid who had just come to tell me the news about my mother approached me again. Just by her more hurried pace than before, I could tell what she meant. My eyes lit up and I asked her first.
“Has His Highness come?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I pulled the shoes I had taken off straight towards me. Then my mother stopped me and stood up.
“Come on. Adam and I will make way for you, so you and my son-in-law can play house.”
“Playing house?”
“Then? When you two play together, it doesn’t seem like adults dating, but more like kids playing.”
Mother said teasingly and shook her head. Adam giggled in agreement, then followed her up from his seat. I blushed and lay down on the mat.
Not long after my mother and Adam left, a familiar figure began to appear in the distance. I raised my hand high and waved, and he awkwardly waved back.
The sight was so lovely, I felt happy just looking at it. Even when my mother teased me for playing house, I couldn't help it.
Even if I were married and had children, I would still get excited just by seeing his shadow. That was the ticklish feeling I had for Julian.
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