The man wielding his sword with his upper body exposed looked like a painting. Even from a considerable distance, the way his well-defined muscles flexed was mesmerizing.

The maids who had been watching quickly turned away, knowing that the only ones who could have such a man to themselves were his fellow knights and his wife, Elicity. However, it was clear that they had taken in the sight of Alex with both eyes. Their cheeks were flushed with admiration.

Seeing the young women’s reactions, Elicity felt an unfamiliar emotion well up in her chest.

It was undoubtedly jealousy.

Unconsciously, Elicity clenched her fists inside her sleeves.

“……”

Alex, who had been swinging his sword, noticed Elicity. He quickly sheathed his weapon and dashed toward her like the wind.

“D-Dear?”

There was no real reason for him to rush over like this, yet his speed was akin to a storm, startling her.

However, Alex looked even more flustered as he firmly grabbed Elicity’s shoulders.

“Elicity, what brings you all the way here? Don’t tell me it’s urgent? Did something happen?”

“No… I just came to bring you water and a towel.”

“What?”

Alex made a dumbfounded expression. It was the first time Elicity had ever seen such a look on his face, and she burst into laughter.

“Alex, why are you so surprised?”

“This is the first time you’ve come to the training grounds for me. But more importantly—”

Alex, too, started laughing.

“You have such a refreshing laugh.”

“!!”

Elicity hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands and glanced around.

The knights nearby were staring at her with wide eyes. It was only natural—this was the first time their strict mistress had ever laughed so freely.

Elicity’s face turned red with embarrassment. But Alex seemed to have a different perspective.

“It suits you well, my lady.”

“…That was an undignified laugh for a duchess.”

“You’ve lived long enough—it’s about time you stopped worrying about such things.”

“Your Grace, what do you mean ‘lived long’? We’re still young.”

Pouting, Elicity took a fan from Olivia and held it to her mouth.

However, she soon noticed that her husband was drenched in sweat. She quickly took a damp towel from Olivia and handed it to him.

Alex smiled as he accepted it.

“Elicity, you didn’t come all this way just to bring me a towel, did you? Is there really something else?”

“You’re sharp. Actually, today…”

Elicity hesitated slightly but then tightly shut her eyes and spoke.

“I-I wanted to have breakfast with you.”

“……”

A brief silence followed.

Was he displeased? Or was he so surprised that he was at a loss for words? As Elicity began to chew her lip in embarrassment, Alex made a bewildered expression.

“Here? Looking like this?”

Although Alex had put on his shirt at some point, it was soaked with sweat. His black hair was damp, and from his nape to his collarbone, beads of sweat glistened. Above all, he reeked of sweat.

Realizing this only now, Alex instinctively took a few steps away from Elicity.

“You… don’t dislike it, do you?”

“Of course not. I just think… it would be unpleasant for you to be near me right now.”

Looking uncomfortable, Alex edged even farther away. Finding it amusing, Elicity smirked mischievously and stepped closer to her husband.

“What does it matter? You’re the knight commander, and I’m the knight commander’s wife. Spending a day in the training grounds, eating sandwiches amid the dust, won’t tarnish our reputation.”

“I dislike it. You should eat good, clean food in a proper setting.”

“Alex, do you really dislike me eating here, or do you dislike eating with me?”

Without realizing it, Elicity’s expression turned dejected. It was an honest, unintended reaction.

Seeing his wife’s crestfallen face, Alex hurriedly tried to console her.

“I would never dislike eating with you. I just meant that I want my wife to eat in a clean and proper manner! Please, don’t make that face.”

“Then, will you eat here with me?”

“…Hmm.”

Elicity asked again, but Alex still looked reluctant.

‘This place is filthy…’

Just hours ago, countless knights—most of them men—had been training here. Alex didn’t want to leave his wife in a place filled with the lingering scent of sweat.

But he couldn’t bear to see her looking so disappointed. In the end, Alex reluctantly nodded.

“All right. Let’s eat together.”

And so, in one corner of the training grounds, the two of them sat on a marble bench with a basket of food between them.

For the first time today, Elicity learned what Alex usually ate in the training grounds—and she reflected on it.

The chef had once said he was grateful that Alex ate everything without complaint. He mentioned that Alex often enjoyed white bread sandwiches with shrimp marinated in herb salt, as well as rye bread sandwiches filled with bacon and fresh vegetables.

Hearing this, Elicity had prepared sandwiches made from those very ingredients, the ones her husband liked best.

Alex’s reaction upon looking inside the basket was calm. However, Elicity noticed the slight twitch at the corner of his lips and smiled faintly. She had never expected him to make a fuss over something like this anyway, given his personality.

Elicity wrapped a sandwich in a napkin and handed it to Alex. He cleared his throat awkwardly before accepting it and taking a bite.

“What about you?”

“Of course, I’m eating too. I have a sandwich stuffed with steak simmered in sauce and plenty of cheese.”

“That’s hardly suitable food for the training grounds.”

“I prefer to eat heartily and deliciously whenever I can. You can have mine if you want.”

“I’ll pass. My rule here is to eat lightly.”

Alex let out a hearty laugh before taking another bite of the shrimp sandwich.

“By the way, I heard we’re expecting a guest. Who is it?”

“Oh, it’s Baroness Fertel.”

“Baroness Fertel? I’ve heard of her, but why is she coming?”

Elicity almost dropped her sandwich at his question. Her face flushed with embarrassment.

Caught up in adapting to all the changes since her regression, she had yet to discuss their daughter’s education in detail with Alex.

“You… you know that I dismissed Miss Emma Felberson, right?”

“I do.”

Alex nodded. Elicity stole a glance at her husband. His indifferent reaction left her feeling strangely unsettled.

“Alex, aren’t you going to ask why?”

“I already know. Miss Felberson kept insulting you, calling you a fallen noble. You did well to fire her.”

“…….”

She had hoped he wouldn’t find out, but rumors traveled fast. Elicity twisted a loose strand of hair around her finger.

By now, Alex had already finished the large shrimp sandwich and had picked up another, generously filled with bacon.

His face remained calm, as if discussing his wife’s humiliation was nothing of significance. There was no comforting word in return, which left Elicity feeling somewhat disappointed.

She tried to brush it off, telling herself that this was simply the way he was. Silently, she sipped the orange juice Olivia had handed her.

But then, she suddenly heard a quiet chuckle from her husband.

“Are you upset?”

“What?”

“I canceled a business deal with Count Felberson. So don’t make that face.”

“Oh…”

‘Did he just tease me?’

Elicity narrowed her eyes like an irritable cat. But Alex only smiled wider, completely unbothered by her reaction.

The sight of the duke laughing so easily was unfamiliar—even unsettling—to the attendants and maids. Some of them even looked as though they had seen a ghost.

But Elicity, oblivious to their reactions, trembled with frustration and raised her voice.

“Alex, are you teasing me?”

“Not exactly. I just wanted to see your expression when you thought your husband wasn’t taking your side.”

If that wasn’t teasing, then what was?

But instead of getting angry, Elicity was more concerned about the gazes of the attendants and maids around her.

After years of living as a strict duchess, it had become second nature to maintain a dignified image.

“I would never think that. I am a generous and broad-minded duchess.”

But anyone could tell that her earlier silence while sipping juice had been a clear sign of her disappointment.

No one would believe such an excuse. Alex raised an eyebrow slightly at her words.

That smug expression irritated her. She hadn’t come all this way just to be teased.

“Enough. I need to prepare for my guest, so I’ll be going now. There’s no reason for me to stay any longer.”

“My lady?”

“Don’t try to stop me. I’m busy.”

Elicity coldly finished her words and abruptly stood up.

But her husband was as swift as the wind.

In an instant, he reached out and caught her wrist—a movement far too quick for someone who had lived her life as a noblewoman.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Let go of me!”

Elicity struggled to free herself from his grasp, but there was no pain at all.

That alone made her anger melt away.

Alex was carefully adjusting his grip to ensure he didn’t hurt her.

How frustratingly considerate.

As her movements slowed, Alex chuckled and let go of her wrist.

“Thank you for the meal, my lady. I appreciate it.”

With his deep voice, he slid his calloused fingers smoothly between hers before gently withdrawing them.

Even through his rough skin, his warmth lingered.

A pleasant shiver ran down the back of her neck.

And at that moment, memories of last night flooded her mind.

Inevitably, she recalled everything that had happened between them under the same covers.

It was an embarrassingly inappropriate thought to have in broad daylight.

“W-Well then, I’m really leaving now!”

Flustered, Elicity quickly covered her face with her fan and hurried away before he could see how red she had become.