“That’s because your husband’s size is too big. And your body doesn’t loosen up well. That’s why His Grace was trying to help you relax last night.”

“……”

“Don’t be embarrassed about things like this, Elicity. How old are you now?”

Since Elicity had regressed, she had technically lived twice as long as her friend Penelope. Not enjoying intimacy with her husband wasn’t necessarily wrong, but as a seasoned noblewoman, there was no reason to be shy about it.

Elicity, feeling embarrassed, averted her gaze in various directions but ultimately responded.

“You’re right. I’ll take your advice into consideration.”

“Don’t just consider it—engrave it deeply in your heart, Elicity. Because…”

Penelope hesitated before speaking.

“If a man doesn’t find pleasure in his relationship with his wife… he will inevitably seek another woman.”

Elicity’s face subtly hardened, but Penelope did not stop.

“Many noblewomen I know have experienced this. If you love the Duke and want to keep him by your side, remember my words.”

Penelope’s green eyes were deeply serious, and her tone was weighty. Thanks to that, Elicity could recognize the gravity of her friend’s words.

Of course, since she had regressed, she was not ignorant of men’s nature. In fact, before her regression, Elicity had been indifferent, believing that if Alex took a concubine or mistress, she could generously accept it.

“……”

However, for some reason, she didn’t want to think that way this time.

The thought of Alex touching another woman the same way he had touched her last time made her feel as if something was burning inside her.

The idea of being touched by hands that had caressed another woman’s skin made her mind go blank, and she tasted bitterness in her mouth.

“Alright, Penelope.”

Elicity nodded.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

***

After mulling over Penelope’s advice repeatedly, Elicity finally decided to seek out her husband that night.

“Send this to my husband.”

Elicity wrote a letter asking Alex to come to the glass greenhouse of the ducal residence, a place she loved, and sent it to him.

Fortunately, whether he had free time or made time, Alex complied with her request and arrived at the greenhouse.

Freshly showered, he wore a dark blue robe, and his damp hair and languid gaze blended perfectly with the lilies in the garden.

Elicity instinctively became wary of the surrounding maids. If she found her husband beautiful, then other women likely did as well.

“Why that expression?”

Noticing her overly stiff face, Alex approached and asked gently. In an instant, Elicity’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s as she looked at her husband.

“Oh my, what kind of expression was I making?”

“Quite an unreadable one. Are you angry with me?”

“Of course not. How could I be, when ‘His Grace the Duke’ has spared his precious time for me?”

“No matter how busy I am, coming when you call is only natural. Here.”

Alex naturally extended his hand to the seated Elicity.

She smiled shyly, stood up, and linked arms with her husband.

Under the soft lighting, the two of them walked through the greenhouse. Since it was nighttime, the flowers were not clearly visible, but the bright moonlight added to the atmosphere.

Alex was considerate. He matched his pace to Elicity’s small steps, walking slowly. Those small gestures made Elicity’s heart flutter.

She subtly lifted her head and looked up at her husband. The sharp, masculine profile of the Duke, who was walking while gazing straight ahead, seemed almost cuttingly defined.

Sensing her gaze, Alex turned his head slightly. Their eyes met, and in that moment, Elicity’s lips stiffened.

“We’ve walked quite a bit. Now, will you tell me why you called for me?”

He then pointed toward his aide, standing at a distance.

“If we delay any longer, Lowen might just collapse. I had quite a lot of work today, actually.”

“Ah.”

“My generous wife, please don’t let my poor aide suffer any longer.”

His playful tone made Elicity chuckle softly. The tension eased.

She stopped walking and turned to face Alex.

“Actually, Bella asked me for a favor a long time ago.”

“Bella’s request?”

Alex’s face filled with confusion. He had expected her to bring up the events of that morning, but to hear something unrelated about Bella instead was unexpected.

However, in Elicity’s opinion, the two matters were related and needed to be resolved together. Alex tilted his head.

“If it’s Bella’s request, I’ll grant it, but does it have anything to do with our situation?”

“Well…”

She had firmly resolved to say it, yet her gaze wavered again. It was certainly a topic that should be naturally discussed between a married couple, but she couldn’t understand why it was so difficult to bring up. Taking a deep breath, Elicity blurted it out in one go.

“Bella asked why married couples don’t share a bedroom and requested that we do. So, what do you think about combining our bedrooms?”

“……”

“If we do that, it will also answer the question you asked earlier. When we’re alone… at least in the shared bedroom, I think it would be okay.”

Her voice gradually faded until she barely finished her sentence. Unable to bear meeting his gaze, she lowered her head. However, her husband remained silent. Anxious, Elicity fidgeted with the hem of her dress.

Does he dislike the idea? But if that were the case, then why had he been so passionate with her in bed? Of course, since she had fainted, they hadn’t gone all the way, but recalling his beastly gaze from the night before, no one would believe he didn’t want to share a bedroom with her.

Then why wasn’t he saying anything?

Elicity cautiously stole a glance at Alex.

“!!”

And she was utterly shocked.

Alex’s ears were burning red as he roughly rubbed the area around his mouth.

“Goodness, I never imagined this. I thought you’d simply answer yes or no to whether you were ready to be intimate with me.”

“Ah…”

“Why? Is my reaction strange?”

Perhaps embarrassed by his own response, Alex turned his head to avoid her gaze. This sparked a playful impulse in her. Elicity smiled mischievously and began teasing her husband.

“For someone who spoke so boldly about intimacy earlier today, you’re acting just like a bashful young man.”

“Of course. I’ve been waiting a long time.”

Alex’s tone shifted subtly, accompanied by a distant expression, as if recalling something.

“Far longer than you could ever imagine… I’ve waited for a very long time.”

His expression left no room for argument. Elicity had no idea what he was reminiscing about. However, she was certain that his words did not merely mean he had been waiting to share a bed with her.

Undoubtedly, he had been waiting for her to come to him—

For a very long time.

‘Impossible… There’s no way my husband waited for me.’

Before her regression, his cold red eyes had never shown any desire for his wife. Whatever their meaning had been, they were simply icy, which she had taken to mean indifference.

That’s why his words were utterly baffling.

Unable to find the right words to ask, Elicity fell silent. Immediately, his expression turned playful.

“So, in short, you’re very pleased.”

His sudden change in demeanor made Elicity briefly furrow her brows. But Alex continued speaking with a bright smile.

“For our daughter’s emotional well-being, it’s certainly best that we share a bedroom. Now, let’s have Celon start preparing the room immediately.”

With his tone so calm and matter-of-fact, she could no longer bring herself to ask anything. In the end, Elicity gave up on questioning his earlier reaction.

***

“Did you hear? The dust-covered shared bedroom of the Madam and Master started being cleaned out yesterday.”

“Oh, please. With Sir Celon grinning from ear to ear while spreading the news, how could I not know?”

“At last, the young lady’s wish is coming true! I’m so happy. When will they start using it?”

Lately, smiles had been abundant among the chatting maids.

The duchess was strict but kind, and the duke, though indifferent to his servants, had no real faults. Thus, the staff wholeheartedly welcomed the once-cold couple growing closer.

The happiest of all was, of course, Isabella Zeroden, the couple’s daughter.

“There’s a banquet soon! I’ll finally be able to show my friends how close my mom and dad are. I’m so excited, Lucas!”

Bella, chattering like a little sparrow, was simply adorable. Lucas, watching the young mistress, couldn’t suppress the smile spreading across his face.

“I see. Have you already picked out your dress, accessories, and shoes?”

“Of course! When it comes to those things, my mom is meticulous. She bought them from Sinael-Tap, and they were absolutely beautiful.”

Talking at full speed, Bella suddenly blushed a soft peach hue.

“L-Lucas, I wish you could see them. The dress is really pretty. The neckline, sleeves, and hem are all lined with cascading lace, and the shoulders are puffed! And it’s pink. Hehe.”

“That must suit your eye color perfectly. Your eyes shine even brighter than rubies, my lady.”

“Ah… Um. T-thank you.”

Bella pursed her lips shyly. When a boy as handsome as Lucas complimented her, she felt so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into a mouse hole.

“What about accessories?”

“Oh! An obsidian necklace! I wanted to wear earrings too, but Mom said I’m still too young for that.”

Bella pouted.

“Even small earrings would be nice. I just wish she’d let me wear something.”

She fidgeted with her fingers, looking truly disappointed. Seeing this, Lucas sighed softly and smiled before reaching into his pocket.

Surprisingly, his once-flat trousers bulged slightly as he pulled something out. In his hand lay a small box.