The fact that Elicity had cut Emma off with a single remark spread through the duchy like the wind in less than half a day.

This was because Emma had stormed out of the mansion, throwing a fit.

Elicity, as the duchess, had seen her off in a manner befitting proper procedure.

But she could never allow herself to be disregarded again—not for her own sake, but for her daughter’s.

She sent one letter to Lady Felberson and another to Marchioness Calden, who had once taught Emma.

<I hear you have a niece and a granddaughter preparing for their debutantes. If you wish for them to find good suitors, ensure their upbringing is properly seen to.>

Gossip in high society travels faster than light.

If they were wise women, they would act accordingly.

***

“Mother, I heard Miss Felberson won’t be coming starting tomorrow?”

Bella, chewing on a small piece of beef, looked utterly adorable.

Suppressing the urge to capture her daughter’s image in a portrait, Elicity smiled gently.

“That’s right, my dear.”

“……”

“Do… do you dislike that?”

Elicity’s heart sank with a heavy thud. A wave of anxiety surged through her—had she, just like in her past life, once again made her child unhappy?

Now that she thought about it, Emma Felberson had been Bella’s tutor, overseeing her education. They had spent a considerable amount of time together, so it was possible Bella had grown attached to her.

Expelling a tutor without even discussing it with her daughter had certainly not been a considerate move.

‘I wasn’t thinking. No matter how I was treated, I should have at least asked Bella’s opinion first.’

As guilt gnawed at her, Elicity bit her lip.

Just then, Bella quietly flushed.

“Actually, I’m glad. I was really scared of her. She never hit my calves, but she always smacked the desk with a cane or raised her voice. I just wished she had been a little kinder…”

“My goodness! Bella, why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m a duke’s daughter. I thought a strict teacher would be better for my education. I wanted to learn well so I could become an excellent daughter who wouldn’t bring you shame.”

How could a child be so precious?

Elicity shot up from her seat.

The wine glass toppled to the floor, shattering into countless pieces, but she paid it no mind.

She stepped closer to Bella, whose eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

“Bella, my love. Just by breathing, you are already an amazing daughter to me. Don’t ever think otherwise.”

“But I’m a duke’s daughter… Father would want that too.”

“The Duke? Good heavens. If His Grace ever dares to impose stifling etiquette on you, I will fight him myself. And if you don’t want to live as a duke’s daughter, I’d even take you and leave this mansion!”

“What? No! I don’t want that!”

Bella gasped, utterly shocked.

It was the loudest she had spoken all day, prompting Elicity to take a small step back.

“Isabella?”

“I want you and Dad to get along! That’s what I want the most. And… if I could ask for more… I’d like a younger sibling. I always envy families with siblings.”

“……”

‘A younger sibling… That would be quite difficult.’

For a brief moment, Elicity felt dizzy.

Of course, her husband, Alex, had never indulged in debauchery or extravagance to the detriment of their family.

But looking back, she realized she had never once felt loved by him.

As his wife, he could have at least offered empty words of love or gratitude.

While Alex had fulfilled his duties perfectly as a husband, a father, and a duke, he had never shown any warmth beyond that.

Still, Elicity had been grateful even for that much.

After all, the kingdom was filled with men who couldn’t even manage those basic responsibilities.

“Bella, what do you mean by ‘getting along’?”

“I wish you would stop calling Dad ‘Your Grace.’ That’s not something people in love call each other, is it?”

“Bella, I must show respect to your father in front of others. It’s only natural to address him properly.”

“I see…”

Bella’s face fell instantly.

For a moment, Elicity wavered.

Could she not grant this one wish for her daughter?

Besides, she had heard that even among noble couples, those with good relationships occasionally addressed each other by name.

“Bella, if you truly want that, then I will do it. Your father… No, I promise to call your father by his name when he returns.”

“Really!?”

Bella’s face lit up.

And at last, Elicity’s face brightened as well, as if a chandelier had been switched on.

Feeling elated, she unconsciously added,

“Yes, of course! What’s so difficult about calling him Alex? To be honest, I’ve always wanted to call him Alex in my heart. You didn’t know that, did you?”

“Oh! Dad!”

‘Father.’

At that word, the joy on Elicity’s face instantly drained away.

She sensed a presence behind her.

“Father, welcome home.”

Bella immediately stood up and bowed politely.

Judging by the way the servants’ faces were growing increasingly tense, there was no doubt about who was standing behind her.

It was her husband.

Elicity was frozen in place, unable to turn around.

A pang of sadness hit her.

The truth was… she had never once wished to call her husband “Alex.”

But she couldn’t very well ignore the master of the house upon his return.

Taking care not to betray her emotions, she drew a deep breath and straightened her posture.

However, upon seeing her husband from twenty years ago, Elicity couldn’t help but take a sharp breath.

Alex, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, exuded an aura far more overwhelming than his portrait.

He seemed like a personification of an iron mine in the midst of a harsh winter. His shoulders were twice the width of Elicity’s, his arms and legs were as thick as solid rock, and his firm chest and waist were sculpted to near perfection.

Moreover, his sharply defined features and deep, blood-red eyes were so intense that they felt as if they were pressing down on her entire body.

Right before her regression, their relationship had been so distant that she barely remembered what Alex even looked like. She had no choice but to recall his face from his portrait.

But as expected, a painting could never fully capture reality. Now, all Elicity could do was stare at him in speechless awe.

Especially those fiery red eyes—she couldn’t grasp their meaning at all. Instead, they were overwhelming, making it difficult for her to say anything.

Just like now.

“….”

At that moment, she felt warmth in her hand.

When she looked down, she saw Bella clutching her hand tightly with her small fingers.

‘Mom, Dad’s name!’

Her tiny mouth moved slightly, and Elicity found it adorable.

Right. Surely, just saying his name wouldn’t lead to her demise.

Even if Alex disliked hearing his name spoken aloud, he was a courteous man. He wouldn’t humiliate her in front of Bella.

Elicity opened her mouth with difficulty.

“Alex, you’re home?”

“……”

“You came right after receiving my letter. I really appreciate it.”

“……”

“You haven’t changed yet. You haven’t eaten dinner, have you? I’ll tell the head steward to prepare a separate meal for you, so go and change first.”

Elicity recalled the words she had always said whenever he returned from battle.

They were not affectionate with each other, and he was always busy, so he usually took his meals in his study.

Of course, he had never allowed her to assist him with bathing or changing clothes. She assumed it would be the same this time.

But the words that came from Alex’s mouth were entirely unexpected.

“Elicity, would you mind waiting for me?”

For a moment, she was more startled by the sound of her own name than anything else.

“You’re still eating, and I’ll be quick. I’d like to have dinner together.”

‘What… what did I just hear?’

Elicity stared at her husband.

Was that just her imagination? Alex’s expression remained as indifferent as ever. But his gaze was as intense as before.

Just then, Bella tugged at her hand once more.

When Elicity looked down, she saw deep dimples forming in Bella’s flushed cheeks.

It was obvious—she was overjoyed that Alex had suggested having dinner together.

Though Elicity was still surprised by her husband’s suggestion, seeing Bella so happy made her happy as well.

‘Well, of course, if Alex and I act more like a real couple, Bella would be happy.’

If it would bring Bella joy, Elicity was willing to grow closer to her husband.

Of course, having another child was a different matter entirely.

A natural smile spread across her face.

“Alex, I’d love that. I’ll tell the chef to prepare dinner here.”

“Wow!”

Bella clapped her hands together.

“Then, how about we all eat together in a cozy setting today? Our dining table is so long and big. When we eat, I can’t see Mom and Dad’s faces properly.”

“That’s…”

For a moment, Elicity hesitated.

In noble households, where numerous dishes had to be set out, it was customary to dine at opposite ends of an enormous dining table.

Of course, she wanted to do as Bella wished. But she wasn’t sure if Alex would allow it.

Just as she stole a glance at him, he suddenly spoke.

“Celon.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Move Elicity’s and my chairs right next to Bella’s. Gather all the dishes in that area as well.”

“Pardon? Uh, I mean… what?”

“Did you not hear me?”

At Alex’s brusque voice, the head steward quickly bowed his head.

“Yes, My Lord! At once!”

“This is the best day ever! Dad, thank you…”

Bella, her cheeks flushed pink, spoke in a small, bird-like voice.

A faint ache spread through Elicity’s heart.

Before her regression, Bella had always been afraid of Alex.

It was understandable. As the commander of the knightly order, Alex was always away on royal missions.

‘At times like this, I should be the one to step up. I need to be bold.’

Resolving herself, Elicity moved closer to Alex.

“What are you doing, Alex? Your daughter just thanked you. Aren’t you going to kiss her on the cheek?”

“……”

“Alex! Hurry up!”

As Elicity firmly called his name, the eyes of all the servants in the dining hall widened in shock.

“…Ah, right.”

Alex, looking slightly flustered, obediently lifted Bella into his arms.

However, what happened next was utterly comical.

“W-wah… Hnnngh! Waaahhh!!”

Lifted by her nearly 2-meter-tall father, Bella was so high up that she burst into tears.

Flustered by his crying daughter, Alex hurriedly set her down.

And Elicity, rushing to Bella’s side, used the hem of her skirt to wipe her tears away.