The warm sunlight tickled her eyelids.

Elicity sat up in bed, feeling the soft morning air.

And then, she was a little surprised.

“–!”

Because Alex was right beside her.

‘That’s right. There’s no morning meeting today…’

She stared blankly at Alex for a moment before slowly moving closer to her husband.

As she took in his bronzed upper body, half-exposed above the sheets, the memories of last night’s passionate lovemaking came rushing back.

―Ah, darling…! W-wait. It’s too…

Elicity’s nape turned crimson as she recalled how persistent her husband had been last night.

He had been rougher than usual—perhaps because, for once, she had willingly embraced him of her own accord. Before her return to the past, such a thing would have been unimaginable.

But she couldn’t help it. She had been anxious.

Yesterday, when Alex refused her request to stay with her in the morning, Elicity had felt as if he had abandoned her.

She knew it was only natural that he couldn’t always be with her—he was a busy man. But hearing his rejection made her heart sink.

At that moment, the study had felt unbearably vast, and a profound loneliness washed over her. Then, she recalled her friend Penelope’s words.

―Elicity, if a husband doesn’t find pleasure in his wife, he’ll seek it elsewhere.

Another woman?

The mere thought was terrifying.

That was why she had asked him to hold her.

She hadn’t even considered what he might think of her afterward.

―I love you.

And then, something astonishing happened.

Last night, Alex had embraced her with overwhelming passion, whispering his love for her again and again.

So unlike the past.

‘…He loves me?’

But to Elicity, the events of last night felt like a midsummer night’s dream—a magical illusion.

She had returned to the past, yet her memories of the previous life remained vivid.

She knew that doubt would only eat away at her, and yet she couldn’t help but question reality as she recalled how different things had been before.

‘…What if those words of love were nothing more than a fleeting attempt to keep his departing wife from leaving?’

That thought alone was like a blade slicing through her heart.

Elicity knew what this feeling was.

Love.

A sentiment that had once seemed so distant had now stepped right in front of her. Like an unstoppable wave, it surged violently within her heart.

With a bitter smile, she quietly reached out to Alex. She wanted to brush away the strands of hair that had fallen across his face.

At that moment, her hand was caught.

His dark, thick eyebrows twitched slightly, and his eyelids lifted as if by magic.

“Dear…?”

As an intoxicatingly beautiful smile spread across his face, Elicity’s cheeks flushed red.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Ah, y-yes.”

“It’s nice to wake up together.”

He stretched lazily, then pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“Let’s have breakfast. Since there’s no meeting today, we can eat together.”

“……”

At that affectionate gesture, Elicity didn’t feel joy. Instead, a lump formed in her throat.

Time moved at the same pace, and Elicity remained the same seasoned noblewoman—a duchess who had endured life’s hardships and carried painful memories.

But her husband knew nothing of her return to the past. Alex Zeroden, young as he was, did not share the same memories.

She knew there was no use in resenting him for it, and yet… she felt just a little bitter.

‘If he had been this kind before my return… I wouldn’t have doubted him at all.’

If she could believe that all his affectionate touches and words of love were genuine, she could have responded in kind.

But she couldn’t.

Afraid that the emotions inside her would spill over, Elicity bit down on her lip.

***

Bella had been sulking ever since the banquet.

It was because of her father.

She had thought he would stroke her hair, but he had stopped midway. She still didn’t understand why.

“Do you think I did something really wrong, Lucas?”

“That’s impossible.”

The one comforting her wasn’t her personal maid, nor a pageboy, nor a noble peer of the same age.

It was Lucas, the stable boy.

Lately, Bella had been visiting the stables nearly every day just to see him.

She unwrapped a chocolate she had brought to share and took a bite. The sweetness filled her mouth, but it did little to improve her mood.

“Or maybe… maybe my father doesn’t love me?”

“…Oh dear.”

At her words, Lucas smirked wryly.

“The duke loves you far too much, my lady. That much is certain.”

“Too much?”

“Yes.”

At his response, Bella’s cheeks turned a soft shade of peach.

“But why do you say that? I don’t understand.”

“That’s because…”

Since he knew that speaking the truth would be unbelievable, Lucas tried to come up with an appropriate answer.

“I heard that His Grace allowed you to ride. For a noble girl in Madonia, horseback riding is difficult.”

“I see…”

Bella’s gaze was drawn to the black horse that had recently arrived at the stables. It was small enough for a child to ride, yet its glossy coat and sturdy build made it stand out.

Alex had personally chosen the horse for Bella and had imported it from the distant island nation of Hazaki.

―My lady, this horse costs hundreds of millions of marks! Even a commander of an army would find it difficult to ride one!

Recalling how excited Nemilla had been when she exclaimed those words, Bella clenched her fists.

“Alright! If Lucas says so, then I’ll believe it. I’ll go see Father later!”

“Oh…”

‘But I really don’t like that idea.’

Lucas disliked seeing Bella upset, but he disliked even more the idea of her getting closer to Alex.

Alex not only disliked him but outright despised him. If he found out that Bella was speaking so freely with him, he would surely explode in anger.

Besides, they say that a father-in-law is a son-in-law’s greatest adversary.

While Lucas was struggling to suppress his irritation under a composed expression, Bella rolled her eyes before speaking again.

“Hey, then… um, if Father really loves me…”

“Yes?”

“Would he let me marry someone I like, even if they weren’t a noble?”

Bella fidgeted with her hands and lowered her gaze.

There was no way Lucas could be unaware that the “someone she liked” referred to him. He smirked confidently.

“Well, that depends… no, I mean, it depends on you, my lady.”

“Huh? Really?”

Bella’s eyes widened.

“Of course. His Grace will grant you anything you desire, my lady.”

“Do you really think so?!”

Bella’s eyes sparkled with joy. As Lucas offered a gentle smile, Bella beamed even more brightly and quickly tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Oh! Lucas, I’m wearing earrings today! What do you think? Do they suit me?”

As the earrings glistened against her small, pale earlobes, Lucas gave a faint smile.

“…They do.”

For a moment, Bella felt that his smile held some deeper, concentrated meaning. It was both bittersweet and nostalgic.

Just as she was about to unconsciously part her lips in surprise—

“My lady!!”

From a distance, Nemilla, wearing a disapproving expression, came rushing toward them.

“So this is where you were! I was wondering where you’d gone.”

“Oh, Nemilla.”

“Lucas. You’re here again with the young lady…”

Lucas sighed inwardly at her overtly cautious tone.

“Yes, Miss Nemilla.”

“Didn’t I tell you to avoid being alone with the young lady? She is a noble and will marry into an esteemed family in the future.”

“Nemilla, I was the one who wanted to be here! Don’t blame Lucas.”

“My lady, if the Duke and Duchess find out, this will be a serious matter.”

Though Nemilla seemed to hold back her words because Bella was intervening, her displeasure remained evident.

And Lucas thought that was only natural. After all, he was a commoner, while Bella was the only daughter of a prestigious ducal family.

At least, ‘for now.’

Lucas’s eyes gleamed as he watched Bella being reluctantly dragged away by Nemilla.

***

The breeze drifting in through the window tickled Elicity’s cheek. When she checked the clock, she realized it was time to discuss Isabella’s education with Lorraine.

As if on cue, a knock echoed through her study.

“Madam, Lady Lorraine is here.”

“Ah, please show her in.”

With the refreshing May breeze, Lorraine entered the study, carrying several books in her arms.

Her blue hair was neatly pinned up, and she wore a modest brown dress buttoned to the collar.

Elicity guided Lorraine to the chair in front of her desk.

“Please, have a seat, Miss Lorraine.”

“Ah, thank you.”

After taking her seat, Lorraine quietly placed the books she had been carrying onto Elicity’s desk.

Upon closer inspection, they weren’t books, but notebooks.

“What are these?”

“Ah, these are notebooks containing the curriculum for Lady Isabella’s education.”

“Oh my, you are so thorough. Well then, let me have a look…”

Elicity smiled in satisfaction and reached for the notebook.

Just then, Lorraine gently placed her hand over the notebook and hesitated before speaking carefully.

“Um, may I say something?”

“What is it?”

After some deliberation, Lorraine spoke as if she were confessing a sin.

“Madam, you mentioned that the young lady should be taught the subjects she wishes to learn.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“So, before coming here, I had a quiet discussion with her. And…”