For a while, Bella sniffled at the dining table, but thanks to Elicity’s devoted efforts, she soon calmed down.

The three of them had an awkward yet somewhat enjoyable meal, and Bella, who had been excited the entire time, began to doze off at the table, likely exhausted.

“Bella, Bella?”

No matter how adorable Bella was, dozing off at the table was improper etiquette. Just as Elicity gently shook her, Alex’s voice rang out.

“She must be tired from crying so much because of me. Don’t wake her. Let her sleep and carry her as she is.”

“Your Grace, please don’t be concerned. Bella crying was just an accident.”

At Elicity’s words, Alex raised an eyebrow.

“Your Grace?”

“…Yes?”

“Didn’t you say you would call me Alex?”

For a moment, Elicity nearly lost hold of the wine glass in her hand, but years of etiquette training allowed her to set it down safely.

“That’s not a conventional title used in noble society. Are you truly fine with it? I only meant to do so in front of Bella, because she wished for it.”

“…You said you wanted to keep calling me that. Was that a lie as well?”

What is with this husband tonight?

Elicity hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should tell the truth, but for the sake of their marital closeness—though certainly not “affection”—she decided to lie.

Besides, thinking back, there must have been moments when Elicity genuinely felt that way.

She had merely kept her mouth shut, restrained by noble etiquette, which dictated that she must address him as “Your Grace.”

“That is true. Before receiving our titles, when we lived in Reten, we used to call each other that.”

“Reten… That’s a rural village. There was no need to mind etiquette there.”

“Yes.”

“Did you prefer it then, or now?”

“…!!”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Elicity clenched her fists.

She had no idea why he was asking this at this moment, but whatever the reason, it no longer mattered. 

It couldn’t.

Elicity looked at her husband, who had just shaken her to the core.

Alex was perfect, unlike her. Though she had no way of knowing what he truly felt inside, outwardly, he carried himself as if he had been born a duke.

Yes, no matter what she thought, he was the Duke.

Realizing this, Elicity quickly responded.

“Your—no, Alex. That’s a pointless question. You are the Duke, I am the Duchess, and our Bella is a noble lady. Looking back on the past is meaningless.”

Alex remained silent for a while, his lips pressed firmly together.

It was impossible to tell if he was displeased with her answer or simply found it difficult to respond.

After a long pause, he finally spoke. His brow was slightly furrowed.

“…I wasn’t saying we should dwell on the past. What is it that you fear so much, Elicity? Is it the life of poverty?”

The words pierced through her heart, making her stomach drop. Without realizing it, she averted her gaze from her husband.

“So, I was right.”

“…”

“I’m sorry about back then. I lacked the ability to provide for us.”

With those blunt words, he rose from his chair. Elicity, startled, hurriedly stood as well.

“Your Grace! That’s not what I meant. I only… I just… I don’t want our daughter, our dear Bella, to experience that life.”

“Then let me ask again, Duchess.”

Alex stepped closer to Elicity.

“Are you happier now?”

At those words, Elicity blankly stared at her husband.

Did “now” refer to this second life she had returned to after losing her daughter? Or did it mean her past life in her late twenties?

But one thing was certain. The version of herself who had lost her daughter had been miserable.

‘And I was so unhappy back then too…’

Surviving the vicious social circles, enduring suffocating etiquette lessons, and withstanding the ridicule of the royal family had all been unbearably exhausting.

“…”

But if she were given the chance to return to their life in Reten, would she rejoice?

Elicity wasn’t sure.

Even if she could endure it, she didn’t want to subject her daughter to the wretched depths of poverty.

No—looking back, every life had been miserable. Has there ever been a moment of true happiness?

She had no idea why her husband was asking such questions.

Had something changed in him while he was in the North?

Elicity fidgeted with her glass. She heard the sound of Alex rising from his seat.

He seemed to have something else he wanted to say, but instead, he turned and left the dining hall.

Only the sound of his footsteps remained.

***

After laying the sleeping Bella in bed, Elicity sat beside her.

The nursemaid, who was usually responsible for putting Bella to sleep, was absent tonight. For the past few days, the Duchess had taken on that role herself.

Soft breaths rose and fell steadily.

“My precious little one…”

Elicity gently stroked Bella as if she were a delicate glass figurine.

Beside her stood an elderly maid, Olivia.

She was the only maid Elicity had brought from her own family—the woman who had been her nanny.

“…Olivia. A few months ago, I told you I wanted Bella to become the Queen. Do you remember?”

“Of course, my lady.”

At Olivia’s response, a faint smile appeared on Elicity’s lips as she continued speaking.

“I didn’t want my daughter to live in poverty. I didn’t want her to be looked down upon by others. So, I made her queen. My life… aside from my daughter, every moment has been miserable.”

“…….”

“But my daughter told me that my decision was wrong.”

Even though Elicity’s words were temporally mismatched, Olivia listened silently.

“So this time, I decided I wouldn’t make her queen. But when I think about it, I’m unsure what to do.”

After finishing her sentence, Elicity let out a short sigh.

“As long as my husband is a duke, I will remain the duchess, and my daughter will remain a noble lady. We cannot be free from the scrutiny of others. Unless I divorce my husband…”

But Elicity had no desire to divorce her husband.

She could endure being ridiculed as an abandoned woman. However, she would never tolerate her daughter being scorned.

With that, Elicity fell silent for a moment.

Then, Olivia spoke unexpectedly.

“My lady, the master will grant you and the young lady anything you desire. So, do not be afraid and ask for whatever you wish.”

“His Grace will give me everything I want?”

Elicity slowly shook her head at Olivia’s words.

“That can’t be.”

“My lady, please trust this old woman just once.”

“Olivia, His Grace is a man burdened with many responsibilities. He is not someone who would indulge my whims.”

“But, my lady, I have never once seen the master refuse a single request of yours. Do you not remember?”

“Olivia, don’t be ridiculous…”

She was about to say “…please,” but Elicity hesitated and searched her memory.

‘Could it be that Alex has truly granted all my requests? We’ve been married for decades.’

However, the more she reflected, the more her expression hardened with disbelief.

There was not a single instance.

“Maybe… it was because I only asked for small favors. I didn’t want to burden His Grace since he’s so busy.”

“Of course, that is true. You are not one to be excessive. But do you know how many noblemen in this kingdom routinely refuse their wives’ requests? The master is different.”

Elicity could no longer argue against Olivia’s words.

Even in her past life, which spanned over fifty years, there was never a time when he had refused her request.

Except for one.

She had once, without even realizing it, suggested he take a concubine because of her mother-in-law’s relentless pressure over not having a male heir.

And he had flatly rejected that suggestion.

A strange feeling stirred in Elicity’s chest.

“Could that really be true…?”

“It is. I have lived sixty years, and I have learned to see people for who they are. The master undoubtedly loves you and the young lady.”

“Love?”

“Yes. I am certain of it. He is simply not good at expressing his emotions… Oh, my apologies.”

Before Olivia could finish her sentence, she hastily bowed her head, afraid that she had overstepped by presuming to evaluate a nobleman.

But Elicity gently placed a hand on Olivia’s shoulder and helped her up, offering an awkward smile.

“Olivia, thank you for saying that. Even if it isn’t true, it puts my heart at ease.”

“My lady…”

“Yes. For my daughter’s sake, what is there to be afraid of? Even if I make an unreasonable demand and face scolding or punishment, I will endure it when the time comes.”

“Oh, heavens! My lady, the master would never do such a thing!”

“Yes, I know Alex wouldn’t do that.”

But the noblemen of this kingdom typically did. So, imagining the worst-case scenario was not difficult for Elicity.

But what did it matter?

Alex would never lay a hand on his own flesh and blood—his daughter.

A lightness filled her heart, as if it were as weightless as a feather. Elicity smiled brightly.

“Still, if I am to make an excessive request of Alex, I must first fulfill my duties as the duchess.”

“You are absolutely right.”

***

Elicity headed straight to her husband’s study.

But as she passed a large window in the hallway and saw her reflection, she abruptly stopped.

Her dark blue dress, buttoned up to her throat, made her look like the very image of a duchess greeting an important guest.

‘Isn’t this too formal for a wife going to see her husband?’

She needed to persuade her husband for the sake of their daughter. She had no intention of acting frivolously as the duchess.

But she had regained her youth, her beauty—wouldn’t it be even more effective if she dressed more elegantly?

Elicity debated endlessly before turning around.

“Everyone, let’s stop by the dressing room first.”