Elicity asked the still-awake maid and servant to help her get dressed.

She put on an elegant slip, applied light makeup, and let down her previously tied-up hair, allowing it to cascade below her shoulders. In an instant, the woman reflected in the mirror was so beautiful that no one would believe she was a mother.

‘Was I always this beautiful?’

Elicity stared at her reflection for a long time.

‘…This is a sight I had forgotten.’

Suddenly, a hollow feeling settled in her chest. She had always been this beautiful, yet she had never adorned herself for her own sake. She had dedicated all her youthful years to her daughter, and as she aged, she had lost her youth.

She did not regret it. But she could not help the cold sensation creeping into a corner of her heart.

At the same time, a faint resentment began to rise toward the husband who had never spared even a fragment of his heart for such a beautiful woman.

‘No, no. Elicity Lawrence. Stop these pointless thoughts.’

Elicity quietly shook her head and left the bedroom, taking steady steps forward.

The distance from her private chambers to her husband’s study was quite far. Not only had she and her husband been distant emotionally, but there was also a considerable physical distance between their quarters.

When she arrived at the study, the attendants and knights standing guard at the door widened their eyes upon seeing her.

Some gasped in shock, while others, startled, called her name repeatedly.

Retia frowned at their reaction.

“Why are you all so surprised? Aren’t you the Zeroden knights who are said to be fearless even against evil spirits?”

“It’s not that we’re easily startled. We just never imagined that you would come here.”

“T-That’s not it! It is only natural for a married couple to seek each other out!”

One of the attendants stammered. The situation was so absurd, yet at the same time, it made perfect sense.

Even before moving into this massive Zeroden ducal residence, the two had always used separate bedrooms.

“Go and inform the duke that I am here.”

“Yes, madam!”

The attendant hurriedly disappeared through the door, and Elicity waited quietly.

Within seconds, her husband’s aide greeted her with eyes as wide as a rabbit’s.

“Madam, has something serious happened?”

“Sir Lowen, do you assume that the lady only seeks out his husband when there is a crisis?”

At Retia’s words, Lowen opened and closed his mouth wordlessly.

At this point, Elicity started to feel a bit annoyed.

“Sir Lowen, is my husband busy? If he is, I will leave. If not, I would like to see him.”

“He… well… he is busy, I suppose.”

“No!”

A thunderous voice echoed from inside the room.

The door burst open.

It was her husband.

But Alex was still wearing the same clothes he had worn at dinner.

Though a couple of buttons were undone, it was not proper attire for working. His stiff shirt was stretched taut over his firm chest.

More than that, it was clear that he had rushed out in a hurry. Ink stains marked his large hands.

Momentarily at a loss for words, Elicity awkwardly remarked,

“…You really do seem busy, Alex.”

“I already told you—I am not busy at all.”

“But you haven’t even changed your clothes yet. I should probably just go—”

“This is my favorite outfit.”

“……”

What nonsense.

Elicity had no idea why her husband was so adamant about keeping her there.

However, she did not want to remain in this hallway, under the watchful, intrigued gazes of the attendants, the aide, and the maids.

Gently grasping Alex’s arm, she pushed him inside.

“Alex, let’s at least step into the study.”

After dismissing Sir Lowen as well, the two of them were left alone in the study.

Elicity’s gaze fell upon the mountain of documents piled high on Alex’s desk, and her face stiffened.

Even in her past life, her husband had returned from battle only to be buried in work without a moment’s rest. Now, in this life, nothing has changed.

A familiar thought echoed through her heart.

A son.

If she had borne a son to inherit the responsibilities of the heir, perhaps she could have lightened her husband’s burden.

Alex was a swordsmanship prodigy, a genius who appeared once in a century. For such a prestigious lineage, she had failed to give birth to a male heir.

She resented herself for it.

“What are you thinking about?”

“…Nothing.”

Unable to face him, Elicity turned away.

A low voice sounded from behind her.

“I have a feeling you’re entertaining rather useless thoughts. Are you thinking about a son again?”

“No, I—”

Just as she tried to feign indifference, Olivia’s voice echoed in her mind.

—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.

Elicity clenched her fists.

She turned around and took a step closer to Alex.

“You’re right. I was blaming myself for not giving birth to a son, Alex.”

“Elicity. If you’re about to bring up concubines again, stop. I have no intention of taking one, and I’ve told you before—a son is not necessary.”

Alex ran a hand through his hair, looking exhausted by the topic.

As his dark locks became tousled in his grasp, an odd sense of confidence welled up in Elicity.

Gripping the hem of her dress tightly, she raised her voice.

“Then, Alex—don’t take a concubine.”

She rarely ever spoke loudly, so it was only natural that her husband looked quite surprised.

But Elicity did not stop.

“I am truly sorry for not giving you a son. It’s my fault for not taking better care of my body. I admit that I am to blame. But… I don’t want a concubine.”

As Elicity continued to speak, she couldn’t help but feel she was being shameless. In Madonia, a woman who could not bear a son was considered worthless.

Yet, her lips continued moving like a broken faucet.

“And I don’t want to keep hearing Mother accuse me of being barren. I can’t endure Father pressuring us to take a concubine either. You may not know this, but my sister-in-law gives me orders, and my brother-in-law speaks to me in an odd manner. So… do I really have to visit my in-laws?”

“……”

There was no response from Alex for a while. That made Elicity realize her mistake.

Of course, a sinner who could not bear a son had no right to make demands. Elicity lowered her head.

“Alex, I’m sorry. I was being too unreasonable, wasn’t I?”

“No, no. I was just… thinking how foolish I was for not realizing this was something I should have resolved first.”

When she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, Elicity lifted her gaze. Reflected in Alex’s red eyes was her own face.

“I will not take a concubine. You don’t need to worry about that. And if you don’t want to visit my family, you don’t have to.”

“What? But as a duchess, isn’t it customary to visit Mother-in-law at least once every two weeks to inquire about her well-being…?”

“Forget about those damn noble customs.”

Those “damn noble customs”? Elicity never imagined her husband would speak so crudely about etiquette. Perhaps Olivia was right after all.

While still in a daze, Elicity seized the moment.

“There’s something else, Alex.”

“What is it now?”

“I don’t want to make our daughter a queen. I want Bella to live freely, just as she wishes—whether that means marrying whomever she wants or choosing any profession she desires.”

Her heart pounded, but for some reason, Elicity was certain he would agree.

A few seconds later, Alex parted his lips.

“That would be much better.”

“My love!”

Without realizing it, Elicity threw her arms around him. It was a reaction driven by pure joy.

But then, startled, she quickly pulled away as if fleeing. She turned her head swiftly to hide her flushed cheeks.

It had been so long since she had such physical contact with him, and for a duchess, such behavior lacked decorum.

“I-I’m sorry. That was inappropriate. Well then, rest well.”

Before Alex could stop her, Elicity fled from his study. Yet, as she hurried down the corridor, her face was already burning. The feel of his steel-like chest and firm arms had stirred memories long buried.

They were memories from twenty years ago—of nights when their bodies had entwined, lying together in bed. Perhaps, along with her return to the past, her heart had also grown young again. The recollection was as vivid as if it had happened just yesterday.

Unaware of Retia’s curious gaze, Elicity shook her head vigorously.

‘What am I thinking? In my past life, I was nearly fifty, and he is barely approaching thirty. No matter how much we are husband and wife, I cannot shamelessly covet my husband’s youth.’

She kept shaking her head as she walked down the corridor.

***

Alex had always believed he was incapable of falling in love.

It didn’t suit his cold nature, nor did he have the luxury for it.

With a father who was a gambling and alcohol addict, utterly indifferent to his own family, Alex had to earn money to support his stepmother and half-siblings. Romance and marriage had never been part of his plans.

And yet, he met Elicity Lawrence and married her.

Even so, he never thought he would become a prisoner of love. He never imagined he would yearn for affection or be desperate to give and receive it.

“…….”

Now, he fully realized just how wrong he had been.

With a rigid jaw, Alex awkwardly rubbed his chin before issuing an order to the shadow knights hidden in the darkness.

“From now on, when my wife and I are alone, you don’t need to stand guard. Keep your distance.”

But then, Alex noticed the subtle resistance in their expressions—they clearly did not welcome this command. His coal-black eyebrows twitched in irritation.

However, he did not summon them out to interrogate them, nor did he lash out with his usual cold fury.

After all, the shadow knights had no choice but to obey him unconditionally. There was no need for extra words.

Besides, Alex was skilled enough not to need them. There was no one on the Romancia who could threaten his life, and even if they tried, they would never succeed.

Since the duke had nothing more to say, the tense atmosphere that had filled the study quickly dissipated. As the air settled into stillness, Alex moved to the table where he had been seated earlier.

He picked up a pen and a sheet of stationery, then began writing a letter.

<To Mother,

I hope you have been well. I am writing to inform you of that…>