Chapter 63. You’re Ending It Already?

“What did you do today?”

At Theo’s question, Yuelina recalled her morning schedule.

Early in the morning, she went to the plaza with Raye and Maelyn to pick out flowers and trees, and at lunch, she returned to the mansion to tend to the unorganized garden again.

However, the fact that she was beautifully arranging the garden was a secret from Theo.

She wanted to surprise him with a “ta-da!” when he returned.

Instead, Yuelina brought up the invitation she had received through the butler.

“I received an invitation from Lady Emily. She’s the wife of Count Brown!”

Theo couldn’t remember Lady Emily. However, he knew of the Brown family.

They were a family that traded amicably with the Bios Empire, and their skill in magic stone trading made them increasingly arrogant as days went by.

However, they were also a family that increased their wealth while carefully avoiding anything that might upset Theo’s mood, knowing how to read the situation and maintain boundaries.

“You received an invitation?”

[Yes. It’s supposed to be a simple tea gathering.]

Lady Emily, huh.

Theo was someone who didn’t attend council meetings or parties.

Theo, who only roughly knew the Brown family’s situation, couldn’t possibly have information about Lady Emily.

Moreover, since social gatherings were arranged directly by noble ladies, it was even harder to gauge whether it would be a good opportunity for Yuelina.

“Do you want to go?”

[Well… I already agreed to go.]

“I see.”

[It’s my first time receiving an invitation! And they say it’s not easy to get into noble ladies’ gatherings.]

Yuelina added various explanations as if making excuses.

Theo chuckled.

Where in the Phaenyx Principality, in his territory where he was Grand Duke, could possibly be difficult for Yuelina to enter?

Suddenly, Theo furrowed his brow.

Come to think of it, quite some time had passed since Yuelina came to the principality.

How dare these noble ladies not send a single invitation to the Grand Duchess until now?

Suddenly, their attitudes felt quite disagreeable.

“Yes. Go. Go and show them what a Grand Duchess looks like.”

[…What a Grand Duchess looks like? What do you mean?]

“You just need to sit there and smile. Because you are the Grand Duchess.”

Theo was certain.

Just Yuelina’s presence would illuminate the gathering.

On the other hand, Yuelina found Theo’s answer strange.

What kind of Grand Duchess’s appearance was she supposed to show?

While Yuelina was aware of being Theo’s wife, she had no awareness at all of being a Grand Duchess.

“Anyway Theo, I have something I’m worried about.”

[What is it?]

“I want to give gifts to Lady Emily who invited me and the other noble ladies who will attend. But I’m not sure what would be good.”

[Do you have something in mind?]

Yuelina recalled Maelyn’s advice.

Getting clothes made at a famous dress shop in the plaza, or giving trendy brooches from the jewelry store as gifts seemed like good options.

The only issue was that she would have to spend Theo’s money quite lavishly.

Today when she went to the plaza to buy flowers and trees, she had also visited the jewelry store and dress shop with Maelyn and Raye.

But both the clothes and jewelry were prohibitively expensive.

Of course, if Theo had heard Yuelina’s concerns, he would have found them quite ridiculous.

A tiara that everyone in the world coveted was stored in the Black Mansion’s basement.

And that wasn’t all.

There were countless treasures he had collected as spoils of war.

Theo had never once in his life worried about not having money.

Therefore, Theo couldn’t even imagine that Yuelina was worried about money.

Yuelina hesitated before speaking.

“I’m thinking of baking chestnut pies.”

[That’s good.]

“Really?”

[Yes. But are you making them yourself?]

“Wouldn’t that make it more meaningful?”

Theo stroked his chin.

The Black Mansion’s chef was quite skilled at desserts.

The taste of those chestnut pies was so good that even Theo, who thought food was just something to chew and swallow, had to acknowledge it.

So the noble ladies would surely appreciate the chestnut pies when they tried them.

But instead of the chef, Yuelina would make the chestnut pies herself…

When Theo remained silent, Yuelina spoke with a worried face.

“Are chestnut pies not good after all?”

[No. I’m just disappointed.]

“What?”

[Because I won’t get to eat the chestnut pies you make.]

There was only one thing that made Theo uncomfortable.

The fact that noble ladies, not him, would taste the chestnut pies that Yuelina carefully made bothered him.

“We’re still close to the north, should I stop by briefly to eat some?”

[What?! No, no!]

He was serious.

“But I’m disappointed.”

[I’ll make some for you when you come back. After making them this time, the next ones will be even more delicious, right?]

“That sounds good.”

Theo smiled at Yuelina’s voice as she hurriedly tried to stop him, startled.

How could this woman be so adorable even just through a conversation?

Theo thought it was quite cute that Yuelina had thought of chestnut pies as gifts for the noble ladies.

Usually, gifts sent to nobles tended to be expensive items.

As expected of his wife, always thinking of such extraordinary methods.

Theo, completely unaware that Yuelina had thought of this as an alternative due to money concerns, could only think of it that way.

“But be careful. You mustn’t get hurt.”

[Of course. Maelyn and Raye agreed to help me.]

“Just do the kneading. Don’t go near the fire.”

[I’ll do my best!]

Yuelina evaded Theo’s words and changed the subject to talk about Maelyn and Raye.

She talked about how when the three of them walked in the plaza, they looked like very close friends which made her feel excited, and she also mentioned that she would buy dresses for Maelyn and Raye.

“That’s a good idea.”

Theo was glad that Yuelina was getting along well with Maelyn and Raye.

In fact, he thought anyone would be fine as long as it wasn’t someone like Asarim.

Especially having Raye, who was excellent at swordsmanship, by Yuelina’s side made him feel more at ease.

[What did you do today, Theo?]

Thinking she had talked too much about herself, Yuelina asked Theo.

At her question, Theo recalled his day.

He rode a horse.

Traversed mountain paths.

Night fell and they arrived at an inn.

That was all.

Theo told Yuelina about his day straightforwardly.

It felt like Yuelina was receiving a schedule report from Theo.

Hearing Theo’s plain voice, Yuelina struggled to think of what to say before finally speaking.

“You must have been quite bored, Theo.”

[I was fine.]

“Wasn’t crossing the mountains difficult?”

[Not at all.]

Yuelina silently nodded. She had nothing more to say to Theo.

“Then get some rest now.”

Just as the silence was growing longer…

At Yuelina’s words telling him to rest, Theo’s expression crumpled.

Ending already?

No, how much time had even passed?

Theo stood up, still holding the orb.

His instinct was telling him that if he didn’t want to end the conversation, he needed to say something.

“You know what? The scenery here is quite nice.”

[Oh! Really? What can you see?]

Theo hurriedly opened the window.

In the dark night, all that could be seen were the numerous stars and mountain ridges under the moonlight.

It was also an ordinary scene they had seen countless times at the Black Mansion.

“Many stars are out.”

[Wow, stars! There are many stars here too.]

“Yes.”

Perhaps it was too ordinary and boring. Theo’s shoulders slumped.

[Theo. Even though we’re apart, we’re under the same sky.]

“Ah!”

Theo clutched his forehead.

How could Yuelina speak such beautiful and elegant words?

To say they’re under the same sky even though they’re apart.

Theo couldn’t help but admire her words.

“That’s a nice way to look at it.”

[You’re looking at the same sky I’m seeing, right?]

Theo looked up at the sky.

Though it was no different from usual, it looked different now.

His lips curved up automatically at the thought that Yuelina would also be looking at the sky before her.

[Theo. You must be very tired?]

“Not at all.”

[You’ve been riding horses and climbing mountains all day. I don’t want to interfere with your rest.]

Theo shook his head vigorously.

He had never felt more clear-headed than now. It had been a long time since he felt this refreshed.

“Perhaps you’re tired?”

[No, I’m fine. But I feel like I’m keeping you here when there’s nothing to talk about…]

“There’s plenty to talk about.”

[Really? Is there something you’re curious about?]

Theo thought deeply.