The house we arrived at after our meal was closer than I had expected. In other words, it was fairly close to the Keppel estate. I had thought we’d be heading towards Old Palace Street, where all the nobles lived.

“Do you like it?”

“I like that it’s close to the park.”

I replied honestly. It was a bit unsettling that crossing through the park would lead directly to the Keppel estate. Still, the park was vast enough that the estate was not visible from here.

Honestly, I hadn’t thought I could find a house in this area at all. I assumed all the buildings here belonged to the university. As a woman, I had no reason to come here, so it was nearby yet hadn’t even made it onto my list.

“The academy’s close by, so most neighbors are professors or scholars. The area is safe, and if anything were to happen, my knights would arrive before the town guards.”

That’s reassuring. I felt slightly uncomfortable but decided to appreciate the positives. After all, the proximity was something I’d have to accept. Besides, the house was free. I took a look around and pointed out my favorite feature.

“I like how the front door opens right onto the street. With no garden, there’s nothing to maintain.”

Ian smiled, as if expecting this.

“When we talked last time, I sensed you weren’t fond of high-maintenance gardens. So, I thought you might appreciate a place with no garden at all.”

“You’ve read me well. Honestly, I prefer a house without a garden. In the countryside, I was the only one to pull weeds or trim branches, and the garden was enormous…”

I was just venting, but Ian looked at me with curiosity. Without realizing it, I started sharing a story I hadn’t intended to.

“One time, I didn’t have money to buy flowers, so I dug up wildflowers and planted them. By the following summer, they had taken over the garden. The townsfolk gave me such pitiful looks. It turns out I’d picked the weeds that farmers despise the most, thinking they were pretty.”

“What kind of flowers were they?”

“I don’t remember the name.”

“I bet they were beautiful.”

…The flowers?

“They were, but they were relentless. You had to remove every tiny root to get rid of them. If you missed even one, they’d be sprouting again in no time.”

Ian listened to my story about the weeds with great interest. What an unpredictable person. I took his arm and entered the house. The smell of books hit me immediately.

“The previous owner must have liked books.”

“I heard they were a librarian at the academy.”

No wonder. The moment I stepped into the drawing room, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled the walls so thoroughly I couldn’t tell if it was a library or a living room. With high ceilings, extending to the second floor, and a separate staircase, it looked like Professor Higgins’s library in *My Fair Lady*.

“Are the books included with the house?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’d like to keep them.”

The lobby and drawing room create the first impression of a house. I already liked it here. I could almost imagine myself living in this house.

“Doesn’t it seem like a bedroom might be up those stairs?”

I didn’t wait for Ian’s answer, happily climbing the stairs.

“I’m sure of it. Since the owner merged the library and drawing room, they probably wanted to read as soon as they came down from their bedroom. Judging by the single sofa, it doesn’t seem like they entertained guests much. They must have been someone who didn’t care about others’ opinions. That’s probably why they built the house so uniquely.”

Without a word, Ian followed me. Filled with excitement, I opened the door at the end of the stairs. Instead of a bedroom, there was a hallway.

“Oh, I was wrong.”

A bit disappointed, I stepped back, and Ian passed by, opening the nearest door in the hallway.

“This is the bedroom.”

Thinking about it, Ian had already seen the house and knew where everything was. Lucky I didn’t make a bet. But, since the bedroom was the closest room, my guess wasn’t completely off. Feeling proud, I said,

“I was right, wasn’t I?”

“Very clever.”

Ian replied with a smile. The bedroom was smaller and cozier than expected.

“This was the previous owner’s bedroom, but there’s a bigger room at the end of the hall. If you’d like, you could use that as your bedroom and keep this as a guest room.”

“No, I’d like to use this as my bedroom too.”

“There won’t be enough space for all your furniture.”

I looked at him curiously, and he frowned.

“I planned to bring all the original furniture, but I don’t think it will all fit here.”

“Leave that for the next duchess.”

I said this casually and continued exploring the room. Through the window, I could see the academy. With the park in the front and the academy behind, the view was quite enviable.

There was only a bed, wardrobe, and table, but that was more than enough for me. I wouldn’t be entertaining guests in my bedroom anymore, anyway. As I finished looking around and turned back, Ian met my gaze and quickly looked away.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Although his face appeared calm, his voice sounded unusually subdued. Why was that? Watching Ian closely, I sensed he didn’t want to talk, so I decided to quietly let it pass. After looking around the entire second floor, we moved up to the third, which seemed to be where the servants had stayed; it was dark, with several small rooms lining a narrow hallway. Combined, the second and third floors had so many rooms.

“There are too many rooms for me to live here alone. Being close to the academy, it would make a good boarding house.”

“A boarding house?”

Ian looked at me, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

“You’re joking, right?”

Why the serious face just to ask if I’m joking… Trying not to show my nervousness, I thought about his reaction and remembered that only male students attended the academy. I chuckled as I walked down the hall.

“Are you jealous?”

“…”

“It just seemed like a waste not to do something with such a large house, so I thought of making a little income. Living here alone might get a bit boring…”

Feeling embarrassed by the silence, I added with a smile, “Even if I’m an old grandma someday, you still wouldn’t let me?”

Surely, he wouldn’t object even then. When he didn’t respond, I turned around to find Ian standing there with a tense expression. Right, it was indeed crossing a line for the former Duchess of Keppel to talk about running a boarding house. Smiling, I said, “I was just joking.”

Ian didn’t smile. Now that I looked at him, his expression seemed far from any trace of jealousy or irritation. Instead, his gaze looked deep, almost distant. He slowly replied, his voice low and calm.

“Do whatever you want.”

Then he lowered his gaze. I watched him standing there alone in the hallway and slowly approached him.

“Ian?”

As I drew near, Ian kept his gaze down and gave a faint, bitter smile.

“You don’t have to wait until you’re an old grandmother to do whatever you want.”

“….”

I should thank him. But while I was trying to find the right words, Ian held out his arm.

“Shall we go sign the contract?”

Ian’s face had returned to its usual self, as if the moment before had only been a fleeting illusion. I placed my arm in his, and as we walked side by side, a complex feeling welled up inside. What had he been thinking, standing there watching my back, to have that look on his face? Had he imagined what I’d look like as an elderly woman?

Honestly, I had my own doubts about whether I’d even live long enough to age. I’d been fainting more often lately, even in less emotionally charged situations than before. Sometimes, seeing the strangely calm way people treated me when I woke up, I’d feel like I was a ticking time bomb that could go off any moment.

“Joyce’s been acting a lot calmer these days, though I don’t know why.”

Maybe someone had advised her to be cautious.

“Really?”

“I’d like her to be at ease while she’s here as my guest. Especially since… well, she isn’t alone.”

“Should I tell Vanon to pay extra attention?”

I asked playfully, trying to tease him.

“You didn’t give her any signals, did you?”

“I’ve never spoken with her privately.”

So, he must have passed along a message indirectly. Instead of pressing him about meddling with my friend, I laughed quietly, understanding where he was coming from. Objectively, Joyce was a friend who could be unpredictable, and since Ian and I were still legally married, he had the right to be concerned. While making various excuses for him, I realized I no longer felt any anger toward Ian. Then he spoke with a hint of urgency in his voice.

“If I’ve made her uncomfortable, I apologize. I didn’t mean to pressure her.”

Now, seeing him watching me for reassurance, I felt sorry.

“No, I was just teasing.”

“…”

“Ian, has no one ever teased you before?”

Ian gave me a confused look, then nodded slightly. I stared at him skeptically.

“If someone teases you, can you recognize it as teasing… right?”

He looked uncertain. Was I actually seeing Ian Keppel lack confidence in something? I took my skirt in both hands and gave a mock bow.

“I’m honored to be your first, Duke.”

“Don’t mock me.”

He knew, at least, that much.