The scent of medicinal herbs, said to calm the mind and relieve pain, wafted gently around the bed. In the quiet, with only the faint crackling of fire and the regular sound of breathing, Pendlore silently gazed at the unconscious woman.

It was just her period, they said. The doctor said it was merely women’s monthly physiological phenomenon, nothing to worry about. He prescribed rest and red meat, noting that she was weak and anemic.

‘I’ll dance.’

For you.

Radilt had said it several times even while unconscious. Her lips moved small and powerlessly.

Recalling that plea, Pendlore’s lips twisted rigidly.

Why was that woman so foolish and stubborn?

“Radilt Brill.”

He uttered the name of the woman who could not answer. Two short breaths circled futilely in the empty air before disappearing.

There were plenty of easy paths. If Radilt would break her foolish stubbornness and beg Pendlore for mercy; if she would plead for him to take care of her even after the contract ended; if she would simply make that easy promise to firmly cut off her in-laws who clung to her ankles like leeches.

Pendlore could protect her perfectly. He could shield her from both the hot sun and cold snowflakes without her even knowing of their existence, letting her sleep in a greenhouse designed for just one person.

But Radilt chose to stand firmly rooted in place and wither away.

‘……She was like a wild grass from the beginning.’

Even her actions resembled a shrub crouched in the wasteland. Conserving moisture with tiny leaves, protecting itself painfully with short thorns—an unsightly yet tenacious plant that survives until the end even in harsh terrain, both weak and persistent.

“……From the beginning.”

Pendlore’s voice flowed low before abruptly cutting off. From the beginning, he had deemed her suitable for his purpose because she was that kind of woman, and because she was that kind of woman, they had entered into a contract. If Radilt had been just a common delicate rose or lily, he wouldn’t have needed to reach out his hand.

In the end, he had no reason to feel frustrated either.

Let wildflowers live as wildflowers. Why harbor complicated emotions over such a simple conclusion?

With that mindset, Pendlore turned to leave the bedroom. He was about to turn away from her. Almost simultaneously—

“Mmmnng……”

A small mumble was heard.

“No…… Lord Duston……”

Pendlore’s movement stopped at the feeble call. He hesitated, which was rare for him, and eventually approached the bed where Radilt lay.

“I…… dance……”

Though she still seemed half-asleep, consciousness was returning. Her closed eyelids twitched and fluttered. Pendlore answered softly with a sigh.

“I sent someone to the workshop to inform them that you cannot come in tomorrow.”

“Ah, no!”

As Radilt cried out like a scream and tried to get up hastily without properly opening her eyes, Pendlore’s hand gently pressed down on her shoulder. There was a small resistance, but it dissipated weakly under his large hand.

“Just for tomorrow. The day after will depend on your condition.”

“……Pardon?”

Radilt blinked her eyes slowly. As her blurry vision gradually cleared, she could make out the face of the man looking down at her. A stoic, dry face with shadow-cast gray-blue eyes.

“So……”

“The doctor said you are having your period.”

“Ah……!”

Radilt’s cheeks instantly turned red. It was a surprising change, considering her face had been as white as swan down just moments before. At Radilt’s flustered appearance, Pendlore clicked his tongue and continued.

“I have no intention of reproaching an inevitable physiological phenomenon.”

“I, I……”

“It would have been simple if you had been honest.”

At Pendlore’s indifferent words, Radilt tightly gripped the edge of the blanket. How could any of this be considered simple?

“How could I, how could I possibly…… tell you about that.”

“It’s rather strange to hide it.”

“No, that’s……”

“It’s just a natural occurrence that most women experience, not just you.”

That was true. But still. Radilt repeatedly pulled and released the blanket, unable to hide her embarrassment. She wanted nothing more than to pull the blanket over her head completely.

How could he be so composed? How could he speak so confidently without the slightest tremor? That man must know a lot about women in many ways. That’s why he could be so nonchalant about periods.

With his looks, family background, and abundant wealth, countless women must have passed through his life.

As Radilt inwardly chewed over her discontent, another shocking statement reached her ears.

“The doctor mentioned heavy bleeding causing anemia. How is it now?”

“What? That, that’s……!”

“Is the bleeding still heavy—”

“Lord Duston!”

Radilt couldn’t bear it any longer and let out a shrill cry. A line appeared between Pendlore’s brows at her uncooperative attitude.

“I have a duty to accurately understand and care for your condition. At least during the contract period.”

“The, blood, how could I…… speak about that with my own mouth.”

“It’s just simple bleeding. Of course, women often fear blood, but—”

“No! That bleeding……”

Radilt spoke clearly, though in a shrinking voice.

“It flows from…… a private place……”

Pendlore looked quizzically at Radilt, who was protesting that she couldn’t possibly talk about such things, and then suddenly his expression went blank.

“Private……”

His gray-blue eyes blinked slowly. Noticing something strange about Pendlore’s reaction, Radilt cautiously raised her head. The moment their eyes met.

“……!”

A distinct flush spread across Pendlore’s nape. He turned his head away from Radilt’s gaze and covered his mouth with one hand.

“……Lord Duston?”

“……I, I see.”

His slightly roughened voice stumbled. Unable to continue speaking, he broke off and steadied his flustered breathing. Radilt’s eyes widened as if she had discovered something fascinating. Could it be that this person…

“Since it’s preparation, for having children…… naturally……”

Is he embarrassed?

Radilt couldn’t hide her surprise as her lips parted slightly.

My goodness. That man who had seemed like a statue carved from iron was flustered. He was blushing at the nape of his neck and feeling embarrassed.

Could this be real? Or was she still dreaming?

“……I apologize for my rudeness, Lady Brill.”

While Radilt was astonished, Pendlore quickly regained his composure and turned to face her again. The green eyes directed at him sparkled vividly.

“It’s fine. I thought you knew well and were teasing me. Since you had no ill intentions, it’s all right.”

“I haven’t studied the physiological details of women’s bodies in depth.”

“Still, I thought you would be adept with women. I assumed you had been in deep relationships with quite a few.”

Though she delivered these slightly mischievous, slightly sarcastic words filled with her accumulated grievances, they had little effect this time. Having completely regained his composure, Pendlore answered nonchalantly.

“Didn’t I say before that I have no intention of engaging in activities that risk having children? That doesn’t apply only to you, Lady Brill.”

“That’s…… true, I suppose.”

“As the head of a family, I learned the methods to please women, but I’ve had no occasion to use them before, nor will I in the future.”

Pendlore spoke respectfully, telling Radilt to rest assured.

“It would be difficult to return home on horseback in your condition, so please stay in the annex until tomorrow.”

“Ah, thank you for your consideration.”

“Rest well.”

Radilt quietly watched Pendlore’s retreating back as he left the bedroom. After the door closed, a small, silent laugh escaped from between Radilt’s lips.

‘So he does have some cute aspects.’

My goodness, to see Lord Duston completely flustered and trying to hide his embarrassment. Even thinking about it again, it was so strange and novel that she could hardly believe her eyes.

So that stone-like man was human after all.

Count Duston, who had seemed as distant as if separated by a high wall, felt a little closer now. Feeling her mood, which had been heavily weighed down since morning, become refreshingly pleasant, Radilt lay down comfortably.

* * *

It was a perfect morning.

Radilt opened her eyes at the end of a deep, comfortable sleep. Despite being pressed against her head all night, the pillow was still fluffy, and the clean sheets infused with the scent of herbs were as soft as clouds.

Immediately after waking, there was no need to calculate what time it might be. Radilt enjoyed the lingering sensation of her dream, remaining in bed without getting up.

“Huaah……”

She yawned softly and stretched slowly. A morning without needing to jump out of bed before the early sunlight entered, change clothes, and fetch water. A morning where she could be as lazy as she wanted, without having to prepare breakfast or get ready for work.

Though she could still feel the pain in her abdomen and a subtle stiffness throughout her body, even including that, this languid morning was perfect.

‘Being lazy once in a while is nice too……’

Slow and sluggish, like a sleek, fat bear in hibernation.

Radilt had barely left the bed since yesterday afternoon. She had drunk warm tea, eaten meals made with ingredients said to replenish blood, and spent the rest of her time reading books or nodding off.

And today, thanks to Pendlore’s consideration, she could lounge in this annex until evening and then leisurely return home.

How long had it been since she had rested for more than a day without a thought?

Radilt tried to search her memory but soon gave up. Nothing came to mind, as if it had been blacked out completely.

‘……Not since coming to the capital.’