If he had been with Chloe, he wouldn’t have bothered to look at these reports. But if that wasn’t the case, there was no reason to idly k*ll time. His calmly settled eyes quickly began reviewing the dense text.

* * *

Chloe carefully examined the palm-sized guidebook in her personal study on the third floor. The preparations for the exhibition, her first project after graduation, had already reached their final stages. Chloe meticulously noted the matters to be rechecked before the exhibition opening in a week.

Only after checking the tasks she needed to attend to at the exhibition hall tomorrow did she rise from her seat. Her steps, about to leave the study, were drawn to the window overlooking the garden.

The sunshine past midday was warm. The space between the colorful leaves swayed with the deepening autumn colors. But her focus on the scenery filling her vision was brief. Chloe checked the time due to a sudden feeling of hunger.

Since she hadn’t skipped lunch, it wasn’t time to be hungry. Just then, Bellisa, who had carefully knocked on the door, entered the study.

“My lady, the duke has sent word that his meeting might run a bit late today. Is there anything you need?”

Bellisa, who had come to inform her that the duke’s return would be later than usual, turned away immediately after Chloe requested a snack.

The duchess generally had a small appetite. She didn’t have any special food preferences, so there were no specific menu requests.

“Lemon tea and some simple snacks should be fine, Bellisa.”

Recalling the brief request, Bellisa hurriedly sought out the chef. Then, not long after, she picked up a tray with warm pumpkin pie.

“The mistress is feeling peckish, so please wait a moment.”

This was thanks to the chef who had rolled up his sleeves, excited at the opportunity to showcase his skills.

But her hurried steps toward the study had to turn back. This was after confirming that Chloe had fallen into a deep sleep leaning against the sofa. Inevitably, Bellisa carefully placed the cups and plates on the table and quietly closed the door.

‘Even during exam periods when she was immersed in her studies, it wasn’t this bad.’

It seemed the work that the mistress had taken on for the first time was indeed arduous. Bellisa nodded, measuring Chloe’s fatigue in her own way.

A different thought fleetingly crossed her mind as she turned the corner of the long corridor.

‘Could it be?’

A person who rarely enjoys naps couldn’t resist drowsiness, and her food intake had increased. On top of that, seeing her looking for snacks, there was one plausible hypothesis.

But……

It wasn’t something she could easily bring up.

The ducal couple had been married for five years before, but pregnancy had never been discussed. Of course, excluding the two years when the duke was in Daloa.

Naturally, she hoped for good news for the people she served. But if she made a fuss and it turned out not to be the case…… It would only give the mistress unnecessary disappointment.

Bellisa came down the stairs with quick steps, rolled up her sleeves, and picked up the laundry basket. Taking care of her duties first rather than acting on uncertain speculation seemed better in many ways.

Of course, this was after she quietly reminded herself to attend to the mistress more attentively.

* * *

Click, Andert’s gaze immediately turned to the bed as he crossed the threshold.

Chloe, lying on her side, was once again in deep sleep. A thick book with notes scribbled here and there remained open by her pillow.

Lately, he seemed to encounter Chloe sleeping more frequently. After gently removing the book and placing it on the nightstand, he took off his robe. His movements as he settled beside Chloe were both familiar and careful.

He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. It wasn’t even that late, having just passed 10 PM.

But Andert simply propped up one arm to rest his head and gently stroked the ends of Chloe’s long hair. He wanted to chat about various things, but it wasn’t urgent enough to wake a sleeping person.

“Hmm.”

After stirring briefly, Chloe soon fell back asleep.

He quietly gazed at her. Listening to such peaceful breathing filled his chest with a tingling warmth. He wanted to protect Chloe for a long time.

Apart from that tenderness, raw desire also simmered. The thought of stripping bare, without a single thread remaining, the person he wanted to protect and guard more than anyone else on the bed.

‘So as emotions deepen, previously nonexistent s*xual walls also emerge.’

“Ha.”

Confronting his primal self, Andert let out a light sigh. Restraining and controlling himself wasn’t particularly difficult. Living according to one’s impulses wasn’t his life’s goal.

But even that seemed challenging now with Chloe’s warmth so close. He abruptly rose from the bed. There weren’t any matters requiring urgent review that he needed to pick up his pen for.

But it seemed better to find something to do rather than risk disturbing Chloe. Soon after, he walked around the bed and quietly headed to the sofa.

The next morning, Chloe raised her unusually heavy body.

The sunlight filtering through the curtain gaps illuminated an already empty space beside her. After looking at the bedding and pillow that showed signs of someone having been there, her gaze shifted to the clock.

7:30 AM. Andert would have already left the mansion by now.

Chloe, who had tied her hair to one side, tossed it behind her back and hurriedly got up. Though she had been exceptionally tired lately, it was surprising that she hadn’t even noticed Andert coming and going.

Moreover, yesterday she had even told him she would wait up for him as he was leaving.

“Andert, will you be late today?”

“I do have an evening schedule, but I won’t be too late. Is something the matter?”

“No, I just want to talk about various things and be with you. Nothing else.”

“I’ll come right back as soon as I’m done.”

“Yes, I’ll wait for you.”

So she had planned to read a book until he returned. But her last memory was leaning against the bed with the book open.

Bellisa, who came running at the call bell, confirmed that Andert had indeed already left.

“My lady, you’re awake? The duke left an hour ago.”

“Bellisa, good morning.”

As Chloe was about to turn away after putting down a glass of cool water, she noticed a small box on the console. It seemed to be a gift that Andert had prepared last night.

Just then, Bellisa, who was busy arranging the bedding and bringing out clothes, casually added a comment. She too was secretly curious about what the duke had been holding yesterday.

“Oh my! You haven’t opened it yet? Please open it right away, my lady.”

Chloe, feeling apologetic toward Andert, gently untied the ribbon wrapped around it. Inside the case was a copper key.

[I thought you might need this.

It shouldn’t be bad for work or as a studio.

I love you.]

Inside the small card was also a note with an unfamiliar address.

“Wow! It’s a key. It seems the duke has prepared a separate space.”

Bellisa, who burst out with an unaffected exclamation, stepped back slightly.

Though she wanted to stay closer to the mistress, preparing her meal came first. Bellisa skillfully began moving the breakfast she had brought on a tray to the balcony.

Since the mistress preferred quiet and simple morning meals, the table setting was never elaborate. But plates that used to be left half-full until just a month ago were now being completely emptied lately.

That’s why she had brought extra food prepared just in case.

“Please call if you need anything else.”

“Thank you, Bellisa.”

After finishing the table setting, Bellisa left the balcony without fuss. Of course, she didn’t forget to carefully observe Chloe before leaving.

But seeing that the duchess showed no unusual signs, it seemed she had jumped to conclusions on her own. In society, with nothing else to criticize about the ducal couple, the only persistent issue was the matter of an heir. Though such concerns were always exchanged as if they were genuine worries.

‘How wonderful it would be if a baby angel arrived at a time like this, as if to show them all.’

Chloe, who hadn’t noticed Bellisa’s inner thoughts, calmly emptied her plate.

By the time she had eaten about half of the potato salad and orange tart, which were additions to the usual menu, she felt noticeably full. Her hand, which set down the fork, pulled over the teacup placed to one side.

After finishing her meal with fragrant herbal tea, Chloe prepared to go out. Since she planned to work at the exhibition hall, her destination, she boarded the carriage alone.

Of course, Roman had once again insisted she take someone with her, but Chloe simply shook her head.

“No, I’ll just be looking at artworks and documents at the exhibition hall, so it’s really fine.”

The stubborn butler still hadn’t adapted to the mistress going out without attendants or maids.