“…Just because I don’t like children.”

His answer was brief, mixed with a bitter smile. But I sensed there was more to it. After all, I had glimpsed parts of his childhood.

Even if it had been an accident, the fact that he had injured his mother and endured violence because of it might still be trapping Leopold in a pit he couldn’t escape from.

“Really… is that all?”

After hesitating, I asked again, but he avoided my gaze. It seemed difficult for him to speak, so I waited patiently.

“If it’s because of what you went through as a child, you said it was just an accident.”

I worried that I might be touching a sensitive subject, but I felt I needed to know his true feelings if this relationship was to progress. My poor heart, which had been shattered without understanding why, might find some solace, and perhaps I could even forgive him…

“It’s better to drop that topic. It’s already too long ago. I’m sorry. And really, it’s because I don’t like children.”

When he finally spoke, his words remained vague.

Would there ever come a day when I truly understood Leopold’s heart? It was frustrating and unfortunate that he couldn’t convey his feelings to me, nor could I fully trust him.

Without delving into deeper conversation, evening arrived. Since he said he wouldn’t leave immediately, there would be other opportunities to ask about his feelings.

“Alright. I won’t ask more for now. I’m not completely over it, but we can’t keep being uncomfortable, so let’s call a truce here.”

“Thank you. I’ll do my best to fulfill my role as an assistant.”

His face, which had been fixed in a bitter expression, softened a little. Without any pride, my own expression seemed to relax slightly, prompting me to get up. I tried to avoid him, but his persistent gaze followed me, so I eventually moved to the kitchen as if fleeing.

“The food here isn’t as extravagant as in the mansion. Will that be okay?”

Leopold wasn’t someone who usually paid much attention to meals, but I couldn’t just let him go hungry. Remembering that he ate better with wine, I wondered if I should visit the grocery store and asked loudly.

“Anything is fine. I’ll help too.”

Before I knew it, Leopold had come up beside me and answered right next to my face. Startled, I rolled up my sleeves, pretending to be unfazed. It was simply astonishing how much a person could change.

I was about to tell him to wash some of the potatoes piled up in one corner of the kitchen when I heard a small knock at the door. There wasn’t anyone expected at this hour, so perhaps a patient had come.

“Who is it?”

As I moved to answer with a curious voice, Leopold stepped forward.

“I’ll get it.”

He blocked my way to the door as if to protect me. Although there wasn’t anything particularly dangerous or frightening in this small village, his consideration wasn’t unwelcome.

I peeked through the crack of the open door from behind Leopold. However, no one was visible. He also craned his neck to look outside, then turned back to me with a puzzled expression. I could only shrug, equally clueless.

Then suddenly, a strange sound was heard.

“Hee.”

“Hee?”

Leopold murmured softly, repeating the sound, and looked outside again. Then he stepped aside from the door.

“Do you know this child?”

At the end of his gesture was a familiar face smiling brightly.

“Theo?”

I called out the child’s name with delight and ran over.

“Dinner. Mom says come. Two people.”

Theo spoke in broken phrases, looking back and forth between me and Leopold. It seemed he was sent on an errand. I bent down to his eye level, slowly retracing his words as I asked.

“Did Helena invite us for dinner? Does she mean for me to bring Leopold along?”

Theo nodded enthusiastically. But even as I saw the anticipation in his eyes, I hesitated to answer immediately. Leopold wasn’t just reluctant to eat with me, but with others as well. Unless it was strategically necessary, he never accepted any invitations. Inviting someone himself was even rarer.

I was torn between going alone and sending the child back by himself.

“Let’s go right away.”

He nodded toward the outside. Had his disposition changed already? I looked up at him, speechless with surprise. But Leopold met my gaze with a questioning look.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

He asked with genuine curiosity. Unable to hide my bewilderment, I replied.

“You don’t like eating with other people.”

“It’s different when you’re there.”

“What’s different? You didn’t like eating with me either.”

“I didn’t dislike it.”

How long did he plan to continue making such vague statements? There were countless memories I wanted to challenge him on.

“You know it’s hard to believe, right?”

“…I know.”

At least he seemed to have some conscience. Not wanting to trouble him further, I reached out to the child waiting for us.

“Theo, let’s go.”

Theo nodded cheerfully and quickly took my hand with his small one. His fidgety movements were adorably endearing.

Before long, Leopold, who had been silently following behind, stood next to Theo. Then he bent down and took the child’s hand.

“Wow. Big.”

Theo exclaimed in awe, seemingly fascinated by Leopold’s large hand. He looked incredibly excited.

“…Small.”

Leopold also looked at the child’s hand and casually remarked.

Holding hands with a child between us, walking like this was a scene I often imagined alone before the wedding.

He adjusted his pace as if it were second nature to him, slowing down and checking ahead to ensure the child was walking well. For someone who claimed to dislike children, he even wore a rather affectionate expression. It was so unlike him that it made me smile.

And… It made me sad.

The things that had slipped through my fingers when I wanted them were now happening against my will, simply because he had changed. What could I actually do in our relationship of my own volition?

At the same time, I became curious again about the past Leopold was reluctant to discuss. If he truly disliked children, it would be difficult to deliberately make such expressions. Was there something more in his past that I didn’t know about, or was it just a pointless thought?

“Mommy!”

Just as I was getting lost in thought, Theo shook off my hand and ran. Having such an energetic child at home would surely leave little room for overthinking. Perhaps he could even fill the awkward gaps between us…

Dinner was very peaceful. Alisa and Matt joined us, and Helena greeted us warmly, though she seemed a bit tense.

Theo hovered around Leopold, unable to stay still for even a moment. Alisa seriously remarked that it was because Theo had never seen someone as cool as Leopold before, and I found myself nodding along. After all, it was true that he was handsome.

Leopold didn’t initiate conversation, but he answered questions earnestly and occasionally showed a faint smile. He even finished the meal cleanly and expressed his gratitude, saying how delicious it was.

Though I couldn’t quite believe his demeanor even as I watched, seeing Helena’s bright smile made me feel grateful to Leopold.

The time in the principality felt distant as we enjoyed a comfortable evening and headed back to Alisa’s house. Feeling awkward walking side by side, I quickened my pace slightly. Fortunately, he noticed my intention and followed a step behind. The sound of his footsteps was reassuring, reminiscent of the one time we had taken a walk together.

“My feelings aren’t completely resolved.”

I spoke without thinking, disliking this unfamiliar emotion. I didn’t want to leave any openings.

“Consider yourself lucky that I’m not a harsh person.”

“…Yeah.”

He followed silently, replying in a deep voice that seemed to hold his emotions in check. I continued as if casting a spell on myself.

“I still don’t understand you, and I have many questions. But for now, I’ll pretend not to notice.”

“…”

“Because I want to preserve this peace, even if just temporarily.”

“I understand. I’ll try not to break it.”

I kept wanting to believe in his promise because his low voice, which sounded like a suppressed sob, kept resonating deep within my heart.

***

The fact that he was in the next room, along with unresolved emotions, tormented me late into the night. As a result, I couldn’t fall asleep for a long time. Yet, I woke up early due to voices coming from downstairs. One was undoubtedly Leopold’s, but I couldn’t guess who the other belonged to.

“…So you’re hiring… then…”

“…Yes. Don’t worry…”

The responding voice was also male, and from the words I could make out, it seemed like they were negotiating something. I wondered who in this village could have such a conversation with Leopold until a certain person came to mind. I quickly changed clothes and went downstairs.

“Stefan?”

As expected. Upon seeing me, they both stood up in turn.

“Good morning.”

“Sorry for disturbing your sleep.”

“No, it’s fine. What are you two doing so early?”

When I asked curiously, Stefan immediately replied.

“I came to visit your husband. I apologize for not realizing sooner that the new mistress of the Lawrence family is the esteemed healer. I’ve heard of your reputation, but I was slow to recognize it.”

It was strange. Hadn’t Leopold specifically asked Alisa not to reveal his identity?

“How do you know this man?”

Seeing my suspicious gaze, Stefan explained with a smile.

“I happened to see you entering the village and recognized him immediately. He’s quite famous. Among knights and mercenaries like myself, too. His appearance and skills are exceptional—”

“That’s enough.”

Leopold cut in abruptly, ending his explanation.