To reach the entrance from the castle’s main building, they had to take a carriage.

Before departing, Astrid carefully inspected the food prepared for the workers—alcohol, meat, bread, fruits, and other provisions. She had asked Cradoc days earlier to spare no expense and provide only the best.

Following his instructions, baskets of food were loaded into the carriage one by one.

Since the construction began, Astrid had always been mindful of the workers’ meals and snacks. However, this was the first time she personally brought food to the site.

She felt both excited and uneasy.

Caleb had been visiting the construction site at least every other day, inspecting the progress. 

There was no place for Astrid to step in.

Though curious about the project, she didn’t want to overstep him. Perhaps sensing her restraint, Caleb had recently invited her to visit the site.

“When will you visit the site?”

“Pardon? Am I allowed to go?”

“What do you mean? There’s nowhere in Cliff Castle you can’t go—unless it’s dangerous.”

“Oh! I haven’t officially received my title yet. I was worried it might seem presumptuous.”

“Over a piece of paper? Don’t worry. The king has already issued your marriage certificate and title approval.”

“W-when did that happen?”

“This morning. You’re officially the Grand Duchess of Cliff now.”

“…!”

“You would have been approved earlier, but the palace has been in turmoil.”

“Is something happening with His Majesty?”

“We’ll talk about it later. Let’s meet at the site for lunch today.”

With the marriage certificate and title approval, they were now formally recognized as husband and wife, regardless of when they held the ceremony.

Astrid was no longer Astrid Bowell but Astrid Lionel, standing proudly at Caleb’s side as the Grand Duchess of Cliff.

Ideally, they should have held the wedding immediately upon arriving at the estate. However, the aftermath of the monster subjugation and the late Grand Duchess’s passing made it impossible.

Caleb had suggested holding the ceremony after his return from the second subjugation. Astrid had agreed without hesitation.

“I’m sorry. I had to rush back because of my mother’s death, but we’ve only identified the source of the monsters, not eliminated them completely. If orders come, I may have to leave tomorrow. But if you want the wedding now…”

Worried he had upset her, Caleb checked her feelings repeatedly. Despite being consumed by thoughts of the monster hunt, he still cared about her feelings, which deeply touched Astrid.

Caleb Lionel was rough on the outside but endlessly kind and quietly caring to those within his circle.

Even if it wasn’t love, just being within that circle made Astrid’s heart swell at times.

‘What good is a ceremony if I don’t have a place in your heart? We need time.’

She had resolved to wait patiently until she gradually became part of his heart. However, a quiet anxiety had already begun to grow within her.

The official recognition, even without a ceremony, brought her some peace. What surprised Astrid was the intensity of her own desire to claim Caleb as hers.

She wanted to make Caleb Lionel entirely hers—a fierce emotion she had never experienced before.

It was exhilarating, yet suffocating.

***

“You look perfect, My Lady! Shall we go now?”

Snapped out of her thoughts, Astrid glanced at her reflection. She couldn’t tell if she looked perfect, but at least she didn’t look bad. Edith’s praise was always extravagant, but she never lied or flattered.

Her heart raced at the thought of seeing the construction site—or perhaps for a different reason entirely. Astrid decided not to dwell on it and took a step forward.

‘You’re going to inspect the site. The goal is to encourage the workers and check on progress. Astrid, stop thinking about Caleb. You already think about him too much.’

Lately, Caleb occupied her thoughts constantly. She didn’t want to show it in front of the villagers. Otherwise, rumors would spread across Cliff and even to Croatan.

‘They’ll say the Grand Duchess is in love with the Duke.’

It wouldn’t be untrue, but she didn’t want to invite unnecessary embarrassment. She needed to put some distance between herself and Caleb.

After about thirty minutes, the carriages carrying Astrid and several loads of food stopped outside the castle gates at the construction site.

Caleb, who had been deep in conversation, spotted Astrid’s carriage immediately. Ending his conversation, he strode toward her with his usual long strides.

“Welcome, my lady,” Caleb greeted, offering his hand with perfect etiquette.

“…Your Grace.”

It was clear that she was aware of others’ eyes on her, but her hesitation came from a mix of awkwardness and embarrassment. Taking his hand felt difficult.

“…!”

“How long are you going to act like a shy little girl? Smile, Astrid.”

At that moment, Caleb bent down and whispered softly in her ear.

“…!”

His playful tone couldn’t hide the fact that it was a gentle reproach.

‘Get a grip, Astrid. Everyone’s watching.’

Astrid shook her head a couple of times and straightened her posture.

“…Your Grace.”

With that, she regained her composure as a graceful lady and placed her small hand atop his larger one.

‘If I hold too tightly, it feels like her hand might break.’

Caleb gently clasped her delicate white hand and helped her step down from the carriage.

“It’s like something I wore when I was ten. It fits perfectly. Or maybe it’s a little big?”

He bit his lip to suppress a grin, looking infuriatingly smug.

Astrid stole a quick glance at him but quickly resumed her role, greeting the workers with a serene smile and waving kindly.

“This is my grand duchess, Astrid Lionel. And here is Franz, the construction supervisor.”

“…!”

It was the first time he had introduced her as his grand duchess and called her Lionel.

Astrid pressed her lips together to hide her trembling and forced a small smile as she turned to Franz, who bowed respectfully.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Franz.”

“The pleasure is mine, Your Grace.”

Franz’s face tensed slightly. He had heard it was the grand duchess who suggested filling the moat and planned the renovations.

According to Elkan, she was a brilliant scholar with expertise in everything from languages to mathematics and architecture.

Was her sharp gaze catching a flaw? Beads of sweat formed on Franz’s forehead.

“How were you able to progress so quickly? And everything seems so well-finished. The detailing, the thoroughness—it’s impressive. Thank you for your hard work, Franz. And to everyone here.”

Her bright blue eyes reflected genuine admiration. The grand duchess was straightforward, speaking her thoughts without pretense.

Her candid praise, free from exaggeration, moved Franz deeply. He bowed low, overwhelmed with gratitude.

“It’s all thanks to you, Your Grace. The Grand Duke instructed us to use the finest materials and pay the workers generously.”

“That’s just fair compensation.”

“You even provide meals daily! It’s only natural we’d be motivated. And this is the result.”

Franz gestured proudly toward the nearly completed moat. The water, drawn from the Brietta River, shimmered under the afternoon sun, reflecting its brilliance on the gently rippling surface.

“With this good weather, perhaps you and the Grand Duke could enjoy a boat ride later. We’ve had the grounds landscaped—it looks quite picturesque now. Don’t you think Cliff Castle has become more charming, Your Grace?”

“It’s not just charming; it’s grand. Like a lone hero standing against countless enemies. It’s noble, don’t you think? I love this castle. Its solidity and practicality are a refreshing contrast to today’s ostentatious but impractical designs. That’s Cliff Castle’s charm.”

“…Ah!”

“And now, with your touch of elegance, it’s even better. Thank you for giving it your best.”

“Your praise is too generous, Your Grace.”

Franz looked as though he might cry, his eyes shining with emotion. Caleb, watching this, frowned slightly.

‘He’s one step away from bowing to the ground.’

From the moment they arrived, Caleb hadn’t managed to catch Astrid’s attention. She’d shown up wearing something from his childhood wardrobe but hadn’t spared him a glance. Instead, she was engrossed in conversation with Franz. Caleb neither wanted to know nor understand what they were discussing.

“Ahem.”

“Oh! I’ve kept Your Grace too long. Why don’t you and the Grand Duke take a stroll along the path? The workers will start their lunch break shortly.”

‘A walk? Not a bad idea.’

But that was only Caleb’s opinion.

“I’ll join everyone for lunch instead—”

Franz flinched, freezing at Astrid’s unexpected suggestion.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. I need to speak with Elkan.”

“Huh? Franz! I still have questions—”

She had planned to have lunch with him and clear up all her queries, but Franz had already disappeared.

“You have no tact. Do you expect them to eat comfortably with someone of higher status sitting there?”

“…!”

Caleb, arms crossed and leaning against a post, looked down at her with a mischievous smirk.

His dark eyes seemed even blacker, and the corner of his mouth curled into a crooked grin.

“…Oh.”

Astrid recognized the expression Caleb was wearing—a look that meant he was moments away from sulking.

‘He’s not angry… right?’

She had kept her distance, trying not to reveal the emotions spilling over, but it seemed he didn’t appreciate that. Initially, her focus had been entirely on Caleb.

But as time went on, she found herself engrossed in conversation with Franz, to the point where Caleb’s presence had slipped her mind.

‘That’s ridiculous! I’ve been thinking about Caleb non-stop for a whole week…’

Judging by the sharp glint in his eyes, she had clearly struck a nerve. An explanation was necessary.

“Caleb, it’s not like that…”

“What isn’t like that?”

“W-what?”

Astrid stammered at his brusque tone.

“What isn’t like that? Do you dislike walking with me?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Then why have you been avoiding my eyes? Tired of looking at me? Or… does my scar bother you?”

“…!”

That accusation was absurd. Astrid had never once felt repulsed by his scars.

They were proof of how he had defended his people, his home, the harsh land of Cliff that had embraced him. To her, they were marks of honor.

Whatever Caleb interpreted from her shocked expression, his face darkened further.

“The brilliant Grand Duchess Astrid Lionel, reduced to parroting words? You haven’t looked at me once since we arrived. Tell me—what’s going on in that little head of yours?”

“It’s a misunderstanding, Caleb,” Astrid protested, jumping in alarm. Caleb seized the moment, stepping closer until their eyes locked.

“…!”

She wanted to retreat but sensed that doing so would only provoke him further. Rooted to the spot, she froze.

“Really? Then tell me.”

“T-tell you what?”

“Why you’re avoiding me.”

Even as he asked, Caleb found the question distasteful. Why would she avoid him? It made no sense.

He knew better than anyone how her gaze often trailed after him when they were together. It wasn’t bothersome—it was endearing. Her clumsy attempts to hide her feelings, her innocence—it was all very Astrid. And Caleb found her utterly lovable.

Though the emotion wasn’t quite what one might feel for a mature woman, Astrid had quietly made her way into his heart.

He demanded an answer, but deep down, he suspected the truth.

A young girl of eighteen had fallen in love and was now shy around him.

He had planned to let it slide, but watching her avoid his gaze ignited an inexplicable irritation.

‘Love? Why would she avoid me over something like that?’

Love—an emotion Caleb neither understood nor trusted. As the master of Cliff and a renowned monster slayer, he viewed love as a fleeting, fickle flame.

“Do you like me?”

“…!”

Astrid was stunned into silence by the direct question.

“Do you like me, or rather… do you love me?”

“Caleb, I…”

“Feel however you want. Like me, love me—it’s your emotion, so do as you please. But don’t avoid me.”

Do as she pleased? It was clear he had no intention of reciprocating. His words, though seemingly tolerant, were a firm rejection.

Yet, it was so quintessentially Caleb that Astrid couldn’t feel hurt. Instead, she felt an urge to laugh.

“Astrid Lionel. You are mine.”

“Like Sir Elkan? Sir Cradoc? Like everyone else in Cliff?”

Astrid asked, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Her expression wavered between laughter and tears. Caleb’s large hand covered her eyes, shielding the vulnerability in her gaze.

Beneath his calloused palm, he felt the soft flutter of her damp eyelashes—a motion both endearing and inexplicably sorrowful.

“Yes. My land and my people are more precious to me than life itself. Is that not enough?”

“Caleb.”

“…Speak.”

“I love you.”