“Do you like Elena?”

“…!”

The sudden question stiffened Caleb’s expression.

“Or should I ask if you love her? Or maybe… am I not even qualified to ask that?”

Astrid’s gaze was not directed at Caleb but far beyond him, as if she were lost in thought. Her tone wasn’t one of accusation or reproach.

But that’s why Caleb hadn’t noticed the hidden frustration in her calm voice.

“What’s with that?”

Caleb’s voice, which had been quiet, sharpened in response.

“……”

“I told you, you’re the mistress of Cliff. That’s a fact that won’t change as long as I’m the master of this place and the Grand Duke.”

“…I see.”

Caleb didn’t answer the question about whether she loved Elena. Instead, he made sure to confirm her position as the Grand Duchess of Cliff, as his wife.

‘Is this something I should be thankful for…?’

It should have been something to be grateful for. After all, she wouldn’t be kicked out or lose her status as Grand Duchess. But strangely, she didn’t feel happy about it.

‘I hope I can maintain my position as Grand Duchess until the very end. I hope I can be recognized as useful by Caleb and Cliff’s people.’ 

When Astrid first set foot on Cliff’s land, she prayed. The earnest wish she had back then had only now been realized.

Not only was she acknowledged by Caleb as the Grand Duchess, but she had also been guaranteed that no matter what happens in the future, her position as Grand Duchess would remain unchanged. And yet, Caleb’s answer pierced her heart.

It was truly strange. Astrid quickly blinked her eyelids, trying not to reveal the sting in her eyes.

‘I don’t want to look like a fool.’

The desire that had been slowly growing deep inside her seemed to have grown uncontrollably. As she shook off the lingering emotions that had made her eyes burn, she focused all her strength into her gaze.

Caleb silently looked into her eyes. The skin around her eyes was flushed red, heated.

‘I thought she might cry…’

But not a single tear fell from Astrid’s large eyes. They only shimmered a deep, vibrant blue, like the sea under the scorching sun.

Staring into her restless eyes, Caleb suddenly recalled the conversation he had with Elena on the way to Cliff.

“I’ll ask you one last time. Caleb, are you really okay?”

“Why do you keep repeating the same thing?”

“Well… because things are different now. You’re married.”

“….”

“Your wife. She’ll be hurt. Are you really okay with that?”

“….Maybe.”

“Maybe? What does that mean?”

“She’s small in stature, but her heart is bigger than mine. She’s young and weak, but she’s determined. So… she’ll understand. It will pass soon.”

“Caleb Lionel, you fool. No matter how understanding she is, no woman will tolerate her husband’s lover. If she does, that’s…”

“…What?”

“That’s not love.”

“….”

“You’re talking like you’re the queen of society. You, who made your debut and immediately ran away.”

“At least I’ve had more experience than you, who spent all your time with men on the battlefield. Listen to me! Love isn’t all sweet. It has to taste of sourness, bitterness, and all the flavors to be complete.”

“…I never thought I’d hear this from you.”

“Remember this. Don’t come crying to me later. Whatever happens, it was your choice, so you take responsibility.”

“You should stick to the contract.”

“Who’s talking about that! If you break it, double the penalty; don’t forget. In the end, everything will come to light. So just be patient a little longer.”

‘No intention of backing down, yet pretending to care…’

Caleb muttered inwardly. Worrying about Astrid while having taken the place of her lover and then denying responsibility. Truly Elena Blevit.

‘…If she understands this situation, it’s not love?’

Caleb tried to imagine Astrid crying or getting angry. However, he couldn’t picture her expressing intense emotions in his mind.

She was the type of person who might sway, about to fall, yet never did. Always calm like the surface of a tranquil lake. Small and lovely, yet somehow fragile, making him want to protect her.

That was how Caleb viewed Astrid.

As expected, he wasn’t wrong. Astrid didn’t get angry, nor did she demand anything. She didn’t argue or ask for explanations.

The only question that came from her was this:

“Do you like Elena?”

That was a question Caleb couldn’t answer at that moment. With his lips tightly pressed in a stiff expression, Astrid’s gaze gradually fixed on him.

“I understand what you mean…”

“…!”

Astrid, now lifting her chin, boldly met Caleb’s dark eyes. Her voice still trembled, but the gaze she held was unwavering.

A sharp pain shot through Caleb’s chest, and he furrowed his brow.

“What exactly do you understand?”

“You mean that you won’t take my position and role as the Grand Duchess of Cliff away from me. But you can’t love me, right? That’s because that position is Elena’s.”

“Astrid, I…!”

“You love Elena, so why did you insist on placing me here… is it because of the potion?”

“…!”

The unexpected question caused Caleb’s face to harden. His usually impassive black eyes showed signs of surprise, but Astrid didn’t notice.

She was doing her best not to appear disgraceful before Caleb, neither stumbling nor shedding tears nor speaking words of resentment.

‘I don’t want to be treated like a child anymore.’

In that moment, Astrid wanted to be recognized as an equal adult by Caleb, even if she wasn’t treated as a woman. She didn’t want to be treated like a child, even if she was merely a decorative wife for show.

If one asks what will change, nothing really will. But for Astrid, as a woman, as the grand duchess, as his wife, it was her last shred of pride.

“That kind of thing…”

Caleb, who was about to deny her words, froze. The moment his blue eyes met hers, he couldn’t bring himself to say otherwise.

The development of the Hestian potion formula—that was the primary reason Astrid had become Grand Duchess Cliff. Back then, it had been all that mattered. But now, he wanted to tell her it wasn’t everything anymore. Yet, this wasn’t the time.

Even as Astrid spoke with self-deprecating words, her earnest gaze lingered on Caleb’s lips, clinging to her last hope. But his tightly shut mouth refused to open.

She caught the fleeting look of regret that crossed Caleb’s face for an instant, but she quickly dismissed it.

‘How foolish. I still can’t let go of these lingering feelings…’

Her desperate heart was deceiving her foolish eyes into seeing something that wasn’t there. Astrid shook her head briefly, forcing her thoughts to align.

Her chest still ached as though she’d been struck by a hammer. But she resolved to set aside her confusion for now.

As the Grand Duchess of Cliff, as Caleb’s wife, she had to do her best in what she could do. She didn’t want to give up either role.

Unless Caleb personally pushed her away, Astrid had no intention of stepping down as the grand duchess.

“…It’s fine. The potion is the reason you brought me to Cliff in the first place. I haven’t succeeded in developing it yet, but I’m still working on it and plan to continue. If you’re keeping me here because of the potion, then I…”

“…”

“…I’ll stay here like this.”

At some point, a bright smile had appeared on her lips. Her once expressionless face now bloomed like a flower in full bloom. Caleb couldn’t tear his eyes away from her radiant face.

“You love Elena. I’ll love you. It might be a bit of a nuisance, but…what can I do? I just can’t give up.”

“Astrid…”

“So, just a little…!”

Astrid clenched her trembling hands into fists and spoke in a quivering voice, as if enduring unbearable pain.

“Just look at me a little. I won’t beg for your heart. So, please, just leave my feelings as they are.”

“Hey…”

“It’s fine as long as you don’t tell me not to love you.”

“Listen to me…!”

“I love you, Caleb.”