“I love you, Caleb.”

With a face that was impossible to read—whether she was crying or smiling—Astrid confessed once again.

Before her third confession, the 20-year-old duchess, Caleb, had no words to give in return. He could only look at her trembling eyes, her quivering red lips, and her frail shoulders stiffened with tension.

“…”

“While she stays here, I won’t make Elena uncomfortable. If you want, I can prepare a separate room for the two of you.”

“…!”

Caleb’s face, which had been impassive, contorted in an instant. Then, through his twisted lips, a low growl escaped.

“…Are you telling me…”

“…”

“To imitate a beast? To leave my wife and share a room with another woman? They say Grand Duke Cliff is a savage—a monster who tears apart beasts with his bare hands, drinks their blood, and eats them. Now there will even be rumors of him sharing a room with another woman while his wife remains.”

“Caleb, that’s not what I meant…”

“Is this…what you call revenge?”

“…”

He didn’t raise his voice, but his tone and expression were filled with sarcasm.

“…Then what am I supposed to do?”

Despite trying her best to be considerate, Caleb’s anger stung. Overwhelmed, Astrid lowered her head. Biting down hard on her lip, the tender flesh that had been bitten numerous times split, and blood welled up.

Seeing this, Caleb’s brow furrowed even deeper.

“Astrid. I’m trying to say…”

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

“I wasn’t thinking enough. I should have considered your reputation as well. I just didn’t want you to be uncomfortable because of me.”

“…Ha.”

Astrid’s blue eyes no longer met Caleb’s. Her words, spoken while staring at her own feet, were only an apology. Caleb couldn’t figure out how to fix this situation or where to even start.

He had expected her to fight back fiercely, but she had deflated so quickly. Seeing her apologize with her wounded lips left an uneasy feeling in his chest.

“Do as you please.”

Astrid quickly lifted her head at Caleb’s words.

“…What?”

Caleb met Astrid’s wide eyes, looking up at him with surprise. The blue of her eyes, deeper than the ocean, somewhat softened his hardened heart.

“Like me, love me—do whatever you want.”

“So, you mean…”

“One week. Elena will stay for a week before leaving for other matters. During that time, I’ll stay here in the main building.”

“Oh, the main building, that is, um…”

****

Caleb had chosen her despite having nothing but the name Bowell and her knowledge about potions. Just the fact that he had pulled her out of that grave-like life was enough. Caleb was her benefactor, someone deserving of gratitude and repayment.

‘After all, it’s a marriage of convenience. It’s not like we have to exchange feelings.’

It was her fault for harboring futile hopes, not Caleb’s fault for holding someone else in his heart. Even though Caleb cherished Elena, he still tried his best to respect her as his wife and the Grand Duchess. She should have been grateful for that.

But it was harder than she’d imagined to control her emotions, which swung from disappointment to sorrow at the drop of a hat.

Elena, with her unassuming and kind nature, seemed to effortlessly win others over. Unlike her sultry appearance, she had a laid-back demeanor and treated Astrid warmly. At least a week would pass with Astrid constantly seeing Elena’s bright smile and hearing her friendly words.

Somehow, Astrid felt herself slowly fading away.

“…Sigh.”

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

Seeing Astrid let out a small sigh, Edith asked with a worried expression.

“I’m fine, Edith. If we’re done here, let’s start arranging Caleb’s chambers first…”

Knock, knock.

The sudden sound of knocking drew both of their gazes toward the door. At this time, the other maids were likely busy cleaning the main house, and Matilda had gone to meet Elkan. That left only one possibility.

“…Come in.”

At Astrid’s prompt, the door swung open without hesitation. Standing there was Elena, clad in a red silk dress that hugged every curve of her body.

The once-renowned mercenary commander had transformed into a flawless lady, and she nodded slightly toward Astrid.

“Pardon the intrusion. I heard you invited me for tea. Did I arrive too early?”

“…”

Though she should have responded immediately, Astrid could only open and close her mouth like a fish.

Elena, in a boldly cut dress that revealed her chest and back, was the embodiment of allure. Her red hair was pinned up, exposing her graceful shoulders and elegant neckline, exuding a mature charm that captivated everyone around her.

‘How could such a beautiful woman have spent her days only wearing combat gear?’

Elena’s appearance today, radiating an entirely different kind of charm, held Astrid’s gaze firmly. Her cheeks flushed a gentle pink as she continued to stare in awe.

“…Pfft.”

Elena, noticing where Astrid’s eyes lingered, let out a small chuckle. At the same time, Edith frowned deeply.

‘What is she playing at, mocking Her Grace like that? And what’s with that outfit?’

Catching a glance at Edith’s expression, Elena quickly offered Astrid an apology.

“Ahem, my apologies, Astrid. Your reaction was so adorable that I couldn’t help myself…”

At her words, Astrid’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. Unable to endure the heat spreading across her face, she hastily fanned herself with one hand and discreetly poked Edith with the other. The motion was subtle enough that Elena wouldn’t notice.

“…!”

Edith flinched, startled, and let out a small cough before feigning indifference.

‘Oh, Edith.’

If they stayed together any longer, Edith might end up offending Elena. Astrid decided it would be better to send her away for a while.

“Edith?”

“…Yes?”

“Go and ask them to bring the refreshments.”

“…Understood.”

“I need to speak with Elena alone for a moment. I’ll call for you if I need anything.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

Reluctantly, Edith obeyed, her steps hesitant and filled with reluctance as she left. The loud thud of the door closing made it clear it was no accident. Astrid even heard the heavy stomps of Edith’s footsteps outside. Feeling awkward, she turned to Elena with an embarrassed smile.

“My apologies, Elena. If my maid was rude, I must ask for your forgiveness as her mistress…”

“Pfft!”

“Elena?”

“Sorry, Astrid. I’m not laughing at you; it’s just genuinely funny.”

“…What?”

“You Cliff people really are something else.”

Elena abandoned any pretense of hiding her laughter, placing her hands on her hips and letting out a hearty laugh. It was bold and loud, far from the refined demeanor of a lady.

If Matilda had seen her, she would have fainted from shock, calling her behavior improper. Yet Elena remained utterly unbothered.

‘To abandon the path of a lady and become a mercenary commander instead of a knight… What a remarkable woman.’

As Astrid watched Elena’s carefree laughter and bold attitude, she felt a twinge of envy. Even with limited experience, she could sense it.

‘She’s exactly the kind of person Caleb would like.’

With her striking looks and bold personality, Elena was undeniably captivating, even to other women. She was confident, ignored others’ opinions, yet remained kind and courteous.

‘…She seems like a good person. If we’d met under different circumstances, I’d have liked to be her friend.’

Astrid could understand why Caleb liked her.

‘If only she were a little less beautiful, or had a more difficult personality, or were timid, or even shorter…’

If any of that were true, perhaps Astrid wouldn’t feel so small. She tried to find flaws in Elena but failed miserably.

‘…Looking for someone else’s weaknesses and comparing myself to them. You’re the worst, Astrid.’

While blaming herself for her growing timidity, Astrid did not forget her duties.

With a composed demeanor, she guided Elena to her seat, wearing an elegant smile befitting a noble lady. Yet, her mind was a chaotic mess.

She hated it—not Caleb, nor Elena, but herself.

She knew she should remain centered in any situation, but standing before Elena made her feel small, unsteady, and fragile. She despised her own weakness.

“Oh dear, don’t cry, Astrid.”

“…Pardon?”

Startled by the sudden remark, Astrid instinctively touched her cheeks, but they were dry. Elena looked at her with a sympathetic gaze.

“When you cry without tears like that, it pains my heart. And we haven’t even begun our conversation yet.”

“…”

Though her smile was gentle, there was a hint of sadness in Elena’s expression.

‘What in the world is she about to say…’

Unconsciously, Astrid clenched the hem of her dress tightly. Her hands, now curled into fists, grew clammy with sweat.