“Miss, you need to gain some weight. The dress is a bit loose.”

“Haha, I’ll try.”

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“Yes… I love it.”

Seeing herself in the mirror, Kayla was momentarily speechless. It was so different from the days when she wore only worn-out clothes. How a single piece of clothing could open such a different world. That simple fact touched her heart.

“Hehe, shall we go eat now? His Highness the Grand Duke is waiting too!”

“W-what?! I’m eating with His Highness the Grand Duke?”

Martha grinned at Kayla’s surprised expression with widened eyes.

“Of course! As soon as he returned from the imperial palace, he said ‘I will dine with Kayla’!”

When Martha deliberately imitated Theodore’s expressionless tone, Kayla burst into laughter. Her shoulders, stiff with tension, relaxed a little. Standing in front of the dining room, Kayla felt her heart beating loudly. All the questions she had wanted to ask rushed in at once. Why he had chosen her, how sincere his seemingly indifferent consideration was. What he wanted from her.

Knock knock—

“Miss Kayla has arrived.”

When Martha knocked, the door opened from inside. It was William. William spoke with a newly surprised expression at Kayla’s appearance.

“Miss, you look very beautiful. Hoho, please sit this way.”

Following his guidance into the dining room, Theodore was sitting in his seat waiting for her. His gaze, which had only felt cold before, wavered for a moment.

“I-I greet Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

As Kayla carefully greeted him and was about to sit down, Theodore’s eyebrow twitched slightly. Kayla felt anxious, wondering if she had made a mistake. When Kayla glanced at him nervously, he spoke firmly.

“We’re going to be married, so there’s no need to be so formal.”

Though his tone was cold, a subtle warmth spread around his eyes.

“Ah, yes… Your Highness…”

Theodore’s eyebrow twitched once more. When Kayla flinched, Theodore relaxed his expression and sighed.

“You’re too stiff. I just naturally have a dark expression. Don’t be afraid.”

“Ah, no! It’s just…”

As she tried to explain something, he cut her off and spoke in a somewhat softer voice.

“Theo.”

“What?”

“Call me Theo, from now on.”

At his words, Kayla blinked in surprise. Saying that name felt awkward, but somehow it put her at ease a little.

“Yes, Grand Duke… no, Theo…”

She spoke awkwardly. But at that one word, Theodore’s expression softened. Only then did he gesture to the servants.

“Bring the meal.”

Soon, elaborate dishes were placed on the table one after another. Kayla couldn’t take her eyes off them. Glistening meat, warm soup, freshly baked bread. Everything looked so warm and delicious.

“Go ahead and eat.”

Theodore smiled slightly, noticing Kayla’s gaze. That brief smile was a face Kayla had never seen before. Embarrassed, Kayla quickly took a bite of food. Her mouth was filled with sensations that stimulated her taste buds. It was warm, soft, and savory.

“Does it suit your taste?”

“It’s so delicious!”

For the first time, an excited response burst from Kayla. She blushed with embarrassment, but Theodore smiled and raised his glass.

“Take your time eating. I prefer that kind of honesty.”

Theodore spoke with a small smile, as if satisfied with her reaction. Strangely, his single remark resonated in her heart. No one had ever valued her honest reactions before. Gathering her thoughts at his words, Kayla swallowed her food and quietly asked.

“Um, Theo…?”

“What is it?”

“May I ask why you want to marry me?”

“Your question comes sooner than I expected. I thought you’d ask later. You’re surprisingly bold.”

Theodore said as he put down his spoon.

“It’s the price of a shoe.”

“The price of… a shoe?”

Kayla tilted her head.

‘What does that mean? Did I sell shoes?’

Theodore continued speaking with a casual smile.

“Let’s also say that your surprised eyes under the horse were pretty.”

“What?”

Kayla opened her eyes wide. But then, seeing his playful smile, she froze in bewilderment. It was a side of him she had never seen before.

“I’m joking. I already knew your stepmother was plotting something.”

“How did you…”

“I saw you coming to the front, pushing through the crowd during the procession.”

“……”

“Though I didn’t expect her to push you in front of me. It’s true that you almost died under my horse.”

“I see…”

Kayla put down her spoon. She fidgeted with the end of it unnecessarily. She felt as though he had seen only the sides of her she didn’t want to show.

“You must have suffered a lot in that house. This is your home now. Make yourself comfortable.”

“Ah…”

At that moment, tears that had been held back rolled down her cheek. Feelings of distress and relief rushed in all at once, and Kayla bowed her head and barely managed to speak.

“…Thank you so much for saving me. I’m only now properly thanking you.”

At Kayla’s trembling voice, Theodore’s gaze wavered momentarily.

“You don’t need to thank me.”

“If there’s anything you want, I’ll do it all. Cleaning, laundry, office work. I can do everything. I’ll definitely repay the kindness you’ve shown me.”

At that moment, Theodore’s expression hardened. Rather than being angry at her words, he felt sorry for her. Unlike her splendid and beautiful appearance, her heart was so dark and closed off. Theodore’s sympathy came out awkwardly and bluntly.

“Don’t do anything.”

“What?”

“Just enjoy yourself. Do what you want, eat what you want, and if you want to go somewhere, just tell me first. I’ve put books and instruments in your room so you won’t be bored. Is that not enough?”

Theodore looked as if he couldn’t understand what the problem was.

“N-no, it’s enough!”

“Then enjoy yourself. You have nothing to do here.”

“Then why did you pay such a large sum to bring me here…?”

At her words, Theodore continued firmly.

“If I needed someone to work, I would have bought a servant. You are my bride. Any more questions?”

Theodore’s gaze was utterly serious. His words seemed like a simple declaration, but they echoed deep in Kayla’s heart for a long time. Not a maid, but a bride. It was the first time someone had referred to her as ‘a person to be protected.’ Kayla couldn’t say anything else, just swallowed and nodded her head.

“I, I understand…”

“You still seem uneasy. Martha!”

Theodore called out loudly to Martha outside the dining room. Martha quickly opened the door and entered.

“Yes, Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

“If Kayla tries to do any work, stop her unconditionally. Make sure she only enjoys herself, understood?”

“What? She wants to… work?”

Martha looked bewildered at Theodore’s words.

“She seems to think she’s a maid, not the future grand duchess. So watch her and make sure she enjoys herself.”

At his words, Martha responded playfully, as if she understood.

“Yes! Don’t worry!”

Theodore wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up.

“I have more work to do, so I’ll be going now.”

“Oh, then I should also…”

“Keep eating. You’ve barely eaten anything. All nervous like that.”

Theodore let out a small laugh. Kayla’s face turned red.

“N-nervous…!”

“Anyway, I’ll be going now.”

Theodore left the dining room gracefully. Left behind, Kayla stared blankly at the spot where he had been, then turned her head at Martha’s playful voice.

“Come on, Miss! You need to eat more. Otherwise, I’ll get scolded by His Highness the Grand Duke!”

Martha winked playfully and laughed. Kayla smiled slightly at her words and picked up her fork again. Although the food had cooled, its warmth seemed to heat her heart as well. It was an unforgettable meal for Kayla.

※※※

Meanwhile, news of Theodore’s marriage had also reached the Rosehill marquisate in the center of the Empire.

“Kayla Grenville… the daughter of that foolish Grenville?”

Someone gritted their teeth at her name. It was an inexplicable hostility born solely from a name, from a position.

3. The Beginning of Love

After enjoying a plentiful meal for the first time in a while, Kayla returned to her room. Although the room contained all sorts of things to pass the time, the sunlight streaming through the window was too beautiful to stay indoors. Standing by the window, watching the curtains swaying in the breeze, her heart fluttered gently.

“What do you usually do to pass the time, Miss?”

Martha, standing beside her, asked carefully.

“Usually… since I couldn’t go outside, I mostly read books or did embroidery in my room.”

Kayla hesitated briefly before answering. It was a familiar answer, but saying it made her feel sad. Martha nodded and smiled brightly.

“Then would you like to visit the garden? It’s good for reading, and the flowers are extremely beautiful!”

At Martha’s words, Kayla’s eyes sparkled.

“Can I… go to the garden?”

“Of course, you can go anywhere except the basement.”

Martha’s answer was casual, but Kayla’s heart fluttered.

‘To be able to move around freely…’

The words felt strange because she had always lived under surveillance until now. Shortly after, the two headed to the garden together. The sunlight settled warmly on their skin, and the fragrant summer breeze brushed through the leaves. Martha held a parasol for her and matched her pace.