“You’re here. Sit down.”

“… Thank you.”

Kayla carefully sat across from him. Soon after, Martha brought tea and placed it gently on the table.

“I’ll be outside, Miss.”

Martha smiled and withdrew. In the ensuing silence, Theodore’s gaze fixed on Kayla. His fingertips still trembled slightly as he recalled the moment she had been with an outsider.

“Did you see Oliver off well?”

“Yes… yes! Thanks to you.”

“I see.”

Kayla fidgeted with her hands. Theodore watched her intently.

“I’m sorry about earlier. For letting an outsider in…”

“No apology needed. It was my fault for being jealous.”

“What?”

Kayla’s eyes widened. It was the first time she had seen Theodore’s jealousy so clearly displayed. His gaze was cold, yet simultaneously warm, directed only at her.

“William calls it jealousy.”

“Jealousy…?”

Kayla’s eyes grew round. Theodore brought the teacup to his lips and spoke.

“So, did you have something to tell me?”

“Ah, that… Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“I was wondering… if you’ve fallen for me…”

Theodore took a sip of tea and promptly spat it out. He seemed momentarily surprised by the direct and bold question. Droplets soaked into his collar.

“I’m sorry, Theo! Here’s a handkerchief…”

Kayla offered in embarrassment. Theodore wiped his collar and asked:

“What’s the intention behind your question?”

“Otherwise, I can’t understand why you brought me here…”

“I’m not generous enough to bring someone I hate into my home.”

“So you really have fallen for me?”

“Haah…”

Theodore sighed and gazed steadily at Kayla.

“I brought you here to repay the cost of the shoe I mentioned then. The rest is homework for you to figure out.”

“But… I’ve never met you before?”

Theodore smiled wryly and said:

“Think carefully, we have met before.”

“I can’t remember. After my mother passed away, memories from before that are…”

It was the aftermath of ab*se. To survive, she had erased many happy and pleasant memories from her childhood, retaining only the negative ones. People tend to hold onto negative memories longer than positive ones as a survival instinct. She was no different. Theodore read her sad expression and spoke with seeming indifference:

“I don’t take it personally. Just think about it.”

Theodore’s words made Kayla feel like she’d been given homework. Yet, her heart didn’t feel heavy.

“Ah, and one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Our wedding is in two weeks. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be busy with preparations, so keep that in mind.”

“Yes… WHAT?!”

Kayla blinked, staring at Theodore. He leaned back in his chair, fingers interlaced, and said to her:

“The official announcement will come soon. Rumors have likely spread already, so it’s better to proceed quickly.”

“But, this is so sudden…”

At that moment, Theodore slowly rose from his seat and stood before her. Then he gently took her hand in his.

“I know it’s sudden. But time will solve that.”

Theodore’s fingertips were affectionate and warm. His large, warm hands made Kayla’s face flush red.

“I can wait until your heart opens.”

“Theo…”

“My feelings didn’t just start ‘yesterday.'”

Kayla couldn’t understand his words at all. It sounded as if he was confessing that he had been in love with her for a long time.

“But… if someone like me becomes the Grand Duchess…”

“My reason for marrying you isn’t about qualifications.”

Theodore squeezed her hand again.

“It’s because I want you. That’s enough.”

Kayla felt something welling up in her heart. Theodore held her hand gently and smiled slightly.

“You can get used to me slowly. I can wait as long as it takes. However, other men are off-limits.”

Theodore conveyed both his jealousy and affection through his gaze and touch. While accepting his sincerity, Kayla inwardly struggled to catch her breath from tension and excitement.

From the next day, just as Theodore had said, Kayla was incredibly busy. The tailor arrived at the mansion with bags full of various fabrics and began meticulously taking Kayla’s measurements. The process of raising arms, turning waists, and fitting shoulders went on at length. Kayla was so sore she felt like she might get cramps.

“Miss, are you very tired?”

“Yes, I didn’t know it would take this long.”

The tailor smiled awkwardly.

“With today’s measurements, we’ll be making not just the wedding dress but other dresses too.”

“Other dresses?”

“Yes, the dresses we prepared are a bit large. You’ll need them when you visit the imperial palace.”

“The imperial palace?!”

“Haha, of course! You need to pay respects to His Majesty the Emperor.”

Only then did Kayla remember a fact she had momentarily forgotten. Theodore had originally been the Crown Prince. He voluntarily gave up the throne to his younger brother Evan and retreated to the position of Grand Duke. This story was known only to a few. The northern territory Theodore oversaw was barren land, but he was gradually developing it by personally leading expeditions. However, in rumors, he was merely a war-obsessed maniac who gave up the throne.

“Do you know when we’re going to the palace…?”

“Umm… from what I know, he said you’d be visiting the day after tomorrow.”

‘So I’m really becoming the Grand Duchess…’

“Can I see Theo today?”

In response to Kayla’s question, Martha shook her head slightly.

“He’ll probably be busy with northern territory matters for a while.”

At those words, Kayla’s heart suddenly raced. Anxiety swept over her from one corner of her mind. Worried about making mistakes, she regretted the brief conversation she couldn’t finish with Theodore the previous day.

※※※

The next day, as the sun was setting, the tailor arrived with dresses, looking haggard as if having stayed up all night. The dress, with white roses embroidered on a dark red background, was elegant and luxurious. Martha helped Kayla undress with careful, delicate hands. The arm sections were made with light lace, naturally concealing Kayla’s bruised arms. This was thanks to Theodore having informed the tailor about her injuries in advance.

“How does the dress fit so perfectly!”

“It was worth all the hard work. You look truly beautiful.”

The haggard tailor’s smile bloomed fully. Looking at herself in the mirror, Kayla admired her reflection for the first time.

Creeeeak—

At that moment, the door opened slightly, and Theodore entered with William.

“Theo!”

Kayla’s voice rose with excitement. Theodore looked at her and smiled slightly.

“Beautiful. Every color suits you well.”

“Th-thank you.”

Kayla’s face reddened at the brief but sincere compliment. His gaze wasn’t a simple assessment but warmth and tenderness directed only at her. At Theodore’s gesture, William carefully brought forward a jewelry box and opened it. Earrings and a necklace made of crimson rubies that resembled his eyes appeared before her.

“I think these will suit you.”

“They’re so beautiful… I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“They were bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress.”

“What?!”

Kayla held her breath for a moment. The imperial palace and an audience with Theodore. Everything felt real now.

“She’s very much looking forward to tomorrow. So get plenty of rest tonight.”

“Theo, about that…”

“I’m too busy to talk today. Let’s speak tomorrow.”

At that moment, Theodore turned to leave but paused briefly. Then he returned and casually kissed the back of her hand. At this brief action, everyone in the room—Martha, the tailor, and William—gasped in surprise. Kayla felt her face burning red.

“This is the first time I’ve seen His Highness the Grand Duke do something like that!”

“They said His Highness had no interest in women, but that was clearly a lie.”

The tailor spoke in surprise at Theodore’s behavior.

“My goodness, I’m feeling embarrassed myself.”

“You two look wonderful together, haha.”

At William’s words, Kayla waved her hands in embarrassment.

“D-don’t tease me…”

“Haha, thanks to today, I’ve been inspired. I’ll return with a wonderful wedding dress.”

The tailor smiled, packed up his things, and left. Martha hummed a tune while organizing the dresses.

“Martha… stop it…”

Kayla’s face was still red. Martha smiled brightly and said:

“As you wish, Miss. But I can’t help being happy.”

“Happy?”

“Yes. Actually, His Highness the Grand Duke has been almost like a dead person until now.”

“Theo?”

At Kayla’s words, Martha suddenly gave a bitter smile.

“He rarely smiles… He wasn’t scary to us, but how should I put it, he seemed lonely.”

“Him? Lonely?”

Martha closed her eyes briefly and opened them again.

“Do you know why the Grand Duke gave up the throne?”

“No… I don’t know the details.”

“It was to avoid a fight with His Highness Crown Prince Evan.”

“……”

“He deliberately left the imperial palace fearing His Majesty might hold him back, and he practically said goodbye to his family for life.”

“I see…”

“There are still nobles who say His Highness the Grand Duke should have ascended the throne. That’s why he tries even harder not to go to the imperial palace. His Highness Evan’s position is weaker than you might think.”

Kayla was overcome with deep emotion at Martha’s words. He was similar to her. Like herself, who had to survive without anyone’s help after losing her mother. He too had to endure alone. At that thought, tears rolled down her cheeks without her realizing it.