“I feel a bit drowsy, so I’ll go take a bath.”

“Do as you wish, Duchess.”

Turning her back, Ertel wiped the smile off her face. Meanwhile, Amar and Icarus naturally headed to the study. It was to have a private conversation.

Icarus first listened to the aide’s report.

“Ertel spent her time shopping for accessories, like any other noblewoman, and visited a workshop. She exchanged greetings with people who recognized her but didn’t stay for tea or anything of the sort.”

“Nothing out of the ordinary then?”

“If there was something unusual…”

Amar hesitated about whether to mention Ertel meeting Magrid. Truthfully, Amar didn’t harbor any personal affection for Ertel. However, he did feel a slight sense of pity toward her—a kind of mercy for someone who was destined to die with certainty.

He wondered if there was any need to report that she had visited the fortune-teller.

‘She probably just heard a prophecy about her death anyway….’

Thinking it wasn’t anything significant, Amar decided to keep quiet.

“No, there was nothing special. She merely toured the capital overall.”

“I see. It seems Ertel prefers being active outside the house.”

“What about her request? Have you decided?”

Amar’s curiosity lay elsewhere—specifically about Ertel’s recent request to the Juan family.

“She asked you to help her find a position in the royal palace, didn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“Are you still deciding what to do?”

Though Ertel’s request had been somewhat unexpected, Icarus didn’t spend much time pondering it.

“There’s nothing to deliberate.”

“Pardon?”

“As per the contract, I agreed to grant her any request in exchange for her eventual death. So, I’ll take her to the palace.”

“You’re willing to accept her request without hesitation, then.”

“The issue lies in what task to assign her once she’s there.”

That was the real concern. While taking her to the palace was straightforward enough, what position could he give her that wouldn’t interfere with his own plans?

“I need to assign her to a role that minimizes any contact with the king.”

“Ah… in that case, wouldn’t it be better not to take her at all? Is this really something you need to trouble yourself over, Master? Why nurture a potential risk?”

“No matter how much she’s cornered, a promise is a promise.”

“……”

“I agreed to grant her anything she desires.”

Icarus seemed to feel a sense of responsibility, though Amar, on the other hand, was trying to think of a way to make the situation more advantageous for the Juan family.

“In that case, assign her the most menial and insignificant task in the palace.”

“That would undermine her dignity as the Duchess of Juan.”

“Then what other options are there?”

Ertel would need to be under constant surveillance for the next two years. Icarus suddenly came up with an idea.

“I’ve thought of something.”

“What is it, Master?”

“I’ll assign her to my younger sister.”

“Your… sister?”

“Cogette will eventually need to assist me in my work anyway.”

Ambition gleamed in Icarus’s eyes as he spoke.

***

After finishing her bath, Ertel found Icarus waiting for her. He invited her for a walk.

“There are too many eyes here. Let’s talk in the garden.”

“Understood.”

The two began strolling leisurely through the garden in front of the mansion, walking around a fountain that sprayed cool streams of water. It had been a long time since they enjoyed such a peaceful moment.

As they took in the scenery, Icarus spoke slowly.

“Ertel, I have something to say about your recent request.”

“Have you finally made a decision?”

Ertel waited for his response with slight nervousness. When she had asked him to take her to the palace, Icarus had worn a cryptic expression, making her think he might refuse.

“I’ve thought about it, and… don’t we have a history of messing up our first wedding?”

“That’s true.”

“There are still people who doubt the harmony of our marriage.”

“Well, I suppose so. It’s not common for a couple to hold two wedding ceremonies.”

“To dispel those doubts, it might not be a bad idea to make a show of entering and leaving the palace together.”

“……!”

Ertel’s eyes widened, and a look of joy spread across her face. She hadn’t expected someone as conservative and rigid as Icarus to grant her request so easily.

Icarus continued speaking in a calm tone.

“However, going to the palace every day like I do might be too much. How about two or three times a week? After all, the reason you wanted to go to the palace was because you were bored staying in the mansion.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“When you do go, you’ll accompany me.”

“Yes, that’s acceptable.”

Ertel, who hadn’t expected much to begin with, was satisfied with this arrangement.

“I’m content with just that. So, what will my duties be? Is there even anything I can do in the palace?”

“I’d like you to keep records of the weekly spice deliveries in the storage area. It’s not a difficult task, so you’ll be able to pick it up quickly. The administrative office will also provide sufficient wages, so you’ll find it rewarding.”

“Spices! That sounds fascinating. It’s an opportunity to learn about a field I’m unfamiliar with. I’m suddenly excited.”

“Do you enjoy learning?”

“Pardon?”

“Now that I think about it, the only time you ever smiled was when the tutor came to visit.”

Ertel’s adolescence had been consumed by the struggle to survive, leaving little room for education. He hadn’t expected her to be so thrilled about the prospect of studying.

“There’s one more thing I’d like you to do.”

“What is it?”

“My younger sister, Cogette, is currently serving as one of the king’s concubines. I’d like you to keep her company from time to time. Have tea with her or something. She’s very fond of black tea and desserts, so she frequents cafés. She’s curious about you and will likely welcome you warmly.”

“I see….”

Ertel couldn’t help but imagine what Icarus’s sister might look like. If she resembled Icarus, she must be incredibly beautiful and noble.

‘A sister of the Juan family….’

She found herself a little intrigued.

“All right, Duke. Thank you for granting my request so willingly.”

“There’s no need to thank me. It’s part of the agreement, after all.”

“Still, I’m nothing but the subordinate in this relationship.”

“……”

The contract was merely a formality; the power dynamics between them were abundantly clear. For a moment, Icarus’s usually indifferent eyes wavered.

Why was he making that expression? Was he feeling pity for her now?

Ertel let out a small, incredulous laugh. There was no way a man like him could know what pity was.

Icarus, who had been rubbing his chin as if deep in thought, spoke with a neutral expression.

“If there’s anything else you want in the future, feel free to tell me anytime.”

At that moment—

Rustle—

As they reached the edge of the garden, the sound of movement in the bushes caught their attention. Instinctively, Icarus wrapped his hands around Ertel’s shoulders and turned her body away.

His swift, agile movements caused her to fall into his chest. She couldn’t help but lean into his firm chest as his arms encircled her. Her heart raced wildly, and she caught a whiff of his unique, intoxicating scent.

“Ah…!”

Icarus quickly turned his head, only to find that the source of the noise was a small rabbit.

He had thought it might be a beast leaping out at them, but considering they were in a city mansion, the chances of encountering a predator were slim.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Icarus stepped back. He realized there was no need to go to such lengths now that the situation was clear. Thinking he might have overreacted, he removed his hands from her shoulders.

“Such a small creature, yet so noisy.”

“Your reflexes are incredible.”

“I moved instinctively.”

The atmosphere between them grew awkward.

Though Ertel tried to act as if nothing had happened, her insides were in turmoil. Unable to find the right words to say, she noticed Icarus’s face redden slightly.

His actions had been faster than his thoughts, and now he felt a twinge of regret. Embarrassed by his flushed cheeks, he wanted to leave the situation.

“That’s enough walking for today.”

“……All right.”

With large strides, he walked ahead, putting distance between them. Following slowly behind, Ertel pondered.

‘What’s his real intention in allowing me to go to the palace?’

It seemed unlikely that he would make such a decision based solely on the contract, given how meticulous he was.

Still, the earlier moment had made her heart race.

If it had been a wild boar instead of a rabbit, she was certain Icarus would have protected her just the same. That thought left her with mixed feelings.

‘I could handle a wild boar myself, though.’

She began imagining what it would be like to visit the palace.

King Pedro, who had hidden her in his chambers for three days, came to mind.

If she were to meet the king again, she planned to apologize. After all, she had rejected his plea to stand by his side and returned to Icarus instead.

‘I hope the king won’t hate me too much.’