Ertel quietly exhaled and gazed at the garden unfolding before her. Preparations were in full swing to welcome the guest who had traveled a long way from the Kingdom of Luna—Javier.

At the center of the sun-drenched garden stood a long table draped with white linen, and on it, various sparkling tableware were being neatly arranged.

Chefs and attendants busily moved back and forth, placing elaborately decorated dishes one after another on the table, but among them, there was a particular dish touched by Ertel’s own hand.

Ertel was carefully preparing the main dish in the kitchen.

The silver sausages began to brown with a subtle aroma wafting up. Watching it, she gave a faint smile.

‘He liked this dish in his past life…’

A memory that had long been forgotten gently resurfaced. In the past, the expression he wore and the look of gratitude in his eyes when she had given him this meal faintly seeped into Ertel’s heart.

But at that moment, there was a gaze watching her from one corner of the kitchen.

“……”

Icarus de Juan.

With his brow slightly furrowed and arms crossed, a faint air of discomfort lingered in his expression.

He was clearly displeased with the sight of Ertel personally cooking.

‘In the end, she’s making it with her own hands.’

Something stirred deep within his chest. It enveloped him like soundless drifting smoke and cast a dark glint in his eyes.

He shook his head.

Icarus quickly turned and left the kitchen.

The Duke, stepping into the garden, walked briskly. The maids were finishing the table setting, and just as one of them tried to place Javier’s chair next to Ertel’s, Juan hurriedly stopped her.

“I’ll be sitting there.”

“Pardon? My lord?”

The maid looked at the Duke in surprise, but he was firm. In his cold gaze, a quiet flame of jealousy burned.

It was clear—he had decided to sit between Ertel and Javier to cut off their conversation.

Watching the scene unfold, the head maid Lisa held back a smile and quietly muttered,

“You’re acting like a child today.”

A mischievous smile played at the corners of Lisa’s eyes.

Standing beside her, Amar softly pinched Lisa’s cheek and smiled gently.

“Let us adults be understanding.”

The garden remained tranquil.

White tableware sparkled under the sun, and the fragrant aroma of food filled the air.

Now it was time for the guest of honor to arrive.

Javier Juarez began walking into the garden.

“!!”

For a moment, Ertel’s vision blurred, as if time had stopped.

The guest from the Kingdom of Luna was, quite literally, striking.

Javier’s height was like a towering tree standing firm in the dark, and his sturdy build seemed as solid as if encased in armor.

The traditional attire of the Kingdom of Luna that he wore was bold yet elegant. The black-and-gold embroidered patterns accentuated his dignity, and every sway of the cloak draped over his broad shoulders seemed to carry his presence through the breeze.

With each step he took, Ertel’s heartbeat quickened.

‘This is the Juan estate…’

Javier’s face clearly showed the tension of entering unfamiliar territory and a strange house. Yet, there was also an air of subtle excitement and anticipation.

The moment Ertel’s eyes fixed on him, a long-buried memory suddenly surged up from within.

As the remnants of their past life overlapped, a flood of emotions exploded from her chest.

There was no stopping it.

A surge she could not control with reason moved Ertel’s body. Before she could even realize where her consciousness was directing her, she dashed toward Javier’s arms.

Wham!

She hugged him tightly.

So naturally, and so desperately.

“I missed you!”

The words burst out of her mouth with urgency.

As if she were reuniting with someone she had long yearned for over the years, Ertel, without realizing it herself, embraced him and shouted.

In that moment, Javier’s body stiffened.

‘This scent…’

The fragrance of her orange-tinted hair, brushing past his nose, spread gently. It was like a spring breeze carried on the wind.

The sudden action of the Duchess rendered the surroundings momentarily silent.

From a distance, Icarus clenched his fists unconsciously, and his lips were bitten in pain.

Without saying a single word, he stood there like a volcano on the verge of eruption, something boiling inside him.

“Hehehe.”

The maids exchanged glances and giggled at the scene. Amar, in particular, smiled in amusement at Icarus’s reaction.

“Ah.”

Ertel realized what she had just done.

Her body stiffened for a moment, and her face flushed red. She quickly lowered her head, stepping back from Javier with an expression of flustered confusion.

“I’m sorry, Marquis Juarez.”

“……”

“You look so much like someone I know, I acted out of turn because I was so glad to see you… I was rude, especially upon first meeting you.”

She turned and once again expressed her apology to him.

Javier was still slightly bewildered, but he nodded with a gentle smile.

“It’s all right. I was surprised too, but don’t worry about it.”

And suddenly, he recalled the scent of orange-colored hair that brushed past him the moment she had been in his arms.

Looking at Ertel, Javier cautiously asked,

“Do you happen to use Lafiola perfume?”

At that, Ertel’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yes, I do! How did you know?”

“I have a pretty sensitive nose.”

Naturally, the atmosphere lightened again. Everyone smiled in relief and began preparing to take their seats.

“…”

But Icarus couldn’t just sit still.

With a decisive motion, he sat squarely in the chair between Ertel and Javier, as if to make a point. His movements were sharp, and Javier sensed the subtle tension.

They exchanged glances for a brief moment. Then, Icarus spoke first.

“Icarus de Juan. I’m Ertel’s husband.”

His voice was cold and resolute.

Javier couldn’t help but feel slightly overwhelmed by his presence.

‘So he’s the head of the most powerful family in the Kingdom of Tiamor… He really does have an incredible aura.’

Javier nodded and introduced himself.

“I’m Javier Juarez, in charge of the precious metals business in the Kingdom of Luna. Thank you for inviting me all the way to this distant land.”

Soon, Ertel spoke in a gentle voice, as if trying to ease the tension.

“You must be tired from such a long journey. Please, let’s eat first. You must be hungry, so I’ve had food prepared.”

She brought out the main dish.

Javier paused for a moment as he looked at the food placed in front of him.

“How did you know I like sausage dishes? Is it just a coincidence?”

Ertel responded with a soft smile.

“Just a feeling, I suppose. I had a sense you might like this kind of dish.”

Javier nodded as if fascinated. For some reason, it felt like she knew his past, but he didn’t voice it aloud.

Silently, though wrapped in a strange emotion, he looked at the food and slowly reached out his hand.

“Thank you for the meal.”

The garden party gradually warmed in atmosphere.

Javier, Ertel, and Icarus sat around the large table, finished their meal, and continued their conversation over wine.

As the conversation progressed, they exchanged more and more experiences and information, and light laughter occasionally rang out.

After the meal, Ertel gently spoke.

“It would be best to discuss the business matters formally in my husband’s office, Marquis.”

Javier nodded slightly.

“Very well. I’ll follow the lady’s lead.”

Icarus finished the food remaining on his plate and rose from his seat.

“I’ll escort you to the imperial palace.”

Naturally, the two men prepared to depart on horseback.

The attendants brought the horses, and as the men mounted them, a subtle tension returned to the air.

Icarus straightened his back and quietly looked at Javier.

“Follow me.”

“Yes, understood, Duke.”

Javier began to ride, following Icarus’s lead. Their figures gradually grew distant.

Watching the men slowly disappear from the radiant garden, a strange emotion stirred in Ertel’s heart.

‘Javier. I hope, in this life, you’ll carry only good memories.’

Gratitude for the man who came all the way from the distant Kingdom of Luna spread deeply within her chest.