The carriage stopped, and Isabelle and Zeno, wearing cloaks, stared blankly at the mansion. 

 “……So this is why they wouldn’t tell us where we were going.” 

 Isabelle let out a hollow laugh. Come to think of it, this was a place her father wouldn’t know about. 

 She too wouldn’t have known it was here if she hadn’t known about Nadin village. 

 Because of her father’s ability to read minds, she had told the hired person that any suitable house would do. They were planning to stay briefly before heading to the North anyway. 

 “Wooowooo.” (What kind of place is this to make them react like that.) 

 Zeno frowned deeply. The thought of being with her, who couldn’t understand him, was already frustrating. 

 ‘It’s not like I can turn into a human either.’ 

 Zeno stood at the front door while groaning. Isabelle stood frozen at the entrance, showing no intention of going in. 

 “Woof! Wooowooo!” (Come in quickly. It’s cold!) 

 Though he barked loudly, Isabelle just stared up at the mansion like someone in a daze. 

 Unable to watch anymore, Zeno turned back from his attempt to enter the mansion and stood behind Isabelle. Then he pushed her with his head. 

 “Ah, ah! Don’t push!” 

 “Grrrr.” (You’re being really annoying.) 

 Though she only knew how to hold her head up high, looking at her closely, she seemed like a young lady who knew nothing. 

 As Zeno kept pushing from behind, Isabelle had no choice but to enter the mansion. 

 She wished they could light some lamps since it was dark, but that would give away their location. 

 Though Nadin village was somewhat distant from the capital, it had plenty of land suitable for building houses. 

 Many nobles from the capital had built vacation homes here, and some had sold them due to financial difficulties. 

 The person Isabelle hired must have purchased this place. Though it was meant to be used for Claire’s wedding night, she hadn’t expected to come here herself. 

 “……I really won’t let this slide.” 

 “Grrrr.” (Still hasn’t come to her senses.) 

 Zeno opened his mouth at Isabelle’s muttering and tugged at her dress hem. 

 “Ah, ah! I couldn’t bring many proper clothes, and you’re just tearing them. I’ll send you back to Father!” 

 “Woof!” (You’re in the same boat as me but all you do is talk.) 

 It was amusing how she thought she was different despite being a fugitive just like him. Unlike Claire, she was completely different, showing her sheltered upbringing. 

 Zeno shook his head and walked leisurely through the vast mansion. 

 Isabelle glared at Zeno while patting down her skirt with her hands. Though he could feel her gaze, Zeno paid no attention and continued looking around. 

 Just as he placed his paw on the stairs to go up to the second floor, Isabelle gasped and followed behind him. 

 “……What are you looking at? I’m not scared. I’m just using your glowing eyes as a lamp in the dark.” 

 “Woowoowoowoo.” (Whatever you say.) 

 Zeno let out a mocking howl at Isabelle’s words. Though Isabelle couldn’t understand him, she didn’t feel particularly good about it. 

 ‘Just what is this place to make her act so sensitive?’ 

 Actually, there was a familiar scent when they entered the mansion, but he hadn’t paid attention to it. Zeno sniffed around and followed the scent somewhere along the floor. 

 “Just like the beast you are. Why are you sticking your nose to the dirty floor?” 

 Zeno sharply turned his head to look at Isabelle. When their golden eyes met in the darkness, they both stepped back. 

 ‘This feels unpleasant.’ 

 ‘This doesn’t feel good.’ 

 They both had the same thought at the same time. Then they narrowed their brows in displeasure while looking at each other’s similar glowing eyes in the darkness. 

 As they both turned away sharply at the same time, Zeno’s eyes caught sight of a room softly lit by moonlight. 

 “Woowoo.” (Master’s scent.) 

 This sweet yet subtle floral scent definitely belonged to Claire. Zeno walked naturally toward the room but stopped abruptly at the threshold. 

 ‘……This is that guy’s scent.’ 

 He was reminded of Cedric, whom he’d rather not think about. Before leaving the Grand Duke’s residence, Zeno had made a complete contract with Claire. 

 It felt like they were connected even across long distances. Claire should now be able to use her ability perfectly. 

 Proposing the contract was a big decision for Zeno. After all, he had to share the contractor’s price. 

 “You tell me to go in but why are you standing there like an idiot?” 

 Isabelle tilted her head and stood at the entrance. A well-made bed and flowing curtains covered the windows. 

 She instinctively stepped back. 

 “I don’t think we should sleep here? Just in case you don’t know–” 

 Before Isabelle could finish speaking, Zeno turned and walked into the corridor. 

 “Seems you noticed.” 

 She hurriedly followed after Zeno, who was walking with his hips swaying. 

 ❖ ❖ ❖ 

 It had been quite a while since an outsider had visited the Grand Duke’s residence. 

 After waiting a bit in the dressing room, word came that the designer had arrived. 

 When the door opened, an obviously luxurious dress hem swept into the room. 

 ‘Unlike what I worried about, the fabric is quite flowing?’ 

 There were many salons in the North as social circles existed there too. However, due to the cold weather, thick and practical clothes were always at the forefront of fashion. 

 So I thought the designer visiting the Grand Duke’s residence would dress similarly. However, the dress of the person standing before me was a style I’d often seen in the capital. 

 “It’s an honor to be called here. I am Celphona Dior from the Hermonia Salon.” 

 Miss Dior gracefully curtsied like a butterfly landing on a flower, holding her dress hem. 

 “I’ve already received word from His Highness. I heard you need dresses made for going to the capital, leave it all to me!” 

 Dior seemed like a passionate person. I glanced at Cedric at her enthusiasm. 

 He was watching Dior with a satisfied expression. It seems telling him about what happened in the capital had backfired. 

 “I’ll be in your care.” 

 “First, I’ve brought several designs. Please choose the design closest to what Your Highness desires.” 

 At her gesture, her subordinates moved busily. I requested a silhouette that showed the figure slightly rather than a full skirt. 

 If you want to stand out, you need to be different, right? While doing so, I had silver thread embroidery done using the finest materials. 

 The silver thread on the pure white satin dress would sparkle with every step and look elegant. The sleeves were made of thin lace to show the arms through. 

 ‘It’s definitely a dress I could never wear in the North, but possible in the warm capital.’ 

 When I also requested a shawl to wear over it just in case, Dior burned with determination, saying ‘I will make sure to widely showcase Your Highness’s beautiful figure.’ 

 I was finally able to sit down after having measurements taken from head to toe. After that, several more dresses were prepared for the stay in the capital. 

 “I’d like it if only the salon knew about making these dresses.” 

 “Of course. If His Highness says so, there must be a reason, so don’t worry.” 

 Dior gathered the papers she had spread out, rolled them together, and tied them with string. 

 “One day will be enough.” 

 “Then I’ll leave it to you.” 

 I looked at Cedric, wondering if I had heard wrong. Several dresses completed in just one day? 

 “There’s no need to be so surprised. The Hermonia Salon is famous for being the largest in the North. There are over ten people working under Miss Dior.” 

My mouth fell open at Cedric’s words. The difference in scale from the capital was too great. 

 “Even so, is that possible?” 

 “My wife, nothing is impossible in the North.” 

 Seeing Cedric’s relaxed attitude, it seemed truly possible. Just what doesn’t the North have? They had abundant magic stones and many skilled craftsmen. 

 Moreover, with such a handsome Grand Duke guarding the North, it seemed more like the center than the capital. 

 ‘Others wouldn’t believe this even if I told them.’ 

 Even I was surprised every time, so how would the ladies of the capital react? 

 “Perhaps you’re not satisfied? If so, I’ll call another salon.” 

 “No, no. I’m just a bit surprised and……” 

 I could understand Father’s feelings. A person should be moderately accomplished, but Cedric had everything — looks, physique, character, power, and wealth, nothing was lacking. 

 Though many of those things must have been gained through his own sacrifices. His determination to achieve this much was truly remarkable. 

 ‘To think such a man is my man.’ 

 It seems I made a very good marriage. Though technically my husband had been switched, that too was my luck. 

 “My wife?” 

 Cedric approached with a worried face. Seeing him getting anxious at the slightest oddity from me made me want to tease him. 

 “I was thinking about what it would have been like if I hadn’t married Your Highness.” 

 “……” 

 His eyebrows twitched. Seeing Cedric react immediately made my lips twitch. 

 “If we hadn’t married, you wouldn’t have seen this face you love so much.” 

 He took my hand and placed it against his cheek. He turned his head to kiss my palm while fixing his gaze on me. 

 “And more than my face, what you love even more……” 

 My hand on his cheek moved downward guided by Cedric’s touch. 

 Gulp. My mouth went dry as my heart pounded. 

 My gaze followed my hand held by Cedric as it moved down. 

 Through his uniform jacket, his shirt was straining against his broad chest. 

 Pop, pop pop. 

 The buttons came undone helplessly under his hand. Finally, my hand touched his fully revealed, firm body.