“It’s nothing, but after the meal we are planning to gather for a simple tea, and we thought it would be nice if you could join us.”

As the Imperial Army under Johannes gained a clear advantage in the war, more and more nobles in high society began to show favourable reactions towards Rosalyn.

If Johannes returns safely, he will go down in history as a hero for leading the war to victory. The early adopters seemed to have concluded that the mention of Delmart was of no further use to them.

In the face of the authority of the Moore family, Delmart had long since become a faded, outdated figure.

“Thank you for your words, but…”

Without realising it, Rosalyn stopped and turned her gaze. Amelia, whose eyes had been fixed downward, was now looking at Rosalyn.

Amelia didn’t speak, even after seeing Rosalyn. After staring at her for a moment, she turned her head away. But what else could there be?

“Madam?”

“Sorry, I just got back and left my child alone, so it seems difficult to be away from the mansion for too long.”

“Such a shame. There’s nothing we can do. If there’s a chance next time, I hope you can join us.”

Despite Rosalyn’s refusal, the human cheerfully promised that there would be another opportunity in the future.

Throughout the wedding, people’s attitudes to Rosalyn were sharply divided. Some approached her warmly, like noblewomen, while others, as at the last charity event, looked at her disapprovingly. But no matter how people reacted, Rosalyn didn’t really care. She no longer cared for the attention of others.

Rosalyn no longer dreamed about her father or Vincent. The suffocating sensation she used to feel when she thought of them had long since vanished, and even when she heard people insulting her father and brother, she no longer felt any sadness.

Compared to her childhood, when she struggled to get through each day, the hardest part of her day now is following her child around and wiping off the mud. Isn’t that overwhelming happiness?

While she was lost in thought, she saw a child, probably a flower girl, holding her parents’ hands as they entered the church.

As she looked at the happy scene of three families, she mentally added Johannes and Alexis. Then she turned quickly away.

Soon after, news of the ceasefire came from the border.

***

After the victory was announced, even before Johannes had returned, requests to visit the mansion began to pour in.

Although she often received invitations to tea in the capital, she would only respond if the event was something important that required her presence as Duchess.

Instead of attending public functions, Rosalyn spent her time at the guesthouse with Alex. On her return from the border, Rosalyn moved her residence to the guesthouse to be with Alex.

She wanted to wait for him and watch over him in the space created by the dreams they once had, remembering their past.

Though the retainers were not particularly pleased, they could not oppose her after she went to the border herself and even saved Johannes.

Today, on a rare day off, she was lounging on the terrace when Alex, playing with toys nearby, waddled over and grabbed the hem of her dress.

Rosalyn scooped the child up in her arms, brushed the dirt from Alex’s feet and looked up. The sky, clear and blue with not a cloud in sight, brought a sense of peace to her heart just by looking at it.

“The sky is so clear, Alex.”

As Rosalyn watched, Alex lifted her head and squinted against the bright sunlight. Rosalyn laughed softly and moved her hand to shade the child’s eyes. Seeing Alex’s face, identical to Johannes’, filled her heart with happiness, but at the same time her longing for him grew deeper.

“I wish he would come back, even a day sooner.”

Rosalyn murmured, as if whispering a secret. Looking at the child who had grown so much, she wondered how Johannes would react. When she thought of how she had endured the ten years they had been apart, it seemed almost unbelievable, and after the victory, time seemed to pass even more slowly.

And although so much time had passed, and Johannes should have been in the capital by now, his return was more delayed than expected.

At first, Rosalyn waited calmly for him, but as the delays continued, she grew increasingly anxious.

Then, when Guinness brought the news that the Duke’s arrival would be further delayed, Rosalyn’s patience finally reached its limit.

“Is it really so far from the border to the capital?”

“No, it’s just that wherever Duke Moore goes these days, people flock to him indiscriminately. He has achieved such great things on his return.”

Guinness said with a look of pride on his face.

“As a result, the planned parade in the capital is gradually being postponed. I’m sure the Emperor will be lenient, considering he has completely ended the war and returned.”

Rosalyn smiled faintly.

While it was certainly a pleasure to see him welcomed by the people, she couldn’t quite accept the constant delay of his return.

Strange, isn’t it? If there’s one thing she’s sure of, it’s patience, but now she can’t stand even a few days of delay, and every day she feels like she’s burning up inside. She found it strange to feel that way.

“Sir Guinness.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Rosalyn hesitated a moment before continuing.

“When the Duke returns, I intend to take a break from my duties for a while, but will that be possible? I would like to spend a few days with Alex and the Duke.”

Perhaps it was an unexpected request as Guinness’ eyes widened. Rosalyn quickly added,

“I will see that there is no interruption to the affairs of state. Don’t worry, I can work harder before the Duke arrives at the mansion.”

After a moment of surprise, Guinness smiled broadly and began to joke.

“What more could you do to work harder?”

He straightened and continued.

“You needn’t worry about anything, madam. The affairs of state are something we can easily share and handle together. We’ve always done it this way when the Duke is away from the mansion, so there’s no need for you to feel burdened. While the Duke has been away campaigning, you have done an excellent job. If you were to give us more work, I’m sure the Duke wouldn’t allow it.”

This wasn’t just empty talk; Rosalyn really did fulfil her role as lady of the house perfectly. None of the Duke’s retainers objected. Since Rosalyn had gone to the frontier herself, any mistrust that had once existed among the retainers had disappeared completely.

She was fully accepted by the people, not as the daughter of a traitor, but as the wife of the Duke of Moore.

“When the Duke returns, I hope you will be able to rest with your husband in the guesthouse, madam.”

With that, Guinness bowed respectfully to Rosalyn and left the office.

Once alone, Rosalyn couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling and sank deeper into her chair. Home had always been a place of anxiety and tension for her.

But now she felt an unusual sense of peace. It was a feeling she had never experienced in Delmart Castle, where she was born. Strange as it was, it filled her heart with contentment.

If only Johannes would return, everything would be perfect. Just the thought of it made her happy. Humming a cheerful tune, she began to review the affairs of state once more.

***

The knights passed through the gates of the capital at the height of summer. As soon as they entered, the crowd erupted in cheers. The thunderous sound almost made their eardrums ring. The path along which the knights rode was strewn with colourful flower petals, and countless people chanted Johannes’s name.

The capital’s main street, wide enough for four or five carriages, was packed with people who had rushed out at the news of John’s return. It took the knights several hours to reach the Imperial Palace, much longer than usual.

In the heightened atmosphere, the procession began, accompanied by the loud music of the military band. It was one of the most luxurious celebrations of Raphael’s reign.

With the soldiers in front, the Emperor’s speech went on and on. Before the assembled nobility of the Empire, the Emperor praised John’s achievements, calling him a hero and showering him with honours. Yet Johannes’ focus was elsewhere.

Occasionally, his gaze drifted to the edges where the families of the soldiers who had fought stood. Rosalyn was at the front. Her face was hidden by the distance.

After the Emperor’s speech, a grand banquet was held in the Great Hall of the Palace for the soldiers who had taken part in the battle, but Johannes could not go immediately.

The sounds of celebration could be heard faintly from outside the window, but there was a deep silence in the Emperor’s office. The atmosphere was too chilly for a private conversation between a victorious knight and his ruler. Raphael, who had just been praising Johannes’s exploits in front of a crowd, returned to his indifferent expression as if nothing had happened.

“Do you have any special reward in mind?”

Rafael asked in a dry tone. Johannes raised his eyes.

“Some of the nobles are asking that you be given the title of Duke.”

Raphael looked at Johannes, tilting his head slightly, the sound of his pen tapping on the paper intermittently. Though the nobles were pushing for this reward, it was clear from Raphael’s demeanour that he was not particularly eager for it.

“Is that what you want?”

Johannes didn’t answer, just lifted the corner of his mouth. One thing was clear: this was not what Raphael wanted. After the incident with the Duke of Delmart, the Emperor had become overly wary of any threat to his power.

Johannes, for his part, had no desire for a title. For him, the title was something that came with the reward, not the reason for his involvement in the battle.

“With what I have now, it’s more than enough.”

“Then if there’s anything else you want besides the title, speak up.”

The Emperor’s voice had softened slightly from earlier. Johannes looked away.