When Aaron, who had been observing without intervening until now, suddenly demanded an apology, everyone began to murmur. Though she couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying, it seemed they were pointing out the disrespectful attitude of the child’s mother in front of the young baron.

The woman, stung by the invisible rebuke, awkwardly bowed to Lucilia.

“My child is too young and lacks discernment. I was worried that she might soil your precious clothes, so I just… I’m truly sorry for not teaching her properly.”

Everyone knew the woman was lying.

Lucilia, Aaron, and the villagers all knew.

Her emotionless tone devoid of sincerity and her eyes pooled with defiance spoke clearly.

How could the woman herself not know?

She had apologized forcibly to avoid trouble, but seemed to think there was nothing to fear since she had admitted her fault.

“I will scold her severely when we get home, so please be generous.”

Her added tone was much gentler.

The woman, who quickly lowered her tail before provoking the young baron’s anger, pressed down on the child’s small head.

“Hurry and apologize for your mistake.”

“I’m… I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

Questioning why she deceived people with lies would only make Lucilia seem like a seductress who steals people’s thoughts, clearly increasing animosity.

It was better not to mention it.

Waiting anxiously for Aaron’s response, Lucilia unknowingly trembled at her fingertips.

It was because Aaron remained unmoved by the woman’s apology.

This shouldn’t escalate…

Reading her anxious expression, Aaron looked down at the top of Lucilia’s head for a moment before speaking.

“Since she has apologized, please forgive her.”

Aaron bowed his head respectfully to Lucilia, almost as if pleading.

It was excessively courteous for a husband, but everyone understood it was due to her past position as a saint.

Only Lucilia felt uncomfortable.

Unlike the others who tried to shake off the discomfort, she felt isolated in a separate place.

Every word and action was nothing if not cautious. Still, it was fortunate that Aaron didn’t make an issue of the woman’s attitude.

Believing it was best to let it go, she vaguely accepted the apology.

“I’m fine, so don’t worry about it. And little one, you’ve done nothing wrong.”

The child’s innocence might bring a smile to her face, but it was never unpleasant.

She would have liked to make eye contact kindly and stroke those chubby cheeks.

Having felt with her whole body how much anxiety and discomfort her eyes caused people, she couldn’t do anything. Even unintentionally, her gaze naturally fell downward.

Aaron’s heart softened at the sight of Lucilia trying desperately not to raise her eyes, but he pretended not to notice.

While he regretted making her appear before people and causing her to shrink back, nothing would change even if the same thing happened again.

Because Lucilia’s role was predetermined.

A surveillance target, a dangerous person with latent ominous energy, the young baron’s wife.

He would not neglect his duty to protect his wife either.

Demanding an apology from that disrespectful woman was natural behavior as a husband and as the future lord.

People’s anxiety spreads like wildfire, impossible to contain once it starts.

In the blink of an eye, it burns the vast prairie and desires an even stronger wind.

And after that?

They find the source of the spark and resent it.

That was what a riot was.

The fall of a saint was like bellows that made the spark blaze vigorously.

It was clear that increased anxiety would consume Lucilia, so how could he remain still?

He wouldn’t explain the part about her being falsely labeled a seductress, but he needed to suppress the fear the territory’s people would feel to protect Lucilia’s safety.

Aaron made it clear to the people that they would not be harmed because of Lucilia.

“Everyone, listen.”

The unsettled atmosphere was immediately organized. Aaron continued, looking down at everyone.

“I am responsible for Tudra.”

His heavy voice seeped into the crowd. His baritone voice that captured the ear matured firmly.

“Building fortresses, defending the border, working for Tudra’s prosperity—all of this is my responsibility. As it has been until now, I will not neglect it in the future, so I would appreciate your trust.”

The crowd became solemn at his sentiments, expressed with respect for his audience.

Though they would still be hostile to Lucilia internally, they hesitated and listened attentively to the young baron’s voice without missing a word.

Since the leader of Tudra was guaranteeing it, no one rashly displayed agitation.

Lucilia pressed gently on her heart where relief was spreading. It seemed that if she herself refrained and acted carefully while staying here, unnecessary noise would not arise.

Even that reduced her sense of indebtedness.

Aaron and Lucilia concluded their schedule by observing and encouraging the territory’s people.

In the carriage returning to the castle, Lucilia opened the conversation first.

“These days… I notice you haven’t been using the bedroom.”

Aaron’s brow furrowed as if he didn’t understand her intention.

What if he thought she was suggesting they sleep together?

Startled, Lucilia stammered an explanation.

Of course, she had thought that since the bed was so vast they could sleep together without issue, but she omitted that.

“It seems you can’t sleep comfortably because of me.”

“I’m sleeping fine.”

“Still, you can’t keep sleeping in the reception room.”

There wasn’t even a separate bed in the reception room, so he must be taking short naps on the long sofa.

Already in a position where she owed him her life, she couldn’t shamelessly covet a comfortable bed as well.

It was time to yield.

“How about putting in a cot?”

“A cot or a sofa, they’re the same thing. And I’m not uncomfortable.”

“I meant for me to sleep on the cot.”

This time, one of Aaron’s eyebrows rose crookedly as if he was hearing nonsense.

She couldn’t understand why he was so displeased.

He must have cursed her behind her back for sleeping so comfortably by herself all this time.

Even putting herself in his position, she didn’t think he would feel inclined to be kind to her, who was nothing more than a burden.

At most, he might rebuke her, saying she should be grateful just for being given a place to sleep.

Yet he had even given up his own bed.

Perhaps… like a brave knight, his chivalrous spirit had suddenly surged?

He didn’t need to do that.

Though she was indebted to him unintentionally, she wanted to leave good memories when they parted.

Lucilia had no intention of backing down. She thought if she persuaded him more actively, he might pretend to give in and agree.

“I know you’re trained from years of discipline. But that doesn’t mean fatigue doesn’t accumulate at all. I’d like the young baron to rest comfortably.”

“That’s enough.”

“I thought we would share the bed, but you’re taking short naps on the reception room sofa, and it makes me uncomfortable.”

“So, are you saying we should sleep together?”

He interpreted it strangely, though that wasn’t her meaning.

No, strictly speaking, it wasn’t strange.

It was natural for a married couple to share a bed. They were using separate rooms because he didn’t want to be tied as husband and wife.

Whatever the case, she swore to heaven she had not the slightest intention of demanding his bed.

Since his expression didn’t change much, it was difficult to gauge Aaron’s true feelings. However, from his slightly trembling eyelids, his shock at her brazen behavior flowed clearly.

Feeling like she had suddenly become a temptress luring a pure soul to the path of corruption, Lucilia gritted her teeth.

“No. What I meant was…”

“To put it more delicately, you wouldn’t mind if I slept beside you?”

“Well… it is originally the young baron’s bed, after all.”

Aaron exhaled softly as if plunged into agony.

Lucilia tilted her head, wondering if this was really such a big concern.

If he refused, she wouldn’t insist on her point at the expense of his chivalrous spirit.

She didn’t have the skill to grab his trouser leg and make him lie down on the bed if he didn’t want to.

After swallowing and waiting for his answer for some time:

“I’ll think about it.”

What she had wanted from the beginning was to give the entire bed to Aaron.

She quickly corrected herself in case he misunderstood.

“I think it would be best if I used the cot. You’re uncomfortable, aren’t you? I really, really can sleep well anywhere.”

“Have you ever spent a night in a forest with cold wind blowing?”

“Ah, no.”

“How about on bloody soil that vibrates with the stench?”

“No…”

“Or beside a corpse that has rotted to bare bones?”

“…”

It was a retort asking if anywhere could compare to a battlefield.

She was at a loss for words.

Having completely silenced her, he quickly concluded the situation.

“If you’re really uncomfortable, let’s sleep together in the bedroom from tonight. It’s very tiring to argue over such matters. And not beneficial either.”

As if it had become a habit, Aaron folded his arms and closed his eyelids.