She wanted to say she wanted a divorce, not jewels, but she couldn’t. Amelia chose silence instead.

“May I ask what color your dress is?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Because we often choose jewels that match the color of the dress.”

Howard’s point made sense. Her dress was a light sky blue, which was why Raphael and Leonel had to wear navy blue formal wear.

“Red diamonds are intense and hard to match, but a blue garnet would suit you anywhere.”

Despite its name, the blue garnet wasn’t a vivid blue jewel. It showed multiple colors depending on the light it reflected, and its purplish hue was particularly fascinating.

“It’s like the color of the madam’s eyes.”

Yes, it matched Amelia’s purple eyes exactly. Emila had said that jewels are chosen not only to match the dress but also to complement hair or eye color. And this wasn’t a full purple, so it wasn’t too much.

Maybe she had gotten used to this body. She no longer noticed her unusual purple eyes every time she looked in the mirror.

“It’s not fully purple, but it seems like a jewel that suits the Grand Duchess very well.”

“It does seem so… And there’s already a necklace and earrings made.”

What really attracted her was the red diamond. The blue garnet was beautiful, but it couldn’t beat the intense red of the red diamond, which also matched the ruby ring she wore. But even if it could be done in time… the Founding Festival was tomorrow.

“Here’s also a black opal. Such a bright opal is rare, and this size is uncommon.”

Contrary to its name, the black opal had a mix of blue and red. All three jewels recommended by the caretaker were excellent. Indeed, a merchant was a merchant. He had always felt it, but his sales skills were exceptional.

“Umm…”

It was hard to decide which to choose. No wonder Raphael suggested buying jewels. The ones in her jewel box were all precious, but those were things other nobles could buy too. However, these jewels were something only a few nobles could covet.

Raphael was making a statement with the jewels. Do not dare touch her. The intent wasn’t purely innocent, though.

“Anyway…”

She had been about to say she would choose the already completed blue garnet.

“Craft all three to suit my wife.”

“What?”

If Raphael hadn’t interrupted her with his decision to buy all three. Even though he was wealthy, buying all of them would be costly. She hadn’t even asked the price.

“All three?”

“Yes, make the red diamond ready to wear by tomorrow.”

He even said she would wear the red diamond for tomorrow’s Founding Festival. Did this man realize how little time there was?

“Your Grace, it might be difficult to make it in time for the party.”

Considering the travel time to the capital… Of course, magic made things easier, but they still had to hurry.

“It can be done.”

“Yes, of course.”

His tone implied that it had to be done. Who could say no to that?

“There’s no need for all of them. If we just buy one…”

“All three suit you well.”

Such overspending for the sake of suitability could lead them to poverty. Especially when she wouldn’t have much time to wear them… At most half a year. That was how long she could stay by his side.

***

In the end, they bought all three jewels as he wished. Leaving Howard, who seemed about to split his lips from smiling too much, they finished their family dinner and outing.

Amelia realized Raphael had done all this to soothe her nerves. Otherwise, she would have spent the day worrying about the party she would attend the next day.

“Wife.”

Who’s tickling me like this? Amelia swatted away the tickling sound in her ear.

Please go away.

She couldn’t fully reject it because the voice strangely felt nice. If she weren’t sleepy, she would have wanted to keep listening.

“You need to wake up.”

“Uh, I don’t want to…”

She hadn’t fallen asleep early because she was worried until bedtime. She was scared of meeting the imperial family and the nobles for the first time. Despite her best preparations, what if it wasn’t enough?

“Amelia.”

Who would call her name so tenderly?

“It’s because you didn’t wake up.”

Before she knew who it was, she felt like she was lifted. He easily picked up an adult woman’s body as if it wasn’t heavy.

“Who… Raphael?”

“Good morning.”

Shocked, she opened her eyes and slowly blinked at the sight before her. Even after blinking several times, it didn’t change. It was Raphael.

“What’s happening…?”

Why was she in his arms? And in a princess carry at that. His touch was careful, as though he was holding something precious.

“We need to get ready for the party, but you won’t wake up.”

People don’t usually carry someone just because they won’t wake up. But Raphael looked as if nothing was wrong.

“Put me down. I can walk.”

“No, I don’t want to.”

She thought he’d put her down now that she was awake, but his response came as a quick refusal. It sounded so natural that she almost accepted it for a moment.

“Your Grace? Why are you doing this so early in the morning?”

Was he nervous about going to the party too? That would explain his unusual behavior. She could understand that.

“I think it’s faster if I walk than if my wife walks.”

“That’s true, but… It can’t be helped since our body sizes are different, right?”

First of all, the length of their legs is different. When Raphael takes one step, she has to take more than two steps.

“So isn’t it best for me to carry you?”

“……”

How come he never loses a single argument? And everything he says is correct, so she couldn’t even argue back. Amelia pouted her lips and turned her head away. It was better to look at the floor. She didn’t know she could get so angry just by looking at his shiny face. It was too perfect to believe that he had just woken up.

In contrast… She must have had a swollen face from just waking up. A person who has no humanity at all.

“Oh my…! Your Highness!”

At Ann and Jane’s fuss, Amelia sighed several times. Right now, their eyes were probably more on Raphael carrying her than on herself. They would think about whatever they wanted again.

“See you in a bit then.”

“We need to wake up Leonel too.”

There was no need for him to prepare as early as adults do, but it was true that they had to wake up Leonel.

“I’ll take care of that.”

Would that be fine…? But it seemed okay since they were talking to each other these days.

“Ah, and the jewels from the merchant haven’t arrived yet…”

She should have chosen another jewel that was already made. Anxiety made her bite her lips again.

“Amelia.”

“Yes…?”

When did it start? The point when she got used to him calling her name. At first, she said she hated it, but familiarity was indeed scary. It made people so numb. Now, him calling her name or having a conversation didn’t seem strange at all.

“If you want to go to the party, it’d be better not to bite your lips.”

Just as she wondered what that had to do with the party, she was startled by his body coming closer again. Why does he smell so good, even in the morning? Did he wash before she woke up? His enchanting body scent made her dizzy.

“Ah…”

A moan escaped her lips at the hot touch she felt. His fingers, thick with calluses compared to her slender ones, roughed up her tender lips as they pressed and rubbed them around.

As if he was punishing her.

“I don’t want to show you to any other bastards.”

The touch on her lips startled her for a moment, but what surprised her most was his gaze. His golden eyes harbored a deep thirst for her.