Edric stood beside Yuis bed, quietly studying her sleeping face.

Her fever, which had raged for days, had finally subsided.

Usually, he would leave at this point and return to his chambers,

— but tonight, he could not bring himself to leave.

He switched off the lamp and lowered himself into the chair beside the bed, his gaze returning to her.

The image of her curled up in the freezing bath flashed through his mind again, reopening an old wound —a sensation he thought he had long since buried.

Though it was only a fleeting memory, it was enough to unsettle him.

He only came at night to watch her sleep. He wasn’t sure what he would say if she opened her eyes.

His gaze, heavy with emotion, lingered on Yuis.

She was a woman who refused everything, even when it was placed before her. Was she really considering going back to Darec? Was that what she wanted? But why? Why should I give her what she wants?

Running a hand over his face, Edric looked back at her once more.

It felt like trying to solve an unsolvable puzzle; a maddening, unanswerable dilemma.

***

After that incident, Laura never let Yuis into the bathroom alone again. Even when Yuis refused help with bathing, Laura would stay nearby, carefully adjusting the temperature of the bathwater and the fireplace.

Although losing her private time was unpleasant, Yuis couldn’t bring herself to be selfish, knowing that Laura might have been reprimanded by Edric, the estate’s master.

“My lady, you shouldn’t stay in for too long.”

While Yuis had been sitting with her knees pulled up, lost in thought, more time had passed than she realised. As she lifted her head, she saw Laura standing there, holding a towel.

“Allow me to dry you off.”

“All right, thank you.”

Yuis nodded, rose from the water and allowed Laura to gently dry her body. Afterwards, she changed into a thick indoor dress and received a visit from the attending physician.

Rather than making Yuis visit his office, Edric had summoned the doctor to the annex, sparing her the trouble of travelling while unwell. Although she told herself it was more convenient not to have to see him, she couldn’t deny the faint disappointment that lingered within her.

“It seems your condition has improved greatly. You should be well enough to cope with the honeymoon schedule sometime next week.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“Just in case, I’ll prescribe some additional medicine for you to keep on hand. Make sure you take it with you on your honeymoon.”

Once the doctor had left and Laura had finished tidying up, the room fell silent. A cool breeze blew in through the slightly open window, carrying the sound of rustling leaves and filling the quiet space.

Yuis let out a soft sigh, acknowledging to herself that her body had recovered considerably. She no longer felt strained when performing her daily activities. Although she hadn’t intended to, her severe cold had allowed her to avoid meeting him for a while.

But it seemed that even this brief reprieve would not be permitted for much longer.

As the sun dipped below the western horizon and dusk settled in, Yuis made her way to the main residence. The weather had grown warmer during her illness, making the dark evening pleasant and suitable for a walk.

She entered the marital bedchamber cautiously. The softly glowing lights illuminated the empty room. Sitting carefully on the edge of the bed, she waited for Edric. But even after night had fully fallen, he did not return. Eventually, she fell asleep waiting for him.

When Edric finally finished his work and walked towards the back entrance of the mansion that led to the annex, Miles, who had been quietly accompanying him, spoke up in a low voice.

“Master, the lady is in the bedchamber.”

“I see.”

Edric crossed through the duke’s study on his way to the bedroom. He felt a faint sense of satisfaction when he saw that Yuis was sleeping in the main part of the house, rather than in the annex.

It seemed she had fallen asleep while waiting for him, unable to get comfortable in the bed.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Edric carefully lifted her into his arms. She looked thinner than when he had first seen her, and he disliked the sight.

Holding her close, he sat back against the headboard.

The way she instinctively burrowed into his warmth was not unpleasant. He could feel her soft, uneven breaths and the faint rhythm of her heartbeat. Gently patting her back, he ran his fingers through her silky hair.

This was the peace he had secretly longed for — a fleeting serenity that came only when his wife, Yuis Descartes, was asleep.

***

The morning of their departure for their honeymoon had arrived. When Yuis had finished getting ready and came downstairs, Edric was already waiting for her.

He was dressed impeccably in a suit and looked as perfect as ever. However, unlike his usual perfectly slicked-back hair, a few strands had fallen loose today, covering his forehead and softening his usually sharp appearance.

Their gazes met, and Edric greeted her with a slight nod. Smiling gently, Yuis approached him, closing the distance between them step by step.

Stopping just one step away, she heard Edric ask softly.

“Are you ready?”

He closed the remaining distance, standing before her and offering his arm. Yuis blinked her large eyes and nodded, then gently placed her hand on his arm.

As the two of them began to walk forward, the line of servants bowed deeply to bid farewell to their master and mistress.

By the time they arrived at Haben Station, a large crowd had already gathered. News of the Duke and Duchess of Descartes’ departure for their honeymoon had spread quickly.

While Yuis shrank nervously from the attention, Edric led her forward with ease, as if he were accustomed to such situations.

The crowd naturally parted to make way for him. When Yuis grip on his arm loosened, he glanced at her and took her hand.

The Duke and Duchess were walking hand in hand!

The ladies, watching from a distance with their faces half-hidden behind fans, blushed as their earlobes turned pink. The crowd cheered with delight at the sight of the couple walking arm in arm like an ordinary pair of lovers their age.

After helping his wife onto the train first, Edric followed shortly afterwards and disappeared into the carriage. The crowd dispersed as quickly as it had formed.

As soon as the attendant who had guided them to their first-class suite left, Edric closed the curtains, covering every window in the compartment.

From the moment they boarded the train until they reached the city near Hétar’s cliffs, silence hung heavily between them, not a single word exchanged.

It was only once they reached the hotel room that Edric finally glanced at Yuis.

“I have some matters to attend to. Rest here for a while.”

With those brief instructions, Edric left the room with Noah. Only then did Yuis let out a deep sigh.

“My lady!”

Laura entered with a bright smile, and Yuis smiled back. Truthfully, she would have much preferred spending time with Laura than being left alone with Edric.

Lightly dressed for the outing, the two women stepped out of the room together.

“Did you know this hotel has a casino, my lady?”

Laura chattered cheerfully, clearly in high spirits. The brightness of her voice finally made Yuis laugh out loud.

“Yes, let’s go and take a look a little later.”

On their way to the restaurant for dinner, they were suddenly stopped by someone calling out to Yuis. The voice came from the direction of the casino that Laura had just mentioned.

“Yuis Everett?”

Yuis turned her head and was greeted by the dazzling lights and flashing slot machines, glittering like falling stars.

Amidst the bustling crowd, a man stumbled unsteadily towards her.

Standing just a short distance away, he reeked of alcohol. When he recognised her, he let out a cheerful laugh and spoke to her familiarly.

“It really is you, Yuis Everett. So the Princess of Terian is in Hétar now?”

It was Jerome Remy, the eldest son of the Count Remy family, who had visited the Johannes estate for tea several times before. Although he had a generally favourable reputation, Yuis always felt uncomfortable around him.

There was always a vulgar gleam in his eyes when he looked at her.

Encountering him here could only spell trouble.

“Laura, go and fetch Major Lennox.”

Yuis quietly instructed her maid.

“My lady…”

“Go quickly.”

Laura couldn’t hide the panic in her eyes as she watched her mistress being cornered by a drunken lout who laughed and stared at her. However, upon receiving Yuis firm, silent instruction, Laura reluctantly turned and hurried off to find Major Lennox.