Finally, when her simmering annoyance was just beginning to show in her gaze, Edric spoke up.

“I’ve heard that, of the two great ducal houses that protect the Darec Kingdom, House Johannes is quite extraordinary.”

At his praise, Terian offered a charming smile and silently set down her teacup.

“It’s an honour to serve Darec in such a way.”

“The esteemed daughter of House Johannes — noble Lady Terian Johannes.”

Terian smiled, meeting Edric’s cool blue eyes. Those eyes were beautiful. But just as they curved gently into a smile, Edric drove a blade straight into her heart with his next words:

“If you wish to preserve that name, you would do well to hold your tongue.”

There was a sharpness beneath the softness of his voice.

Startled, Terian set her teacup down with an audible clink, unable to suppress the sound. Then, lifting her head, she widened her eyes in feigned innocence and asked, seemingly utterly clueless.

“Pardon? Your Grace, what do you mean?”

“Terian Johannes. What I mean is this: even if I were to kill you right now, the King of Darec wouldn’t be able to protect you.”

The smile vanished from his face, leaving behind an icy coldness.

Terian stiffened gradually as he stared at the beautiful, elegant face that had turned icy in an instant.

“I suggest you watch your mouth, Lady Johannes.”

Pushing a plate of madeleines towards her, Edric smiled once again.

But to Terian, who had now glimpsed the man’s true nature, that smile felt disturbingly grotesque. She could only stare blankly at him for a moment, unable to respond.

“I trust you’ll conduct yourself with caution, Lady Johannes.”

As Terian lowered her head, trembling slightly, Edric tapped the table twice and spoke again.

“Will you answer me, Lady Johannes?”

Clasping her trembling hands together, Terian slowly lifted her gaze; her eyes were filled with growing fear.

The beautiful blue eyes that had once met his now resembled those of a predator staring down its prey.

Struggling to steady her voice, she barely managed to answer.

“Yes… I will keep that in mind.”

“Good.”

The tea time continued until Terian, having barely finished her tea, fled from her seat as though running away.

***

It was late May, and even in the north, the roses had started to bloom.

The breeze was cool, and the sunlight streaming down was pleasantly warm.

The estate’s garden and glass conservatory were awash with blooming roses.

Yuis was walking along the path beside the conservatory, her favourite spot.

“My lady, the roses are so beautiful.”

Laura remarked cheerfully. Yuis smiled and nodded. But then she suddenly froze in place.

Inside the glass conservatory, a place that not even the duchess herself had ever entered, she saw her husband and Lady Terian Johannes seated together, sharing tea.

The conservatory was widely known to be Edric’s favourite place.

It was so breathtaking that Yuis would always pause to admire it whenever she passed by during her walks, never imagining that she would be allowed inside.

Now, within the beautiful conservatory, golden sunlight streamed through the tall windows and shone down on Edric and Terian.

While Lady Johannes offered Edric a delicate smile from time to time, Yuis’s expression slowly stiffened.

Yuis face was already clouded with confusion.

Tightening her grip on the hem of her dress, which she had previously held loosely, she quickened her pace.

Once inside the study, Yuis absentmindedly recalled the earlier scene.

Despite Laura bringing her favourite snacks and tea as usual, Yuis couldn’t bring herself to greet her as she normally would.

While sipping her tea, she tried to put the cup down, but her hand slipped and the cup tipped over slightly.

Sighing, she carefully wiped up the mess with a handkerchief before setting the cup down properly.

‘Get a hold of yourself, Yuis.’

Even then, she spilled ink while trying to write a letter. She quickly grabbed some blotting paper, but the ink had already begun to seep into the page. Yuis frowned deeply, then buried her face in her hands.

‘Pull yourself together, Yuis.’

From the moment she saw them inside the glass conservatory, she couldn’t take her eyes off them.

Two perfect, beautiful figures sat inside a miniature paradise, drinking tea and smiling at each other. Seeing them together, as though they belonged there perfectly, filled Yuis with an indescribable feeling.

Even when she tried to write, the image kept flashing before her eyes, relentlessly tugging at her heartstrings.

In the end, Yuis closed the ink bottle, tidied her desk, and went to her bedroom.

She wanted to shut her eyes and escape reality, even if only for a moment.

But even that didn’t go her way.

Her mind spun into chaos.

In this mansion, the only places Yuis could go to freely were her bedroom, the dining room, the shared bedroom, and the garden path.

Although those restrictions had never been voiced, Yuis had placed invisible shackles on her own ankles.

Without the Duke’s permission, she didn’t dare set foot anywhere else. Yet Terian Johannes had done so effortlessly.

A hollow laugh escaped her lips at the absurdity of her situation.

That evening, Yuis skipped dinner and never left her bedroom.

Unsurprisingly, Edric did not visit the marital chambers that night either.

***

Having finished his work early, Edric headed towards the annexe of the mansion. The annexe had once been the most cherished place of his late mother, the former Duchess.

For that very reason, Edric rarely visited it anymore.

“After tea, my lady has barely eaten. She wouldn’t even touch the cakes and biscuits that she usually enjoys. According to Laura, she’s been sitting lost in thought quite often these days.”

He had always been considerate, thinking that sharing meals made her uncomfortable, so he never pressed her to eat more.

Yet the reports he received now said that her appetite had only grown smaller.

Of course. What part of this situation wouldn’t make her feel uncomfortable?

She was dragged all the way to this distant land and forced into a marriage she never wanted; she was practically threatened into accepting it.

“Perhaps the two of you could have meals together at least once a week.”

Would that really make her any more comfortable?

Although Edric didn’t fully agree with the butler’s suggestion, Yuis Descartes was now his responsibility, whether he wanted it or not.

This awkward dinner was the result of that sense of duty.

“It’s been a while, my lady.”

She seemed thinner, as if she might break with the slightest touch.

Gazing at her fragile face, Edric began his meal. For a while, they ate in silence.

Meanwhile, Yuis kept stealing glances at him.

The dinner had been unexpected.

“An order has been placed for dinner tonight.”

The image of him and Terian in the conservatory had been haunting her for days, making it difficult for her to eat or sleep.

Now, after those restless days, she was seated here, sharing a meal with him.

Noticing her frequent glances, Edric finally broke the silence.

“I’ve heard you haven’t been eating well lately.”

“Pardon?”

“If anything is troubling you, do let me know.”

“Oh, no… there’s nothing troubling me.”

Despite claiming nothing was troubling her, she couldn’t even meet his gaze. Her constantly shrinking presence frustrated him.

Edric watched as Yuis carefully cut her steak into tiny pieces as though she were dissecting it. After observing her for a moment longer, he turned his gaze towards the large window beside them.

“This place was my mother’s favourite. I don’t know how you feel about it.”

Only then did Yuis finally take a proper look around. Compared to the grand, luxurious main mansion, the annex felt far warmer and more inviting.

Although it was already May, the northern evenings still had a cool breeze.

The warmth of the gold-trimmed mahogany fireplace and the soft crackle of the burning embers brought Yuis a sense of calm.

With a faint smile, she looked into Edric’s blue eyes and answered softly.

“Yes, I find it very pleasant as well.”

As their eyes met, Edric nodded slightly.

“I’m glad. It’s a light fruit wine – try some.”

“Thank you.”

The pale pink wine filled the transparent glass. As she took a sip, her eyes widened slightly.

It was sweet and tart in just the right way, enough to lift her spirits.

Seeing the smile spread across her face, Edric quietly resumed his meal.

As they sat enjoying dessert, Yuis glanced at Edric several times before finally speaking in a careful, timid voice.

“Um… Your Grace…”

When Edric turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow, she hesitated for a moment before making an unexpected request.

“May I… may I have tea in the glass conservatory from time to time?”

Her slightly flushed face, reddening earlobes, and fidgeting fingers in her lap were hard to miss. Her anxious, wavering gaze spoke volumes as she waited for his response.

A faint, cold smile appeared at the corner of Edric’s lips.

“My Lady.”

“Yes?”

“Do you truly believe the Duchess of Descartes would need permission to sit in the conservatory of her own estate?”