His meticulously neat appearance, which she once dismissed as obsessive-compulsive, now made sense. She had learned that he avoided contact with others, and his way of dressing reflected that.

‘But he touches me without any hesitation?’

Is it okay for him to touch me, but not okay for me to touch him?

No, who was it that first asked to hold hands?

Back then, he wanted her touch with an almost desperate expression.

Something doesn’t seem to add up. But she can’t figure out what it is.

‘Come to think of it, before… what was that pattern?’

The memory of what happened in the bathroom the day after their wedding night surfaced.

While she had been completely n*ked then, he remained properly dressed from head to toe except for one part of his body, as usual.

While applying medicine, he suddenly changed and pounced on her, and as Saena flailed her arms trying to handle him, she grabbed his strong forearm that was bracing beside her face.

As he lifted her out of the tub, his sleeve got wet and water seeped through the fabric she was gripping. Lost in the overwhelming sensations, she clutched the wet sleeve like she’s trying to wring it out completely.

Then the wet sleeve rode up and clung to his forearm. The bare skin he usually kept completely covered was exposed a bit above his wrist.

Even in the midst of the intense movement, something caught her eye. There was something like a black stain on his forearm. Perhaps because his skin was so white, as if he’d never seen the sun despite being a knight, it stood out more prominently.

Was something…

 stained?

The spot that would touch the desk while doing paperwork. Maybe it was ink.

Though that wasn’t like him at all.

But when she focused her blurry eyes to look more carefully, it was too uniform to be a stain. Some kind of pattern. Something that looked like lines or shapes.

Saena unconsciously reached out toward it.

‘Hmm…? Ah, ah, ah…!’

Then her vision completely flipped over.

He pressed down on her waist and spread her bottom, thrusting deeply from behind. Her momentary question was instantly erased by the overwhelming and embarrassing position.

She tried to twist her body because the position was too difficult, but each time she did, Constantine stimulated her weak spots, making it impossible for her to gather her thoughts.

She had been too overwhelmed then to think about anything else…

What was that?

Did he… not like her examining him?

‘Come to think of it… I’ve never… seen it.’

Him properly fully undressed.

Though she searched through her memories, there were none. Every time, she was the one completely n*ked, while he always wore something.

Though he would come at night wearing only a robe, even then he would only open the front and always did the deed that way, and he would only remove it after turning off the lights.

Because after she said she was embarrassed on the first night, he would turn off all the lights before things got serious every time.

“……”

While pure curiosity and questions arose, worry also came at the same time.

If there wasn’t some circumstance he couldn’t talk about, there would be no reason to act that way, right?

Within her experience, she couldn’t even imagine what that circumstance might be, but she couldn’t just demand answers either.

‘…If necessary, he’ll tell me.’

Though she pondered for a long while, there was no appropriate answer.

Since Saena hadn’t told him everything either, she had no right to press him.

If this was a sensitive area for him, it would be better to leave it alone without touching on it. Coming to that conclusion, Saena finished her bath.

With the maid’s help, she dried her hair and put on a dress. Though it was a simply-designed indoor dress that wasn’t uncomfortable, it was a proper clothing she had worn for the first time in a week.

When she went to the private reception room attached to the Duchess’s chambers, Constantine was already seated waiting for her.

Hot tea was quickly prepared for her portion, and the servants withdrew. As she sat in the chair and took a sip from her teacup, the Duke placed something in front of her.

It was a small but luxurious box that had been on one side of the table before being placed before her, apparently prepared in advance.

“…What is this?”

“Open it.”

Just looking at it, it’s obviously a gift, right? Just looking at the box, it’s clearly a gift? Is preparing gifts normal? But why didn’t anyone tell me? Because the marriage was too rushed?

Though countless thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant, there could be no answers.

Saena swallowed once before reaching for the box.

‘Hmm. I hope it’s not too expensive.’

As soon as she opened it, she saw her wish hadn’t been granted.

Even at a glance, it was jewelry.

“……”

Two sparkling platinum chains.

Between two thin chains studded with small diamonds in a row, a large black diamond sat like a bridge connecting them.

It’s an uncommon design. Since the chain seems a bit short to be a necklace, perhaps it’s a bracelet.

…Wait, a black diamond?

“Huh? Could this be……”

Regular diamonds would certainly be extremely expensive, but a black diamond?

Aren’t black diamonds not used for jewelry?

No, wasn’t there an exception for the Duchess of Kramer? Then maybe it’s not expensive since it can’t be valued by price…

“Give me your hand.”

Pushing aside unnecessary thoughts, Saena held out her wrist as if entranced. Constantine skillfully fastened the bracelet. The bracelet adorned with the brilliantly shining black diamond suited her skin tone and overall atmosphere very well.

“…It’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“But I haven’t prepared anything.”

Constantine smiled and took her hand wearing the bracelet, pressing a kiss to the back of it.

“You’re giving me more than enough.”

“…What?”

What have I given him?

I’ve only been receiving from him, I haven’t given anything…

“Overflowing. Irreplaceably, you’re giving.”

“……”

Even though they married because Saena needed it, when he spoke like that, she could only feel embarrassed.

‘Is it that?’

Helping him sleep?

Though being able to sleep when suffering from insomnia would certainly be something to be very grateful for, Saena didn’t think it was such a big deal.

No matter how she added and subtracted, she was receiving far more.

“It’s not just a bracelet, but also a protective charm. If anything happens to you, this bracelet will protect you once.”

“Really? That’s possible?”

“It’s the power of the Guardian Spirit.”

…No, Saena was wrong again.

It probably wasn’t impossible to estimate the price. Just that it would be enormously, incredibly, unspeakably expensive.

If one were to sell it, that is.

Saena suddenly felt her arm become very heavy and stared blankly at her wrist.

“Try to wear it always if possible. If not, make sure to wear it when going out.”

But she could understand Constantine’s intention.

Having seen her encounter various dangerous situations recently, he must have prepared such a gift.

She could feel his heart.

“Such a precious gift that I can’t possibly repay…”

With that thought, the burden lessened somewhat, and she could see the gift as a gift.

“Thank you… so much.”

Saena’s sincerity drew a smile from him.

Watching as the curve of his lips slowly lifted, creating softness across his entire face, Constantine slowly opened his mouth.

“…Come to think of it, there might be something you can give in return.”

“What is it? If it’s something I can do, anything…”

Constantine quietly smiled while pointing to his lips with his finger.

“…A kiss?”

“Mm. I’d prefer something a bit deeper than that.”

“……”

After hesitating for a moment, Saena stood up and slowly approached.

Constantine’s white eyelashes were neat as he lowered his eyes. Thinking them ‘beautiful,’ she slowly lowered her lips.

* * *

To cut to the conclusion, Saena ended up not attending the wedding reception at all.

Though their kiss in the reception room was quite long, it ended at just a kiss, but afterward he suggested having dinner together, and after dinner it was straight to the bedroom again.

‘Ah, greeting the guests… nngh!’

‘I took care of all that, so don’t worry.’

‘Still… ahh.’

‘The close acquaintances only attended the first day anyway. I sent a separate letter to the Debov family.’

‘Ah…’

‘Let’s visit the Count together tomorrow.’

Saena had to stay up all night again until exhaustion.

Thus ended the week-long wedding reception period.