Now she felt that if she could add the Arlesian patterns on his back, her progress would increase significantly.

‘I wonder if I could ask him to show me.’

Since they no longer shared a bed, it felt awkward to ask him to show his bare skin.

‘But it’s really necessary.’

No matter how she thought about it, it was essential. She would need to ask nicely for his cooperation. He would understand since it was for an official purpose.

“…ss.”

“……”

“Miss.”

“Huh?”

Deeply lost in thought, Saena startled and turned around when she felt someone touch her shoulder.

“Ah, Sir Rupert.”

“I had to come in because you didn’t answer after several calls.”

“Did I… do that?”

“It seems you’ve gone back to your days in Delvon.”

When Saena immersed herself in Arlesian, she often forgot to eat once she entered the study, and the nanny would come looking for her every day to remind her about meals.

“Is it dinner time? I’m not really hungry though.”

“It’s not just about dinner, but His Grace has returned.”

“The Duke?”

Constantine had left for another subjugation about two weeks ago.

“I didn’t hear the horn.”

Though when she concentrated, she often missed even conversations happening right next to her…

“It seems he returned quietly.”

But apparently that wasn’t it. Come to think of it, Constantine had done this quite often before. She had thought it was because it was midnight then, but it seems he just doesn’t like announcing his arrival to the entire territory with horns.

“I should go greet him.”

Saena stood up from her seat.

“Thank you for letting me know, Sir.”

After closing the open books and organizing them neatly on one side of the desk, Saena walked toward the door.

“Miss.”

“Yes?”

“…Are you alright?”

Alright? What did he mean by that question?

Saena stopped walking and stared at Rupert.

“As I’ve said before… if you need any help, however small…”

“……”

“Though I may be unreliable, I’m very discreet about matters concerning those I serve.”

He must have noticed something strange about Saena lately. Uncharacteristically, Rupert showed concern.

“…Are you doing alright, Sir?”

“Pardon?”

“I heard that the knights in the duchy have different training methods and combat styles. Being in an unfamiliar place with everything different, aren’t you worried about being ostracized?”

“…Who would ostracize you?”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Ah, what you just asked me… I thought perhaps…”

“No, everyone is kind. Who would dare ostracize me?”

Well, maybe if she were a duchess who had lost the duke’s protection. Like what happened at the Hollander house in the past.

“I’m fine too, Miss. Ah… this habit of mine. Come to think of it, I’ve been calling you ‘Miss’ all this time, haven’t I?”

Rupert hit his mouth lightly and shook his head.

“Duchess.”

“…I’m not comfortable with that title either. Isn’t there something else?”

She didn’t know why the title of duchess still felt so burdensome. Was she internally not ready?

“Then, Master?”

“……”

Master… That was also a bit…

Although Rupert was serving Saena now, basically it was House Debov that gave him his title and salary.

Moreover, the way he said ‘Master’ felt somehow strange.

“How about Lady Saena?”

“Ah, yes. That seems better.”

After settling the matter of titles, they left the study.

“I guess you were worried because I’ve been quiet lately… but nothing’s wrong. I think I just miss my family. I’m feeling a bit down.”

Anyone would think she could be homesick, alone in a distant territory without family or friends.

She made this natural excuse.

Rupert’s concern was probably due to her changed relationship with the Duke compared to before. Previously, the Duke had been anxious about not being able to take care of Saena directly, but lately he had been keeping his distance, so it must have looked like their relationship had cooled.

But what could she do? She couldn’t say, ‘Everyone’s worried that your affection has cooled, so please show me affection enthusiastically like before.’

And since their relationship wasn’t terribly bad either, she could only act like a cultured noble couple whose honeymoon phase had ended and settled into tranquility.

“How about requesting His Grace to visit the capital?”

Fortunately, Rupert seemed to accept Saena’s homesickness excuse.

“Hmm. Should I?”

“Yes. With spring in full bloom, the flowering trees in Delvon must be about to blossom fully.”

Spring in Delvon was truly beautiful. The entire city turned green and was filled with various flower fragrances, perfect for both walking and horseback riding.

“No, they might already be at their peak.”

Though it was just an excuse, hearing it made it sound like quite an appealing suggestion.

While there, she also wanted to check how much the tree she suspected to be Yuri’s empty spot had grown.

‘I should ask if it’s okay to go to the capital now.’

“Madam!”

Just then, Darielle appeared.

“Ah, Darielle, where is His Grace?”

“Would you like to go welcome him?”

Welcome him? Is he still outside?

“His Grace will be very pleased.”

Hmm. That doesn’t seem likely…

Come to think of it, she had never seen him right after returning from subjugation. He always returned quietly, forbidding the horn, and by the time Saena saw him, he had already finished showering and was properly dressed.

Given his neat nature, it was understandable that he wouldn’t want to show his dusty appearance from just returning from subjugation to everyone.

Actually, it was hard to even imagine Constantine covered in dust.

“Definitely! He’ll like it, I’m telling you!”

“Well… maybe.”

Though Darielle’s attitude was a bit strange, since greeting wasn’t a bad thing, Saena just went along with it.

After sending Rupert away, Saena followed Darielle’s guidance down the corridor. But as they walked, something felt odd.

If it was for greeting, why weren’t they going downstairs?

“Darielle, why are we going this way?”

“His Grace moves very quickly, so he must be inside already! But he’ll still be very pleased if you welcome him now!”

…Wait? If he’s already inside, this isn’t really greeting him, is it?

But before she could question further, Darielle knocked on the door and suddenly opened it.

“Just give this to His Grace!”

Abruptly shoving something into her arms, Darielle practically pushed Saena inside. Then she closed the door and disappeared.

‘What in the…’

It felt like being swept up in a whirlwind.

But since she came to greet him, she should just do that, right? Just say welcome back and such.

‘But where is he?’

Basically, the more noble the room, the more it was structured so that when you open the corridor door, you don’t directly enter the bedroom but must pass through a private reception room. And among noble rooms, the rank was determined by the number of rooms connected to the reception room.

The Duke and Duchess’s rooms were naturally the highest rank.

With so many spaces connected to the reception room, it was difficult to immediately know where he was. Saena had to look around at each door.

Fortunately, she spotted the only open door.

‘Is it there?’

Saena approached without much thought but was startled.

“Sae… na…”

Because she suddenly heard her name.

Had he already noticed her presence?

Saena opened her mouth to respond but stopped.

“Haa…”

Through the sound of falling water, a suppressed sigh that pierced through to Saena. It sounded somewhat sensual, but also somewhat pained.

‘…Could he be injured again?’

Saena, worried, moved her gaze to the open doorway.

The first thing she saw was his face.

His long wet hair clung to his nape, and with his eyes closed, he leaned back against the bathtub.

Setting aside his wet body that powerfully caught her eye, his expression was strange. It was as sensual as what she had seen on the bed.

“Ugh. Saya…”

From the bathtub, through slightly parted lips, he breathed out her name like a sigh while moving his hand downward.

“……”

Saena’s face turned bright red. In her bewilderment as she backed away, something fell from her hand. She had forgotten she was holding something in her confusion. With a crash, something shattered at her feet.

“Who’s there!”

Whoosh–

From the scent spreading around, it must have been a bottle of spirits.

“…Sa, ya?”

Saena froze, going through first panic from the scene she just witnessed, and second panic from the crashing sound of the broken bottle.

“Wh-why are you…”

“I-I came to… I didn’t mean to see…”

Whether it was the alcohol smell making her dizzy, or the sudden shocking scene she witnessed being too much, she wasn’t sure.

Saena stumbled backward while stammering excuses, but her legs tangled and she fell sitting down.

“Wait, careful–!”

Constantine hurriedly got out of the bathtub. As he stood up, water cascaded down around him. The water that splashed out of the tub wetted the bathroom floor, mixing with the glass shards.

Seeing this, Constantine quickly picked Saena up in his arms.

“Ah!”

Startled by the sudden sensation of being lifted, Saena reflexively wrapped her arms around his neck. Since he was completely n*ked, she couldn’t avoid her skin touching his. Moreover, not only did she wrap her arms around his neck, but she also buried her face in his nape.

Constantine’s body stiffened. Caligo’s voice that had been occupying his mind vanished instantly.

A moment of peace.

The warmth felt through where they touched.

The familiar body scent entering his nose.

The soft feminine body fitting perfectly in his arms.

Saena. Lovely Saena.

Constantine could newly realize how much he had missed her. That was probably why he had returned after two weeks from what was originally supposed to be a month-long regular subjugation.

‘But…’

Constantine left the bathroom, forcing strength into his trembling hands.

He let go of Saena. The moment he separated from her, he felt instantly thrown back into his solitary winter. However, he couldn’t drag her into his winter too. She…

He clenched his teeth, forcing strength into his hands that kept wanting to reach for her.

“…We should check if you’ve been cut anywhere.”

“What?”

“You might have stepped on glass shards.”