Yes, you did. You did. You…… No, your other personality.

“However.”

“?”

“Dress warmly. The wind is quite cold now.”

“Really…… okay?”

Seeing Belita’s incredulous expression yet hopeful eyes, Rian gave her a gentle smile.

“I’ll get ready right away!”

“You can take your time.”

If it had been Crazy Rian, she wouldn’t have gone. Fearing what he might do to her. But the man sitting before her now had eyes that seemed completely honest.

Surely he won’t suddenly change once we’re outside? Despite her concerns, Belita hurriedly entered the dressing room and called for her maid. She was determined to dress properly today.

Watching her with satisfaction, Rian’s expression suddenly twisted into something vicious as he muttered curses.

“What did you do to a woman who’s this happy just to go out? If you take her out, show her a proper time. You perverted bastard.”

“……”

Rian, who had spent his strength all night, seemed to be asleep as there was no response. The Rian who had cursed at himself quickly composed his expression and told the entering maid that he would wait outside, then left the room.

Having prepared quickly, Belita hurried to the first floor. Rian, already ready to go out, extended his hand, and she shyly placed her hand in his, accepting his escort into the carriage. As the carriage departed, Belita opened the window wide and repeatedly inhaled the winter scent that brushed against her nose.

“Wife, you’ll catch a cold.”

“It’s fine. Just this much. When I was young, I used to play outside all day with friends even on colder days than this.”

“That must have been fun.”

“Yes. You have no idea how much fun it was. We would climb trees, pick flowers to make rings and share them. I even threw tantrums, refusing to go inside when my mother dragged me back as the sun was setting.”

“You were quite a troublemaker.”

“Yes. I was truly a troublemaker when I was young. I was scolded so many times for not being ladylike. They worried that no one would propose to me! Ah……”

Somehow overly excited, Belita, who had been chattering away, suddenly closed her mouth. Her face turned red under Rian’s steady gaze, and she quickly closed the window and lowered her head. She was surprised at herself for rambling about her childhood and felt embarrassed for becoming so talkative in front of him.

“Please continue. It’s interesting.”

“Ah, no……”

“I don’t have such memories, so just hearing about them makes me happy.”

“It, it was just similar to how thoughtless children play……”

“It’s enjoyable to see another side of you. I never imagined you were such a bright child.”

At Rian’s words, she cautiously raised her head to find him looking at her with genuinely curious, sparkling eyes. His unprecedented interest made her heart feel warm and fluffy. The smile that had been spreading across her face quickly stiffened. Her smooth forehead instantly wrinkled.

Her husband’s attention, which had been less than that given to strangers. And her husband’s love, which had been more frightening than thunder. While feeling dazed by the sudden happiness that came like a storm, Belita also became afraid for a different reason.

What if this happiness shattered again soon? What if he suddenly changed his mind? What if he, too, left her side one day like her parents did?

As all sorts of anxious thoughts swirled around, Belita curled up. Rather than this, a lonely and desolate feeling would be better; the new fear layered on top of these new emotions was too terrifying for her to handle.

“Wife.”

“……”

“Wife?”

“…… Yes?”

“Why are you suddenly like this? Are you not feeling well?”

“Ah… No.”

Avoiding Rian’s concerned gaze, Belita opened the window again and looked outside. The worry and fear that had erupted once did not easily subside. Fortunately, Rian didn’t ask any more questions during the journey, and as the village came into view, his voice was heard softly.

“We’ve arrived. Let’s first take care of business, and then I’ll hear more about your childhood on our way back.”

“Yes……”

After carefully closing her collar, Rian smiled affectionately and opened the carriage door. The cold wind blew in sharply, clearing her mind. As the man who had gotten out first extended his hand and waited, Belita shook off the worries that had settled in her heart.

It hasn’t even happened yet. Let’s not torment myself with needless worries. Hoo…

Taking Rian’s hand and stepping down from the carriage, Belita’s eyes widened at the familiar sight. Her heart pounded at the village scenery that resembled the atmosphere of where she had lived. The sight of children running around with sniffling noses and villagers busily building embankments felt both unfamiliar and somehow familiar.

Upon hearing that the Grand Duke and his wife had arrived, villagers began to gather one by one. They bent deeply at the waist and paid their respects.

“Have you arrived, Your Grace?”

“You’ve already started.”

“Is your injury alright?”

“Hmm? It’s fine. I’m quite sturdy, aren’t I?”

“Haha, that’s truly a relief. We were so shocked that day.”

Ah…! That’s right. Rian’s head!?

With the man’s relentless advances last night, she had completely forgotten that he had injured his head. And she had even hit him on the head. Glancing up at him, his wound was hidden by his thick hair. The butler would have treated it, but she felt bad for not having been considerate of him.

Feeling embarrassed, Belita turned her gaze away only to lock eyes with someone. Her body instantly stiffened. Her heart began to pound again at the glare that looked as if it wanted to kill her. She swallowed hard at the cold gaze of a woman standing in front of an ornate carriage, who had arrived at some point. She had thought they would meet eventually, but facing her in an unexpected situation made her heart race.

It was fortunate yet unsettling that the man beside her now was Grand Duke Rian, not Crazy Rian. She could simply ignore the dismissive treatment she had always received, but she was afraid that both Rians might appear and have that nonsensical conversation, or that Crazy Rian might emerge and say strange things like before.

Dressed in an exceptionally elaborate dress as if putting in more effort than usual, Lovia wore a fur shawl that would be appropriate for the dead of winter and approached with elegant steps. The villagers, wide-eyed at her splendid appearance, bowed their heads and paid their respects as if facing an imperial princess.

Slightly bending her knees and giving a light bow with a sweet smile, Lovia’s appearance was truly charming enough to be beautiful even to another woman. Looking at the woman with a haughty cat-like appearance and subtle sensuality, Belita wondered again.

Why didn’t Rian marry this woman, and instead married me…?

“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”

“Welcome, Lady Ventum.”

The face that had been smiling brightly toward Rian greeted Belita with a mocking glance. Belita responded with a perfunctory bow and lowered her gaze. Somehow, she felt inferior compared to the other woman. Above all, seeing Lovia standing next to Rian made her feel even more intimidated, as they seemed to match each other better than she did with him.

No matter how much she tried not to think that way, her position and circumstances inevitably brought about feelings of inferiority. And thinking that she wouldn’t be protected today either, she couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“Your Grace?”

“Yes?”

“Would you mind having a brief conversation with me?”

“…… Let’s do that.”

Watching Lovia’s skirt flare dramatically as she turned away, Belita cautiously raised her head. But unlike the retreating Lovia, the man who should have been moving was standing still, which made her glance at Rian.

“What?”

“!?”

“Where is that woman going? While saying she wants to talk?”

“…… Ri…an?”

“Yes?”

Startled, Belita glanced at the retreating Lovia once, then looked around. Fortunately, people were keeping their distance, perhaps because of Lovia. Scanning the surroundings, Belita asked in a small voice.

“Is it you, Rian?”

“Yes. What, is there a problem?”

As her worst fear came true, Belita looked at Rian with trembling eyes as if an earthquake had struck. His brow furrowed in displeasure.

“Your Grace?”

Lovia, who had been moving away, sensed something was wrong and turned back to call Rian. At her call, with a deeply furrowed face, Rian responded halfheartedly.

“What is it? And where are you going?”

“I wanted to have a conversation with you……”

“Let’s talk. Right here.”

“!”

While the person in question seemed completely nonchalant, Belita’s hair stood on end. She was worried about what kind of trouble this man might cause in front of so many people.

“…… Sigh.”

With an exasperated sigh, Lovia returned. Despite this, she maintained her smile, while Belita alone didn’t know what to do, rubbing her tingling hands.

“I asked to speak with you alone.”

“I apologize. My wife hates when I’m alone with another woman.”

“……”

“!?”

At Rian’s brazen words, Lovia’s haughty eyes rose sharply as she looked at Belita. Flustered, Belita looked at Rian, fidgeting uncomfortably.

“It seems the Grand Duchess doesn’t trust Your Grace.”

“To be precise, it’s not that she doesn’t trust me, but that she doesn’t trust you, Countess. Isn’t that right, wife?”

“……”

This man!?

Glancing at Rian with shocked eyes, Belita clutched her skirt in embarrassment. Looking at the man smiling sweetly, he was unmistakably Crazy Rian. With Belita’s face turning bright red, Rian gently took her hand, placed it on his arm, and asked Lovia with an expressionless face.

“So what did you want to say?”