Chapter 14

Robert was feeling more tired than usual from the number of people approaching him today.

It was obvious everyone wanted even the smallest bit of information from him.

Still, most attendees were influential figures in the Empire.

As Marquis Dalton and head of the Imperial Palace Treasury, it was wise to build relationships, so he hid his annoyance and treated everyone sincerely.

After a while—

‘Where did Celiana go?’

At some point, Celiana was nowhere to be seen in the hall. He was so distracted by her absence that he couldn’t focus on conversation.

After a long while, he finally spotted Celiana at one side of the hall, sipping champagne.

‘Did she just step out for a bit?’

Robert felt relieved. He wanted to go to her right away, but so many people were approaching him that it wasn’t easy.

After some time, Robert finally reached Celiana’s side.

“Celiana. How much have you had?”

Seeing his wife flushed with drink, Robert’s face fell.

“Huh? Ah, well…”

Celiana felt dizzy. She’d drunk too much champagne without realizing it, trying to calm her complicated feelings.

She’d also planned to use her tipsiness as an excuse to get closer to Robert tonight, which explained the overindulgence.

“I think we should go home now.”

Robert supported Celiana.

Just then, a voice chimed in.

“Go rest, Celiana. You need it.”

It was Erta Ephelmar. She’d returned to Celiana after greeting her guests.

But seeing Celiana’s state, it was clear they couldn’t continue their conversation.

Robert gave Erta a short bow, indicating he was taking Celiana home.

“I’ll see you again, Duchess Ephelmar.”

“Of course. Take good care of Celiana.”

While most people at the banquet were letting loose, Robert Dalton remained impeccable in his manners.

‘Hmm, so that’s Celiana’s husband.’

Erta’s eyes sparkled with interest. She thought she understood why Celiana felt unable to talk—Robert seemed like the type to restrain even his desires.

‘But you know, I think differently, Celiana.’

Erta had a strange certainty. She felt Robert Dalton would suit Celiana perfectly.

‘Well, it’s for them to resolve. I’ll just cheer them on.’

Meanwhile, Robert quickly gathered Celiana in his arms and left the hall.

“Mm, Robert…”

The fresh air helped clear her head a little. Her husband’s firm embrace was warm and comforting.

“Celiana. You drank too much.”

Even his scolding concern felt pleasant. Celiana, tipsy, let Robert help her into the carriage.

She forgot she’d left something in the carriage earlier.

She’d hidden the box in a corner so Robert wouldn’t notice, and if the carriage just left, there shouldn’t be a problem.

But then, an incident occurred. Unable to steady herself, Celiana accidentally kicked the box.

Clatter—the sound echoed in the carriage, and Robert immediately noticed.

“…What’s this box?”

No one could miss a box making noise like that.

“…!!”

Celiana instantly sobered.

‘Oh no.’

She instinctively reached for it.

But Robert’s hand was already on the box. Celiana’s eyes filled with panic. If Robert opened that—

Click—

Before she could do anything, the box was opened.

There was no magic—nothing else inside.

The collar and cuffs were sitting right there.

“This is…”

Robert trailed off. There was clear confusion in his voice.

It was a disaster.

‘It’s over.’

She’d been caught. Celiana was in despair.

The coachman, unaware of the scene inside, started the carriage. Now she couldn’t even get out.

She had no choice but to face a conversation with Robert about the box.

If only there had been some noise to distract him, but the finely crafted carriage made no sound at all.

A heavy silence fell between them.

Breaking the stillness, Robert asked,

“Is this yours?”

His tone was as polite as ever.

But Celiana, who spent every day with him, could tell. There was a subtle difference in his voice.

Robert’s voice was trembling. Perhaps because he was shocked.

Celiana bit her lip hard. What should she say? Slowly, she parted her lips.

“…It was a gift.”

She decided to be honest, at least this far. It wasn’t a lie, and it would be worse if Robert thought she’d bought it herself.

“This?”

Robert’s eyebrows furrowed. He was asking for clarity, and Celiana felt her blood run cold.

Was he accusing her of accepting such a strange gift?

“From whom?”

“From, um, the Duchess of Ephelmar.”

She was honest, even about this. When Celiana looked up at Robert, he seemed to be waiting for her to continue.

Now there was only one thing left—the reason for the gift.

But this was something she absolutely couldn’t explain truthfully.

“Well, um, we were talking about that play. Robert, do you know it? The one sponsored by Ephelmar.”

It had been performed in the Empire for years, so even Robert, who had studied abroad, would likely know of it.

Still, Celiana hoped he didn’t. If he didn’t, maybe she could get through this more easily.

“I do. Did you see it too, Celiana? That play?”

With that question, Celiana squeezed her eyes shut. Was he asking if a proper noble lady had gone to see such a risqué play?

Her carefully maintained image was over.

“Well… I went out of curiosity once, and today, to break the awkwardness at the banquet, I mentioned the play and received this as a gift…”

It was a lie based on truth. Celiana added an excuse so Erta wouldn’t be misunderstood.

“She said it was used in the play, and since I enjoyed it, she gave it to me as a memento. I’m sure the Duchess didn’t mean anything else!”

“…I see.”

Robert seemed convinced. Celiana sighed with relief inside.

‘Sorry, Erta.’

She’d tried to smooth things over, but ended up revealing Erta had given her such a gift.

She’d have to apologize next time they met. While Celiana was mentally apologizing to Erta back at the ducal mansion—

“Then, what about you?”

Robert asked a question she couldn’t understand.

‘Huh?’

Had she missed something in the conversation? It was an odd question.

Seeing Celiana’s confusion, Robert clarified,

“I’m asking how you felt when you received this gift. Did you like it?”

Celiana widened her eyes. Why was Robert asking such a question? She found it difficult to grasp his intentions.

To answer honestly, she had actually liked it. The thought of using such items made her heart flutter. She even harbored a bold wish to use them together with Robert, if possible.

But Celiana knew that option was not available to her. She guessed that the answer Robert wanted was the one most people would give.

So, what should Celiana say? …How did other young ladies react?

Her hesitation was brief.

“No. There’s no way I’d like something like this.”

A cold voice escaped her lips.

It was the kind of answer she’d heard several times from girls her age whenever such topics came up after watching a play. The strong rejection in her tone was easy to mimic, as their reactions had left such a strong impression on her.

“…I see. Understood.”

Robert’s reply was all there was. He didn’t ask further.

But as he gazed out the window, his expression seemed somehow subdued, and Celiana couldn’t help but notice.

‘Why does he look so down?’

‘Was I too unnatural? Had he seen through me?’

Celiana felt uneasy.

Even after arriving at the mansion, there was no particular conversation between them. That night, Celiana’s plan to use her tipsiness as an excuse to sleep close to Robert couldn’t be carried out.

It was a frustrating night.

***

For several days after that, an awkward air lingered between Robert and Celiana.

They still shared the same bed and had meals together as usual, but both sensed a subtle difference.

Even Robert’s departure for work at the Imperial Palace was telling. He left about an hour earlier than usual, and Celiana felt he was avoiding her.

He claimed that work had been busier lately, but Celiana doubted that was true. Robert’s sudden early departures couldn’t be explained by work alone.

Today was no different. He had already left the mansion before Celiana would normally start getting ready for the day.

Feeling his absence, Celiana wondered if her answer had been wrong and couldn’t shake off her discomfort.

‘What if we grow even more distant?’

Celiana liked Robert, so how had things become so tangled?

With a heavy heart, she trudged to her study.

Inside her private study, a new item had appeared: the cuffs and collar Erta had given her.

Regardless of Robert finding out, she kept them since they were a gift from Erta.

Seeing the cuffs and collar reminded her of the conversation that night.

“I’ll return these to the Duchess of Ephelmar.”

“Please do.”

Celiana had lied to Robert, saying she’d return the cuffs to Erta.

Her conscience pricked at her, but she had no choice. She’d already said she didn’t like such things.

She picked up the collar and fiddled with it, the soft leather wrapping gently around her fingers. It was crafted to ensure even rough play wouldn’t cause injury.

Would trying it lift her mood? Celiana put the collar around her neck alone.

But strangely, she felt no excitement.

Maybe it was because she was wearing it alone—she tugged on it, but her body didn’t react as she’d hoped.

Celiana knew the reason. In her imagination, the person treating her roughly was always Robert.

But now, with things awkward between them, her mood was inevitably dampened.

‘…What am I even doing?’

She felt foolish. Her peculiar tastes were causing her to drift apart from Robert, and yet here she was, doing something like this even in such a situation.

Celiana took off the collar and put it back in the box. She didn’t even consider taking out the cuffs.

“Haa.”

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

Lately, things kept going wrong with Robert, and Celiana felt stifled.

Would things have been different if she’d been a little more honest?

But when she stood before Robert, she just couldn’t bring herself to confess her preferences.

And now, after that night, she found herself wanting something even stronger.

After experiencing her wish once, she knew she should be satisfied, but controlling her desires wasn’t easy.

Celiana stared into space with a gloomy expression.

Knock knock—

“Madam, an invitation has arrived from the Duchy of Ephelmar.”

Lily knocked on the study door, announcing Erta’s invitation.