Luden had grown up well. He knew how to cherish his wife and treat her kindly. The one who raised him like that was Anan. She seemed like she would be a good mother-in-law.

Anan held out her hand. I firmly grasped Anan’s pale, slender hand and said brightly.

“I’m going to live here starting today.”

“But you haven’t even had the wedding yet.”

“Luden asked me to live with him.”

Anan looked surprised. Then she smiled quietly.

“I told him to grow attached to his wife, and it seems he’s doing that. Does Luden treat you well?”

“Extremely well.”

“He’s a child who takes after his father. So it’ll be fine.”

After saying this, Anan coughed. I quickly bowed my head and stepped back.

“I’ll see you next time, Lady Anan.”

“Alright.”

Anan nodded and pulled up her blanket. Then the maids sprayed perfume containing herbs that help with sleep so Anan could rest.

I quickly went outside and stared endlessly at the closed door with a heavy heart.

“I hope Lady Anan gets better.”

Andre sighed.

“You’re telling me.”

Andre guided me to a corner of the garden. There were large trees here and there along with beautiful sculptures. I admired the splendidly decorated garden.

I’d never been here before, but a place like this existed.

“This is Lord Luden’s personal space. Only a few people besides me can enter.”

“May I come in?”

“Of course. If my lady doesn’t come in, who will?”

At Andre’s words, I looked around with satisfaction. Like Luden’s personality, the surroundings were neatly organized.

The garden was incredibly spacious. Walking slowly, I discovered a small cabin in the corner of the garden.

“Lord Luden has a hobby of painting.”

“Luden does?”

I hadn’t heard about that.

What kind of paintings would Luden create? I was curious since it was a detail I hadn’t seen even when reading the novel.

Seemingly reading my mind, Andre held out his hand.

“Would you like to see the paintings?”

“No, I’ll do it after getting Luden’s permission.”

Andre’s eyes widened.

“But you’re curious.”

“Even so, it seems rude to look without permission.”

Luden hadn’t personally guided me here, so entering wouldn’t be right. Andre nodded and smiled quietly.

“My lady is a very good person.”

“Is that so?”

“You cherish Lord Luden.”

At that, my face heated up.

“This is only natural.”

“Well, it’s because of that nature that we can entrust Lady Anan to you with peace of mind.”

I knew my personality wasn’t that bad. That said, I had no intention of living foolishly like a pushover.

“I do stand my ground when needed.”

“You mean you’re not a pushover?”

“That’s right.”

Andre understood exactly what I wanted to say. He chuckled and took me to another place.

But even going elsewhere, my curiosity still lingered on Luden’s paintings inside the cabin.

I should ask him to show me when he returns.

* * *

Luden hurried. He quickly finished his work, wanting to see Annelia who would be waiting at home, declined the business partner’s attempt to host him, and headed to the estate.

Inside the carriage, he caught his breath.

Asking Annelia to live together had been a big decision. Though she had no idea.

When the carriage stopped, Luden opened the door. His attendant Anten quickly walked over and spoke to Luden.

“All additional schedules have been cleared.”

“Well done.”

Today was Annelia’s first day here. He wanted to be with her. So he postponed everything that could be postponed.

He quickly opened the front door and entered. The knights bowed their heads when they saw him. Everyone was surprised to see him since he’d appeared earlier than expected.

Annelia is over there.

Luden stood at the door and knocked. Then a voice came from inside.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Luden.”

At Luden’s words, the door opened from inside. Lella and Andre were also in the room.

Annelia had already changed into comfortable clothes. Standing at the door and looking at him, Annelia smiled brightly.

“I was hungry, so this works out well.”

“You haven’t eaten yet?”

“I waited for Luden.”

Annelia approached him and linked arms.

“I heard you prepared something delicious. Let’s go quickly.”

Her body was beside him. Her unique fragrance entered his nose.

His tense heart relaxed. His body naturally loosened and peace washed over him.

“Ah, Luden just arrived so you need to wash up. I’ll go to the dining room first.”

Annelia released his arm. Then he felt a sense of regret.

“Understood.”

Luden said that and quickly returned to his room. And he realized it. That Annelia was by his side!

“Really.”

His face heated up.

He quickly changed into comfortable clothes, washed up, and went down to the dining room on the first floor. Annelia was sitting at the very end of the table.

“I prepared steak and salad.”

It was Annelia’s favorite food.

“I’m happy because it seems I can eat meat to my heart’s content at the Charlot estate.”

Annelia looked delightedly at the steak served on the plate. Swallowing her saliva, she began eating the steak with relish.

Watching Annelia, Luden ate his food with relief. He was glad it suited her taste.

“What business took you on the trip today?”

“It’s about items being exported to the Rueran territory.”

“Ah, I heard Count Zakran came.”

The Rueran territory was under Count Zakran’s jurisdiction. It was a nice place to live, so many people resided there.

“I’m planning to start a new business there.”

“Really?”

“I met with him and had many discussions.”

Luden carefully explained what happened today. Annelia listened happily even to such stories.

“I came to the estate today and looked around a bit. But I ended up entering Luden’s personal space.”

Annelia spoke carefully.

“Did Andre take you?”

That bastard, I told him not to cause trouble.

“He said you paint.”

“I draw occasionally.”

Did she see those paintings?

“…Those paintings are…”

What should he say?

“Ah, I didn’t see the paintings.”

Annelia quickly said. Then Luden’s eyes widened.

“You must have been curious though.”

“Still, I should ask Luden before looking.”

Luden caught his breath. Sometimes this aspect of Annelia drove people crazy. Where did a woman who considers others like this come from?

It was because of this aspect of Annelia that he couldn’t escape from this woman.

“Shall I show you the paintings?”

“Is that okay?”

“But… actually, I’ve painted you before.”

This time Annelia’s eyes widened.

* * *

“It’s just a general portrait.”

At Luden’s words, my hands trembled.

He painted while thinking of me? What was he thinking when he drew me?

“I just drew it because I wanted to.”

Luden read the thoughts in my eyes and answered.

“I want to see it.”

How did Luden draw me?

“Shall we go together after dinner?”

At Luden’s words, I gladly nodded. We ate dinner appropriately and walked back to the garden we’d visited earlier. Entering the small cabin in the garden, I drew in my breath.

I was there.

It was me holding up my skirt hem, entering the water and laughing.

“This is from when we went to the valley.”

“That’s right.”

“To paint this…”

To paint using me as a model felt strange. It didn’t feel bad since the person who drew it was Luden.

I firmly grasped his hand.

“It’s a beautiful painting.”

The painting was drawn delicately. The coloring was pretty, and above all, I looked incredibly lovely. Not just me—anyone drawn like this would be very happy.

“Can I hang this in my room?”

Luden’s ears turned red.

“Yes.”

Seemingly embarrassed, he answered in a small voice after a long pause. I smiled brightly at his appearance and quickly looked at other paintings he’d drawn.

Luden’s painting skills were considerable. Even I, who didn’t know much about art, could feel he drew well.

I firmly held his hand and left the cabin. Darkness had settled in the night.

“Luden, aren’t you tired from the business trip?”

“I am, but we should have tea.”

Ah, right. We always had tea together after dinner. Without it, I felt something was missing.

“Alright. This time let’s do it in Luden’s room.”

I hadn’t been to Luden’s room yet. Luden readily agreed and took me to his room.

* * *

Luden’s room was also splendid. However, the atmosphere was different from my room. If my room felt like viewing a modern building, Luden’s felt like viewing a splendid, old-fashioned antique building.

“The furniture is old. Preservation magic is cast on it so it’s in good condition, so I haven’t changed it. The Charlot Marquises have traditionally chosen to maintain their rooms.”

“Why?”

“It’s just, well, like a superstition. One generation of Charlot Marquis changed the furniture and that year the profits decreased. So a belief arose that changing furniture leads to poor profits.”

At Luden’s words, I looked around the furniture. It felt like being in an antique shop.

I sat on the red sofa and stroked it with my hand. A soft feeling touched my fingertips.

“What tea would you like?”

“Partian tea.”

An attendant entered, took the tea order, and left. While she brought the tea, I recalled the painting Luden had drawn.

“Luden must like me.”

Luden cleared his throat awkwardly.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Don’t you like me enough to draw me so prettily?”

Luden sighed. Then he looked at me and smiled brightly.

“That’s correct.”

“We’re a couple bound by trust.”

That Luden trusted me was remarkable. A relationship with trust was hard to build, yet we trusted each other.

I also believed that even though Luden didn’t love me, he would cherish me.

No, well, honestly I would have doubted it a bit before, but his refusal of the Emperor’s marriage proposal had shaken my heart.

An attendant entered, set down the tea, and left. I took a sip of tea and looked at Luden.

His black hair sparkled in the light. His red eyes drew my gaze. At his eyes looking at me tenderly, I unknowingly became entranced and stared blankly.

He sighed.