Chapter 14

Julian’s long and large hand grasping the chess piece looked more handsome than I had imagined. Even the unmoving profile while he held the knight in the air, contemplating his next move, was attractive. I sat a little distance away from the chessboard, watching Julian.

“Your Grace, you play chess with considerable skill.”

My father, who had been quietly playing chess, spoke satisfactorily. He seemed pleased to meet such a worthy opponent after a long time.

It was understandable because no one at home or among my father’s friends could beat him at chess. So, encountering the variable named Julian was quite a delight.

“Who taught you?”

“My mother.”

“She must have been very wise and bold.”

My father complimented him honestly. At those words, Julian’s furrowed brow seemed to relax a bit. I was even more pleased by that.

“When you have time, play chess with my daughter as well. It won’t be boring.”

Julian turned his head to look at me. It seemed unexpected to him that I played chess.

“My wife plays chess?”

“Pardon?”

Wife? I was momentarily frozen, not expecting Julian, who always addressed me as “you,” to use such a title. But Julian’s face was calm as if he meant nothing special by it.

“My sister is a natural knight. She’s not only excellent in swordsmanship but also unparalleled in strategy. Even Father was often surprised.”

Louis proudly continued to speak.

“Of course, it’s natural for such a sister to be good at chess. Father prefers playing chess with her over his fellow knights.”

“That’s right, I’ve never beaten my sister even once.”

The youngest, Adam, chimed in. The praises from my siblings made my face feel hot.

“I do play quite well.”

But my uncontrollable mouth uttered such words. The family found my words amusing and laughed heartily. That was fine until my father took it a step further.

“Laila not only plays chess well but is also good at card games. I never thought she would be good at poker. Isn’t she usually sincere and lively? And naive, too.”

“Father…!”

I felt my face turning red. It was incredibly embarrassing to be called naive in front of my husband. However, my father, excited about bragging about his daughter, didn’t stop.

“Though she’s my daughter, she’s truly lacking in nothing. She is loyal, very affectionate, and always leads by example when seeing someone weak. She’s also very pretty, often compared to the daughter of Marquis Eriant. What do you think, Your Grace?”

“No, no, you don’t have to answer. Really, you don’t.”

I stood up and grabbed Julian’s shoulder. Julian looked up at me. His clear crimson eyes scanned my forehead, the corners of my eyes, and my jawline.

“I agree.”

His low voice flowed beneath the chessboard. I trembled all over, not knowing what to do.

“Are you all trying to embarrass me?”

“Embarrass? I’m just happy that His Grace cherishes you.”

My father said with a smile. It seemed no one cared about my flustered state.

“Your Grace, please don’t mind them.”

I never imagined my family would act so smitten in front of Julian. I lifted my skirt lightly, bowing to apologize. I hoped it would relieve Julian’s discomfort.

But Julian’s gaze was unusual. He held my hand and stood me up straight. Then he looked directly at me and spoke.

“I know my wife is a precious person. I won’t act recklessly like your former fiancé.”

It would be a lie to say those words didn’t touch my heart.

I stood there foolishly, placing my hand on his, then bowed.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Julian asked, seemingly displeased with my meek answer.

“How long will you keep calling me ‘Your Grace,’ my wife?”

“…Until the family leaves.”

I said with a reddened face. My answer must have been amusing as the family burst into laughter. Julian also smiled faintly.

My mother tugged at my arm when Julian’s chess opponent changed to Louis.

“Laila, let’s go get some tea.”

Since the maids were already preparing the tea, we did not need to do it. It meant she had something to talk about just between us.

I worried whether leaving my family and Julian alone was okay, but Julian nodded as if to say it was fine.

“Mother, what’s the matter?”

I asked, dismissing the maids who tried to follow us while trailing behind my mother. She smiled gently as she picked tea leaves.

“I just wanted to have a chat between women.”

“That seemed likely.”

I stuck out my tongue playfully. It was natural for a mother to be curious about her daughter’s married life. My mother covered her mouth and laughed softly.

“I felt much relieved after meeting His Grace. You and he seem to have a better relationship than I thought.”

“I told you, he’s a good man.”

“I thought you were a stubborn parrot, but you were right. Despite his high status, he’s down-to-earth and knows how to respect people. Although he is a bit stiff.”

Mother’s eyes softened as she moved each teacup to the tray. Regret lingered in her gaze.

“I’m quite ashamed. I failed to see him properly, swayed by rumors and appearances.”

“You always told me that you should strive to improve if you feel ashamed.”

Mother nodded with a resolute face. Being wise, I trusted she would manage well. Just when I thought our conversation would continue on a serious note, she held her cheek and asked shyly.

“So, when can I expect a grandchild?”

It was a bombshell! I was so shocked I hiccupped. Seeing my reaction, my mother asked with a mischievous expression.

“When a couple is close, it’s natural to have children, isn’t it?”

“Uh, mother, well…”

“Yes, yes.”

Mother’s eyes sparkled as she held my hand. I muttered while held by her hand.

“Um, we haven’t consummated our marriage yet.”

Mother’s sparkling eyes widened instantly. My face turned bright red—incomparable to before. I almost saw the red flush spreading down my arms to my fingertips.

“His Grace said he would wait until I was ready.”

“Oh my!”

Mother exclaimed, quickly covering her mouth, realizing she had spoken too loudly. She whispered as if it was the funniest thing.

“His Grace is quite the romantic, isn’t he?”

Ahaha… I could only laugh awkwardly. It was more about respect for his wife than romance, but I thought so, too. Above all, it was pretty embarrassing to discuss this with my mother.

When we returned to the room with the tea, Adam played chess with Julian. It seemed the whole family intended to take turns playing chess. I subtly suggested to Julian that he could stop and go upstairs if he was too tired.

“Sis, are you already siding with your husband? Didn’t you say I was your favorite?”

“Sis said I’m her favorite!”

I was stumped because sometimes I loved Louine the most, and sometimes I loved Adam the most. I shrugged my shoulders and feigned ignorance, making my two younger brothers look at me with hurt expressions.

Although we didn’t have a meal, the family gathering was enjoyable. Julian didn’t laugh and chat like the rest of the family but stayed with us until the end. For that, I was immensely grateful.

On the day my family left in the carriage, I whispered to Julian.

“Thank you, Julian.”

It was the first time I had called him by his name. Julian didn’t say much but escorted me gently.

* * *

Life with Julian went smoothly. I exchanged letters with Lethe to keep track of the Second Prince’s whereabouts.

At this point, the most important thing was to check the mines that had appeared in the North. The minerals in those mines would help strengthen our relationship with the Emperor.

How could I persuade Julian to give me control over those mines? As I pondered this, the butler came to me.

“Your Grace, a guest has arrived.”

Since my family left, there have been no visitors to the North. Given my marriage to the Duke, one might expect an invitation to a party out of curiosity, but even that hadn’t happened, likely because of the incident where I cut off Kazak’s finger.

“A guest? Who?”

I set down the business book I was reading and stood up. It was the lady of the house’s duty to greet guests, so I had to go in person.

However, depending on who the guest was, I would decide whether to greet them at the entrance or in the drawing room.

The butler bowed respectfully and informed me.

“It is Her Imperial Highness, Princess Abigail.”

The mention of the princess made my fingers stiffen and curl. I stood frozen, clutching my skirt. Anna, who was nearby, asked if I was alright, but I waved her off and asked the butler.

“Does the princess visit the North often?”

“Considering her status and position, she visits quite frequently.”

As the butler said, given her status, it wasn’t common for the princess to frequently travel to the North.

But thinking differently meant she would come here whenever she had permission for a distant trip. I couldn’t hide my unease. Frankly, I didn’t want to let her in. But she was the princess.

“I will go out to greet her.”

A direct confrontation was the only way.