Chapter 33

Why did I want to confirm that? The straightforward answer from the arrogant man delighted me.

Without realizing it, I reached out and touched Julian’s cheek. Despite running my thumb over his smooth, firm cheek, Julian said nothing. Instead, he leaned his tall frame down to make it easier for me to touch him.

“Don’t touch my face.”

He had said that once. Just as I was reveling in the satisfaction of touching the cheek of a massive, mysterious beast for the first time, I heard cautious footsteps behind me.

Like a teenager caught in romance, I quickly withdrew my hand. When I turned around, I saw the maid I had asked to prepare the bath standing there respectfully.

“Your Grace, the bath you requested is ready.”

Embarrassed at the thought that the maid had seen my actions, I covered my mouth and nose with my hand and lowered my head.

“I’ll go. See you later, Julian.”

“Duchess.“

“Later!”

Julian seemed to have something to say, but I hurriedly left.

With the maids’ assistance, I undressed and entered the warm bath. Flowers floated on the surface, and the water had a pleasant scent. This was unimaginable when I lived with the frugal Count Winsley. Even though I had taken such baths regularly since becoming the Grand Duchess of Zan, it always felt like indulging in endless luxury.

I once subtly told Julian that such luxurious baths were unnecessary. But Julian, seemingly puzzled, responded.

“A bath is a luxury for my wife?”

His words made sense, and I accepted the awkward luxury. I leisurely splashed water over the petals.

Meeting the emperor had been more exhausting than I had imagined. As I lightly massaged my neck and closed my eyes, Anna spoke from behind the curtain.

“Your Grace, everything is ready on the third floor.”

“Yes.”

Still, with my eyes closed, I told Anna, who must have been waiting beyond the curtain.

“Tell the butler I need to ask him something. I’ll meet him briefly before seeing Julian.“

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I heard Anna leave. I opened my eyes and sat up, tempted to fall asleep but more eager to play chess with Julian. Though I disliked chess, I enjoyed playing it with Julian.

I liked watching him ponder, stroking his sharp chin, and making straightforward and blunt moves that mirrored his personality. Most of all, I enjoyed our conversations, however trivial.

I changed into a light dress and met with the butler.

“I want to know if we have room in the budget.“

“For what purpose, Your Grace?“

“Well…”

I shared my thoughts that had come to me on the way back from the palace. The butler listened to my proposal and nodded with a smile that revealed nothing. It seemed best to discuss the details with Julian.

I headed to the room on the third floor, where we usually played chess. Julian was already there, fiddling with the chess pieces. The pieces that felt substantial in my hand looked tiny in his.

“Julian.“

“Duchess, you’re early.“

“If I spend all day in the bath, the maids will tire.”

Julian spoke firmly at my words.

“As I said earlier, you don’t need to worry about that.”

I shook my head as I sat across from him.

“That’s not true. It’s quite important to maintain an image of a master they want to serve for a lifetime. It discourages them from wanting to start anew elsewhere.”

Unlike the masters who had to stay here for life, the servants could leave. Although a letter of recommendation was necessary to get a good job, there were other conditions for securing a good position, such as betraying their current master.

I didn’t need to think so meticulously in my previous life, but this life was different. I didn’t know when Prince Cain might rise again to obstruct my path. And the easiest way was to give money and buy people.

“You live a rather exhausting life.“

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I pulled my shawl tighter around my shoulders and chose a chess piece. When I picked the white pieces, Julian naturally took the black ones. As I placed the pieces individually, I asked something I had been curious about.

“Julian, why don’t you grow a beard?“

Julian’s cheek, which I had touched earlier, was so smooth that it was hard to believe it belonged to a man. The texture was so pleasing that I had unconsciously clenched and opened my fist, thinking about it while bathing.

Julian raised his head slightly and asked.

“Do you prefer your husband with a beard?“

“No.”

I answered quickly and precisely.

“Then why ask?“

“Because it looks good when you don’t have one.“

Julian’s face was always clean. Even when I saw him early in the morning, his neat face looked like a beautiful painting, which I liked even more. The cold impression of his face also suited him, like a protagonist at a masquerade ball.

While I was nodding, lost in my thoughts, Julian asked,

“How does it feel when you touch it?”

I almost choked on nothing at his question.

“Um, it feels nice.”

I answered as calmly as possible and brought the tea the maid had prepared to my lips. But I couldn’t stay like that forever. With a long sigh, I put the teacup back down.

“I’m sorry for touching your face earlier.”

In the Count Winsley family, we often touched each other’s faces playfully or pinched them. When I was younger, I even kissed my cute younger brothers or received kisses from them.

The habits from those times seemed to pop up because Julian made me feel comfortable.

“Duchess.“

“Yes! I’ll listen to your scolding.“

“I didn’t bring it up to blame you. You misunderstood.“

“Huh?”

Julian looked perplexed at my confused response. Seeing his rare expression up close, I couldn’t help but focus on his face. His red lips slowly opened as he spoke.

“I thought that was your family’s way of showing affection.”

“Oh…“

“Isn’t it?”

Julian asked, looking at me with eyes redder than his lips. I unconsciously placed my hands politely on my lap and nodded vigorously.

“Yes. Our family does that often.“

“I see. So do I, so you don’t need to worry.”

Julian too? I looked at him with wide eyes. I was surprised that Julian also showed such affection with his family. Was the kindness shining through his rigid demeanor inherited from his family?

Whose kindness was it, then? Julian’s father? Or his mother? Perhaps his grandparents. But it was challenging to ask further.

Julian’s family members were not left in this grand-ducal residence—not his father, the former grand-duke, or his mother. As far as I knew, no siblings lived in other regions either. Julian might have never had siblings, but his parents were likely deceased.

I decided to save questions about Julian’s family for later.

“Does this mean you think of me as family? Thank you.”

Dropping my contrite demeanor, I knocked over one of his black chess pieces. However, Julian’s black piece immediately struck down my white one as if to reprimand me for being distracted.

“Oh, please!“

“You were the one who likened the chessboard to a battlefield.“

“You’re so mean.”

I grumbled, glaring at the chessboard. At this rate, I was sure to lose. I had planned to use a victory as an excuse to ask him for a favor.

“What favor do you want?”

How did he read me so well? Julian was incredibly perceptive for someone who didn’t interact with many people. Julian responded with a faint smile when I looked up at him in surprise.

“How did you know?“

“It’s not that I know you particularly well. You’re just transparent.“

“No, you know me well. Maybe I’m defenseless around you because I’m weak when it comes to family.”

I spoke firmly. At least Kazak had no clue about my inner thoughts. I thought revealing personal feelings to him was a mistake, and Kazak wasn’t interested in me either.

Thinking that far, I looked at Julian with new eyes. Did this mean Julian was paying that much attention to me?

“Julian, would you grant my request even if I don’t win at chess?”

I asked with a small hope. And, as always, Julian didn’t disappoint my expectations.

“As long as it’s within reason.“

“I promise it won’t be unreasonable.”

At my confident declaration, Julian gestured for me to speak. I straightened up and said,

“Since we haven’t hosted a party in the north since our marriage, I’d like to hold one.”

Julian picked up the piece I had just knocked over and ran his thumb over it. That slow gesture indicated he had finished thinking.

“It seems there’s someone you want to invite.“

“Yes, I’d like to invite people from the Marquis of Eriant.”

I spoke honestly. Keeping secrets from him was pointless. The only secrets I could keep were the information about the future and my lifespan. Even those would be revealed eventually.

Instead of questioning me, Julian responded with what was practically permission.

“If I don’t attend the party, you’ll hear troubling remarks.”

It was a very kind permission. I smiled broadly and placed my hand on the table. I lightly curled and uncurled my fingers as if asking him to put his hand there.

Julian, as if resigned, placed his large hand lightly on mine. I clasped his thick, substantial hand and said,

“Who would dare to speak ill of your wife?”

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.