“You’d probably get frustrated with my body while teaching me and end up getting angry. We might just end up fighting all the time.”

Of course, it wasn’t just the idea of fighting that worried me. During those few seconds that felt like minutes earlier, Kyron’s gaze had felt strangely dangerous.

“Henson is at least being paid for his work, and since my social status is higher, he has to hold back. But imagine how frustrated he must be inside. He’s probably cursing me in his head as he watches me struggle to keep up. If you were the one teaching me, we’d definitely have a huge fight.”

However, Kyron seemed to be bothered by a completely different part of what I said.

“If that instructor is cursing you in his head, that’s not something to let slide. He should be dragged to the dungeon instead.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Just imagining someone cursing you in their head makes me feel disgusted.”

“Then don’t imagine it.”

“I’ll need to keep a close watch on Henson.”

I had a feeling no matter what I said, the conclusion would always be the same. I had to accept it.

“Fine, let’s put the exercise idea aside and just keep making bets instead.”

“Does this bet even have any meaning?”

Once again, his words were a reasonable point.

He pointed at the dart stuck in the center of the dartboard and then at the dart lying on the floor in front of it.

The two results were starkly different.

“For this game to have any meaning, you’d need to practice more.”

In the end, a few minutes later, I was practicing darts again, as he had suggested.

This time, however, Kyron didn’t overlap his hand with mine like before. Instead, he stood a step back, coaching me as needed while I practiced.

Unintentionally, my dart-throwing skills were improving.

But no matter how much I practiced, there was no way I could catch up to Kyron.

After a long practice session, we resumed the actual game, and the bet naturally ended with Kyron’s victory.

While he deliberately threw some darts poorly, I strongly objected, saying that hurt my pride.

So, in the end, the conclusion was his rightful victory.

“You’ve won!”

I celebrated as if it were my own achievement, while Kyron didn’t seem to feel much thrill from his victory.

Perhaps it was too easy for him to be enjoyable.

“Aren’t you happy?”

“Why are you so happy? I’m the one who won.”

“Well, couples are supposed to be one, aren’t they? Your victory is basically my victory too.”

“Hmm…”

Kyron didn’t seem very convinced by my twisted logic.

“So, what’s the reward you’re going to give me? You seemed to have it planned out already.”

At last, the moment I’d been waiting for had arrived. I even cleared my throat in preparation.

“Ahem, you’ve been working so hard lately, running to take care of me every time I’ve been sick. I know how much effort you’ve put in.”

I gave him a benevolent smile.

“So, I’ve decided to give you some time off from nursing me for a few days.”

“Time off…?”

Kyron interrupted, seemingly finding my choice of words strange, but I ignored him and continued.

“For the next few days, you don’t need to look after me. Naturally, you don’t even need to come back to the estate. I’ll even allow you to stay out overnight. Oh! This would be the perfect opportunity to take care of that business you’ve been planning with the Crown Prince, don’t you think?”

I raised my voice, sounding as though I’d just come up with a brilliant idea.

“Oh my, this is perfect! You can finally deal with the matters you’ve been wanting to handle, and you’ll get a break from nursing me for a few days!”

Kyron simply stared at me, speechless.

He eventually said he’d save the reward I’d given him for later. For some distant future.

That was unacceptable.

“I was so grateful for all the care you’ve given me that I spent a long time thinking about what you might need. And this is what I came up with. It’s my way of showing appreciation. But if you don’t even use the reward I’ve given you, then I’ll…”

I put on a pitiful expression, looking as though I were about to shed a tear, fully immersing myself in the scenario I’d created.

“…be so hurt.”

There was no need to go as far as forcing out fake tears.

“…Alright. I’ll go.”

It seemed my acting was more effective than I’d expected. Kyron let out a long sigh and eventually accepted.

“Starting tomorrow. From tomorrow, for about… ten days, you don’t have to come back home.”

“What, ten days?”

His sharp response left me more bewildered than anything else. This was the same man who used to disappear for months at a time, so why was he acting as if I’d said something outrageous?

“You’re likely to fall ill several times during those ten days.”

“And?”

“You’re asking me to stay away for ten days knowing that?”

“I can manage just fine on my own for ten days.”

“Make it three days.”

“That’s not even half of the time I suggested!”

“Three days is enough. For this so-called ‘freedom’ or whatever you’re calling it, that’s plenty. And anything I can’t finish in those three days, the Crown Prince can handle himself.”

He brought up the Crown Prince to dismiss my objections entirely. It seemed I had to concede this time.

Three days was better than nothing, I thought, and reluctantly agreed.

***

The next day, as promised, Kyron left early in the morning. It was a hastily planned outing.

I went out to see him off. How long had it been since I’d done that?

“Take care. Don’t worry about me.”

I brushed off his coat with affection, playing the role of a loving wife.

“What will you be doing while I’m gone?”

“Oh, I don’t really have anything to do.”

I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head. I didn’t want to say anything that might make Kyron suddenly cancel his trip.

“Don’t forget to take your supplements, and if you start feeling sick, take your medicine right away.”

“I know, I know.”

“There’s a doctor here, so call for him immediately if you’re unwell.”

Kyron had instructed the doctor to stay at the estate for the three days he’d be gone.

“Got it. And even if I don’t call for him, the staff will probably summon him quickly enough, don’t you think?”

By now, the staff had become so accustomed to my bouts of illness that they barely reacted anymore. If there was anyone who hadn’t yet adjusted, it was Kyron.

Unlike the now indifferent staff, he never grew desensitized. He showed up every single time I was unwell.

After leaving me with a string of instructions, Kyron climbed into the carriage.

I waved enthusiastically.

“Take care!”

At last, the carriage departed.

To finally see this scene—it was a moment of triumph.

Should I throw a party to commemorate being left alone in the estate?

But there was somewhere I wanted to go.

“Lia, do you think we can go tomorrow?”

“By tomorrow, everything should be just about ready for us to visit.”

“Alright, let’s go tomorrow!”

The next day, I headed to the heart of the capital.

Normally, the well-organized streets would be lined with neat uniform buildings, creating a sophisticated view, but today was different.

The streets were decorated in vibrant colors for the upcoming festival.