SMLYSI 14

Chapter 14

“I’m sorry, my lady.”+

Yezar apologized to me, yet didn’t offer to spar with me after all. I felt slightly annoyed.+

“Really, if we’d at least shared our first night together, I wouldn’t feel so wronged. Should I say that my husband showed no reaction even when seeing me, so we never spent our first night?”+

At my blunt remark, Yezar looked flustered and called out to me.+

“M-my lady! How can you say such a thing…”+

I deliberately pretended to be distracted as I replied.+

“What? It’s true, isn’t it? We’re a contract marriage—we’ve never spent a night together. We can’t keep piling up pointless misunderstandings forever. Haa.”+

When I spoke as if truly depressed, he looked utterly at a loss. Watching him, I wondered if I’d been too mischievous. Still, it had been a long time since I’d played such a joke on someone.+

‘I’ve gotten carried away. This won’t do.’+

I thought I should apologize quickly, so I turned to look at him—but he said something completely unexpected.+

“But wouldn’t that be a lie? Didn’t you tell the maids that our first night was amazing, that your husband’s muscles were incredible?”+

My body stiffened instinctively. Hesitantly, I asked him.+

“You… you really did overhear everything, didn’t you?”+

“You were speaking so close by. Wouldn’t it be stranger if I hadn’t heard?”+

“Ah, yes, of course.”+

What should I do? I must have seemed like a complete pervert—touching my chest like that, then chatting so casually with the maids about it…+

I decided I should quickly apologize and express my regret.+

“P-please forgive me… I must seem like some kind of pervert to you…”+

“Not at all. You were complimenting me, weren’t you?”+

“C-complimenting?”+

He took that as a compliment?! No—this man is way too good-natureed!+

“If you wish, I could show you… but right now I’m drenched in sweat and wouldn’t look presentable.”+

“No! This is exactly when you should be angry!”+

Why is he preparing to take his shirt off?!+

Of course, his abs would be stunning—so stimulating they could make someone nosebleed.+

“But didn’t I promise to become the ideal husband for you? Since you spend your leisure time with me, I want to grant any wish you might have.”+

That was a sigh-inducing statement. Just how far would this man go to please me?+

“Haa. All Yezar wanted was to walk together or share hobbies. Are you really going to say it’s fine even if what I want is Yezar’s body?!”+

Yezar paused briefly, then took my hand and placed it on his chest.+

“If you’d like to touch, you may. I give you permission.”

He wasn’t wearing armor—just light sparring clothes—so I could feel the texture through my hand. Not as vivid as touching bare skin, but still…+

I bit my lip hard and quickly pulled my hand away.+

“What I want isn’t Yezar’s body! Stop saying you’ll allow anything!”+

“But my lady…”+

Ugh, this frustrating man! I couldn’t stand it any longer and cut him off.+

“Do you really enjoy a woman you don’t even like touching your body freely? You should value your own body!”+

I didn’t understand why I was lecturing a man like this. It was just that every time he said, “If the lady wishes, I will comply,” I felt even more compelled to speak up.+

“It’s just… I’m afraid of what might happen after our divorce. What if you do the same when you take another lady as your wife?”+

If he kept offering his body so freely, he’d clearly be devoured by some unscrupulous woman. We were still far from divorce, but I was already worried.+

Standing there, pressing my temples as if worrying over an innocent child who knew nothing of the world, I suddenly felt him gently take my hand and meet my gaze.+

“That would never happen, would it?”+

“What?”+

“I value my own body. And I have no intention of welcoming anyone else besides you.”+

“Then are you saying you’ll stay alone forever after our divorce?”+

In the original novel, he remained single simply because no suitable partner appeared, but now that I’d married him, that storyline had vanished. His future was no longer bound to the novel’s predetermined ending—it was uncertain.+

Perhaps overcoming heartbreak and finding new love would be better for him. Yet here he was, giving such a firm answer.+

“I suppose that’s how it will be.”+

“Don’t say it so certainly. Haven’t you heard? Heartbreak is forgotten through new love.”+

When I spoke firmly, he instead asked me.+

“I know that. But why are you already speaking of our end? We still have time left. Right now, my wife is Julietta Ferhaem—you, isn’t she?”+

His tone was gentle, as if soothing me. I strangely felt myself being drawn in. And he wasn’t wrong.+

Our contract marriage had only just begun, and two years was certainly not a short time—except for the fact that its end was already decided.+

“But I’m still just a contract wife.”+

“Even if it’s a contract, the time we spend laughing together won’t disappear. So let’s add one more rule.”+

“What rule?”+

“How about, during the two-year contract, we both sincerely act as if we truly believe each other to be husband and wife?”+

“That’s…”+

Wouldn’t that be too dangerous? Yezar was genuinely an attractive man. If I started acting like a real wife and developed even a hint of improper feelings toward him, it would be troublesome. If I wanted to keep our ending clean and clear, I shouldn’t accept his proposed rule. As I hesitated, unable to continue, he spoke.+

“Julietta, isn’t a marriage life always focused on the end a lonely one? Even now, as we talk and laugh together, if all you think about is when it will end, it won’t become a happy marriage. Of course, if it’s too difficult for you, you don’t have to accept…”+

Speaking thus, Yezar resembled a large dog with drooping ears and tail. At his pitiful tone, after some hesitation, I cautiously asked him.

“Acting as a real couple means I shouldn’t draw boundaries by calling myself just a ‘contract wife,’ right?”+

At once, his drooping ears perked up, and his tail seemed to wag excitedly as he replied cheerfully.+

“Absolutely forbidden. Even if you’re drunk, please refrain from saying such things.”+

I firmly grabbed his index finger, which had playfully popped out as if giving a warning.+

“Alright.”+

Yes. It’s better for me to hold onto my rationality tightly than to see those eyes turn sad.+

“Does ‘alright’ mean… you accept?”+

“Yes. I also want to have a happy marriage while we live together. And I’m sorry. You’ve been serious and respectful, yet I keep bringing up the end.”+

Maybe I’d subconsciously believed I shouldn’t grow attached. After all, a clean contract benefits both parties. And the more I looked at this kind man, the harder it was not to feel genuine liking toward him.+

“It’s alright. But there is one thing I’d like to mention.”+

“Yes? What is it?”+

But at that moment, a breeze blew, rustling our hair and swallowing Yezar’s words.+

“…a lie that will be exposed soon.”+

“What? A lie?”+

“Yes. A lie that’s very easily exposed.”+

“I’m sorry, the wind made it hard to hear. Could you say it again?”+

“Unfortunately, I can’t.”+

Curious, I stared at him, but he only smiled back at me. I gave up and nodded.+

“Then shall we head back? The knights must be furious from circling the training ground endlessly because of me.”+

“Yes, Yezar. Ah, but… may I take your arm?”+

I said this out of guilt—compared to him, who tried his best to act like the ideal husband while mindful of the servants, I seemed overly focused only on the contract.+

He softly crinkled the corners of his eyes and positioned his arm for me to take.+

“It’s fine, my lady.”+

I carefully took his arm. And together, we slowly walked what was, if brief, a meaningful distance. The knights’ footsteps circling the training ground, the rustling of grass, the unusually bright sky. And the person walking beside me, matching my slow pace.+

For some reason, I remembered something Weaslet had said before my marriage.+

“I want you to be happy. Julietta.”+

I didn’t know why those words came to mind, but I felt I would never forget this scene. And also those faint words carried by the wind—whether real or imagined, I couldn’t tell.+

“My lady is so beautiful… no one would believe I showed no reaction upon seeing her. It would be a lie easily exposed.”+

[This is the timeline separator]

When we arrived at the training ground together, the knights were busily circling it. They were sweating profusely—perhaps our conversation had taken too long.

Because of that, training together that day was out of the question. Feeling awkward being around the knights right away, I quickly returned inside the mansion.+

Of course, the maid girls seemed eager to ask what had happened during my brief outing with Yezar, but thanks to Ember’s consideration, I was able to stay alone in my bedroom freely.+

Ah. And there was one more good thing.+

In the end, unable to withstand my stubbornness, Yezar promised to be my sparring partner. I was smiling contentedly when, before I knew it, Yezar entered after finishing his duties.+

“Why are you smiling like that, my lady?”+

“Oh. I just remembered you said last night you’d spar with me.”+

The man who had firmly refused at the training ground had become utterly soft that night and finally gave in.+

“Well, you said you’d wake up at dawn every day if I didn’t spar with you.”+

Of course, I’d added a small threat as well.+

“I’m sorry. But still, you’re the commander of the famous Blue Knights. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, isn’t it?”+

I’d started somewhat half-heartedly, but the exhilaration I felt while learning swordsmanship was truly wonderful. I’d even thought that if I weren’t a noble lady, I might have become a knight.+

“You really wanted to spar with me that much?”+

“Of course. Isn’t it something every knight dreams of at least once? True, I’m not an official knight, but I’m still happy!”+

When I raised my voice excitedly, he laughed.+

“You’re unusual. The noble ladies I know detest even getting blisters on their hands.”+

“Most do. But in families famous for martial arts, women often wield swords too.”+

“The Orbetian family isn’t known for martial prowess, is it?”+

“Well, that’s true. My brothers and father never really took to the sword.”+

That’s why some knights looked at me strangely, probably thinking it was just a noble lady’s fleeting whim.+

“But I’ve greatly enjoyed it. I did get scolded badly by my nanny when I got injured, but I never felt like quitting.”+

After saying this, I thought—had I not been reborn as a noble lady, perhaps I would’ve become a mercenary instead.+

Wandering here and there, crossing swords, meeting new people…+

“Remarkable that Count Orbetian allowed it.”+

“I didn’t ask for permission.”+

“What?”