SMLYSI 35

~Chapter 35~ 

 A Husband I Want All to Myself

“Did you say… Rieta?”

“Well… I couldn’t exactly call you by your full name in public. So I shortened it instead. Do you not like it?”

Ah… only then did my surprise settle. Everyone had always called me Lady Julietta or simply Julietta. A nickname felt unfamiliar.

Of course, Eyzar had used it as a kind of alias rather than a true term of endearment.

That startled me. I’ve never really been called by a nickname before… no wonder it feels so strange.

“I don’t dislike it. It’s just unfamiliar. It feels… very much like a nickname.”

“I see. If it’s inappropriate to call you that, I’ll change it.”

“No, it’s fine. No one’s ever called me by a nickname before anyway. I like ‘Rieta.’ Please keep calling me that.”

It was a little embarrassing, but not unpleasant. When I smiled brightly, he gently took my hand.

“Understood. Then I’ll keep calling you that all day so you can get used to it… Rieta.”

“Yes… Ern.”

At my reply, he flinched in surprise. I had only tried calling him something similar since he had done the same for me—but his reaction was unexpected.

“Did you just call me… Ern?”

“Yes. It sounded like a nickname, so I tried it. Has no one ever called you that before?”

“…There was.”

For a moment, I thought of Bertisha—but quickly dismissed it. She had always called him Eyzar, never anything else.

“Who was it, then?”

“When I was very young, my parents called me that. Other than them… no one.”

Ah… that explained why his face had turned red. It was a childhood nickname.

Was that a mistake? But he doesn’t seem to dislike it…

Gathering a bit of courage, I spoke again.

“Even if it’s from your childhood… may I call you Ern just for today? The way you’re calling me Rieta.”

“…I said I’d keep calling you that so it wouldn’t feel unfamiliar. But hearing my own nickname from you… it’s rather embarrassing.”

He looked just as shy as I felt earlier.

Ah… so it’s not just me. He finds it awkward and unfamiliar too.

That realization eased my heart.

“It’s the same for me. But what does it matter? We’re out anyway. Let’s spend today as Rieta and Ern!”

“…Yes, Rieta.”

“Yes, Ern.”

He called my nickname so easily, yet when I called his, his cheeks flushed. It was an expression I didn’t want anyone else to see.

“Ern, make sure you keep your hat on properly.”

“Is there a reason?”

“Well… I don’t want other women looking at you.”

I said it teasingly, echoing his earlier words. But Eyzar suddenly leaned closer to me.

“Yes. Let only my wife see me.”

I had only been joking—yet he leaned in with such a dangerous expression.

“I-I’m fine! Let’s just go.”

I quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him along. Somehow… he seemed more playful than before.

* * *

To enjoy the festival quietly, we told the maids to wait by the carriage, while the guards followed us discreetly from behind. The streets were bustling with people due to the festivities.

“Hold on tightly, my lady. We might get separated.”

Worried we might lose each other in the crowd, he held my hand firmly. It had been a long time since I’d been somewhere this crowded—but instead of feeling overwhelmed, the lively atmosphere made me excited.

Just then, a vendor called out to us.

“You there, young couple! Stop for a moment! Have a taste of this!”

It seemed we looked like a married couple to others as well. When we paused, Eyzar glanced at me.

“Shall we stop by?”

The vendor beamed.

“Good choice! Come over!”

“Is there something you want to try?”

“Yes—so let’s go!”

I led him toward the stall. There, skewers of strawberries coated in sugar glaze were being sold.

“They look so sweet…”

At my murmur, the vendor chuckled.

“They are! Very popular with young ladies. Though with a wife this pretty, your husband must be worried.”

Ah… I had thought only to hide Eyzar’s face. I hadn’t covered mine, so the comment came naturally.

Well, I did change my eye and hair color… and I didn’t think I’d draw attention like he does…

Still, hearing it made me think perhaps I should have worn a hat too.

“You never know—some strange fellows might try to approach her.”

“That won’t be a problem. Anyone who comes near my wife… I’ll deal with them.”

His words came out naturally, yet they felt unlike his usual self.

“Deal with them”? He’s really committed to this act.

The vendor laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! You really dote on your wife! Here—take one skewer for free!”

Thanks to that, we ended up with an extra.

Seeing Eyzar standing there holding a skewer in each hand made me laugh.

“You look a bit burdened holding both. What should we do, Ern? Shall we sit somewhere to eat?”

“There’s an empty bench over there. Let’s go.”

Thanks to his height, weaving through the crowd wasn’t difficult. Sitting on the bench, I took a bite.

“Wow, it’s really sweet. Does it suit your taste, Eyzar?”

To my surprise, he ate it without issue.

“Yes. I’ve bought things like this occasionally.”

“Really? During inspections, perhaps? That’s unexpected—you don’t seem like someone who’d eat street food.”

The image I had of him never matched bustling markets. I’d only seen him training or working in his office.

“But I like seeing this side of you. If we go out more often, I suppose I’ll get used to it.”

“Yes… you will.”

Before I knew it, he had already finished eating and waited patiently for me. Once I was done, we rejoined the crowd.

“Look at this, Ern! A bracelet made of raw gemstones. Does it suit me?”

Though I usually wore expensive jewelry, something simple felt more fitting here. I smiled brightly as I showed him.

“Everything suits you, Rieta.”

“Then should I buy one?”

As we talked, the shopkeeper remarked casually:

“You two are quite affectionate. Newlyweds? Your husband looks at you like he’s dripping with honey.”

We had heard similar comments several times already. At first, it was embarrassing—but now, I had grown used to it.

“Yes, we’re newlyweds.”

“My, what a beautiful wife! But shouldn’t you hide her face instead of your own?”

I had heard that line multiple times too. This time, I decided to play along.

“Well, actually, my husband is so handsome that I’m the one hiding him. I’d get jealous if other women looked at him.”

“Oh? So the husband’s handsome too?”

“Very much so.”

“You two make a fine pair!”

As we left, Eyzar called out to me.

“M-my lady… what did you mean just now?”

I answered as if I’d been waiting.

“I only spoke the truth. Didn’t you say you didn’t want others looking?”

Though he knew I was teasing, he scratched his cheek awkwardly before glancing around.

“Is there somewhere you’d like to go?”

“Actually… I think you should wear a hat as well.”

“A hat?”

“Yes… I don’t like others looking at you either.”

Had they really been staring? With so many people, I had assumed it was just coincidence. Still, hearing him say that made me consider it.

This really feels like we’re a married couple…

Even though our relationship was contractual, walking together like this, hearing people call us husband and wife, and responding so naturally—it made my heart flutter.

“I’m glad we came.”

“Then let’s stop by a hat shop. Ah—before that, I should take out some money… huh?”

My purse was gone.

I looked around in confusion. I didn’t think I had dropped it… but earlier, when Eyzar had spoken, I had felt something brush against my back.

I had assumed it was just the crowd.

“Ern… I think a pickpocket stole my money.”

“Shall I catch them?”

“…No. If it was stolen from me, I should retrieve it myself. Could you lend me your sword for a moment?”

Honestly, my body had been itching for some action lately.

* * *

Today was truly his lucky day.

To steal such a heavy purse—what fortune.

Even dressed plainly, nobles are easy to spot. I don’t know why they came here, but thank you very much~

The pickpocket slipped into an alley, avoiding other thieves.

Tonight, I’ll drink to my heart’s content—

Tap, tap.

He heard footsteps behind him.

At first, he thought it was his imagination—but they were getting closer.

Damn… I thought that was easy. Are guards chasing me?

He prepared to run—

But suddenly, something leapt through the air above him.

At first, he thought it was a bird.

But when he looked closer—

It was a person.

“H-Hiiik! What the hell is that?!”

In his ten years as a pickpocket…

He had just encountered the one person he would never want to see—even in his worst nightmares.