Chapter 3 — Call Me by My Name?
Fiene had resolved herself to the end of her life.
Standing before the young duke, she truly believed she would be devoured—consumed, just as her fate had dictated.
And yet, what returned to her instead was not cruelty, but gentle words… and a warmth so tender it nearly broke her.
Before she realized it, her trembling hands had risen to cover the warm hand resting against her cheek.
“—Ah…!”
Tears spilled from Fiene’s eyes without end.
Droplets fell between their joined hands, soaking them both.
“Why…? Why won’t the tears stop…?”
“Fiene…”
Overcome with emotion, she could only shake her head as her tears continued to fall, but Oswald pulled her into a firm embrace.
“I will not mistreat you.”
“….”
“I will cherish you.”
“Duke… Ertze…”
At her fragile, broken whisper, Oswald answered with a quiet wish of his own.
“From now on… will you call me by my name every day?”
“…Eh?”
“Oswald.”
He leaned close and whispered it into her ear.
Fiene’s body grew even warmer than before.
For a while, they simply sat in silence, swaying gently with the motion of the carriage.
Then, in a faint, hesitant voice, she finally spoke.
“O… Oswald-sama…”
“—!”
That simple act of calling his name seemed to strike far harder than he had expected.
Still holding her, Oswald jolted slightly in surprise.
His face turned faintly red as his eyes flickered away—but Fiene did not notice.
Once she had calmed a little, he slowly released her and looked at her with the same gentle expression as before.
“You’re going to become my wife starting today. Is that alright with you?”
“Yes…”
“Are you sure?”
“…Yes. Please take care of me.”
Even as the carriage rocked and she nearly lost her balance, Fiene bowed deeply toward him.
So deeply, in fact, that her head looked as though it might touch his knees in the cramped carriage.
Alarmed, Oswald quickly took her shoulders and gently lifted her back up.
“You don’t need to be so formal with me. I want you to feel at ease.”
“But…”
At her hesitation, Oswald scratched his head, biting his lip slightly in quiet frustration.
“…Do you still not realize it?”
“Eh…?”
Fiene blinked at his words, startled.
(Did I somehow offend him without realizing it…?! Because I cried? A woman crying right in front of him must be uncomfortable, right?! No—wait, maybe it was my manners just now? Did I bow wrong? What should I do…!)
Her eyes darted back and forth, her head moving in small panicked motions.
Oswald watched her and let out a soft laugh, covering his mouth.
“You really haven’t changed, Fiene.”
“…Huh?”
He gently brushed back her hair.
Sunlight slipped through the carriage window, catching in his strands and making him glow for a brief moment.
“Would you understand better if I called you ‘Oz’ instead of Oswald?”
“….”
Fiene tilted her head in thought.
And then, suddenly—as if something struck deep within her—everything clicked into place.
“—!!”
A boy from her memories surfaced in her mind.
