SMLYSI 22

Chapter 22

The Meaning of the Red Rose

“Newlyweds! Right, since you’re still newlyweds, that makes sense.”

“Indeed, once you have a child, things become quite hectic.”

“And on top of that, the… nighttime activities are difficult too.”

The moment she said “nighttime activities,” I hiccupped without realizing it.

“S-sorry… hic… I… hiccuped.”

I tried holding my breath to stop it, and the ladies looked at me kindly.

“I didn’t expect the Duchess of Perhaem to be this adorable.”

“Indeed. It’s like seeing the two of you in your youth—so fresh and lovely.”

“Now I understand why Duke Perhaem fell for you so completely.”

Even hearing it made me blush. I quickly turned my head, but the gazes of the three couples only sparkled more insistently.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. Time passed quickly. Perhaps because we were in the middle of a fiery newlywed period, the ladies regarded me fondly, and the tea time ended without any special incidents.

I quietly let out a sigh of relief. There had been a few awkward moments, but they were just slightly embarrassing; otherwise, the conversations and the atmosphere were enjoyable.

‘Thank goodness. Even in such a relaxed setting, there were moments where I couldn’t find the right words.’

I had thought to become close enough with the Marquess Stemun’s wife to have her as an ally. But here I realized that if I had gone first to the Marquess Ekert’s wife’s tea time, lacking social experience as I did, suspicion or criticism would have been inevitable.

‘Once back at the estate, I need to coordinate with Eyzar more. There will be many times I’ll attend teas or formal events, and I can’t have moments where I’m at a loss for words.’

While I was busily planning in my mind, the ladies were discussing the date of their next gathering.

“So, when shall we meet next?”

“Yes, still early spring… perhaps when it gets warm enough for a spring outing?”

I wanted to join the conversation and stay close to the Marquess Stemun’s wife. She turned toward me and asked:

“Sounds good! Duchess of Perhaem, you’ll come next time too, right?”

Taken aback, I hesitated, then asked timidly:

“…May I continue attending?”

I should have answered boldly, but my nervousness slipped into my words.

Honestly, everyone seemed so kind that I wanted to continue spending time with them. It was refreshing to have small talks with people after so long. Even without a strategic purpose, I wanted to join future gatherings.

The ladies replied in unison:

“Of course! Such a cute duchess is always welcome.”

“Yes, you must come again.”

“Indeed. We’re curious about your fiery newlywed tales too.”

I had nothing to report about the “fiery newlyweds,” but I wanted to stay, so I smiled brightly.

“Yes, I’ll definitely come.”

The cheerful atmosphere continued as we left together—but an unexpected guest was waiting for me.

“Oh my. Looks like the Duke came to pick you up?”

“W-what? The Duke?”

I had told him I was visiting the Marquess Stemun’s house today, but I hadn’t heard he would come to meet me.

Even from a distance, his presence radiated like a halo. His neatly combed hair and crisp white uniform suggested he had finished work, and he looked impeccable.

I hurried toward him.

“Eyzar, what brings you here?”

His gaze met mine, and a smile appeared on his usually expressionless face. His cheeks flushed like the sunset, and his blue eyes—focused entirely on me—glimmered so intensely I could hardly look straight.

“I apologize, my lady. Even if I couldn’t accompany you, I wanted to come out first since you were going outside.”

He handed me a bouquet of roses.

“This is…”

Surprised, I took it. His shy voice whispered in my ear:

“I bought them because they’re as beautiful as your hair.”

The roses bloomed as vividly red as my hair.

“You said you liked flowers, didn’t you?”

It had been a passing remark I made once—joking about how the Count’s garden always smelled of flowers because I liked them.

And he remembered, choosing flowers that matched my hair color.

‘And it’s not even the season for roses to be in full bloom…’

I knew how packed his daily schedule was. Our conversations mostly happened during training or before falling asleep together.

“…It’s been a very long time since anyone has given me a gift like this.”

I remembered my birthdays had been quite lonely. The people who should have celebrated were busy and away from the estate—my father and eldest brother, preoccupied with work.

‘Julietta, I’m sorry. I have to go handle some sudden trade issue.’

‘It’s okay. Go solve it quickly.’

‘Julietta, something urgent came up in my department. I need to stay at the royal palace for a few days. I’m truly sorry.’

‘No, you’ve been busy and sleepless anyway. I understand.’

At least I had a little brother who cared for me, so it was fine. But even then, my needs weren’t the top priority for Wizlet.

‘It’s your birthday. I’ll eat breakfast with you before leaving.’

‘Anything planned for the afternoon?’

‘Yes… the fiancée wants me to go out. I told the servants to leave the gift in your room.’

‘I see.’

‘If you really care, we could eat lunch together…’

‘No, go quickly to your fiancée. Once married, she’s your priority.’

‘Thank you for understanding.’

It’s okay. Really okay. Everyone’s busy. But my little brother still ate breakfast with me and gave me such lavish gifts. They weren’t the kind of affection I was coveting, so I had no right to expect more.

Birthdays aren’t really special, are they? I remembered stuffing food into my mouth alone at a sunset-lit, empty banquet hall, surrounded by expensive gifts—jewelry, accessories, dresses—but no family. Empty gifts, like hollow boxes.

I recalled my nanny, who had comforted me back then.

Ah… Eyzar is so kind that he touches my heart. A gift given simply because he thought of me makes me feel overwhelmed.

Even if it was an action of a perfect husband without deeper meaning, I was genuinely happy. I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m truly happy… thank you, Eyzar.”

Seeing my reaction, he gently closed his eyes.

“Shall we head back now, my lady?”

I took his outstretched hand naturally. His invitation to return stirred something deep inside me.

The Marquess Stemun’s wife watched their departing figures with a satisfied smile. The other ladies beside her chatted and laughed.

“Seems the rumor was wrong after all. He’s such a devoted husband.”

“Exactly. How could such a gentle man be wrongly rumored to…?”

The Marquess Stemun’s wife nodded.

“They’re such a beautiful couple, aren’t they?”

“Indeed. So charming.”

She glanced at the red roses in the Duchess’s arms, preparing to go inside to meet her own husband.

‘Come to think of it, roses have different meanings by color… red roses signify…’

Her eyes naturally fell on the Duchess.

Ever since arriving, the Duke’s gaze had been fixed solely on his wife. The flushed cheeks absorbing the red of the roses, the honeyed look in his eyes—there was no mistaking it.

‘It’s definitely love.’

At first, the invitation had been sent partly out of curiosity to meet the heroine of a popular romance. Perhaps she had also hoped to find inspiration for her art—somewhat calculating.

After all, when love enters art, the emotion makes the work extraordinary. The artist herself had been inspired by love before, which reflected in her style.

After her fallout with the Marquess Ekert’s wife, weaker ladies declined the invitation.

She had little reason to expect the Duchess of Perhaem, inexperienced and newlywed, to accept. Yet she did—and the young Duchess proved fresh and lovely.

Especially, the sight of the Duke and Duchess exchanging flowers was unbearably sweet. Cortina, the Marquess Stemun’s wife and veiled genius painter, itched to rush to her studio and paint the scene.

Memories of her own first love resurfaced vividly. Her heart raced like the first time she held a brush. This time, she knew, a masterpiece would emerge without a doubt.

“Do you like it that much?”

“Ah, sorry. I’ve been staring at the roses too much, haven’t I?”

In the rattling carriage, I gazed at the red roses as if I were in love with both flowers and love itself.

‘But I’m so happy. What can I do?’

It was a simple act on his part, but controlling these fluttering feelings was impossible.

“Eyzar…”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Do you usually take care of people like this?”

I asked to calm my excitement, knowing his gentle nature well. His answer made me blush.

“Not always. But you’re my wife, Julietta. I wanted to see you happy.”

“…I am happy. Still, it’s not even the full season for roses. Don’t overdo it.”

He smiled gently, eyes twinkling, and said:

“If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t. But you, my lady, are the most precious person I must always care for.”