~Chapter 32~
Because You Can Be Trusted
Now that I had realized it, I should have been surprised.
But strangely, my heart remained calm.
‘Even in moments like this, he treats me with such gentle consideration… It would be stranger not to feel my heart flutter for Eyzar.’
That thought came naturally.
Eyzar was kind and warm. At times, just being by my side, he offered quiet comfort. Like being slowly soaked by a spring rain, he himself was gradually melting into me.
“Thank you, Eyzar.”
I smiled as I held his hand. The warmth at my fingertips was as steady as ever.
‘This… is just right. A little flutter, familiarity, comfort.’
I didn’t want anything more than that.
I didn’t want our contract to end in a mess, either. That was why I stayed cautious—why I tried not to awaken my feelings any further.
If I crossed the line, even the good memories might become tainted with pain.
But just this much…
Wouldn’t it be alright to feel this small flutter for him?
That selfish thought crept into my mind.
The boundary I had once drawn so firmly had already begun to blur.
‘But Julietta, only this much. Anything more isn’t good. Eyzar must feel at ease because he thinks I have no feelings for him.’
This was a decision I made alone—one Eyzar knew nothing about.
***
Inside the carriage, we chatted softly.
They were just small, everyday conversations, yet they made me smile without effort. Recently, he had even been teaching me swordsmanship, so talking about it was both useful and enjoyable.
“So when I swing the sword, my movements are a bit too large, right? I’m not sure how to fix that.”
“My lady’s strength lies in overwhelming your opponent with swift, continuous attacks. It would be best to eliminate unnecessary movements. The larger the motion, the more openings you leave. When I have time, I’ll correct your form.”
“Really? If it’s you, Eyzar, I can trust that.”
I answered brightly, only to notice the beautiful lake outside the window.
“Oh my… Eyzar, do you see that? The lake is so beautiful.”
Since the glove shop was near the village, he had suggested stopping by the lake first. As it belonged to the ducal estate, there would be no wandering strangers nearby—making it perfect for a quiet visit.
But he hadn’t told me it would be this beautiful.
“I’m glad the weather is clear today. I was worried it might be cloudy. Do you like it?”
“I love it! You must come here often, Eyzar?”
“I came a few times with my family. But this is the first time I’ve come with someone outside my family. Still… I always thought I’d like to bring someone here someday.”
That was unexpected.
Given his nature, I had assumed he would have shown this place to Bertisha first. Yet… I was the first.
Still, I was careful not to get carried away.
‘The person he wanted to bring here… was probably not me, but Bertisha.’
That was only natural. The love I had witnessed from him had been so deep.
But then, he added unexpectedly:
“I’m glad I could show it to you, Julietta. Seeing you enjoy it so much, your cheeks flushed like this… it makes me happy.”
For a moment, I wondered if I had shown too much excitement and gently touched my cheeks. Then, smiling playfully, I asked:
“If I splash around in the lake, would that go against the dignity expected of a duchess?”
“That would be fine. Don’t you always delight me with your unexpected actions?”
At that, I found myself thinking—
Whether the person he once wanted to bring here was Bertisha or not… what did it matter?
Right now, he was showing this beautiful place to me.
“Is that so? If you’re happy, Eyzar, then I’m happy too.”
The carriage slowed to a stop.
Taking his hand, I stepped down. The lake, already beautiful from afar, was even clearer up close—so clear I could see the bottom.
“Wow… I was going to splash around, but it feels wrong to do that in such a clear lake. Shall we just walk along the shore together?”
“I would like that as well.”
He didn’t let go of my hand after we got down. A cool breeze rustled my hair, and through it, I caught glimpses of his radiant face.
“Isn’t the breeze refreshing?”
“Yes, it is. What did you usually do here with your family?”
Suddenly, I was curious about his childhood.
He paused for a moment before answering:
“As soon as we arrived, my father picked me up and threw me into the lake.”
“Threw you?”
“Yes. It was summer, and I complained about the heat. So he tossed me straight in. I was completely soaked.”
“He treated his son rather roughly.”
“Too roughly, perhaps. My mother just laughed beside him and dried my hair with a towel.”
I could picture it clearly—
A hearty father laughing, a bright mother gently drying their son’s hair, and a drenched child grumbling between them.
A warm, happy family.
Perhaps… it was the kind of family I had always dreamed of.
“It must have been fun, though.”
“They were very cheerful people. Now they’ve gone off to live quietly on the outskirts of the capital, saying they want a different life. Truly, they don’t spare a thought for their son.”
He sighed lightly, and somehow, that didn’t suit him.
But I thought I understood why his parents had left so freely.
“Isn’t it because they trust you, Eyzar? When I look at you, I think—there couldn’t be a more admirable person. You work diligently, care for those under you, worry for them. Even when things are hard, you don’t complain. You move forward in a way that makes people trust and follow you.”
This wasn’t just because I had feelings for him.
Eyzar truly was someone worthy of respect.
“Anyone would do the same.”
“No. That’s difficult for most people. That’s why your parents trusted you enough to leave the title to you. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t have handed it over so early.”
At that, he fell silent.
I felt his grip on my hand tighten.
Stopping, I looked at him. He covered his face awkwardly.
“…You praise me too much. It’s embarrassing.”
He must have heard words like this many times before—yet seeing him embarrassed made me laugh.
“Haha. Then I’ll keep praising you until you get used to it!”
“You’re quite mischievous.”
“Mischievous? I’m only speaking the truth.”
I shouldn’t have, but his honest reactions made me want to tease him more.
As we bickered lightly while walking along the lake, I suddenly felt hungry.
‘Come to think of it, I barely ate this morning… I was rushed into getting ready. I think all I had was a single cherry tomato.’
It wasn’t strange to feel hungry now.
“Eyzar… aren’t you getting hungry?”
“Yes, it’s about time. Shall we sit over there and eat the lunch?”
“Yes, let’s!”
Finally, I could taste the lunch he had prepared.
I sat neatly on the bench, wiped my hands with a handkerchief, and opened the lunchbox.
Inside were seafood-filled sandwiches, neatly cut lamb with a tangy sauce, a salad with cheese, and fruits cut into heart shapes.
‘Heart shapes? Did someone advise him to do that because we’re newlyweds?’
“Did you cut these yourself, Eyzar?”
As I poked at the fruit, he answered:
“The chef suggested you might like it.”
I thought so.
Still, imagining him carefully cutting them made me smile.
“Do you dislike the heart shape?”
“No, it’s very pretty! Next time, maybe we could try star shapes too—they’d sparkle beautifully.”
“…Still, I prefer this shape.”
Did he just like how neatly they were cut?
“Well, hearts are pretty too!”
For some reason, his expression became slightly strange.
Ah—there was something I had forgotten.
“Thank you. You prepared all of this so carefully. It almost feels like a waste to eat it.”
I should have said that first.
Eyzar smiled gently, as always.
“Not at all. Thinking of you smiling while eating it made preparing it enjoyable.”
My husband really had a way with words.
Just as I was about to eat, I glanced around.
Since a few maids and guards were nearby, I wanted us to appear affectionate. They couldn’t hear us, but they could see us.
“Eyzar.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Would you open your mouth?”
Without a trace of suspicion, he did as I asked.
And I gently placed a piece of lamb into his mouth.
His eyes widened in surprise.
