#22. Change (3)
Pavel didn’t respond. But he also didn’t push Sasha’s hand away.
The two of them simply stood there quietly, holding hands.
Time passed. It wasn’t until their legs began to ache from standing so long that Pavel slowly let go of her hand.
Then, without a word, he walked over and picked up the sword he had thrown aside.
“Fine. I’ll give it a try.”
It seemed that while they had stood there in silence, he had been replaying Sasha’s words in his head and calming himself.
His frustration had given way to renewed determination.
But instead of cheering him on, Sasha stopped him just as he raised the sword to resume training.
“Let’s take a break first.”
Pavel froze mid-motion and replied bluntly.
“Didn’t you tell me not to give up?”
“I did.”
“Then why—”
Why stop me now?
Sasha answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“You’re tired. That’s why. When it’s hard, you rest. Then you get your strength back and keep going.”
She took his arm and guided him to sit on the ground nearby.
Then she pulled a canteen full of water from her bag.
“Here, drink this.”
Pavel set the sword down and took the canteen. Gulp, gulp—his throat moved rapidly. The more he drank, the brighter his face became.
The cool water and gentle breeze soothed him.
As his body relaxed, so did his mind. He began to reflect.
Why did I act like that?
It had been such a small thing, yet he’d flown into a rage.
Unable to control his emotions, he’d taken it out on Sasha for no reason.
He regretted it.
He silently cursed his immature self and stole a glance at her.
She sat close enough that their arms would touch if one of them moved, legs stretched out, gazing off into the distance.
She looked peaceful and warm, like the morning sun.
Should I apologize?
Tentatively, Pavel opened his mouth.
“Is it really okay to be lazy like this?”
It wasn’t meant to sound sarcastic.
But the words came out brusque despite his intentions.
Before he could take it back, Sasha smiled gently—as if finding his grumpy face endearing.
“It’s not being lazy. It’s resting.”
“…?”
Pavel frowned, clearly not understanding.
His expression plainly said, Isn’t that the same thing?
Sasha chuckled softly and explained.
“Resting properly is important. If you don’t rest at the right time, you’ll collapse from exhaustion.”
“If you don’t rest well, you won’t have the strength to get back up. And then you might give up—even when you shouldn’t.”
“Take it slow, no rush. Rest when you’re tired, keep going when you’re ready. That’s all you need to do.”
Sasha’s voice held deep sincerity. This was something she truly wanted Pavel to understand.
“The important thing is not to stop. If you keep going, one day you’ll realize just how far you’ve come.”
For a moment, Pavel thought Sasha seemed incredibly wise.
She was only five years older than him—but how could she be so mature?
So knowledgeable, so thoughtful, and…
He felt a sense of distance between them.
He had thought they were close. But now she seemed far away.
His heart clenched at the weight of it—but then he reconsidered.
Even if she was far ahead, if he kept following her words—kept doing as she guided—then maybe, just maybe…
Maybe I’ll catch up. Maybe I’ll close that distance.
With that thought, Pavel settled in and enjoyed their break together.
By the time they got back up, his body felt fully recharged.
A few seasons had passed since the wedding.
The warm spring, the fan-waving summer heat, and the crisp autumn had all come and gone.
Now, winter had returned—howling with its sharp, icy wind.
“Haaah…”
Sasha watched her breath turn white in the air and turned to Pavel, who was wiping sweat from his brow.
The past few months in the annex had been simple, peaceful, and filled with laughter.
And they had changed Pavel for the better.
With a more balanced diet and consistent exercise, he had grown significantly.
Though the sudden growth spurt gave him pains, the results were worth it.
The boy who once barely reached Sasha’s shoulder now stood eye-to-eye with her.
She would never forget the proud smile on his face when he realized they were the same height.
What would’ve once looked like a sullen smirk now carried only childlike pride.
His once sharp aura had softened, and with more weight on his frame, the mischievous smile simply seemed adorable.
But his growth wasn’t just physical.
Through steady training and study, Pavel now knew far more than others his age—and he had grown stronger too.
The sharp clarity in his crimson eyes showed his inner growth.
Despite all the visible changes, Count Tula remained unaware.
Thanks to Sasha’s meticulous care.
First, only Olga was allowed to serve Pavel directly.
Several servants—clearly planted by Count Tula to spy—had tried to approach, but Pavel drove them off easily.
Sasha had advised him to hide his progress, and Pavel had obeyed without even asking why.
So, he acted like his old self—or even worse.
He shouted, screamed, threw things—performing the role of the “demonic young duke” so convincingly that those servants fled in terror and never came near his room again.
“Goodness. Truly fitting of the ‘Devil Duke’s heir.’ Even a house full of unruly children would be easier to raise than him!”
Even Olga, who knew the truth, clicked her tongue at his dramatic behavior.
As a result, no one dared approach the second floor, where Pavel and Sasha’s rooms were.
Pavel spent nearly all his time in his room, except for sword training.
Sasha came to him for lessons, and they shared meals there too.
When they went out for walks or swordplay, Pavel was fully covered in black cloth from head to toe.
They claimed it was because of his weak health—and people accepted that explanation.
Not a single hair was visible until they reached a remote, empty area far from the annex.
Though he found the process tedious, Pavel went along with it.
When Sasha worried and asked if it bothered him, he replied simply:
“There must be a reason if you’re telling me to do it.”
Such unwavering trust moved her deeply.
Through these measures, Pavel was able to grow undisturbed.
The staff monitoring the annex believed he had merely gained some weight and remained fragile.
“Covering up like that… is he that hideous?”
Sasha remembered overhearing the servants snickering.
They laughed, saying he must look so pathetic he had to hide everything under a cloak.
Even though it was all part of the plan, it still stung.
If only they knew how handsome he’s become!
Sasha turned away to calm her irritation.
There stood Pavel, coat removed to reveal the body he had worked so hard to grow into.
Holding a wooden sword in one hand, wiping sweat from his jaw, he looked quite impressive.
Still youthful, yes—but charming enough to make girls his age swoon with first love.
He’s had a complete glow-up.
Unable to hide her smile, Sasha praised him.
“You’ve improved so much, Pavel. I’m proud of you!”
“…Whatever.”
“Huh? Why so grumpy—I’m complimenting you.”
Pavel looked at her with a sulky face. He was drenched in sweat and panting, while she looked untouched, calm as ever.
Same training session, completely different results.
He muttered irritably.
“Doesn’t matter. I still can’t beat you. So I’ve got a long way to go.”
Sasha gazed at him and chuckled.
“Our Pavel sure is greedy.”
“…?”
He frowned at her teasing tone.
Sasha laughed more mischievously.
“Not long ago, you’d drop like a leaf every time my sword touched yours. Remember that?”
“…!”
Pavel grimaced.
“That was—!”
“That was?”
“….”
He shouted defensively, but it was the truth—and he had no comeback.
He turned his head with a pout.
Pouting again. So cute.
Sasha beamed and poked his waist with her finger.
“Pavel, are you mad?”
“….”
He shook his body slightly, brushing her off.
“Hmmm.”
Sasha hummed and stepped closer.
“Pavel.”
As always, his shoulders trembled slightly when she called his name.
“Paaavel~”
When she drew out his name playfully, he turned—still facing away—and pulled a hand from his pocket.
He had learned Sasha’s habit of holding hands when saying something important.
So he offered his hand first, making it easier for her to take it.
