Chapter 24
A Sunlight-like Person
“Then, I’ll be going out.”
“Mm. Take care out there.”
I greeted her, and Ember paused for a moment. Then, turning back to me, she said:
“Madam, this marriage may be just a contract, but… seeing the Duke’s expression soften after meeting you, I selfishly wish you could stay in this house longer.”
“Even so, I…”
“I understand. I did not mean to burden you. I simply wished you could stay a little longer. Well then, please rest peacefully, Madam.”
With a soft thud, the door closed, and I sank onto the bed. It felt as though a storm had swept through.
‘What now?’
Holding the letters Bertisha had sent, I reviewed the parts that felt off. In the novel, Eyzar hadn’t attended the national wedding ceremony. Whatever the past, it seemed awkward to think they were exchanging letters so intimately in the present.
To Eyzar, who had suffered from unrequited love, the current Bertisha was only someone who could wound his heart. Moreover, even if they were close, for the Empress herself to send him personal letters directly… surely she could have sent them through the main male lead, Camilleo. Something felt off.
I recalled the distant events of the novel. Bertisha had regarded Eyzar as a treasured friend, never realizing he liked her.
Even though they were as close as childhood friends, she had assumed his affection was just friendly warmth.
When I read the novel, I let it slide. But after spending time with Eyzar, doubts began to form in my mind:
‘Could she really not know those feelings were love?’
The Eyzar I knew wore his emotions plainly on his face—his cheeks would flush instantly, he would smile brightly when happy. Even when trying to hide sadness, you could tell from his expression.
I fiddled with the letters Ember had given me.
“What if Bertisha knew Eyzar’s feelings, yet kept him close pretending not to know…”
What should I do?
Tick-tock. The sound of the clock ticking passed as Eyzar focused on his work.
A watching aide sighed heavily.
“Duke, you signed the document incorrectly.”
Realizing it belatedly, Eyzar snapped back to focus.
“Ah… you’re right.”
He corrected it, but signed another one incorrectly. Another aide gently suggested:
“Perhaps it’s time to go to your bedroom? You’ve already finished so many documents today; there’s no need to remain in the study this late.”
He wasn’t wrong. Having processed the paperwork efficiently to meet Julietta, there was no reason to linger. The excuse of “still having work to do” had been just that—an excuse.
“But if I finish this now, tomorrow will be easier.”
Sigh. “Tomorrow, what tomorrow? Madam will be waiting. Finish and go.”
Yet Eyzar stubbornly lingered, pen in hand. Eventually, the aides had to usher him out of the study. He, too, could no longer resist, so he washed thoroughly and stood quietly in front of the bedroom.
Why was he so shy about seeing her face?
‘Then… may I give you a gift?’
‘Next time, please let us know in advance, so I can wait for Eyzar to come for me.’
The memory of her words tickled his ears. He hadn’t expected a reward nor had he even been thinking of giving a gift. She always smiled so warmly. A thought passed through his mind: would she like it if he gave it now? If she smiled widely, he would be happy.
The comment she had made casually about liking flowers had given him courage. Now, he could finally offer the roses he had secretly prepared.
But Julietta was even happier than he had imagined. She trembled slightly as she spoke, saying it had been a long time since she received a gift like this.
Tears glimmered in her eyes. He remembered hearing that her family was too busy to care for her properly.
Yet, she was from a wealthy marquis family. Surely she must have received many rare gifts. A single bouquet of roses might seem insignificant.
But her innocent, unspoiled nature gave her a unique brightness. Despite any loneliness, she usually seemed carefree and lively. The occasional glimpses of solitude felt almost dreamlike.
He wanted to know her more. He wished she would lean on him a little more. He cherished the way she tried to return his feelings. It was a kindness she had never expected to receive herself.
Naturally, he felt shy. Julietta now knew he had flustered himself like a fool. Her promise to wait kindly for the next time made his ears burn with embarrassment.
Of course, if it were the Julietta he knew, she would cheerfully reply, “Why are you embarrassed?” He steadied his heart and entered.
He didn’t want to be a husband who made his wife wait. And he loved the way she would run to him, chattering, the moment he opened the bedroom door.
Julietta sat on the bed, looking out the window. She seemed lost in thought, feeling the wind flowing through the open window.
Her red hair fluttered softly, catching his gaze. It was such a beautiful color, he realized again—so beautiful he had absentmindedly fiddled with it before.
Sensing his presence, Julietta turned.
“Ah… Eyzar, you’re here?”
Her face smiled as usual, but her voice lacked energy. Eyzar instinctively approached her.
“Yes… Madam, were you looking out the window?”
“The wind feels nice. Oh, and I placed the roses you gave me in this vase. Look, May prepared a lovely one.”
Indeed, a previously unknown vase sat beside the bed, filled with his roses.
“Yes… it’s a very beautiful vase.”
Sitting beside her, Eyzar chatted as usual. Julietta laughed and babbled, but she was still unlike her usual self.
‘I wish she would tell me what’s troubling her. I want to be someone she can lean on when she’s weary.’
Eyzar listened carefully, chiming in occasionally, then asked:
“But, Madam…”
“Yes?”
“Is something wrong? You seem more tired than this afternoon.”
Julietta’s eyes widened, clearly confirming something was wrong. Eyzar waited anxiously for her reply.
‘Perhaps she’ll just say she’s fine and avoid telling me… I’m still only her contract husband, not someone she can truly lean on.’
The thought made him feel bitter. He knew well how long it took to open someone’s heart, yet he worried if it would ever reach him.
Despite knowing it was selfish, today her appearance, the return of her heart, had affected him deeply.
“You know, Eyzar… may I ask you something?”
Swallowing dryly, Eyzar nodded.
“Yes… it’s fine.”
“…Today, someone who cares for you very much asked me for a serious favor.”
“A favor?”
“Yes. I won’t say who, but they asked me to help you sort out your past love. I refused.”
Eyzar naturally understood. Seeing her troubled after receiving Bertisha’s letter, he realized someone had made that request.
He could guess who it might be. The household staff must have assumed he had met the one he truly loved and was living happily. They considered Bertisha only a close acquaintance. So those aware of his suffering from his old love were likely the long-serving butler, the head maid, and the household doctor.
And it was the head maid who carefully delivered the letters from Bertisha. That must have been Ember. Ah. So Julietta’s low energy wasn’t for any other reason—it was because of his own foolishness.
“I understand. I don’t need to keep it a secret. It must have been Ember’s request. I’m sorry… Madam, you shouldn’t have had to worry about my problem.”
Even if Julietta wanted to end the contract marriage, it wouldn’t have been unreasonable. He had thought he was moving forward while being with her, but in truth, he hadn’t moved an inch.
“I’ll make sure that Ember doesn’t say such things again, so you won’t have to worry…”
Eyzar spoke with his head bowed, full of self-disappointment. Then, Julietta called him softly:
“Eyzar… could you look at me for a moment?”
Her voice was calm, yet warm. He lifted his head and met her gaze. She smiled at him.
