Chapter – 23
The weather, as spring was turning late, was pleasantly clear.
Behind them, rose bushes and the venerable, time-honored mansion stretched out in view.
Psyche’s gaze casually swept toward the office window where Ikali was likely to be.
It was as if Seira pierced through Psyche’s eyes with her own when she spoke.
“You know, we’ve visited the mansion several times, but it’s hard to see the Duke. Does he usually stay in seclusion and rarely come out of his room?”
“Yes. He’s busy with work, so he only comes out occasionally for dinner.”
“Hm. You don’t seem to know the Duke very well, do you?”
Psyche widened her eyes and stared at Seira. Mia frowned.
“What do you mean by that?”
“No ill intent. It’s just… somehow the mansion feels haunted. Guests arrive, yet there’s barely any response for days.”
“….”
“It seems that no matter who the Lady brings here, the Duke doesn’t seem to care at all.”
Seira said this nonchalantly, her interest clearly not directed at Psyche.
Psyche looked at her for a moment, then spoke casually.
“Miss Seaman, you seem very curious about the Duke. Quite interested, aren’t you?”
At those words, the calm ease on Seira’s face faltered for an instant, as if struck directly at a sensitive spot.
But immediately, she returned to her usual playful, relaxed expression.
“Yes, a little.”
Seira once again appeared bored, glancing around occasionally, as if disappointed that nothing caught her interest.
While Seira’s attention waned, Psyche subtly asked Mia about Omalite and the Empire’s political situation.
However, Mia Huliam also knew nothing of the impending war to be waged in the near future.
The three women sat together, leisurely enjoying the breeze, when suddenly:
“I think I hear something.”
Mia spoke just as the tea time was coming to an end.
Psyche listened carefully and then said, realizing.
“Ah, I think the Duke has come out to the training field. He often comes here to exercise while taking a break from his work.”
“Oh, really?”
Seira visibly brightened at Psyche’s words and almost pleaded like a child.
“Let’s go see. I want to see him train.”
“Ah… I’m not sure if we should. Wouldn’t it be disturbing?”
“Please. I’m begging you.”
Psyche tried to change the subject, hoping to end Seira’s insistence, but Seira was persistent.
She clearly wanted to go to wherever Ikali was.
Reluctantly, Psyche rose and led the two women toward the training field.
By now, she was fairly certain Seira’s interest was in Ikali, not her.
But why Ikali?
A man already married, now even called a murderer, someone everyone else avoided.
‘He’s hardly the type a young lady from a neighboring kingdom would seek out.’
Psyche lifted her head, keeping her face composed.
As expected, Ikali was in the training field.
Unlike his usual practice with logs, this time he was sparring with a duke’s knight using real swords.
Ikali had long been famous for his swordsmanship. His parents never tolerated any sign of weakness in their son.
Since his adoption into this household, he had to mold himself into the most aristocratic, perfect man in the world.
Every step he took, every thought, every minor etiquette, and even slips of speech were all artificially refined to achieve perfection.
Yet Psyche could not imagine that her own “prince” became a nobleman through such painstaking effort.
She had simply liked Ikali for his kindness from an early age and had felt a quiet pride when she learned he was an orphaned adoptee, without her feelings wavering even a bit.
At that time, she had been nothing more than a lovesick adolescent girl, submerged in her own emotions.
As Psyche expected, Ikali did not lose in skill to the knight during the sparring.
The brief duel ended when the knight, sweating profusely in his protective gear, requested a break.
“Wow, you’re even more impressive than I expected, Duke Demioss.”
Psyche, lost in thought, heard Seira quietly comment, evaluating his skill.
Seira too was impressed by Ikali’s flawless movements.
Snapping out of her reverie, Psyche gave a brief nod in agreement.
“Yes, well…”
“You’re a monster. I was a little worried about the so-called ‘murderer,’ but now I have no reason to be.”
“….”
What could she have possibly been worried about?
Psyche turned her gaze to Seira’s profile, silently observing her.
After the sparring ended, Seira tugged at Psyche’s arm, urging her forward.
“I want to greet the Duke. Please introduce me.”
Psyche, with no choice, led Seira to Ikali.
She didn’t want to fuel rumors about the Duke and his wife being distant or unfriendly, which were already abundant.
Ikali, sitting in the shade, lifted his head and looked at the women.
Psyche introduced Seira.
“This is Miss Seira of the Seaman Viscount House in Nixen. She wished to meet the Duke.”
Seira extended her hand, but Ikali, standing, looked at her hand and then lowered his eyes.
“I’ve just been sweating, you see.”
Seira immediately withdrew her hand, disappointed that her expectation of a hand-kiss was denied.
“I enjoyed watching your sparring. Truly skilled, as competent as any knight.”
“You flatter me.”
Ikali, standing with his hands behind his back, listened to Seira’s words before glancing at Psyche.
She, however, showed no reaction to their conversation, staring elsewhere.
Ikali’s gaze lingered on her for a moment.
Meanwhile, Seira continued to ask Ikali about why he rarely showed himself, what he knew about Nixen Kingdom, and his interests in horse-riding and hunting.
Soon, it seemed only the two of them were left under the tree.
Mia pulled Seira back.
“Enough troubling the Duke. Let’s go inside.”
“Already? I want to talk to him more.”
“You must. Ladies should have fun together.”
Seira scowled but could not oppose her aunt. Mia’s decision was firm, and she had to follow.
Once the two disappeared into the mansion, Ikali said:
“So, you were spending time with the Viscountess.”
“Yes. They became friends in the salon. If it’s inconvenient, I won’t invite them here.”
At the same time, Psyche wondered if he had been curious about the Huliam family coming and going over the past few days.
In her previous life, he had never shown any curiosity about what she did or where she went.
As expected, Ikali merely nodded.
“No, it’s fine. Do as you like.”
“…Yes.”
Psyche also decided it was time to return to the mansion and properly entertain them.
Next to the neatly leveled training field was a gentle slope. Psyche slipped slightly as she stepped down.
“Ah.”
Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind.
His chest pressed against her back, yet the arm held her gently without constriction.
The familiar scent reached her. Psyche gasped in surprise.
Her husband’s physique seemed to envelop her entirely, but the grip was soft, not forceful.
Although she had noticed Ikali’s growth through adolescence—the thickening of his bones and strength—she had never felt fear toward him.
Not even now.
“Be careful. This path is slippery.”
His low, tender voice felt like a breeze on a spring day.
Since childhood, Ikali had always used a gentler, affectionate tone with her compared to the royal princes.
At times, it had frustrated her, feeling as if he saw her merely as a younger sister.
Now, strangely, she missed it, feeling a complex warmth in her chest.
Psyche realized her body had stiffened.
Before she could speak, the arm that held her released her.
She nearly sank to the ground, but managed to regain her balance and looked up to see her husband’s calm face.
“…Thank you. I’ll go inside now.”
“By the way, you know, aren’t we supposed to act like a married couple in front of others?”
“Eh?”
Psyche, about to enter the mansion, looked slightly embarrassed.
Sweat drying, Ikali remained his usual composed self.
For some reason, it seemed only she had felt a flutter in her chest from the brief contact.
He spoke slowly in his even, gentle tone:
“You said it before. When we’re alone, we don’t have to act like a couple. So in front of others, we should act like a couple.”
“Ah… yes, of course.”
She recalled their previous conversation at the training field.
Ikali glanced casually at the spot where Mia and Seira had passed, then said:
“In that case, when there are eyes watching, it’s better to behave like a couple. Don’t stand apart like strangers.”
“Ah, I’ll do that.”
Psyche nodded, acknowledging the advice.
It wasn’t difficult. They rarely stood side by side in front of others anyway.
Ikali looked at her, quietly approving.
“And I’d like you to call me by a name other than ‘the Duke.’”
