IFLDMHF | Chapter 92

Episode 92

Looking back on it now, it was true.

Once in the bride’s waiting room before the wedding.

Once in the Grace Room after the wedding.

Aside from those two instances, Euclid and I had never been alone together. We were always accompanied by someone—Delano and Anne when working, and the children when dining.

It had been so natural that I hadn’t even found it strange.

‘If I hadn’t expected today to finally be a date, I never would have realized.’

From the moment I first heard about that place from the butler, my heart had raced at the thought of hearing Euclid personally explain the portraits and share stories about his family.

But then, things had suddenly gotten so busy that I kept putting it off…

Last night, as I bid farewell to the final guest, I seized the opportunity like a hawk spotting its prey.

— We’ve finally repaid all the debt, Duke.

— Yes. And it’s all thanks to you. Truly, thank you.

— I didn’t say that to hear words of gratitude. The butler mentioned that there’s a room where the portraits of Rudion’s past dukes and their families are displayed. It just so happens that it’s the only place in the estate I haven’t visited yet.

— Ah…

— Since we’ve finally repaid the long-standing debt of the ducal house, wouldn’t it be fitting to take a look? When you have time, would you personally guide me there?

With a reasonable pretext in place, I decided to make a direct request rather than give him room to use his usual excuse of being too busy.

Euclid blinked in momentary surprise at my words before nodding in agreement.

‘Actually… I knew he hesitated for a moment back then.’

He quickly pretended otherwise, but since my full attention was always on him, there was no way I would have missed it.

Yet, uncharacteristically, I let it slide without saying anything.

Perhaps it was because I was so nervous, despite acting as though my request was confident and natural, fully aware that it was essentially an invitation for a date.

‘Though, there’s no way Euclid would have taken it as a date…’

I was afraid he might notice the excitement and anticipation hidden within my words.

It was contradictory, but while part of me wanted Euclid to realize my feelings, another part hoped he wouldn’t.

Even though I had declared on our wedding night that I had completely given up on the crown prince and didn’t mind being seen as someone with a light heart…

The thought of Euclid truly taking my feelings lightly once he noticed them—that I didn’t want.

On the other hand, if he took them seriously, I was terrified he might find them burdensome.

That’s why I planned to express and confess my feelings only after we had gotten much closer.

Because of that, I had been so relieved and happy that he hadn’t rejected my request that I didn’t think too deeply about his hesitation.

And now, I was painfully regretting that mistake.

It felt like I had just been doused with a bucket of cold water.

I had overlooked something crucial—and now I realized just how foolish that was.

I wasn’t sure if it was because he felt uncomfortable being alone with me or if there was another reason, but…

‘It feels like Euclid is drawing a line between us.’

I had a strong hunch that he had intentionally brought the children along.

Naturally, I wasn’t too pleased about it.

Of course, above all else, my priority was Euclid’s happiness.

I had no intention of forcing my feelings on him.

‘But wouldn’t it be even better if we could be happy together?’

Only now did I realize how arrogant I had been, assuming that just getting married would mean spending a lot of time with Euclid, and that naturally, through that, I would be able to convey my feelings.

Unable to help feeling dejected, I bit my lip in silence.

“My Wife, is something wrong?”

Perhaps my disappointment had shown on my face, as Euclid looked at me with concern.

Even the children blinked their big eyes and tilted their heads curiously.

I hurriedly wiped the sullen expression from my face and shook my head.

“No, it’s nothing. Let’s go.”

I had no intention of making Euclid or the children feel awkward because of my own emotions.

‘And maybe I’m just overthinking it.’

Even if I wasn’t, it didn’t matter.

I had felt a momentary sense of urgency, but I didn’t want to act rashly.

‘They say drinking water too fast only makes you choke.’

Come to think of it, the people of the ducal household had accepted me far too easily.

I followed behind Euclid, walking slowly while trying to calm my thoughts.

And I made a decision.

Rather than wavering already, I would stick to my plan and gradually become a part of Euclid’s life.

I was usually quite impatient, but when it came to Euclid, I could wait.

Besides, Euclid had carried far too many burdens on his shoulders alone.

Even if he didn’t show it, the pressure from the imperial family must still weigh heavily on him.

So, just as I had repaid all the debt, I would work even harder to make the territory prosperous, and eventually, I would help the Rudion Duchy gain independence from the empire…

‘Yes, then he’ll surely acknowledge me as his real wife.’

Euclid wasn’t someone who would ignore or betray someone else’s sincerity and effort.

Most importantly, now that I understood why our relationship wasn’t progressing, I needed to take action so we could spend more time alone together.

‘Gressel is already too busy now that he’s the knight commander, so that’s fine. As for Anne… maybe I should give her a bonus and send her on vacation?’

Then, I could choose places where it would be difficult to bring the children—or times when they were already asleep…

“If anything is making you uncomfortable, please let me know.”

It seemed that I had unknowingly stopped walking while engrossed in my very pure and innocent strategizing—no, contemplating ways to get closer to Euclid.

Euclid turned back to look at me with concern.

I flinched, worried he might see through my cunning thoughts, but I quickly put on an innocent expression and replied.

“Not at all. I feel wonderful.”

And it wasn’t a lie.

No matter the moment, even when it felt like Euclid was distancing himself from me—

As long as I was with him, I was truly happy.

The place where the portraits of Rudion’s past dukes were gathered was larger than I had expected—almost like a history museum.

Euclid kindly began explaining, starting with the very first Duke of Rudion.

‘If I had come alone with just the butler, I honestly would have found this a bit dull.’

Of course, this time, I wasn’t alone.

I was too busy admiring Euclid’s face—one I could never tire of—his low, soothing voice, and his uniquely gentle speech to feel bored.

But unlike me, the children, who had been paying attention at first, slowly started fidgeting.

Noticing this, Euclid smiled slightly and began shortening his explanations.

‘What a shame!’

I could listen to his voice all night.

Feeling regretful, I counted the remaining portraits and soon realized that we had reached the previous Duke of Rudion.

‘So this is… Euclid’s father?’

I widened my eyes.

My gaze naturally shifted to the side.

First, to the portrait. Then, to Euclid.

I blinked and looked back and forth several times before Euclide smiled and asked.

“I don’t resemble my family much, do I?”

“Ah… A little, yes…”

Surprised, I ended up answering too honestly.

But Euclid seemed unfazed, as if he was used to it.

Feeling a little awkward, I carefully examined the portrait of the previous Duke and the family portraits beside it.

And as he had said, Euclid truly didn’t resemble them much.

‘Actually, I had a slight feeling ever since the portrait of the first Duke.’

I had dismissed it since he was an ancestor from long ago, but still…

Even the succeeding dukes, while not as severe as the Basilian Dukes, all had sharp, stern features and exuded a strict, imposing aura—completely different from Euclid.

The only similarity was perhaps the oddly muted shade of his blond hair.