How he found out about this was simpler than he thought. It was because Lesche had noticed Serias Sterns attitude and personality had changed since her last visit to Berg.

He wondered if perhaps the precious Stern had changed, and after a couple of glances, he saw the ring on her finger.

Seria was quite protective of that ring. Any indifferent person would know that the ring was given to her by her fianc, Kalis Haneton.

She didnt wear that ring again after Kalis left with the Saintess, so there was nothing Lesche couldnt give her as a token of marriage or engagement. But if he gave her one anyway, shed probably think of Kalis Haneton.

At first, yes. That was certainly the idea.

The problem was always the next.

Lesche looked at Serias white fingers. He knew that she would not be pleased if he told her that he would put a ring on this hand.That was the problem.

Why is Seria so afraid that he will love the Saintess?

He wondered if he resembled something in Kalis Haneton.

Lesche sensed that Seria was hiding something. He could only guess, but he couldnt pinpoint exactly what she was hiding.

It didnt feel good to be hovering around the base of truth, but there was nothing he could do about it. The person holding the clues was Seria, his wife.

Lesche held the sleeping Seria in his arms. The lips that he pressed down to carve a mark on her forehead slowly turned downward. After passing the cheek, it touched her lips. Then finally, he was able to sleep after a few moments.

***

The next day.

Drip. Drip.

The incessant sound woke her up slowly. Seria raised her head slightly and looked out the window. It was raining.

The blanket was meticulously pulled up to her neck. She could tell immediately that Lesche was sleeping beside her. When did he come and when did he leave?

In Lesches eyes, she must look like a sick chicken who would freeze to death at any time whenever she was wrapped up tightly like this. And there was even a cup of tea with steam rising hotly on the small table beside the bed. It was definitely Lesches idea.

Haha.

But why am I laughing?

Seria raised her body and grabbed the teacup, then leaned against the pillow. Drinking hot tea while listening to the sound of the rain hitting the stone walls and windows was quite relaxing.

After finishing the tea, Seria murmured to herself as she looked around the dark bedroom because of the dark clouds outside.

Did he go to the meeting again?

I didnt go.

Seria almost dropped her teacup when she heard a sudden reply from the window.

Lesche?

Yes?

Seria slipped both feet into her slippers and leaned forward. She couldnt see in front of her because of the thick canopy stretched over the bed. Lesche was sitting huddled in a recliner by the window, reading documents.

When did you wake up?

Its been a while.

I thought you left.

Im not that busy, not even in Berg territory.

Not busy?

Yes, lets go out somewhere.

Seria smiled and said,

Its raining.

Lesche put the papers down as he looked out the window.

Is there somewhere youd like to go later? Lets go to a tea party.

A tea party?

I heard that its the fashion among the imperial aristocrats for husbands to take their wives to tea parties.

Where do you hear such news?

Linon has heard all sorts of things.

Seria chuckled. But the laughter slowly faded away. Because Seria didnt have any friends to invite to the tea party.

Of course, the original Seria Stern was a socialite. Her connections were strong, but thats actually where the original villains connections allowed her to be. It was a relationship where she couldnt expect emotional interaction with each other.

After I possessed her, I was so busy paying off my debt with my life that I didnt have time to maintain such extravagant connections. Thanks to that, I never contacted anyone and lost touch with them.

Theres no one by my side. If it wasnt for Abigail, I would have been quite lonely in the capital.

While Seria was deep in thoughts, Lesche put down the documents and strode to the bed where she was sitting.

It didnt take long. Her slippers fell off her feet and rolled on the floor. She was pushed down on the bed and blinked. Lesche was just above her, his hand stroking slowly down her cheek.

He grabbed her legs and pulled them close to his body. She couldnt help but shrink a little bit. Because Lesche was touching her thighs so she could guess what he wanted.

It was morning..Of course, the time wasnt that important. She could do it in the morning, too. If there was a problem.

I have a lot to do today. Lesche.

How can I help you?

I have to decorate the mansion and designer Begonia is coming. I need a dress when we go to the imperial palace.

Lesche let out a low sigh. It sounded like a moan, and her heart skipped a beat. Once again, the thought crossed her mind that she was glad the bed was darker with the canopy. Otherwise, he would see her red face.

Lesche touched her on the shoulder with a hand full of disappointment.

Ill take care of the mansion business and you can do dress fitting.

Youre going to decorate the mansion?

Yes. Didnt you tell Ben everything?

Thats true.

Uh.

Seria stared at Lesche, confused. What could she say? She felt like she just heard Abigail and Alliot say that they were going to decorate the castle. Would someone who had been a knight all his life be able to decorate to match Serias aesthetic sensibilities?

Her worries seemed to have been read as rejection. She was startled when Lesche suddenly kissed her neck.

Please, Seria. Think about your newlywed husband for a moment.

No.

No?

Why is he using tricks on me.

(*Did they do it again? Ahhh, I need more details..)

Eventually, after breakfast, Ben rushed to follow Lesche around.

****

A few days later.

Time passed in a flash, and the day of the entrance ceremony came.

She looked at her reflection in the large full-length mirror. Her round braided green hair was decorated with clear blue jewels, and her necklace was also a bright blue color. Most people would have looked at the jewelry first, but not her.

The fact that the dress she was wearing went up to her neck was the first thing that caught her eye. Begonia was definitely a forward-thinking designer.

A few days ago, when she visited the Berg residence, Begonia recommended that all four of the dresses Seria would choose to wear when she entered the palace be designed to cover her neck.

It was a great choice.

The necklace really goes well with the dresses, Grand Duchess.

Designer Begonias powers of observation were truly outstanding.

Susan and the other maids looked at her naked body as they tended to it after her bath, but they didnt say anything.

I think they saw everything.

Serias skin was very white, so when any of it turned red, it was very noticeable. But, what if its not one?

She was even more embarrassed by their reaction to pretend that they were completely unaware of it.

Am I wrong? Would it be more embarrassing if they let out a laugh while looking at my skin?

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

When she was ready and walked out of the bedroom, Lesche was waiting.

Lesche was also dressed in a suit that matched the etiquette of entering the palace, but with his neck covered. The servants who helped Lesche were more shy than the servants who served her. They averted their gaze as if trying to avoid her eyes.

Im sure they could guessthat I made Lesches neck like that.

Seria stood there pretending to be shameless, but really she wanted to scream.

No, she was actually a little frustrated because Lesche kept kissing her neck. It was like he was doing it out of his mind. Of course she wasnt in her right mind either, but the moment she looked in the mirror in the morning, she panicked.

She wondered if this man really thought her neck was safe. As if he knew that she was going to wear a high neck dress, so he did it without worries.

So that same day, Seria immediately did the same to his neck. If there was a slight misunderstanding, it was that Lesche did not avoid it at all. And here was the result.

Seria.

Yes?

Designer Begonia suggested the cravat suit.

Its like she knew my neck was going to be like this.

There was no high or low in Lesches voice. Just a voice that told her that it was. Seria glanced at Lesches face, pondering what to say. Then she was immediately taken aback.

Do you enjoy making fun of me? (Seria)

Im happy looking at your face. (Lesche)

Please dont talk. (Seria)

Seria quickly got to her feet. Lesche was much taller than her, so of course it was easy for him to catch up with her. He tried to hold her hand, but she wouldnt let him. When she withdrew her hand for the third time, Lesches face began to show embarrassment.

Seria, are you angry?

Please dont talk to me.

Why are you angry?

When Seria deliberately didnt answer, the troubled sound in Lesches voice became more and more apparent.Seria, is it because we did it early in the morning for a few days?

Seria was so startled that she covered Lesches mouth. His red eyes looked down at her hand that was covering his mouth. Then she looked into his eyes and whispered.

Be quiet.dont talk outside. (Seria)

Seria put down the hand that had been covering Lesches mouth and he immediately grabbed her hand.

This is inside the house. (Lesche)

Are the servants deaf? (Seria)

They are far away. (Lesche)

At Lesches words, Seria glanced back and sure enough, they were all in the distance. Somehow she wondered if being that far away with this conversation in her mind was better than having to hear it with her own ears.

Dont say that unless there is no one else in the mansion. Please.

Lesche smiled and said he understood.