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chapter 6
“Who would even hear us?”
“What’s wrong with a relationship of convenience? Even if you marry for love, it’s still because it’s needed.”
The Crown Prince couldn’t believe that all the news about the Duke and Duchess of Baraota was false. Their marriage had been the hottest topic in high society—a story as if from a novel, where the duke had fallen in love at first sight with the daughter of a baron with nothing to her name.
Yet, what Yuriella was saying now confirmed that all of it was a lie.
“All of it was a lie? No matter how much someone lies, you can’t fake your eyes. Mother and Lady Medina act as if they love me, but their eyes were always empty.”
He knew from experience that the eyes of those who truly love you are completely different from those who don’t. Everyone around him pretended to love him on the surface but secretly calculated the benefits he could bring.
“Alright, then that’s my fault. Anyway, it’s better not to drink too much.”
“If that’s what Rey wants, I’ll do it.”
At that moment, when he saw the Duchess smile gently at Duke Baraota, the Crown Prince realized one thing. Regardless of everything else, she had feelings for the Duke.
“The wind’s cold; let’s head back. You’ll catch a cold otherwise.”
“Alright. Let’s return home quickly.”
“Why does no one look at me that way? Why isn’t it me, the Crown Prince, but the Duke of Baraota…?”
The Crown Prince had never received a loving gaze from his parents, who never fully saw him as their son, nor from his fiancée, who treated him as an ornament for her path to the throne.
That only made him strive to be a better son, a wiser crown prince. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he could never receive genuine affection.
“Why does the Duke get what I want so easily in the same situation? Why can’t I?”
For a moment, he thought:
“If I had been the one extending my hand in that situation, would those eyes look only at me? How happy would I be if they did? If I were at the end of those beautiful eyes.”
And that was the beginning of a misplaced obsession.
“Where are we going now?”
Yuriella asked cautiously about the sudden outing.
“Think of it as a substitute for a honeymoon.”
Recently, it had become a trend for newlyweds to travel abroad after their wedding. Naturally, society was curious where the Duke and Duchess of Baraota would go for their honeymoon.
“Have you ever been to the sea?”
Only then did Yuriella realize where they were headed.
“Right, we went to the sea together back then.”
“I’ve only been once, long ago.”
The first time Yuriella saw the sea, everything felt wondrous: the sparkling sand, the lapping waves—it felt like entering an entirely new world.
“It was truly happy. All the hardships I’d endured before seemed meaningless.”
“That’s good to hear.”
The Duke of Baraota answered casually, though a faint smile appeared as he watched Yuriella.
“It will be a long journey, so rest well now.”
“Yes.”
The carriage traveled for quite some time. They had a simple lunch before leaving, and only before sunset did they reach their destination.
“Here we are.”
Yuriella took the Duke’s hand as they stepped out of the carriage. The sparkling sunset over the sea stretched out before them.
“It’s really beautiful.”
Yuriella couldn’t take her eyes off the sea.
“If you want, we can have dinner here.”
“May we?”
Her eyes sparkled like a child’s.
“It’s no trouble at all.”
“Welcome, Duke. You must be him. I’m Liam, the caretaker of this villa.”
The man greeting them was Liam, father of Victor, the current Duke’s butler, who had served the late duke and duchess. After the former Duke’s death, Liam had helped the current Duke for several years before retiring to manage the villa, keeping up a quiet, simple life.
“Although our time is short, I’ll be counting on you.”
“I should be saying that to you. First, let’s have dinner. I’ll have it prepared with a view of the sea.”
“You’re still quick to notice things.”
Liam chuckled in response.
“It’s my duty. While the two of you prepare, why not take a walk by the sea?”
“Call us when it’s ready.”
So the Duke and Yuriella began strolling along the shore.
“It’s really beautiful.”
“If you like it, we can come often.”
“Really?”
“This place is more suitable for relaxation than the noisy capital.”
As they walked, Yuriella stumbled slightly on the sand.
“Ah.”
The Duke quickly caught her by the waist.
“Th-thank you.”
“Your shoes aren’t suited for walking on sand.”
She was wearing high heels, unsuitable for the beach, and the Duke was right.
“Let’s sit over there.”
“Yes.”
He held her hand firmly so she wouldn’t stumble again. Yuriella’s face turned as red as the sunset reflecting on the sea, though the Duke didn’t notice. They sat on small chairs arranged by the shore.
“Chairs on the beach?”
Before her reincarnation, she hadn’t been close to the Duke, so she had never had the chance to see the sea up close. Even when asked to walk by the sea, she had entered the villa out of fear of bothering him.
“They were placed by my late father and mother.”
“Oh, the former duke and duchess?”
“This was their favorite spot. They often said it was where they first confirmed their feelings for each other.”
The Duke recalled his parents, bringing him here during summer family trips.
“What were they like?”
“My father didn’t like sweets. Yet, since my mother did, he pretended to enjoy them. She knew he was doing it for her and prepared bitter tea when eating sweets together.”
It was a small detail, but it showed how much the former duke and duchess cared for each other. Yuriella wished she could have that with the Duke.
“And your mother?”
“She passed when I was around ten, so I don’t remember well. But she smiled a lot—enough to lift everyone’s mood.”
“Sounds like a wonderful person.”
“She was. Truly.”
“Do you resemble your mother?”
“Yes, most of us sisters do. I didn’t think much of it as a child, but now I’m grateful. Otherwise, seeing her face in the mirror would have been painful. At least this way, I can still see her.”
Yuriella smiled at the Duke.
“And who do you resemble more, Rey?”
“My father.”
“I see.”
As they gazed at the sea, the small talk continued endlessly. Yuriella liked these trivial conversations. If she had the power to stop time, she would make this moment last forever.
“Dinner is ready, Duke.”
Liam’s voice ended their conversation.
“Please allow me to guide you.”
Yuriella took the Duke’s hand and followed Liam to the table.
“This is it.”
Seeing the table set, Yuriella couldn’t help but stare.
“Do you like it, milady?”
“Of course. It’s beautiful.”
Lanterns tied to trees gave the space a cozy feeling, considering it would be dark at night.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Yuriella was relieved she hadn’t insisted on going straight inside.
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have seen such a beautiful sight.”
“Please, sit.”
The Duke pulled out a chair for her.
“Thank you.”
Then, he sat across from her.
“I’ll be over there, so call if you need anything.”
Liam respectfully distanced himself to allow the newlyweds to dine in peace.
“…Does Liam know nothing?”
“No, so be careful. He’s watched me since birth—he’ll notice the slightest hint.”
Yuriella nodded.
“Now, eat before it gets cold.”
She picked up her fork.
During the meal, they spoke little, yet the silence felt comfortable—like being with someone familiar where words aren’t necessary.
After bathing, Yuriella stepped onto the balcony to view the sea again.
“It’s wonderful.”
Unlike the sunset, the sea under the moon and stars felt calm and serene.
“Ah, so you were here.”
The Duke had returned to the room after his bath, but couldn’t find her and had been looking for her. Remembering her captivated by the sea, he stepped onto the balcony.
“Were you looking for me?”
“You went back inside, but I didn’t see you.”
“I just wanted to watch the sea a bit longer… I lost track of time.”
“If you enjoy it so much, why not stay another day?”
