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Chapter : 40
Last night was a sleepless one even for Luciano.
When he quietly called Estelle in the early hours, there was no response.
“Madam? Are you sleeping…?”
“…….”
Carefully getting up, he looked at Estelle and saw her face peacefully asleep, eyes closed.
“She’s beautiful.”
Sleeping with her eyes and lips gently closed, she looked truly lovely.
“I should sleep as well.”
As soon as Luciano confirmed Estelle was asleep, he lay back down, closed his eyes, and tried to fall asleep.
Some time later, when Luciano briefly woke up, he saw Estelle sleeping while snuggled against him.
The moment he realized she was in his arms, his face flushed, and he could feel his heart pounding.
He tried to return her to her original position, but each attempt failed.
“Mm…”
“And if you sleep like this alone, what am I supposed to do, madam…?”
With a deep sigh, Luciano hugged Estelle tightly.
“You did this first, Madam.”
Unable to hide his smile, Luciano fell asleep.
Seeing Estelle’s flustered face in the morning was quite delightful.
Watching her fumble excuses, claiming it was because of her own sleep talking, made him start thinking he wanted to sleep next to her more often.
‘I really shouldn’t go through with the divorce.’
Luciano made up his mind.
No matter what happened, he would not divorce Estelle.
Estelle got out of bed, wrapped herself in a shawl, and went outside first.
“Your Grace. It’s Ed.”
“Come in.”
As soon as Estelle left, Ed, who had been outside the door, entered.
“What’s the matter?”
“I sent a communication to the Helios Temple as you instructed, Your Grace, and we’ve received a reply. Would you like to see it now?”
Luciano got out of bed as well and said as he left the bedroom with Ed:
“I’ll look at it after having breakfast with the Madam. Leave it on my desk.”
“Understood, Your Grace.”
After getting dressed and heading to the dining room, Estelle was already seated, waiting.
“Madam. You’re already here.”
“Ah… yes, of course.”
Feeling shy, Estelle lowered her head deeply as she spoke.
‘Could it be that she’s trying to hide how red her face is?’
Luciano smirked at her flushed face, unable to say anything, and sat across from her.
“Did you sleep well last night, Madam?”
“Yes… Did you sleep well too, Luciano?”
“I did, thanks to you, Madam.”
Luciano’s playful response made Estelle blush even more, and she lowered her head deeply.
Only after the maids had left did Estelle raise her head and pout.
“Are you teasing me?”
“Me, teasing you?”
Luciano replied with a smile, which made Estelle’s eyes sharpen.
“I asked if you were teasing me because of last night.”
“Absolutely not, Madam. It’s true that I slept well thanks to you. I would never lie to you or do anything to upset you.”
Unable to argue, Estelle nodded slightly and began eating.
“Do you have anywhere to go today?”
“Not at the moment, but I imagine I will soon. Why do you ask?”
“The Spring Festival is coming. Although there are still two months left, we should get your attire prepared in time. I thought we could go together today if you’re free.”
Luciano had forgotten.
‘Right. The Spring Festival.’
Now that February was ending, the Spring Festival, which marks the beginning of the season, would start in March.
As a ceremony offering prayers to the heavens, it was an important event in the Empire.
Spring and winter were the start and end of the year, and the Empire had many major events during these seasons.
“Won’t you invite Madame Floria to the Ducal House this time?”
“No. This time, I want to go with you, Luciano, personally.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I have time. So please wait a bit, Madam.”
“Alright. Then let me know when you have the time, Luciano.”
Once Estelle finished her meal, she got up and left the dining room.
After she left, Luciano also exited and went to his study.
On his desk was the reply from the temple that Ed had left.
The message was simple and brief: the temple permitted a visit.
“Ed. Are you outside?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Luciano quickly put on his jacket and got ready to leave.
“I’m heading to the Helios Temple immediately. Prepare a carriage.”
“Shall I inform the Madam?”
“If she asks, you may tell her.”
“Understood, Your Grace.”
After getting ready, Luciano left the Ducal House.
“Have a safe trip, Your Grace.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
The Helios Temple was far.
Unlike the Gaia Temple in the capital, the Helios and Luna Temples were located at opposite ends of the Empire.
No matter how fast one traveled, a round trip to the Helios Temple would take at least three days.
As Luciano set off in the carriage, Estelle approached Ed.
“Do you know where the Duke is going today?”
“His Grace said he’s going to the Helios Temple.”
“Helios Temple…”
Estelle repeated the name as she entered the Ducal House.
The Spring Festival was almost a festival for the ladies.
Events mostly involved women, from tea parties to other gatherings, and the imperial banquet preparations were managed exclusively by the Empress. This was the Spring Festival.
It was a celebration offering prayers to the heavens and gods, thanking them for blooming flowers and new life, so it was also a festival loved by the common people.
“I wanted to stay close under the pretext of adjusting the dress…”
I muttered my dissatisfaction as I entered my room.
‘The grand imperial banquet will be held during this Spring Festival.’
And it would be Rebecca’s first official imperial banquet. That would be the day she and Luciano would officially meet.
‘She’ll definitely like him. They’ll surely fall for each other.’
The thought made me feel sad, almost wanting to cry.
‘I wish we could divorce before the Spring Festival.’
Then even if Luciano and Rebecca got along, it wouldn’t matter—I could remain indifferent.
Rumors of a divorce would always follow me, but if Luciano met Rebecca and I left the capital, everything would disappear.
While thinking this, I saw the departing carriage. Outside, only Ed remained.
“His Grace is going to the Helios Temple.”
Hearing that gave me a sudden, bad feeling.
The Helios deity bestowed the power of the sun.
If Rebecca and Luciano met and the sun’s power manifested in him, and that was why he headed to the Helios Temple, it was natural that I would be in danger.
“This can’t happen…”
In the original story, I hadn’t died yet. I didn’t want to get sick and die this early.
“Please, let it not manifest… Gods, please…”
I prayed desperately, hoping it wouldn’t happen yet, asking for more time.
“Milady! You said you were going to have your attire fitted with the Duke. Aren’t you going?”
“Oh? Ah, yes. Luciano has work today, so we won’t be going. Keep that in mind.”
The maids’ hopeful expressions instantly fell.
“Milady… then how about going out in the capital today?”
“Going out in the capital?”
“Yes! Milady. Soon it will be spring, and you won’t see the capital like this again until next year. How about going today?”
I smiled at their chatter and agreed.
“Alright. Get ready; you should prepare as well.”
“Understood, Milady!”
The excited maids went off to prepare, and I grabbed a parasol and headed down.
“Milady! Quickly, quickly!!”
Riding in the carriage to the capital with the maids, even the bare trees and lingering snow looked beautiful.
“Milady. Look outside. Snow has piled up.”
“Yes. It’s almost February, yet the snow still falls.”
The maids grew more excited, speaking animatedly:
“Of course! The Empire is in the north, so temperatures are lower than other kingdoms. Snow will probably fall even in February.”
“Then we could have gone for a stroll later, so why the rush to go now?”
“Anyway, you’re not going to have your attire fitted with His Grace today, and next month will be busy with Spring Festival preparations.”
“Yes. You are all correct. Now that we’ve arrived, let’s get out.”
We got down in the central area of the capital’s bustling streets.
Looking around, I noticed other nobles.
“Where should we go?”
“Since you’ve had breakfast, how about visiting a café?”
I agreed with the maids’ suggestion, and we headed to a nearby café.
