Chapter 20
Hmm… What should I embroider?
Oh, right—earlier, Arne was sleeping in the garden.
I pictured the boy, lying there like a little forest fairy among the flowers in full bloom.
Yes. I’ll embroider the garden scene with Arne sleeping in it.
As soon as I put the cloth in the embroidery hoop and picked up my needle, the man watching beside me asked curiously,
“You’re not going to draw a pattern first?”
“Why would I need that?”
I’ve been embroidering for over 30 years combined from my past and current life.
He chuckled and leaned his head on my shoulder.
He smelled so nice—soft woody notes with a touch of vanilla and cinnamon.
“I feel a little intimidated… proposing to such an amazing woman.”
I felt a little flustered.
“Is that something the heir to a duke’s title is supposed to say?”
“Actually, I already received it. The imperial family approved it yesterday. Since I’m the eldest son, I’ll be a grand duke now.”
Oh, that explained why he’d looked so tired yesterday—he must have been busy with the succession matters.
“So, you’re now the Grand Duke of Glentino?”
“No. You should just call me ‘Owen,’ my wife.”
Wife?! Who said I agreed to marry you?!
“I haven’t said yes to marriage yet.”
“I know. Then, can I call you ‘Sophia’ instead of ‘my wife’?”
I ended up laughing. That had been his goal all along.
“Do whatever you want.”
“Yes, Sophia.”
He answered so quickly. I’d never liked my old-fashioned name compared to my sisters’—but somehow, it sounded sweet when he said it.
While I breathed in the scent of the man leaning on my shoulder, I focused on the embroidery.
I don’t know how much time passed, but when I finished Arne’s gift and looked up, he had fallen asleep.
‘No wonder—he hasn’t slept much lately. Out of nowhere, a boy appeared in his life, then the succession to the dukedom, Arnold’s funeral, suppressing the news articles about it… He must be exhausted.’
When I shifted slightly, his head slid off my shoulder. I quickly caught it and gently rested it on my lap.
I kept watching his face in case he woke, but he didn’t stir at all. Good. It would be embarrassing to do this when he was awake.
“…Honestly.”
How could someone look this unreal? Even the famously handsome Priest Kais would lose to him.
And now, here he was—in my room, on my bed, sleeping on my lap.
I softly brushed his hair back. The dark blond strands fell away, revealing his handsome forehead and perfect features.
I grew a bit bolder and lightly touched his eyelashes with my fingertip. My heart pounded in case he opened his eyes. At that moment, the corners of his mouth curled slightly. I panicked and pulled my hand back.
“….”
My heart was thumping from the tension. But as soon as I withdrew my hand, his lips went back to normal.
He didn’t wake up, right? He’s really asleep, right?
I felt uneasy, so I whispered quietly,
“The Grand Duke of Glentino… actually isn’t my type.”
“….”
No reaction. Maybe I’ll try one more.
“That was a lie.”
“….”
“I do prefer younger men, though.”
“….”
Good. That’s enough proof he’s asleep.
I relaxed. Truthfully, I do prefer younger men. But technically, if you count my past life, Owen is younger than me—by a lot.
And besides, this man is handsome enough to break all my usual “ideal type” rules.
I pressed a finger lightly to his lips. They were soft and plush—probably the only soft spot on his otherwise firm, muscular body. I liked that.
I played with his lips a few more times before pulling my hand away.
On my left ring finger, the large ring he’d given me glittered.
Right—today, this man had proposed to me.
That was the most surreal thing to happen all day.
After thinking for a moment, I pulled out another piece of linen and set it in the hoop.
It seemed only fair to make him a handkerchief too.
“Sophia, it’s time to wake up.”
“Mmm…”
“Sophia.”
Someone called me gently. Sunlight pressed against my closed eyelids. I was still half-asleep in a dream.
Tap—someone touched the tip of my nose. I smiled in my sleep.
“May I kiss you?”
Snap!
“Where do you think you’re—?!”
The moment I realized who it was, I covered my mouth with my hand and opened my eyes.
Just as I thought—Owen.
Somehow, I was lying properly in bed, under the blanket, while he lay next to me, propped on one elbow, looking at me.
‘Wait… Did I just sleep in the same bed as him?!’
I blinked at him, still covering my mouth.
He clicked his tongue and said,
“Sophia, did you know the imperial family is holding a polo match?”
“…And?”
“You could join the empire’s defense team. You’re an expert at blocking.”
Oh, very funny.
I wiped away a bit of drool from the corner of my mouth and sat up. The finished handkerchief was on the nightstand, along with neatly arranged needles and hoops. He must have tidied them for me.
Popo woke and ran to me. I scooped him up as he jumped.
“How did you sleep, Grand— I mean, Owen?”
“Owen. And very well.”
“Good. Now hurry out—my maids will be here soon.”
He smiled calmly despite my cold tone and stood up.
“It’s probably too late for that.”
“What? What do you mean—”
Knock, knock.
My head whipped toward the door just as a familiar voice called from outside.
“My lady! You’re awake, right? It’s Bessie. May I come in?”
“!”
Absolutely not!
But if I shouted that, it would just prove I was awake.
I hurriedly pushed him off the bed and whispered,
“Hide!”
“Where am I supposed to hide?”
…Fair point. I glanced around quickly. The white wardrobe—yes!
I patted his back and pointed. Without a word, he moved toward it.
Knock, knock.
“My lady?”
I yelled,
“Bessie, just a minute!”
He squeezed himself into the wardrobe. What a sight—a grand duke crammed inside a closet. I shut the door quickly.
“Ow, Sophia, my finger—”
Oh no, his index finger was caught in the door!
“Ah! Sorry!”
I blew on it in a hurry, and he used the moment to give my hand a quick kiss. I glared at him, then remembered I had no time, so I shut the door again—this time checking carefully that all fingers and toes were inside.
No clothes sticking out—good.
“All right!” I called out.
Bessie slowly opened the door and stepped in.
“My lady…? You’re all right, aren’t you?”
“Mhm, of course.”
Thankfully, she didn’t ask anything awkward. She and another maid just brought in a basin of rose-petal water.
I sat and let them tend to me like nothing was wrong. Bessie and Lizzie—both from the Lilapa faction, my allies. Good. If it had been Lion faction maids, things could’ve gone badly with Owen here.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the wardrobe door crack open slightly. Inside, Owen ta Glentino looked out at me and smiled when our eyes met.
Even though it was just an ordinary morning routine, my heart pounded.
“Oh, where are those flowers from?”
Bessie’s question startled me. She was looking at the bouquet on the tea table—the one Owen had brought last night!
I scrambled for an excuse.
“Uh, for my birthday… I wanted to feel festive, so I bought them myself.”
“You… bought them yourself?”
She gave me such a pitiful look.
Great. Now I looked like some sad woman who buys herself flowers with a “Happy Birthday to me” card.
‘What, a woman can buy her own flowers if she wants.’
Bessie sniffed the bouquet.
“My lady, the flower ‘lisianthus’ means ‘unchanging love.’ Someday, you’ll get flowers from a wonderful man—someone far better than Lord Arnold.”
Sorry, I already have.
Lizzie joined in heatedly.
“Honestly, has Lord Arnold ever given you flowers? No—he just cheated on you. Should’ve chopped it off before he died!”
…Unfortunately, the man they were badmouthing was right now hiding in that wardrobe, hearing every word.
I forced an awkward laugh, and then Bessie spotted a shawl on the floor.
“Oh, my lady. I’ll just put this in the wardrobe for you—”
Her hand reached for the wardrobe door.
…Wait. The wardrobe?!
