If you don’t love me, I will die.

Ania Brontë was stubborn to the point that she wouldn’t yield to anyone in the Empire.

To put it positively, she had a firm and dignified character, but negatively, she was like a stubborn noble daughter raised in a prestigious household.

So, when Ania started throwing a fit, going without food for three days was standard, and there were instances where she confined herself to her room for a whole week.

Being such a headstrong young lady, it wasn’t unusual for the household steward, Ricktman, to scold the young lady when he had to.
He knocked on the door of Ania’s room.

“My Lady.”

It was the third day that Ania had locked herself in her room.

The exact reason was unknown even to Ricktman, but considering that despite insisting on the couple having meals together, Edward had been eating alone for several days, there must have been some problem between the two.

Not receiving an answer from the other side of the door, Ricktman knocked again.

“My Lady, it’s Ricktman. May I come in for a moment to talk?”
“……”

With the continued silence, Ricktman made a firm decision.

“I’ll come in, Miss.”

He might receive resentment, but to Ricktman, the young lady’s health was more important than anything else.
If she had been abstaining from meals for three days, even if he received her resentment, he wanted to somehow get her to eat.

With trembling hands, he turned the doorknob and opened the door, revealing Ania sitting by the window with her back turned.

Ania spoke coldly, “Ricktman, did I tell you to come in?”

Ricktman bowed deeply.

“I apologize, My Lady. However, above all, your health comes first. You’ve been avoiding meals for three days already. I couldn’t just stay quiet, worrying about you.”
“I’ll go out when I’m hungry.”
“Even so, My Lady…”

Ricktman gently placed the tray he was holding on the table.

“I, Ricktman, pledged my loyalty to the Duke. It’s inevitable for me to be concerned about your well-being, My Lady.”
“Ahaha…”

Ania chuckled softly and turned to take a bite of the bread on the tray.

“If you insist.”
“My Lady…”

The old knight’s eyes became watery.

“It’s delicious.”
“If you need more, please let me know.”
“It’s okay. I don’t want to trouble Ricktman for no reason.”
“It’s never a bother, Miss.”
“Thank you.”

Ricktman would do anything for Ania. Compared to what he received from the Duke, it was nothing.

Ania slowly nibbled on the bread and gestured lightly, glancing at Ricktman from a distance.

“Come and sit, Ricktman.”
“No, I couldn’t possibly…”
“I have something to say.”

Ricktman was once again surprised by those words.
Ania rarely spoke to the servants, let alone have something to say to them. He approached her in a single step.

“Sit down.”
“Well then, excuse me.”

Ricktman awkwardly sat down, stiff in posture, and looked at Ania with expectant eyes.
However, seeing her expression sunken for some reason, Ricktman decided to be more serious.

“Ricktman.”
“Yes, My Lady. I’m listening.”

Ania hesitated and slowly opened her mouth.

“Do you know how to apologize, Ricktman?”
“Yes…?”

Ricktman was momentarily bewildered by the unexpected words.

“Apologize… Do you understand what you are saying, My Lady?”
“Yes. It’s what you do when you’ve done something wrong.”
“Who would My Lady need to apologize to?”

Having said that much, Ricktman sealed his lips.

‘My Lord.’

Realizing that there must have been some disagreement between them and that the young lady wanted to apologize, Ricktman felt a surge of emotion.

The young lady, whom he always thought of as a child, had become an adult capable of apologizing for her mistakes.

However, Edward was truly indifferent.

Insensitive or perhaps oblivious, it’s hard to say.
Indeed, even if she made a clumsy apology, he would not care.

Therefore, Ricktman made an even greater resolution than before.

“… By any chance, when you mentioned apologizing, were you referring to My Lord…?”
“Oh, no!”

Ania’s face turned bright red.

Based on Ricktman’s years of experience, it seemed to be true.
Since the young lady rarely spoke her mind, she was rather inexperienced in lying.

“I see.”
“Anyway… please tell me how to apologize. Since Ricktman was a knight, you must know something.”
“Yes, of course.”

He firmly resolved himself as if facing an enemy commander.
By any means necessary, he had to reconcile the newlywed couple.

“When apologizing, the first thing to do is to say…”

***

When the mansion’s lights became visible in the distance, it was already past 6 PM.
The sunset had faded beyond the mountain ridges, and white starlight twinkled under the navy blue sky.

Under such a beautiful sky, my feelings became complicated as I approached the mansion.

‘Since feelings are something you can’t know unless you express them…’

The words of Crown Prince Eldrigan resonated in my mind.

‘Since feelings are something you can’t know unless you express them.’

I am well aware of that truth.

Even though I am now the son of a failing viscount, I was originally not from this era.
Living in an age where freedom was given to all, I understand the importance of words better than anyone.

What troubled me was not Eldrigan’s words themselves but rather the state of my own heart.

Of course, my heart races when I see Ania.
My heart flutters when she whispers sweet words or presses her body against mine.

But is that love?

If physical desire is love, then a one-night stand is love, and those who mix their bodies in the pleasure quarters are also in love with each other.

Therefore, my feelings for Ania are not love.
Ultimately, the carriage arrived at the mansion without sorting out my feelings.

“We’ve arrived, My Lord.”
“Thank you.”

I moved my reluctant feet and entered the mansion.
Lorendel greeted me.

“Welcome back, My Lady.”
“Where is my wife?”
“She’s in her room.”
“Has my meal been prepared?”
“Not yet, My Lord.”
“Prepare it.”
“Yes, I will get it ready soon.”

I took a deep breath and walked upstairs at a hesitant pace.

However, there was no need for me to go all the way to Ania’s room.
She was standing in the second-floor corridor.

“My Lady.”
“Welcome.”

Just until the morning, Ania was distraught, but now she wore a warm smile.

“… It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has.”

I didn’t have anything specific to say. The words I had thought of remained unspoken, swirling chaotically in my mind.
I was about to say something, but I closed my mouth, sighed softly, and scratched the back of my head.

“Would you like to have a meal together?”

That was all I could muster.

Ania’s expression was subtle. Not really one thing or another; she simply smiled faintly.

“Sure.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll get ready and go to the dining room.”

Watching Ania turn and return to her room, I unknowingly rushed towards her, grabbing her hand.

“Edward…”

Ania looked at me with surprise.

“I have something to say.”

I couldn’t even explain why I did it, but the words poured out.

“Yesterday, when you called, I didn’t answer. It wasn’t because I hated you or tried to avoid you. It’s not an excuse, but…”

Ania’s pupils widened.
Looking at her face, I felt the sensation of warmth rising again.

However, this is not love. I don’t love Ania Brontë.

I made a vow not to give love to this woman.

However, as Eldrigan suggested, I need to be honest.

I may not love her, but…
We are a married couple.

“But…”

After uttering those words, I took a small deep breath. Then, I spoke a truth untainted by falsehood.

“On that day, you looked even more beautiful… It was just difficult to look at your face.”

It might sound like a lie, or it might seem like an excuse to ease her feelings.
However, I believe she could feel my genuine emotions.

I bit my lower lip lightly and looked at Ania.

Beautiful,
So beautiful,
That woman whom I should not approach but find myself drawn to.

“It’s not a lie.”

As I said that, I felt a heavy sensation in my chest. When I lowered my head, Ania Brontë was nestled in my arms.

“I trust you.”

Looking up at me with eyes that had turned reddish, she smiled brightly, more radiant than ever.

“And… I’m sorry, Edward.”

For a moment, I felt my heart stop.
With an apologetic smile, Ania was already briskly heading back to her room.

“It’s a gift of reconciliation.”

Watching Ania innocently smiling, I slowly wiped my lips.