Are We Still In love?

“Now that you’ve married such a perfect woman, Eden, you must never let your guard down.”

Aster remarked, referencing Cecilia’s composed demeanor as he gave Eden a half-serious warning.

“The human heart is quick to change, after all.”

Eden responded with a faint frown, as if to say he’d heard it all before.

“It’s a world where a noblewoman becomes the subject of ridicule if she doesn’t receive love letters from knights. Do you have any idea how many letters Isabella gets?”

Aster had been busy intercepting them. His wife was simply too beautiful.

As Aster looked at his younger brother, who showed no sign of concern, he clicked his tongue. Men like him were the ones who always ended up weeping over love.

“Just wait and see. If Isabella receives that many, your wife will receive even more.”

It sounded like a jest, but also a veiled prediction.

“Even so, a married couple bound by vows will not face such issues.”

Eden replied firmly. Cecilia smiled, though her expression was hard to read. Their marriage had, after all, been wrecked in the previous life by Illina Nova, Eden’s mistress.

Just then, a maid Cecilia didn’t recognize caught her gaze intentionally and smiled. Cecilia looked momentarily puzzled but quickly turned her attention back to Aster.

“Perhaps this isn’t a topic fit for newlyweds.”

Meeting Cecilia’s eyes, Aster slightly amended his words. He had only meant to tease Eden, but realized he might have said something inappropriate in front of Cecilia. Though their marriage hadn’t started with love, the subtle affection and bond between Eden and Cecilia were evident.

“Well then, forget the love letters. Just focus on staying happily married.”

With a grin, Aster rose from his seat.

“The Grand Duchess looks tired—you should head home now. No need to sit through this gathering any longer, especially after Damon ruined it.”

With the senior present choosing to end the meeting, Eden and Cecilia had no choice but to rise as well.

“Thank you again for the gifts and for the conversation about Laner Island. Safe travels.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Please take care of your health.”

Cecilia offered a respectful curtsy, and Aster nodded in return. He patted Eden’s shoulder, which was nearly level with his own.

“I hope you and the Grand Duchess give His Majesty a grandchild soon.”

“Your Highness…”

Eden frowned at Aster, calling out in warning. But Aster’s intent was clear. If Eden and the Crown Princess never had an heir, then Eden’s child—if he had one—might need to continue the line.

“For that, you must always be kind and devoted to your wife. Understood?”

Eden, finally, let out a brief laugh at his brother’s advice, his expression more amused than stern.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Cecilia watched from a short distance. Eden, standing there without a care in the world, looked relaxed and at ease, completely unburdened.

It was at that moment that a maid subtly approached Cecilia. It was the same one who had smiled at her earlier.

“Her Majesty the Empress asked me to deliver this to Your Grace.”

She slipped something into Cecilia’s hand—a letter, sealed with the Empress’s crest. Cecilia gazed at it with a curious look.

“Cecilia?”

Eden, having finished bidding Aster farewell, approached her. His gaze briefly dropped to the envelope in her hand, then returned to her face.

“It’s a letter from Her Majesty the Empress.”

“……”

“Shall I open it now?”

Cecilia made no effort to hide the sender. It would only look suspicious. Besides, if it was handed over so openly, it was unlikely to contain anything strange.

“It was sent to you, Cecilia. You’re the only one who needs to read it.”

Eden made it clear that he had no interest in the contents of a letter that wasn’t his. Cecilia felt neither disappointment nor hurt at his indifference.

He had always been that kind of man.

“You must be tired. You can lean on me if you want to rest.”

As the carriage rolled through the darkness, Eden’s low voice broke the silence between them.

“Then I’ll lean on you for a little while.”

Only then did Cecilia realize that, unlike when they’d arrived at the palace, Eden was now sitting beside her. Without protest, she rested her head on his shoulder.

Being beside him like this—neither facing him nor in full view—was the perfect position to hide her expression. It was also ideal for pretending to be delighted by his affection, should the need arise.

“…How do you plan to look into Laner Island?”

Eden asked casually. There was no hint of resentment in his voice toward his wife for appealing to the Crown Prince for help without so much as a word to him.

Eden had always been that kind of man—never stepping beyond the agreed boundaries, easily retreating when necessary. In short, someone who never deeply invested in others. In the past, Cecilia had foolishly mistaken that indifference for consideration.

“It would be best if I could visit the island in person, but that’s not exactly feasible…”

“No, it’s not.”

“So, for now, I plan to read up on it and ask Alice about its current state.”

Eden nodded in agreement.

“I’ll check with Ennon and see if there are any useful books available.”

“Thank you.”

There was no reason to refuse. If he could find useful material, it would save time and be genuinely helpful.

As Cecilia offered a polite word of thanks, the carriage began to jolt along an uneven road. Each bump made their bodies jostle. Just as she was about to straighten from resting against him, the carriage rocked sharply.

“Hold on.”

Eden reached his hand toward Cecilia’s shoulder—just as one of the wheels suddenly dipped, causing her to be thrown toward the window.

She was about to hit the wall. Cecilia instinctively squeezed her eyes shut, but in that moment, Eden pulled her tightly into his arms.

Thunk. Her body collided with the side of the carriage.

“Ah…”

Silence followed the chaos. Cecilia slowly opened her eyes. Eden’s arm was braced against the tilted carriage wall, holding her securely in his arms.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

Her heart was pounding as she nodded. Eden’s chest, pressed against her, beat with the same frantic rhythm.

“Forgive me, Your Grace! Are you alright?”

The coachman’s panicked voice called from beyond the drawn curtain.

“Her Grace was quite startled. Find out what happened.”

Eden ordered sharply. Cecilia, blinking in a daze, realized she was still in his arms and quickly began to shift away. Eden’s gaze instinctively followed her.

“I’m alright now. You can let go.”

She gave his chest a light push. Eden withdrew just enough to not be overbearing, likely thinking she was simply embarrassed.

“Your Grace, you’ll need to step outside for a moment.”

A knock came at the carriage door. The coachman had apparently assessed the situation.

“Wait here for a moment.”

Eden guided Cecilia to the less tilted side of the carriage, helping her sit, then stepped outside.

Cecilia opened the curtain and peered out. A light rain was falling, though not enough to soak the ground.

“Cecilia.”

Eden leaned back into the carriage, calling to her.

“It must have been the heavy rain last night. The ground’s softened, and the wheel sank, tilting the carriage.”

“So… what now?”

Cecilia asked, hesitant. With only the coachman present and Eden being a Grand Duke, it wasn’t like he could haul the carriage out himself.

“We’ll need to wait for help. It won’t take long, but we can’t have you walking through mud in the rain, dressed like this.”

He eyed the trailing hem of her elaborate dress with concern. Just as Cecilia was about to say she could wait, he spoke.

“Let me carry you, Cecilia.”

“What?”

She blinked, startled.

“That’s… that’s not…”

Cecilia shook her head, flustered. It wasn’t just her reluctance for physical contact—it was a matter of dignity.

“Your Grace, that’s not appropriate.”

But Eden didn’t hesitate. He reached into the carriage, and despite her resistance, pulled her outside.

“Luckily, it’s only a light rain. My jacket will keep you dry.”

He draped his jacket over her head and shoulders before she could even protest. It had all happened so fast. Staring blankly at his back as he bent before her, Cecilia could only relent.

She leaned forward reluctantly, and Eden stood up with ease, carrying her on his back.