The teatime ended smoothly, but both Bina and the duchess knew that this was only the beginning of something big.

Before the duchess left, Bina said to her, “You probably have been very busy with taking care of your father-in-law that you haven’t seen Yulia in a while. She is off today and resting in her quarters. Please feel free to visit her and spend some time with her.”

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

The duchess bowed deeply, and she seemed genuinely thankful.

Bina grinned and stood up. It was time to visit her daughter.

***

Royal family maids didn’t get many days off. This was especially worse for Bina’s maids because they were shorthanded.

Within this year, both Loventis sisters, who came before Yulia, left after getting married.

The maids became good friends, and, therefore, Yulia was truly happy for them, but the sudden increase in workload for Yulia was significant and unwelcome.

Additional young ladies were hired to fill the spots, but they were inexperienced. Since Samantha and Agnes were too busy, Yulia ended up being the one who needed to train the new maids.

Yulia had been overworked because of these reasons. Bina felt bad for her and that was why she gave Yulia a day off today.

Yulia was having a lazy day with a nice book when her aunt came in for a visit.

“Oh, Aunty!”

Duchess Lonensia smiled broadly. “Are you well, Yulia?”

“Yes, thank you. I heard you came here for a meeting with the empress. How did it go?”

As one of the maids of the empress, Yulia knew her schedule very well.

“Yes, I met with her highness, and… I also gave her a piece of honest advice.”

“… Advice?”

The duchess smiled gently and changed the subject.

“By the way, won’t you offer your aunt a seat?”

“Oh! I’m sorry, Aunty! I got distracted; I was just so happy to see you…!”

Yulia blushed in embarrassment. It had been so long since she saw the duchess that she forgot her manners.

Yulia guided her aunt to the best seat in the room and ordered her servant to bring in snacks.

The duchess picked up her teacup.

“So… I heard the younger Loventis sister also got married recently?”

“Yes. Luckily, the sisters are living nearby, so they are very happy about that.”

“How nice. It would have been very nice if you also got to marry a nobleman who lives near your sister’s house.”

“… Sure.”

Yulia smiled awkwardly. She had gone through this situation before. If she told her aunt how she truly felt, which was that she didn’t want to ever get married, it would only make the situation worse.

“It’s all because of your awful father and your bitch of a stepmother.”

“…”

“My sister’s dowry should have been given to you, and your sister for your marriages…!”

Duchess Lonensia was still furious about Yulia’s father and her stepmother.

She continued, “Are they still trying to claim their ties to you now that you work for the empress?”

“… I sent back all the gifts and the letters they sent me.”

“Excellent. You did the right thing.” The duchess nodded in satisfaction and continued, “How dare they…!”

Yulia’s father and stepmother used to treat her and her sister poorly, but when Yulia became the empress’ maid, they changed their attitudes towards her. They started sending her friendly letters and gifts. They also often asked to meet her in person.

Yulia sighed because she knew exactly what they wanted from her. They probably wanted Yulia to use her connection to find a good marriage prospect for her half-brother.

Duchess Lonensia added, “They are a shameful bunch. Yulia, have you ever considered disowning them?”

“… pardon? I would love to, but there is nothing I can legally do.”

Empress Sa Bina legally distanced herself from her Bonafit family, but it was possible only because she was their adopted daughter.

She explained, “I think I just need to continue ignoring them…”

Suddenly, the duchess suggested an unexpected offer.

“How about you become my adopted daughter? You can become Yulia des Lonensia.”

“…”

Yulia became silent. She couldn’t understand the meaning of this offer.

Duchess Lonensia treated Yulia and her sister kindly because they reminded the duchess of her dead daughter. However, this didn’t mean the duchess treated the sisters like her own daughters. She never offered this to Yulia’s sister, who was now married. There was a clear understanding that their relationship was that of just nieces and aunt, so Yulia couldn’t understand the meaning of this.

She asked in a low voice, “Why are you telling me this, Aunty?”

What the duchess said next was shocking.

“So think carefully, Yulia.”

Duchess Lonensia smiled confidently and stood up. Yulia was nervously sweating as she bowed.

“… Yes. Take care, Aunty.”

After the duchess left, Yulia fearfully considered what her aunt told her.

“You can become the first wife of the emperor as Yulia des Lonensia. I can make it happen.”

Yulia remembered her aunt mentioning how her dead daughter could have been married to the emperor, but at the time, she didn’t think much of it.

Now, it was clear what the duchess planned for her. Yulia trembled as she stood up. She had to do something.

She headed towards the empress’ quarters.

***

Unfortunately, Yulia couldn’t meet with the empress. She had to return to her own room because Bina and Lucretius were together for a private meeting.

Lucretius said to Bina, “Her fever is finally down. I’m relieved.”

He hugged Bina, who still looked at Beatrice with a concerned expression. He put the back of his hand on his daughter’s forehead to check her temperature.

“She still had a small fever this morning, but it’s much better now. I think she will be back to normal by tomorrow morning.”

Lucretius squeezed Bina’s hand and kissed her cheek.

“I have been worried that you are getting thin from taking care of Beatrice.” He asked gently, “Did you eat dinner?”

“… I had a bite to eat. Don’t worry.”

Lucretius smiled knowingly. “So you mean you literally ate one bite, right?”

“No…”

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“What is it?”

“We are ready to set up, your highness.”

Bina looked curiously at Lucretius. What did he order?

“Bring it in.”

Lucretius’ servants came in with a large trolley that had its covers on.

‘What’s going on?’

However, Bina’s curiosity was quickly satisfied as the servants started to set up the table. Steaming stew, freshly baked white bread, and Bina’s favorite fish dish.

The table was set for two.

“You…”

Before Bina could say something, Lucretius quickly kissed her to interrupt her.

“…!”

Bina was about to get annoyed but slowly started to kiss him back with her arms around his neck. She was frustrated at how he treated her like a child, but his intention was good. Bina understood that Lucretius deeply cared about her, and she felt thankful.

After the passionate kiss, Lucretius guided her to the table by her hand.

“… now let’s eat. I’m hungry.”

Bina’s eyes widened. “Did you… not have dinner yet either?”

Bina skipped her dinner since she was busy taking care of her daughter, and she forgot about it. Lucretius had been working all day, which meant his servant would have prepared a dinner for him at his office. However, he obviously hadn’t eaten yet, which meant he didn’t eat on purpose.

“Yes. I heard you didn’t have a proper meal yet, so I didn’t eat either. I wanted to eat with you.”

“…”

Bina’s heart warmed at her husband’s thoughtfulness. They had been married for three years, and his feeling for her hadn’t changed at all.

Bina reached out to kiss his cheek lightly and whispered, “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

The couple began their late dinner.