Chapter 38

"What are you spacing out for?"

It was evening, dinner time.

With a light step, humming to herself, "I wonder what we're having for dinner today~," she froze as soon as she opened the door to the dining room.

A handsome man with his arms crossed was sitting next to the seat where Amelia usually sat.

"Lo-lo-lo-logan-sama...!?"

"My name isn't that rhythmic."

Logan, with his usual serious expression, was wearing casual clothes instead of his usual work attire.

"What's going on? Sit down quickly."

"Y-yes..."

She hurriedly sat down next to him.

Mixed with the aroma of the delicious dishes on the table, a faint citrus scent wafted through the air.

It was a comforting smell.

"You finished work early today, didn't you?"

"Yes, thankfully. I don't think I'll be working late from now on."

"From now on?"

When Amelia tilted her head, Logan averted his gaze, scratched his head, and said,

"I haven't seen you enough these past few days. I decided to reduce my workload to spend more time with you."

Amelia's heart tightened.

Or maybe it was a warm, fluttering feeling.

She was incredibly happy that he had made time for her.

(You're too kind, Mr. Logan...!)

Just as she was thinking that,

"Are you unhappy that you'll be spending more time with me?"

Logan asked, noticing Amelia's lack of response.

"N-no! It's not that... In fact, it's the opposite..."

"Hmm?"

With a small voice, Amelia said, "I'm happy."

"What? I can't hear you. Hmm?"

"...H-happy..."

"Hmm?"

"H-happy!"

Steam seemed to rise from Amelia's head.

Her hands, gripping her dress, trembled slightly with embarrassment.

"Ugh... Logan-sama, you're being mean..."

"Sorry, sorry, you're just too easy to tease."

Logan covered his mouth with a clenched fist and chuckled softly.

He seemed unusually cheerful today.

Surprising... or maybe not.

Logan might have a bit of a sadistic side.

"Alright, let's get started before the food gets cold."

"Y-yes!"

After offering a prayer before the meal, dinner began.

As usual, a variety of calorie-dense dishes lined the table.

However, it wasn't time to panic yet, so she started with the salad.

The fresh lettuce and shredded radish mixed with a tangy sauce were delicious.

On the first day, her hunger had exploded, and she had ended up sprouting celery from her mouth, a disgraceful display for a lady. But after a few days, her eating habits had calmed down.

She wasn't sure how much of the dining etiquette she had learned from her mother would apply in the noble world, but at least she was less rambunctious.

...Occasionally, she still got carried away with new, delicious dishes.

After finishing the salad,

Amelia waited until Logan had also finished before saying,

"Thank you again."

"For what?"

"For what happened yesterday."

Yesterday, after crying uncontrollably, Logan had taken the exhausted Amelia to his room.

She had been sobbing the whole time and hadn't been able to properly thank him.

"Don't worry about it. If you were able to let it all out, that's fine."

Amelia's heart ached at Logan's nonchalant response.

"I'm very sorry... I caused you so much trouble, and then..."

She gripped her dress tightly.

"...I showed you such an undignified side of myself, I'm so sorry... Oops."

Logan tapped her forehead with his index finger.

"What are you doing?" she asked, pressing her forehead and looking at Logan.

"You tend to worry too much."

In a serious tone, Logan said,

"Given the treatment you received at your parents' house, it's understandable that your self-esteem is low. But as my wife, you need to be more confident."

"Be more confident..."

"Don't be afraid of what others think. It's important to have your own will and desires."

She thought it made sense.

Sylphie and Oscar had said similar things.

As a duchess, her behavior was too timid, or rather, not fitting for her role.

"Yes... I'm sorry."

"You need to work on your habit of apologizing too much. Over-apologizing can backfire on you. In situations like this, a simple statement is enough."

"Yes... um..."

After thinking carefully, she spoke the one word that came to mind.

"Thank you?"

"You're a good girl."

Logan patted Amelia's head.

The large, gentle touch.

Thinking about last night's dream, Amelia's cheeks turned a bright strawberry color.

Her heart was pounding, and her face was hot.

But... her heart felt warm and comfortable.

After bowing her head, Amelia reached for the next dish, trying to hide her obvious embarrassment.