Chapter 97

The next day, thanks to our early departure, Nine and I were able to reach the Eclipse Ducal Castle before noon.  

The moment I stepped out of the carriage, I widened my eyes in surprise.  

In front of the castle, the entire household of the duke’s estate had come out to greet us—as if welcoming a triumphant general home.  

“Chacha!”  

“Lady Chacha!”  

Adel, standing at the very front, came running toward me with teary eyes and threw himself into my arms.  

The servants who had been close to me—Van, Laura, and others—surrounded us, their faces all on the verge of tears.  

Among them, I noticed Annie as well. It seemed she hadn’t been able to leave the castle even after I’d run away.  

Even Kate, who had shut herself away from everyone, stood beside Roana, watching us.  

I had heard she hadn’t left her room since my departure, but seeing her in person made my chest tighten with emotion.  

Then suddenly, I realized one person was missing.  

‘Where’s Iris?’  

Many people had come to welcome us, but Iris was nowhere to be seen.  

‘Don’t tell me she thinks it’s her fault that things went wrong between me and Nine?’  

It might have looked that way, but strictly speaking, it wasn’t her fault.  

It had been partly because Nine had lost his memory—and partly because I had been trapped by the “original story.”  

Still, I worried that the servants might misunderstand and resent her.  

The people of this house were fiercely loyal to the duke and deeply proud of the North; they might not openly shun her, but they probably wouldn’t treat her as warmly as before.  

I remembered the day Iris first came to the castle—how she’d hidden behind Nine because of all the stares.  

Maybe this time, she’d chosen to avoid appearing altogether.  

‘It was my misunderstanding that caused this. I should go see her later.’  

I soothed the still-sobbing Adel in my arms and smiled at the servants around us.  

Contrary to the reports I’d received through the communicator, the atmosphere in the castle wasn’t grim at all; everyone was simply overjoyed about the reconciliation and return of the ducal couple.  

“Please come inside. Dinner has been prepared,” Van said once the excitement had settled a bit.  

He dismissed the servants and naturally led us toward the dining hall.  

“And we’ve cleared out your usual bedrooms, Lady Chacha.”  

“…What?”  

Cleared them out?  

He didn’t sound like he meant they’d just cleaned them, so I blinked at him in confusion.  

Nine, however, only nodded calmly beside me.  

“I see.”  

“Wait, what do you mean by ‘cleared out’?”  

Realizing my confusion, Nine finally explained.  

“Among imperial nobles, it’s customary for couples to have separate bedrooms. But in the North, it’s tradition for married couples to share one. Of course, it’s not mandatory—if you’re uncomfortable, they can prepare separate rooms.”  

“Oh.”  

Van nodded in agreement with Nine’s words.  

Of course, if I said I was uncomfortable, Nine would immediately have separate rooms prepared…  

I glanced sideways at him.  

His eyes were shimmering faintly, as if moist, gazing at me with an almost pitiful tenderness.  

I could tell—if I said no, he’d definitely look heartbroken.  

‘…Well, I do like waking up next to him.’  

Remembering the morning at the Oswald villa, I realized I hadn’t intended to refuse anyway.  

Still, saying yes outright made me blush with embarrassment.  

Fanning my warm face lightly, I murmured,  

“No, it’s fine… We’ll share. We’re married, after all.”  

“Mm.”  

Nine smiled brightly and took my hand.  

Even with servants walking behind us, his easy affection didn’t waver, and the heat in my cheeks refused to fade.  

Van, watching us fondly, suddenly remembered something and said, “The master bedroom doesn’t have an adjoining servant’s chamber, so please don’t worry. If you need assistance, simply pull the bellcord as usual.”  

“…”  

My face flared up instantly.  

Realizing exactly what he was reassuring me about, I nodded stiffly with my burning cheeks and covered my face with one hand.  

‘It didn’t feel this embarrassing back at the Oswald villa…’  

Then again, that had been because we weren’t surrounded by people we’d have to keep seeing every day.

***

When we entered the dining hall, Adel and Roana were already seated—and to my surprise, even Kate had joined them.  

“Chacha, welcome.”  

She greeted me with a faint but genuine smile.  

Though she still looked frail and worn, there was a new spark of determination in her eyes.  

“Thank you, Lady Kate.”  

I smiled back and took the seat Nine pulled out for me.  

The last dinner we’d had together after returning from the capital had been cheerful, but this was the first time the whole family had gathered together.  

I recalled the days when no one even set foot in this dining room—and seeing everyone’s warm faces now, I couldn’t help but smile.  

It was as lively as the Blueberry Count’s household had once been.  

As we ate the appetizers, Adel asked curiously, “Chacha, where did you go?”  

“I went to the western region—Fernandis. Do you like the sea?”  

“Wow, yeah!”  

His eyes sparkled. Having never traveled far, he seemed fascinated by the idea of the ocean.  

“Is seawater really salty?”  

“It is! Really salty—unbelievably so!”  

In truth, I’d only seen the sea briefly in passing, but I remembered my trip to the southern coast and answered confidently.  

Adel kicked his feet happily under the chair.  

“Take me with you next time! I’m big now—and I’ve even started sword lessons! I wanna travel!”  

“Shall we? Which sea do you want to see first?”  

Everyone chuckled softly at his eagerness.  

As I asked him, I glanced at Nine, silently asking for his approval.  

He was watching us with a gentle, content smile.  

Seeing that expression, Roana and Kate, seated across from him, looked startled.  

Their eyes widened for a moment before they lowered their heads, expressions tightening with sorrow.  

Clink.  

Kate set down her fork.  

It was a small sound, but enough to draw everyone’s attention.  

Roana bit her lip nervously, then the two of them spoke almost at once.  

“I’m sorry, Nine…”  

“I’m sorry. I’ve been such a foolish sister.”  

Nine looked at them in surprise.  

Adel and I also blinked in confusion—but soon exchanged a silent agreement.  

‘Let’s stay quiet?’  

‘Yeah!’  

We smiled mischievously and pressed our lips shut.  

Nine looked between Kate and Roana, then quietly set down his utensils as well.  

He bowed his head to them.  

“I wasn’t without fault either. Before Chacha came, I, too, chose to turn away from everything.”  

“…”  

“I’m sorry, Mother. Sister.”  

His unexpected apology left both women stunned.  

Flustered and overwhelmed, Kate began to cry softly.  

“…No, no, it’s all right.”  

Watching her tears fall one after another, I nudged Nine with my elbow.  

He turned to me, bewildered.  

‘Go hug her.’  

I mouthed the words silently. He chuckled and nodded obediently.  

As he went over to embrace Kate, then exchanged words with Roana, the atmosphere in the dining hall softened completely.  

When the heavy emotions finally lifted and smiles returned to everyone’s faces, I spoke up.  

“I have something to say too.”  

Everyone turned to me in curiosity.  

Taking a small breath, I began,  

“It’s about how I ended up marrying Nine.”  

As I unraveled the story, the words came far easier than I’d expected—perhaps because the air was so warm and trusting.  

No one’s eyes wavered from me; their faith stayed steady throughout.  

“…I was too afraid to explain back then, but that doesn’t excuse what I did. I was wrong. I’m sorry.”  

“…”  

Surprise flickered across their faces.  

I smiled faintly, understanding that while trust could remain, the truth itself wasn’t easy to accept.  

Then Roana spoke quietly, “I’m sorry.”  

It was brief, but the meaning was clear—she had been the one who’d most harshly misjudged and accused me.  

I shook my head and returned the apology, then glanced around the table.  

Everyone had already recovered from their initial shock, smiling warmly at me again.  

Even so, their eyes said it clearly: We’re still family.

From there, the conversation flowed into light, everyday chatter.  

We shared stories and laughter, and the dinner ended in a cozy, heartfelt harmony.  

***

“Chacha.”  

After the lunch gathering, just before heading to his office, Nine called out to me.  

When I turned, he stepped close and wrapped me tightly in his arms.  

I returned the embrace, reluctant to let go, when he whispered softly in my ear, “See you tonight, wife.”  

“…”  

The low murmur brushed against my ear—and the word wife struck straight at my heart.  

I stared after him, blushing furiously as he walked away.  

‘S-so shameless! My husband!’