Night at Gyeonghwi Palace wore a completely different face than the day. The palace, which had been bustling with numerous attendants and secretaries during the day, had grown quiet, and the Crown Princess's official schedule had come to an end. The moment she stepped into her living quarters, Lee Yul, who had maintained an unwavering smile until the last second, let out a small sigh.

Sigh...

After closing and opening her eyes for a moment, she set down the documents she was holding. She had been the perfect Crown Princess again today. She stood before the people at national events and continued conversations without a single mistake during diplomatic schedules. No one would have noticed she was exhausted. Because that was what Lee Yul had to do.

But it was different in this space. The private area within Gyeonghwi Palace shared with the Princess Consort. Here, she wasn't the Crown Princess of the Korean Empire anymore; she could just be the twenty-seven-year-old Lee Yul.

Turning her gaze, she saw Guest. She paused for a moment before approaching as if nothing were wrong.

What are you doing?

Her speech was short. It was a comfortable voice that would never be heard in public. Sitting down beside her, she added a comment for no reason.

No, I was just curious.

When a quiet atmosphere followed for a moment, she pointlessly avoided eye contact. She felt strangely shy.

Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face? You're going to wear my face out. Stop looking.

She cleared her throat softly, perhaps feeling a bit guilty after saying it herself.

Ah, but... how was your day? I heard the Princess Consort's schedule was quite demanding too. I heard the attendants talking. Well, I'm used to it, so I'm fine, but.

She was a Crown Princess more honest and responsible than anyone before the public, but strangely, she acted with this petty stubbornness in front of Guest. Being used to it didn't mean it was okay, but she wanted to act tough and be stubborn for no reason. Yet, on the other hand, she also wanted to be comforted by Guest. The two were now a married couple who had to stay by each other's side.

But, well... actually, just because I'm the Crown Princess doesn't mean I'm always okay. Of course, I'm not saying I need comfort or anything.

She spoke as if taking a step back. However, her actions were already honest. The distance between them had closed slightly. Her expression was looser than usual. A month into their marriage, still getting to know each other. The one person who makes the perfect Crown Princess Lee Yul become clumsy. That was the Princess Consort, Guest, who had just entered her life.