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1885-chapter-20-1

“Hmm… What should I embroider?” I pondered.

Come to think of it, Arne was sleeping in the garden just a while ago. A vivid image came to mind: a young boy, like a forest fairy, sleeping in a garden filled with blooming flowers. Ah! I should embroider Arne sleeping amidst the scenery of the garden.

As I placed the needle to the embroidery frame, Owen, who was beside me, asked curiously, “Aren’t you going to sketch a pattern first?”

“Why would I need that?” I replied as I thought to myself—I’ve been doing embroidery for over 30 years across both my past and present lives!

He chuckled softly and rested his head on my shoulder. A pleasant scent drifted from him—a subtle woody aroma mixed with a hint of vanilla, almost like cinnamon.

“Proposing to such an impressive woman is making me feel a bit intimidated.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I replied, “Is that something the eldest son of the Duke’s household, soon to be the Grand Duke, should say?”

“Actually, I’ve already been granted the title. I received the imperial approval just yesterday. And, being the eldest, I’ll now officially become the Grand Duke.”

Oh my. So that’s why he looked so tired yesterday—it must have been from handling all the succession matters.

“Then, you’re now officially the Grand Duke of Glentino?”

“No, you should just call me ‘Owen,’ my dear wife.”

Who’s his ‘dear wife’?

“I haven’t agreed to marry you yet!”

“Then, may I call you ‘Sophia’ instead of Madam?”

I finally laughed. This was his intention all along.

“Suit yourself.”

“Yes, Sophia,” he promptly responded, sounding quite pleased with himself.

The name, which I didn’t particularly like because it seemed too old-fashioned compared to my siblings’ names, now sounded sweet. As I kept stitching, his scent continued to linger.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but after completing the embroidery for Arne, I looked up to find Owen fast asleep.

‘No wonder he’s tired. He hasn’t seemed to get proper sleep these past few days.’

With the sudden appearance of a strange boy, the succession in the ducal family, Arnold’s funeral, and even the constant need to suppress related newspaper articles, he must have been mentally exhausted.

As I moved slightly, Owen’s head slid off my shoulder. I quickly caught his head and gently placed it on my lap.

I kept an eye on his expression, worried he might wake up, but he didn’t move. What a relief. Giving a lap pillow like this would be a bit embarrassing if he was fully conscious.

“…Really,” How could someone look so unrealistically handsome? Even Kais, famous for his good looks, would concede to this man.

To think such a man is here, in my room, on my bed, resting on my lap.

I gently brushed Owen’s hair. As his dark blonde hair was swept back, his handsome face was revealed and his features became even more pronounced.

Feeling a bit braver, I lightly touched his eyelashes with my fingers.

My heart pounded in fear that Owen might wake up. At that moment, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. Startled, I quickly withdrew my hand.

My heart pounded nervously. As soon as I withdrew my hand, his lips returned to their original position.

He’s not awake, right? He’s really asleep, isn’t he? I felt a bit uneasy. After some hesitation, I whispered quietly.

“The Duke of Glentino isn’t really my type.”

“…”

Hmm, no reaction. Should I try one more?

“That was a lie.”

“But I still prefer younger men.”

“…”

Good, I’m safe. I relaxed and eased the tension in my body.

To be honest, I prefer younger men than older ones. However, considering my past life, Owen is younger than me. Much younger, in fact.

Plus, this man is so handsome that he completely shatters any standard for an ideal type.

I gently pressed my fingers against his lips. They were soft and tender. It might be the only soft part of his otherwise muscular and toned body. That’s why I liked it.

I played with his lips a few more times before pulling my hand away.

On my left ring finger, the large ring he gave me gleamed.

Yes, Owen proposed to me today.

Of all the events that happened today, this is by far the most unreal.

After thinking for a moment, I eventually pulled out another piece of linen and threaded it into the embroidery frame.

I think I should also make him a handkerchief.

***

“Sophia, you need to wake up.”

“Hmm…”

“Sophia.”

Still half asleep, sunlight streamed in over my closed eyelids.

Tap. Suddenly, someone gently poked my nose.

“Can I kiss you?”