OSO Chapter 3

“I will spend time with you like a normal married couple.”

Mia murmured Dylan’s words from her memory.

As she uttered the preposterous statement, a subtle crack appeared on her reflected face in the mirror.

Seeing the woman’s lips move before her, she knew the words were indeed hers, yet they made no sense.

No matter how many times she replayed them, it was the same.

“We’ll spend time together.”

Why?

“Share a bedroom, and make love countless times.”

The only emotion between them was a meager sense of camaraderie.

Wasn’t their relationship based entirely on calculated mutual benefit?

“And I have no intention of just rolling around prettily in the bedroom.”

Despite phrasing it as politely as a nobleman could, Dylan’s intentions were clear.

He wanted to have sex with her, like any other married couple.

Objectively, Dylan was a handsome man, and as someone without any obvious flaws, she didn’t feel any aversion or discomfort.

She simply didn’t understand.

“Why me, of all people?”

The assumption that he might be attracted to her body vanished instantly. What man would be attracted to this gruesome body covered in scars?

Above all, Mia, unable to endure darkness, had to stay in well-lit places. This meant that if she were to sleep with Dylan, he would have to look at this hideous body the entire time.

“Did he make this absurd proposal because it’s been so long that he’s forgotten what my body looks like?”

Mia coughed dryly a few times and stroked her throat. The emotions that had surfaced while thinking about Dylan had vanished from her face.

She skillfully slipped into the prepared negligee. Similar to the clothes she had been wearing earlier, it was long enough to conceal her scars.

Checking her reflection in the mirror over the vanity, Mia closed her eyes briefly and then opened them.

“I don’t need to understand Dylan.”

She knew it would be pointless to question him.

As always, she needed to control her emotions and remain composed.

In this contract, she was clearly the subordinate party, so all she had to do was comply with the superior party’s wishes.

“Just finish this quickly and go back.”

Of course, such an absurd situation should never happen again. Therefore, a more detailed and explicit contract would be necessary.

“It’s okay, just fulfill all his desires, and this time, for sure…”

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Mia repeated this to herself over and over.

Let’s go home, Mia. Let’s go back home.

As Mia finished preparing for the victory celebration, the sun began to set. The gently fading summer sunlight filled the room.

Mia sat amidst the bustling, chattering attendants, maintaining a composed posture with a smile fixed on her face.

“Ma’am, won’t you be wearing any jewelry?”

“It’s fine.”

Glancing at the mirror, she saw her reflection clad in a white dress that reached her neck, her hair tied up simply.

Since she dressed herself, the dress wasn’t particularly intricate or extravagant, but the delicate lace embellishments emphasized its elegance.

“It’s a shame you always wear similar styles.”

One of the attendants muttered a small complaint.

The others shot the attendant a look, but it was clear they shared the same sentiment. Mia was the only noblewoman who dressed so simply.

She wasn’t fond of flashy jewelry and didn’t acquire new dresses every season. From the attendants’ perspective, she was an easy mistress to serve, but that wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

As silence fell, the attendant next to the one who had spoken nudged her. The flustered attendant glanced at Mia and apologized.

“I’m sorry, ma’am.”

“It’s alright. It’s a natural thought.”

As always, her response was gracious.

Relieved, the attendants finished their tasks.

Looking at the mirror, Mia lightly touched her bare neck. It was where she usually wore her locket necklace.

“Should I bring you some jewelry?”

The perceptive attendant asked, noticing Mia’s gesture. Mia quickly shook her head and rose from her seat.

“We should leave now.”

A typical noblewoman would have waited for an escort, but Mia had attended social gatherings alone for the past three years, so the thought of needing one didn’t occur to her.

“Um, ma’am, shouldn’t you wait for His Lordship’s escort…?”

Mia, not hearing the attendant’s whispered words, stood at the door and nodded.

Without adding anything further, the attendant hurriedly opened the door, and Mia, her gaze lowered, started to walk. It was then that the toe of a shoe, twice the size of her own, touched the tip of her foot.

“Who…?”

As she slowly raised her gaze in question, she saw an immaculate white suit. Glancing to the side, she saw golden epaulettes and ribbons boasting his achievements.

The bright light of the annex and the glimmer of the setting sun through the window poured over his blond hair. It was dazzling, almost blinding.

Perhaps because he was attending the celebration, his hair was slicked back. The thought, Who would think he’s a soldier looking at such a refined appearance, flitted through her mind.

The moment her gaze met his cerulean blue eyes, she felt a stillness descend upon her. After a brief pause, Mia, regaining her senses, called out to him.

“Dylan?”

“Were you planning to go alone?”

“Oh, we were supposed to go together today. I forgot.”

Her reply came with a painted smile.

“Does that bother you?”

Mia hesitated at Dylan’s question.

She wasn’t one for significant emotional fluctuations, so she thought it would be impossible for Dylan to notice, but contrary to her expectations, he seemed to have picked up on it.

“Of course not.”

“Then it’s fine.”

Dismissing the matter curtly as if he had no intention of probing further, Dylan took Mia’s hand and placed it on his arm. Then, he began to walk slowly and spoke.

“Have you organized your thoughts?”

Although the subject was omitted, she easily understood what he was referring to.

“Well, I haven’t decided yet.”

“Is that so?”

“It won’t take long.”

Dylan didn’t respond after Mia’s words.

They walked briskly. They soon passed through the annex, the main building, and finally stepped outside.

As the residence was located right next to the sea, the sound of crashing waves tickled Mia’s ears. With each step, the sea-laden breeze clung to them. The salty scent tickled her nose, but it was completely masked by the fresh fragrance emanating from Dylan beside her.

Just as she was thinking about how soothing and uncharacteristic the scent was for him, the twilight began to envelop them.

As she squinted against the glare, Dylan spoke calmly.

“I look forward to a wise decision.”

* * *

The celebration hosted by the Hippoli royal family to commemorate the return of the Hippoli navy was a grand affair.

But no one considered it extravagant.

After all, the twelve-year war had finally come to an end.

And the protagonists who had brought the war to a close deserved such splendor.

“His Grace, Duke Dylan LeHart, Admiral of the Navy, and Her Grace, Duchess Saedimia LeHart, are entering.”

The bustling ballroom fell silent. All eyes turned towards the opening doors. Dylan, looking more rugged than three years prior, and Mia, as elegant as ever, entered the ballroom.

Concluding his restrained, soldierly escort, he kissed the back of Mia’s hand. The nobles couldn’t hear what they were saying from afar, but it wasn’t difficult to predict the kind of conversation a couple reunited after three years might have.

Sweet nothings and embarrassing, heartwarming exchanges, no doubt.

The nobles, observing the young couple, beautiful and capable, from a distance, finally ended their speculations as the two separated and went their own ways.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

“Greetings, Duchess LeHart.”

“How have you been?”

Everyone in the room greeted Mia with smiles as she gracefully initiated conversations.

After the brief greetings, the noblewomen skillfully opened conversations with gentle laughter. Thanks to them, the atmosphere quickly became convivial.

Then, someone cautiously asked Mia,

“Um… Duchess, has there been any word regarding the LeHart succession?”

While everyone gave the woman who had spoken a warning glance, they also subtly waited for Mia’s response.

“Ah, the succession.”

Four years ago, Murad, proposing the political marriage between the two nations, had requested a high-ranking nobleman from Hippoli as a consort for their first princess. It was a predicament for Hippoli.

If a child were born between them, it would be no different from giving Murad a reason to interfere in Hippoli’s affairs.

However, it was a difficult situation to refuse, and that’s when Dylan stepped forward. He declared that he would not inherit the title and name of ‘LeHart,’ which he had received for his contributions to the war.

Soon after, the King of Hippoli granted his permission, and Dylan and Mia were married. Since the circumstances had changed, it was natural for everyone to be curious about the LeHart succession.

As Mia remained silent, someone quickly concluded the conversation.

“It’s only been a few days since the war ended, so it’s a bit early to be discussing that topic.”

Everyone gave awkward laughs and brought up other topics of conversation.

“Now that our soldier husbands have returned, I imagine there will be an increase in ladies seeking female physicians soon.”

Soldier husbands, couples long separated, and their need for female physicians.

Subtle smiles spread across the faces of those who understood the implication.