Extra Story 3 - A Peaceful Day

As the sun began to sink, Lucien and Marguerite were visiting shops along the main avenue.

Her husband Lucien, who had grown thoroughly sweet, had asked for a date during the long-awaited time the two of them could finally spend alone as a married couple.

“How about this one, Lucien-sama?”

What Marguerite held out was a toy made of a thin wooden stick with a string attached, several bird feathers tied to the end. In Lucien’s hand was a dried chicken treat.

Inside the shop were not only toys and snacks, but also collars and clothes for cats.

There were also products for dogs, fish tanks and feed, and even cute animal-themed goods—boasting a lineup that covered absolutely everything related to animals, making it a large specialty store.

As ever, the relationship between Lucien and Marron went back and forth. Some days Marron would sit quietly in his arms; on others, she would throw sharp punches.

This was the shop Marguerite, who struggled daily to reconcile the man and the cat, had desperately wanted to visit.

“Marron likes playing with strings, and she likes feathers too, so a toy that combines them is extremely appealing!”

“You’re right. Let’s buy this. And some treats, and a stuffed toy, and…”

Holding chicken jerky and a mouse plush with a serious expression, Lucien nodded. If she had shown this scene to herself just after marrying into House de Broy, she might not have believed it.

Suppressing the smile that threatened to spread across her face, Marguerite lined up beside him.

After finishing the selection of items for Marron, Marguerite was browsing the store when she exclaimed, “Ah!”

True to their claim of having “absolutely everything,” the shop even carried goods related to marine life.

As Marguerite stepped toward a section marked Deep-Sea Corner and picked up an item, Lucien peered over.

“You want to buy this…?”

“Let’s buy this too!”

With sparkling eyes, Marguerite held out a mug shaped like a deep-sea fish.

It was a garish red, with a nearly spherical body and sharp fins jutting out from the sides and handle.

Lucien wore a conflicted expression, but compared to the illustrations in reference books, this was far less grotesque. Being puffed up into a mug shape made it rather cute.

“Shall we get matching ones?”

“Wait. Let me think for a moment…”

As Marguerite lifted a second deep-sea fish mug, Lucien furrowed his brow and fell into serious contemplation.

She recalled how Lucien had stiffened at the sight of a starfish when they played by the sea in the de Broy territory. It seemed he was not fond of such creatures.

“—Ah.”

While waiting for Lucien, Marguerite looked around again and spoke up.

Next to the end of the deep-sea plush section was a shelf of books about the ocean. From marine encyclopedias to novels with the sea as their theme, the selection was just as varied.

Among them was a single picture book.

She recognized it instantly from the spine alone. There was no way she could forget it.

It was the picture book their mother, Cynthia, had read aloud to Marguerite and Isabella when they were young.

It was one of the few personal belongings Marguerite had brought with her upon marriage. The copy she owned had worn corners on the cover.

Recalling the dream from that morning, Marguerite formed a wistful smile.

Judged unqualified to inherit the count’s title due to the crime of perjury against the royal family, Isabella had been stripped of her noble status and sent to Sarea Monastery, located in the royal domains north of the Kingdom of Linesh. Marguerite had sent letters several times, but none had been answered.

As Marguerite stroked the cover of the picture book, she suddenly looked up.

Lucien was standing there, holding the deep-sea fish mugs in both hands, his gaze fixed on her.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

Lucien must have sensed what was in her heart. He knew that the picture book that gave Marguerite such a pained expression was kept in her room.

“…If it’s nothing, then fine.”

He murmured, adjusting his hold on the two mugs.

“Since it’s something you like, Marguerite, I’ll use it too.”

At that kindness, Marguerite’s expression softened.

He was not someone who would force her to speak of what she chose not to say. He simply stayed close like this—and she knew that when things truly became painful, he would help her.

“Thank you. I’m happy.”

At Marguerite’s beaming smile, Lucien smiled back and nodded.

Thanks to Lucien, her positive feelings had returned.

Someday, when both their hearts had settled a little more, perhaps they could visit Sarea Monastery together.