It was when Demian had finished all his work and was alone in his office that he took out the letter.

He carefully pulled out the letter he had kept preciously in the drawer like a treasure chest. It was none other than the one Arasila had written on his birthday.

To keep the promise of reading it alone, he had waited for a few days even after his birthday ended.

Now, without any interruption, he intended to read her letter with a reverent mind and posture.

‘I wonder what words my wife has written.’

With an expectant heart, he unfolded the letter, taking care not to crumple the paper.

“To Demian,

Demian, it feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve written you a letter.

Do you remember the first letter I sent? Back then, I couldn’t imagine spending all four seasons with you like this.

The time I spent with you from spring to winter was quite eventful, whether because of you or me.

I don’t mean I disliked it, thanks to it I think we both grew a lot.

Isn’t it amazing now when we think about how we used to be wary and dislike each other in the beginning?

I’m grateful to you for many things. I’m thankful that you always apologize first, and I’m grateful that you stayed by my side to keep me from falling apart when I was struggling.

I never imagined someone would enter my life so deeply.

But when I was expelled from the magic tower, I would have really struggled if it weren’t for you. I might have gone crazy and set fire to the magic tower and been arrested.

Thank you sincerely for helping me not take the path of a criminal.

I’ve learned and gained so much through you. I hope you feel the same way. Well, since I’m so capable in many areas, I’m sure you did.

Does that sound obnoxious? Honestly, did you think it was obnoxious while reading the line above?

Please understand. The truth is, I’m not very good at writing. I’m the type to express my feelings through words and actions rather than writing.

Trying to write seriously, it feels like my words are going astray. Suddenly, I regret not writing just one line like you do.

You are the only knight I respect.

It might have sounded cool if I had written it like that. But I’m not someone who follows what others do.

Anyway, there are just two things I ultimately want to say.

We met out of necessity, but I think we’ve become friends now. So let’s continue to get along well.

I’ll do my best, so you do well too.

Happy birthday, Demian.

P.S.

Oh, my birthday is in spring.

Pretending not to expect much, I’ll have a small expectation.

– From Arasila.”

As Demian read the letter carefully, he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from curling up. He covered his mouth with his large hand and let out a laugh.

How she wrote the letter just like herself.

The content of the long letter he was receiving for the first time was so cute and so Arasila-like that Demian kept grinning and laughing.

His golden eyes went back up to reread the phrases he liked. He was so distracted that he didn’t notice the red light of the sunset coming in and out through the window behind him.

‘This is really serious.’

Demian thought seriously as he carefully put the letter back in the drawer, not even folding it again for fear of damaging it, leaving it spread out.

Receiving a letter like this made it feel as if there was something between her and him.

In the letter, Arasila said they had become friends. It sounded much sweeter and more affectionate than contract spouses who would never see each other again once they parted.

To the point where he feared he might harbor vain desires.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Although he couldn’t become her true family, he was glad that Arasila seemed satisfied with the present.

For now, he was part of her future, and Arasila had no intention of ending their fake marriage immediately.

Demian was very happy and satisfied with that fact alone.

Feeling a beastly sense of fullness at the extended time they would spend together, he suddenly turned his gaze to a pen and paper.

‘Hmm, should I write a reply too?’

The neat and tidy handwriting in the letter showed signs of being written with care. It seemed right to give a simple reply, if only to reciprocate that sincerity.

Demian took out the most expensive and high-quality blank paper he had and began to write, pondering each character.

That he was sincerely grateful too, that he owed her a lot, that he had learned and grown a lot thanks to her, that he would definitely treat her well, that he looked forward to continuing to rely on her for a long time to come.

He wrote the postscript playfully like her. Pretending to prepare big, he would prepare small. Of course, it was a joke.

When Arasila’s birthday came next spring, Demian intended to devote everything he had to give her the most beautiful day.

Since there wasn’t much he could do, he had to make the most of the given opportunity.

‘I wish winter would pass quickly.’

Although it was just early winter, Demian shamelessly rushed the seasons.

Already excited at the thought of welcoming the second spring with Arasila, someone knocked on the office door.

“Master, dinner preparations are complete.”

The butler announced from beyond the door. Demian replied that he understood and put the letter in his jacket’s inner pocket. He intended to hand it to Arasila when they met in the dining hall.

He went down with a faint smile on his face. He was curious how Arasila would react when she received the reply.

“Are you here, Demian?”

Today, Arasila, who was already seated, calmly greeted him.

“Yes, my lady.”

Conscious of the letter in his chest, Demian tried to act natural. Perhaps because of that, he failed to notice that Arasila’s expression was strangely dark as he sat across from her.

Silence fell over the table. As the food came out one by one, Demian struggled internally.

Whether to give the letter now or after the meal.

He was still hesitating and hadn’t touched his utensils even though all the food had been served.

“Demian, I have something to tell you.”

Arasila broke the silence. Only then did Demian focus his gaze directly on her face and nod.

“Please speak.”

“I’ve been officially designated as the successor by the Tower Master. It will be officially announced next week, but I’m letting you know in advance.”

“Is that true?”

Demian’s eyes widened. Hadn’t she said becoming the Tower Master was Arasila’s long-held dream? The fact that she was achieving it made him feel excited and thrilled.

Still not sensing anything strange in her overly calm demeanor, he smiled broadly and offered his congratulations.

“That’s wonderful. Congratulations, my lady.”

“Thank you.”

“Shouldn’t we hold a party for this? I’ll prepare it for you.”

Demian stepped forward eagerly at the opportunity for repayment that came earlier than expected. But Arasila shook her head firmly.

It felt too extravagant, and she wasn’t in the mood for it either.

“It’s alright. It’s not too late to hold one after I officially become the Tower Master.”

“Is that so? If that’s what you think, I understand.”

Demian, who had finally sensed Arasila’s slightly subdued voice, backed down readily. He wondered if she just wasn’t in the mood for a party.

Still wanting to congratulate her sincerely, he pondered and offered an alternative.

“How about a toast to celebrate instead?”

“Is that possible? For someone who can’t drink well.”

Arasila chuckled, clearly remembering how Demian’s face had turned red after barely half a glass on their wedding night.

Instead of refuting her words, Demian had a servant bring out wine.

“One glass drunk out of joy won’t intoxicate you.”

“Tsk, I don’t think so.”

“Let’s see for ourselves.”

Demian, who had poured about half a glass for each of them, offered his glass first. Arasila willingly brought her glass to meet his.

A clear sound rang out as the glasses clinked together. As she slowly swallowed the wine in her mouth, Arasila sorted out her complicated thoughts.

In fact, she still had something to say to Demian. But she found it hard to say it.

Glancing across, Arasila burst out laughing. Demian’s face was turning red from just one sip.

“Demian, do you know your face looks like an apple just starting to ripen?”

“It’s just my face, I’m not drunk.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Drinking out of joy for good news doesn’t make you drunk.”

Arasila’s lips trembled for a moment at the softly flowing voice. Being designated as the next Tower Master was purely good news only for her.

Seeing him express joy as if it were his own news made her feel uneasy again. Fidgeting with the smooth surface of the glass, Arasila opened her mouth.

“…Demian, so about that.”

“Yes.”

“Our contract, when do you think it will end?”

Demian, who had just raised his hand to his chest, blinked slowly. It surely wasn’t that he was already feeling the effects of alcohol, but his body movements became sluggish.

Asking when the contract would end is the same as asking when they would divorce. It’s not a question Arasila would ask unless she wanted a quick divorce.

Demian’s hand dropped as he finished processing this. It felt like someone had poured cold water over his head.

While I was dreaming of a future together, you were waiting for us to part.

He had just been about to take out the letter to give to Arasila. He wanted to let her know his resolve to treat her well now that she had achieved her dream.

But thinking about it, what use would that be to Arasila?

The two of them were fundamentally bound by a contract based on mutual interests, and he had already confirmed several times that he was an obstacle to her progress.

Then what Arasila wanted most would have been to part ways with him as soon as possible…

‘What was I so foolishly excited about?’

Demian clenched his fist tightly. He thought it was fortunate he hadn’t taken out the letter yet. This mere reply wouldn’t be necessary for Arasila.

In an extremely rational state, he spoke calmly with his eyes lowered.

“I’m currently working hard to find my grandfather’s will. One fortunate thing is that the duke’s side hasn’t gotten their hands on it either. If my marriage to you seems to interfere with you becoming the Tower Master—”

Demian urged himself to think only in a good direction for Arasila, for her sake.

Even so, the words that followed got stuck in his throat for a moment before coming out.

“Then… I don’t mind if you just break off the marriage.”

Arasila, who had been staring intently at the innocent food, raised her head in surprise.

Inheriting the duke’s position was the condition for divorce, but now he was saying it was okay to break the contract before that.

Feeling the sincerity in Demian’s unwavering eyes, Arasila responded in bewilderment.

“What if you can’t inherit the duke’s position if we do that?”

“The probability of that is almost zero now. Oscar’s side is at a disadvantage with the illegitimate child issue, and anyway, I’ve already fulfilled the condition of marrying the granddaughter of Duke Hugo once.”

Even if they divorced tomorrow, the fact that Demian had married her wouldn’t disappear. Oscar now had no chance of meeting the will’s conditions, so he was in a much more advantageous position.

And even if they couldn’t find the will, it was okay because the emperor knew its contents. They had the strongest witness.

The corners of Demian’s mouth curved into a smooth arc. Arasila stared blankly at him smiling like a picture.

“So don’t worry about me, and just focus on running towards the dream you’ve longed for.”

“…”

“I have no intention whatsoever of being an obstacle to you. That would also be a violation of the contract, wouldn’t it?”

Demian’s voice resonated low and pleasant, but Arasila felt a pang in one corner of her heart.

As if this wasn’t the answer she had wanted, the area around her solar plexus felt stuffy and suffocating.

“I’ll divorce you whenever you want. Just say the word.”

“…I understand. Thank you.”

Arasila barely opened her mouth to answer. Even though her worries had been resolved, she didn’t feel refreshed.

They both continued the meal in an uneasy state. It was filled with a surprisingly uncomfortable silence.