The capital city of the Roshan Kingdom, Buckney, was a small and vibrant city. It had a coziness and concentrated vitality that couldn’t be seen in the imperial capital.

Arasila, wearing a fluttery dress and a wide-brimmed hat, went out on a date with Demian with an excited face. Having slept soundly the night before, her expression was bright.

On the other hand, while Demian had slightly dark circles under his eyes, his condition wasn’t too bad. At least he had the strength to follow his wife around here and there.

The couple ate lunch at a restaurant Demian frequented during his studies, and walked along the forest path he said he used to walk when he had a lot on his mind.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here too.”

“Did you always walk here alone?”

“Yes, back then I had no room in my heart to have someone by my side.”

The densely grown trees shielded them from the hot summer sun. Demian took in the scenery of the lush green forest with a calm face.

Perhaps because it was a place he came to when he was feeling down or full of worries, he didn’t feel any particular nostalgia. It had been too difficult back then.

“Whenever I felt like I looked unhappy, I would come here and walk aimlessly. Walking in circles over and over would clear my mind.”

“Um… I hope I didn’t suggest we come to a bad place?”

“Of course not. If it was a place I absolutely hated, I would have explained the situation to you and not walked here.”

Demian wrapped his hand around hers as she held onto his arm. Still, Arasila couldn’t shake off the uneasiness and bit her lower lip.

The sunlight filtering through the leaves swayed like waves with the wind. As they strolled along the low and flat path, she spoke.

“…But now you won’t have to walk alone anymore. Because I’ll always be by your side.”

“Thank you. Just hearing that gives me strength.”

“I’m not just saying it.”

“I know.”

Demian chuckled softly, knowing well that Arasila was someone who kept her word once she said it. Having a lifelong companion by one’s side was this reassuring and warm.

“Even a place with unpleasant memories becomes beautiful when I’m with you.”

He said with sincerity as he looked around with fresh eyes. With Arasila by his side, all pain and sorrow melted away like snow, leaving only emotions that were fulfilled because of her.

A life that had only been unfortunate was now becoming one that knew and learned happiness.

Demian couldn’t hide his gratitude, as it was all thanks to Arasila. Having such a person by his side felt like an immense happiness that no one else could grasp.

“I love you, Arasila.”

At his simple yet affectionate confession, a smile blossomed on Arasila’s lips like a flower in full bloom.

“I love you too, Demian.”

“It makes me happy to hear those words no matter how many times I hear them.”

“Me too.”

Arasila hummed a small tune as she interlocked her fingers with Demian’s hand. The leisure they were enjoying with their loved one was sweeter than any vacation.

As she watched a squirrel busily scampering along the branches, she suddenly asked.

“By the way, why do you like me?”

“If I were to list all the reasons, it would take quite some time. Would that be alright?”

“Time is the one thing we have plenty of right now. Tell me, I want to hear it.”

While one might know the reasons they love someone without having to say it, you can’t know the other person’s perspective unless you hear it. Arasila was secretly curious about how this once stoic knight came to like her.

Seeing her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity, Demian smiled slightly and slowly began to speak.

“I like how cute you look when you eat breakfast well.”

The reasons that started like this went on endlessly.

He liked how proper she looked wearing glasses without prescription when working, how adorable the wispy hair that stuck out when she tied her hair was, how charismatic she looked when leading her juniors…

Each reason, though trivial, was a part of what made Arasila who she was, and hearing him say he liked those aspects made her heart flutter.

Ah, I think that’s enough now.

She understood Demian’s feelings sufficiently. She could feel his love overflowing even without hearing more.

But telling someone who was seriously listing reasons that it was enough and to stop talking might make them feel a bit hurt.

“And when you scrunch your nose while concentrating―”

Chu. A moist and soft sensation briefly touched Demian’s lips before pulling away.

Arasila, who had suddenly pulled her husband’s arm to kiss him, grinned. After all, lips should be stopped with lips.

Demian blinked his eyes before quickly understanding her intention and kissed her lightly again.

“I still had more to say, are you already satisfied?”

“Actually, I would have been satisfied even if you had only given one reason.”

Arasila knew that one doesn’t need many reasons to love. A handful of warmth, comfort, and understanding is enough for a person to easily lose their heart.

However, it was true that she had hoped their love would be a bit richer, so she was grateful to Demian for taking the trouble to list out so many words.

Looking at his wife smiling innocently and beautifully, Demian returned the question.

“Then why do you like me, my wife?”

“Because you’re a lovable person.”

Arasila answered without hesitation. Her eyes looking up at her husband were clear and straightforward.

“Because you’re someone who loves me, and knows how to preciously cherish the love I give you.”

“So I’ve been that kind of person to you.”

“Yes.”

The concise answer made Demian feel indescribably happy and joyful. As always, being with Arasila made him feel perfect without any lacking.

The couple walked hand in hand, matching their steps. The dazzling sunlight shone brightly on their similar-looking backs.

Demian showed a subtle tension when dinner time approached.

After finishing their date and returning to the mansion, the two went down to the dining hall. Thanks to Demian’s prior instructions, the table was filled with Arasila’s favorite foods.

While Arasila ate happily, grateful for the consideration, he barely touched his food.

He kept fidgeting, unable to keep his hands still, rubbing them on his pants, folding his arms, or stroking the back of his neck, revealing his nervousness.

Arasila hadn’t noticed, but there was a reason for his tension.

He had prepared for their wedding night.

Not that he had made grand preparations, but he had arranged wine and flowers to create a somewhat romantic atmosphere.

Of course, since Demian couldn’t drink well, he chose champagne with low alcohol content.

‘I hope it pleases her.’

Demian, who had bathed and come out before Arasila for once, sat on the sofa waiting for her.

A moment later, when Arasila returned to the room, she paused seeing the softly lit interior before looking at Demian. Her eyes passed over the wine bottle, glasses, and flowers on the table in front of him.

“What’s all this?”

“How about we have a drink tonight?”

“Is that okay? You can’t drink, can you?”

“I’ll drink moderately.”

Seeing no reason to refuse, Arasila sat next to Demian. He poured a pale-colored wine into the glasses.

Taking a sip, a sweet taste spread in her mouth. It was a relatively low-alcohol wine. One that even Demian could enjoy a glass of without difficulty.

Arasila emptied the glass that tasted like slightly bitter juice and carefully observed her husband. The robe draped over his body, tightly woven with solid muscles, was looser than usual.

Try as she might, her eyes were drawn to his chest and clearly defined abs visible through the open robe. She slightly raised her eyes after openly sending such an improper gaze.

His face, set beneath silver hair that seemed to hold moonlight, wore an enchanting smile.

“Are you trying to seduce me right now?”

“What if I am?”

“If that’s the case…”

Just as Arasila, whose mouth had suddenly gone dry, was about to say something with a serious face.

“Kyaaah!”

A sharp scream shook the mansion. Startled, the two hurriedly tidied their clothes and went outside.

A maid was sitting collapsed in front of the front door on the first floor. Arasila approached the maid who was trembling in fear and put a hand on her shoulder.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Ma, ma, madam. Th-there…”

Turning her head to where the maid’s hand was pointing, she saw a black figure through the half-open door.

Long hair wet from the drizzle that had been falling since earlier, and a pitch-black body.

What is that? Arasila narrowed her eyes.

“A, a ghost…”

“No, that’s a person.”

Arasila, who had handed the maid over to others who had belatedly rushed over, ordered the door to be opened. Demian stuck close to her side, on guard.

One maid bravely opened the door. The black figure then slid inside. Arasila and Demian’s eyes widened as they recognized the pale face illuminated by the lamplight.

“Hello, Duchess. Duke… I’m sorry for coming unannounced so late at night. Please forgive my rudeness…”

The person politely greeting them with trembling lips was none other than Violet, the first princess of the Roshan Kingdom.

The maid who had gone to check when someone knocked on the mansion door late at night mistook the princess, dressed in a pitch-black robe and soaked in rain, for a ghost and screamed.

Once the situation was settled, Arasila took Violet to the reception room. As she wiped her wet face and body with a towel, color soon returned to Violet’s face.

“How did you know to come here?”

“Ah… I heard from my parents. That you two were staying at the mansion where the Duke lived during his time as a young lord.”

“Then, what business brings you here?”

What reason could a princess of a country have for coming to someone else’s house unannounced through this night and rain?

Violet, who had been chewing her lower lip with her front teeth, hesitated before carefully opening her mouth.

“I wanted to ask for your help, Duchess.”

“My help?”

Violet nodded slightly and said.

“Please persuade my parents to cancel my arranged marriage. I beg you.”

She bowed her head, putting aside her dignity and pride as a princess. Arasila, who had become quite flustered, held Violet’s shoulders and calmly replied.

“What are you saying so suddenly, Princess? Please raise your head.”

“When I come of age next year, my parents intend to marry me off right away. I ran away after fighting with them about it and came straight to you, Duchess.”

There was a reason for Violet’s sudden visit, unbefitting her status, even braving the rain.

She had acted impulsively, seeking help without thinking things through, in a state of heightened emotions after arguing with her parents.

In a way, it was an immature move befitting a seventeen-year-old, and Arasila sighed softly before speaking firmly.

“I understand the situation, but this is difficult. I’m not a person of the Roshan Kingdom, so I can’t interfere in royal matters. Why are you asking me this in the first place?”

“…Mother thinks highly of you, Duchess. She won’t listen to anything I say, but I thought it might be different if it came from you.”

Violet’s face fell. Unable to ignore the frustration and depression emanating from the seventeen-year-old princess, Arasila asked.

“You don’t want to get married, Princess?”

“No…”

“Why?”