After the magic tower event, Demian fell into deep thought.

He had resolved to treat Arasila properly as his wife in order to reduce the losses she would see from marrying him.

The problem was how to treat Arasila well.

When he thought they were just a contract couple and only had to act well in front of others, it seemed easy enough without much agonizing.

But now that he was trying to treat Arasila sincerely, he had no idea where to start.

‘I don’t know much about my wife, so should I start by getting to know her?’

Demian looked out the carriage window with a thoughtful expression. Suddenly, a long line of people came into his view.

‘Why are they standing like that?’

Curious, he shifted his gaze a bit to the side. There, he saw a lavishly decorated pink pastry shop.

There was a sign indicating some kind of event with the following message:

“Gift special chocolates to your beloved girlfriend or wife!”

Looking again after seeing the sign, he noticed there were many men in line.

Just then, the coachman informed him they would have to stop briefly due to a traffic jam. While looking out to assess the road situation, he couldn’t help but keep glancing at the pastry shop.

‘Do wives like that kind of thing….’

He glanced at a couple passing by the carriage. The woman holding the chocolate box given by the man looked happy.

Seeing her bright smile, he suddenly thought of Arasila.

Would she smile like that if she received special chocolates as a gift?

Imagining it wasn’t so bad, so Demian suddenly opened the carriage door and got out. Telling the surprised coachman to wait, he headed for the crowded pastry shop.

When he came out of the shop a while later, he was holding a box wrapped with a red ribbon.

‘…Wait, does my wife even like chocolate?’

That thought occurred to him when they were almost home.

Though he often ate meals with Arasila, they hadn’t had many tea times or dates together, so he didn’t know her dessert preferences.

Realizing Arasila might not like chocolate, Demian hesitated to take the box out.

Honestly, he also felt a bit embarrassed about buying such an unexpected gift.

So even after arriving home, he sat motionless in the carriage for several minutes.

Sensing something was off, the butler and servants gathered in front of the carriage, murmuring. The butler gently knocked on the carriage door.

“Master? Is something wrong?”

“…No. I’ll get out now.”

Knowing he couldn’t stay in the carriage forever, Demian came out, hiding the box between his uniform coat and cape.

As he quickly climbed the stairs, he suddenly ran into Arasila, who was coming down. He startled as if he’d committed a crime.

“You’re back, Demian?”

Arasila greeted him with a bright smile. Seeing her eyes crinkle, Demian unconsciously gripped the hidden box tightly.

Would she smile like that if he gave her this?

Feeling oddly nervous, he licked his dry lips.

“Are we eating dinner right away?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Then I’ll go ahead.”

Arasila was about to pass him to head towards the dining hall.

Demian felt a sense of urgency. He didn’t want to let her go like this. After all, he had bought this for Arasila…

He grabbed Arasila’s arm and blurted out without thinking:

“Do you like chocolate?”

Arasila’s eyes widened at the sudden question.

“Why so suddenly? Well, I like it well enough.”

“Then please accept this.”

Demian handed her the chocolate box, trying to act as casual as possible, as if saying “I just picked this up on the way.”

Arasila opened the slightly crushed box with a puzzled expression.

“Oh, chocolates?”

Fortunately, the chocolates inside were intact. Arasila admired the cute designs and popped one in her mouth.

Demian waited nervously for her reaction, even though he hadn’t made them himself.

“Oh, it’s delicious.”

Savoring the sweetness spreading in her mouth, Arasila smiled even wider than before.

As her eyes curved into crescents, Demian’s expression also relaxed.

Gaining confidence from the successful surprise gift, he stepped closer to Arasila and asked:

“What else do you like?”

“Why are you asking?”

“I’m curious.”

To treat Arasila well, he needed to know what she liked first.

Seeing Demian’s utterly serious face, Arasila tilted her head and said:

“Well, I can’t think of anything off the top of my head…”

“I see. Then please tell me when you think of something. You can write it down for me too.”

“Why, so you can carry it around and memorize it?”

“Yes.”

Arasila was taken aback by the deadpan response to her joking comment.

“I need to know my wife well to support her properly, don’t I?”

A faint smile appeared on Demian’s lips. Arasila blinked slowly.

What’s this, is he joking around?

She had that suspicion for a moment, but realized it wasn’t the case the very next day. Demian came home holding desserts again, just like the day before.

“Isaac said these financiers are rumored to be delicious among noble young ladies these days.”

“You bought these for me?”

“Yes, please try them.”

Arasila received the box of financiers with a dazed expression. She ate them and smiled, saying they were delicious, and Demian looked pleased.

This peculiar behavior continued for several days. Thanks to this, Arasila ended up eating all kinds of desserts every day.

Tarts, soufflés, madeleines, pound cakes…

The fact that she said she liked all desserts without any particular favorites also played a big part.

‘Well, it feels nice that he’s being considerate of me.’

Just because she has an independent personality doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate others’ care.

Whenever Arasila saw the desserts Demian brought, she couldn’t help but smile. A gentle smile never left her face.

She packed the leftover desserts as snacks for work the next day. Today’s snack was macarons.

When she took them out in front of her juniors after lunch, the two exclaimed in admiration.

“Wow, aren’t these the limited edition macarons from Mimi’s Dessert House that are hard to get?”

“Sally always said she wanted to eat them, but they were always sold out when we went after work.”

“Huh…? But how did you get them, senior? You left work at the same time as us yesterday.”

Arasila silently took out the macarons and placed them on a plate. Sally and Rudy speculated among themselves before realizing:

“Ah! Your husband must have bought these macarons for you!”

“Oh, Duke Vandermir seems to be very caring, unlike his charismatic appearance.”

“I’m so envious. I wish I had such a sweet man around me too, not like Rudy.”

Arasila smiled softly, secretly pleased by her juniors’ words. She felt oddly proud.

The three of them ate the macarons with slightly bitter tea.

The combination was fantastic, with the tea cutting through the sweetness of the macarons. Arasila popped the last macaron into her mouth with great satisfaction.

Her eyes blinked slowly as drowsiness washed over her.

After work, Arasila changed out of her uniform into comfortable indoor clothes, finished dinner alone, and lay askew on the sofa reading a book.

The evening rain tapped on the window like piano keys. As she occasionally pushed up her non-prescription glasses while focusing on her book, it happened.

“Madam, Sir Wind from the Red Hawk Knight Order is here to see you.”

Audrey suddenly announced an unexpected visitor.

Puzzled but heading downstairs, Arasila found Isaac standing at the door, wearing a robe over his thick armor, dripping with rainwater.

He looked like the Grim Reaper come to collect someone’s soul.

Arasila approached Isaac, who had an unusually dark shadow cast over his face, looking at him strangely.

“Good evening, Lady Vandermir.”

“Hello, Sir Wind. How did you come back? Is the western monster subjugation over already?”

Isaac shook his head briefly with a gloomy expression.

If the monster subjugation wasn’t over, there was even less reason for the vice-captain of the Red Hawk Knight Order to be here, so Arasila became confused.

“Then why are you here?”

“…Madam, please don’t be shocked.”

“About what?”

He took a deep breath but hesitated to speak immediately.

Meeting Arasila’s clear, glossy eyes that shone like transparent glass beads, he found it incredibly difficult to open his mouth.

He beckoned to Audrey, who was standing behind Arasila.

“Just in case, stand by the madam’s side.”

“Sir Wind, what on earth is going on? Tell me quickly.”

Arasila demanded with a frustrated expression. Isaac swallowed dryly and opened his trembling lips.

“Lady Vandermir… The captain has fallen in the line of duty.”

“What?”

Did she mishear? Arasila stared at Isaac with a blank expression.

He lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze. He looked like he might burst into tears at any moment.

“Sir Wind, what are you saying? Are you saying Demian… Demian is dead?”

“I’m sorry, madam.”

“Sir, I don’t want an apology. I want an answer to my question.”

Isaac nodded slowly with a dejected expression.

“Yes… The captain has passed away.”

“That’s impossible…”

Arasila stepped back, shaking her head. She found it hard to believe this sudden news of death.

“I’m sorry to bring you such news.”

Although it wasn’t his fault, Isaac bowed his head in apology. It was an attitude that confirmed the truth of the matter.

As Arasila staggered unconsciously, Audrey quickly supported her.

Exhaling roughly, Arasila looked at Isaac with lowered eyes.

“Why… how did Demian die? Who killed him?”

“We’re still investigating the details.”

“You can at least explain the circumstances of his death.”

Arasila gripped Isaac’s robe tightly. Feeling uncomfortable, Isaac slowly opened his mouth, sensing her strong will.

“Well, the captain went to the mountains to subjugate monsters…”

“Senior!”

Arasila’s eyes snapped open at the strong shake of her shoulder and loud shout. She sat up, breathing heavily.

As she looked around frantically, she saw the familiar interior of the research lab and Sally and Rudy with worried expressions.

“Are you alright, senior?”

“Sally… What just happened to me?”

She had just been face-to-face with Isaac, discussing Demian’s death, but now she was in the lab with her juniors.

Arasila ran her hand through her hair in confusion, looking at Sally. Sally replied carefully, not knowing what to do:

“You said you were sleepy after eating the macarons and closed your eyes for a bit, but you kept groaning, so we were worried and woke you up.”

“…Ah.”

Arasila’s face hardened as she recalled dozing off briefly while having snacks with her juniors in the lab.

‘The situation with Sir Wind was a dream.’

She raised her trembling hand to her chest. Her magic was swirling more intensely than ever. Arasila squeezed her eyes shut.

There was only one case when she had a dream and her magic ran wild.

When that dream was a prophetic dream.