Julius mansion, Arthur’s private reception room.

Arthur called in a few knights he trusted and Tristan, and said:

“The bedroom door was breached too easily.”

Arthur conveyed his wishes to his subordinates that he didn’t want this to happen anymore, saying that unwanted visitors were knocking on the door and barging in at all hours.

“Make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“Understood.”

“Leave it to us.”

The subordinates were indignant with stern faces.

The occurrence of such incidents meant that Arthur, who had rolled in like a stone, had not properly established himself in the marquis’ house and was defenseless.

They decided to bring Arthur’s knights into the mansion and establish their area, saying there was a need to make Arthur recognized as the successor and ruler with his own respected domain within the marquis mansion.

It was to make the mansion people familiar with the presence of a successor with legitimate rights by showing Arthur’s people moving around inside the mansion and knights naturally guarding their posts.

“Good.”

Arthur smiled slightly.

“As you all know, we have to visit the capital. Make sure my position here doesn’t become unsettled while we’re gone.”

“Yes. Don’t worry.”

Before they left, he needed to be firmly recognized as the successor, not a guest, in this marquis house.

Leaving the mansion and visiting the capital shouldn’t be seen as a guest’s outing.

Arthur needed to establish himself as quickly as possible as the ruler of the family with qualifications equal to the marquis.

Otherwise, it would be twice as difficult for him to return and settle back in Julius.

Lucan, a knight with a mercenary background, grumbled.

“Even with a contract guaranteed by the imperial family, we still can’t let our guard down.”

Another knight, aide Kay, flipped through the notebook in his hand and said:

“Can’t be helped. The position of an adopted son-in-law successor is inherently unstable.”

The explanation continued.

“Just looking at historical precedents from other families, there are plenty of adopted son-in-laws who’ve been nullified for all sorts of reasons – nullified for not consummating the marriage, nullified because the daughter died, even nullified by unilateral cancellation of engagement.”

Lucan, who had been listening quietly, pouted his lips and suddenly asked Arthur:

“Your Excellency. You made sure about the marriage contract, right? And the other things too?”

Arthur didn’t answer the implied question. Instead, Kay responded:

“Fortunately, thanks to the imperial family, we didn’t get our noses cut off regarding the contract. If Your Excellency participates in the war for more than 6 months under the name of Julius, Julius cannot unilaterally cancel the engagement. If participating for more than 2 years, even if ‘Christina’ dies or goes missing, your rights as successor will be recognized.”

Kay continued, turning the pages of the notebook where he had copied the contents of the contract exactly:

“And if you achieve notable merits on the battlefield under the name of ‘Julius’, you will be recognized as having joint ruling authority within the family equal to the ‘head of the family’. …This is a clause that seems almost too much, even for the imperial family. It’s impressive the marquis accepted this clause.”

The knights excitedly chewed on this information.

“He must have thought he wouldn’t return alive.”

“He must have been shocked when he returned with ‘notable merits’ after praying so hard for his death.”

Kay grinned and leisurely turned the page.

“Of course, there might be room for interpretation of what constitutes ‘notable merits’, but for now, well…”

Enjoying the thrilling afterglow appearing on the knights’ faces, Kay continued languidly:

“If Your Excellency dies in battle, the marriage will be considered null and void, and the dowry will be returned in full. This is a bit of a disappointing clause, but it’s already meaningless now.”

The knights snickered with devilish faces, as if saying ‘serves them right’.

The conversation continued about the need to solidify Arthur’s position as a ‘joint ruler’ equal to the marquis within this mansion, and to seek legal advice once more regarding the marriage contract.

“…”

Meanwhile, Tristan was thinking about something slightly different while letting the knights’ conversation go in one ear and out the other.

Just now.

Even while talking about such an unpleasant incident, Arthur oddly didn’t seem to be in a bad mood.

Of course, Arthur always smiled, whether he was in a good mood or bad, whether he was trying to persuade or threaten someone.

Tristan, who had been with him for a long time, was relatively accurate in sensing Arthur’s moods.

‘…Why is he in a good mood?’

Tristan suspiciously looked at the door behind Arthur that led to the bedroom.

“I’ll keep my wife by my side for a while.”

“You should also treat her with the utmost respect.”

Tristan’s eyes hardened with a serious expression.

“Befitting the status of Christina Julius.”

“…”

He had been thinking there must be some intention behind it, but…

Could this possibly be… a dangerous situation?

An alarm went off in his mind.

I told him to be careful because she might be a woman with male experience…

Should I have spoken more clearly and directly?

She could be a woman trying to take advantage of Your Excellency.

She could be a woman trying to seduce and manipulate you.

She could be a femme fatale leading you to ruin.

“…”

…Surely Arthur would know better than that?

But he couldn’t be sure.

Although he respected and trusted Arthur, he couldn’t shake off the thought of how easily a lonely person could fall for a vixen.

“…”

What if Arthur was that kind of case?

Tristan looked at his hands on his knees, unable to express his anxiety and worry that might be disrespectful.

It’s dangerous if Your Excellency’s good mood is because of that woman.

But he didn’t know how far he could interfere with Arthur’s family matters or women issues.

Arthur was a man who executed both offense and defense flawlessly, but could one expect him to be perfect in locking up his own heart as well?

Although they had been apart for a long time due to the war, Tristan, who maintained a home with a wife and child, was concerned as he knew the importance of meeting a good, trustworthy spouse.

Especially for Arthur, who had lived a lonely life with complicated family matters, he seemed like a child left by the water’s edge and was worrisome.

“…”

Would Arthur be immune to women?

…Really?

“…”

Watching Arthur, who seemed to be in a good mood for some reason, Tristan was wary of Reina.

Surely the lonely commander isn’t being cooked and eaten by a lowly vixen?

If she were to engage in pillow talk, asking to be made his wife instead of Miss Christina, saying weren’t we good together…

If the lonely Arthur were to fall for that completely…

Tristan would never forgive himself for not preventing such a thing in advance.

“I’m happy too?”

Remembering his calm smile, Tristan’s heart ached.

“…”

If even Christina Julius isn’t good enough.

To think that a con artist who came in as Julius’s pawn would aim for the position by his side.

If such a thing were to happen, Julius would probably be even more arrogant, thinking they had caught his weakness.

And it would tarnish the heroic honors Arthur rightfully deserves.

Tristan’s eyes turned cold.

I will never let such a thing happen.

After the other knights withdrew, saying they would make preparations.

Left alone with Arthur, Tristan opened his mouth.

“Reina and Taylor Lorenson. Which one would you like to hear about first? The ‘Reina’ side is still lacking in information, though.”

Arthur paused slightly before saying:

“Reina first.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Reina glanced slightly at Arthur.

It was really just a slight look.

Arthur, who had just gotten into the carriage, somehow noticed and asked with a smile:

“Should I wear a mask?”

Thud. The carriage door closed.

Reina lowered her head in embarrassment.

“Ah, no…”

…Thank goodness.

He seemed to be in a better mood.

Even though he teases like that…

“…But it’s a bit much for my wife to not even be able to look me in the eye.”

“…”

Remembering Arthur smiling with a visibly improved mood, Reina cooled her heating cheeks with the back of her hand.

Arthur raised his hand and tapped the carriage ceiling twice.

The driver started the carriage.

“…”

Reina looked at him, enduring the awkwardness and embarrassment.

Arthur leaned against the carriage, resting his chin on his hand, and looked back at Reina with a grin.

His eyes were smiling.

“…”

Although it was a bit embarrassing…

She didn’t dislike it.

For Reina, it was much more reassuring to be certain that he wasn’t angry.

He likes it when she looks him in the eye like this.

Now Reina seemed to understand.

Arthur watched her silently for a while before speaking.

“You’re beautiful too. …Very much so.”

“…”

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Reina slowly turned red from her nape upwards.

“Well… Not to the point where I can’t look at you.”

“…”

Looking at Reina’s well-reddened face, Arthur added jokingly, as if doing her a favor:

“…I don’t mean you’re less beautiful. It’s just that I’m not the type of person whose composure is shaken by a woman’s appearance.”

Reina sat quietly for a moment, then asked blankly with her mouth open:

“So you’re saying I am that type of person…?”

Arthur looked at her, resting his chin on his hand as if pondering.

“Hmm… Is that how it sounds?”

“…”

He added with a smug face and a slight smile:

“It could be. I don’t think it’s a bad taste.”

“…”

Seeing Reina’s face with an indescribable expression, Arthur covered his mouth as if trying to hold back laughter.

“You look wronged?”

“Because I am wronged.”

“Really? Isn’t it a common occurrence?”

“I’ve never experienced this before?”

“Never?”

“Never!”

Reina protested with a red face.

Arthur, who had been watching her silently, couldn’t hold back his smile.

He cleared his throat briefly, then touched the bridge of his nose lightly and tilted his head.

“…I’m not sure if I should be grateful for how handsome I am or for your chastity.”

“…”

Reina pressed her lips together and frowned, looking somehow complexly wronged but not knowing exactly why.

Arthur finally burst out laughing.

The carriage drove through the streets tinged with autumn colors.

·

·

·

I know what she fears.

I know that I shouldn’t leave too many traces on her, so as not to ruin her life, since I will have to return to Christina Julius someday.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel upset that it was only a marriage for me, while she had another man.

Anyway, I thought of you for five years.

Still, for a moment, it felt good that I was the man who possessed her, even if only in a dream.

Just.

Even if she has a real lover elsewhere.

Even if I’m only her husband for now, right beside her.

It feels bad to have my properly sleeping wife next to me stolen, even if only in a dream.

Even though I made a stupid misunderstanding and ended up getting angry and irritated, she took courage.

Despite being scared and finding me difficult, she approached me, trying to apologize in case I was upset by her mistake.

At least in that moment, I saw her sincerity.

Seeing that.

I want to give her a good time too.

I thought it was my duty to the person who gave me the words I relied on for five years.

Even if she made a promise to find my weaknesses to return to another man’s side.

Since I already know as much

It’s just a matter of me being careful and keeping my boundaries.

“…Are you hurt anywhere?”

I couldn’t help but smile as her voice came to mind.

My wife couldn’t be a meticulous spy anyway.

Still, I wonder if she felt a bit betrayed at that moment.

“…”

Actually, I’m not sure.

About that.

The fact that it was only a marriage for me was more shocking.

“…”

Arthur unconsciously removed his hand that had been lightly touching his eye.

A person I need to let go.

It will only be a short time anyway.

I hope she feels comfortable with me.

I hope she smiles comfortably.

When I can safely send her away someday.

I hoped the time we spent together would remain a good memory.

For both her and me.