Ariel looked at the dragon egg with a smile. Her mind was at ease because she had planted the demon realm flower faster than expected.

“Wait a moment, little ones.”

First, she locked the entrance door and placed a heavy sofa in front of the door that didn’t need knocking. Ariel, who had changed into a light dress, removed the artifact from her thigh and placed it on the bed. Her long silver hair that reached below her waist swayed gently with her movements.

She infused life into the dragon egg, recovered in the bathroom, and put on the artifact.

She returned with no trace of silver hair or golden eyes to be found anywhere, and the sofa was back in its original position. Just as she finished tidying herself up, there was a knock at the door.

“I’ve brought your meal, my lady.”

It was the voice of Ciela, who was assigned to serve Ariel along with Anna.

A sumptuous dinner was laid out, making her mouth water. Having finished everything she needed to do today and in a good mood, she asked for a bottle of wine, unlike her usual habit.

“Thank you, Ciela.”

Although she was hungry since she had requested a late dinner to coincide with Anna’s arrival time, she decided to wait a little longer.

“You don’t need to stay and serve the meal, you can go now.”

“Yes, my lady. Please enjoy your meal.”

As Ciela bowed politely and left, Ariel headed to the terrace overlooking the entrance of the mansion.

Why is she so late?

Ariel leaned against the terrace railing, quietly gazing at the light illuminating the entrance. The wind blowing from the autumn forest was cool.

[This is the timeline separator]

Ludvian had entered the Klardeus Imperial Palace and met with Emperor Hart.

According to recent investigations, Emperor Hart strongly dislikes Duke Elbartan. Knowing that he wants to somehow keep the Duke’s reputation beneath his own, all Ludvian had to do was cater to that desire.

[Your Majesty, Duke Kaius von Elbartan is being deceived right now.] [What do you mean?] [The Letiana princess is hiding her true appearance.] [For what reason?] [I don’t know the exact details, but if it becomes known that the Duke was deceived into marriage, his prestige will hit rock bottom.] [Why are you telling me this?] [I want their relationship to sour.]

Now the Emperor will try to uncover the truth by any means. That would be a very easy task for the Emperor if he sets his mind to it.

Ludvian couldn’t understand why Ariel had changed her appearance, but he was a high-ranking demon. Mere magical artifacts couldn’t deceive his eyes. He had simply remained quiet until now because it held no significance.

She was a woman he intended to bring to his side after the Duke of Elbartan died anyway, but he didn’t want to see the two of them getting along well during that time.

Recalling Emperor Hart’s eyes lighting up at his words, a chuckle escaped Ludvian’s lips. The sound of knocking mixed into that laughter.

“Lord Ludvian, a guest has arrived.”

A guest? How long has it been since I acquired a mansion in Tris?

“Show them in.”

The one who entered with a bowed head was a messenger from the demon elders.

“I am here to see Lord Ludvian Beloas.”

“What brings you here?”

“With less than a year left until the grand plan, I was sent to check if everything is proceeding without issues.”

Damn elders. All they know how to do is run their mouths.

“Tell them everything is progressing well, so there’s no need to worry.”

Ludvian took out the documents he had recently received from Kitra and handed them to him.

“Take these and show them to those old men.”

The man received the documents politely but hesitated to leave. Just as Ludvian was about to dismiss him with a frown, he heard an absurd question.

“Um, I was wondering if you might have fallen for a human woman… The elder specifically asked me to check.”

Did they find that out too, even though I knew they were monitoring me?

“Nonsense. Are you trying to associate me with inferior humans?”

Intimidated by Ludvian’s demeanor, the man fell to his knees and pressed his forehead to the floor.

“I apologize! I also dismissed it as nonsense. Then I will report to the elders that everything is proceeding without any issues.”

“You may go.”

After he left, Ludvian opened his desk drawer. Inside was a single antidote for Zaphoros in a small glass bottle. He had been taking one pill a day for the past three days.

I need to make Ariel take that medicine, as it would be troublesome if she died.

“Lord Ludvian, today is the day to deliver the Lilas and Zaphoros oil, so I’ll be going now.”

Of the oils received from Ariel, Lilas was sent to the demon realm, while Zaphoros was sent to the Elbartan ducal family to be added to Kaius’s meals or applied to his clothes.

“What was that maid’s name again?”

“It’s Ciela, sir.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Ariel moved to sit at a small tea table with paper and pen. It was to write a letter to her parents. Just as she was filling the white space of the paper with neat handwriting, there was a sound.

Knock knock.

A calm knock was heard at the door. Thinking Anna had returned, Ariel’s face lit up with a bright smile as she opened the door.

“Anna? Why are you…”

“Oh dear. I’m not Anna.”

Outside the door stood Kaius in riding clothes, looking slightly askew. For some reason, his voice seemed a bit rougher too. But.

Ariel could be as generous as she wanted today.

Just because of that one fact that he had willingly handed over the key.

“Ah… I was waiting for Anna.”

Kaius, staring intently at Ariel, recalled her appearance in the greenhouse earlier that evening.

Whether her appearance only changed when using her ability. Or. The opposite. It was still uncertain. He had his suspicions, but irritated by the fact that she was deceiving him, he had come to confront her impulsively. Realizing belatedly that she was being rude under his direct gaze, Ariel spoke up.

“Oh, would you like to come in for a moment?”

As if he had been waiting for the invitation, Kaius strode in, causing Ariel to take several steps back.

His gaze slowly surveyed the room, stopping at the table set for dinner.

“You haven’t had dinner yet?”

“No, I was planning to eat with Anna when she returns.”

His eyes, which had been lingering on the table, caught sight of the wine. He had never seen Ariel drink alcohol before. What wind had blown today?

“You’re planning to drink too?”

“Yes. I finished all my work, and I’m in a bit of a good mood.”

Ariel smiled shyly, looking at the wine. At that sight, Kaius quietly chuckled. Feeling defeated by mere wine. It was a first. Such an expression.

The looks she showed him were at best as fierce as if she were about to engage in battle with him, bold, and stubborn-eyed. Or she would avoid his gaze altogether.

If not that… she would cry.

What if she looked at him with such an expression when gazing at him?

Shyly. Like a young girl.

Kaius, his hand slightly tensing, let out a self-deprecating sigh at the thought of himself thinking such things.

“I haven’t had dinner yet either, so let’s eat together. I’ll have them prepare mine as well.”

“Ah… Then shall we just share this?”

Kaius, seated, looked intently at Ariel as she stood beside him pouring wine. Her soft voice and gentle demeanor were more pleasing than he had expected.

“…Kaius, shall we make a toast? Would you like to give the toast?”

Ariel, seated across from him, raised her glass. The wine looked particularly red, perhaps due to her excessively pale skin.

“Sure.”

After a moment’s consideration, Kaius raised his glass like Ariel.

“To you, who will become Ariel von… Elbartan.”

Her large eyes grew even larger, seemingly perplexed. Kaius drank his wine with a brief smile and began eating.

Cutting the steak, putting it in his mouth, drinking wine, brief conversation. This continued until the plates were empty. By the time they started talking about learning how to use carrier pigeons, Ariel’s face was quite flushed. Even though her glass was not even half empty.

“Kaius, thank you again for giving me the key today.”

“Is that why you’re in a good mood?”

Kaius leaned back lazily in his chair, crossing his legs. He looked relaxed as he emptied his wine glass, waiting for her to finish her meal.

“That’s right. It’s because of that.”

Seeing her slightly unfocused eyes, it seemed the reason she usually didn’t drink was that she had a very low alcohol tolerance.

“Ah! When Anna returns, I’ll be able to repay you, Duke.”

“…”

“I sent her on an errand to bring back money. The money to repay you, Duke.”

Although it would likely never happen, he had no intention of stopping her efforts. Besides, the face that smiled brightly throughout as she spoke to him with that expectation was quite pleasant to see. The wariness that had disappeared from her eyes was also to his liking. Of course, he knew it was due to the alcohol, but his mood wasn’t bad either.

“Have another glass.”

Kaius leaned forward and refilled her glass. Ariel readily accepted it and took several more sips in succession. Kaius’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he watched her red lips moistened by the wine.

He stood up and approached Ariel, but she didn’t avoid him and looked up at him. Even then, Ariel continued to smile.

As he bent down a little more, all of Kaius’s senses focused on Ariel’s soft and fragrant scent.

If he lowered his lips now, would she accept? While he was at a loss, unable to do anything even with his woman right before his eyes, the smile disappeared from Ariel’s face. Then, unexpected words were heard.

“Kaius, I’m really sorry to you…”

At Ariel’s sudden apology and reddening eyes, Kaius’s eyebrow raised. He waited for her to continue, but Ariel remained silent, lowering her gaze to the floor.

As silence stretched between them, Kaius gently caressed her hair that had fallen down.

“I understand well what you want…”

“…”

“So, what I mean is…”

“…”

“I’m not mentally prepared yet…”

Whether due to the alcohol or embarrassment, her face flushed even redder. A small sigh escaped between Ariel’s lips as she spoke haltingly and slowly. Even that breath was too sweet.