“Kaius!”

Startled with a gasp, Ariel reflexively tried to sit up. In broad daylight, and outdoors no less, in such an indecent position. Ariel was extremely old-fashioned when it came to relationships between men and women. No matter how much she had drunk, it was impossible to overcome that embarrassment with just one glass. But Kaius easily subdued her resistance with just one hand.

“Move aside.”

Watching her gaze wander around, Kaius finished the drink in his glass. With his now free hand, he grabbed the back of Ariel’s head and pulled her gaze to him. Meeting those eyes like the night sky, Ariel realized what he wanted.

“Don’t do this. We’re outside.”

“Then shall we go in?”

As those words fell like a sigh, Kaius’s face slowly turned elsewhere.

Ariel, who had been unconsciously following his gaze, was startled. Where his gaze landed was the very pavilion where her artifact had been discovered.

“No!”

Now red up to her neck, Ariel shook her head, trying to free her hands from his grasp. It wasn’t that she wanted to reject him, but it was difficult to accept at the moment. In her mind, intimate acts between spouses could only take place after the sun had set and night had fallen.

“Why? Are you going to ask me to wait again?”

It was what she had said when she sent him away the night after their wedding night, that is, the night before he left. And it wasn’t an excuse, but because she wasn’t feeling well.

“That’s not it. There’s a lot to do right now. We need to try Demian’s steak and evaluate it. And we need to prepare for departure tomorrow, and… You look too tired.”

Seeing those red lips chattering, Kaius’s Adam’s apple moved slowly without him realizing. Facing the attitude he had expected but hoped would be wrong, he wasn’t feeling particularly pleased.

A woman who stiffens at her husband’s touch even while smiling, and tries to escape with all sorts of excuses, was also quite impudent.

“After returning home after days away, don’t you think it’s proper to give a welcome greeting to your husband, even if not enthusiastically? My wife?”

“Ah.”

Realizing that she hadn’t even greeted him, Ariel’s face flushed even redder.

“In this position…”

Seeing her troubled expression, Kaius willingly released Ariel’s hands and helped her sit up.

But that was it.

His hands remained wrapped around Ariel’s back and waist, not letting go.

“…Kaius?”

She looked at him, unable to understand his attitude, but he seemed to have no intention of backing down further.

Resigned, Ariel placed her hands neatly below her navel and met his eyes.

“Welcome back.”

Kaius chuckled at Ariel’s overly polite manner.

Was she truly unaware of her husband’s intentions, or did she not want to know?

In a situation where only a frustrated sigh could escape, Kaius pulled his wife’s body closer with more force. It was then that his lips touched her rounded forehead. As his lips, which had briefly parted, were about to move lower, the wind that had been calm until then blew strongly. The blanket fluttered and the wine glass toppled over.

“Ah!”

Ariel let out an exclamation as if remembering something and twisted her head.

“Uh, um… Kaius, just a moment.”

Speaking in an urgent tone while struggling, Kaius obediently let her go. Kaius also stood up at her behavior, as if something serious had happened.

A sigh escaped between Kaius’s lips when he spotted the ivory hat in the direction Ariel was running.

For just a hat…

Ariel, who had rushed over with quick steps, pounced on the hat like a cat catching its prey. Then, running back to where he stood, Ariel bent over, catching her breath. Kaius watched the scene quietly with his hands behind his back.

“Her Majesty… made it for me.”

When her breath had somewhat calmed, Ariel spoke up, smoothing her disheveled hair and tidying her clothes. Throughout that time, Kaius’s gaze was fixed solely on her.

“Kaius, I’m glad you returned safely.”

“…”

At the unexpected words of welcome and smile, Kaius’s eyes gradually narrowed.

What kind of game was this now?

She should have known that this wasn’t what he wanted. It was then that Kaius’s body stiffened. Ariel’s arms wrapped around his neck as she approached with light steps. Kaius was helplessly pulled down as she tugged.

As their lips met, the scent of alcohol stimulated his nostrils. At that moment, Kaius realized. The true nature of what had welcomed him.

It was quite astounding, but he didn’t dislike it. He decided to enjoy this situation. His beautiful wife’s kiss was sweet enough to erase the fatigue and desire accumulated over several days.

“Catherine, are you confident about winning the competition?”

As the competition drew near, Emperor Hart, feeling anxious, sought out the Empress.

“I will win. Absolutely. The most famous chefs have put their hearts into it, and I’ve heard that the nobles’ stance is very firm. So there’s no reason to lose.”

Only after hearing the desired answer from her lips did Emperor Hart’s tense face begin to relax.

“You must, Catherine.”

Emperor Hart smiled gently towards the Empress. While he firmly believed it would be as she said, the opponent was Kaius. What if, by some chance, Kaius were to win this competition? Where should he direct his anger then?

The Duchess of Lantiano, the Empress’s family? The nobles who supported Elbartan?

…Or perhaps even the Kingdom of Letiana, the homeland of the Duchess of Elbartan would do.

Suddenly, remembering Ariel von Elbartan, that beautiful and bewildering woman, his already healed shin began to ache again.

“Your Majesty, a more certain method would be to predetermine the judges.”

“That’s impossible. You know Grandmother would never allow such a thing, right?”

“Wouldn’t she listen if Your Majesty asked? She adores you, after all.”

“No, Grandmother is absolutely fair in such matters. However…”

Emperor Hart’s eyes gradually narrowed as he looked at Empress Catherine.

“Are you not confident?”

“Of course not. I just want to make it perfect. Without even the slightest flaw.”

Catherine rose from the chair opposite Emperor Hart and slowly walked to his side. She was certain there was no way she could lose. The preparations were thorough, and the nobles who had been frequenting her had already promised to support the Duchess of Lantiano, the Empress’s family.

“Don’t worry. This year’s birthday celebration for Grandmother will be a very meaningful day for both of us.”

Catherine, sitting on Emperor Hart’s lap, smiled brightly at him.

It was when the evening sunset had dyed the western sky red.

The dining room of the Duke’s residence, where the clattering of dishes had ceased, fell into silence. Ariel and Demian, Anna and Lemon, Butler Raymond and Sir Carsen – everyone’s gaze was directed at Kaius, who had just finished tasting.

“Pass.”

It was a short and concise evaluation, almost disappointingly so. Ariel’s face went blank, dumbfounded by the response so different from what she had expected. Meanwhile, Kaius leisurely rose from his seat, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

Is that really it?

That question, too startling to voice aloud, was clearly written on her face. But Kaius’s gaze remained detached as he looked at Ariel.

“Lemon, bring it.”

At Kaius’s casual command, a box was placed in front of Ariel. Her head tilted slightly as she looked at the box that felt somehow familiar.

“Open it.”

As the low, soft voice commanded, Ariel’s hands opened the box.

“Ah…”

Inside the box was a dark-colored chocolate cake that she loved so much, one she hadn’t eaten since leaving Letiana.

How did he…

But such questions only fleetingly crossed Ariel’s mind, and her eyes were filled only with the cake before her.

Kaius, who had been watching Ariel intently, smiled a little. Even as he prepared it, he had been half-doubting. Her flushed cheeks and the way she stared at the cake as if about to pounce on it was even somewhat disconcerting. Ariel, who had been looking at the cake as if she might bury her face in it, raised her head.

“…Thank you, Kaius.”

A chuckle escaped at the heartfelt thanks, more sincere than when he had gifted her a precious white horse. She was clearly a woman with a strong sense of economy, but what was that look in her eyes now? If only this attitude would continue into the night. Kaius left the dining room leisurely, gazing at those clear, shining eyes.

His gaze darkened at the memory of their wedding night, when she had squeezed her eyes shut in fear, as if enduring a humiliating ordeal. He knew. That it was just that kind of relationship. So he too should just focus on desire.

Kaius gave detailed instructions about tomorrow’s travel arrangements to Butler Raymond and Sir Carsen, who had followed him out. Just as Kaius was about to head to his office after finishing all his instructions, he heard Ariel and Anna’s laughter. It was an impulsive decision when he turned his steps back to the dining room, slightly raising the corners of his mouth in a smile.

“Does it suit your taste?”

“Yes… It’s delicious. It’s almost the same.”

“Not as good as what Lord Edward used to bring, I suppose?”

Edward?

At the sudden mention of the name, Kaius couldn’t bring himself to step into the dining room. He didn’t know why, but he remained quietly outside the door, focusing on the conversation inside. Lemon, who had been following, also waited quietly, sensing His Excellency’s unusual mood.

“It’s fine. I’ll be able to eat it again soon.”

That word, “soon,” reminded Kaius of divorce. He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at the image of a woman who thought of another man while enjoying the cake he had bought, counting the days until she could leave him.

Kaius’s lips twisted crookedly as he turned back without making a sound. After all, she was a woman who was already his.

After walking up the stairs in silence for a while, Kaius suddenly stopped. The red light of the sunset falling through the window settled on his face.

“Lemon, find out everything about Edward Camellon. Take as much time as needed, but be as detailed as possible.”