“Greenhouse entry prohibited.”

Ariel, who was looking at him with wary eyes, said in a small but firm voice. Kaius, amused by her clenched little fist, casually folded his arms as if he had just come out for a stroll, paying no heed.

“If you needed an office, couldn’t you have just told Butler Raymond?”

“No. There’s no need for that.”

Ariel stepped forward quite composedly and tried to put on her boots that she had taken off, but she couldn’t achieve her goal due to Kaius standing between her and her shoes.

It was then that Ariel’s body suddenly floated up. Kaius had wrapped one arm around both her thighs and lifted her. Realizing the situation belatedly, Ariel began to struggle.

“W-wait a moment. What are you doing?”

“Stay still.”

Ariel, who had been trying her best to push him away, soon became docile as if she had given up. It occurred to her that there might be a reason for his sudden entry into the greenhouse where he shouldn’t have come.

“If you have something to say, put me down and then talk.”

As Ariel calmed down, Kaius took a step back while still holding her.

“Do I have to climb that tree myself? Can’t the servants pick the flowers?”

Momentarily dazed by the unexpected question, Ariel shifted her gaze following his hand. The tree he pointed to was a Zaparos.

While thinking that although the lower part of the greenhouse was opaque, the Zaparos was tall enough to be visible from outside, Kaius put her down on the bench. Ariel unconsciously distanced herself from him. Just enough so his arms couldn’t reach her.

“As I said before, I have to do that myself. It’s dangerous for others.”

Ariel answered, shaking her head slightly.

“…Kaius. Please leave now. The greenhouse entry prohibition is clearly stated in our contract.”

Ariel, now at eye level with him on the bench, stared straight into his eyes and chattered.

“Would you move aside a bit? I need to put on my shoes.”

He frowned slightly and tilted his head to look inside. Startled, Ariel quickly moved her body to block his view.

“A guide to demon realm plants?”

“…Yes.”

“I thought I told you it’s impossible to go to the demon realm.”

“…”

Although he was curious about what kind of plant was making her want to go to the dangerous demon realm, Kaius didn’t ask, thinking it might give false hope.

“…Kaius, you’re violating the contract right now. Please leave quickly.”

Though clearly meant to be commanding, her voice trembled miserably. As he chuckled, Ariel lightly furrowed her brow. Seeing her like this, Kaius leisurely folded his arms again.

“I-I’ll demand a penalty fee if you do this.”

Her eyes, filled with stubborn determination, began to glare at him. Kaius laughed softly at Ariel’s bravado over words she couldn’t keep.

“That’s only if the contract is terminated because of this incident.”

Ariel lightly bit her lip due to his nonchalant, smiling attitude.

“If you wish, madam, I’m willing to terminate the contract right now and pay the penalty fee.”

Ariel felt a surge of numerous emotions at his attitude of having nothing to lose. Of course, she knew very well that he was the biggest victim in this affair. Nevertheless, feelings of indignation, frustration, and futility welled up all at once, making her forget even to breathe. Eventually, as resentment and self-mockery about her situation filled her mind, a dejected sigh escaped her.

“Choose. I’ll respect your decision.”

Kaius’s smile deepened at the sight of Ariel glaring fiercely at him. He knew very well that she wouldn’t do that. That meant that the current situation would ultimately flow according to his wishes.

What Kaius wanted was for Ariel not to climb that dangerous-looking tree herself. But judging by her current attitude, she would absolutely not back down.

Then, should he demand something else?

Watching Ariel trembling with anger, Kaius decided to wait a little. Ariel, now clenching her fists so tightly that her knuckles were showing, lowered her head while biting her lip, averting her glaring eyes.

Choose?

What was merely an easy task for him was practically everything to her. She had forgotten for a moment. How he was in the past. That he was a person who originally had no emotions.

What if she terminated the contract here and left? If only she could hide away so that Ludvian would never find her again and not touch her parents, she wanted to do that right away. Then Kaius wouldn’t die either.

But in the relationship between Kaius and Ariel, she was always the weaker one. Until she saved his life.

So she had to endure.

Kaius, who had been watching her while stroking his chin, was dumbfounded at that moment. He had expected her to glare at him or show a resigned look. But Ariel, raising her head, broke all expectations and was smiling brightly.

“Kaius, shall we have lunch together?”

“What?”

Bewildered by her sudden question, Kaius was gently pushed aside by Ariel. As he stepped back, Ariel quickly put on her boots and tightly grasped one of his arms with both hands.

“Let’s go.”

Kaius was helplessly pulled along as she led him. Even though he couldn’t shake off the feeling of being manipulated by his wife, a small warmth unknowingly filled his eyes.

***

“Please undo the buttons. Just the top ones.”

After seating Kaius on the sofa, Ariel emphasized once more just in case. Leaving him there, Ariel went to her bedroom through the door that didn’t require knocking to get the newly mixed oil. She intended to let him rest a bit while preparing lunch.

Kaius laughed helplessly, remembering the moment when Ariel, who had held onto his arm and climbed up to the third floor, opened her bedroom door.

His throat went dry and his body heated up. Without realizing it, his gaze turned towards the bed, but Ariel had led him here, to the sofa.

What on earth had he expected?

She was an outrageously naive woman without any sense. One whose only interest in her husband was treatment. As if she thought she was hired as a personal physician rather than a wife. A helpless laugh escaped Kaius’s lips once again.

Why was his body still hot?

As he let out a deep sigh, the door opened and he sensed his mischievous wife’s presence behind him.

Although Kaius hadn’t felt severe headaches like before recently, and this wasn’t what he wanted either… There was no reason to refuse her voluntary kindness. As her small hands began to rub his nape, he unknowingly tensed up.

When he let out a small sigh, Ariel’s hands stopped.

“What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

“…”

When he remained silent, Ariel tilted her head for a moment and then focused back on what she was doing. After applying the oil evenly, Ariel gently pulled Kaius’s shoulders back to lean against the towel spread on the sofa’s backrest.

“I’m going down now. Come down when someone is sent up. I think I can finally prepare the spices today, so look forward to it.”

Kaius watched with calm eyes as his wife left the bedroom without any hesitation or room for doubt. After closing his eyes for a moment, he soon got up from his seat. There was no reason to stay any longer since he had done as she wished.

***

When Kaius returned to his office, there were several new documents and mail items that had been placed there in the meantime. Edward Camellon’s file that he hadn’t opened yet was still there too. After briefly glancing at that file, Kaius checked the mail first.

Starting with the one from Klardeus Palace.

[To the esteemed Duke of Elbartan,

First, I sincerely congratulate you on winning the competition.

The reason for this letter is that although the palace has been trying to obtain Elia spices for some time, we have only received responses saying that we can trade after production increases.

His Majesty the Emperor is quite serious about steak, so the palace chef is in a very difficult situation right now. Of course, so am I.

However, would it be possible for you to share even a small amount of the spices? We will pay any price. How about three times the price you purchased them for?

− Please. Serbek Calvin.]

The letter was from Count Calvin, Emperor Hart’s attendant. Kaius put aside the letter with an expressionless face and picked up Edward Camellon’s file.

[Edward Camellon, a nobleman of the Klardeus Empire and the current head of the Camellon Count family.

Magician. Unmarried. No children. No women.

Took his mother’s surname, and his father’s identity is still unknown.

Left for Letiana with his mother as if being driven out in childhood, and grew up there. Was taken in by a Letiana court magician, and his mother passed away early.

Inherited the title when the previous Count Camellon died in the demon realm war.]

So that’s how he was able to attend the competition.

[Has been close like family with the Letiana royal family since childhood. Especially close relationship with the princess is reported. Everyone except the Letiana royalty believes him to be a commoner.

It is said that there were even bets among the public about who would become the princess’s husband between the noble Ludvian Beloas and Edward Camellon. Although the outcome became unknown due to the engagement with the Empire, it is known that many people supported Edward Camellon, who had a long-standing relationship.]

Kaius’s eyes gradually narrowed. Although it was just confirming what he already knew, it wasn’t a particularly pleasant feeling. After closing the document, Kaius took out another envelope from the bottom drawer of his desk.

The contract with Ariel.

First, maintain the marriage for one year and then divorce by mutual consent.

Kaius, who had taken in that clause, stood up and leaned against the window. The cold winter sunlight sparkled on his black hair.

A contract marriage.

Clearly, he had also readily agreed to it. Is it still the same now?

Well. He wasn’t sure.

If he didn’t agree, would Ariel docilely live her life as a duchess? A chuckle escaped as he recalled her stubborn golden eyes.

He knows. That it won’t be like that.

Although she was a small and fragile woman, her drive and patience to push through with what she had planned were quite admirable.

He imagined her following him around, chirping “I don’t want this, please divorce me” until he signed the divorce papers. Kaius chuckled again and turned his gaze towards the greenhouse.

“Ariel.”

What if he could no longer see her there? He felt a bit lost as he imagined himself facing an empty greenhouse.

As Kaius turned his gaze back to the contract, his eyes were no longer smiling.