It was the letter I had been waiting for.

Until the underworld ceasefire agreement was reached, Lucifer Tanak was protected under the guise of imprisonment under Kaius’s watch. Kaius readily agreed that he was quite a pleasant demon. How brazen he was despite being captured by the enemy.

Though he looked like a child, the experience felt from him spoke of more than meets the eye. Though he didn’t know the details. On the day he returned to the underworld, he revealed one of the demon strongholds, saying they could be friends if he ever changed his mind. One of the strongholds created to monitor the human realm.

Death General Store.

He never dreamed he would contact him, but in the end it turned out as he said. He left a message while going to the capital, and the reply came faster than expected.

[I thought you didn’t want to be friends?]

As a greeting.

He could vividly picture Lucifer’s grinning face.

[What’s the occasion? Enough with that talk.

Actually, I’m very curious about many things. Especially your wife. I have a lot I want to ask.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing you soon. I’ll visit shortly.

From Lucy, who wants to be friends with Kaius von Elbartan.]

Kaius’s eyes deepened as he read the letter with an indifferent expression. Involving another demon in a matter caused by demons required utmost caution. On the surface, the two demons’ goals were the same. To rule the human realm. But at the time, Lucifer didn’t seem truly sincere about invading the human world, so it was worth meeting him once.

So judgment about him was reserved until then.

If he determined him to be an enemy, Kaius had to decide what to do next.

Would he and Ariel both risk their lives to venture into the dangerous demon realm, or would he alone face death? There was only one option to save at least her life, but Ariel wouldn’t accept it willingly.

Then should he sacrifice Ariel again for the sake of humans? Not for himself or her, but for humans?

No.

Kaius could now clearly say that one thing. It was ridiculous that this kind of desire took priority in life, but it had become so somehow.

So in the end, if that situation arose, he would have to go to the demon realm with Ariel.

It wasn’t ideal and they might both die, but it wasn’t so bad. He would be with the woman he longed for at the end. Now a faint smile even played on Kaius’s face.

***

In front of Empress Catherine were the deeds to Galon and Half territories. The owner was Ariel von Elbartan.

Empress Catherine, who was looking at the documents with displeasure, handed them to her maid.

“Send them to the Elbartan ducal family.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Just as she was thinking of Kaius von Elbartan, the regrettable man, a voice announcing Emperor Hart’s arrival was heard.

“Empress.”

Emperor Hart, seated on the sofa, spoke heavily. Empress Catherine was somewhat prepared, given the emperor’s quiet demeanor for quite some time after the competition ended.

“I won’t ask about past mistakes. Instead.”

Empress Catherine’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected words.

“Since Grandmother has taken a liking to the Duchess Elbartan, become close with her. I mean provide a pretext for her to visit the palace frequently.”

“…Pardon? Do I have to?”

It was already irritating that she was under Kaius’s care, and now he wants them to become close?

“The duchess is refusing to enter the palace due to the nobles’ envious gazes, that’s why I’m saying this. You should understand what I mean by now. Just send invitations in the empress’s name, and we’ll take care of the rest.”

With those words, Emperor Hart left the empress’s office without even having a cup of tea. She had lost too much from losing that one competition. The Berihaus she had poured her heart into was faltering, she had lost territory, and even the emperor’s favor had left. She knew that since that day, he hadn’t visited her bedroom once and was bringing other women to his chambers. A count’s daughter, was it?

Lost in thought for a moment, Empress Catherine quickly wrote two letters and called her maid.

“Send the earlier documents along with a letter addressed to the duchess, and send it to arrive a day later than the letter going to the duke.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Don’t send either now, but time it so they arrive after the new year.”

The pretext of New Year’s greetings was a good card that could cover many things.

***

Kaius’s past four days had not been very pleasant. Because of his wife who was like a con artist.

When night came and he looked for his wife, he was greeted only by his already sleeping wife and the occasional crackling of firewood. No matter how many times he called her name, nibbled her earlobe and lips, what baffled him more was that his wife didn’t come to her senses even when he said he was injured.

Is this how you’re going to be?

The next day and the day after that too. He could have dragged her out of the greenhouse if he wanted, but Kaius waited.

As if daring her to keep it up as long as she wanted.

She must have already known. That even if her life force was replenished this way, her energy wouldn’t recover.

Kaius sneered as he mulled over that day’s events. She seemed to have sought his permission with the relatively lighter talk of meals among the two conditions, but. If he had thought a little deeper, he would have realized that intimacy might be impossible too. Bringing up the dragon talk at that moment to divert his attention was a very appropriate response.

Enough to say it was quite clever.

Should he be glad that her qualities as a businesswoman were growing more and more?

[Actually, I respect you a lot, Duke. Things like your victory in the battle with the demon realm or your business acumen. Along with the previous reasons, I thought I could learn a lot by your side in about a year.]

He recalled what she had said when he casually asked about her reasons for proposing a contract marriage. It was nothing more than a hastily made-up excuse, but the Ariel he had experienced so far had abundant qualities to succeed as a businesswoman. Diligence and responsibility to achieve her goals. That was enough.

So he felt even more impatient. As if she could fly away from his side anytime she wanted. So the conclusion was once again one.

She was a woman with responsibility strong to the point of stubbornness. He had no choice but to believe in that. Whether he ended up dying or was lucky enough to live, that was the best option.

Now, inside the greenhouse, he could see the Japaros he had grown back to its state before he cut it down. And the figure of a woman tilting her head and scurrying around the tree that seemed several times her own size. So now the waiting was over too.

Knock knock.

It was then that a polite knocking sound was heard. It was Dr. Hearn, who usually came to report at this time.

“My lord, Lady Ariel’s physical condition is all good except for her weakened energy.”

“Tell Max to prepare meals good for energy recovery for the time being.”

“Understood. I will convey that message.”

As Hearn left, Kaius approached his desk and sat down. He pressed his temples firmly and lowered his gaze to the document before him. It was a document listing the candidate locations for the shop Ariel wanted to open. He had already finished reviewing them himself and left only the most suitable one.

***

Finally, I could breathe a sigh of relief.

After watching the tree that had started to bloom for a long time with satisfaction, Ariel approached the bench as usual. It was time to take care of the baby dragons while drinking the water Anna had brought in abundance in the morning. Rather than taking care of them, it would be more accurate to say it was a time for her to find comfort.

“Children, it’s mother.”

The baby dragons were still fast asleep. According to what she had read in books, they should open their eyes within a week, but since they had been in egg form for so long, nothing could be certain. She patted their backs, stroked their heads, and occasionally touched their strange wings. When she did this, she often felt as if she had really become a mother.

“Mommy will protect you no matter what.”

She couldn’t say those words out loud even though there was no one listening, for fear that such a thing might happen again like in the past. To prevent them from being killed by Ludvian again.

Sighing softly, Ariel got up from her seat. Since recovery was slow just by drinking water, she had to get into the bathtub. Ariel covered the children with a blanket and left the greenhouse.

As she turned to lock the door, Kaius was leaning against it with his arms crossed, standing slightly askew.

A small gasp escaped at the sight of him, imposing even just standing still. Ariel unconsciously put her hand behind her back and pressed on the greenhouse door. The sight of his cold black eyes reminded her of the day he cut down the Japaros.

“Wh-what’s the matter?”

Displeased by her overtly wary appearance, Kaius straightened up and approached her.

“Isn’t that too harsh for the first words to a husband you’re seeing after several days, my lady?”

Ariel unconsciously averted her gaze, uncomfortable with his sudden approach. She counted the fairly tall cypress trees covered in white snow to calm herself before looking at him again. Kaius gladly waited for that time.

“Kaius, it’s been a while. I’m glad to see you. I’ve finished growing the Japaros now. Have you been well all this time?”

Kaius chuckled at the words quickly uttered along with white breath. Her tone sounded as if she were greeting a stranger she hadn’t seen in a long time.

But when Ariel naturally wrapped both hands around his arm and led him to the path, Kaius’s eyebrow raised.

“I need to get in the water, so let’s talk while walking.”

When Ariel tugged a little more on him, who wasn’t budging, he slowly took a step.

“Thank you so much for everything. I was so exhausted that I just fell asleep, but without your consideration, I wouldn’t have been able to grow the Japaros in time.”

Ha……

Kaius’s eyes narrowed as he sighed lowly. Her attempt to gloss over the past few days with just a word of thanks was brazen, but her pretty smile as she looked at him made his hand clench tightly.