“How have you been?”

Kaius received Ludvian’s greeting calmly and shook hands plainly. Ariel, who was staring at him, let out a small sigh. It was because of his detachment that could never be seen as an attitude towards a demon trying to kill him.

When Kaius heard that Ludvian Beloas had appeared, many thoughts came to mind. If he killed him now, wouldn’t all problems be solved cleanly? However, if that fact became known to the demons, the demon realm truce agreement would be broken. There was no guarantee that he could kill Duke Beloas quietly and surely. If he made a mistake, there was a high chance he would only provide a pretext for invading the human realm again.

If a single fatal blow was impossible, it was better to do nothing than to act rashly, so for now, he had no choice but to wait and see.

As he leisurely approached his wife’s side, Ariel’s lips moved as if she had something to say, meeting his eyes. Ariel recalled Ludvian’s words from earlier. Since her parents were mentioned, there was no way not to listen to what he had to say.

“Kaius, could you allow me to speak with Ludvian alone? It will only take a moment.”

Kaius chuckled softly at the unexpected request. It was already displeasing that she had met the demon without waiting for him, and now she wanted to be alone with him. As his gaze, which had been on Ariel for a moment, turned to Ludvian, he smiled smugly. Then he looked at his wife with loving eyes.

As if she were his woman. Regarding a woman who was entirely his from head to toe.

Kaius chuckled again at Ludvian’s provocative behavior and examined Ariel’s appearance. She looked pretty, having dressed up carefully for their outing. When he cupped her cheek suddenly, she seemed a bit surprised but didn’t avoid it. He also liked her attitude of going along with him tactfully. Kaius, wearing a satisfied smile, lightly kissed her forehead.

“I’ll wait outside the door, my lady.”

His low voice was gentle. A deep smile spread across Kaius’s lips as he confirmed Ludvian’s angry gaze.

“Thank you.”

***

A strange calmness filled the carriage.

After sending Ludvian away and boarding the carriage with Kaius, Ariel was lost in thought, not taking her eyes off the window.

[If I no longer threaten your parents, will your feelings for me change?]

Ariel stared blankly at Ludvian, not understanding his incomprehensible words. The threats had started because she didn’t grow flowers in the first place.

[… Does that mean I don’t have to grow flowers anymore?] [You don’t have to grow flowers, and I won’t touch your parents or the people around you anymore. If so, will you leave Kaius von Elbartan and come to me?]

Ariel chuckled at the unbelievable words.

[What’s your motive for suddenly asking such a thing?] [Just… I’m curious about your thoughts. Answer me.]

When Ariel finally kept her mouth shut and didn’t answer, Ludvian left the mansion, saying he wanted to hear her answer on the next oil trading day.

Her mind became complicated. Could a man who had only used her in the past and present change so easily? It’s probably not possible, but what if Ludvian sincerely gave up on becoming the Demon King? Then there would be no need to go to the dangerous demon realm, and no reason for Kaius to die. Only, she would have to stay by Ludvian’s side.

Is he sincere? She really didn’t know.

As Ariel sighed softly, her mind in confusion, Kaius quietly watched her. Although it was irritating that her silence was due to Ludvian, he decided to wait instead of asking the reason. When she was ready to speak, she would soon chatter as usual.

It was the composure of one who possessed.

***

Eventually, the carriage stopped in front of the Metron Hotel.

Ariel alighted, taking Kaius’s hand as he got out first. The manager, who had been notified by the doorman, hurried out to greet them.

“Welcome, Your Grace. My lady.”

Kaius nodded to acknowledge the greeting and escorted Ariel to the restaurant.

“Is this the place you thought I’d want to come to?”

Ariel asked him, looking around while waiting after ordering their meal.

“I thought you might want to see for yourself how popular your steak is among people.”

At his words, she turned her head to look around more closely, when two noble ladies approached Ariel’s side, fidgeting. They held handkerchiefs and pens in their hands.

“Hello. We are fans of the Duchess. May we ask for your autograph?”

“…Pardon?”

Ariel’s perplexed gaze turned to Kaius, but he remained silent without showing any reaction.

“You’re my fans?”

“Yes, Baron Demian, the chef, revealed the truth yesterday. He said his mentor was the Duchess of Elbartan. Thanks to that, the social club was buzzing yesterday. Moreover, we heard that you personally made the product presented to the Empress Dowager. You are an idol to us women.”

Feeling dazed, Ariel signed the handkerchiefs in a fluster. When they asked if they could just shake her hand once with admiring eyes, she took off her lace gloves and shook hands.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s as you see.”

“Won’t this tarnish the honor of the ducal family? Why?”

“…Times are bound to change anyway.”

Kaius accepting Baron Demian’s request was a predetermined matter from the start. While it would diminish the honor of the Kingdom of Letiana and the ducal family for her to cook directly in front of others, passing on her knowledge to others was rather worthy of respect. Not to mention that it was gaining storm-like popularity.

“What’s El Steak?”

“It means it’s yours.”

“Ah…”

As Ariel looked at Kaius, at a loss for words, steaming hot steak arrived with well-roasted vegetables.

“Eat.”

Although she had been very hungry until just a moment ago, she hesitated to start the meal. A steak made with her cooking method and spices, even bearing her name.

It was hers from beginning to end.

Seeing Ariel just staring at the steak with flushed cheeks, Kaius pulled her plate in front of him and started cutting the meat.

…Why?

Ariel’s mind became confused at his sudden action. His words that nothing had changed were still clear in her mind, but she carefully observed him, wondering if something might have changed.

[I heard Duke Kaius had a woman, but it seems that was wrong.] [Didn’t you see what came after that? There was a rebuttal article saying that woman was actually the Duchess.] [Well, we can’t know for sure. But looking at them now, there certainly doesn’t seem to be any discord.]

Ah…

Realizing the reason for his kindness, Ariel smiled dejectedly. He was Kaius von Elbartan. Probably after today, unnecessary rumors would be dispelled.

“Kaius, I’ll cut it myself, so please give it back. It seems your intention has already succeeded.”

Ariel leaned forward and whispered softly, causing Kaius to frown slightly. He had brought out a woman whose energy was already low, keeping her past mealtime. And now she was just staring at the steak, so he was only trying to cut it for her.

Kaius let out a quiet sigh and, pretending not to have heard her words, finished cutting the steak before handing the plate back to Ariel.

“I’ll enjoy it. Thank you.”

Towards the end of the meal, a long line formed next to Ariel. After continuously signing autographs, just as the line was about to end, a playful voice was heard.

“It’s so hard to see your face even once, sister-in-law.”

It was Duke Rashid von Baltesran.

“Duke Baltesran, no, Rashid, it’s been a while.”

Remembering his request to call him by name comfortably, Ariel did so without hesitation. Rashid, who sat down in a chair, held out a handkerchief and pen.

“You want my autograph?”

“Yes, I’m a fan too. I’m very proud to be acquainted with such a capable woman.”

“Don’t tease me. I’m embarrassed.”

Ariel signed the handkerchief with a soft smile. At this sight, Kaius’s eyes narrowed.

“Rashid, the potion?”

“I got it. Do I look like a potion to you? Sister-in-law, actually, I arrived earlier and wanted to join you, but Kaius wouldn’t let me.”

“When? I didn’t hear about that.”

“That guy spoke with his eyes. Like this.”

As the genial Rashid imitated Kaius, putting strength in his eyes, Ariel couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Kaius couldn’t take his eyes off his wife’s bright smile for a long time. It was a smile she no longer showed in front of him.

“I know that too.”

“Right? But surely he didn’t look at sister-in-law with such eyes?”

Unable to say anything, Ariel hesitated, and Rashid raised his eyebrows as if genuinely surprised.

“What an disappointing fellow. Let’s leave such a boring guy behind and travel the continent together. I’d be a hundred times better than Kaius.”

Ariel briefly imagined a dreamlike life without any worries in her mind. A life where her parents abdicate the throne and live in a quiet countryside mansion with Anna, El and Kai, and Vic. Edward would visit occasionally. She could live such a life in a year.

Suddenly feeling a piercing gaze, she turned her eyes from the empty space to see Kaius’s dark eyes staring at her penetratingly. Feeling as if he had seen through her inner thoughts, her eyelashes fluttered.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll decline, Rashid.”

Rashid sighed softly and shifted his gaze to Kaius. Clearly, both of them had become thinner than before, and the atmosphere had changed. It seemed certain that something had happened, but he couldn’t pry into the couple’s affairs, so he had no choice but to watch for now.

Meanwhile, Kaius stood up from his seat.

“Let’s move to the next location.”

“Next location? What else is there?”

As Ariel stood up and asked, Rashid quickly approached her side and held out his arm.

“May I have the honor of escorting you?”

Ariel was in a predicament. She hesitated, mindful of Kaius, but he just stood still, watching the scene without approaching her. Taking this as permission, Ariel thought she would accept the escort only to the front of the hotel and slightly raised her hand.

“…Then just to the front of the hotel, please.”

“Rashid, you may go now.”

Kaius, who had issued a brief order to leave, fixed his gaze on Ariel’s face. At his cold gaze, her hand stopped in mid-air.