When Elicity also straightened up, he took her hand and guided her down to the floor.

Alex placed his hands on Elicity’s shoulders and gently led her toward the mirror.

Elicity found herself standing before a full-length mirror made of marble, positioned against the bedroom wall.

“Alex, what are you doing?”

“I want you to look in the mirror.”

Elicity couldn’t comprehend Alex’s intentions.

She couldn’t see any connection between her request to turn off the lights and looking into the mirror just before their intimacy.

However, because her husband’s expression was so serious, Elicity obediently looked into the mirror.

And in that instant, she realized she had been trapped in a baseless preconception that wasn’t even worth considering.

What she saw reflected in the mirror was not a 48-year-old noblewoman but a vibrant and youthful 28-year-old woman. And beside her stood a 29-year-old young man.

‘That’s right. I have returned to the past, and I am young again. I have to get used to this… How long am I going to keep avoiding my young husband?’

As she gazed blankly at her fresh, youthful reflection, Alex gently turned her face toward him.

“D-Dear?”

He immediately devoured her lips as if biting into them. As the searing warmth of his tongue invaded her mouth and entwined with hers, a shiver that was not at all unpleasant ran down her spine.

The rough kiss soon turned gentle. His tongue roamed every corner of her mouth, dissolving her entire body into a hazy warmth. Unlike before, the sensation was dangerously sweet.

Had she been lost in the sweetness for a while? By the time the kiss ended, she saw her own flushed face in the mirror.

Before she could catch her breath, Alex smoothly gathered her hair and draped it over one shoulder.

At that moment, a realization flashed through Elicity’s mind—

‘No way.’

Was he planning to do it in front of the mirror?

If that were the case, the reality of the act would be so vivid, so inescapable, that she would remember it for the rest of her life.

Where had he even gotten such an idea? Who told him about this? And who was the scoundrel responsible for planting it in his head?

Horrified, Elicity hurriedly pushed against Alex’s chest, but he effortlessly ignored her feeble resistance and pressed his lips onto her smooth, pale shoulder.

The heat of his searing lips against her skin sent chills racing across her body. She felt her heart pounding uncontrollably, her face burning hot.

“A-Alex… Alex. Please, wait a moment. I beg you.”

But Alex did not respond. Instead, he slowly slid her dress down past her shoulders.

His movements were painfully slow, yet her sensitive skin felt every friction of the fabric as it descended. Elicity trembled in his arms.

And then, suddenly, his large hands tenderly caressed the pale skin now revealed beneath the bright light.

“Ah…!”

A strange sensation of pleasure coursed down her spine, causing her legs to go weak. Elicity stumbled forward and instinctively reached for the mirror.

Supporting herself with both hands on the glass, she barely managed to stay upright. Through her blurred vision, she saw Alex reflected in the mirror.

His body, sculpted and smooth like a statue, radiated a masculinity that was impossible to ignore. When his smoldering gaze met hers, a jolt of electricity surged through her body from the tips of her toes to the crown of her head.

Two firm hands settled on her waist. She knew what was coming next.

Elicity squeezed her eyes shut.

***

It was the cold dawn just before the sun rose above the horizon.

After bathing, his damp hair still slightly unkempt, Alex lay on the bed, gazing at the deeply sleeping Elicity.

Her pristine skin was marked with clear traces of their passion. The corners of her eyes were still damp with tears, her neck and shoulders adorned with red marks, and though hidden beneath the covers, he was certain her thighs were reddened from friction as well.

A satisfied smile tugged at his lips—the expression of a predator that had feasted to its heart’s content.

But that contented smile soon vanished without a trace. Outside the bedroom, an almost imperceptible presence lingered—one that only someone with a finely tuned warrior’s instincts could detect.

Alex swiftly threw on the garments prepared by the servants and stepped out of the shared bedroom, making his way toward the parlor where the presence awaited.

“You are late.”

Lowen, his face filled with worry, handed Alex his sword and cloak.

Alex snatched the sword with a hint of irritation, fastening it at his waist before draping the cloak over his shoulders.

“Was it necessary to come all the way to my wife’s bedroom? I would have left on my own accord.”

“……”

“Where is Segal?”

“He has already been prepared and is waiting outside.”

Beyond the hallway, through the large windows, stood Segal—his beloved steed—surrounded by a group of knights already mounted on their horses, patiently awaiting his arrival.

They looked almost pitiful in their anticipation, but Alex’s expression was one of mild annoyance, as though they were a mere nuisance.

“I’ve told you before—there’s no need to wait for me. You all can depart first. After all, your horsemanship is abysmal.”

“…Your Grace.”

“Hah, I’m joking.”

With words that sounded nothing like a joke, Alex nimbly vaulted onto Segal’s back in a single, fluid motion.

Unlike the other knights, who still seemed sluggish from lingering sleep, Alex moved like a bolt of lightning.

Alex gently stroked his horse’s neck once before tidying his disheveled hair while seated in the saddle. The sun was slowly rising above the horizon. Grasping the reins, he nonchalantly addressed the vice-captain.

“Let’s go.”

The clattering of hooves echoed loudly under the sunlight.

***

Early in the morning, the sunlight filtering through the gap in the curtains tickled Elicity’s eyes, waking her up.

As expected, the space beside her was empty. No matter where she cast her gaze around the room, her husband was nowhere to be found.

“…He left early again today.”

As the ruler of the entire Zeroden territory, the lord overseeing his subjects, and the commander managing the Madonia Knights, Alex had numerous responsibilities to attend to.

Elicity, more than anyone, understood that leisurely enjoying the morning sun in bed was a luxury he could not afford.

Yet, despite knowing this, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of loneliness in his absence.

“……”

Suddenly, a chill ran through her body. Wanting to soak in warm water, Elicity wrapped herself in a blanket and moved toward the bathroom.

The skilled maids, always attentive, had already prepared a warm bath the moment she stirred from the bed.

Inside the bathroom, Olivia handed Elicity a thin robe.

“Thank you.”

Feigning composure, Elicity let the blanket that was tainted with sweat and other bodily fluids slip off her, then put on the bathrobe.

With careful discretion, Olivia bundled up the soiled blanket and set it aside in a corner of the bath. The luxurious bedding, marked with the evidence of last night’s love, would be discreetly sent to the laundry room.

Elicity glanced briefly at the disappearing blanket before stepping into the tub.

As the warm water embraced her body, a dull ache spread between her thighs, bringing back the memories of last night—along with a wave of embarrassment.

‘Honestly… Where on earth did my husband learn such things…?’

Recalling the beast-like man panting behind her the previous night, she felt a strange itch between her legs. A heated sigh escaped her lips, and warmth surged through her body.

Elicity wanted to shake her head vigorously to dispel the thoughts, but with multiple maids pouring water over her, she had no choice but to maintain her composure.

She tried to focus on something else, anything else. Yet, her mind kept replaying the words Alex had whispered to her the night before.

—I love you, Elicity. I love you.

If she claimed those passionate words had been embarrassing yet unpleasant, it would be a blatant lie. Last night, Elicity had been showered with love—both physically and verbally—more than ever before.

—I… ha… I love you so much.

The memory of her husband, desperate and filled with yearning, made her chest tighten with an overwhelming sense of fulfillment. It didn’t feel like his embrace had been purely driven by physical desire.

Even after their intimacy ended, he had continued to bite and kiss her lips, holding her tightly as if afraid to let go, clinging to her like a frightened child who feared abandonment.

‘But… perhaps I’m just overthinking it.’

Elicity pondered this, then abruptly shook her head.

Startled, the maids momentarily stopped pouring water, lifting the basins in concern.

“My lady, was the water too hot?”

“I-I apologize…!”

“Oh, no. It’s nothing. I was just lost in thought. The temperature is perfect. Please continue.”

Seeing Elicity’s awkward smile, the maids exchanged puzzled looks but resumed their task.

‘No, Elicity Zeroden. He isn’t the type to say things he doesn’t mean.’

To steady her wavering heart, she recalled the words Alex had spoken to her last night. Though she still felt uneasy, replaying his passionate declarations gave her a sliver of reassurance.

However, at that moment, another phrase he had uttered surfaced in her mind, and her entire body stiffened.

—Now it finally feels like I’ve come back.

“Ah…”

Elicity’s face froze.

***

The warm May afternoon was perfect for a tea party. Sunlight shimmered delicately across the lawn of the ducal estate.

Invited noblewomen, each carrying ornate parasols, strolled gracefully along the manicured stone path leading to a white marble terrace.

Lilies, meticulously tended by the estate’s gardeners, were in full bloom around the terrace. Yet, the flowers were not what truly captured everyone’s attention.

Adorned with lavish tea sets that ordinary families could never dream of possessing, the table was filled with an exquisite selection of tea leaves—some of the rarest and most coveted in the capital.

As the ladies settled into their assigned seats, suppressing their envy and admiration, the hostess finally appeared on the terrace.

And once again, all eyes wavered.