* * *

Yuelina went down the stairs to go to the attic. Today, she didn’t want to sleep while looking at Theo’s face.

But that decision crumbled easily.

It was true that she had made plans without consulting him, excited by the thought of seeing fully bloomed lilacs.

Moreover, she would be away from the principality for a whole week. These days were chaotic due to the absence of the imperial family.

Because of this, Yuelina knew that Theo’s workload had doubled compared to before.

Ulysse had begged her to help Theo focus on his work.

That’s why she frequently went out for Tea-Pie member gatherings or temple business.

She did this to be considerate of him, knowing that if she stayed at the mansion, Theo would worry about her.

Above all, Theo had never gotten angry or nitpicked at anything she said.

That bothered her the most.

Yuelina changed her mind about going to the attic and headed to the kitchen.

She wanted to grab a bottle of wine and return to the bedroom.

“Madam Camilla?”

But she encountered an unexpected person. Camilla was standing there in her nightgown, holding wine.

“Do you need wine too?”

Yuelina nodded dazedly.

“Well then. Let’s have a drink together.”

Camilla led Yuelina to the dining room.

She placed a wine glass in front of Yuelina and filled it with wine.

“Drink. It’s my favorite.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

She tasted the wine. It was sweeter and stickier than the wine she had been drinking in her room.

“It’s delicious!”

“Really? You handle alcohol well.”

Camilla filled Yuelina’s wine glass to the brim.

“Yuelina. Do you like the principality?”

“Huh?”

“You like flowers, don’t you? Even though the principality has gotten warmer, it’s still colder than the empire. The empire has a greater variety of flowers than here.”

Yuelina hesitated at Camilla’s words.

The mention of flowers reminded her of the argument she had just had with Theo.

“I prefer the principality over flowers.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And I like anywhere Theo is. Wherever that may be.”

“Then could you please tell Theo that you like the empire?”

“……Pardon?”

Camilla’s eyes sparkled. Her grandson would believe Yuelina even if she said wine was water.

So if Yuelina said she liked the empire, wouldn’t he go to the empire?

It would be even better if Yuelina said that being the husband of an empress was more impressive.

“But Theo hates the empire, doesn’t he?”

“He hated the imperial family, not the empire. Now that Theo has completely uprooted the imperial family, shouldn’t it be fine?”

“……”

“Don’t you want to?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t think Theo would listen to me anyway……”

Camilla tilted her head.

Somehow, Yuelina seemed to have shrunk considerably.

“Did you two have a fight?”

Yuelina opened her eyes wide.

Camilla chuckled at Yuelina’s transparent attitude.

“So you two can fight too.”

“W-we didn’t fight. I was the one who did wrong one-sidedly……”

“You? How could you do wrong to Theo? He’d say you did well no matter what you do.”

Yuelina hung her head low.

“I told him I was going on an outing…… That I would be away from the principality for about a week…… I made the decision without asking him.”

He’s throwing a tantrum because you’ll be away for a week?

Camilla found Theo’s behavior amusing. No, she was beyond finding him cute; she was dumbfounded.

But he was a grandson who refused the emperor’s position because he wanted to enjoy his honeymoon.

Theo’s mind was filled only with Yuelina.

Indeed, he resembles someone.

Not knowing how cold the principality was, how harsh it was, that it was a place abandoned by the empire, and leaving because he was crazy in love……

He resembles her son too much.

“He was alone for too long.”

“……”

“So he might be afraid of being alone again.”

Camilla took a sip of wine. It was a fortified wine known for its high alcohol content and sweetness. Yet today, it tasted bitter.

“That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fix his separation anxiety.”

“……Pardon?”

“I hope you’ll help him learn to be fine on his own.”

Yuelina followed Camilla and drank her wine.

“How…… can I help him be fine on his own?”

“Wouldn’t it work if you give him plenty of love before you leave?”

“Love?”

“Yes. Rub his belly a bit, pat his head, and tell him you’ll be back soon.”

Yuelina found Camilla’s advice quite strange.

It also reminded her of how Theo used to treat her.

“T-that sounds like what you’d do to a pet?”

“Is he much different?”

At Camilla’s harmless smile, Yuelina awkwardly brushed her hair back.

She thought that Camilla and Theo were somehow similar. Both of them would shudder if they heard this.

How to be fine on one’s own.

Yuelina sipped her wine, deep in thought.

* * *

Theo sat in the bedroom, clutching his head.

I’ve gone mad.

You’ve finally gone mad.

He was appalled at himself.

How dare I, of all people, talk back and grumble to Yuelina.

Ha.

I’ve lost my mind.

Completely lost it.

Theo was in shock at the fact that he had spoken sharply to Yuelina.

Flowers, which Yuelina loved the most.

And she was going to see them with friends she had first made in the principality.

Why did he feel so hurt that he pouted and showed his displeasure?

What must Yuelina think of him now? A whiner? A petty little fish?

Theo kept sighing deeply.

Just then, the bedroom door opened with a creak.

Theo jumped to his feet.

“Theo—”

Yuelina entered the bedroom carrying a bottle of wine.

Theo strode up to her.

“Yuna. I was wrong. I’m sorry. Go. Should I prepare a carriage for you? Or should I buy you a villa in that village? If you need anything, just tell me…… Why is your face so red?”

Theo, who had been rambling, frowned as soon as he saw her face.

Yuelina’s face was flushed bright red. She smiled loosely with half-lidded eyes.

Theo checked the label on the wine bottle she was holding. It was a fortified wine with added brandy. It was also a wine that Camilla enjoyed drinking.

“Did you drink this?”

“Yes! With Grandmother!”

Theo put the wine down on the table and sat Yuelina on the bed.

“Wait. I’ll bring some tea……”

“Come here and sit down.”

“What?”

“I’ll give you affection. I’ll rub your belly and pat your head.”

“……Why?”

Yuelina firmly held Theo’s large hand and nuzzled her face against his arm.

“I’m not going.”

“……You can go. I was wrong earlier. I won’t do it again.”

“No. I’ll always stay by your side, Theo.”

“Huh?”

Yuelina raised herself and burrowed into his arms.

“This is my home too, Theo.”

“……”

“You’re all I have in this world. So, if anyone should be anxious, it should be me.”

“……Yuna.”

Yuelina stood on her tiptoes and caressed Theo’s cheek. Then she kissed his lips softly.

“I’ll do a week’s worth today, so be prepared.”

At her sweet whisper, passion ignited in Theo’s eyes.

“That won’t do.”

Theo explicitly traced Yuelina’s nape. Her body trembled.

“Then you can’t go. Because I’ll make it so you can’t even walk.”

He skillfully removed her robe in one motion.

Theo licked his lips with his tongue as if savoring the taste while taking in Yuelina’s intimate parts with his eyes.

Yuelina also unbuttoned hi shirt. Despite her clumsy hands showing no signs of improvement, Theo helplessly heated up.

“Next time, I’ll definitely ask you first. So don’t feel hurt.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Just to let you know in advance, I’ve also planned to go to the lakeside with my friends in summer. We’re going to play in the water. In autumn, we’ve planned to go to the mountains to collect chestnuts……”

Theo chuckled at Yuelina’s words and laid her down on the bed.

“Is this why you undressed me?”

“No. I haven’t undressed you yet.”

Yuelina reached out and completely removed his shirt. Theo flinched at her hot touch.

“Will you wait patiently?”

“Whose order is that?”

Theo began to explore Yuelina’s lips.

The moment their warmth intertwined sent shivers through both their bodies. He deeply stirred Yuelina’s soft, tender skin.

Unable to hold back any longer, Yuelina gripped his forearm tightly. He gazed at her with an intense look while tickling her nape. Yuelina’s legs, which had been tense, spread apart helplessly.

“Yuelina.”

Theo called her name with desperate longing.

“Have a good trip. Be happy and enjoy yourself without me.”

“……Hnngh. Slow down a bit!”

“Yes, yes. Have fun slowly.”

He couldn’t tell Yuelina not to leave his side even for a moment.

Unlike him, Yuelina had many friends, many things she wanted to learn, and was full of curiosity.

However, he seemed to know how to make her return faster, no matter where she went.

“Theo! Y-you’re too deep……!”

“I’ll wait here patiently.”

So that you’ll keep thinking of me.

I need to make her feel that she can’t do without me by doing things for her that others absolutely cannot do.

He caressed Yuelina with devotion.

I hope that even while having fun, she’ll think of this mansion, this bed, and ultimately me, and become restless.

Theo was determined to do his best tonight.