20: Time Alone

Tears glistened in Aella’s eyes, visible through the strands of hair fluttering in the night breeze. Kael was flustered by her sudden tears, but his heart was pounding uncontrollably.

‘Even when she’s crying, Ella is so beautiful and lovable.’

As he stared at her in a daze, Kael caught himself and quickly placed his hands on Aella’s shoulders. Leaning slightly forward to meet her gaze, he asked,

“Ella, are you feeling unwell?”

“N-No, I’m fine.”

“Then why are you crying? It hurts my heart to see you like this.”

Kael gently wiped away her falling tears with his thumb. Meeting his concerned gaze, Aella saw the sincerity in his eyes and heard the warmth in his voice—so gentle it couldn’t be any kinder. Feeling as though she might break down in front of him, she forced a smile and spoke.

“I think some dust got into my eyes because of the strong night breeze. I’m fine now.”

“……”

“Kael?”

“I see. Then, shall we head back?”

“No, I’d like to walk with you a little longer… just a little longer.”

Seeing Aella’s face adorned with a soft smile, Kael felt his heart pound once again.

“Alright.”

The duke and duchess walked slowly, hand in hand, gazing ahead. Kael occasionally glanced at Aella, but she seemed lost in thought, her eyes fixed forward.

“Hoo…”

Letting out a short sigh, Kael also stared ahead. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Aella and the people in the duke’s household were hiding something from him.

‘More than anything, Ella’s smile earlier felt forced, as if she were holding back tears. Why… why did I feel that way? What could it mean?’

As his doubts resurfaced, a sharp headache struck him. Kael groaned involuntarily and bent over.

“Kael! Are you alright? Is your head hurting again?”

“Haha. I’m fine now.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Meeting Aella’s worried gaze, Kael’s heart started pounding again.

‘Ella is worried about me. She used to avoid me, but now she’s looking at me with such concern.’

Just the thought made Kael so happy that a smile unknowingly spread across his face.

“Kael?”

“I’m fine.”

“Pardon?”

“I love that Ella worries about me.”

“……”

“Ella, I truly love you.”

“Thank you.”

Kael wanted to ask the smiling Aella so many things, but he couldn’t bring himself to.

He was afraid of the answers she might give. Reminding himself that ignorance could sometimes be bliss, Kael ended their nighttime walk and returned to their room.

‘If we’ve been sleeping in separate rooms until now, that means we haven’t had our first night yet, right? In that case…’

As the thought crossed his mind, his face turned red. He tried not to dwell on it, but his gaze kept drifting toward Aella, and he bit his tongue in frustration.

‘You beast! How could you have such thoughts about Ella? But… we’re married, so…’

Thinking it might be alright, Kael sat beside Aella, who was perched on the edge of the bed, and lightly placed his hand over hers.

When their hands touched, Aella flinched in surprise, but Kael pretended not to notice. Smiling softly, he met her eyes and spoke.

“Shall we bathe together?”

“Pardon?”

“We’re married, after all. But of course, it’s fine if you refuse.”

Despite his words, his expression clearly hoped she wouldn’t refuse, and Aella couldn’t help but laugh.

“Aella.”

“You don’t have to be so self-conscious, Kael. As you said, we’re married.”

“Oh.”

“It’s just… a little embarrassing. I’m also worried you might be disappointed.”

“D-Disappointed? Never! If you’re uncomfortable, you can cover yourself with a towel.”

When Aella nodded and said she would go in first, Kael clutched his rapidly beating chest.

“Haa! I said it, but… w-what do I do? W-what else? Just bathe and come out!”

Taking deep breaths to calm himself, Kael heard Aella’s voice from the bathroom.

With stiff movements, Kael headed toward the bathroom. Not realizing his arms and legs were moving in sync, he carefully opened the door and stepped inside.

There, he saw Aella, her body wrapped in a towel.

The first thing he noticed was her delicate shoulders. Her skin, white and smooth like milk, caught his eye next. And then, his gaze naturally drifted to her full figure. Swallowing hard, Kael stood before his wife, unable to meet her eyes.

“You’re… truly beautiful, Ella.”

“T-Thank you, Kael. This is embarrassing.”

“Ah! Ahem. Would you like to get into the tub first?”

When Aella nodded and stepped into the tub, Kael turned around and began undressing.

“Ah…”

Seeing Kael’s well-toned back, Aella let out an involuntary sound. Hearing her, Kael turned around, and Aella quickly lowered her head.

‘He’s… he’s coming closer. Kael is.’

“Ella.”

Hearing Kael’s voice so close, Aella barely managed to respond.

“Yes… Kael.”

“Could you look up at me?”

When Aella lifted her head, Kael gently caressed her cheek and smiled warmly.

“You’re truly beautiful.”

“Kael… you’re so… handsome.”

“May I kiss you?”

At his cautious question, Aella closed her eyes. A sweet voice echoed in her ears.

“Thank you. I love you, Ella.”

As Kael’s soft voice resonated in her mind and his lips met hers, Aella squeezed her eyes shut and accepted the tender kiss.

‘This isn’t right… but it feels so good. Kael, I love you so much.’

***

The next day, Aella left the mansion with Kael. Watching him climb into the carriage, she was reminded once again that his memories were incomplete.

After losing his beloved mother in a carriage accident, Kael had refused to even look at carriages. Yet now, he was holding her hand and stepping into one.

“Ella. Is there something on my face?”

“No.”

“Haha, you’ve been staring at me for a while. It makes me happy.”

“Haha.”

His childlike laughter reminded Aella of the Kael from their youth, and she couldn’t help but smile.

As she laughed, Kael’s warm hand brushed her cheek, and her heart began to race. She could barely breathe.

“Ella, before I return to the palace, I want to spend more time with you.”

“That makes me happy, Kael.”

“May I hold you?”

“From now on, don’t ask. Just do what you want.”

“……”

“Kael?”

When Kael let out a long sigh, Aella placed her hand on his shoulder and asked if he was alright.

“Ella, do you realize how dangerous your words are?”

“What?”

“Ahem. From now on, only say things like that in front of me. Understood?”

“Haha. Alright.”

“And your smile…”

“?!”

As his hand caressed her cheek, Aella’s laughter faded.

“Only smile in front of me.”

“…Alright, Kael.”

Smiling softly, Aella closed her eyes as Kael’s face drew closer, savoring his kiss.

‘Yes, only until Kael regains his memories. Perhaps the gods pitied me and gave me this…’

Aella felt immense joy. Even if this was a sweet dream she would eventually have to wake from, she wanted to savor the happiness she felt now.

The carriage carrying the duke and duchess arrived at the square. As they stepped out, onlookers whispered among themselves, but Aella paid no attention.

Her thoughts were solely on Kael, who was as happy as a child, delighted to be out with her. She followed his lead, doing whatever he wanted.

‘It feels like we’ve gone back to the old days.’

Back when Kael was a young duke and she was the daughter of the Count of Blueanz, they would often wander the square together, eating street food or watching plays at a small theater.

Aella had considered those outings their “dates.” To Kael, they might have been simple outings with a childhood friend, but to Aella, who had started seeing him as more than a friend, they were precious dates with the man she loved.

Now, walking arm in arm with Kael, exchanging smiles and playful banter, Aella felt as though they had returned to those days.

Feeling nothing but happiness, Aella stopped when Kael suddenly turned to her.

“Kael?”

“Ella, do you like dolls?”

“Dolls…?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Aella nodded. Kael, telling her to wait a moment, hurried off.

“K-Kael!”

Worried about him wandering off in his current state, Aella quickly followed him.

He had stopped at a booth where you could win a doll by shooting it with an air rifle.

“Ella! Pick a doll you like.”

“Haha.”

“Ella?”

Seeing him act like the Kael she used to know, Aella couldn’t help but laugh.

‘At moments like this, he feels like the Kael I know.’

“Ella, is there no doll you like?”

Kael, who had approached her at some point, asked as he looked down at her. Smiling, Aella pointed to a black wolf doll.

“I’d like that one.”

“The wolf doll?”

“Yes. It’s so dignified—it reminds me of you, Kael.”

“!”

Blushing furiously, Kael nodded vigorously and won the doll in a single shot, handing it to her.

“Do you like it, Ella?”

“I love it. I’ll cherish it forever.”

As Aella hugged the doll tightly, Kael couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like if she hugged him that way. At the same time, he found himself jealous of the doll in her arms.

‘You must be going crazy, Kael Hormons!’

Scolding himself internally, Kael met Aella’s gaze as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Is your head hurting again?”

“N-No, Ella. Are you hungry? There’s a restaurant…”

“There’s a place we used to go often nearby. Shall we go?”

“Yes, let’s go!”

Hand in hand, they entered the familiar restaurant, where the owner greeted them warmly.

“I’ll bring your usual. It’ll be ready soon, so just wait a bit.”

“Take your time.”

“Were you close with her?”

“This restaurant is one we’ve been visiting since we were children.”

“Ah… I’m sorry. I don’t remember any of it.”

Seeing Kael’s genuine regret, Aella reached out and gently stroked the back of his hand.

“You don’t have to apologize, Kael.”

“But… I can’t remember our memories together.”

Watching Kael’s frustrated expression, Aella had to hide her true feelings—that it was better this way.

“We can always make new memories. Besides, I think the present and future are more important than the past.”

“Ah, haha. You’re right, Ella. That’s a wonderful thought.”

As Kael looked at her with an awestruck expression, Aella gave him an awkward smile.

When the food arrived, Kael showered it with praise, saying how delicious it was with every bite. Aella couldn’t take her eyes off him, her heart filled with joy.