Aella, who had been chatting and just stepped out of the garden, turned her gaze toward a commotion.

“Surely not…”

Quickly picking up her pace, she arrived at the scene where her husband and youngest daughter were in the middle of a heated argument.

“Father! Don’t you think this is too much? How could you train someone to the point of being in rags like this?”

“It was the Crown Prince’s request.”

“Even so! This is just too much!”

“Claire, I’m fine. If I treat the wounds, they’ll heal quickly.”

“Seriously! I’m so upset! Ah, Mother!”

At the sight of her mother, Claire ran over and begged her to treat her fiancé’s injuries. Aella, sighing at her husband’s desperate attempts to avoid eye contact, nodded to her daughter.

“Thank you, Mother-in-law.”

“Your Highness, are you injured anywhere else?”

“Haha, no, I’m fine.”

“Really! I’m so upset!”

“Claire, I’m truly fine. And I asked your father to do this. I need to become stronger so I can protect you.”

“…Terry!”

Aella warmly watched the two embrace tightly. Then, as if he couldn’t bear it any longer, her husband approached her, expressing his affection.

“Kael.”

“M-my apologies, Aella. B-but the Crown Prince…”

“…”

“I’m sorry… Please forgive me.”

Kael, bowing his head deeply, still looked adorable in Aella’s eyes despite his age. A faint smile spread across her lips.

‘It’s a bit excessive, but still…’

Reaching out to caress his cheek, she spoke softly to Kael, who was now smiling sheepishly.

“Let’s talk about this at home, dear.”

“Y-you’re not forgiving me?!”

Aella whispered just loud enough for her husband to hear.

“I told you not to take out your frustrations from fighting His Majesty on others.”

“…Aella! I’m truly innocent!”

Leaving her protesting husband behind, Aella turned back to the Crown Prince and Claire with a smile.

“Your Majesty, if it’s not too much trouble, can we stay for dinner tonight?”

“Of course. Claire, don’t be so upset. When you’re upset, Terry and I feel bad too.”

“Mother~”

Claire, sobbing in her future mother-in-law’s arms, was comforted by Terry, who gently soothed her. Aella watched them with a bittersweet smile.

‘She’s already feeling this way… I really should…’

Chuckling softly, Aella turned her gaze.

“How much longer are you going to stand there, dear?”

“…Yes.”

Kael, bowing his head and approaching her, felt Aella link her arm with his.

“Don’t think there’ll be a next time.”

“!”

“If this happens again, we’re getting a divorce.”

Smiling as she spoke, Kael frantically shook his head.

‘She’s truly lovable.’

Later, at dinner, Aella ended up massaging her temples as she watched the two rivals squabble childishly. The Empress, unable to bear it any longer, grabbed her husband by the earlobe, dragged him out, and ended the evening meal on that note.

“Mom, I’m staying at the palace tonight!”

“Alright, do as you like.”

“Claire! Just so you know, you can’t sleep together until the wedding!”

“Hmph! Let’s go, Terry!”

“That kid! She used to say she’d live with me forever when she was little!”

As Kael clutched his chest in despair, Aella patted his back and climbed into the carriage.

“Phew.”

“Will the ground cave in if you sigh like that?”

“…”

Aella, smiling softly at Kael’s intense gaze, leaned into his broad chest.

“Kael…”

“It’s always been you, Aella. I love you.”

“I love you too, Kael.”

As Kael pulled her closer, his deep gaze made Aella’s heart race wildly.

“Ka-Kael, wait. We’re in the carriage.”

“So what?”

“But… Mm?!”

Kael’s lips pressed against hers, catching her off guard. Aella’s face flushed red as she instinctively closed her eyes.

“Ka-Kael… Wait! This is…”

“I can’t hold back anymore.”

His hands began to wander, slipping beneath the fabric of her dress. Aella’s eyes widened, and she quickly grabbed his hand to stop him.

“No, not here.”

“I really can’t wait.”

“Seriously…”

Aella glared at him but eventually gave in with a sigh. She knocked on the carriage wall and instructed the driver to head to the nearest hotel. Covering her blushing face with her hands, she muttered under her breath.

—

Later that night, when they returned to the estate, Ayla thanked Joshua, who had escorted her home once again.

“You don’t need to thank me every time, my lady.”

“…”

“My lady?”

Ayla hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.

“When it’s just the two of us, you can call me by my name.”

“How could I, a commoner, address the duchy’s lady so informally?”

“Joshua.”

“Yes?”

Placing her hand gently on his shoulder, Ayla looked him in the eye.

“Look at me.”

“M-my lady…”

“I dislike dividing people by rank or status the most.”

“…I see.”

“Before the omnipotent God, all humans are just humans. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Now, try calling me by my name.”

Joshua hesitated, his voice trembling as he said her name. Ayla smiled warmly.

“See? Doesn’t that feel better? It’s much more comfortable, isn’t it? Joshua, I think you’re wonderful. You’re one of my closest friends.”

“A-ah. Haha. Th-thank you. Please go inside now; the Duke might worry about you.”

“You be careful on your way back too.”

“Yes.”

As Joshua walked away with an awkward smile, Ayla couldn’t help but feel uneasy about his expression. When she entered the estate, she was immediately greeted by her younger brother, Noah, who was standing nearby.

“Noah? Why are you out here?”

“I was taking a walk. But, honestly, sister, you’re too much.”

“Me? What did I do?”

“Do you really not know? Or are you pretending not to know?”

“Explain yourself clearly.”

Noah sighed at his sister’s puzzled expression and motioned for her to follow him inside.

“Sister, do you really not understand Joshua’s feelings for you?”

“Joshua’s feelings?”

“Ah, seriously. If you think of him as just a close friend, how do you think he feels about being told that he’s one of your ‘closest friends’?”

“Wait… Are you saying Joshua likes me as more than a friend?”

“Exactly. You’re the only one who doesn’t see it.”

Ayla fell silent, lost in thought. Noah pressed on.

“What do you think of him?”

“Joshua… He’s comfortable to be around. More so than you or Claire.”

“Huh~”

“He’s reliable too. But… I never thought he saw me that way.”

“Does it bother you?”

“…Not really. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable.”

“Then that’s fine. Just take his feelings seriously, sister.”

Ayla nodded quietly. Noah then mentioned that their parents wouldn’t be returning that night.

“They’re staying at the palace?”

“Of course not~ They’re probably at a hotel by now.”

“Ah. Haha. Father, honestly. What about Claire?”

“Claire’s staying at the palace for the night. Goodnight, sister.”

“You too, Noah.”

Smiling, Ayla watched her brother walk away. He soon joined Siana, and Ayla chuckled softly at the sight. Turning to leave, her gaze fell on the large family portrait hanging on the wall.

“This portrait was done for my birthday five years ago… In three years, Claire will become the Crown Princess and leave this house. Noah will come of age and inherit the title of Viscount. Time really does fly. Mother and Father are getting older too…”

Ayla smiled faintly as she gazed at the painted faces of her parents.

“This year, I’ll personally call the imperial court’s painter for my birthday portrait.”

Before leaving, she looked at the image of her father and muttered, “Take it easy, Father,” before walking away.

—

Later that night, as Kael sneezed repeatedly in bed, Aella asked if he was okay.

“Phew, someone must be talking about me.”

“That’s unlikely.”

“No, I’m sure of it.”

Aella gently stroked his cheek, causing the tension in his furrowed brow to ease. Pulling him close, she kissed him softly.

“Kael…”

“Hah, Aella…”

As their intimacy deepened, Aella found herself lost in his embrace. Despite her protests, Kael’s passion overwhelmed her, leaving her breathless.

“Kael… Please, not so rough…”

“I can’t help it. You’re irresistible.”

“Really… You’re such a beast.”

Smiling faintly, Aella caressed his cheek. Kael kissed her palm, his voice filled with affection.

“I’ll love you forever, Aella.”

“Kael…”

That night, Aella surrendered to her husband’s overwhelming love, feeling as though she was drowning in bliss.