Side Story.1 – Is Admiring One’s Husband Illegal?

Agnes Roy Bishuern.

Having married the current Earl Bishuern, she became the object of envy for all women her age in the Empire.

When commoners heard the rumors, they were thrilled by the story that she, born a commoner, had become a Countess.

Especially in the empire’s rigid class society, she was regarded almost like a mythical figure who had achieved a miracle.

So, calling it “all women her age” would not be entirely accurate; obviously, that was not the whole story.

Agnes was also greatly envied by noblewomen.

Most commoners did not know what the Earl Bishuern looked like, but nobles were different.

The reason, of course, was her husband, Kallion Roy Bishuern.

No, to be precise, it was his dazzling appearance that was the cause.

If one were to ask passing noble ladies who the most handsome man was, nine out of ten would probably mention Earl Bishuern.

In that case, surely Agnes, who had such a perfect marriage, should be happy and delighted every single day.

“Haaa……”

Then why was she letting out such a deep sigh?

The indoor greenhouse located inside the Earl’s residence.

Agnes sat alone, resting her chin on her hand, wearing a worried expression.

Alone, without her husband.

“Did Kallion say he’ll be back in a week?”

Agnes muttered to herself.

It had already been a month.

Since she had last properly seen Kallion’s face.

“Countess Bishuern must be so lucky.”

“I know, right? Her husband is so exceptionally handsome.”

At gatherings, everyone always told Agnes how lucky she was to have married so well, expressing their envy.

‘Sigh, what’s the point if I can’t even see him?’

She could hardly remember what it felt like to be married, since she hadn’t even been able to see her husband’s face for so long.

These days, it was difficult for Agnes to see Kallion’s face.

It had already been five years since graduating from the Academy.

After becoming Earl Bishuern, Kallion had become far too busy.

After being knighted, time passed, and before she knew it, he had become the commander leading an entire knight order, with constant deployment orders keeping him away from the mansion.

Why did he have to be in charge of border security, of all things!

‘If only, like other knight orders, he held a desk job within the Imperial Palace, how wonderful that would be.’

It was an irreverent thought, but Agnes couldn’t help but feel resentful toward His Majesty the Emperor.

‘Then, I’d be able to see him every day.’

Of course, Agnes wasn’t just idly waiting for Kallion to return.

After graduating, Agnes had been busy handling countless development requests.

Especially the jobs her Academy classmates connected her to were overwhelming in number.

To be more accurate, it was right to say that the nobles of the empire were desperate to become business partners with Agnes.

The magical engineering devices she developed were changing the history of the empire.

The reputation of Agnes, the genius magical engineer, was so high that it even spread abroad.

However.

All these achievements actually meant little to her.

Because, for Agnes, her husband was the most important thing!

Not being able to see her husband’s face made her feel as if her whole body was drying up.

“As expected, there’s no choice but to do it again.”

Agnes made up her mind.

Once again, she would lavishly waste her talents.

‘At this rate, I’ll just wither away!’

In order to stalk her husband, that is.

***

Kallion finally arrived at the mansion late at night, a week later. Having ridden nonstop from the border to the capital, he was covered in dust.

Agnes looked at her husband, whose face was full of exhaustion…….

‘Wow, unbelievable.’

Was it possible for someone to look this handsome even when utterly worn out?

She was once again awestruck by her husband’s incredible looks.

It was a new shock. Was it because she hadn’t seen him in so long? She knew he was handsome, but seeing him in person was on another level.

“I missed you, Agnes.”

“…Huh? Oh, Kallion, you must be tired.”

So, without realizing it, her answer was delayed.

Because she was too busy admiring him.

“You waited a long time, didn’t you? I’m sorry.”

Swoosh—

Kallion immediately pulled Agnes tightly into his arms. The scent that enveloped her was intoxicating.

It was Agnes’s favorite scent.

It was strange. Even though he was covered in dust, she didn’t feel that he was dirty.

Agnes hugged his back tightly and patted him gently.

“It’s work, so it can’t be helped. I’m fine. Don’t apologize.”

In that brief apology, she could feel all the guilt he felt for not being able to spend time together due to his busy schedule.

It would have been a lie to say Agnes wasn’t upset. But perhaps because of her resolve today?

Somehow, she felt she could now more willingly endure Kallion’s absence.

“You must be tired. Go wash up and get some sleep.”

“…What?”

“You have to go to the Imperial Palace early tomorrow morning, don’t you?”

Kallion was bewildered by Agnes’s unexpected reaction.

Having finally met his beloved wife after nearly a month, Kallion wanted nothing more than to hold her and kiss her right away.

Of course, he couldn’t be satisfied with just that.

He had rushed home, wanting to spend the whole night with her, leaving traces of himself all over her.

Did Agnes not miss him?

“What are you doing? Go wash up.”

On Agnes’s face, as she led Kallion to the bathroom, there was no sign of her usual sadness or disappointment.

“…Yeah, I should.”

Click—

Left alone after the bathroom door closed, Kallion felt somewhat uneasy.

Agnes always said she missed him and never wanted to be apart from him.

Especially on days like today, when they saw each other after a long time, they would always burn with passion for each other.

But why was today different?

‘No, maybe I’m overreacting.’

Kallion soon cut off his thoughts.

Once he came out of the bathroom, Agnes would surely be waiting with her usual passionate expression. Expecting that, Kallion quickly washed up.

However.

“…Agnes?”

When he entered the bedroom, his wife was already asleep.

‘She must have been really tired.’

Seeing that she didn’t even stir when he called her name, he thought she must have been quite busy while he was away.

Kallion knew that Agnes was handling many things.

During his absence, managing the Earl’s residence was all up to Agnes.

Thanks to his wife, Earl Bishuern’s family was enjoying unparalleled prosperity, having amassed great wealth.

Kallion smiled as he looked down at his sleeping wife.

Lovely Agnes.

Smooch—

As he bent down and kissed her forehead, his heart fluttered.

It had already been six years since they married. Yet, Agnes always made his heart race.

Yes, sometimes this was nice, too.

Lying beside her, Kallion hugged Agnes tightly and fell asleep.

***

The next morning.

Even as Kallion woke and prepared to leave for the Imperial Palace, Agnes could not properly open her eyes.

“Agnes, I have training at the Palace today, so I need to leave early.”

“Mmm, be careful, Kallion.”

Agnes, unable to even sit up in bed, saw him off with her eyes half-closed.

Kallion’s gaze was full of longing, but the drowsy Agnes didn’t notice and closed her eyes again.

“…I’ll be back.”

Just before she drifted back into sleep, she thought she heard Kallion’s voice, sounding somewhat weak.

And about two hours later.

When Agnes opened her eyes again, she threw off the covers and sat up abruptly.

“Ugh, ahhh.”

This was bad.

Had I accumulated too much fatigue from working nearly all night for several days?

She was only now waking up.

‘Kallion?’

Throwing on her indoor robe, Agnes left the bedroom.

She asked the first servant she saw about Kallion’s whereabouts.

“Have you seen Kallion?”

“Ah. If you mean the Earl, he left for the Imperial Palace early this morning.”

“The Palace?”

Only then did Agnes recall Kallion’s voice she had heard in her sleep.

“Agnes, I have training at the Palace today, so I need to leave early.”

Oh, right, that’s what he said.

‘I definitely remembered until yesterday, so how could I forget?’

Whenever Kallion had to leave for the Palace, Agnes always saw him off. Today, unable to wake her, he must have left alone.

Agnes felt sorry toward Kallion.

She could hardly see his face, and now she hadn’t even seen him off.

‘Oh no, this isn’t the time for that.’

But only for a moment.

Agnes immediately turned on her heel.

She had prepared for today.

This was bad. There was not a moment to lose.

“Thank you! I’ll be in the laboratory all day today.”

Leaving the bowing servant behind, Agnes headed to the laboratory.