A week had passed since the wedding ceremony.

Rizel was intensively studying etiquette through a tutor that Sion had arranged for her after the wedding. Fortunately, the tutor was neither as strict nor as authoritarian as she had expected, which put her at ease.

Finding herself with unexpected free time, Rizel habitually grabbed her communication device and walked to the glass greenhouse as previously arranged with her employer.

Though it was chilly in winter even in the southern region, warm air enveloped her body as she entered the glass greenhouse.

She slightly lowered the shawl that the maid had wrapped around her and looked around. The diverse, flourishing flowers were extremely beautiful.

In the center were a table and chairs. Refreshments were already placed on the table, and Harzen sat in one of the chairs, absently gazing at the flowers. He matched perfectly with the garden scene inside the greenhouse.

She naturally sat across from him, casually placed her communication device on an empty spot on the table, and cheerfully greeted him.

“Harzen, you came early.”

“You’re not particularly late.”

Harzen responded, pointing to a teacup with faint steam rising from it.

“It seems so.”

Rizel nodded and sipped her tea. Harzen rested his chin on his hand, staring intently at her calm face before abruptly asking:

“It’s been a week since we got married. How does it feel?”

“Hmm, it’s hard to express my feelings when asked directly. Honestly, aside from feeling like the days are flying by, I don’t have many thoughts about it.”

“That’s a typical answer from you. You seem quite busy studying these days.”

“That’s right. It’s a field I’m unfamiliar with, but I need to know it well.”

Rizel swallowed a piece of cake in one bite and put on a serious expression. A conversation Harzen had with Sion flashed through his mind.

“My lord, the madam is always serious when working. Though she doesn’t seem like someone who would sit for long periods to study or endure boring etiquette and cultural education, she appears to be working hard.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I was surprised when she said she had requested it first because she thought it would be necessary. It seems her clean record of successful requests is no coincidence.”

While he remained silent, she quickly added:

“Of course, I don’t expect to appear as skilled as nobles who have been educated since childhood. If I can even superficially understand and adequately imitate the forms, I think I’ll have fulfilled my role sufficiently.”

“That’s quite thoughtful and realistic. I didn’t expect you to work so diligently.”

“It’s my job. What more needs to be said?”

Rizel straightened her back, tapped her fork, and put on a confident expression. Harzen chuckled softly and smoothly continued the conversation.

“Indeed, were you the same when performing other mercenary requests?”

“Similar. The more information and knowledge, the better, right? Well, sometimes I just pushed through with force… but that would be difficult in this situation.”

Rizel poked her dessert with her fork and licked her lips. In other jobs, even when minor troublesome issues arose, they could often be resolved by demonstrating strength and skill, which was convenient—she missed that.

Harzen comforted her as she sighed.

“That’s true, but if it’s really difficult, you can act as you please.”

“Oh, really? I’ll remember that.”

Rizel eagerly seized upon her employer’s words and her eyes sparkled. He slightly avoided her intense gaze and changed the subject.

“By the way, have you used the training ground yet?”

“No. Regrettably, I’ve only looked at the training ground but haven’t used it. Instead, I’ve been practicing spirit arts with Nix in my room whenever I can.”

As Rizel opened her palm, a faint black spirit energy rose like a small whirlwind, swirling before slowly dissipating. Harzen asked, somewhat surprised:

“That works?”

“Yes, the room is spacious, and I coordinated well with Nix, so it was manageable. My spirit’s attribute also makes it less dependent on space.”

“I see.”

A strange emotion flickered and disappeared in his gray eyes that resembled a cloudy sky. Rizel deliberately pretended not to notice and playfully pointed her teaspoon at him.

“Of course, once I become more accustomed to this life and have more free time, I’ll make good use of your personal training ground.”

“Do as you wish.”

Harzen smoothly accepted her words with a shrug. While she emptied her teacup and nearby dessert plate, he glanced at her communication device.

“By the way, why did you bring your communication device?”

“Oh, my hands were restless, so I was fidgeting with it and ended up bringing it along. You know, like how people absentmindedly roll smooth, round pebbles in their hands when bored. It’s similar to that.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Just think of it as a decorative item.”

No sooner had Rizel finished her playful response than the communication device lit up. Surprisingly, it was Romari’s code, who was expected to be in seclusion for a while. As she raised her eyebrows, his quiet voice reached her ears.

“But it seems you have a message.”

“Indeed. Is it alright if I take it here?”

“Yes.”

With her employer’s ready permission, Rizel immediately answered the call. Feeling anxious for no reason, she rapidly fired questions before the other person could speak.

“Romari, what’s going on? Didn’t you say you’d be refining your spirit arts for a while? Has a problem arisen? Or did you cause some trouble?”

-Oh, Rizel. Thanks for your concern, but it’s not related to spirits.

“Then what is it?”

Rizel frowned. She couldn’t think of any other issues. Romari hesitated, remained silent for a moment, then slowly answered:

-Well, it’s personal and might be lengthy, so I’d rather not discuss it over the communication device. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to meet in person and talk openly.

“Ah…”

Rizel’s gaze reflexively turned toward her employer. His face remained impassive as he silently listened to their conversation, making it difficult to gauge his emotions. Instead of speaking, Harzen conveyed his thoughts through spirit communication.

[It’s fine, continue your conversation. I don’t intend to restrict you from meeting your friend.]

[Understood.]

While Rizel quickly responded, Romari’s voice flowed from the communication device.

-Why, is it inconvenient?

“No, it’s fine. It’s just that I’m in a situation where it’s difficult for me to travel far for a while, so I’d prefer to meet in the Darkus region.”

-Great. As it happens, I’m currently in the Rodeka region.

Romari’s voice carried a hint of amusement. The Rodeka region was classified as part of the western area but was near the Darkus region. Rizel felt relieved by her friend’s cheerful voice but was also curious.

“That’s fortunate, but I thought you went east. Why are you in the west?”

-It just happened that way. I’ll tell you when we meet. But why are you in the south?

“Ah, there are complicated circumstances…”

Rizel trailed off, evading a clear answer. However, instead of probing further, Romari calmly continued the conversation.

-Alright. Where shall we meet? A tavern? Is there a good place?

“Just come to the Darkus family mansion.”

-Are you staying there?

“Yes.”

Since her friend would find out everything when they met anyway, she readily confirmed. Romari hesitantly asked:

-Is it okay for me to go there?

“Yes. I’ll inform the mansion’s owner and staff in advance, so feel free to come.”

-Great.

Romari’s brief response conveyed strong trust in her friend. While Harzen felt an unfamiliar sensation observing the interaction between the two women, Rizel set a date to meet and turned off the communication device.

“Is that the mercenary friend who was with you at the tavern and one of those with whom you established spirit communication?”

“That’s right.”

“You seem to trust her quite a bit. You must generally trust people easily.”

It was an uncharacteristically innocent, curious remark from him.

Weren’t spirit contractors typically the epitome of human distrust, beings completely swayed by their contracted spirits? His contract wife seemed different, which appeared somewhat unfamiliar to him.

Rizel placed the communication device back on the empty spot on the table and smiled warmly.

“My goodness, how could that be? I trust her because she’s a trustworthy friend.”

“A trustworthy friend…”

“Romari and I can entrust our backs to each other, we’ve helped each other in dangerous situations, and we share an understanding about hearts and spirits. If I can’t trust such a friend, who can I trust?”

Rizel shrugged and revealed her honest feelings. Harzen felt a strange stirring inside at her steadfast attitude. He suppressed his complex emotions and casually tested her.

“Even if your friend were to cause a spirit rampage incident?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’d try to save her somehow, depending on the situation. I’ve already prevented it once when there were early symptoms.”

“I see.”

Harzen’s voice sank low. Rizel recalled the original story and comforted him kindly.

“You’ll be able to meet good people too.”

“Ah, right.”

His response was lukewarm, as if he thought her words were mere platitudes.

[At least while our marriage lasts, I’ll remain a reliable person by your side. Don’t worry about spirit rampage issues. Rampaging energy can be swallowed by darkness.]

Rizel slowly clenched her fist and grinned.

It was a smile brighter than the flowers blooming in the greenhouse. Though her attribute was darkness, at this moment she appeared like a bright light. Feeling a strange tingling sensation, Harzen couldn’t find words to respond and remained silent.