Chapter 22

Celiana arrived at the mansion in a bright mood.  

‘Going to Bondage Cathedral was a good idea.’  

Just speaking her worries aloud and having someone listen helped more than she expected.  

She should have gone sooner. She was grateful to Erta as well.  

‘Oh, come to think of it, I received a necklace.’  

She naturally recalled the necklace she’d been given that day.  

Just as she’d done with the handcuffs and collar, Celiana had stored the necklace in the space behind the study.  

‘There’s still plenty of time before Robert gets home.’  

It was still early afternoon. Normally, Robert returned around dinner or even later, so unless the servants had something urgent, no one would seek her out for at least an hour or two.  

Celiana quietly arrived at the study and opened the hidden space in the back.  

The necklace sat right in the center.  

‘No one knows this is a magic item.’  

Holding the necklace, Celiana found herself with a mischievous thought.  

‘Should I try wearing it for a bit today?’  

She imagined herself shaking hands with Robert, designating him as the target, and secretly enjoying his touch.  

‘Maybe… maybe it’ll be okay.’  

There was no one watching, but Celiana still blushed. Nevertheless, her hand holding the necklace steadily moved toward her neck.  

He was her husband, after all. She’d done even bolder things before, so something like this should be fine.  

The necklace didn’t have a particularly unique design, so it wouldn’t stand out, and no one would suspect its true nature. Of course, Robert wouldn’t either.  

Celiana tried on the necklace. For some reason, it suited her.  

‘Alright, I’ll wear it for just a few hours.’  

Celiana waited for Robert’s return with the necklace on.  

Not even ten minutes had passed since she’d told the butler to let her know when he arrived.  

“Madam, the Master has returned.”  

The butler announced Robert’s arrival.  

“Already?”  

He was home much earlier than usual.  

‘How odd.’  

He’d never arrived this early before. The moment to put her plan into action came faster than she’d expected, leaving her little time to prepare.  

It was fortunate, but now that it was happening, she felt nervous.  

Celiana went downstairs to greet Robert.  

“Robert, you’re home?”  

“I’m home, Celiana.”  

Robert was especially happy to see Celiana’s face today.  

After hearing her confession, he felt he understood her more deeply.  

‘Maybe I should talk about it tonight.’  

Making sure not to cross paths with Celiana on the way home, Robert resolved to have a conversation with her.  

He’d reveal his own preferences first, and ask if she could accept him as he was.  

Then, perhaps, Celiana would open up to him and trust him more.  

“Today…”  

Just as Robert was about to ask for a moment of her time—  

‘…Necklace?’  

Something caught his eye.  

There was no way he wouldn’t recognize it.  

It was the paired item to the magic ring that had arrived for him just days ago.  

He still remembered the disappointment of not being able to obtain that necklace.  

How was it, and through what means, now hanging around Celiana’s neck?  

“You must have finished work early today. That’s unusual.”  

And why was Celiana holding his hand so firmly, as if designating him as the target for the necklace’s magic?  

Interest sparkled in Robert’s eyes.  

‘So Celiana had the necklace.’  

In that brief moment, Robert decided to postpone his conversation with Celiana for just today.  

‘This changes things.’  

If she wanted to enjoy his touch and was reaching for his hand, it was best to play along.  

If she’d shaken hands with another man, he might have cut off that man’s wrist.  

“Yes, work finished quite early today.”  

“That doesn’t happen often. Oh, your hand was so warm, I grabbed it without thinking…”  

After exactly three seconds, Celiana pretended to be startled and tried to pull her hand away.  

Robert saw right through her act.  

He held tightly to her small hand and drew closer to her face.  

“Do you have plans this afternoon?”  

Celiana’s face briefly showed embarrassment as she failed to free her hand, then she slowly shook her head, cheeks a little flushed.  

“No, nothing else today. What about you, Robert?”  

“Same here. Days like this are rare—how about we go out together?”  

Celiana’s eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion.  

“I’d love to!”  

She smiled brightly, her large eyes folding into a bashful grin.  

‘Who’d have guessed such a cute face was plotting something so naughty.’  

She was adorable. Robert suppressed the smile threatening to escape his lips.  

‘Well, confessing my preferences one day late won’t hurt.’  

Celiana didn’t know that Robert knew everything. What if he teased her a bit? Honestly, that was even more tempting.  

A sly desire began to rise.  

‘The ring’s in my office.’  

Robert licked his lips.  

“Actually, I just remembered a document I need to check. I’ll run up to the office and be right back.”  

“Alright, I’ll wait.”  

Leaving Celiana behind, Robert went up to his office.  

He retrieved the hidden ring and slipped it onto his right index finger, humming softly without realizing it.  

To be able to use this ring as a pair—it was delightful.  

He hadn’t expected the opportunity to come so soon, making it all the more exciting.  

‘Will she recognize the ring?’  

He hesitated for a moment, but it didn’t matter. If Celiana noticed, he could simply confess the truth.  

Robert quickly left the office and headed to the central hall where Celiana waited.  

He spotted her at the end of his gaze. As he approached, a mischievous feeling bubbled up.  

‘Should I tease her a bit?’  

He hadn’t yet linked the ring and necklace, but the handshake should still have an effect.  

Robert clenched his fist. Celiana startled, glancing down at her arm.  

Seeing her immediate reaction, the effect was clear.  

Robert stepped closer. When the gap between them was about five paces, he ran his hand over the back of his head as if fixing his hair.  

“R-Robert, you’re here?”  

Celiana stammered, as if uncomfortable. She probably felt a shiver run down the back of her neck.  

“Let’s go, Celiana.”  

Pretending to know nothing, Robert extended his ringed hand to escort her.  

Unlike the wedding ring on his left hand, the ring on his right index finger suited him well.  

“Oh, a ring…”  

Since Robert never wore anything on his right hand, the ring stood out immediately.  

Did she notice? Robert enjoyed the tension and lied.  

“Ah, it’s a ring my mother gave me a long time ago. I remembered it when I went up to the office. Does it look odd?”  

It was a harmless lie. If he told the truth now, Celiana would probably be disappointed.  

“No, it suits you. Let’s go, Robert.”  

Celiana took his hand, showing no sign of suspicion.  

She didn’t seem to recognize the ring.  

‘Now, the next three seconds.’  

What mattered was what happened next.  

1, 2, 3.  

As three slow seconds passed, a faint glow flickered from the ring’s gem and then vanished.  

Of course, the necklace on Celiana’s neck did the same.  

Unfortunately, Celiana didn’t notice the change.  

The magic link between the items was complete.  

Now, not only could Celiana feel Robert’s touch, but he too could sense the feeling of touching her.  

What should he try? He wanted to see Celiana’s flustered reaction, pretending to know nothing.  

Was he just a hopeless pervert? But after hearing Celiana’s confession, he felt certain she would understand.  

“Where should we go?”  

Whether she was excited for the outing with Robert or for the secret thrill of wearing the necklace, Celiana seemed delighted.  

“By the way, I heard there’s a fruit festival in the city center. Would you like to go see it together?”  

It was an unexpected suggestion. Robert was always busy, so they’d never gone on a proper date.  

He’d married her right after returning from the Periwel Kingdom, and since they lived under the same roof every day, even more so.  

“Sounds great, let’s go!”  

Celiana smiled bashfully. She was genuinely happy to spend time with him. Maybe it was because she’d confessed everything at Bondage Cathedral today?  

Or perhaps because she was secretly feeling Robert’s touch through the necklace.  

When Robert had brushed his hair back just now, Celiana had felt a pleasant sensation trailing from the back of her neck down her spine. Goosebumps of delight rose on her skin.  

Plus, knowing Robert was unaware of her secret made the situation even more exciting.  

She looked forward to the day. Celiana calmed her racing heart as she climbed into the carriage.