“I’m not going to the imperial palace?”

“That’s good too, but I want to visit my friend’s house.”

Reytan Zeren Duke, who might become the crown prince in the future, said he would come to his estate. Luden knew what that meant.

He thought of Alsellon. Wasn’t he the one who tried to claim this position by any means necessary? Because of him shaking Luden, things went to the worst situation. Now the end of that fight was in sight. The result of the fight was his victory.

Since he even won Reytan to his side, he would be able to wield powerful influence as Marquis Charlot.

“I want to return to the capital quickly.”

If it were before, he might have clung to revenge. But now he had no such thoughts. He had too many precious things to live obsessed with revenge.

A week later, the clothes Annelia chose arrived. Luden prepared for the procession, spraying the perfume Annelia gave him on the clothes.

* * *

I was getting dressed with Anan. Anan, who was healthier than before, exercised and built up her stamina considerably. She said she could go to the procession too, so we dressed up together.

Common people would stand where the procession started, and nobles would stand near the imperial palace. We would also be assigned a spot close to the imperial palace. Since it was now full spring, we didn’t need to wear thick clothes.

“Miss, the bright pink dress suits you well.”

Lella whispered while adorning me. Kerona praised Anan. After hearing their compliments, we put on hats, picked up our bags, and boarded the carriage.

“Luden is really coming home.”

Anan’s voice had been emotional since yesterday.

“I’m glad the tiresome war ended safely.”

Me too, right? Anan wasn’t the only one getting emotional.

“Annelia, what will you do with Luden from now on?”

At Anan’s question, I spoke matter-of-factly.

“Start with plans for children!”

“Oh my, will I finally see grandchildren?”

“I’ll try my best.”

“Usually people say they enjoy their newlywed life.”

Anan must have heard it somewhere. I shrugged and shook my head.

“Children look cute to me these days. They say it’s right to have them at times like this.”

“That’s true. I was the same.”

A child resembling Luden and me… They might captivate the empire with their looks. I smiled and squeezed Anan’s hand tightly.

“Let’s greet Luden together.”

“Annelia.”

“I’m happy Anan became so healthy.”

I spoke sincerely. Anan, who took care of me while Luden was away, was truly like a real mother. Well, she is Luden’s mother!

The carriage stopped and Anan and I got out. Since the emperor said we’d know the seating arrangement when we arrived, no one knew where their seat would be yet. But why do I feel uneasy?

High-ranking nobles usually sat in the front seats. Anan and I went to the front seats but didn’t go to the very front. Since that was where the imperial family sat, it was natural to think there would be no seat for me.

But no matter how much I looked, there were no seats for Anan and me. So just in case, I went to the very front row. I somehow felt the emperor might have played a trick.

“Oh my, Annelia and my seats are over there.”

In the very front row, the emperor and empress sat, then the prime minister’s seat, and right next to it was my name.

“Why is my name here…?”

“You’ll have a good view of Luden.”

“Why aren’t you flustered, Anan?”

Anan laughed.

“I think His Majesty does this because of this side of Annelia.”

At Anan’s smile, I resigned myself. Just accept it.

“I suppose so.”

I just sat down silently. Since it was already an assigned seat, I couldn’t say I wouldn’t sit. As I grumbled, Kajian, the empress, and Jerakun walked over. Jerakun, who recently made reservations and frequently came to the consultation office, sparkled his eyes at me.

“Do you like the seat?”

Kajian asked me.

“I’m grateful for Your Majesty’s consideration.”

“Considering your and Marquis Charlot’s achievements, this much is natural.”

He nodded and smiled gently. He was saying such things even though he knew my expression was trembling.

“Anan Charlot, your health has recovered considerably.”

“Thanks to Annelia.”

“Attend the palace parties if you can. I’d like to see your face.”

“Understood.”

Anan bowed elegantly to the emperor. When the emperor sat down, Anan and I sat as well. The procession seemed to have started as the people’s cheers shook the world.

Luden was finally coming.

* * *

Before the procession started, the capital was right ahead. Luden looked at his clothes in the box.

I miss Luden.

He smiled gently while reading the words from Annelia’s letter. Then he changed clothes in the temporarily set up dressing room. Reytan, who saw Luden come out after changing, clicked his tongue.

“You’re really handsome. My friend is this amazing.”

“Your Highness looks wonderful too.”

“Thanks!”

Reytan smiled brightly and put his arm around Luden’s shoulders.

“Actually, you have more achievements than me. I said you should be in front, but they said no.”

Reytan seemed to feel sorry about standing in front.

“I’m fine.”

Still, Reytan’s expression wasn’t refreshed. But he soon smiled brightly and finished preparing for the procession. Then they started the procession as prepared.

Luden kept his gaze only forward while hearing the people’s cheers. He occasionally waved his hand, but didn’t relax his characteristically stern face. At the end of the procession, as he approached the imperial palace, he spotted Anan and Annelia sitting in the very front.

His beloved family was there.

Annelia.

The person he always missed and wanted to call was there.

‘I missed you too.’

Luden stopped his horse while silently reciting the words he couldn’t write in reply and kept in his heart.

* * *

Luden was shining brilliantly. He dismounted from his horse like a lofty deity. The emperor, who stood up from his chair, approached Luden, Reytan, and the soldiers. They bowed to the emperor as though they’d been waiting.

“You’ve worked hard. There’s a victory banquet tomorrow evening, so attend.”

At his words, everyone bowed deeper then raised their heads. Everyone looked around as though waiting to reunite with their families. Those who attended the procession all met their families right there.

Anan and I also walked toward Luden. Since there were many people, Andre’s nerves seemed on edge in case something happened.

“I’ve returned.”

Before I married Luden, I thought our relationship would end when he returned from the battlefield. But now fate had changed and he was by my side. My precious person.

I approached him and squeezed his hand tightly.

“Welcome back.”

Luden pulled me into his arms. Wait, in front of all these people.

“Luden, you missed your wife a lot.”

I heard Anan’s words.

Oh, I was embarrassed, but I didn’t push away from his embrace. His embrace, which I felt after so long, was so warm and good. I could smell his scent and wanted to stay in his arms even more.

After staying in his embrace for a while, I raised my head when he released me. Luden was looking at me with clear eyes.

“I missed Luden terribly.”

Then Luden stroked my lips. And after saying no temptation on the way home in my ear, he walked to Anan and held her hand.

“Mother, you’re fine now.”

“I can even walk around. Annelia and I occasionally go out to eat together.”

I was swept up in what Luden said and didn’t hear what Anan and Luden were talking about. No temptation, he said.

Who’s tempting who?

What was he thinking, breathing hot breath in my ear? As I grumbled, I quickly came to my senses and approached Luden and Anan.

“Let’s go home first and talk about what we couldn’t discuss all this time.”

So I went to the Charlot marquis estate with Anan and Luden. No, I returned home with my husband.

* * *

Kajian watched Luden and Annelia greet each other and board the carriage to leave. Jerakun, who was watching them, approached and spoke to him.

“Luden returned safely.”

“Yes.”

“Will Marchioness Charlot close the consultation office?”

Among people, the prevailing prediction was that she wouldn’t be able to work at the consultation office since Luden returned. 

Jerakun also claimed Annelia would be too busy to open the consultation office like before since Luden became the official heir of the Charlot marquis family.

“I don’t know.”

Since the war ended, the justification to summon Annelia to the imperial palace also disappeared. If it were Annelia, she would refuse sharply. Thinking about it made Kajian feel a bit deflated. It felt like a beloved daughter had disappeared.

“Should I go directly to the consultation office?”

“I also had a hard time making reservations.”

“You said it was dangerous for me.”

“After going, it was good. Your Majesty’s choice was right.”

The prime minister who completely changed his words like this was somehow annoying. Why was he so envious that Jerakun made reservations and could go for a while?

Kajian liked the tea Annelia gave him that made tears flow, but he liked conversations with her even more. Talking with her while crying made him feel completely refreshed.

“The tea that makes tears flow is good, but I really like Marchioness Charlot’s attitude of listening to people’s words pleasantly.”

“I feel the same.”

“So I can’t come to work Wednesday morning this week.”

“That must be your reservation day. Should I schedule work?”

“Your Majesty, no.”

Jerakun, who was a workaholic, firmly refused.

* * *

Seeing it today, the Charlot marquis family estate looked different. It was a house I always saw, but coming with Luden made it seem like a different place. Anan got out of the carriage, looked at Luden and me, and smiled gently.

“Annelia and Luden, spend time together first. I’m tired and need to rest.”

After saying that, Anan sent me a look. My face heated up. Anan was giving us time alone by excusing herself.

Luden didn’t stop Anan. I reached out toward Anan, but Luden firmly lowered my hand.

“Mother must be tired.”

Still, we should at least have a cup of tea!

“I’ll visit separately this evening.”

“Why this evening?”

I asked in a trembling voice. Then Luden held my hand and kissed the back of it.

“You know why.”

“I don’t.”

“Really?”

Luden’s face was full of mischief. My face heated up more and I turned my head.

“Let’s go to Annelia’s room first.”

He dragged me toward the room. He opened the door and entered, smelling the scent in my room and looking at me.

“I missed Luden, so I just sprayed the perfume Luden always used.”

“So that’s how you tempted me.”

“Tempted?”

I swear I never tempted Luden. I was about to say it wasn’t me when he unbuttoned his shirt.

“What, what are you doing?”

“I’m going to wash up.”

Such talk in broad daylight?

When I panicked, Luden tilted his head slightly.

“Since a married couple reunited after a long time, we should do what needs to be done.”

“Still! I need mental preparation.”

Then he lifted my chin with his finger.

“Let’s shower together, Annelia.”

I want to, but it’s embarrassing!

He held my hand and placed my palm near his chest. The sound of his pounding heart transmitted through my fingertips.

“When Annelia unconsciously looks at me, you have incredibly captivating eyes.”

Hearing Luden’s heartbeat, I froze in place.

He unbuttoned a few shirt buttons, approached me, brought his face close, and whispered. His lips seemed about to cover mine any moment.

“What about me receiving real-time temptation?”

“If it’s that kind of look, Luden does it too.”

Luden laughed.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m tempting Annelia too.”

He pressed his lips to mine. And when I parted my lips slightly, he entered inside as though he’d been waiting. His hot presence stirred inside my mouth like imprinting on me. I gasped for breath and accepted his presence in his arms.

When our lips parted, I gasped for breath. My body wanted it.

While looking at him, while hoping this moment would last longer, I was craving him. He also looked at me with deep eyes like craving me.

There, my heart was captured.

“Let’s shower.”

In the end, I surrendered. Luden smiled and nodded.

With a victor’s smile, as soon as I untied my dress strings, he grabbed my hand and roughly entered the bathroom.