“You’re assigning me a bodyguard?”

At her question of confirmation, Grey nodded.

“Because of what happened.”

She was surprised – she hadn’t expected him to care that much. Maybe his promise to try hadn’t been empty after all.

“I heard from my mother that you didn’t want the fishermen punished. Is that true?”

“Yes. Their rudeness didn’t come from malice, but from ignorance.”

In the Cabil area, there was a system whereby commoners could request an audience with the lord and lady once a month. But many of the fishermen, who spent more of their lives at sea than on land, were illiterate. News spread slowly among them, so it wasn’t surprising that they didn’t even know about the system. Especially when the lady of the area had been bedridden for a whole year.

“Grey, about the harbour the fishermen mentioned – Dalsuro Harbour – do you think it can be restored?”

“Do you wish to grant their request?”

“I want to understand the situation first.”

“You are a wise woman.”

As long as emotions were put aside, he could be far more gentle – like stroking a snake with its sharp fangs removed.

“What kind of place is Dalsuro Harbour?”

“It is flanked by jutting rocky cliffs that block strong winds and waves, keeping the waters calm throughout the year. It’s the ideal place for a cruise ship berth. Not only can passengers embark and disembark safely, but a short distance out they can enjoy spectacular views as the ship passes over the coral reefs.”

“Would it be impossible to move the cruise ship dock to another location?”

“It’s not impossible… but ‘unnecessary’ would be a better word.”

If they ruled out Dalsuro Harbour, the only other possible docking site would be on the opposite side of the harbour. The journey would only begin after a wide turn around sheer cliffs.

“It wouldn’t be very pleasant.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

Normally she would have been satisfied by now and stepped back.

But the image of the fishermen pleading in front of the carriage flashed through her mind – there had been something solemn in their expressions, something she just couldn’t ignore.

“Isn’t there any way to change the cruise ship’s route?”

“The coastal waters get violently rough just beyond the shore, unless you’re a born sailor, you’ll end up feeding the fish.”

He chuckled and told her to imagine rows of passengers hanging over the railing and throwing up.

“When we rebuild Dalsuro Harbour, we’ll have to give up the cruise ship business. We’ve already acquired five ships, and the budget for each one was about…”

Hearing the figure he whispered, Regina finally raised both hands in surrender.

It was too massive a loss to justify out of pity for the fishermen alone.

“That’s unfortunate. It seemed to be an important place for them.”

Even those words of sympathy were as good as an admission that Grey had won.

In a generous mood, he gave her more information than usual.

“To be honest, I’m suspicious of the fishermen’s true intentions.”

“Why?”

“They insist that the coral reefs of Dalsuro must be preserved. But there are far more coral reefs on the side of the trading port.

Dalsuro is small – just big enough for four small fishing boats. Even if it were restored, it wouldn’t have a significant impact on the ecosystem.

“So why do they want it back so badly? Do you think… they have another motive?”

“Exactly, Regina.”

As he spoke, Grey felt genuinely pleased for once. It had been a long time since a deep conversation with his wife hadn’t ended in conflict or recrimination.

“At this point, I suspect smuggling. We’ll have to investigate further to be sure.”

“Smuggling?!”

All colour drained from her face.

The thought that she might be defending a crime scene drowned her earlier resolve.

“Then… I’ll leave the Dalsuro Port matter to you, Grey.”

“I’ll handle it properly.”

“Could you let me know how it turns out later?”

Grey paused for a moment, then nodded.

“Thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me. It almost turned into a disaster because of you.”

“But that incident made me realize something all over again… You’ve really been through so much, haven’t you, Grey?”

At her unexpected words, Grey turned to her, his pale blue eyes fixed on her face.

“Mr Finley mentioned… that you’ve been in situations like this before. I never really realised how much danger you are constantly exposed to in your work.”

His innocent wife had suffered because of his choices. And yet, instead of resenting him, she tried to understand how heavy the burden on his shoulders must have been.

“‘You’re forced to make the best possible decision at every moment, and then bear the full weight of whatever comes of it-even though there’s no way you can ever predict the future. When I thought about it… I didn’t know whether to be in awe of you or feel sorry for you. Honestly, it was both.”

She must be either a fool or someone with an overabundance of empathy. Neither of these were qualities that Grey valued highly.

But her words, sincere and not just a show of politeness, touched something in him.

When was the last time someone had said something like that to him?

“I’m not saying that every decision you’ve made has been perfect – because you’re still human, Grey.”

Especially when it came to their marriage, which was a disaster. But Regina didn’t mention that.

“Whatever choice you make, I know you’ve agonised over it – as you are now. So I’ll trust your judgement.”

Her small face was grave. And yet her words moved Grey far more than any calculated attempt at seduction ever could.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her – those slightly upturned, unapproachable eyes and the glowing violet irises beneath the thick lashes that seemed to cast a spell on him.

Grey reached out and gently tucked a lock of her soft brown hair, which had fallen along the delicate line of her face, behind her ear.

Regina flinched, but didn’t pull away.

There was a quiet gentleness between them, like the gentle stroking of a small, sensitive animal that had just let its guard down.

It was time to say their time together was over and send them on their way.

After all, there was still a mountain of documents on his desk, each awaiting a decision.

And yet…

“May I kiss you?”

Regina looked slightly startled. But probably not as much as Grey was.

‘What had I just blurted out?’

A strange, unfamiliar wave of shame washed over him.

He was about to make a hasty apology when Regina hesitantly ran her tongue over her lower lip.

Whether it was an instinctive reaction or a deliberate gesture, it drove him mad.

Her lowered eyelids were tinged with a soft blush, her nose – tilted at an angle – drew a graceful line, and the subtle trembling of her lips struck something deep in his chest.

At that moment, no other thought crossed his mind.

As he leaned forward, drawn like iron to a massive magnet, her small, fragrant breath brushed against his neck.

A kiss that barely reached his neck – such a small thing. And yet, somehow, it felt unbearably sweet.

Ignoring the cynical voice in his head, he kissed his wife.

He had only intended to brush her lips lightly and pull away – but he couldn’t stop.

The soft, moist warmth that teased the surface of her cold lips sent heat to the corners of his eyes.

Before he knew it, his hands had taken hold of her and he was kissing her as if he wanted to devour her.

His tongue pressed relentlessly against the roof of her mouth, pulling at hers as if to rip it out by the roots. He felt her flinch, her body recoiling instinctively.

Had he frightened her by behaving like a madman?

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Regina staggered slightly and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

It was probably just to steady herself – but the moment she touched him, blood rushed violently through his veins.

After that, everything was a blur.

He felt intoxicated – by her taste, by the scent that flooded his mouth. It was as if he was clinging desperately to her, needing more, needing everything.

Then suddenly she pulled away and reality returned.

He found himself with both hands on the desk, Regina trapped between his arms.

She was sprawled halfway across the surface, her hair falling like a cascade of sensual silk.

His momentary loss of reason came rushing back, screaming at him to stop.

This was his office.

His wife had just recovered from an illness.

And they were not the kind of couple who shared deep intimacy.

“No.”

But the moment he saw her face – flushed, as if she might cry – all those warnings vanished from his mind.