Epilogue 1. Same Word, Different Meaning

The launching ceremony in the Lefen Republic where they burst into laughter while looking at each other, soaked in seawater.

Eileen’s 24th birthday when she shed tears of joy after receiving the unexpected gift of meeting Neville.

The music festival in the Kingdom of Jenia where they whispered love to each other under the sky turning golden.

Aaron’s 26th birthday when he caught a cold after making a snowman in the heavily falling snow.

As memories together accumulated, the air that once held hot and thick humidity had changed to bitingly cold air.

“Eileen. Don’t be like that, let’s stay for one more week before going back.”

Aaron gently held Eileen’s hand and brought it to his lips. Kiss, kiss, as he placed small kisses on the back of her hand, a disapproving gaze fixed on him.

“Oh, really! Duke Aaron de Monston. Aren’t you going to work?”

She deliberately called him by his full name and title, but Aaron merely shrugged as if it no longer affected him.

“It’s fine, Liam will take care of everything.”

How strange for someone who used to work like crazy. Eileen touched her forehead, feeling a strain in her neck.

“What did Liam do to deserve this!”

“Well, the crime of having the wrong master?”

Aaron chuckled softly and moved his lips to her wrist. After instantly leaving a faint mark, he curled up the corners of his mouth with rising satisfaction.

“Hah……”

Eileen looked at her wrist and let out a deep sigh.

Aaron, who had only grown more playful after marriage, had become even more shameless since they came on their honeymoon.

Even now, they were having a serious conversation about needing to return in two days, but somehow their positions had changed and the atmosphere was flowing strangely.

Feeling like she might give in to temptation, Eileen spoke in a firm voice. She also pulled back her captured hand.

“Stop.”

Contrary to her thought that she wouldn’t be able to escape easily, her hand slipped out smoothly.

“I won’t go any further unless you promise to return in two days.”

Their honeymoon, which had started in summer, hadn’t ended even by midwinter. Though it had been extended for recovery purposes, Eileen knew.

That was just a surface reason, and the truth was because of the desire of the man in front of her.

Of course, Eileen also enjoyed traveling around with Aaron all day. They hadn’t had time to build memories because of various incidents she didn’t even want to think about.

But there’s a limit to making memories. It was time to go home now.

“What’s wrong, Eileen.”

Aaron looked down at Eileen, stretching out the end of his words. His downcast eyes, so unlike him, looked pitiful.

But having decided not to give in today, Eileen crossed her arms and frowned.

“That look won’t work. I’m not falling for it.”

“One week should be fine.”

“Then, Duke, stay in Fresher by yourself. I will return to Bereut on the scheduled day no matter what.”

The green gaze that pierced her was full of determination not to back down anymore. She really seemed ready to leave him behind.

Is it too much to push further? Aaron sighed softly and said.

“Alright, I’ll make sure we return in two days.”

“Really?”

Still seeming unable to believe him, Eileen tilted her head askew. Aaron responded by holding out his pinky finger instead of answering.

Eileen looked back and forth between his extended finger and his face before eventually hooking her finger with his.

“If you break your promise, I’ll really leave you behind, so be prepared.”

“Of course. I’ll definitely keep my promise.”

With his answer, warmth descended on her lips. Soon their breaths mingled slowly, and then, smack, the warmth detached.

When her eyes met the purple eyes in front of her, his long eyes curved beautifully. No matter how many times she saw that smile, it made her mouth feel dry.

Gulp, the sound of swallowing echoed loudly in the quiet bedroom.

Then Aaron raised the corner of his mouth and whispered softly in her ear.

“Eileen, how about we continue what we were doing in that sense?”

* * *

“You look cold.”

Aaron slightly furrowed his brow and tilted his head. The purple gaze pouring down was full of displeasure. Huh, a hollow laugh escaped from between Eileen’s lips.

“Aaron. Did you just say I look cold?”

She was wearing a bonnet full of fur to keep her ears warm and had wrapped a scarf tightly to prevent the wind from entering.

Over her winter dress, which was warm yet easy to move in, she wore a cozy cloak. She had even put on thick gloves in case her hands got cold.

Fortunately, Mary was away from her post, because if she had heard those words, she would have sided with Aaron and offered the winter items Eileen had refused to wear.

Just imagining it made her feel hot, and Eileen shuddered in horror.

“What are you talking about? Who looks colder than me right now.”

Unlike heavily armored Eileen, Aaron was just wearing a dark coat that reached his calves and had casually wrapped a single scarf.

When the green eyes full of complaints slowly scanned her from top to bottom, Aaron pretended not to notice and turned his gaze away. Ahem, after clearing his throat, he approached the carriage, opened the closed door, and extended his hand.

“Get in, Eileen.”

Really, I have to give it to my husband for his shamelessness. Eileen shook her head and grabbed Aaron’s outstretched hand to climb into the carriage.

Though it was impossible since they were both wearing thick gloves, somehow she felt Aaron’s warm body temperature seeping through between their interlocked fingers.

“Let’s depart.”

When Aaron commanded, with a short “Heya!” the carriage began to move smoothly. Soon, the clattering sound of hooves was heard.

“Where are we going today?”

When Eileen’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, Aaron smiled faintly and gently stroked her hair.

“You’ll know when we get there.”

“You won’t tell me where we’re going today?”

“No, it’s a secret.”

Aaron said this while drawing the curtain attached to the carriage window. It meant he wouldn’t even give her a hint. Where on earth were they going that required such secrecy? Curiosity welled up, but she decided to be patient for a while.

After all, as long as Aaron was by her side, she would surely be happy and enjoy herself wherever they went.

“Can I look forward to it?”

“Of course.”

Have I ever disappointed our Lady Eileen?

The voice whispering in her ear was full of confidence. So much so that she wanted to tease him.

Eileen deliberately tilted her head askew and said.

“You have?”

“……I have?”

Aaron’s face instantly turned pale. That couldn’t be right, but as Aaron was muttering softly, he seemed to remember something and raised the corner of his mouth.

“I’m excluding that time when I misunderstood you.”

“It wasn’t then?”

The purple eyes facing her shook violently.

“Lady Eileen.”

“Yes?”

“……Could you tell me when and why I disappointed you?”

Ah, really. When he acts this cute, it makes me want to tease him more. Eileen hid her true feelings and shrugged nonchalantly.

“It’s a secret.”

Eileen’s clear laughter and his earnest pleas to please tell him when it was spread throughout the interior of the carriage.

* * *

“This is……”

Eileen looked around with her mouth slightly open.

Sunlight poured down on the large fountain, and stalls were selling warm drinks including coffee. In front of one store, people were lined up as if waiting for their turn.

The breath she inhaled carried the aroma of lemony tart and slightly burnt roasted chestnuts.

It was an unforgettable place.

“Eileen. Do you remember where this is?”

Eileen turned to look at Aaron. He was wearing a kind and bright smile, far from the cold face he had shown on the day they first met.

“This is where we first met.”

“Yes, you dropped a lemon tart, and I stepped on it.”

“And then you complained about how I would take responsibility for the time and money that was going to fly away because of me.”

Even thinking about it now, it was the worst first meeting.

Well, thanks to that, she ended up getting involved with Aaron. Eileen giggled at the memories that came flooding back.

“Eileen. I’m sorry for saying such things back then.”

“It’s okay, I’m taking responsibility for you now, aren’t I?”

Responsibility. The same word, the same place, but with a completely different meaning from that day. Liking that, Aaron lightly kissed her. Their lips parted, but the sweetness remained.

“Eileen. I heard that place over there sells the lemon tart I stepped on, want to go together?”

“Yes! But we need to hurry. If there are that many people lined up, we might not get to eat any.”

“Then, how about we acquire that store? We wouldn’t need to line up.”

“Focus on running Patisserie de Monston. How often do you come to Fresher anyway.”

While chatting like this and moving toward the tart shop, it happened.

“Eileen!”

A very familiar voice, full of excitement, flowed into Eileen’s ears.

Eileen momentarily stopped in her tracks.

That voice, dripping with cuteness, was something she hadn’t heard for three years, but it was too familiar. At Aaron’s gaze, which seemed to ask if it was a person with the same name, Eileen slowly shook her head.

“I think it’s someone I know.”

“Really?”