“Has it gotten that late already.”
He rubbed his temple with his thumb.
‘He looks tired.’
It seemed he had been so absorbed in work that he had lost track of time entirely. I nodded.
“I couldn’t make it to my family’s house today. Apparently my parents were arguing, so I ended up spending time with Emily and coming back early.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. And since it’s around dinnertime anyway, I thought — we’re supposed to eat together at least once, aren’t we?”
It was a slightly ambiguous situation, honestly, and I had mulled it over for quite a while.
I had told him I planned to visit my family home over the weekend and received his permission.
I had gone — but turned back because of my parents’ fight.
So did the daily meal rule still apply? Or did going out at all count as an exception?
I had turned it over and over and ultimately just decided to come find him. If I stayed in the estate and pretended not to be here, I had a feeling he’d find some way to use that against me later.
I shifted my gaze and waited for his answer. He glanced at the clock with a measured, considering look.
“Shall we go out to eat?”
* * *
“What is this?”
During the meal, Kael slid something across to me — an invitation in a gleaming gold envelope, the surface smooth and lustrous.
“An invitation to the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.”
‘Oh. Already? So this is where the original story begins…’
“I’d like you to come with me.”
“Me? Why?”
Kael raised an eyebrow as though the question barely warranted an answer.
“Why the surprise? We’ll be attending events like this together from now on.”
“I — but already? This is quite an official occasion, isn’t it? We haven’t even had the formal ceremony yet, so—”
Of course, in social circles, attending as someone’s partner didn’t require a deep attachment. But still—
‘I really don’t want to go.’
And yet I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it.
The original story was starting. Was that good for me or not?
‘Option one — the favorable path: Kael falls for the heroine, and lets me go.’
‘Option two — the unfavorable path: Kael falls for the heroine, and gets rid of me permanently.’
‘…Option one is clearly preferable.’
I was caught in a fierce private spiral of deliberation.
‘All right. Decision made. I won’t go.’
Just as I had resolved to decline — Kael set his fork and knife down on the table with a quiet thud.
“You don’t have to go.”
“Really?”
He gave a small, unhurried nod.
“I have no particular fondness for loud gatherings myself.”
“…Wait. Does that mean you’re not going either?”
“Why would I go? When I could spend that time with you, doing far more enjoyable—”
“I’ll go! I’m going!”
I clapped both hands over my ears and shouted.
Nothing useful came from dining out with Kael.
In the end, I was the one who declared — out of my own mouth — that I would attend the banquet.
‘Damn it all.’
* * *
Kael had ordered a great many wonderful things for me. I ate every last bite. The prices alone demanded it, and leaving food when someone else had paid was simply not done. After a full-course meal at a fine restaurant, I felt fit to burst.
Kael suggested a walk through the garden, so we agreed to stroll for a short while before heading back in.
“Mr. Brendan really does have exceptional taste, don’t you think?”
“Does he.”
I had noticed it before, but the garden of the ducal estate was truly beautiful. Not a single weed in sight, everything immaculately maintained, the roses and tulips in every color lending the whole expanse a vivid, breathing energy. The small fountain at the center of the garden went without saying.
Now that night had fallen, warm amber lights glowed at intervals throughout the garden, giving everything a cozy, intimate glow.
I was turning slowly in place, taking it all in, when something landed on my shoulders.
Kael’s jacket.
“Oh, I’m fine.”
But what concerned me was Kael himself — standing there in only his shirt, in the cool night air.
“You’ll be cold in just that. I dressed warmly today — I wore the velvet dress you bought me!”
“I’m fine. The cold doesn’t bother me.”
‘…I see.’
His response was as impenetrable as a wall. I gave a wordless nod and let it go.
Then Kael’s large hand closed around mine, completely.
“…!”
“What’s the fuss. We’ve done far more than hold hands.”
“P-please stop saying things like that!”
Kael gave a quiet, amused exhale.
‘Why did I use the word ‘things like that’ — of all the possible phrasing.’
These days I was constantly ambushed by the memory of my past embarrassments and had no idea what to do with myself.
‘Hmph. Do I still look like an amateur?’
I wasn’t going to do anything so obviously transparent anymore. Emily and I had a plan, and I was going to see it through — becoming the worst possible future mistress of this household. Let him regret it thoroughly.
“I’ve been spending rather a lot lately.”
I said it with deliberate nonchalance. But Kael simply moved his thumb in slow circles over the back of my hand and paid my words no mind whatsoever.
“It’s rather wonderful, actually. Having a personal allowance.”
My heart was hammering, but I forced my voice into something languid and self-satisfied — the voice of a woman utterly accustomed to luxury.
‘Why isn’t he reacting at all?’
I tilted my head slightly and stole a sideways glance at his face. His expression was entirely blank as he looked down at me. Those red eyes caught the amber light and gleamed.
“…A-although I haven’t spent all of it yet. I’m working through it gradually…”
I faltered for a moment. But I couldn’t give up now.
“Still — spending money is really quite enjoyable.”
“Is it.”
“Yes! Especially when it isn’t even my own money — there’s a distinct thrill to it.”
“……”
“Perhaps I have some deep-seated instinct for extravagance. Having a wealthy partner really is quite—what are you doing?”
That soft, warm, familiar sensation.
Kael was licking the back of my hand. Like a cat.
Then his eyes met mine, slow and heavy — and he bit down on my hand like a dog.
“‘Ow!’ You’ve lost your mind!”
I tried to pull my hand away. He didn’t let go. I struck his forearm several times. He remained unmoved.
“Someone could ‘see’! Let go of me this instant!”
“I can’t very well bite you anywhere else. We’re outside.”
“Then don’t bite me at all!”
‘He provokes without fail. Never lets a single day pass without it.’
Kael scooped me up over his shoulder.
I dangled from him, calling out at full volume.
“Stop twisting it to make it my fault! You just do whatever you want and blame it on me!”
“Hold still.”
He slapped my backside again.
“There are still people around, and you — ugh, ‘stop’ hitting me there, you absolute deviant!”
‘He’s carrying me off again!’
On the way back to the main house, I made my appeal with everything I had.
“I really am an extravagant woman, you know! I spent so much money!”
“Good for you. Well done.”
“I spent significantly more than you’d expect! You have no idea how lavish I’ve become—!”
“Is that so. I’ll start calling you Extravagant Ivelina.”
I hung from his shoulder, fist clenched, and shouted.
“Do I look like I’m making this up? I am genuinely addicted to luxury! I cannot stop! I spent a fortune today alone — and will you ‘stop touching my backside!'”
‘Pfft.’ Kael laughed outright.
‘Oh, that is infuriating.’
“You’d be better off being disappointed in me now, while you still can. I’m saying this for your sake. Once you find out what I’m really like, you’ll be absolutely horrified—!”
“Right. If you run short of spending money, just say so.”
In the distance, I could see chambermaids sweeping in front of the main house entrance.
I buried my face in his shoulder.
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake.’
I wanted desperately to thrash and kick, but I stayed very still below the waist — I could not be seen getting smacked on the backside in front of the maids.
‘The humiliation. What has my life become.’
“Oh my! The future mistress looks embarrassed!”
“‘Kyaa!’ She’s so precious! Did you see her face just now? She looked exactly like a sweet potato that’s been in the fire too long!”
‘Excuse me. That is not what’s happening here!’
‘Don’t go making up your own interpretations!’
Kael opened the bedroom door. Without missing a beat, I grabbed onto the doorframe.
“No! I am absolutely not going in there!”
‘Nng. Ugh.’
I ground my teeth and held the frame with everything I had. As though it were a lifeline.
Then Kael’s low voice came, calm and unhurried.
“Go in quietly — three times. Otherwise — six.”
Slowly, my grip on the door released.
It swung shut with a firm, final click.
* * *
