❅❅❅
AFTER finishing his work on schedule, Albert raced home to his manor in the capital. He’d bought this house after his engagement to Mary. Until then, he’d lived in the chivalric order barracks, as he hadn’t possessed the energy to take care of his own house.
Previously, the knights teased Albert about not owning a home despite being the high commander. Since his wedding, they cheered for him when he raced home at the same time each day.
“Welcome home,” Mary greeted him.
“It’s good to be back,” Albert replied.
He tried to wipe the dopey grin off his face while he gently embraced his wife in the doorway. Since their wedding, Mary had grown accustomed to hugging and other forms of physical affection, even demanding them from him. Though public displays of affection still embarrassed both of them, embracing in the comfort of their own home had become the norm.
“It looks like you had a hard day at work,” Mary noted.
“How can you tell?” Albert asked.
“There’s a crease between your brows,” Mary answered with a giggle, taking his cloak and handing it to a servant. She was the picture of a noblewoman presiding over her domain. The servants were probably more loyal to her than Albert, the actual head of the household.
“Apparently, I find peace more mentally draining than upheaval,” Albert said.
“I can see that. You prefer being active, after all. Shall I prepare you some hot tea?”
“That sounds wonderful,” Albert agreed cheerfully, as it was still a little early for dinner. “Will you join me?”
She’s so lovely, he thought, her beauty moving him as if for the first time. Should I be allowed to have such an adorable wife?
“You sound like a teenage boy gushing about his first love,” a phantom Phil Eva deadpanned inside his head.
After Mary prepared tea, she and Albert chatted on the terrace while enjoying the view. Albert always drank citrus tea, but since Mary often changed the variety, he never grew tired of the flavor.
“Speaking of which, I’ve heard the rumors about Reynaldo,” Mary said.
Albert struggled not to choke on his tea. “…May I ask what sort of rumors?”
“According to the gossip, Reynaldo was engaged to be married. Apparently, that was a lie, and he declared that he would never wed.”
“You’re well-informed for someone who doesn’t live or work in the castle.”
Mary had attended more than a few tea parties with other noblewomen. Though she’d probably heard the gossip at those functions, the rumors spreading so far annoyed Albert.
“I’ve been receiving a bothersome number of letters asking for matchmaking help,” Albert said.
“You as well?” Mary asked.
“…As well?”
This doesn’t sound good.
“I receive similar letters from time to time,” Mary explained. “I decline all of them in a roundabout manner, though.”
I hadn’t the faintest idea, Albert thought with surprise, turning his gaze toward a House McClain butler who waited on them in the distance. “Why yes, I knew,” his blank expression seemed to say.
Am I the only one who didn’t know about this?
“Perhaps it’s because I’m supposedly Rosemary’s distant relative,” Mary continued. “I discussed the matter with Reynaldo since the volume of letters was growing a bit excessive recently. Forgive me if that’s why the rumors have spread so far.”
Reynaldo must have made his never getting married declaration after speaking to Mary about the letters. As Albert observed her troubled expression, he knew this for certain.
“What did Reynaldo say about the letters?” he asked.
“He apologized for causing trouble and promised to take measures so that no more letters would reach me.”
“I see.”
Even after Reynaldo’s declaration, letters were still reaching Albert. Yet, despite being in the same position, Mary was no longer receiving them. Clearly, Reynaldo had taken measures of some sort. Albert went silent. At times, Reynaldo’s abnormal protectiveness of Albert’s wife frightened him.
“Albert?” Mary asked.
After setting down his teacup, Albert leaned towards Mary—who sat beside him—and kissed her cheek. As she looked at him with surprise, he leaned in again to kiss her on the lips. In response, she slowly closed her eyes and accepted the kiss.
Albert refused to let go of his beloved wife, regardless of her younger brother’s abnormal attachment to her. Regardless of whether the king changed his mind and tried to steal her from him.
“Why don’t we stop talking about Reynaldo and discuss the two of us instead?” Albert suggested.
They had so much to catch up on, including Mary’s past and present lives. Albert would forever want to know everything about her. He hoped she felt the same way about him, and indeed, she nodded happily.
And so the two lovers continued their lively conversation until the sun set beyond the terrace. As the sky darkened, the butler finally called them in for dinner.
✦ ✦ ✦
❅❅❅
THE next day, Albert and Reynaldo had a chance to speak.
“If possible, I’d like to adopt one of your future children,” Reynaldo suggested.
Albert politely declined.