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After being scolded by Ariel, Edgar decided to reduce his workload and spend more time at home for a change.

He took his younger sister out for a long-awaited outing, treating her to delicious meals, playing with his lovely children and their toys, and even taking both families on a long trip together.

However, with everyone unable to leave their posts, Ariel took it upon herself to handle public affairs in his absence. But he couldn’t just let her overexert herself, so he assigned Elin to keep an eye on her.

After all, if he entrusted it to Shuri, she’d undoubtedly break Ariel’s orders and report falsely.

When Edgar finally returned to the castle after enjoying his rare time off, he had a wonderfully cheerful expression. It was all thanks to Ariel.

Clunk.

“I’m back.”

He had even brought a gift for his wife, so he decided to stop by the office first. But just as he opened the door without any announcement—

“Wahhh! Young Master…!”

“…?”

One distraught woman rushed towards him, shedding tears like a chicken droppings.

In this castle, there was only one person who would call him “Young Master” without naming him, so even without raising her head, he could easily guess who she was.

“Shuri, what’s wrong?”

Unlike his owner, who greeted him with an ‘welcome back,’ the maid was weeping pitifully as if the world had collapsed, which made Edgar suddenly wonder what was going on.

At that moment, Shuri, who was filled with joy at the arrival of her savior, barely lifted her head to point at Ariel in the distance but faltered and just vented her frustration verbally.

“Hick! Oh, the lady said she was lonely because the Young Master was not here…! She… she tormented me…!”

“Tormented? Speak properly. You’re making him misunderstand.”

From Ariel’s reaction, crinkling her brow as if she found it unpleasant to listen to, Edgar could roughly guess how the situation was unfolding. It was something that had happened before.

“…You’ve worked hard. I’ll keep an eye on Ariel, so you go and rest.”

“Am I a child?”

As Edgar patted her shoulder, congratulating her on her hard work, Ariel was busy grumbling at the same time. She recognized that she had a bit of a childish side herself, but still.

Squeak.

With that, Shuri, having momentarily escaped from Ariel due to Edgar’s help, dashed through the door and vanished.

He speculated that she probably went to her love, Roban, to heal from the past strains, then turned his gaze to his wife, who was twirling one strand of hair with her finger.

“Ugh, did you play with Shuri while I was gone?”

“Wha-what do you mean? I only played a little because I was bored…!”

“That’s still the same. If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have added another condition besides just doing your work moderately.”

While it may seem like playful banter, to Shuri, it was probably more akin to workplace harassment. He’d need to find out just how bad the teasing was later, but for now, Edgar decided he needed to give Ariel a bit of a scolding.

Finding ways to embrace her after all her hard work could wait for another time.

Thwack!

“Ow! That hurts…!?”

Without warning, a playful flick hit his forehead, and Ariel looked up at him with a face that screamed injustice.

Who in the world could treat her like this now that she was a legitimate mother of two and the head of the Robeheim Family?

“What did you say when I was leaving Hespania?”

“You said there would be no problems at the castle, so don’t worry and enjoy your trip…! Eek!?”

“Does someone who knows that torment an innocent maid? Was that right or wrong?”

“Y-yes, it was wrong…!”

However, she was fully aware that such an outdated excuse would not fly with Edgar, and so, despite the ongoing barrage of playful flicks, she had no choice but to admit her mistake.

It would be a terrible idea to complain about her struggles while working alone and risk a backlash.

“That’s what I told you, if you’re feeling lonely, call me even through the communication tube.”

Once Edgar felt he had given her enough of a scolding, he gently rubbed the spot he flicked, muttering about how she was impossible.

He had spent a lot of money on that communication tube to ensure they could keep in touch over long distances, yet it was useless if she never used it.

“But how could I say that after you sent me off like that….”

“Oh my, you’re still the same.”

In the end, it was a matter of pride. Ariel had always wanted to avoid being a burden to her husband.

At this point, Edgar suspected she had her reasons for being that way and decided to express his remorse by lifting his wife and sitting down on a chair.

As soon as Ariel realized what that meant, she wasted no time in climbing onto him, using his sturdy thighs as a cushion.

It was a confident position, one that suggested she had done this before.

“I’m sorry for hitting you out of the blue. Did it hurt a lot?”

“J-just a little…? It’s fine if you do this.”

“Like this?”

“Yes, this feels nice.”

Ariel took hold of Edgar’s arm behind her and made him hug her from behind, making him smile involuntarily.

Since any damage done was already in the past, she clearly thought it was time to get something out of it. Truly a sharp mind befitting the ruler of the North.

“Anyway, you’ve worked hard. It must’ve been tough working without me.”

“It’s okay, I took it easy during these past few days.”

“You did well, just like you promised.”

“If you know, then compliment me more, I did a great job.”

That was something she could never say in front of others out of embarrassment. Ariel generally didn’t place that much importance on receiving recognition from anyone.

But in front of him, she wanted to hear even small praises and be told she had done well.

Thus, like a child, she leaned against him, rubbing her face against him like she was thoroughly indulging in affection.

“Well then, since I’m sorry for just saying it, how about we go on a trip together?”

“Trip?”

Suddenly, at Edgar’s unexpected offer, her eyes sparkled, turning towards him.

A trip just the two of them! It felt like a memory from so long ago that she couldn’t even recall when it had last happened. Maybe that’s why her heart raced at the mere suggestion.

“I took both families with us last time… so I thought it might be nice to go alone this time.”

“Yeah, sounds good. I want to go. Where are we going?”

“I haven’t really decided on a place. I was thinking we could go wherever you wanted.”

Seeing him frame it as an option made it seem like he had intended this all along.

Ariel took his hand gently, intertwined their fingers, and with a light kiss, she opened her mouth.

“I actually had a place I wanted to go… you really pick up fast.”

“Really? That’s great.”

It wasn’t planned or intentional, but Edgar smiled, thinking that whatever’s good is good.

Given Ariel’s character, she wouldn’t reveal their destination until they were about to leave. But he chose to leave that joy for later and buried his face in her shoulder.

***

It was quite rare for the pillars of the Robeheim family to vacate the castle at the same time.

While they may have traveled together when called to the Imperial Palace, both were steadfast in their belief that someone must stay behind at the castle.

“Dad! Mom!”

“Have a good trip!”

Thanks to that, the Robeheim sisters were happily sending off their parents, who were finally stepping out for a long-awaited outing.

Children at this age typically fear being apart from their parents, but with so many good people around, they didn’t seem to mind at all.

Most of that was thanks to Sonia.

“Don’t worry about taking the kids, just get in!”

“Wait, Ariel…!”

Serina, who had recently learned to bow, was simply adorable, and seeing her made Edgar ponder deeply about whether he should take the kids along or not.

Ultimately, he couldn’t hide his thoughts from Ariel and had to drop the matter entirely.

“Be careful and have fun out there. We’ll handle things here.”

“Elfelt will help us, so don’t worry too much.”

“Make sure to escort your daughter-in-law well, son.”

“Forget about work and the kids for a bit and enjoy yourselves.”

As soon as the elders from both families completed their goodbyes, the couple climbed into the carriage and waved.

“Don’t worry, we’ll have a great time.”

“We’re sorry for the trouble.”

With their individual personalities reflecting in their farewells, both sets of parents shared a warm smile.

Having been incredibly busy since their marriage, they only hoped that this time they could enjoy a meaningful holiday and return refreshed.

“Hiing!”

Clippity-clop. Clippity-clop.

As the carriage began its swift departure under the whip of the coachman, those who had come out to see them off remained until the dust settled from the departing carriage.

It was a scenery that felt like it had come out of nowhere on a day.