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The new general that the other nation brought into command was more extraordinary than expected. Correspondence with the northern border brought graver news with each passing day. Thus, the royal family changed their plans. They were now trying to set up reinforcements with knights instead of ordinary soldiers.

‘That’s right, who else would be put in charge if not my husband?’

In her mind, Yelena already knew why this had to be done. It was her heart that refused to understand.

Yelena rubbed her cheek against her husband’s chest. She could feel his large body become taut with nerves, making his hard muscles even tighter.

Yelena suppressed the urge to stroke her husband’s body, inappropriate in the current situation, and spoke.

“It won’t be dangerous, will it?”

“You can trust in me. I won’t get hurt no matter what.”

Yelena listened to the firm voice speak over her head and thought, ‘I’ll have to curse the crown prince.’

The erudite Rosaline was well-versed in that area as well. When Yelena had first met Rosaline in the lounge area of a banquet hall, the latter had been piercing a ragdoll with nails.

‘She’d said that it was really effective.’

Perhaps Yelena should get her hands on that doll.

Her eyes sparkled. If the crown prince could see her, he would be rubbing his arms from getting goosebumps.

It was unclear whether Kaywhin knew what his wife was thinking as he gazed at her quietly. Then, he lowered his head towards Yelena’s ear.

“Kaywhin?”

He hesitated for a bit, and then whispered quietly.

Yelena blinked.Then, her head shot up.

“Just now…”

“…”

“Really? Do you mean that?”

“…”

“When you come back… Really?”

“…Yes.”

Kaywhin’s ears were redder than usual when he gave his affirmation. Yelena stared at her husband blankly and then her face flushed.

“Darling, you can’t change your mind about this. Absolutely not.”

“I won’t.”

“You promised. You know you have to keep promises no matter what, right?”

“Yes.”

“You can’t come back and say that you changed your mind… Don’t even try to say that. I won’t let you get away with it.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Good. Then shall we sign a contract now?”

Kaywhin, who had been responding with ease, went speechless.

“…Do we really have to sign a contract?”

“Hm.”

Yelena chuckled, seeing those blue eyes tremble.

“No, I just said that for the heck of it. We don’t have to sign a contract.”

Yelena opened both arms and pulled her husband in for a hug.

“It’ll be a verbal contract, I guess.”

She always felt safe whenever she held this broad and firm body. The heart-fluttering was a plus.

“I can’t wait.”

“…”

“I hope that day comes quickly.”

Kaywhin’s ears became even more red from Yelena’s unabashed honesty.

Then, Yelena pulled away as if she had thought of something. She raised her head.

“I want a down payment.”

“A down payment?”

“A contract is still a contract, so I should at least get a down payment,” Yelena said and then closed her eyes and slightly puckered her lips. It was obvious what she wanted.

“Please do it deeper than usual. Since it’s a down payment.”

“…Okay.”

Kaywhin gulped. He held Yelena’s chin delicately and lowered his head.

The perceptive servants and helpers gave them their space.

The couple spent quite a long time in the garden, just the two of them.

***

The day of Kaywhin’s sendoff was decided: in three weeks.

The schedule was unexpectedly delayed because setting up the elite reinforcements was a more difficult task than anticipated.

‘Meanwhile, they were able to decide the commander of the reinforcements in a matter of seconds.’

Yelena scoffed, but nonetheless, it was good news that she had three more weeks to spend with her husband.

‘We’ll be inseparable.’

Just as Yelena had pledged, the couple basically became joined at the hip for those three weeks.

[Are you two joined at the hip? Were you two cut in half by accident in the past? Excuse me, can you please do me a favor and tone it down?]

Yelena was ignoring the Holy Sword’s countless grumblings as usual when Sidrion visited the ducal castle.

“Black Tower Owner.”

Yelena regarded the man, a bit shocked.

“…You’re still the same.”

“How should I interpret that?”

Sidrion’s face looked normal. He did seem a little fatigued, but aside from that, Yelena couldn’t spot any differences from his usual appearance.

‘I thought he’d be all skin and bones.’