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Chapter 17
Mare Company, Henry’s office.
“The head of the company has left work early.”
“…I see.”
“It seems you missed each other. He said he was going straight home.”
Henry felt that he shouldn’t just send Diana away like this, so he kindly offered:
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
“I’d like that.”
At those words, Hector obediently brought a tray with a teapot, tea leaves, and teacups. He was thoroughly following Edward’s instruction to learn from Henry.
Henry offered Diana the seat of honor, but she shook her head.
“It feels like you are the owner of this room.”
“That may be so, but I cannot treat my superior’s wife poorly.”
“And you are also Edward’s friend.”
“I’ve lost, then.”
Henry sat in the main seat, Diana sat next to him, and Hector, noticing Henry’s signal, brought a small chair and sat beside him.
“Hector, it’s been a while.”
“Ah—h-hello!”
As if he hadn’t expected to be greeted, Hector widened his eyes and hurriedly greeted her. Henry lightly placed a hand on Hector’s shoulder and said:
“Would it be alright if he joins us?”
“It’s fine.”
Diana added kindly:
“He said you are the future manager of Mare. Then there’s no reason for you not to sit.”
“Thank you.”
Henry skillfully prepared the tea and poured a cup for Diana first.
“Olentia black tea.”
“That’s correct.”
After a brief moment of admiration, Henry spoke first.
“Wita has been quite noisy because of yesterday.”
“Edward must have been noisy too?”
“I’d like to deny it, but… yes.”
Diana set down her teacup and spoke calmly.
“Edward did not win that bid by his own will.”
“I didn’t hear the full details, but that’s what I understood as well.”
“And there’s one thing I want to make clear.”
Diana looked straight into Henry’s eyes.
“Just because my relationship with the Crown Prince is not good, I don’t think Edward de Mare should be the same.”
“…The head of the company probably doesn’t think that way.”
“That will be his choice. This is my stance.”
Henry remained silent. His mind was busy thinking, but he could not easily speak. As the manager of Mare, as Edward’s friend, and as a knight of the Empire—there was too much to consider.
Diana patiently waited for him to finish thinking. Hector, lacking patience, lightly swung his feet, but it wasn’t distracting.
When the steam no longer rose from the teacup, Henry finally answered:
“…Understood.”
Henry took a sip of the now-cold tea. Watching his slow movement, Diana spoke:
“Power does not last forever. The same goes for wealth.”
“That is an unchanging truth.”
Hector, watching their expressions, suddenly spoke:
“Emotions last forever.”
Henry was about to scold him, but Diana stopped him and asked:
“What do you mean?”
“Emotions belong to people.”
“Because they belong to people, doesn’t that make them even less eternal?”
“Power and wealth are complete, but emotions are incomplete.”
Hector said with an innocent face:
“The boss said this—people pursue perfection, so they can never be complete. Forever.”
Diana and Henry both fell silent.
Henry thought, This child probably doesn’t understand the weight of his own words.
He patted Hector’s head. Hector didn’t like it but couldn’t show it in front of Diana, so he made an awkward expression. Henry seemed to like it and smiled.
“…Sometimes, children’s innocent thoughts are frightening.”
“I agree.”
Diana glanced at the clock in the room and continued:
“It’s time for me to go.”
“It was a pleasant time.”
“I had fun!”
Henry and Hector came to see Diana off. Diana gently patted Hector’s head. Unlike with Henry, Hector wagged his tail shyly.
“See you again, Hector.”
“I look forward to it, my lady.”
The title “my lady” didn’t sound unfamiliar. Perhaps it was because even this child belonged to Edward.
Henry and Hector walked her to the entrance and stayed until she got into the carriage. As they watched it disappear, they exchanged light jokes.
“You looked terrible, Manager.”
“What did I do?”
“Your hands were shaking while pouring tea.”
“When did you see that?”
Mars’s room.
Edward prepared tea skillfully without shaking. The fragrant tea relaxed Mars’s expression. After finishing, Edward placed a pillow behind Mars’s back with practiced ease.
“Good.”
“I’m a fine son-in-law, aren’t I?”
“It’s a pity you’re only a one-year son-in-law.”
Edward burst into laughter. He cut the ginger cake into small pieces and placed them beside Mars before finally picking up his teacup.
“The aroma is nice.”
“It’s Olentia black tea.”
“You have a good eye.”
“That’s why I married Diana.”
This time, Mars laughed. His deep laughter carried weight. Though he no longer stood on the battlefield and now lived sitting on a bed, he still gave off a strong presence.
“I heard you’re going on a ‘date’ with the Crown Prince.”
For such an imposing man, the words were unusually playful. Edward’s face twisted.
“Your Highness, if even you say that, what should I do?”
“Haha, my apologies. It was too amusing not to mention.”
“He blew into my ear, and my paddle went up…”
“Oh? The Crown Prince played such a trick?”
“That’s why I’m troubled.”
Mars thought of Castus. The quiet boy had grown into a man whose thoughts were hard to read.
“I hope it becomes a meaningful meeting.”
“Thank you.”
Edward answered briefly and took a sip of tea.
“I’m thinking of passing the Grand Duke title to Diana during the Founding Festival. I thought you should know.”
“I heard.”
“Oh? Did Diana tell you already?”
“Yes.”
It was something Diana had suddenly said the night before. Edward had been preparing for it, but the speed surprised him.
Mars looked at Edward.
“…The Emperor’s pressure will be persistent, so I plan to go to Mare.”
“Mare?”
“The Mare couple invited me.”
“…?”
Edward looked confused.
“You may not know, but I’ve been corresponding with them since the wedding.”
“Even communication…?”
That meant magical communication—a luxury only the imperial family or grand ducal houses could use.
“…I hid my marriage, and my parents created their own secret.”
“You have an interesting family.”
“It’s not interesting.”
Mars couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to stay in the capital with your doctor?”
“The doctor will come with me. He prefers researching in open Mare rather than this noisy capital.”
It wasn’t a bad decision.
“…Still… I don’t know why, but I feel a little sad.”
“It’s touching that someone would feel sad because I’m leaving.”
Edward poured more tea into Mars’s empty cup.
“It won’t be just me.”
“Will my reckless son or work-obsessed daughter really miss me?”
“Yes, they will.”
“How are you so sure?”
Mars ate a piece of cake. Edward replied:
“Because Diana checks your condition every day through the doctor, and your son checks every meal you have.”
“….”
Mars slowly chewed the cake.
“…Strange. I feel like supporting you.”
“Supporting me?”
“It’s been a long time since I thought I wouldn’t mind losing.”
Edward blinked, confused, and ate a piece of ginger cake.
At that moment—
Knock, knock.
Mars smiled, as if he already knew who it was.
“It’s time to return this to its owner.”
“…Pardon?”
“Diana, you may come in.”
Edward turned toward the door.
The door opened—
And the person he had been longing to see appeared.
Golden-blonde hair like sunlight, and cold golden eyes of striking beauty—
His wife.
Diana de Kailum.
She was his sky.
