*****

I truly wanted to return to the estate and spend as much time as possible with my wife, but because of the mountain of paperwork on my desk, she agreed to come to the Finance Department instead. The mere thought of it filled me with an irrepressible joy. I was beaming, seeing a scenario I had once only dreamed of when we first married finally becoming a reality.

It has only been a day since we last saw each other, but I am looking forward to it immensely.

To be honest, I hated the idea of showing off her loveliness to other men, but since my darling wife was bringing handmade sweets specifically for me, it was only natural that the scales of my heart tipped toward "wanting to see her" rather than jealousy.

I hurried back to the reception room of the Finance Department and found my precious wife sitting daintily on the sofa. She really is adorable. Ever since she was a little girl and offered me a muffin at a party hosted by her family, I have been head over heels for her.

I hope to tell her that story one day.

My lips quirked upward at the sight of the ring on Franca's left ring finger, but I called out to her with the composure of a gentleman.

「Franca.」

「My dear. Is your work going alright?」

A brilliant smile and a voice full of cheer.

I adore her; I simply cannot get enough of her. Gazing entranced at the mate-mark on her neck, I vowed to myself that I would leave my own marks all over her soft skin tonight. I’ll have to make sure no "pests" come near her.

For now, I sat down beside her. If I could, I would have pulled her into my arms and kissed her, but I missed the timing. If only I had hugged her the moment I sat down...! But I was too busy being captivated by my wife's lovely appearance, so it couldn't be helped.

(I missed the chance to hug her and say "I'm home"... I ended up staring at her because her face looked a little tired, but I wonder if she's overextending herself again?) 「Since I heard it would be difficult for you to make a quick trip back to the estate, I changed the sweets from mille-feuille to apple pie. Please eat it during your break.」

(Apple pie thought out for me, and made for me! ...Sublime.) 「I want to eat it now. Franca, won't you join me?」

「Oh, ah.」

Franca looked worried, asking, 「What about your work?」 but when I told her it wasn't a problem, she smiled happily. Cute. So precious. I want to just pack her up and take her back to the estate to devour her right now... Ungh.

I’ll finish everything up to tomorrow morning's work by this evening. Yes, let's do that.

That way, I can spend a long, slow night with Franca.

「Come to think of it, I heard that a friend of yours is hosting a party soon.」

「!?」

A loathsome phrase reached my ears. I desperately hoped I had misheard it.

「...Franca, where did you hear that?」

「The person who delivered the invitation was very insistent that we attend as a couple. He said it was because he was a friend of yours.」

「(So it wasn't a hallucination?) ...What did the man look like?」

「Eh? Well... he had black hair, copper-colored eyes... and he was quite handsome.」

That man... isn't he overusing that teleportation magic tool? Next time I see him, I'm punching him without a word. Or maybe a kick.

「Did he say anything to you?」

「Hmm, let me see. He was talking about having unusual perspectives, like wanting what belongs to others.」

「(Should I just destroy the Empire...?) Anything else?」

「He told me it was love at first sight and proposed, so—」

「What?」

「Of course, I turned him down politely! I'm sure he was joking. He seemed rather theatrical about it.」

A proposal to Franca?

That damn Prince Durandel—he’s definitely enjoying this. Come to think of it, Prince Alfred’s fiancée said something similar happened to her; is that man just bored? Also, I wish he wouldn't come by without notice.

「By the way, the Crown Prince also visited while you were out, Husband. And he spoke words of proposal in much the same way. Everyone seems to treasure you very much.」

「(Him too!?) ...Franca, from now on, even if those two visit the estate, if I'm not there, you have my permission to turn them away.」

「Surely I couldn't turn away your friends... Besides, they both seemed to be testing whether I was worthy of being your wife, so I shall work hard to earn their approval.」

「(My wife is so cute... To take those two's malice that way... She really is an angel!! She is without a doubt the most beautiful, best woman in the world.) ...Just don't push yourself. Just having you as my wife makes me incredibly happy.」

「Yes.」

Franca timidly leaned against me and whispered, 「You don't have to worry; I am devoted only to you, my dear husband.」 That’s playing foul. Perhaps my jealousy had leaked out, but her leaning in and whispering those words in my ear finally quelled my resentment.

My wife is the best.

I can no longer remember how I used to keep my heart beating or what I lived for before this. I am so happy that even when I partially shift into my true form, Franca only looks delighted, saying, 「My,」 and showing no fear. If anything, she proactively reaches out to touch me.

Every time I feel her love, my own feelings overflow and won't stop. I like you, I love you.

「Franca, I love you.」

「I love you too.」

Our kiss is sweeter than any cake, making me feel intoxicated. As we continue to kiss, Franca turns bright red and says the most adorable thing: 「The rest has to wait until we're back at the estate.」

I lifted Franca up and sat her on my lap; the way she surrendered her weight to me made me so happy. So precious. Now that she is marked, a sweet, flower-like scent constantly drifts from her, enchanting me.

「Well then, will you feed me, as you always do?」

「Fufu, as you wish.」

No matter what happens, I will never be able to let you go. I must love you so much that you drown in that affection—

We have graduated from our white marriage, and in our third year, we have finally become a real couple. So, from here on out, I shall love you and spoil you so much that you'll never face the crisis of divorce again—until you can't live without me.

Since I already can't live without you, Franca, it's only fair, right?

*****

Note: Another one done, It's more on the side of romance than the comedy but it's fine read i'd say.

Thank you for reading. If you want to help my hobby please download and install LDP9 with my link down below. Just Click the small yellow LDPlayer Banner.