Chapter 2.

But there was one unintended side effect of this perfect embrace that Aisa didn’t know about.

‘This is bad.’

Norma sighed softly to himself.

Though his anxiety had significantly improved, every time Aisa nestled into his arms like this, it overwhelmed him with a dizzying sense of euphoria.

Not that he hadn’t always felt this way, but having her pressed against him like this made it hard to ignore the heat rising within him—even during serious situations like now.

As she calmed, he found himself growing even more restless. He was painfully aware that his current focus on her had completely overtaken any thoughts of his brother.

‘Nicholas… we were this close to consummating something here… What kind of cruel twist is this?’

He couldn’t help but lament. Of all times, Aisa had approached him outside their bedroom—something he had secretly fantasized about. To think it would end because of this…

Taking a deep breath, Norma adjusted Aisa gently in his arms and stood up. With slow, measured steps, he walked toward the window overlooking the castle and drawbridge. He tried to push aside his frustration and disappointment, instead focusing on the shocking news and how it had unsettled his wife.

Leaning against his shoulder, Aisa muttered, almost absentmindedly, “How could they… Have a child before marriage…”

Her anger was bubbling back to the surface. Clearly, this wasn’t a frustration that could be soothed with just a simple “My love.”

“I’ll deal with Nicholas myself,” Norma reassured her.

“In the old days, this would’ve been cause for war!”

Aisa ground her teeth, adding that they were lucky the world wasn’t in chaos at the moment. Norma leaned down and peppered her head with soft kisses, as though to pacify her.

“While it’s true I encouraged my father to push for Nicholas and Ophelia’s marriage, I didn’t expect… this,” she continued.

Of course, you’re absolutely right, ‘my love,’ Norma thought, nodding vigorously.

In the Diazi family, breaking the rules before marriage was practically a capital offense. Even in the relatively permissive central and western regions, nobles viewed such things as disgraceful. It was the kind of scandal that demanded a swift, quiet wedding to minimize embarrassment.

The elders of Diazi, who had a tendency to be scandalized even by premarital kisses, were undoubtedly treating Nicholas’s behavior like the downfall of their family.

For a brief moment, Norma’s concern shifted from his wife to his younger brother’s safety. That was when Aisa’s head shot up abruptly.

“Of course! With the head of Diazi shattering the rules, the family must be in shambles!”

Norma flinched. Apparently, they were having similar thoughts.

“How dare he touch another family’s daughter before marriage…!”

As a Diazi daughter-in-law who had promised eternity with just a kiss, Aisa couldn’t possibly overlook this scandal.

What she didn’t realize was that, in her indignation, she had subconsciously categorized Ophelia as one of her own, as someone belonging to McFoy. This sense of ownership fueled vivid, dramatic imaginings of leading her knights to Diazi and demanding the head of its lord.

“Aisa, what would make you feel better? Should we go to Diazi together and scold Nicholas?”

“When would I even have time to go to Diazi!”

“Then… shall we summon him here?”

“Ugh!”

Norma couldn’t help but find his wife’s outrage endearing, more so than he had anticipated. However, a wise husband knew better than to laugh at such moments.

Still, his wife was Aisa McFoy, the head of McFoy and ruler of Romdak.

Though Aisa was deeply fond of him, she was sharp enough to catch the faintest twitch in his lips—a telltale sign that he was amused.

“You’re laughing?”

Norma froze. He rarely let his feelings slip, but lately, Aisa had been harder and harder to fool.

“How can you find this funny?” she demanded incredulously.

“Hmm. I wasn’t laughing.”

Norma flashed a guileless smile, hoping to diffuse the situation. But a furious Aisa wasn’t so easily appeased.

“How are you so calm about this? Have you completely discarded the family rules?”

“Well, since I’m in McFoy now, I’m not bound by Diazi’s rules, and…”

“And?”

He tried to stall for time, even as her expression clearly demanded ‘Go on.’

Of course, he knew better than to suggest *Why not finish what we started?* That would leave her utterly scandalized.

Aisa, after all, was far more composed than he was. Despite being married for over two years, she was still startled when Norma occasionally lost control and acted on impulse.

“…”

Ultimately, he softened his expression, swallowing back the words he wanted to say. A faint smile crossed his lips, though Aisa’s suspicious gaze lingered on him.

While others might see a calm, sunny smile, Aisa knew better. Having lived with him long enough, she recognized that such a smile often meant he was having thoughts that were anything but innocent.

Feigning ignorance of her wary expression, Norma quickly changed the subject.

“It’s undeniable that Nicholas is in the wrong,” Norma began, his voice gentle yet resolute. “But the fact that they’re finally having a wedding is a good thing.”

Though officially designated as Nicholas’s personal guard, Ophelia was little more than a woman of unknown origin in the eyes of many. For a noble family as old as Diazi, accepting someone like her as their lady was far from easy.

It could be said that Nicholas, by breaking the rules so flagrantly, had forced his stubborn elders into a corner. These were the same people who insisted on skipping engagements and going straight to marriage at the mere hint of a kiss. By now, they were likely preparing the wedding with gritted teeth, resigning themselves to the scandal.

Aisa, outwardly calm, had always been quietly concerned about Ophelia’s precarious position, especially after her own recovery. Knowing that their wedding had repeatedly faced opposition left a bitter taste in her mouth.

While the means left much to be desired, the outcome might ultimately be for the best.

Noticing her anger beginning to wane, Norma seized the opportunity to soften his expression and leaned in closer.

“So, please, don’t be too upset. Give them your blessing.”

“…”

“And for the sake of my face,” he added, his nose brushing hers playfully, “spare them a war.”

Aisa’s shoulders twitched at the unexpected touch, and then, as if all the strength had left her body, she leaned into him with a quiet sigh.

“Your face is blessing enough,” she muttered, clearly embarrassed by how quickly her irritation had melted away. Her neck and earlobes flushed red, betraying her self-consciousness.

Norma couldn’t hold back his laughter. The sound was warm and genuine, and Aisa momentarily stiffened in his arms.

Trying to ignore the noticeable tension in his lower body, she hastily changed the subject.

“If we’re attending the wedding…”

“Yes, Aisa?”

“We’d need to leave in no more than two weeks.”

The logistical reality brought a fresh wave of complications to her already tangled emotions.

Norma’s thoughts drifted to the horrifying events that had unfolded two years ago while he was away in Baghdad. After a moment’s reflection, he asked cautiously, “You’ll find it difficult to leave the castle, won’t you?”

“Of course. Summer is the busiest time for McFoy. You know that.”

“Then I won’t go either.”

He answered without hesitation, his tone firm and unwavering. Aisa slowly lifted her head to meet his gaze, her amethyst eyes filled with conflicted emotions.

“There’s no need for that…”

“I still find it difficult to be apart from you,” he admitted with a faint smile. His golden eyes, which usually shone so brightly, seemed to darken endlessly as he spoke.

Her heart ached at the sight. Furrowing her brow, she tentatively raised a hand to cup his cheek, awkwardly stroking his face. Like a man who had been waiting for this moment, Norma leaned into her small hand, savoring the touch.

“I don’t want to be apart from you either,” she whispered. “And Diazi… it’s too far.”

“Then it’s settled,” he said gently.

“Are you sure? You care about your brother.”

“Nicholas will understand,” Norma replied with an easy confidence, thinking of his brother’s unwavering devotion to Ophelia.

If he was that certain, there was no reason to argue. Aisa, lost in thought for a moment, eventually said, “Whether you go or not, I plan to send Archie this time. It’s time he started establishing himself as the next head of the family.”

“That’s an excellent idea. She’ll be thrilled to meet him.”

She.

Aisa nodded slowly, realizing how much Ophelia would enjoy meeting Archie. The two had yet to properly face each other.

As the thought crossed her mind, an image flashed through her head—a woman with golden hair shimmering under the sunlight, strands dancing in the wind. The vision shifted, and the woman turned slowly, her vivid blue eyes about to meet Aisa’s before the scene dissolved into faint wisps of memory.

Norma, ever attuned to his wife, noticed her distraction and stood up abruptly, jostling her in his arms. Startled, she instinctively clung to his neck, eliciting a quiet but unmistakable sense of satisfaction in him.

“In that case, I should write a reply,” Norma said with a radiant smile.

Aisa’s attention shifted to his handsome, smiling face.

Still holding her, Norma moved to the desk and sat down, deftly picking up a quill. With steady hands and elegant strokes, he began drafting his reply.

Leaning against his shoulder, Aisa admired the neat and graceful script. She hadn’t meant to read over his shoulder, but her gaze caught on the word ‘“joyful.”’

It reminded her of how much Norma adored children. The thought brought a subtle smile to her lips.