Afterstory: The Warmest Winter in the World (2)

Theorad stood in the front yard of the mansion, looking up at the sky.

Clouds still hung overhead, but at least the rain had stopped. He would have hated to set out in another downpour.

More importantly…

It was cold.

Yesterday's rain had left a chill in the air. Each breath came out in a long pale stream, and even the tip of his nose had gone numb.

I should have brought gloves.

The weather had been mild lately, so he had come outside in only his coat and scarf. Standing still for so long, however, made it impossible to forget that winter was here.

He considered going back inside. But after waiting this long, it seemed foolish to turn around.

It's not unbearable. A little longer…

“Theorad.”

At the sound of his name, he turned.

Linea stood behind him, her hands clasped shyly together.

Her silver hair had been woven into a neat braid that fell over her right shoulder. A ruby necklace caught the pale sunlight against her collarbones.

Even her dress was one of the finer ones she ordinarily kept safely put away for fear of damaging it.

She had taken particular care with her appearance today.

So she did remember.

It was their wedding anniversary, after all. Linea's memory had always been too good to let a day like this slip by.

“Linea.”

A smile came to his face of its own accord. He went to meet her.

“You look more beautiful than ever. Where did that necklace come from?”

“Ah. Ashley gave—”

“Ashley?”

Linea stopped herself.

Just before leaving the mansion, Ashley had offered her one last bit of advice.

If that old fool asks about your hair or jewelry, don't mention me. Tell him you dressed yourself up. He'll be happier that way.

It had seemed sensible at the time. If Theorad knew someone else had chosen her decorations, perhaps he would feel less pleased.

And she would be letting down Ashley, who had gone to so much trouble for her.

She would simply have to be a little bold.

“I prepared everything myself,” Linea announced. “Because it's our wedding anniversary.”

“I see.”

Theorad held her gaze.

Her pupils quivered.

She really was a terrible liar.

Perhaps the funniest part was that she seemed to be the only person in the world who didn't know it.

“Thank you for making the effort. It all suits you wonderfully.”

“D-does it? It's nothing, really…”

Linea looked away. A few beads of sweat had gathered on her forehead.

She had accepted praise for work she hadn't done herself, and the discomfort was obvious.

If he pressed her even a little, she would probably confess and apologize. The temptation was strong.

But today was special. More than teasing her, he wanted to see her happy.

“Come along,” he said, gesturing behind him. “Let's get into the carriage. It's cold out here.”

“Ah. Yes.”

Waiting by the road was a large four-wheeled carriage, almost like a small house. Leonberg had given it to Theorad some time ago.

Theorad took Linea's hand and led her over.

A coachman was standing ready. At their approach, he pulled the door open and bowed deeply.

“I'll serve you with all my heart and soul, my lord!”

The man had been sent by the imperial household and was perhaps a little too enthusiastic. Their old coachman had retired recently, so Theorad could hardly complain about having a replacement.

“That's reassuring. Thank you.”

He helped Linea climb in first, followed her, and allowed the coachman to shut the door.

When he turned toward his wife, she was already seated with her knees together, looking intently at the pudding set on the carriage's table.

“This…”

It looked familiar.

Before Linea could finish, Theorad sat beside her.

“I had it brought from Baron Brenu's territory. The shopkeeper told me this is your favorite pudding.”

It was.

There was a shop in Baron Brenu's territory famous for pudding made with Minotaur milk. Linea had once gone so far as to pretend to be a witch to obtain some.

The problem is…

That was also the pudding Theorad had eaten on an earlier occasion, after she'd gone to so much trouble to get it.

She had been furious. Remembering how she had threatened him and even demanded sex over the incident made her ears turn red.

Of course, he hadn't bought this pudding to embarrass her.

“Do you dislike it?” Theorad asked, concern entering his voice.

“W-what? No! I love it.”

She lifted her spoon and took a bite.

The pudding melted on her tongue. Its flavor was light, smooth and sweet.

Delicious…

Raccoon's skill at making pudding had certainly not declined.

She was about to take another spoonful when a thought made her pause.

Rattle.

The carriage began to move.

The pudding quivered on the table as the wheels turned. A small breeze wandered in through the window, and the scenery outside began to slide past.

Linea watched for a moment before turning to her husband.

“Theorad. Where are we going?”

“To the center of town. We're going to the opera.”

“The opera?”

“I managed to get tickets for Lion on the Cliff. It's been extremely popular in the Empire lately.”

“Lion on the Cliff…? Those tickets must be expensive.”

“They were. But today's a special day, and I think it's worth the price to take my opera-loving wife somewhere she'll enjoy.”

Linea's shoulders gave a small tremor.

He had said my wife so naturally.

She lowered her gaze, embarrassed and pleased at once. After a little hesitation, she spoke again.

“…Is there anything else?”

“Else?”

“It's a special day…”

Theorad was momentarily at a loss.

He had brought her favorite pudding from another territory and secured seats at one of the Empire's most sought-after performances. What more was he supposed to have planned?

Had he forgotten something important?

He searched his memory, then let out a quiet laugh.

Ah. That's what she wants.

Linea could be proud and shameless about many things. Yet what she wanted most from him was simple affection.

He leaned closer.

Instead of embracing her, Theorad raised a hand to her cheek and gently kissed her.

“…!”

Linea's red eyes widened.

Before she could quite recover from her surprise, he drew back.

“There. Is that better?”

“Ah…”

She looked at him blankly.

Then her fingers curled into fists.

“…Only one?”

She had enjoyed the kiss far too much for it to end so quickly.

Theorad smiled helplessly.

Linea gave him a dissatisfied look and scooped up another mouthful of pudding as if to vent her frustration.

Then she straightened, caught his shoulders, and leaned toward him.

“Wait a moment…!”

She kissed him before he had any chance to resist.

The pudding she had just tasted passed from her mouth to his, and its soft sweetness mingled with the surprise of her sudden affection.

Their tongues brushed.

Theorad was bewildered for a moment, but he did not dislike the kiss. He set a hand at her waist and began kissing her in return.

“Mm…”

Linea's face grew redder. Her eyes closed tightly, as though even now she could hardly bear the boldness of what she herself had begun.

“Theorad…”

Her attempt to speak his name came out blurred.

She leaned closer, until their chests touched and Theorad began to tip backward.

His balance gave way. He ended up sprawled across the carriage seat, with Linea above him.

She lifted her head a little, breathing unsteadily. A thin thread of saliva broke between them.

Then she lowered her face again.

She kissed the corners of his mouth, touched his lips with her tongue, and sometimes gave his lower lip a gentle bite before returning to the kiss.

Theorad had been caught off guard, but he wasn't offended. The more difficult problem was that his body's reaction was becoming hard to ignore.

“L-Linea.”

He gathered himself and gently held her cheek, stopping her before their kisses could go any further.

“If we take this another step, we'll both be in trouble. What do you think will happen if the coachman opens the door when we reach town and finds us like this?”

“…I know that much.”

Blushing, Linea sat upright.

Her carefully braided hair had begun to come loose. She tried to smooth the stray strands and licked her lips.

“I just… The pudding reminded me of the old days…”

It was a poor excuse.

The truth was that lately there had been so little time alone together. Looking after their children and the rest of the household had left her longing for an occasion like this.

Theorad understood perfectly well, and chose not to embarrass her.

“The old days,” he repeated, amused. “We used to fight over which of us had the upper hand in our relationship. How childish we were.”

Linea said nothing.

Most of that childishness had been hers.

She cleared her throat, trying to conceal her embarrassment, and laid a hand on his chest.

“Then… what do you think?”

“About what?”

“Did you lose the contest we just had?”

Theorad thought for a moment, then laughed in surrender.

“I suppose I did. You were very lovely, Linea.”

“…Completely?”

How could she be this adorable?

His smile widened. He lowered his voice and answered with complete sincerity.

“Yes. Completely.”