“Lina?”
What kind of answer could she possibly give?
Lina was still searching for the right words, her thoughts racing as she tried to come up with something… anything that would not raise suspicion.
“Papa, Papa… can I sleep with you tonight?”
The innocent question that slipped from Claude’s lips stunned both Lina and Caelis into silence.
“Of course,” Caelis answered without hesitation.
“I would be delighted if you stayed with me tonight.”
Lina almost refused immediately.
She didn’t want to be separated from her son, especially not at a time like this.
But after a brief moment of hesitation, she swallowed her instinct and changed her mind.
If Claude stayed with Caelis tonight… she would finally have the freedom she needed to move and save her fellow mage.
“Mama… I hope you don’t mind.” Claude tugged gently at the hem of her clothes, looking up at her with pleading eyes.
“I want to talk to Papa.”
Lina inhaled slowly, steadying herself before crouching down to meet her son at eye level.
“Can’t I join your conversation?” she asked softly.
Claude shook his head, his expression both innocent and firm.
“No way.
This is a man’s conversation.
Mama shouldn’t listen.”
“Ah?”
Lina glanced sideways at Caelis, who was struggling to suppress his laughter.
It was a side of him she had rarely seen, so different from the cold and distant man she had first met.
In the end, Lina gave in with a faint, helpless sigh.
If it weren’t for what she needed to do tonight… she would never have agreed so easily.
“Alright.
But only for tonight, okay?
I won’t be able to sleep if my son isn’t beside me.”
“En.
I promise!”
For the rest of the day, Caelis remained with them almost constantly—a fact that left Lina quietly confused.
“Your Grace… aren’t you busy?” she finally asked.
“Hm.”
“Then… why are you still here?”
Usually, Caelis would join them only for meals or for a short morning walk.
After that, he would return to his duties, giving Lina space to spend time with Claude.
But today was different.
He remained with them all day, accompanying them through even the dullest routines.
Fortunately, Lina had not yet recalled Fatty into the contract space.
The panda continued his investigation of the prison and the detained mage without alerting anyone.
“I am busy right now,” Caelis replied flatly.
“So don’t make a fuss.”
“Ah—?”
Lina gasped softly as Caelis suddenly stepped closer and leaned in.
“I’m busy acting,” he whispered near her ear.
“Be careful.
The noble elders are watching us.”
Without missing a beat, she slipped her arm around Caelis’s arm, leaning against him with practiced ease.
“Your Grace,” she said sweetly, her voice deliberately louder, “where have you been these past few days?
Don’t you know how much I’ve missed you?”
She had not expected Claude to join in so enthusiastically.
“Me too!
I missed Papa so much!”
Caelis chuckled softly.
With one arm holding Claude and the other hand clasping Lina’s, he completed the image of a perfect family.
And strangely, the way he held her hand felt so natural—so effortless—as though it had always belonged there.
That only made Lina more confused.
Where had the man gone who once panicked at the mere mention of a date?
He played with Claude, summoning all kinds of illusions to make him laugh—yet he never once let go of his wife’s hand.
A soft petal drifted down and landed in Lina’s hair like a delicate ornament.
Without letting go of her, Caelis reached up with his free hand and gently removed it.
“There’s a flower petal in your hair,” he said.
“Now that I think about it… I’ve never given you anything.”
“Don’t joke,” Lina replied quickly.
“You’ve already given Claude more than enough.”
“That may be true,” Caelis said quietly, his gaze lingering on her.
“But I’ve given nothing to you.” His voice softened slightly.
“Is there anything you want?”
Lina shook her head without hesitation.
“I’ve said this before.
All I want is his safety and happiness, Your Grace.”
“That is certain,” Caelis replied, his tone lowering.
“But… I want to see you happy as well.”
“W-what?”
“I’ve never seen you smile at me.”
Startled, Lina quickly put on a bright, graceful smile.
“See?
I’m smiling now.”
She knew he was acting because they were being watched, so she played along.
“It’s not like that,” Caelis murmured.
With a quiet sigh, he released her hand and slipped both hands into his robe, as though restraining himself from doing something else.
He could have pulled her closer… Could have held her tighter, but he didn’t.
Not now.
Instead, he turned his attention back to Claude.
Lina misunderstood the moment entirely.
Seeing that the nobles had already left, she assumed that was why he let go.
A dull ache spread quietly through her chest.
She didn’t understand the feeling—but one thing became painfully clear to her.
He doesn’t like me at all.
[Mistress!
I found the prison.
Lina kept her expression calm, though inwardly she wanted to praise Fatty for his efficiency.
That night, she read Claude his favorite storybook.
When Caelis arrived to take him, the boy was still wide awake, his excitement impossible to contain.
“Ah!
Papa is here!” Claude exclaimed the moment he heard the knock.
He leapt out of bed, rushed to open the door, and greeted his father with a bright smile.
“Did you wait long?” Caelis asked.
Laughter filled the room as Caelis lifted him into his arms.
“You came just in time, Papa.
Mama just finished reading me a story.”
“I’m glad.” Caelis’s gaze shifted toward Lina—but she quickly looked away.
“Lina, I’ll take him now.”
Lina couldn’t help but stare at him for a brief moment.
“I know you won’t hurt him,” she said quietly, “but I’m still warning you… If my child cries, this place won’t remain peaceful.”
Instead of annoyance, Caelis only smiled.
“Don’t worry.
I’m the last person who would ever harm him.
No… I won’t allow anyone to touch him.
Not even a single hair.”
“Alright.”
“Mama, mama…” Claude lightly tapped his cheek, wordlessly asking for his goodnight kiss.
Lina leaned in and kissed his soft, chubby cheek.
“Good night, my little prince.”
“Good night, Mama.”
Then Claude blinked innocently and asked, “Mama… are you going to kiss Papa goodnight too?”
Huh?!
Lina froze.
How could she possibly kiss someone who seemed uncomfortable even with a simple touch?
She glanced at Caelis and met a gaze filled with unmistakable interest.
“What about you, Your Grace?” she asked, hesitating.
“Do you mind?”
“Very,” Caelis answered simply.
She had expected that answer.
And yet, a faint, inexplicable disappointment still crept into her chest.
But in the very next moment, a hand pulled her closer and warm lips brushed gently against her forehead.
“Rather than receiving kisses,” Caelis murmured softly, his voice low near her ear, “I would rather give them.”
Lina’s heart began to race uncontrollably.
Her breathing turned uneven, as though she had just run a great distance.
“Good night, Lina.”
His hand slid slowly through her hair, from the crown of her head down to the ends, sending a strange, unfamiliar sensation through her body.
The moment he stepped away, Lina quickly looked around, making sure no one had witnessed the moment.
Then she remembered Claude.
“Right… he was only acting because Claude was watching,” she muttered, lightly patting her own cheek as if to steady herself.
She took a slow breath.
“Lina… focus.
It’s time to act.”