As Astelle reflected on the events of the day, she couldn't help but draw parallels to their previous encounter in the Dentsu forest. In both instances, Kaizen had been injured while protecting her and Theor, albeit inadvertently causing the danger in the first place.
Despite the circumstances, Astelle felt a profound sense of gratitude towards him.
"I'll prepare some herbal tea for you," she offered, motioning for a maid to bring hot water.
With practiced hands, Astelle brewed the tea, carefully selecting and steeping the herbs known for their calming properties. It was the same blend she had recently made for Theor, aiming to soothe both body and mind.
"Thank you," Kaizen said softly as he accepted the teacup, offering Astelle a faint smile of appreciation.
"Thank you for keeping Theor safe, Your Majesty," Astelle replied sincerely.
"Don't mention it. Protecting my son is simply what any father would do," Kaizen replied, his tone humble yet resolute.
Astelle couldn't help but find irony in the situation. While she appreciated Kaizen's protective nature towards Theor, she couldn't ignore the fact that it was his decision to put their young son on a horse that had led to the accident.
"If Your Majesty hadn't insisted on putting our young son on a horse, there would have been no need for protection," she remarked dryly.
Kaizen's expression faltered briefly, a hint of unease crossing his features. It was clear that he found Astelle's observation to be both accurate and somewhat uncomfortable. Without a word, he drank the herbal tea in silence.
Changing the subject, Kaizen asked, "Have you seen the design for the wedding dress? Do you approve?"
After a moment of contemplation, Astelle set down the empty teacup and met Kaizen' gaze, awaiting her reaction.
Recalling the intricate design presented by Vellian, Astelle nodded.
Astelle handed the design to Hannah without much consideration, her tone dismissive. "It's just something I'll only wear for one day anyway."
The casual remark triggered a sudden recollection of her own wedding day in the past. Back then, she had eagerly prepared her wedding dress, filled with youthful excitement and optimism for the future.
"I hope you like it, though," Kaizen interjected, meeting her gaze with sincerity. "If you don't, I'll have it redesigned. You can have whatever you want."
"It's alright. I'm content with the design," Astelle replied firmly, cutting off any further discussion.
Kaizen seemed to hesitate, perhaps wanting to say more, but Astelle's resolute expression left him silent.
Turning away from him, Astelle placed her empty teacup down. The memory of past wedding preparations weighed heavily on her mind, reminding her of the emotional exhaustion that came with such events.
But now, she wasn't enjoying it at all. The anticipation and excitement she once felt were gone, replaced by a sense of resignation. She knew that a happy future with Kaizen was an illusion.
Yet, she couldn't forget how Kaizen had looked at her on their wedding day. His eyes had been filled with admiration as he gazed at her in her wedding dress.
"You are so beautiful," he had said, his voice filled with genuine wonder.
Astelle remembered how he had taken her hand, his expression one of surprised delight. As they entered the wedding hall together, she had trembled with nerves, afraid of making a mistake. Noticing her anxiety, Kaizen had gently wrapped the back of her hand with his other hand, offering a reassuring touch.
