Days went by, and at that moment, Lina could be seen pacing restlessly through the garden.
"It's been five days since His Highness left the palace... and still, he hasn't returned."
"Even Aunt Sue went with him and she hasn't returned either."
"The maids said he went to the capital to retrieve something important… but shouldn't he be home by now?"
"What could be so important that he'd stay away this long?"
"What if something had happened to him?"
Lina's chest tightened with fear as the thought took root in her mind and she couldn't shake it off.
She couldn't bear the thought of losing her husband, so she turned toward the garden gate.
She has decided to mobilize the Fourth Prince's remaining guards to help her search for him.
She knew pacing and worrying wouldn't help so she decided to act.
But she stuttered to a stop just as she reached the gate, her eyes widening in surprise when they landed on a beautiful young lady with white fox ears that continuously twitched atop her head as she walked into the garden.
"L-Lily?" She stammered in disbelief.
Lily smiled and rushed forward, throwing her arms around Lina.
"Yes, Lina. It's me."
"B-But how?" Lina asked, still shocked.
But before Lily could answer, Austin stepped into the garden with a warm smile on his lips.
"Your Highness? You did this?"
"Yes."
"But… why?"
"Does a man need a reason to do something for his wife's happiness?" Austin asked in reply as he stepped forward with his arms wide open.
Lina was speechless for a moment. She hadn't expected her husband to go to such lengths just to make her happy, but he had and she was glad that he did.
Her lips slowly curved into a smile as she stepped into his embrace.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"You're welcome."
Austin hugged her closely, his hands lingering a bit longer on her back before he pulled away just enough to look at her and say teasingly.
"So… how do you plan on repaying me?" Austin asked as his face was now inches from hers.
Lina blushed and replied with a small soft voice. "I… I don't even know how."
Austin grinned, and then he came up with a suggestion. "Well, you could promise to give me ten children. How's that sound?"
"T-ten?! Isn't that too much?"
"Alright," he replied as he stroked her cheek affectionately, "then let's make it twenty."
"What?! That's even more than ten!"
"I know, right? Which means we've got a lot of work to do once we have our wedding."
Lina's jaw dropped, and her pointy ears flushed bright red as her mind began creating… certain images.
"Oh my, it seems my wife is having some very naughty thoughts right now." Austin teased and even Lily couldn't help but giggle.
"See?" Austin chuckled. "Even Lily can tell what you were thinking."
"I-I wasn't daydreaming about… s-s-sex."
Austin smiled and leaned in as he took her hands. "But I never said anything about sex."
"Huh? But you said—"
"All I said was that you were having naughty thoughts," he said with a smirk. "But I guess I was right because my wife really was thinking about us doing something… passionate."
Lina was left completely speechless, her face was as red as a tomato, and Lily couldn't help but laugh softly at how flustered she was.
"Oh well," Austin added, "since my wife can't wait for our wedding night, I think it's time I give her a little surprise," he said as he pulled her into the garden.
"Huh? Your Highness, where are we going?"
"I owe you five days' worth of stories, So I thought you'd like to hear them. Unless…"
He paused and leaned close again.
"...You'd rather come to my bedchambers and make your dreams come true?"
"I-I'd rather hear the stories," Lina replied shyly as she turned her face away to hide her flushed cheeks.
"Good. Then, let's go." Austin laughed as he pulled her along gently, then he paused for a moment and turned back to Lily.
"You too. You're coming with us."
"Huh? Me? But I– Ah! Your Highness, wait!"
Austin swiftly pulled Lily's hand as well and the two ladies couldn't help but smile and giggle as Austin pulled them towards the garden to tell them the important stories he had to share.
But while all this was happening, the trio didn't know that Mira had been standing by the gate, listening to their conversation and how Austin had been affectionately teasing his wife, Lina.