Azel hadn't really seen her this happy once in his life.
Well… maybe.
He thought back.
There had been a few rare times.
When she first marked him as hers, that possessive moment when her pride swelled and her smile was unstoppable.
Or when he stubbornly continued training in the swordsmanship of the Hero, refusing to give up even when he was bleeding, and she praised him for his spirit.
Yes, perhaps then she had shown joy.
But this was different than that time.
She wasn't just happy.
She was vibrant.
Alive in a way that melted the cold aura she usually carried around her.
It was almost unfair how cute she looked.
Her icy-blue eyes sparkled, her lips trembled with suppressed laughter, and her whole face softened into something Azel could only call human.
And when someone looked that cute, that full of life… you couldn't help but want to protect it.
Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "How did you get it… Esteemed Husband?"
