Chapter 16
As Nori finally calmed himself, pulling his robe tighter around his body, he turned to find Ryousuke already getting dressed. The general moved with effortless ease, his movements practiced and smooth as he secured his belt and adjusted his sleeves.
Nori averted his eyes, still flustered from their earlier exchange. He felt ridiculous—he was a married man, and yet, one teasing remark from his husband had left him feeling as though he might combust on the spot.
But just as he thought the morning embarrassment had finally passed, Ryousuke did something completely unexpected.
Without a word, he stepped forward, grasped Nori's wrist, and pulled him close.
Nori barely had time to react before he found himself pressed against a firm, warm chest. His breath caught, his fingers instinctively clutching the fabric of Ryousuke's robes.
"Wha—"
Before he could even question what was happening, Ryousuke's arms wrapped around him, holding him in a solid, unwavering embrace.
Nori's mind blanked.
His entire body stiffened, his heart leaping into his throat.
But before he could process the warmth surrounding him, before he could even think of pushing away, Ryousuke's hand tilted his chin up, and—
Soft. Warm. Insistent.
Lips pressed against his own.
Nori's eyes widened to the size of saucers.
He froze, unable to react, completely overwhelmed by the suddenness of it all.
It was quick—just a firm press of lips, not too deep, but far from chaste.
Then, as fast as it had happened, Ryousuke pulled away, a smug grin stretching across his face.
"I'm off to work, wifey."
Nori's entire brain short-circuited.
His lips parted in silent shock, his body still tingling from the kiss, his face rapidly heating up.
Did he just—
Did he really just—
Before Nori could recover, Ryousuke leaned in again, his voice dropping into a teasing murmur.
"Wait for me."
His tone was low, gentle—but there was no mistaking the amusement laced within it.
Then, with one last pat to Nori's waist, Ryousuke stepped back, turning to leave.
Nori, still standing frozen in place, barely managed to whisper, "…Okay."
It was soft, barely audible, but Ryousuke clearly heard it.
Because as he walked out the door, his chuckle echoed through the room.
After Ryousuke left, Nori stood in place for a long moment, still dazed from the unexpected kiss. His lips tingled, and his heart hadn't quite calmed down yet.
But shaking his head, he exhaled sharply, willing himself to regain composure. He was being ridiculous. It was just a kiss. A stolen kiss, yes, but still just a kiss.
With a deep breath, he decided to focus on something else.
First, he needed a bath.
Walking over to the servants, who were already preparing the warm water for him, he raised a hand to stop them. "I'll take care of it myself today."
The servants exchanged glances, clearly surprised. "My lord, would you not like assistance?"
"No, it's fine." Nori offered a small smile. "You may leave."
Though hesitant, they bowed and left him to his privacy.
The warm water soothed him the moment he stepped in, easing the tension in his shoulders. He closed his eyes, taking his time to let the heat soak into his skin.
Ever since he married Ryousuke, he had slowly started changing certain things in his routine. Before, he had always relied on the servants for the smallest tasks—dressing, bathing, even combing his hair. But now, he was beginning to enjoy doing things on his own. It gave him a sense of independence he hadn't known he wanted.
Once he was done bathing, he dried himself off and carefully selected his outfit for the day. He settled on a peony-green robe embroidered with gold thread, the fabric light yet elegant.
As he tied his sash, he glanced at his reflection. The color complemented his pale skin, and the gentle green tones made his features appear softer.
Satisfied, he stepped out of his chambers, already knowing where he wanted to go next.
The garden.
Lately, he had taken an interest in beautifying the estate. Though the grounds were vast and well-kept, he found them somewhat lacking in color. The main courtyard, while elegant, felt too plain.
And that simply wouldn't do.
He wanted something lively. Something vibrant.
So, he had decided to plant flowers.
Walking through the estate, he made his way to the garden, where a few workers were already tending to the plants. They quickly straightened upon seeing him.
"My lord," they greeted, bowing.
Nori smiled. "How are the preparations coming along?"
One of the gardeners, an older man with a kind face, stepped forward. "The soil has been prepared, and we've begun planting the first batch of flowers you requested."
Nori's eyes lit up with excitement. He walked closer, examining the freshly planted buds. Delicate white peonies, golden chrysanthemums, and soft pink camellias lined the beds.
He crouched down, running his fingers lightly over the petals. "They're beautiful."
The gardener nodded. "With time, they will bloom fully and bring more color to the estate."
Nori hummed in approval. "That's exactly what I want."
He envisioned it already—a garden full of life, brimming with color, a place where he could sit and enjoy peaceful afternoons.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
Yes.
It would be perfect.
The kitchen was abuzz with whispers the moment Nori stepped in.
Servants who were in the middle of chopping vegetables or tending to simmering pots stopped in their tracks, eyes widening in disbelief. Never before had anyone of high status stepped foot inside the kitchen, let alone the madam of the house himself. Even Ryousuke, as powerful as he was, had never once set foot in here. The previous concubine certainly hadn't either.
And yet, here stood Nori, sleeves rolled up, his soft peony-green robe still pristine despite the slight dampness from the evening air.
The head chef, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes, was the first to recover from the shock. She stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "My lord, how may we be of service?"
Nori smiled, looking around the kitchen with curiosity. "I'd like to prepare a meal for the general."
A wave of silent panic swept through the kitchen staff.
They knew that most noble families never taught their children to cook—especially the delicate ones, like Nori. And even if they did learn, their skills were usually lacking, more for novelty than actual sustenance. The idea of their esteemed madam wielding a knife or standing before a hot stove was nearly unthinkable.
"My lord," one of the younger cooks hesitated, choosing his words carefully, "would it not be better for us to prepare something on your behalf? You need only give us the order."
Nori shook his head. "I want to do this myself."
He could see their concern, but he wasn't offended. He understood why they were doubtful.
Most people assumed he was fragile, incapable of doing anything for himself. It was true that he was raised with great care, sheltered even, but his mother had ensured he knew the basics of self-sufficiency. Unlike other noble families that forbade their children from doing anything that could be considered "common," his mother had insisted he learn things like cooking, sewing, and even simple budgeting.
And so, while he wasn't a professional by any means, he could cook decently.
"I'll be making a seaweed dish with meat broth," he said, looking at the ingredients neatly arranged on the wooden counters.
The chefs exchanged uncertain glances.
Seaweed dish with meat broth?
That was a humble meal. It wasn't something extravagant, nor did it require rare ingredients. But the way Nori's eyes lit up made it clear that this wasn't about impressing Ryousuke with expensive flavors.
This was about effort.
Respecting his decision, the staff stepped back.
Nori smiled in gratitude. "I'll take care of this. You may all leave for now."
The cooks hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with leaving their station to a noble, but when they saw how determined he was, they could only bow and quietly step aside.
Nori took a deep breath.
Then, rolling up his sleeves further, he got to work.
The kitchen soon filled with the rich aroma of simmering broth, the scent of meat and spices blending harmoniously with the fresh seaweed.
At first, the kitchen staff had tried not to hover, but as time passed, the mouthwatering smell drew them back, one by one. They lingered near the doorway, stealing glances, whispering amongst themselves.
"Is the madam really cooking?"
"And it actually smells good!"
"I thought nobles only knew how to order others around."
As the dish neared completion, the murmurs turned into hushed admiration.
Not only was Nori cooking, but he was cooking well.
The broth had thickened beautifully, the seaweed softened perfectly, and the scent of slow-cooked meat was rich and warm.
With careful hands, Nori ladled the soup into a fine porcelain bowl, arranging it with an elegance that came naturally to him. A sprinkle of green onions for freshness, a hint of sesame oil for depth—small touches that transformed the simple dish into something special.
He stepped back, pleased with his work.
Just in time, too.
The general would be home soon.