As evening approached, after finishing the day's lessons and sending Frieren back home—
Agusheed returned to the castle on the Sky Vein Dragon's back.
Having made significant progress in deciphering that day, he planned to organize his notes in the study before heading downstairs to cook.
The sunlight had turned orange-red, casting long shadows through the stained-glass windows onto the study floor.
Agusheed carefully recorded his discoveries on dedicated parchment.
Faint scratch-scratch sounds of his quill accompanied his notes.
But just as he finished organizing, he was called by the early-returning Flamme.
"Agusheed—"
Flamme's voice held rare excitement, as if expecting something.
She pushed open the study door with a gentle smile, stepping forward briskly.
The sunset's glow rimmed her soft red hair in gold.
She crept up behind Agusheed, then covered his eyes with both hands.
"Why are you home so early today?"
Unstartled by her playful ambush, Agusheed replied calmly, reaching up with a hand.
He meant to remove her mischievous hands—but instead felt her lips grazing his earlobe.
"Coming home early of course means I planned it..."
Flamme's warm breath brushed his ear—her voice low, edged with secret joy.
"I prepared a surprise for you—will you come see?"
Her words made Agusheed lower his raised hand.
He didn't refuse—choosing, as always, to indulge his playful wife.
Truthfully, he wasn't particularly interested in surprises.
But if Flamme wanted one, he wouldn't say no.
"Close your eyes."
She still held his eyes covered, commanding like a game between children.
Agusheed sighed but complied, keeping his eyes shut.
Then—
He felt her take his hand and lead him out of the study.
Blindfolded, he still knew this castle like the back of his hand—it had been their home for over a decade.
Turn right, fifteen steps, up the stairs, turn left... they were heading toward Flamme's bedroom.
"Don't peek."
She whispered, excitement shining through her words in a way even Agusheed noticed.
"Such childishness."
Though he said so, he never opened his eyes once.
Twenty more steps—
They stopped at Flamme's bedroom door.
She released one hand to open the door, the other still covering his eyes.
He heard the slight squeak of hinges.
Then she gently pushed him into the room.
"Stand right here. No moving, and no sensing with magic—"
She reminded him again, then hurried to the wardrobe.
Toward the little prop she'd hidden to enhance their marital intimacy.
She'd come home early just to pull off this plan.
Imagining Agusheed's helpless reaction made her giggle.
"What's got you so happy all the way here?"
He asked softly from behind; she stifled her giggle.
Clearing her throat in feigned seriousness, she touched the wardrobe door gently.
"Just wait and see—"
Flamme smiled and opened the wardrobe...
However, when she reached for her carefully stashed purple vial—
Her hand found nothing.
"Huh?"
She froze, squatted, and began searching more carefully.
"Did something go wrong?"
Agusheed asked quietly.
"Nothing... wait a second, and don't open your eyes."
Though she said all was fine—
She couldn't locate her clever little tool anywhere.
It was gone—vanished.
She'd bought this rare potion from an out-of-town trader just yesterday—
And even checked it this morning. How could it suddenly disappear?
"Agusheed? What surprise did you want to show me?"
His weary sigh came from behind again.
"Frieren is still waiting for us downstairs—"
"Just a bit longer!"
His prompt made Flamme frown deeper.
She nearly searched every inch of the wardrobe.
But the vial of the "potion that only dissolves clothes" had completely vanished.
"It's been five minutes."
Agusheed finally reminded her gently, a trace of amusement in his voice.
"Can I open my eyes now?"
Flamme bit her lip. Having confirmed the potion's disappearance—
She immediately suspected one person.
—Frieren.
She had to be the culprit; Agusheed would never enter her room uninvited.
But now wasn't the time to argue.
After a pause, Flamme drew a deep breath and switched tactics.
She stood, turned to her still-blinded husband.
"You can open your eyes now."
Her voice regained its usual cheer.
He obediently opened his eyes—
And saw Flamme standing quietly by the wardrobe.
With a look of mild frustration, otherwise her usual self.
Agusheed scanned the room—nothing looked different: the bed neat, curtains half-drawn.
Even the sunset stripes on the wall were unchanged.
"So, your 'surprise' is...?"
He asked, puzzled, arching an eyebrow.
Flamme didn't answer.
Instead, she padded forward in feline steps.
Before he could react, she suddenly pushed him.
Unresisting, Agusheed tumbled onto the soft bed.
"I don't think this counts as a surprise—"
Though he began to protest, his words were cut off.
Flamme straddled him, already undoing his robe's first button.
"But this is the surprise—"
"What, don't you like it?"
He sighed helplessly, wrapping his arms around his wife's waist.
"You really are..."
His attempts to stop the mischief ended in a gentle kiss from above.
Warm, tender, impossible to resist.
As the sun dipped below the horizon—
The room grew darker with their entwining shapes.
They lay side by side, Flamme's head on Agusheed's neck.
She breathed heavily, fingers playfully twirling a lock of his black hair.
"Speaking of that, Agusheed—"
She spoke suddenly, her tone thoughtful.
"Did anything special happen today while I wasn't there?"
She raised her head, peeking at his calm, emotionless face.
"Other than Frieren napping in your room, it seems like a normal day."
He replied lightly.
Now that he knew the culprit was indeed that foolish disciple, Flamme huffed softly.
But Agusheed didn't press further.
He always respected her mood.
Flamme eased back into his embrace.
The castle trembled gently—
The Sky Vein Dragon shifted its vast body.
As if even it sensed its two masters' feelings—
Adding a lighthearted tremor to this intimate moment.