Ivory put down the chopsticks and spoon that she had just used to eat. She cooked with the help of the servant. She originally intended to cook only one menu and suddenly made various dishes for breakfast. Aaron's servant said that the house owner would usually eat a different menu every day. That's why Ivory complied and helped prepare the food enthusiastically.
Her stomach felt so full that she could barely finish her meal. This was the first time she had felt full in the twenty years she had lived. As a person who is often hungry rather than full, she feels terrible not finishing her food. That affection strengthened her even more and made her have to finish them. She did not want to waste the blessings she received.
Really, she shouldn't have stopped being grateful for being able to eat such luxurious dishes. It's not that she brags about her cooking skills. It's just that the ingredients she prepares are of good quality. Not to mention with the help of the skilled hands of Aaron's servants. So can she call it luxury cuisine?
"That was one of the tasty breakfasts I've ever had. Apparently, you're good at cooking!"
Ivory, who was wiping her lips with the tissue, shook her head lightly.
"Not that good. I just ... can. My sister taught me."
"Oh yeah? Then your sister is very great and is a great chef! Look at the results."
The compliment once again made Ivory's face blush. Her cheeks warmed, as usual, when Aaron offered compliments. Ivory likes to hear that.
"Where's your sister now? Does she work in Makara?"
Ivory's body froze for a moment. She suddenly felt uncomfortable with Aaron's question. The question left her stunned and a bit sad all of a sudden.
"She used to work at one of the Pharmacy Centers in Makara," Ivory answered quietly.
Aaron was amazed to hear that. "That is amazing. Considering that it is quite difficult for the Secondary to get a job like that in Makara, your sister must be a smart person," he praised again.
Ivory smiled blandly. "She's brilliant. One of the smartest people in my area," said Ivory. "She's also persistent, tenacious, and firm. She was always determined to be able to work at the Pharmacy Center because what she knew was that the salary offered was quite high. Not as much as Premiers pay, of course, but a lot for Secondary like us."
"Is she still working there?"
Ivory twirled her hand hidden behind the table. The memory of her sister had been tormenting her for so long. She didn't want to tell Aaron, but she couldn't help it. Talking about it is so painful. It's like tearing apart an old wound that has dried up. However, holding it in was much more painful.
Maybe a little story will make her more relieved.
"No. She's passed away," Ivory answered at last.
Aaron, who heard this, rushed to put back the glass he was holding. He saw Ivory's dim glow, blocked by the thin tears that welled up in those beautiful eyes. This time it was his turn to feel bad.
The girl blinked her eyes to wipe away the tears that restricted her vision. After that, Ivory began to speak. "She's been to Copulation three times. Everything always works. She managed to get pregnant and give birth safely. There was no problem at all. However, during her fourth copulation, she was suddenly declared sterile. She can't get pregnant. She couldn't be able to give The Supreme Council a baby." Ivory took a deep breath before giving a final explanation. "After The Higher-ups found out about it, they executed my sister for failing to serve the government."
The Higher-ups under the command of The Supreme Council ruthlessly killed Ivory's sister. Ivory's memory drifted to the pieces of her sister's body. The ruthless bastards hiding behind the identity of the 'Higher-ups' sent the remains of her older sister to Ivory's house.
The memory haunted her for years.
"How can someone who has managed to get pregnant be later declared sterile? That case seems to be rare. It's nonsense," said Aaron.
Ivory shook her head weakly. "That's what I've been thinking for years," she replied. "It's almost impossible, and I think it was only up to my sister that this happened."
"But isn't it very unfair to your sister? At least she had been able to hand over the child to the Supreme Council in Copulation earlier. Shouldn't that punishment be applied to Gene F, who failed early in conception? Besides, they couldn't always give the death penalty, right?"
"It's still unfair." Ivory argued. "Taking the life of a guilty person is completely unfair. It's not just because we are Gene F that they can be bullied to our heart's content. Aren't living beings supposed to not hurt each other?"
Aaron caught it, anger laced with patience in Ivory's eyes. Ivory was clearly furious at the treatment her sister had received. However, Aaron admired Ivory's patience, who still calmly expressed her disappointment politely. She didn't yell or rebuke the Supreme Council as she had imagined. Ivory seemed to suppress her disappointment.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Hesitantly, Aaron tugged at Ivory's twisted hands, hidden neatly down there. Violet Ivory's eyes widened when she saw Aaron holding her hand. She bit her inner lip and avoided eye contact with the man's amber eyes.
"I also apologize for my bad behavior last night. I'm sorry if I scared you. I just... umm... You know. Carried away by the situation."
Ivory, who was sitting beside Aaron, nodded lightly. The night after she was brought back home, Aaron didn't immediately apologize to her. She was only asked to rest while the man went into his own room. Ivory didn't know that it was now Aaron apologizing to her for what happened last night.
She still avoided looking at Aaron's face, who couldn't stop staring at her for a second.
"I know you need time. It must be hard for you to get closer to a stranger like me. I'll let you get used to it first."
The girl he was talking to nodded slowly.
"We have a maximum of one month before the first inspection by The Higher-ups. You must be positive for pregnancy when the examination occurs, "said Aaron. "This is hard, but you can't help but have to get pregnant if you don't want to—"
Ivory's head lowered even further. She shook her head once and mumbled softly. "I know. Forgive me."
Aaron, who saw his partner's movements, lifted Ivory's chin. He felt hurt when his partner did not even dare look at his face. He knew that Ivory was still in shock at his disrespectful behavior even on the first day she moved into his house.
"Look me in the eye, and don't apologize. You're not wrong one bit. I scared you to run away from home last night. So, sorry?"
Ivory's intention initially wanted to restrain herself from getting carried away seemed to be about to waver.
How could she not get carried away when the handsome man in front of her apologized so gently?
Ivory saw the sincerity, right there, in Aaron's amber eyes. The sincerity radiated in the twinkle of his eyes. Deep down, she knew Aaron wasn't a bad guy. Aaron just wanted to get his job done as quickly as possible.
"Ivory?"
The figure that was being reprimanded suddenly blinked as Aaron's palm swung in front of her several times. She quickly shook her head and nodded in response. She actually didn't even realize she was looking like she was daydreaming.
"I forgive you."
"Thank God."
Aaron pat Ivory's head softly. The girl allowed her partner to caress her head without a doubt. Let her enjoy the man's sweet treatment for a moment. Let her pretend for a moment that Aaron is the real partner.
Let her be selfish for this time.
"Don't run away again like last night, okay? I frantically looked for you everywhere and found you were with one of the Guardians. You know, you can get in trouble if they get caught? They can drag you to The Higher-ups and punish you for being disobedient."
"But he-"
"And also don't go without a jacket and shoes. Are you an ancient creature who is always barefoot? Do you think it's still summer now? It's fall, Ivory. One week away from winter. You know it's freezing here. What if you freeze? Hypothermia?"
Really, Ivory never thought that her partner would be this fussy. Was that a sign that Aaron paid attention to her? Could Ivory hope that Aaron really cared about her?
With a warm feeling, Ivory nodded slowly.
"Good girl," Aaron said with a laugh.
He stopped his touch on Ivory's head and turned to gently caress her cheek.
"Take a shower and get ready. We're going to go out to have fun today. I want to get to know you better."