In Luciano's estate,
Thinking that Luciano wouldn't return that evening, Filia was engaged in combat with a water elemental she conjured up, feeling a bit rusty after a month of minimal practice.
Clad in a tight outfit, she battled the water elemental in the master bedroom.
As the fight intensified, the sudden sound of footsteps startled Filia, causing her to shiver. Quickly giving a command to the water elemental to leap into the bathtub, she sat on the floor and struck a yoga pose.
Struggling to regulate her breath, she couldn't wipe the sweat off her face.
"Madam?"
Luciano entered the room.
It was slightly warmer than usual, and Filia's scent was stronger than usual.
In days past, Luciano would have surely lost control in this atmosphere. However, the marriageable period had passed, and he wouldn't be swayed by his wife.
"Hmm? Husband, you're back?"
Filia calmly regarded Luciano approaching her.
"I was practicing yoga, feeling a bit... warm, heh heh."
Nervously chuckling, Filia stood up from the floor.
"Yoga? After sweating so much?"
Filia's bangs were damp; her entire body looked as if she had been drenched, prompting Luciano to pull out a handkerchief and wipe her forehead without a second thought.
This small gesture made Filia's body stiffen.
After over a month, this was the first time he had been so caring towards her.
"It's fine. I'll just wash up."
"Okay, I'll wait for you. I have something to discuss with you."
Taking back the handkerchief, Luciano sat on the sofa, took out his phone, and checked the military reports for the day.
Still devoid of smiles and his demeanor icy, the act of wiping her sweat was indeed a significant step forward.
Giving himself a mental pep talk, Filia headed to the bathroom.
Quickly freshening up, she wore a demure pink nightgown and sat beside Luciano.
"Weren't you supposed to head to the front line? Why did you come back suddenly?"
"I came back to fetch something. I'll be leaving shortly," Luciano put away his phone and looked at his wife.
She seemed rushed, still with droplets on her eyelashes, her hair not completely dry, smelling sweet and pleasant.
Unintentionally clearing his throat, Luciano averted his gaze.
"I'll be gone for a while. Feel free to do as you please at home. Shopping, spending money, it's up to you. Unless it's urgent, don't contact me; the front is tense, and I might not have time to call."
"Oh! Understood."
Filia nodded obediently, showing no hint of displeasure.
"What I mean is, no need to contact me unless it's important. But if..."
"No 'buts'. If there's nothing significant, there shouldn't be any reason to reach me. I'll be at home, and there won't be anything apart from trivial matters. I won't bother you, and I usually sleep a lot; when awake, I can tend to the garden, read, and watch dramas. I won't be bored, so you needn't worry. Oh, do you need any help with packing? Are you in a hurry? If so, you better hurry back!"
Filia was understanding, close to moving herself to tears.
She couldn't afford for Luciano to think she was capricious or immature.
"I'll show you what you like! However, for Luciano, focusing on something else was his preference among the chaos.
Letting go of her, Luciano rose abruptly.
"Okay, then I'll leave."
"Alright, I'll see you off."
"Mm."
Walking down together downstairs and beyond the gate, his aides and guards awaited him.
Taking the hat handed by an aide, Luciano put it on without glancing at Filia before boarding the vehicle.
However, just then, Filia's heart clenched. He would depart, and she didn't know when he would return. She felt a pang of reluctance.
"Lucho!"
"Hmm?"
Luciano turned back at her call, but before he could react, Filia threw herself at him, embracing him tightly.
"Return early. Stay safe."
...
Everyone around discreetly averted their gaze, yet the ambiguous atmosphere couldn't help but bring smiles to their faces.
Luciano, however, remained tense.
His marriageable period had passed; he was no longer dictated by instinct, which made him more clear-headed and sensitive to his surroundings.
In front of his subordinates, his petite wife embraced him.
Taking a shallow breath, Luciano placed his hand on Filia's waist, gently pushing her away.
"Right, I understand."
Without saying another word, he glanced at her and turned back to board the car.
Despite feeling uncomfortable at his aloof demeanor, Filia smiled and waved goodbye.
Only when the flying vehicle finally took off did Luciano dare to look back at his wife still standing on the ground, watching him depart.
In that moment, he almost succumbed to the impulse of carrying her back upstairs.
Yet this feeling was entirely different from the days of their marriageable period.
Was this... love?
Luciano pondered the question inwardly, unable to provide an answer.
For as he had asserted, emotions were unnecessary in his world, as love would distract him. With the frontline battles escalating, he had no excess energy to spare for what he deemed irrelevant.
Pushing down the fluttering in his heart, Luciano withdrew his gaze, focusing on the horizon ahead.
However, his hand pulled out the handkerchief he had used to wipe his wife's sweat earlier.
The fabric carried her scent, now mixed with a stronger undertone of roses...
As the fleet of flying cars grew distant, Filia finally dropped her smile.
He was leaving, and it was time for her to attend to her matters.
With recruitment advertisements playing incessantly on TV and her phone, the army was looking for recruits, particularly in the special forces unit called Alpha. Known for handling the most dangerous missions, the team had a high casualty rate, resulting in significant turnover.
Watching the troops head towards the frontline, Filia noticed that Alpha was still recruiting.
She saw an opportunity to join the battlefield because Alpha recruited based on ability, not background.
Donning a black, sleek bodysuit she had discreetly bought online and fashioning a black butterfly mask to cover half her face, securing her long hair in a high ponytail, Filia strapped on a backpack with essentials, and opened a portal, transporting herself directly to the Alpha base.
Taking a deep breath, when the graceful and confident Filia, with long strides and a radiant aura, entered the base gates, she felt truly free to be herself at last.