Savior’s First Lady

“I don’t have a dowry. This is wrong.”

The Imperial Bank employee gave a mysterious smile.

“You might have guessed, but this amount was transferred by your husband.”

“……”

“Please take care. Your husband is a valued customer of our bank.”

I remained in a daze.

‘This man must be crazy.’

No wonder he nonchalantly said “I understand” last night.

He gave me an enormous dowry.

***

That evening’s menu was duck confit, a salad with fresh tomatoes and cheese, and leftover bread from the previous day.

Dessert was the tiramisu I mentioned before. The kitchen was already filled with a sweet aroma.

As soon as Eden entered the house, I showed him the bankbook.

“This is too much.”

“What is too much?”

Eden said, loosening the white tie of his Holy Knight uniform as he took off his jacket.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. I didn’t say that to ask for a dowry.”

“You said you needed a dowry.”

“Everyone needs money. But you don’t have to compensate for all the shortcomings in my life.”

“I don’t plan to pay for anything else. This is just part of completing this marriage. Now we have a dowry, we’re on good terms, and I’ll try to come home more often.”

“……”

“We both have a home to take care of, so we just need to devote ourselves to it. Right?”

I kept silent. How could he say nothing wrong?

I stared at Eden quietly.

“Don’t look at me like that unless you’re asking for more money.”

“Would you give me more if I asked?”

“No. I’ll recover living expenses from Burke and give it to you. Until then, use the dowry.”

“Really, I can use it as I please?”

“Yes, hire a maid to help with household chores. Don’t kneel and clean the house yourself.”

Eden spoke matter-of-factly.

“Is that all?”

“Buy clothes too. Plenty of them. Things you’ve wanted to try on.”

Eden glanced over me as he spoke.

‘So, I can use the dowry freely, plus he’ll give me living expenses every year, and also give me the money he took from Burke for my father?’

It was an incredibly generous condition, almost like being hit by a jackpot.

‘Oh my. Am I rich now, Mom?’

My hands trembled slightly.

“Sir Eden, typically the husband isn’t informed how the dowry is spent. This money is mine to manage.”

Even if we divorced, I wouldn’t have to return a penny of the dowry.

“Dinner time isn’t the best time for a lecture on marriage customs. Besides, I already know them well.”

“Of course you do. Your mother is a literate woman.”

“How do you know about my mother?”

“Nothing is known about your father. Your mother is a renowned scholar of magic and magical tools. Everyone knows Sir Eden’s background.”

“Have you heard about me before?”

“Of course. You were a hot topic at the monastery.”

“Even for you?”

“…For me too, of course.”

“Hmm.”

Suddenly, Eden seemed in a good mood. This man is really hard to understand.

“Sir Eden.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“Sir Eden! What if I blow all this money on shopping?”

“I know you can’t do that. And you won’t.”

Is that a compliment or an insult? It kind of hurts my pride.

“What skill do you need to shop?”

“Only those used to spending money waste it. The most you’ve worried about is grocery shopping, so even if I push you to spend money, you’ll be limited to a few hundred gold coins.”

His words were frustratingly accurate.

How did he know I hesitated over expensive spices?

“I can shop for furniture! Furniture is expensive.”

“Go ahead then. Buy what you need.”

“I’ll really spend it as I please.”

“Understood.”

“I’ll use it all for my personal enjoyment.”

“Yes, do I need to repeat myself? Do you have a fetish for that?”

I almost spit out my drink.

“What, what did you say?”

“You know the word ‘fetish’? Must be from those magazines. Subscribe to them regularly.”

Wow, Eden is seriously driving me crazy. Was he always like this? I wiped my mouth.

“Are we going to stand here talking about fetishes?”

I pointed to the kitchen.

“Sit at the table!”

I might have to shut his mouth with something sweet. That seems quicker.

***

Several days passed quickly.

Eden closed the side door used by the maids.

He installed security devices in the house that I couldn’t understand and added three more locks to the front door.

He also requested the police to patrol our house every hour.

Time passed in a flurry—

‘Tomorrow is the day Eden leaves.’

I wasn’t too sad, maybe just a little… very little.

Being alone is comfortable and nice.

‘Of course, it was good to have someone to share delicious dinners with.’

Eden, as always, showed no particular emotion. After dinner, I prepared for bed.

Then, the doorbell rang loudly.

“Don’t go.”

Eden said as he came down the stairs. He went outside. It seemed he didn’t want me to go out because it was nighttime.

‘Who is it at this hour?’

I frowned and peeked outside.

Eden opened the door and stood there, staring.

“Eden?”

“The intruder isn’t a person.”

At those words, I went to the front door.

In front of the door was a large potted plant.

“What is this? It’s huge.”

The tall plant was tied to a sturdy wooden stake, looking very healthy.

“Do you know who sent this?”

“The biggest problem is I think I do.”

“Pardon?”

I tilted my head. Eden looked up.

“Let’s bring it inside for now.”

Eden easily carried the pot inside.

We stood under the garden lights, staring at the pot. It was full of buds yet to bloom. The pot was adorned with an elegant silk ribbon.

“Sir Eden, is this from your fans?”

“Not a fan. Just an unwelcome gift.”

Eden looked up at me.

“Why?”

“Come back to the garden in an hour. Leave this here.”

***

So, an hour later.

It was almost midnight. The garden was brightly lit with the lamps I bought from a secondhand store.

“This plant looks fresher than before, Sir Eden.”

I said.

“Watch closely.”

Eden whispered. I observed the buds.

The buds drooped slightly.

“Wow.”

They began to bloom under the lamp light. The fully bloomed flowers were large and beautiful.

“They’re gorgeous. What kind of flower is this?”

“Queen of the Night.”

Eden said.

But who sent this…?

I was about to ask when I saw Eden’s eyes meeting mine.