Ai sat back in her seat, hands resting lightly over her stomach. The sparkle in her eyes had dulled into a lazy, satisfied gleam—the unmistakable glow of someone who had been properly fed, no matter how much she wanted to hide it.
Eline appeared beside them without a sound, her curvy figure framed perfectly in the soft light of the bar. "Finished already?" she asked, leaning just a little too close as she reached for Ai's plate.
Ai gave a curt nod, her lips in a small pout. "Yes."
Shiki watched in silence, eyes flicking between the two women as Eline gathered the empty dish and silverware. She offered him a smile that was all teeth and no innocence. "I'll take this back for you, Master Shiki."
He inclined his head slightly. "Thanks."
Ai didn't say a word until Eline had walked away, hips swaying just enough to be called intentional. Then, Shiki turned his gaze back to her.
"So…" He propped an elbow on the table, his chin resting against his palm. "Am I forgiven now?"
Ai tilted her head, drawing the moment out just long enough to make him wonder. Finally, she hummed softly. "Mmm."
He smirked. "That a yes?"
She rolled her eyes. "Maybe."
"Maybe, huh? I'll take it." He leaned back in his seat, that satisfied look spreading across his face. "Guess I won't have to bribe you again."
Ai pretended to look away in boredom, but her mouth twitched. "…You still might."
A few comfortable moments passed—the clink of glasses behind the counter, low voices of other patrons—but then the air shifted. Shiki noticed first. Eline was returning, but not with dishes this time. She came around the counter, walking with deliberate grace until she reached their table.
And then… she sat down beside him.
Just like that. No preamble, no invitation. Her thigh brushed his as she made herself comfortable on the bench, one arm resting casually along the backrest behind his shoulders.
"Well," she purred, "I'm glad to see you enjoying yourself, Master Shiki."
Ai froze, her gaze snapping toward the maid. "What do you think you're doing?"
Eline's smile widened. "Just… making sure our most important guest feels welcome."
Shiki raised a brow, but didn't move away. "You always sit this close to customers?"
"Only the interesting ones," Eline replied, eyes glinting as she turned toward him. "And from what I hear, you're very… interesting."
Ai's fists clenched on the table. "He's married," she said flatly.
Eline tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Is that so?" She glanced at Shiki, her smile still sweet. "Funny, I don't see a ring."
Ai's eyes narrowed to slits. "That's because we don't need one. Our bond isn't something cheap enough to be defined by a ring."
Eline chuckled softly. "Oh my… so possessive. I like that." She leaned a little closer to Shiki, her perfume wrapping around him like silk. "Tell me, Master Shiki… does your wife always guard you this closely?"
Shiki's smirk deepened. "Only when she feels threatened."
Ai slammed her hand on the table. "I am not threatened by her."
Eline turned toward her fully now, eyes half-lidded and voice dripping with amusement. "Oh? Then you won't mind if I… borrow him for a drink later?"
"No." Ai's answer was immediate, sharp, and final.
Eline made a small, mock pout. "How cruel."
Shiki chuckled low, clearly enjoying the sparks flying between them. "You two are gonna set this place on fire."
Ai ignored him, instead leaning in close enough to Eline that their foreheads almost touched. "Listen carefully," she said softly, her tone deceptively sweet. "He is mine. My husband. My anchor. You want to play games? Pick another man."
The words came out of her mouth before she think them up and instnatly regretted them but she couldn't step down, not yet.
Eline's brows lifted slightly at the word. "Anchor?"
Shiki, curious, looked at Ai. "Anchor?"
Ai didn't break her gaze with Eline as she answered. "The one that keeps me steady. The one I can't be without."
Shiki's smirk faltered just a bit—just enough to show he felt the weight of that.
Eline… only smiled wider. "How romantic," she said lightly, though something in her eyes flickered. "But anchors can be… heavy. Sometimes people let go."
Ai leaned back slowly, her smile never touching her eyes. "Not me. And not him."
Shiki's lips twitched. "You sound pretty sure."
"That's because I am," Ai said, finally looking at him with that stubborn, warm fire he'd grown used to.
Eline's gaze flicked between them, her teasing tone returning. "My, my. Married life must be so fun for you, Master Shiki."
"It has its moments," he replied easily, his hand sliding across the bench until it rested over Ai's. Her fingers curled around his instinctively.
Ai gave a small, victorious smirk in Eline's direction. "See? Anchored."
The maid tapped her lip thoughtfully. "Mmm. I suppose I'll have to try harder next time."
Ai's smile sharpened. "You won't get a next time."
Shiki, sensing the tension cresting again, decided to pour fuel on the fire instead of calming it. "You two should duel."
Both women turned toward him at once.
Eline arched a brow. "A duel?"
Ai tilted her head. "What kind?"
He grinned. "Doesn't matter. Knife throwing, drinking contest, verbal sparring—winner gets bragging rights."
"I don't need bragging rights," Ai said flatly. "I already have him."
Eline laughed, standing smoothly. "Well, Master Shiki, I look forward to seeing how long she can keep her grip on you."
"Forever," Ai shot back instantly.
Eline only winked, turning away with that same graceful sway in her hips as she walked back to the counter.
The moment she was gone, Ai exhaled sharply and looked at Shiki. "You enjoyed that way too much."
He shrugged. "Can you blame me? Two beautiful women fighting over me? That's the dream."
Ai's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Keep dreaming, husband."
He grinned. "Husband, huh?"
Her cheeks flushed. "You heard nothing."
"Oh, I heard everything."
Ai groaned, hiding her face in her hands. Shiki leaned back, watching her with that infuriatingly smug expression, the ghost of her "anchor" declaration still lingering between them like unspoken heat.
And then—
"Sir… Ma'am…"
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END OF CHAPTER : 16 : THEY MET!
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