"You mean you are from the royal blood?" Arwen asked, holding the fork mid-air, waiting for him to answer as she still processed everything she had just learned about the Winslow family history.

    Aiden shook his head as he sliced his meat elegantly before taking a bite. "We founded this country. We aren''t the royals. We were the ones who backed the royals and helped them administer it with our resources and shared capability," he said calmly, as if discussing something that wasn''t astonishing.

    "The royals still exist in our country, which means you still hold the power over them?" Arwen blinked at him in pure amazement.

    Aiden turned to her just in time to catch the adorable expression on her face. Shaking his head, he corrected, "We hold the authority over them."

    "We?"

    Nodding, he hummed in response. "Yes—''we'' as in you too. You are a Winslow now."

    Although Arwen was a Quinn, the wealthiest among many, having authority over royalty didn''t come from wealth. It''s a privilege that''s possessed by rarest of the rare-s.

    Her heart skipped a beat at how easily Aiden included her in such a powerful position. Did he really trust her that much? After just two days of knowing he, he didn''t flinch while giving her rights over everything?

    Was this what he meant when he said that he didn''t do contract marriages? That if it happens, it happens for real?@@@@

    Arwen felt a wave of warmth engulfed her heart. It was overwhelming, so she quickly pushed the fork into her mouth, savouring the pasta that had been waiting. And the moment the taste hit her, a moan escaped her lips and her eyes closed, savouring the deliciously familiar taste.

    "Mhmm ... Delicious!" she complimented.

    Arwen''s eyes widened in surprise as she pointed at herself to ask, "Me?"

    Aiden nodded nonchalantly, as if the idea was completely reasonable. "You sent everyone away earlier. They must have already left. So, with no one else around, you will have to help me."

    She remembered. She had asked them all to retire for the evening. But...

    "Can''t we just call them back?" she asked, feeling a little nervous inside.

    Aiden noticed her expression and smiled internally. "We could, but with you here, if they come to help me bathe, it might..." He trailed off, leaving the thought unfinished, but Arwen understood what he meant. He had said he wanted a real marriage, and now, as his wife, it would be strange for others to help him with such personal matters. It would certainly raise suspicions.

    It would only be right if she helped him.

    "Fine, I will help you," she agreed, stepping towards him ignoring a hard thump she felt inside her chest. "Let me help you bathe first . I will freshen up afterward."

    Aiden fingers curled tightly, but he nodded, keeping his demeanour all calm and composed.

    Arwen went into the bathroom, returning with a basin of water and the necessary supplies. It took her a while to gather everything, but she found what she needed. "I have got everything here. Are you ready—" Her last word stretched out longer than needed but she couldn''t help. The sight before her was simply too much to process calmly.

    "W–What are you doing?" she asked, trying her best to not let her composure falter.

    Aiden looked up at her without a hint of embarrassment. "Taking off my clothes. I thought you would be uncomfortable doing it for me. Did I read something wrong?"