I'm so sorry for the hiatus! My cat had a scary medical emergency (she's fine!), and I have been pretty busy with grad school. I'll be uploading the final chapter tomorrow!

"What makes you think it was an accident?"

Munto stared down at his lover, openmouthed and wide-eyed.

Yumemi giggled at the expression. Munto's ego hardly ever allowed him to wear his emotions on his sleeve, but Yumemi had quickly earned the right to appreciate these rare moments.

At least weeks of work had not gone to waste.

It had started as an almost childish prank – just an innocent bid for attention.

Admitting that she was lonely was mortifying enough but to think that she was falling back on teasing was ridiculous.

Still, when they were at a gala event, as they were so often made to attend, Yumemi felt bored and tired and lonely. She had an abundance of people she knew and could talk to, but something about that specific night just felt so dull. She looked up from a glass of champagne to see her husband holding a conversation with two other major politicians. He looked engrossed by something one of his companions was saying, but Yumemi recognized the slight sag in his shoulders meant he was just as bored as her. She grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing server and made her way to Munto. He perked up slightly as he noticed her approach.

Yumemi smiled and slid up to his side. "Please excuse me," she announced politely, "I'm so sorry to intrude but it seems His Majesty's aide is calling for him." She handed him her extra glass and bowed her head. The politicians regarded her politely and bowed in return. Yumemi pressed a hand onto Munto's back to gently lead him away when a sudden thought came to mind.

A risqué thought.

As she was pushing a grateful Munto away, Yumemi's hand briefly lowered to his butt, and she gave it a brief yet firm squeeze.

Munto immediately stiffened. He turned, wide-eyed, to stare at Yumemi accusingly, but she just returned the look with a smile.

"Rui's waiting," Yumemi said sweetly before giving his back one last pat and walking away.

Oh, maybe she had found something interesting to do.

The next time was during a formal dinner.

Munto and Yumemi had gratefully accepted a dinner with a major political family from the Lower World. They had been treated to a lovely tour and were sitting together for an amazing banquet.

Fancy dinners where Yumemi had to worry about manners and political formalities made Yumemi miss the simple dinners she only occasionally got to spend with her family. It was honestly… exhausting.

At some point during the fourth course, Yumemi caught Munto's eye from across the table. He gave her a sympathetic 'I'm tired too' smile. Yumemi responded in kind until she remembered the other night at the gala. She stifled a laugh with a sip of water.

She watched Munto over the rim of her cup. He was turned and speaking to someone, so Yumemi made her move. She sunk down slightly in her seat and stuck her leg out. It bumped into Munto's foot briefly. He politely moved his away quickly without blinking, but Yumemi chased it. She slowly slid her foot up the side of his calf.

That caught his attention.

He held onto his conversation but was sending side glances Yumemi's way. She kept the cup up to her face to hide her smile.

Munto tried to shift his legs away, but Yumemi was not deterred. Finally, her foot made it up to his knee. Munto slipped his hand under the table and grabbed her ankle, giving it a tight squeeze. Yumemi tried to wiggle out of his grasp, but he held firm. He sent her a warning look, and Yumemi responded with a pout.

Munto laughed into his free hand before letting her go.

She had to do better.

Yumemi delighted in the challenge.

She was actually a pretty competitive person by nature. So, when Munto had given her a warning to stop, she absolutely understood it as a dare.

The next few days were filled with small teases: a squeeze of the butt, a meaningful linger of her fingers on Munto's neck, a slow lick of the lips (of course while maintaining eye contact). Each little encounter was in public places: parties, dinners, and meetings.

The looks Munto gave her each time ranged from surprise to warning to hopelessness as he could never retaliate publicly.

So, one day, he finally trapped her in the gardens.

Yumemi blinked owlishly at him. "What are you talking about?"

Munto groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. "Yumemi," he grunted, "You can't be serious."

It took everything in her power to hold back her laughter.

"You have to be more specific, dear."

Munto sucked in a breath through his teeth. He glanced around him before taking a step forward toward Yumemi. She instinctively stepped back but was immediately met with a tall hedge.

"Your… antics." Munto whispered low. His eyes flickered from her eyes to her lips and back. Yumemi felt a thrill rise in her stomach.

"Antics?" she repeated in the same whisper. She bit her bottom lip and her gaze travelled down.

"Your little… accidents." Munto said as his hand rose to tangle into her hair.

Yumemi's eyes snapped back up to meet his. "What makes you think it was an accident?" She finally broke, letting a bubble of laughter escape her lips once she saw Munto's shell-shocked expression.

"You're going to be the death of me," he groaned. "Do you understand that? You're going to kill a king."

Yumemi threw her head back in laughter before throwing her arms around his neck. Munto put his hands on her hips and raised her into the air to kiss away her laughs.