Supreme Spouse System.

Chapter 530: Chapter

Davis Fireheart stood near the stables, his coat half-buttoned, quietly preparing for his trip to Velmora City. A few servants scurried around him, double-checking luggage and tightening the straps on the horses. The scent of morning dew mixed with the faint tang of metal from his weapon.

While Davis prepared to leave, Isabella was helping with the housework alongside the other servants.

She had begun to enjoy her chores lately. There was a simple peace in sweeping the halls and folding freshly dried laundry. Her clumsiness had softened into something almost endearing, and the other servants had started to praise her gentle attention to detail.

Except, of course... for one particular skill.

She was awful at cooking.

"...Isabella! You can’t hold the knife like that!"

"Hurry, stop her! She’s gonna cut her hands at this rate!!"

—Smack!

"Oh my god, she chopped the chopping board!"

"The fire! Turn the fire off first!! Bring water—quick!!"

"Noooo! The potatoes turned black!!!"

That chaotic morning had gone down in household legend. The servants still chuckled about it whenever they passed the kitchen. Since then, Isabella had been banned—by unanimous decision—from ever cooking again.

Though she was heartbroken for a while, her spirits lifted when they promised to teach her "someday... when you’re older."

"Isabella, could you bring me the laundry?"

"Yeah!" she answered brightly.

The day had started like any other.

Carrying a basket of folded clothes, Isabella stepped into the yard—and froze.

A line of carriages stood waiting near the main gate. The same one she’d ridden before... the same one from the Nine Day of the Flames ceremony.

"Huh...?"

But this time, there were more—dozens, all lined up like a convoy ready to cross the continent.

She tilted her head, puzzled, then spotted one of the servants she knew.

"Hina! What are those carriages for?"

"Oh, that?" Hina paused, wiping her hands on her apron. "The Young Master is heading to Velmora City."

"Ehh? Young Master is leaving?"

"Yes. The Second Elder ordered these prepared just last night."

A few more servants overheard and joined the conversation.

"You didn’t know, Isabella? Surprising. You’re his direct servant."

"Maybe because she’s still young," another teased. "Besides, they’ll be gone for a whole month."

"Ah... that makes sense."

"...A m-month?"

A month.

Isabella’s bright eyes widened, trembling slightly.

The Young Master would be gone... for that long?

Her heart felt oddly heavy, though she didn’t understand why. She pressed a hand to her chest.

"W-When are they leaving?"

"Soon. The Young Master’s probably waking up around now."

Isabella stood there in stunned silence, feeling something strange twist in her stomach.

The servant noticed her expression and smiled gently, patting her soft blonde hair.

"Tell you what, after we finish the laundry, help me move food from the storage to the carriage. How about that?"

"...Yeah."

"Want a chikki?"

"Yeah!"

After finishing the laundry, Isabella joined the servants in stocking the carriage with food.

"Is this enough? It’s a long trip."

"They’ll probably buy more along the way."

"I just hope the Young Master eats properly for a month," one sighed.

Another leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You think the Young Master’s changed lately?"

"That’s true," a third said. "I bumped into him the other day—he asked me if I was alright!"

"It was a real bump? Not just brushing past him?"

"I swear! And he didn’t even glare!"

Everyone laughed softly.

"Working feels so much easier these days," one murmured. "It’s strange, but... nice."

By the time their chatter quieted, the carriages were well-stocked.

Isabella glanced around, then asked, "Will this carriage go with the Young Master?"

"Yes. Now we just need to prepare their clo—"

"Hina! The Second Elder is here!"

"Ah, coming! Let’s go, Isabella."

"Yes!"

But as Isabella turned to follow her, a voice—soft and unfamiliar—echoed in her mind.

Wait.

She froze.

The courtyard was empty except for the carriages. The servants had all rushed off.

"Wh... Who’s there?" she whispered.

No response.

Heart pounding, she glanced around, then peeked into the nearest carriage.

It was empty—aside from baskets of food and neatly tied bundles.

"Maybe... I’m just hearing things," she murmured, climbing halfway inside to check.

Then—

Someone pushed her.

"Ahh!"

She tumbled in, hitting the floor with a small yelp. "Ow..."

Sitting up, she scanned the carriage again. No one. Just a few scattered carrots rolling from the jolt.

"What’s going on..."

Before she could crawl out—

"So, when do I set out?"

Her breath caught. That voice.

The Young Master.

Davis Fireheart.

He was right outside.

If she stayed quiet... she could go with him.

Her fingers twisted around her dress hem. The idea was reckless. Stupid. But also... exciting.

’If I hide, he won’t even notice.’

She was confident—no one could beat her at hide-and-seek. Not even her grandpa.

’Still... should I really go?’

Leaving without permission scared her. Going somewhere far, without her grandpa, scared her even more.

She shook her head quickly.

’No. If I wait, he’ll come back.’

She began to stand—

Wait.

The same voice.

Her body stiffened.

"...!"

She slipped again and fell with a soft thud.

That voice—it was familiar. But from where?

"Go! This old man has already done everything. All you have to do is set off!"

"What kind of send-off is this...?"

Then came the neigh of the horses—

Neiighhh!

"Hieee!"

The carriage lurched forward.

Panic surged through her chest.

"W-What do I do?! What do I do?!"

As the Fireheart estate vanished behind her, Isabella felt something touch her hair.

A gentle hand. Warm. Comforting.

The sensation lulled her, the world softening around her edges.

Then, a whisper:

Sorry... but take care.

Her eyelids grew heavy. Darkness took her.

When she woke again, it was night. The carriage was swaying gently. Carrots were scattered in front of her.

And opposite her—arms crossed, expression dark—sat Davis Fireheart.

He had listened to everything.

"So," Davis said slowly, eyes narrowing, "you were possessed by a ghost, which is why you got on the carriage. And it’s not your fault, right?"

"Yes! That’s right!" she said with innocent confidence.

He raised an eyebrow. "Then what about the carrot in your mouth?"

"...I was hungry. And there were only carrots."

Davis sighed, pressing a hand over his eyes.