Chapter 13
Reina, seemingly surprised as well, widened her eyes and asked back.
“Yes? But shouldn’t we go to the north as soon as possible?”
At the words that hit the nail on the head, Kaiden flinched but deliberately continued speaking as if unperturbed.
“It was supposed to be that way originally. But thanks to you telling me where Goreth’s egg is, it saved me some work.”
It was fortunate that a suitable excuse came to mind just in time.
Reina brightened up at the mention that she had discovered the location of Goreth’s egg.
“I’m glad I could be of even a little help.”
At her words that seemed to downplay her own contribution, Kaiden frowned and corrected her.
“It’s not just a little help. Honestly, I’m worrying a lot about how to repay you. So if there’s something you want, tell me.”
“Then I’ll take touring the Grand Temple as repayment. There are places I want to see anyway.”
Only then did Reina happily accept.
If she refused again here, he was thinking of forcing her to tour it anyway.
Somehow, he kept feeling weak in front of her.
Rather than because of sympathy, a bit more…….
The feeling was strange, but seeing her smile filled him with satisfaction.
Just then, the carriage stopped in front of the Grand Temple.
A priest who had been contacted in advance greeted them.
“Welcome, Duke Crencia. Princess Reina. I’ve been waiting after receiving word of your arrival. I heard you’d be heading straight to the north?”
“No. The schedule has changed, so I’d like to stay for today.”
At Kaiden’s words, the priest showed reluctance and said.
“Oh dear. It’s currently a special prayer period, so there’s only one VIP room left.”
Glancing at Kaiden and Reina afterward, he said.
“It seems you two will have to share it, is that alright?”
“I can camp with the knights, so guide Reina to that room.”
It was when Kaiden reacted nonchalantly.
Reina, startled, grabbed his sleeve.
“Yes? You’re going to sleep outside?”
“Then are you planning to share it?”
“Then use separate ones?”
At Reina’s bold retort, Kaiden blinked.
It was a face that didn’t even know what she herself was saying.
As Kaiden pondered how to refuse, the priest interjected.
“It won’t be uncomfortable for the two of you to use. If I let the Duke sleep on the street like this, His Eminence will reprimand me.”
“No, I’m really fine…….”
“After all, aren’t you a married couple acknowledged by His Majesty the Emperor?”
At the priest’s unexpected question, Kaiden lost the words to refute.
As he said, publicly, the two had become a married couple.
They had even skipped the wedding ceremony using the northern affairs as an excuse, so insisting on separate rooms here would inevitably raise suspicions.
Following that, even Reina took the priest’s side.
“The priest is right. Now that we’re married, it’s right to share.”
In the end, Kaiden couldn’t refuse the priest’s earnest request and accepted with silence.
And when they arrived at the room following the priest’s guidance, Kaiden had to conflict once again.
As it was the last remaining VIP room, it was smaller than a regular guest room.
Especially seeing that there was only one bed, Kaiden wanted to go back out.
In his view, the bed was ridiculously small for two to sleep on.
Of course, it only looked particularly small to his eyes; it wasn’t a size where two couldn’t lie down.
Reina, who was unpacking her luggage familiarly, discovered Kaiden making a serious expression in front of the bed and tilted her head.
“Is there perhaps a problem with the bed?”
“There are plenty of problems. How on earth are we supposed to sleep here?”
As Kaiden frowned, Reina stopped unpacking and headed to the bed.
Following that, as she sat on the bed and bounced up and down, she said calmly.
“You must have grown up more delicately than I thought.”
“What?”
“In my opinion, there doesn’t seem to be any particular problem with the bed.”
Realizing the meaning of her words belatedly, Kaiden clicked his tongue lowly.
It was because he noticed too late that she was misunderstanding strangely.
“No, I’m not picky about sleeping places…….”
“Then it’s fine. I like this room.”
At Reina’s innocently uttered words, the bedroom became quiet.
If he said more, he’d really end up as a picky noble who’s fussy about sleeping places.
In the end, unable to raise any more complaints, he just let out exasperated sighs repeatedly.
Unable to shake the feeling that he was somehow getting swept up by her, he said.
“Are you originally this nonchalant about everything?”
“About what?”
Reina still had a face that didn’t properly realize what situation she was in.
In the light blue eyes looking up at him, there was no fear at all.
He couldn’t understand why she regarded him so comfortably.
It wasn’t the kind of look one would show to someone they’d only met a few times.
That’s why. The reason he kept getting swayed by her.
Kaiden approached closely to Reina who was sitting on the bed.
“I’m saying this because you seem to have no particular awareness about sharing a room alone with me.”
Following that, blocking both her sides with his arms, he continued.
“How can you be so carefree, knowing what I might do to you?”
Only then did Reina’s gaze tremble lightly.
Belatedly recalling the meaning of a man and woman sleeping in one room, she asked quietly.
“Then is today the day we consummate our marriage?”
“What?”
Kaiden instead swallowed a gasp at the bold question that came rushing in.
But Reina’s words didn’t end there.
“I’ve been prepared since I went to find Kaiden. Even though it’s a contract marriage, if you want an heir, I’ll gladly fulfill the marital duties…….”
“Wait……!”
He backed away midway through listening to Reina’s words.
It was because her rushing words made his whole body heat up as if scorched by fire.
At that, she also stopped speaking and stared blankly.
Seeing that innocent and calm face, Kaiden was dumbfounded.
He had just tried to warn her because she seemed too unconcerned.
Instead, his head spun at the bold question bringing up marital duties and asking if he wanted an heir.
Kaiden said with a fully flustered face.
“What are you saying right now?”
“Yes? Was there something problematic in what I said?”
“Plenty, very much.”
Though Kaiden grumbled in protest, Reina still had a face that didn’t understand.
Seeing her utterly clueless expression, he felt like he’d go crazy and jump around.
Kaiden, messing up his hair, said firmly.
“I’m making it clear. I have no intention of forcing that on you at all. From the start, just thinking that I’d force such a thing is unpleasant.”
His flustered and hardened face distorted more scarily than usual.
For her who didn’t know this, it was a appearance that could very much be misunderstood.
Reina blankly stared at Kaiden who somehow seemed angry.
Though love doesn’t exist in this marriage, anyway, the two had formed a marital bond.
She had thought that as a duke, he’d surely need an heir, so she might have to bear his successor.
She had just said something natural.
She hadn’t expected such an intense reaction.
“Do you hate it that much ?”
Well, it might be a bit awkward to be skin-to-skin with her whom he’d only met a few times now.
From the time she decided to go to the north with him, she had prepared for everything, but Kaiden probably hadn’t.
So judging that this situation might be a bit embarrassing for him now, Reina immediately accepted.
“I understand.”
Of course, the feeling of being rejected wasn’t very good.
Reina, finding it hard to manage her expression, bowed her head deeply.
Naturally, an uncomfortable atmosphere flowed in the bedroom.
Kaiden became awkward seeing Reina who suddenly deflated.
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By Anna 💓
