Chapter 47
“Will this really work?”
When Reina asked with a dubious expression, Rose affirmed.
“Of course.”
“But still, it seems too excessive……. I’m worried it might unnecessarily concern those around.”
Rose’s plan was simple.
Reina, unfamiliar with the layout of Crencia Castle, getting lost and wandering.
Crencia Castle was very vast, making it easy to get lost.
Even the servants didn’t memorize all the paths and only used the ones they knew.
Occasionally, there were those who took the wrong path, wandered, and nearly got frostbite or froze to death.
So, no matter how much Kaiden, he wouldn’t be able to stay still upon hearing news of her disappearance.
The method to catch a fleeing opponent was simple.
Set a trap so they come on their own feet.
But Reina was still suspicious.
She wasn’t sure if he would personally move for something like this.
Wouldn’t it be more convenient to send servants to search?
“It won’t work. It feels like unnecessarily bothering everyone. Even now, I should just go find Kaiden myself…….”
“Madam.”
Rose grabbed Reina’s shoulder as she turned and said seriously.
“With such a weak mindset, you won’t be able to meet the Duke within today.”
“Ah.”
“You said you have something you must say. At this rate, you’ll be chasing the Duke’s tail for three days, is that okay?”
Three days!
That would be more than enough time after the fever had passed.
Reina firmly steeled her weakening resolve.
“Okay. I’ll try.”
“Good. Then I’ll keep watch nearby. I’ll signal when the Duke comes near, so don’t go too far.”
Having finished speaking, Rose disappeared.
Reina slowly walked into the maze garden.
This place was a garden located on the west side of Crencia Castle, a somewhat difficult path for first-timers.
A perfect place to excuse naturally getting lost.
Since she had checked the exit in advance with Rose, there was no hesitation in her steps.
Reina began to slowly stroll through the garden wherever her feet took her.
The air was quite cold, but since she came fully prepared, she wasn’t cold.
Rather, with a feeling of refreshment inside, Reina took a deep breath.
How long had she been strolling like that.
When no signal came from Rose for a while, and she was returning to her spot.
Suddenly appearing Kaiden grabbed her.
“You hid really well.”
“Ah.”
“Do you know how much I searched? Why on earth are you here……!”
Kaiden grumbled and held his breath.
His hair was disheveled, as if he had rushed around quite a bit.
At a glance, it was a face that had wandered searching for her.
He really came.
Reina felt a strange feeling.
It seemed a bit pleasing that he personally stepped in for something that could have been left to servants.
His deeply furrowed face was just about to start nagging her.
At that time, she tidied his hair and said.
“Why did you come?”
“What?”
“You avoided me all day. Why did you come on your own feet?”
At the blaming words, Kaiden moved his lips.
Even with ten mouths, he had nothing to say. He touched the back of his head and said.
“How could I stay still when you disappeared. You’re someone who’s very sensitive to cold, do you know how worried I was that you might get lost and freeze to death?”
Of course, he couldn’t stop his voice from rising toward the end.
It was because he was that shocked.
Reina, seeing him suppressing his anger because of her, confessed honestly.
“Getting lost was a lie.”
“What?”
“You fell into a trap.”
At the words full of subtle laughter, Kaiden made a bewildered expression.
After a moment, realizing he had fallen for a trick, he was dumbfounded.
“On purpose?”
Thinking he had searched the castle like a madman without knowing, his face grew hot.
Inwardly, he found himself absurd for being relieved just that she was safe.
Reina said triumphantly.
“You’re more careless than I thought.”
No.
He wasn’t a careless person at all.
He just fell for it because it was Reina’s matter.
Normally, he wouldn’t have acted without thinking ahead like this.
Only then realizing he had handled it too emotionally, Kaiden let out a hollow laugh.
‘I’m completely crazy.’
To not care about consequences even for something like this.
He couldn’t even imagine what would happen if Reina were in danger.
The emotion called love was this terrifying.
Like this, it was worse than his younger brother.
When Kaiden fell silent, Reina subtly asked.
“Are you angry?”
“No.”
“Then will you run away again?”
“I won’t.”
At the compliant attitude, Reina felt relieved.
Before she knew it, the sun was setting.
Feeling that not much time was left, Reina grabbed his hand.
“I have something to say.”
At that time, Kaiden snatched her hand. Then he made a serious expression.
“Kaiden?”
“First, it would be good to go to a warm place and warm up your body. We can talk then.”
Anyway, once the fever starts soon, even the ice-cold hand will boil hot.
Kaiden rubbed her hand and scolded.
“Just how much did you wander. You’re sensitive to cold yet wandering without gloves. If your fingers freeze off, it’ll be too late to regret, you know?”
Reina quietly moved as he led.
However, not long after, he lifted her up in his arms.
“This won’t do. Waiting for your pace, we won’t make it back today.”
For someone who avoided all morning, it was a bold action.
Reina wrapped her arms around his neck and murmured.
“I’ll get warm soon anyway.”
“No way. Right now you’re like ice. Even groundwater is less cold…….”
Kaiden grumbled and then hesitated.
The body that was cold until just now was becoming strangely hot.
She also felt the change in her body and bit her lower lip.
“Actually, there’s something I haven’t told you.”
“What is this? Is your body broken or something? Why suddenly…….”
Kaiden grabbed her wrist and asked fiercely.
The arm’s temperature was boiling unnaturally.
Her consciousness was blurring.
She forced her flickering eyes open and held onto her mind.
“Don’t worry too much. It’s just a sign that the divine beast’s power is about to manifest.”
“What do you mean…….”
Kaiden made a dumbfounded expression and then was shocked.
“Don’t tell me you knew the fever would come? That’s why you suggested pulling the banquet forward by a day?”
As expected, Kaiden was sharp. Skipping unnecessary explanations, she answered calmly.
“Yes.”
At that moment, Kaiden felt like he was hit on the head with a hammer.
The divine beast’s power was an unknown realm.
It was a private ability to the extent that even royals didn’t share deeply with each other.
So, hearing that there was such a sign during manifestation was a first.
His insides churned.
He was angry at Reina’s attitude of not cherishing her body at all.
“Then all the more you should have stayed in your room! Not wandering in a place like this!”
Kaiden’s voice gradually rose.
What if she had recklessly wandered lost and the fever started.
Even if it was setting a trap, there was no need to abuse her body like this.
It was an attitude of easily turning even herself into a means.
It might be an excessive thought, but he was suddenly scared that a day might come when she throws herself as bait.
Reina let out a laugh for no reason.
If she said it was a bit pleasing that he was angry because of her, would he get even angrier.
“I wanted to meet you quickly that much.”
“…….”
“Because after the fever ends, I won’t be able to see anymore.”
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By Anna 💓
