Chapter 85
The overt sign of not wanting to date openly stimulated Arteon’s competitive spirit.
Developing a great interest in a woman who has no interest in him at all is, in a way, a male instinct.
“No matter what, I have no plans to meet with the guild master on the weekend.”
Then, she held out her palm and demanded the note.
“So, give it to me nicely while I’m asking politely.”
“Why? If I don’t give it, are you going to take it?”
“Do you think I can’t?”
As Rose’s eyes flashed sharply, Arteon swallowed hard.
Do all northerners learn how to handle killing intent or something?
Recalling an old trauma, Arteon quietly handed over the note.
“……Just give it to me.”
“If you do this again next time, I’ll report it to the madam.”
Having finished her warning, Rose put the note in her reticule and stood up.
Then, Arteon also stood up and said.
“I still have business left.”
Then, he held out a box. Rose frowned at the box that appeared to contain jewels.
“I don’t need it.”
She probably thought it was a gift offensive following the date request.
Arteon smirked.
“It’s not for you; it’s something sent from the Holy Kingdom.”
At the mention of the Holy Kingdom, Rose made an “oh” expression.
With an embarrassed expression, Rose coyly received the box.
“You should have said so sooner.”
“You were trying to leave without giving me a chance to speak.”
“It’s because you were saying weird things.”
“So, are you free on the weekend?”
As Arteon joked again, Rose frowned deeply and left the office.
Bang-!
Arteon burst into laughter at the door sound that revealed her discomfort. Then, lying flat on the sofa, he muttered.
“Ah, what to do? I think I’m falling for her.”
* * *
Just a few hours ago.
The grand nobles’ meeting was always a thin ice where fights over individual interests took place.
As emerging nobles and grand nobles gathered to discuss the empire’s future, the meetings were always long and boring.
Moreover, this time, with the guardian of the north, Kaiden Crensia attending, everyone had given up expecting the meeting to end quickly.
Usually, the emperor would pick a fight with the duke, and the duke would unnecessarily confront him, disturbing the emperor’s mood.
But.
“I’m glad to see the duke again like this.”
Has the emperor gone mad?
The emperor, who was always busy finding fault with Duke Crensia, was welcoming him with a smile on his lips today.
Moreover, it wasn’t just the emperor who was strange.
“You personally delivered the letter, so as a subject, there’s no reason not to come.”
Even the duke’s unusually polite attitude today.
The nobles all quickly racked their brains at this sudden change.
A change occurred in Crensia’s actions, who hadn’t belonged to either the emperor’s faction or the nobles’ faction until now.
‘He took the princess as his wife. Is he trying to join the emperor’s faction?’
Everyone’s eyes focused on the emperor and the duke.
In fact, Kaiden was also flustered by the emperor’s change in attitude, but there was no reason to refuse it.
Originally, if the emperor hadn’t interfered in northern affairs every time, he wouldn’t have clashed.
Thus, it was the fastest meeting ended since the current emperor’s ascension.
“Ah, Duke.”
The emperor called Kaiden who was leaving the meeting room.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Have you received the gifts I’ve sent so far? There’s no reaction even after receiving them.”
At that moment, Kaiden’s expression hardened.
Over the past year, the emperor frequently sent medicinal herbs and potions good for vitality.
All materials good for pregnancy. Seeing this, Reina said quietly.
“The emperor wants a child between you and me.”
“Why on earth?”
“It must mean there’s value in using it. After all, it’s a life inheriting the blood of Mernie and Crensia.”
At that moment, Reina’s eyes were so cold.
Kaiden immediately realized that the utilization value she was talking about wasn’t in a good way.
Probably, just like erasing Jeffrey from this world, intending to do the same to their child.
How dare this greedy old man covet even his child.
Stunned, he suppressed the urge to chop his neck right away and feigned ignorance.
“……Did you perhaps not receive the replies? I believe Reina sent them every time.”
As Kaiden made a puzzled expression, the emperor grinned.
“I always received the replies. But that’s not the reaction I want.”
“…….”
“If the relationship between husband and wife isn’t bad, there should be some news by now. Perhaps you don’t like Reina?”
“That can’t be.”
As Kaiden forced a smile, the emperor gave a sardonic smile.
It was hard to discern if Kaiden’s reaction was false or not.
It would be good to use his ability, but unfortunately, his power didn’t work on Crensia.
Then, there’s only one way to confirm properly.
“Soon, I’ll invite you and Reina to a banquet. You are now truly my son-in-law who has been granted the Mernie surname, aren’t you?”
Kaiden swallowed a bitter smile as Reina was mentioned.
Having already heard from her what the emperor’s ability was, he discerned the impurity of his intention.
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”
* * *
“So, the emperor says he’ll invite you and me to a banquet soon.”
Kaiden, who explained everything that happened in the meeting, didn’t hide his uncomfortable expression.
Reina hardened her face at the word banquet.
Seeing her clearly unwelcoming attitude, Kaiden continued.
“If you’re not up for it, I’ll go alone. Say you’re sick.”
“No. If I do that, he’ll use any means to put me in front of you.”
Yes. Not responding to the emperor’s call would unnecessarily give an excuse to the madman.
He had to pretend to follow the emperor’s will appropriately and strike from behind.
Moreover, there was something to confirm by meeting the emperor.
“Let’s go together.”
“But what if the emperor tries to use his ability on you.”
Kaiden made a reluctant expression at Reina’s affirmation.
He didn’t want her to take even a small risk. But Reina was firm.
“The current emperor has no interest in my ability. Moreover, what he’s curious about is something else. He’s probably trying to confirm if we’re properly spending the nights.”
“……Then it’s even more dangerous. It means the emperor will find out that we haven’t even spent our first night yet.”
“So, about that, Kaiden.”
Reina held Kaiden’s hand with a determined face. Feeling anxious, Kaiden stammered.
“Why, why that expression again?”
Because whenever she made that expression, she always embarrassed him with statements that far exceeded imagination.
As expected. Reina’s statement was truly shocking.
“I want us to share one bed while staying in the capital.”
“Share what?”
“One bed. Let’s sleep together.”
Thud.
Kaiden’s thoughts paralyzed at the sudden proposal.
He hasn’t even confessed yet, and she wants to sleep together.
Of course, as a married couple, such a thing isn’t unnatural.
However, starting from the previous statement about having a child, Reina kept skipping steps, embarrassing him.
“Re, Reina. I……”
The moment he difficultly parted his lips, Reina added an explanation.
“It’s literally just sharing the bed. So, no need to be so tense.”
“……What?”
What kind of new torture is that?
Kaiden blankly stared at Reina, who said naughty things with a kind face.
Whether she knew it or not, Reina was serious.
“I already know you don’t want a child yet. So, no need to worry that I’ll pounce on you.”
“No, what does that mean?”
“It’s because I said I want a child.”
“Huh.”
Unbelievable.
Who’s worrying about whom now?
