Chapter 108
Ben, who had been coughing as if sprinkled with sand, looked at the two people in disbelief.
Ben was one of those who knew that the two were a contract couple.
He thought that sharing the same bedroom was also to deceive the emperor’s eyes.
The previous conversation was a reaction as if the two had already consummated their marriage. Ben was appalled.
“W-When, when did that happen?”
“It’s been a while.”
Kaiden muttered awkwardly, averting his gaze. Ben’s eyes turned to Reina.
Reina was smiling awkwardly with flushed cheeks.
“My God. Goodness, ……No. Something like this…….”
Ben burst out exclamations one after another while choosing his words.
From the perspective of someone who had watched Kaiden’s long unrequited love, he hadn’t noticed at all that the atmosphere between the two had changed.
It was natural since the two had been acting no differently than usual.
After a moment, Ben said.
“Congratulations.”
“Ahem. It’s nothing to make a fuss about.”
Kaiden made an embarrassed expression, and Reina fanned her reddened cheeks with her hand.
Ben continued sincerely.
“I don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this day.”
“Enough of that. At this rate, Reina’s face is going to explode.”
“Kaiden!”
Reina let out a shrill scream and slapped Kaiden’s arm.
Seeing Kaiden laughing as if even that was good somehow made Ben feel oddly unwell.
Reina cautioned Ben.
“Please continue to check on Jeffrey’s condition.”
“Isn’t it dangerous to leave him like this? Today it was just this kind of happening, but next time he might do something even more dangerous.”
It was already proven that Jeffrey had lost control of his own body and was obeying the empror.
Keeping an opponent who could become a threat at any time in the Crencia mansion was extremely dangerous.
It was said in that sense, but Kaiden’s answer was quick.
“Originally, every matter comes with risks. Preparing for foreseeable dangers is also my responsibility. Don’t burden Reina.”
“……I’m sorry. I unknowingly overstepped.”
Ben quickly apologized. Reina said to him.
“I’ve already obtained a clue that could improve Jeffrey’s condition. So please trust me and wait a little longer.”
“Understood.”
Ben smiled faintly and left the seat.
When they were left alone, Reina said to Kaiden.
“Are you really okay?”
“Why? If I’m not okay, are you going to help?”
“I’m not joking!”
Reina reacted coyly and examined his body.
In the process of finally using even Ritsi’s power to check on him, Reina inexplicably felt thirsty.
The poison should have been detoxified long ago. It was because she felt hot desire from him.
Reina felt every day how desperately he wanted her.
Even without borrowing Ritsi’s power like this, he constantly tempted her with his eyes, touch, and voice.
At that moment, Kaiden cupped Reina’s cheeks and said.
“I’m not joking either. I’m always serious with you.”
“…….”
“Can I kiss you?”
At Kaiden’s obvious question, Reina gently closed her eyes.
After a moment, a hot breath touched her lips.
Reina leaned against his chest and quietly enjoyed the sweetness he gave her.
The hand gently brushing her hair was affectionate.
In contrast, the hand exploring her waist was hot and rough.
As every night, Reina and Kaiden explored each other without knowing the passage of time.
And they realized. That beyond the relationship where the walls had been torn down, infinite newness unfolded.
The more they got to know each other, the more emotions they didn’t know about themselves were awakened.
They wanted to keep staying attached, and when separated, it was somehow hard to endure the regret.
For the first time, Reina thought she wanted to monopolize someone.
And that Kaiden was no different.
The two could no longer pretend not to know.
* * *
In the emperor’s bedroom, pale moonlight was illuminating the floor.
After a while, a man appeared from between the moon shadows, concealing his presence.
Feeling the man’s presence, the emperor slowly shifted his gaze.
Since he had been waiting for him to come, the emperor opened his mouth without hesitation.
“How did it go?”
“Jeffrey has completed the order.”
“Did you confirm it directly?”
“Yes.”
At the man’s clear words, the emperor smiled crookedly.
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
The emperor had attached a shadow to monitor Jeffrey’s every move.
Even after staying in the Crencia mansion, there was no exception.
Compared to the north, the Crencia mansion located in Lunin had lax security.
Even if the security was strict, as long as Jeffrey was in the mansion, it was advantageous to the emperor.
He would have no choice but to blindly follow his words.
Moreover, Reina did not suspect at all that her long-missing older brother had suddenly appeared.
Instead, she was happy and gave him her side.
Such carelessness satisfied the emperor.
Anyway, as long as she gave birth to a child, it didn’t matter what happened to Reina.
The emperor smiled vilely, looking forward to that day coming as soon as possible.
12. Holy Day
In front of the grand temple, a procession of envoys lined up and entered. The priests who came out to greet them courteously welcomed the distinguished guests.
“Welcome to the Mernie Empire. During your stay, we will serve you with all our hearts at the Lunin Temple.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
As Isadal briefly paid his respects, a light of admiration appeared in the priests’ eyes.
It was significant that the most promising candidate for the next pope chose Mernie as his first assignment.
When he became pope in the future, many benefits would be given to the Mernie church.
Moreover, Cardinal Isadal possessed the most powerful divine power among the existing priests.
A being so abundantly loved by God that even the current pope could not treat Isadal carelessly.
Despite his young age, he had deep wisdom, making him already an insurmountable wall.
Meanwhile, Isadal paid no attention to the priests’ gazes and blankly looked around.
Even though it was land he was stepping on for the first time, he had memories, so it was not unfamiliar.
While he was slowly examining the surroundings, Mikael, who had finished his duties, greeted briefly.
“Then I will take my leave. His Majesty said he would request a meeting soon, so please rest well until then.”
“Thank you for your hard work on the long journey. Thanks to you, I came comfortably.”
Mikael left, and accommodations were assigned.
Upon arriving at the accommodations and unpacking, a priest fussed.
Originally, the room assigned to Isadal was the lodging where the high priests stayed.
But because Isadal requested to go to the lodging where the novice priests stayed, they had no choice but to change the accommodations.
“You said we should escort him to a better place…….”
“Then it wouldn’t be ascetic practice. This is sufficient for me.”
When Isadal repeatedly politely refused, the priest reluctantly withdrew.
Finally left alone, Isadal let out a low sigh.
He had expected such things the moment he revealed his power, but it was more uncomfortable than he thought.
Even when he helped Kaiden in the past, he was merely a low-ranking priest.
Thanks to that, it was perfect for helping quietly.
In this life, there were things he had to find out about Jeffrey, so he had no choice but to show his power.
The higher the priest rank, the easier it is to command holy knights or use the power of the holy nation.
‘This way, it won’t be easy to meet separately…….’
Lunin is a place full of the emperor’s eyes.
If careless, being caught meeting Reina could ruin things.
With Kaiden, secret meetings would be possible, but with Reina, it was not easy.
He would have no choice but to substitute with official meetings as much as possible and use the Hook Trading Company as before.
‘I should bribe a trustworthy priest soon.’
Isadal shifted his gaze toward the direction where the Crencia mansion was.
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