Chapter 92
She had sworn to herself that one day she would pin him down and make him stay, but the days slipped through her fingers like water.
After that, Kaiden was dragged to the palace so often it became exhausting.
while Reina was pulled in every direction by the social whirl. Meeting new people every night left her so drained that she fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.
At last the day arrived when husband and wife would appear together at an official function, the final performance of the opera sponsored by the Helio Foundation, followed by the reception.
Reina waited in their box with a heart that fluttered more violently than usual. Lily had taken special pains with her tonight, the gown, the jewels, the hair—everything was more splendid than ordinary days.
Kaiden had been summoned to the palace at dawn, so she had arrived alone.
Their seats were excellent—a couple’s box with one wide sofa meant for two. Spacious enough, yet still intimate.
Bored while waiting, she idly adjusted her opera glasses.
“Ahem.”
A deliberate cough, and Kaiden dropped onto the sofa. Seeing him in daylight after so long made her heart leap with simple joy.
“You’re early,” he said, voice oddly stiff, pressing himself against the far armrest as though trying to disappear into the corner.
Reina tilted her head. “What are you doing?”
“Hm?”
“Why are you hiding in the corner?”
Kaiden’s lips moved soundlessly. How could he possibly admit that if he sat any closer he would tremble uncontrollably and want to kiss her again, just like that night?
“I like corners,” he muttered, clinging stubbornly to his ridiculous excuse even while every nerve in his body screamed to slide his arm around her waist.
Reina watched him for a quiet moment, then spoke softly.
“Is that so?”
Without warning she rose, crossed the small space, and sat pressed against his side.
Kaiden flinched as her scent flooded over him.
She leaned fully into him, perfectly at ease, and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“…Isn’t it a little cramped?”
“Not at all. It’s exactly right for me.”
Kaiden felt like he was dying.
He sat there half-rigid, mentally reciting the military code, when Reina continued in that same calm, devastating voice,
“You like the corner. I like being glued to you. So we’re stuck, aren’t we?”
Silence.
“Shall we spend the whole performance uncomfortable?” she asked, eyes glittering with mischief. “Or shall we sit properly, comfortably, together?”
Kaiden surrendered on the spot.
“…Comfortably together sounds better.”
“I thought you’d say that.”
She smiled like sunrise and patted the place beside her.
He moved, slow and dazed, wondering if he was imagining how much bolder she had become.
When he finally settled, she leaned in until her breath brushed his ear.
“Did you know this opera is adapted from a novel?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s by my absolute favorite author…”
She began telling him about the original story in a low, happy murmur. Kaiden’s palms sweated. They were too close. The box was too dark. They were too alone. He could not concentrate on a single word.
Mid-sentence she was still explaining the author’s early works when he shot to his feet.
“Bathroom.”
He fled.
Reina stared after him, then burst into muffled laughter against her gloved hand.
It felt absurdly, wonderfully satisfying.
She had teased him on purpose—quiet revenge for all the nights he came home late, claiming “training.” Seeing his face after so long had made her feel playfully wicked.
Everything was different now that she knew his heart. Before, she would have sunk into gloom, convinced he was avoiding her again. Now all she felt was impatient for him to return.
And, yes, a delicious urge to torment him a little.
“…Hurry back,” she whispered to the empty seat.
A helpless smile curved her mouth.
The man who could sever a demon’s head without blinking was running from her because they were alone. It was unbearably cute.
But there was one thing Reina had not yet realized, the real reason he fled her every night.
Night conversations are not the same as daytime ones.
She had no idea that her husband was exhausting himself on the training grounds until dawn, precisely so he would not lose control when he finally came to her bed.
Meanwhile, in the washroom, Kaiden gripped the edge of the marble sink, heart hammering against his ribs.
“Why does she have to be this beautiful tonight of all nights?”
Lily had clearly decided to ruin him. Reina was always lovely, but tonight she was lethal.
Kaiden’s throat closed whenever he looked at her lately tonight it felt like it might never open again.
He managed to calm his pulse and stepped back into the corridor—only to collide with someone passing by.
A faint, almost imperceptible scent of blood.
He turned to see the man’s face, but the lights dimmed and the announcement rang out:
“The performance will begin shortly begin. Please take your seats.”
When he looked again, the corridor was empty.
* * *
After the opera came the reception—a grand affair filled with familiar faces.
Because it was Kaiden and Reina’s first public appearance as a couple, people approached them in a steady stream.
Only when the crowd finally thinned did Reina murmur, almost to herself, “I haven’t seen the young Duke and Duchess of Helio anywhere. I thought they were hosting tonight.”
Usually the hosts greeted guests at the door. Remembering the commotion just before curtain, Reina frowned.
Someone joined their conversation with a velvet-smooth voice.
“I heard His Grace the Duke Helio was attacked inside the theater. He’ll live, but he’ll be confined to bed for some time.”
Reina turned, startled. “Lord Mikael?”
“Lady Reina, it has been too long. Your Grace.” Mikael smiled with leisurely grace.
Since the suspicions from the past incident had largely cleared, Reina greeted him warmly.
“Who on earth would dare attack Duke Helio?”
“Well,” Mikael said lightly, “in the capital, the list is rather obvious, isn’t it? One of his political rivals.”
Reina could not argue. The head of the noble faction had enemies the way the sky has stars.
Still—something felt wrong.
If someone truly wanted him dead, they would never choose such a public place.
It felt almost… staged.
Kaiden, who had been listening in silence, spoke at last.
“They didn’t intend to kill him. It was a warning.”
“Who knows?” Mikael replied, smile unchanged. “Perhaps the assassin simply failed. Who would be so brazen as to warn someone openly?”
“Someone bold enough to strike on the duke’s own territory wouldn’t make an amateur mistake.”
Kaiden’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Mikael.
“Everyone here knows how many proposals Duke Helio put forward against the imperial interests in the recent assembly.”
Mikael’s brows lifted in polite surprise. “Do you believe this was the emperor’s faction’s doing?”
Kaiden gave a faint, cold smile.
“Whoever is behind it, a proper investigation is the last thing they’ll allow. The whole matter will be buried within days.”
Mikael’s smile thinned, the playful light leaving his eyes.
Reina listened to the exchange and understood everything without another word.
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