Special Story 3

After the wedding ceremony concluded, we were on our way to our honeymoon destination.

 

I gazed around the interior of the carriage with awe. The decorations were incredibly antique and luxurious. The ride was so smooth that the water in the bottle I held in my hand maintained its surface tension without a single ripple.

 

I shifted my gaze back and forth between the window and the water bottle.

 

‘It really is different, perhaps because it’s an Imperial carriage.’

 

The carriages at the Baron’s estate were always bumpy, providing a terrible ride.

 

“What are you finding so fascinating now?”

 

At Freyer’s voice, I finally realized I had been distracted.

 

“It’s just that this is the first time I’ve been in such a comfortable carriage.”

 

“Since my wife suffers from all sorts of motion sickness, I asked them to pay special attention to it.”

 

There was something in his answer that I couldn’t just gloss over with a simple nod.

 

“Asked them to pay special attention… Don’t tell me, was this carriage custom-made?”

 

When Freyer nodded, a mental abacus began clicking furiously in the air inside my head.

 

In the past, the cost of purchasing a low-quality carriage was around 10 silver coins. But this carriage, which was antique—no, looking at it with fresh eyes, simply dripping with luxury—how much would it cost? I tried to calculate it by folding and unfolding my ten fingers, but I couldn’t even begin to estimate it.

 

‘It must be a price that would make anyone gasp.’

 

With this kind of money, using a warp gate might have been cheaper. Just imagining it made my head spin.

 

Maybe I should have just suggested we take a gate.

 

Freyer, who was sitting opposite me, lightly flicked the tip of my nose with his finger.

 

“Thinking strange thoughts again.”

 

“It wasn’t a strange thought; it was a rational one.”

 

“It is a gift prepared by His Majesty the Emperor for his new family member.”

 

“His Majesty?”

 

The Emperor had been unable to attend the wedding in person due to his deteriorating health. And yet, he had personally prepared a gift for us.

 

I might be more loved by the Imperial family than I had ever expected. The realization felt new, and my heart felt all warm and fuzzy, as if it were tingling.

 

“…I will have to convey my gratitude to him.”

 

“Do that after we finish our honeymoon.”

 

After riding for several hours in the comfortable carriage, sleep naturally began to pour over me.

 

“Yaaawn.”

 

Freyer, who was sitting next to me, guided my head to rest on his shoulder.

 

“You must be tired from the long day. Get some shut-eye. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

 

After a small nod, I fell into a deep sleep without even realizing it.

 

 

***

 

 

The sound of waves tickling my ears and the refreshing sea breeze lifted my spirits.

 

“The weather is absolutely beautiful!”

 

Traveling south for days had been worth it. The region was just entering early autumn, and the warm sunshine was dazzling.

 

Feeling the lightness of the season, I threw off the coat I had been wearing and ran toward the sandy beach.

 

A secluded sea.

 

How long had it been since I last visited the ocean? The scent of the salty air made it feel real.

 

“Shouldn’t you rest first?”

 

“No! I slept plenty, so I’m fine.”

 

We had stopped at villages midway through the carriage ride to relieve our fatigue.

 

“Move all the luggage to the mansion.”

 

The servants who had accompanied us on the honeymoon journey took the bags and moved toward the mansion where we would be staying.

 

“I can see why the nobles living in the capital want to come here.”

 

I had heard about it a few times. A famous spot in the south of the Empire, surrounded by the sea on three sides, yet secluded enough that not many people visited.

 

Back then, I had let it go in one ear and out the other, wondering what could be so good about a rural village.

 

I had lived my life thinking that the city was the only place to be.

 

They say experience is the compass of life. I had been looking at the world with too much prejudice.

 

If I had known it was this beautiful, I would have wanted to come much sooner.

 

“Everyone recommended this place. I’m glad you seem to like it.”

 

“I just regret that I didn’t come sooner!”

 

Freyer wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and we stared silently at the horizon beyond the sea.

 

It felt like a waste to just look, so I made a suggestion.

 

“Your Highness. Why don’t we dip our feet in the water?”

 

“The weather is chilly. If you go into the water and catch a cold, what will we do? No.”

 

“I’m not saying we should dive in, just dip our feet! Come on!”

 

I tugged at Freyer’s sleeve, shooting him a pleading look with sparkling eyes.

 

“I said no…”

 

He hesitated just now, didn’t he?

 

Seizing the moment of his distraction, I slipped out of Freyer’s embrace, quickly kicked off my shoes, and ran onto the sand.

 

The fine grains of sand touched my soles. The sun-warmed sand was the perfect temperature for walking barefoot.

 

After sprinting about 100 meters, I waved my hands vigorously toward Freyer, who was wearing a sulky expression.

 

“Hurry up! Your Highness!”

 

Freyer smiled as if he couldn’t win against me and stepped onto the sand.

 

I stopped where the waves were rolling in. Soon, the gentle surf washed over my feet.

 

“Ah!”

 

Even though the sun was nice, it was still autumn; the water temperature was cold enough to chill my bones.

 

“You…!”

 

It was a small groan, but Freyer, startled, rushed over in a panic and scooped me up into his arms.

 

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

 

“It was just because the water was cold.”

 

“The water…?”

 

“It really is autumn; the water is freezing. But, Your Highness, aren’t you worrying too much? I just touched cold water, and you came running like that.”

 

As I let out a silly laugh, Freyer swept his hair back with his free hand and muttered to himself.

 

“If only my wife didn’t have a talent for worrying me, I wouldn’t be like this.”

 

Feeling playful, I raised my voice.

 

“Did you just badmouth me!? On our honeymoon?”

 

“No, that’s not it.”

 

“You’re too much.”

 

Freyer’s expression looked as if he had visited hell and back; his pupils were quaking. His reaction was funnier than I expected, making me want to tease him even more.

 

“Put me down.”

 

“Lilithia. Listen, what I meant was.”

 

“If you don’t put me down right now, I’m really going to get angry!”

 

As I struggled to be let down, Freyer’s tail seemed to droop as he slowly lowered me to the ground.

 

“I was just worried about you…”

 

With my head bowed, I stole a glance at Freyer’s reflection on the surface of the clear blue water. Seeing him not knowing what to do made laughter bubble up inside me.

 

I quickly scooped up a handful of seawater and splashed it on him.

 

“I’m kidding!”

 

The splash of water soaked Freyer’s silver hair. The droplets on his face and his blank stare maximized his bewilderment.

 

However, as his gaze shifted, a red warning light flashed rapidly in my head, declaring a state of emergency.

 

‘Run!’

 

My life flashed before my eyes; if caught by Freyer’s hands now, I’d be dunked into the water.

 

“Where do you think you’re going, Crown Princess?”

 

“Exactly. Where, Freyer, Your Highness…?”

 

As I backed away, the churning seawater splashed against the hem of my dress.

 

“I think your prank went a little too far.”

 

In an instant, my arm was caught in Freyer’s grip. I was like a rat cornered in a trap.

 

Surely, he isn’t actually going to throw me into the sea?

 

I did start it, but surely…!

 

Held by the waist in Freyer’s hands, I dangled in the air, flailing my hands and feet. Freyer smiled mischievously, looking as if he would drop me into the sea at any moment.

 

Terrified, I struggled to escape his embrace.

 

“Put me down!”

 

“Lilithia. Stay still…!”

 

“If I stay still, you’re going to drop me!”

 

Not wanting to fall into the ocean, I wrapped my arms tightly around Freyer’s neck.

 

Swoosh—

 

An ominous sound reached our ears. I turned my head to see a wave, different from the previous ones, rolling toward us.

 

“Uh, oh? Your Highness! The wave!”

 

Freyer tried to step back to escape the wave, but the towering water covered us in an instant.

 

“Ugh!”

 

A mouthful of seawater rushed in, leaving a salty taste in my mouth.

 

Upon arriving at our honeymoon destination, we had immediately become drowned rats.

 

 

***

 

 

Soaked to the bone in seawater, we were dragged to the bathroom the moment we returned to the mansion.

 

After washing up and coming out, a cough escaped me at the sight that unfolded. Freyer, wearing a thin silk robe, was sitting on the bed.

 

Perhaps because the tie was slightly loose, the silhouette of Freyer’s broad chest was visible. He was completely defenseless, but he didn’t seem to realize his own appearance.

 

‘Right, today is our honeymoon.’

 

I realized the fact that we were no longer staying in separate rooms but were a married couple sharing one bed.

 

“Come here, Lilithia.”

 

Freyer patted the spot next to him. Hesitating, I sat awkwardly on the edge of the bed, avoiding his gaze.

 

It’s still broad daylight. Why are risqué thoughts popping up?

 

‘Why is it so hot?’

 

I was fanning myself with my hand while staring at a random spot.

 

“Wife.”

 

What did I just hear? My eyes went round as I looked at Freyer.

 

“We are a married couple now. I thought it would be good to sort out our titles.”

 

“Y-Your Highness.”

 

“I’d prefer it if you called me something other than ‘Your Highness’.”

 

In an instant, Freyer pulled my arm, and I ended up in a strange position, looking down at him.

 

A playful smile reached me, and Freyer tucked my long, loose hair behind my ear as he spoke.

 

“You haven’t forgotten the name ‘Ray’, have you, Lilithia?”

 

“…It just doesn’t stick to my tongue.”

 

“You seemed to say it quite well at the festival.”

 

At the festival in the Pearching Kingdom, that was the only way to hide his identity, so I had no choice.

 

“Hurry.”

 

At Freyer’s urging, I mustered the courage to let the name leave my lips.

 

“…Ray. My husband…”

 

Freyer, who had been smiling pleasantly, suddenly covered his face with his hand at my following words.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Lilithia.”

 

“Doing what…”

 

Looking closely, Freyer’s ears had turned bright red. Surely, because of that title?

 

“Husband…?”

 

I uttered the word to check if my guess was right. Freyer’s face flushed even deeper.

 

‘Cute.’

 

…Or so I thought.

 

Huh?

 

The world spun suddenly, and by the time I came to my senses, our positions were reversed, and I was pinned under Freyer.

 

“My leash on reason is very short today.”

 

Without giving me a moment to refuse, Freyer’s plump red lips descended upon the nape of my neck. It felt like a burn mark was spreading across my skin.

 

A strange moan was about to escape my lips. I tried to stop him, pushing lightly against Freyer’s chest with my hands.

 

“Y-Your Highness, it’s broad daylight!”

 

“Calling me ‘Your Highness’ again. I’ll have to punish you.”

 

“Punishment!”

 

Freyer moved down from my neck, his lips teasing my collarbone. Just as my reason began to halt and instinct started to take over, I grabbed the last shred of my sanity and cried out.

 

“R-Ray!”

 

“Yes, Lilithia.”

 

I thought his actions would stop, but instead, he came at me like a runaway train.

 

As he kissed me deeply, as if to devour me from the roots, my breathing grew heavy. The dizzying sensation made me feel like I was losing my breath. With a feverish moan, my back arched, and all I could do was clutch the bedsheets tightly.

 

Amidst the exploding pleasure, my mind gradually went hazy, and my vision blurred to black like a power outage.

 

The fiery heat made the room burn hot.

 

 

***

 

 

It had been about two months since we returned from our honeymoon. Freyer entered the bedroom accompanied by a healer.

 

The healer immediately took my wrist as I lay in bed and began the examination.

 

“You say you have no appetite lately and are sleeping a lot, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

 

Freyer stared at me with eyes full of worry and anxiety.

 

“She’s been doing nothing but sleeping for the past few days.”

 

“Strangely, my stomach feels upset and queasy, and I haven’t been able to keep any food down…”

 

I felt the healer’s complicated gaze. A strange smell wafted from the bag he had brought, making me nauseous.

 

“Ugh.”

 

I covered my mouth with one hand and pointed at the bag.

 

“P-please take that bag away.”

 

“Remove it! Immediately.”

 

At Freyer’s command, the healer’s bag quickly disappeared from the bedroom.

 

“It’s not a serious illness, right? It mustn’t be.”

 

Freyer held my hand tightly and spoke to the healer. Then, the healer, who had a subtle expression, smiled brightly.

 

“It is a cause for celebration.”

 

“Lilithia, the Empire’s only Crown Princess, is sick, and you call it a celebration? Healer, are you mocking us right now?”

 

“A new member of the Imperial family is on the way.”

 

My eyes and Freyer’s eyes trembled fiercely.

 

“You are pregnant.”