Chapter 149

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

Without giving in to stubborn Esadien, I pushed him down flat. I’d just heard his adorable honest feelings—if I backed off with a simple “Oh, I see”, I’d be an idiot.

“Fufufu.”

“Mi… Nuel…”

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down hard as he looked up at me.

“Then I guess we’ll never see a child who looks like you… or one who looks like me, huh?”

I gave him a wicked grin, lifting just one corner of my lips. His eyes faltered.

Let’s see how long you can hold out.

I nipped at his lips lightly and started to pull back—

“…Hhmp!”

—Or tried to, but failed. Esadien had his hand pressing firmly against the back of my head and came in deep.

“Mmph…”

Did I last even one second? Well, that was my personal record, I suppose.

But the long, overwhelming kiss we shared after so long felt a thousand times longer and heavier.

A sudden jolt of fear had me awkwardly pushing at his shoulder. His brows knitted as he reluctantly pulled back.

“Haa, why.”

“Uh, well! I just thought it’s a little too bright right now. Maybe after sunset…”

“Minuelle.”

This time, it was him who cut me off. He smirked, lips curling.

“You’re the one who told me not to hold back.”

I was distracted by that dangerous smile when—whoosh!—our positions flipped in an instant.

“Wha—?!”

“Thankfully.”

With eyes gleaming like a starving beast, his face descended toward me again.

“Ughhh… owww…”

I woke up with my usual groaning. How many days had passed since that night? Three? Four? Either way, it had been like a dream.

Could it be that all the time he held back before was just part of his grand plan to really make up for it later? Because once he stopped, Esadien simply never let me go.

“But… why’s he not here now?”

The space beside me was empty. I touched his pillow, gauging the warmth he’d left behind, when I heard the faint sound of the front door opening.

“Oh, just in time.”

I grinned slyly. Another idea to surprise him had struck.

Quietly slipping out of the bedroom, I sensed movement in the kitchen.

“Hm.”

Esadien was staring at a milk bottle as if trying to divine its secrets.

“I want some too.”

“Wait—”

But my sudden thirst got the better of me. Before he could stop me, I grabbed it and gulped it down.

And then—

“…?!”

Something tasted off. I immediately spat it into the sink. Esadien, who seemed to have expected this, quickly handed me a glass of water.

“Ugh… it tastes weird.”

“Are you all right? I suspected it might have spoiled.”

“Didn’t the guard check this before letting it in? They always screen things.”

He shook his head.

“I saw a delivery boy while you were asleep and bought it separately. My apologies.”

I instantly hugged him.

“Hey, it’s not your fault. The seller’s to blame.”

“Still.”

“Well, I was the one who just grabbed and drank without thinking.”

“That’s not it.”

He denied it firmly, then cleared his throat, ears turning red again.

“By the way… why are you wearing my pajamas?”

As he said, I was only wearing his pajama top. Just as expected, he looked adorably flustered.

I looked up at him with a mischievous smile.

“You weren’t there, and I felt lonely.”

“…You really are…”

He rubbed his forehead, then scooped me up into his arms—still hugging me—without warning.

Huh?

This wasn’t exactly a posture that suggested we were heading back to the bedroom.

Before I could question it, he set me down on a dining chair. Then, stripping off his robe, he wrapped me in it tightly like a mummy.

“E-Esadien?”

“Ahem. I can’t have your legs getting cold. Please wait here, I’ll prepare breakfast.”

…What?

“Breakfast is the priority right now?”

I pouted, and he leaned down for a featherlight kiss, chuckling playfully.

“You haven’t been eating properly these past few days.”

“Gee, I wonder whose fault that was.”

“That’s why today I’m making you a feast of meat dishes.”

Well, meat is irresistible.

I watched in fascination as he chopped ingredients, tossed them into the pan, and even conjured a fiery flambé show.

Still so strange.

Even when he grilled meat back in Chitrum with the others, I thought it odd. A prince, cooking. And even now, it amazed me.

When he finally finished cooking, he still wouldn’t unwrap me from the robe.

“How am I supposed to eat like this?”

“I’ll feed you.”

“I’m not a baby!”

I struggled, but gave up soon enough. The way his eyes sparkled—like he’d been dying to try this—made it impossible to resist. He settled me on his lap, looking far too delighted.

Well… we’re alone. Who cares?

I was helpless against him.

“Say ah, Minuelle.”

“…Ahh.”

Obediently, I opened my mouth, and in went the meat.

“Mmm, delicious. As always. You’re the best.”

He smiled gently as he watched me chew.

“I’m glad.”

“When did you even learn to cook this well? Was it during knight training?”

“I cooked during my travels, yes, but my real interest began much earlier.”

I savored the juices, listening intently as his voice grew softer.

“Not long after I entered the imperial household, I was kidnapped—agents of Austin. You’ve heard of it.”

I nodded. My parents had told me about it not long after I met him.

“My sister was the one who rescued me. Once she confirmed I was mostly unharmed, she delayed our return to the capital and showed me many things. The roads leading to Roquate. Farmers herding cattle. Bustling markets. Rivers so wide you couldn’t see the other side.”

He had been neglected even while living with his mother. Princess Lumière must have thought putting such a child straight into the palace would do no good.

“We even camped out once. She caught quail and rabbits, and grilled them over a fire. I still remember it vividly.”

A childlike smile softened his face. Clearly, the crown princess’s decision had been the right one.

“She told me I had to finish a whole quail since it was small. But I burned my lips and tongue on the grease. My sister got a terrible scolding from Duke Lambert for that.”

“Gosh. That must’ve hurt.”

“It stung, but more than that… I was amazed.”

“Amazed?”

“That food could be so hot. I had never known.”

Good grief. That one sentence revealed everything about his childhood.

I quickly averted my eyes—I didn’t want to look at him with pity.

“I also learned that freshly grilled meat tastes incredible. I wanted to make that flavor myself. So once I learned to handle a blade, I secretly practiced cooking in the kitchen whenever I could.”

By the time he finished, I had steadied myself. I beamed.

“Thanks to that, my mouth gets spoiled every day. You really are the best husband.”

Then I wriggled an arm free from the robe, jabbed a piece of meat with a fork, and held it up to his lips.

“Say ah.”

“Minuelle, you should—”

I shoved it into his mouth before he could finish, then popped a piece into mine, feigning sternness.

“You didn’t eat a single bite while feeding me.”

But he didn’t look cowed at all. Swallowing quickly, he gave a sly smile and opened his mouth again.

“Ahhh.”

What a little cutie!

Pretending to roll my eyes, I let us take turns feeding each other until, before we knew it, the heaping plate was empty.

“Ughhh… my stomach’s going to burst…”

I slumped, breath heavy.

“Shall we take a slow walk to digest?”

Ugh. This walking addict.

“Just sitting works too…”

I grumbled, glancing outside—and froze.

Not long ago the sky had been fairly clear, but now, thick fog blanketed everything. If we went out, we’d barely see our feet.

Esadien checked outside too and clicked his tongue.

“Best not to go out now.”

“Fine. I’ll wash the dishes then.”

“I’ll do it.”

“You’ve been working nonstop. Let me.”

“It’s only right.”

“Nope. Not ‘only right.’”

After a little bickering, of course, I won.

“Mmm, smells lovely.”

When the last dish was done, I carried the tea Esadien had prepared to the little table overlooking the lake.

“Do you like it? I added a few rosebuds.”

“Yes. I love rose tea.”

I took a sip, satisfied. The subtle fragrance was perfect—not overpowering like perfume.

“Oh, but Esadien.”

“Yes?”

“Now you can tell me! On the carriage here, you said it wasn’t just sleep-talking, ‘it’s just…’ and then stopped. What was it?”

That half-finished sentence had been bothering me. It wasn’t sleep-talking. It wasn’t drooling. Unless…

“Wait. Do I… snore?”

If I had bad snoring, we’d end up in separate bedrooms someday. Horrified, I looked at him. He set his cup down and laughed long and hard.

“Hey, don’t just laugh!”

“Hahaha. Minuelle, you sleep quite peacefully.”

“Really?”

“I watched you plenty before we married. Trust me.”

When his laughter finally subsided, his embarrassment seemed to vanish too. He took a breath and spoke easily.

“It’s just… I was happy simply watching you. It felt like this place here was overflowing.”

He tapped his chest.

I knew exactly what he meant. I felt it too. Every time he smiled, every time our eyes met, every moment I felt safe beside him.

My person.

It was the sensation of happiness filling every corner of me.

“I feel the same way. Always.”

I might’ve been embarrassed for guessing wrong earlier, but I wanted to tell him. I placed my hand over his and smiled wide.

And then—

Clatter!

His chair toppled as he braced himself on the table, leaning close, almost nose-to-nose.

“E-Esadien?”

“Why do you test my restraint?”

“…Huh?”

I darted my eyes around, then narrowed them at him.

Clearly, he’d decided that since he’d worn me out for days, now he ought to hold back again.

“I told you, didn’t I? Don’t hold back.”

“…But you cried, telling me to stop.”

“T-that was—!”

Why is it suddenly so hot in here?!

I fanned myself with my hands, whipping my head away. But he didn’t force me back. He just whispered softly.

“Can we start again?”

Our eyes met. We both knew no answer was really needed. Even as I pouted, I was already reaching my arms to circle his neck.

And then—

Waaaaah! Waaaahhh…!

A baby’s wail echoed out of nowhere.