Chapter 15: TWOCM

Chapter 15

Reina widened her eyes in surprise as well.

“Huh? But shouldn’t we be heading to the North as soon as possible?”

At her point-blank question, Kaiden flinched, but quickly pretended to remain composed.

“We were supposed to. But thanks to you telling us where Goret’s egg is, we’ve reduced our workload.”

He was relieved he had come up with a reasonable excuse.

Reina brightened at the mention that she had helped locate Goret’s egg.

“I’m glad I could be of some help.”

At her self-deprecating tone, Kaiden frowned and corrected her.

“It’s not just ‘some help.’ Honestly, I’ve been thinking about how to repay you. So if there’s anything you want, tell me.”

“Then I’d like to tour the Great Temple. There’s somewhere I’ve wanted to visit anyway.”

Only then did Reina happily accept.

If she had refused again, he would have taken her on a tour regardless.

For some reason, he kept feeling like he was becoming weak in front of her.

Not out of pity, but something more…

A strange feeling he couldn’t quite define.

Still, seeing her smile made him satisfied.

At that moment, the carriage stopped in front of the Great Temple.

A priest who had been informed in advance came out to greet them.

“Welcome, Duke Crensia. Princess Reina. We were expecting you. You will be heading to the North immediately afterward, correct?”

“No. The schedule has changed. I’d like to stay here for a day.”

At Kaiden’s words, the priest looked troubled.

“I’m afraid that may be difficult. Due to a special prayer period, only one guest room remains.”

He glanced between Kaiden and Reina and continued,

“It seems you will need to share it. Would that be acceptable?”

“I’ll camp with the knights. Just guide Reina to the room.”

Kaiden replied casually.

At that moment, Reina grabbed his sleeve in surprise.

“Huh? You’re going to sleep outside?”

“Then do you want to share the room?”

“Or separate rooms?”

At Reina’s bold counter-question, Kaiden blinked.

He looked as if he didn’t even understand what she was implying.

Just as he was trying to figure out how to refuse, the priest stepped in.

“It won’t be uncomfortable for the two of you. If we make the Duke sleep outside, Her Holiness will certainly reprimand us.”

“I really am fine…”

“Besides, aren’t you a married couple officially recognized by His Majesty the Emperor?”

At that pointed remark, Kaiden lost his rebuttal.

As he said, they were publicly recognized as a married couple.

They had even skipped the wedding ceremony due to urgency and left for the North. If they insisted on separate rooms now, it would only raise suspicion.

Then even Reina sided with the priest.

“The priest is right. We’re married now, so we should share a room.”

In the end, Kaiden silently accepted.

When they reached the room under the priest’s guidance, he faced yet another dilemma.

It was the only remaining guest room, so it was smaller than usual.

And the moment he saw there was only one bed, Kaiden felt like turning back.

To him, the bed looked far too small for two people.

Of course, it only looked small to him; in reality, it was perfectly large enough.

Reina, who was unpacking, noticed Kaiden standing stiffly in front of the bed and tilted her head.

“Is there something wrong with the bed?”

“Wrong? Everything is wrong. How are we supposed to sleep here?”

Kaiden frowned.

Reina paused, then walked to the bed.

She sat down, bounced slightly, and said calmly,

“You must’ve been raised very delicately.”

“What?”

“It seems fine to me.”

Realizing her meaning, Kaiden clicked his tongue.

He had only now realized she had misunderstood him.

“No, I’m not picky about sleeping arrangements…”

“Then it’s fine. I like this room.”

At her innocent reply, the room fell silent.

If he kept complaining, he would end up looking like a spoiled noble who couldn’t even share a bed.

In the end, Kaiden sighed in defeat.

He felt like he was constantly being led around by her.

He asked as he sat on the bed’s edge,

“Are you always this calm about everything?”

“Huh?”

Reina still didn’t seem to understand the situation.

There was no fear in her light blue eyes as she looked up at him.

He couldn’t understand why she felt so at ease around him.

That wasn’t a gaze someone would normally have after meeting a few times.

That was exactly why he kept getting thrown off.

Kaiden leaned closer, sitting beside her.

“I mean you don’t seem to realize we’re alone in a room together.”

Then he blocked her on both sides with his arms and continued,

“Aren’t you curious what I might do to you, acting so calm?”

Only then did Reina’s eyes tremble slightly.

As she finally recalled the meaning of a man and woman sharing a room, she asked quietly,

“Then… is today the day we consummate our marriage?”

“What?”

Kaiden almost choked at her blunt question.

But Reina didn’t stop there.

“I was prepared from the moment I came to see you, Kaiden. Even if this is a contract marriage, if you need an heir, I can fulfill my duties as your wife…”

“W-wait!”

He quickly pulled back, flustered.

His whole body felt overheated, as if it were burning.

Reina fell silent and looked at him blankly.

Seeing her calm, innocent expression left him speechless.

He had only meant to warn her because she seemed too unconcerned.

Instead, she had casually brought up marital duties and heirs, leaving him dizzy.

“What are you talking about?”

“Huh? Was something I said wrong?”

“Everything. Absolutely everything.”

Kaiden protested, visibly rattled, but Reina still didn’t understand.

Her confused expression made him feel like he was losing his mind.

He ran a hand through his hair and said firmly,

“Let me be clear. I have no intention of forcing anything on you. The idea that you think I would do that is offensive.”

His usually composed face was now sharply tense.

To Reina, unaware of the reason, it was a frightening expression.

She stared at him blankly.

There was no love in this marriage, but they were still husband and wife in name.

She had assumed that as a duke, he would need an heir.

She had only said what she thought was natural.

But she hadn’t expected such a strong reaction.

Does he hate it that much?

Well, they had only met a few times. Sharing that kind of intimacy might be uncomfortable for him.

Reina had already resolved herself when she agreed to go to the North with him, but Kaiden clearly had not.

So he must be uncomfortable.

Accepting that thought, Reina nodded.

“Alright.”

However, the feeling of being rejected wasn’t pleasant.

She lowered her head, unable to hide her expression.

An awkward silence filled the room.

Kaiden, seeing her suddenly deflate, felt troubled.