Chapter 60
When I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky — sunlight poured through the window, bright and relentless, casting deep, sharp shadows.
It must have been well into the day. Normally, realizing that would have made me jump up right away — the princess’s schedule was always packed tight.
But my body, sore and beaten as if I’d been through a fight, refused to move. Even opening my eyes took effort.
“Haa…”
As I let out a deep sigh and finally opened my eyes, the arm draped across my neck and the one heavy over my waist tightened like a snake. Then, a drowsy, low voice whispered into my ear.
“Awake?”
“Let go. I feel like I’m going to die.”
“Why are you grumpy again?”
I didn’t even have the strength to scold his teasing. The sun was up, which meant tomorrow was the victory ceremony.
“Adrian, you shameless bastard.”
He chuckled softly, rubbing his hair against my back.
“I said I couldn’t remember, that it was my first time, didn’t I?”
“You did.”
“Then why did we do it five times?”
“Who was the one crying because it felt so good? Why are you angry now?”
I didn’t even have the energy to get mad, so I shut my eyes again. Damn it. The victory ceremony was tomorrow — I had to meet the knights, the emperor…
And there was still the investigation into Leonil Graham.
Not to mention the dress — thanks to my sister, I couldn’t even relax about that.
Damn it all. Nothing’s easy, and I’m out of energy before the day even starts. Actually, it’s not even morning!
[Quest Complete! “The Distance Between Us II”]
Reward 1: The paused penalty timer has been erased.
Reward 2: No penalties will be applied until the victory ceremony ends. (Penalties from quest failure will be enforced after the ceremony.)
So reward 2 just means they’re postponing my punishment. Great. Classic bait-and-switch.
“My back hurts.”
“I used it more than you did.”
“You’re insane.”
Even squeezing out anger took too much effort.
Ugh… I need to think, but I’m too tired to function.
“It hurts… so much.”
“Just stay like this a little longer.”
He spoke while holding me, and since I didn’t have the strength to move, I couldn’t resist anyway.
“Who the hell actually keeps going until someone passes out…”
“And who was it that begged me to keep going until they did?”
That wasn’t me! It was auto-execution!
But saying that wouldn’t help — he wouldn’t understand even if I tried explaining, so I just stayed quiet. When I tried to shift my body, he refused to let go.
“Don’t go.”
“I can’t. I mean, I literally can’t. I just want to roll over, my back hurts too much to move.”
He finally released me, and even then, just turning over felt like it took half a day.
“Damn it. What am I supposed to do about today’s schedule?”
“I’ll take care of it for you.”
“If you’ve got any conscience left, that’s the least you can do.”
Then I realized rolling over had been a mistake — when our eyes met, his bruised face made my heart waver.
“I’m being formally crowned heir tomorrow. How are you supposed to stand next to me with that face?”
“The general’s probably in a similar state. Who’s going to comment?”
Clayton’s not as bad as you, though.
When I closed my eyes again, he brushed my hair aside. His fingers trailed down my forehead, over the bridge of my nose, and lightly tapped my lips — it tickled.
“You really are a hopeless pervert.”
“I know.”
“Waking me up just to mess around again… I still can’t forgive you.”
“Forgive me. That’s what couples do.”
“We’re not married yet.”
He smiled, sunlight spilling behind him like a halo, his white hair glowing gold in the light. It was dazzling — almost dangerous — like a fox spirit stealing my heart.
“Strange.”
“What is?”
“We’ve spent so many nights together, yet it’s only now that it feels like you’re truly mine.”
“Whatever. I’m hungry, but I don’t even have the strength to lift a fork. What are you going to do about that?”
He laughed, then pulled me close before letting go.
“Eat here. Well — lunch, I suppose.”
“You brute.”
“When did I ever act brutish?”
“Because you’re annoying. Brute.”
“Hahaha. Fine, if you say so.”
He tugged the bell rope to summon the servants. Through half-lidded eyes, I caught sight of his back — deep red scratches all over it. Even his hips, barely covered by his robe, bore the same marks.
When did I even scratch him like that…?
I tried to look closer, but exhaustion swallowed me whole.
When I woke again, the sun was high and lunch was done. My body felt a little better. At least walking only hurt when I stopped; as long as I kept moving, it wasn’t so bad. My legs, armpits, and back all ached from overused muscles.
“Was the training ground always this far?”
Cold sweat dripped down as my hands trembled. Francis, predictably, was sulking and barely speaking to me.
Normally, he’d have said something snarky — but I didn’t have the energy to respond anyway.
“Shall I carry you?”
Wait, what?
“Uh… yes, please…”
For some reason, I almost cried from gratitude. Our eyes met, but he quickly looked away.
Well, considering how noisy things got last night, there’s no way he didn’t hear.
Ugh. Another shameful incident on the list.
If only the system gave me an option to refuse these things!
“Seemed like you enjoyed yourself quite a bit yesterday.”
“Uh… yes, I guess.”
I felt sweat all over again, but at least he still offered me a ride.
“Sir Francis.”
“…Yes?”
“Being carried by you feels surprisingly safe. Your back is broad, your shoulders solid.”
“Wh–what are you saying…”
I almost wept again — partly from gratitude, partly from pain. When I’d looked in the mirror earlier, I’d thought: Why do I look worse than Adrian? He was fine, and I looked like I’d lost a fight.
I was covered in marks. Like I’d caught some weird disease.
“Damn it. Half my dresses are ruined.”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, nothing. Talking to myself.”
Anything low-cut was out. Maybe I could still wear one with an open back. If I’d known, I’d have chosen something modest instead.
“You’re not angry?”
“…No.”
I expected him to be upset — maybe even cry — but he was calm. It made me feel a little guilty, so I hugged him tighter. He paused briefly before walking again.
“I expected this,” he said quietly.
“Did you?”
“Yes. As I’ve said before, even if I can’t be your consort… I’m happy just to stay by your side. Someday, Your Highness will have a prince consort, and perhaps concubines too.”
I hope not. One husband is enough — no concubines, please.
“If I can see you every day, that’s all I need.”
“You liar. Your voice is shaking so much, who could believe that?”
He stopped walking. I leaned my head against his shoulder, and he took a deep breath. When he spoke again, his voice trembled.
“Even if you don’t believe me, please pretend you do. I can’t help it — it’s my fault for being so foolish.”
“How is any of this your fault?”
“You were never someone meant to belong to one person. Loving you was my mistake.”
The word love made me forget what I was about to say. I just listened to him breathe.
I’ll have to return his marquis title soon — and have him retire from the Royal Guard. If there’s something he wants, I’ll give it to him. Once he gets what he desires, this useless affection will fade.
“At the victory ceremony tomorrow, stay right beside me.”
“…Yes.”
“I feel uneasy when you’re not around.”
“I feel the same.”
The system window had been tormenting me, and this was the only way I could feel at ease.
[Quest! “A Dog in Spring II”]
Francis Patella is feeling hurt. Choose one of the following options to comfort him! ▼
- Have dinner together.
- Spend the evening together.
- Visit Francis’s office.
- (Censored). (Auto-execute).
If it tries to make me do option 4 again when my whole body feels like this, I swear I’ll rage-quit. I’ll die just to rage-quit! Damn it! I’m furious — like a gradient of anger!
Option 3!
“I’d like to visit your office later, Sir Francis.”
For once, a normal choice executed properly.
“Gladly.”
His voice brightened, cheerful now. Maybe it was just my imagination, but being carried by him suddenly felt even more comfortable.
“It’ll take another five minutes to reach the training ground, so rest a bit longer if you’d like.”
“Clayton should be there, right?”
“Yes.”
“What about my father?”
“His Majesty left briefly with the royal advisors.”
I’d almost forgotten, but a calm voice from behind — Ander Bills — reminded me he was following us.
“Having a capable aide is reassuring.”
“I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations.”
Good. Another trustworthy person to rely on — just in time, since Verdine’s about to collapse from overwork.
Now then… let’s set a trap for my dear sister.
Please, just don’t mess with me.
If you do — you’ll regret it deeply.
