Part 2 Chapter 108
Kali was on the verge of rushing toward Nike.
Of course, Max also found it absurd and frustrating that Nike had entered the narrow carriage with a woman who wasn’t his wife.
No matter what the reason was!
“Calm down, Kali. Let’s think about this first.”
Max, after ripping off his fake mustache and throwing it away, stood up and narrowed his eyes with determination.
“Let’s chase them.”
As citizens of the empire, they couldn’t draw their swords against the royal family, even if Nike had betrayed his marriage vows…
“Drawing swords must wait until we hear His Highness’s explanation.”
Why not!
If tears fall from our lady’s eyes, no matter if they’re royalty, nothing will stop me!
***
I was packing my bags, crying.
“Despicable person! I’ve endured you going out without a word!”
Yeah, it’s work.
Nike, despite being royalty, had always been dedicated to his duties, even willing to risk his life on the battlefield.
So, I tried not to act like a child and complain about it.
Nike’s heart wouldn’t be at ease either, having to leave me alone at home to go to work.
“No, when you see me, don’t you think about that?”
For four days, maybe up to a week, every time Nike returned from his training, he would come charging at me like someone who had held back.
But I had a solid reason to refuse, and thinking about his reaction, he must have been upset about it.
The reason I rejected him was that once I knew for sure, I had to tell him the truth…
“I can’t wait any longer!”
Tears kept flowing.
Why do I feel so miserable?
I didn’t want to drag things out and risk a misunderstanding, so I had planned to tell him today.
Just the two of us in a private setting.
A moment that would stay in our memories forever.
But the cold-hearted Nike left me and went off for his training.
The people around us laugh about how he sold the country for love.
If he loved me that much, shouldn’t he be able to drop everything, even work, for just one day?
Or has the passion started to fade after a few years of marriage?
“Sigh. This is ridiculous…”
Nike was someone who felt new to me every day. He looked handsome every day, and I felt butterflies every time.
But was it the same for him?
Now that we were married, could he have gotten used to me and taken me for granted?
“Sigh…”
I felt so down.
After packing everything, I stood up.
Then I spoke resolutely.
“Little rabbit, let’s run away.”
“Can’t you not go?”
“…You can’t spare even one day for me?”
In the running carriage, Nike’s mind was filled with thoughts of Bania, who had held him back earlier that morning.
“…The flower seedlings we’re transplanting will probably be ready in about two weeks…”
The flower shop girl sitting next to him kept explaining, but Nike didn’t listen to a word.
“I have something to say.”
What was it?
He had never told her not to go to training, nor had he begged so desperately for her attention.
‘Did I go too far?’
After thinking it over for a few moments, Nike realized he had rejected Bania for several reasons, but part of it was because he felt upset with her lately.
Before the regression, two years of dating.
After the regression, less than a year of dating, and now in our third year of marriage.
Even though I lived through the same years twice, the accumulated memories were different. When you add up the time spent together, it felt pretty long.
The married knights would say that as time passes, the burning passion fades into familiarity and trust…
‘When does that happen?’
Nike felt new every day.
Even when he regained his memories of loving me before the regression and saw me again after, it was as if everything was burning again during our honeymoon phase.
When I saw his face every morning as I sent him off to work, when I received his greetings when he came home…
My wife was becoming more beautiful every day, and I couldn’t get enough of her, no matter how many times I kissed her.
Every time I saw her, my heart raced, and it was impossible to control.
But did Bania feel the same?
“Darling, I’m tired today.”
This was the day I reunited with her after a week-long training trip.
It had been chaotic.
As soon as she washed up, I hopped on top of her, eager to kiss her, but she stopped me with her hand.
With my lips blocked, I reluctantly grabbed her wrist and kissed it briefly, asking in frustration.
“…Are you really that tired?”
“Yes.”
I see.
Even before I left for training a week ago, Bania was already tired.
After our honeymoon phase, the longest time we had spent in bed without intimacy was this.
“Well then, how about just a kiss?”
I begged her, trying to keep it going.
But Bania was firm.
“Wait. We’re not doing anything, so why make it hard with just a kiss?”
“…?”
This was ridiculous.
“I’ll take care of the hard part.”
“It’s just being considerate.”
“You don’t need to consider me.”
“You’re heavy…”
“Huh?”
“You’re heavy. Can you stop pressing on my belly and get off?”
Bania pushed me off with strength. I ended up lying next to her.
Wow…
In an instant, I was lying there, staring at the ceiling.
Blinking, I quickly turned my head to the side and saw her.
She looked so indifferent, as if she had no interest in the husband she hadn’t seen in a week.
Was she really just too tired to do anything?
Or was she just not in the mood to be with me?
I wasn’t sure, but one thing was clear.
During the time we were apart, the one who was desperate to see her, who was holding back and eagerly waiting, was me—not her.
Shocked, I quietly turned over.
“Your Highness, don’t worry. The time will come when you’ll wait for me, just like I’m waiting for you!”
I didn’t want to go to work, I didn’t want to do anything. I just wanted to be with my loving wife at home all day, and I was suffering because of it.
My fellow knights had given me advice:
“Eventually, there will come a day when you get tired of all of that.”
It was true.
But the problem was, it seemed like that day had already come… for Bania, not me.
“How could she do this to me?”
Once my heart was hurt, all the other things that bothered me started piling up.
‘Doesn’t she get angry when I’m gone for several days for training?’
Nike had been away for training multiple times, leaving her alone.
Honestly, it was ridiculous.
What kind of training was this?
Would anyone believe this ridiculous excuse?
I was worried she might have doubts… but surprisingly, Bania believed all of my flimsy excuses. She didn’t even think anything was wrong.
‘She should have suspected something.’
Of course, in a healthy marriage, there should be no suspicion. It’s a sign of trust.
But maybe that doesn’t apply to everyone.
Nike thought maybe it would be better if Bania didn’t trust him too much.
If she doubted and obsessed, then maybe his anxious feelings would ease.
But since she didn’t, look at this.
Now, he was starting to feel confused.
Was Bania’s indifference just because she trusted him completely, or because she didn’t care about what he was doing outside?
‘How long have we been married, and why is this already happening?’
Nike, who believed that he and Bania had a love far deeper than anyone else, was hit even harder by the shock.
Of course, she still loved him, but the way their love had shifted from passion to familiarity was something that made him feel uneasy.
“Bania.”
In the end, Nike decided to try once more.
“Do you still love me?”
There was no answer.
Nike bit his lip.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
This was too much.
I suddenly stood up and turned around.
I saw…
“…”
My wife, who didn’t even notice me, had already fallen asleep peacefully.
“Hah.”
I was frustrated.
Why?
Because even her sleeping face, with its soft beauty, made me feel hurt, and I couldn’t remember the reason why I was so upset.
It had been two months since I started my crazy events, all for her.
I hoped that, after seeing the gift I had prepared, Bania’s love would reignite.
“…Sleep well.”
I gently kissed her cheek.
