Chapter 36
Reina’s face twisted in frustration.
“…Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did warn you. Seems like you don’t remember.”
“No, not that! I mean the fact that the Crown Prince is connected to that island!!”
As Reina snapped in frustration, Karlhail looked over toward Patricia, who stood off in the distance.
“…So Patricia already told you?”
“Is that what matters right now? You never told me there was such a serious backstory!”
“Who could’ve known things would blow up like this?”
Ugh… Reina rubbed her temples. Her head hurt.
“Should I just give the island to the Crown Prince now? You said it’s transferable, right?”
Karlhail shook his head seriously.
“Even if you could… it’s not a good idea. His Majesty gave the island to you instead of Blair, who was supposed to get it. If we give it back to Blair, it’ll feel like a betrayal.”
Reina frowned deeply.
“Then what am I supposed to do?”
Karlhail smirked slightly.
“Well, I do have an idea.”
‘There’s a way…?’
“What is it?”
“If we hurry up and hold the wedding, then go to Lautzen right away, wouldn’t that solve everything? If you’re no longer around, Blair won’t have a target to lash out at.”
Reina narrowed her eyes at him. He somehow turned everything into a reason to get married.
“We’re going to get married eventually anyway. Why are you so desperate to rush it?”
“Because I’m a patient who wants legal treatment ASAP. And honestly… I haven’t found any cure that works as well as your lips. Besides…”
“Besides?”
“Once we’re married, we can legally do a lot more, right?”
“What did you just say? Did you forget this is a contract marriage?”
“Sure, but I don’t plan to take those ‘marriage duties’ lightly either.”
Reina let out a shocked laugh.
“Ah, I see. So basically, you want to hurry up the wedding so you can get into my pants sooner?”
“I mean, if a simple kiss helps this much, imagine what more could do?”
The way Karlhail looked at her — like a hungry beast — sent chills down Reina’s spine.
‘Seriously… How did a man who lived like a monk turn into a pervert overnight? Was it because getting rid of the monster’s poison made him feel too good?’
Still, Reina needed to set clear boundaries.
“We need to get one thing straight.”
“Yeah?”
“When I said I’d fulfill marriage duties, I meant kissing — and that’s it. Nothing more is going to happen.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Karlhail’s eyes glinted with challenge, but Reina refused to play along. She turned her head away with a huff.
“Well, you have more reasons to leave this place soon — even aside from Blair.”
“Like what?”
“Hmm… maybe how you touched the statue of the Saintess and started glowing like a light bulb?”
Reina shivered at the memory of people kneeling in front of her, calling her a Saintess. Soldiers were probably still dragging innocent people off in search of her.
With a deep sigh, Reina finally said,
“Fine. I’m already doing my best, but I’ll talk to Father about speeding up the wedding.”
“That’s great to hear.”
Karlhail nodded with a satisfied smile.
“Shall we return to the mansion now, fiancée?”
He politely offered his arm. Reina looked at him strangely. After all the times he’d left her alone — and even here, hiding away — she didn’t exactly feel like taking his arm.
But showing up alone again would only worry Amy, and after dealing with Blair, she understood a bit more of what Karlhail had to deal with.
“…Let’s go.”
Reluctantly, she took his arm.
Meanwhile…
Not far from them, a young nobleman named Aysen — the same one who had gone on a matchmaking date with Reina — was hiding behind a tree, eavesdropping.
He had fallen for Reina at first sight. So seeing her passionately kiss another man… and hearing that she was engaged? The shock hit him hard.
But during the hunting event, when he spotted Reina again, all he could think was: I have to talk to her.
After overhearing other noble girls whispering that Reina was wandering around alone despite having a fiancé, his curiosity and feelings only grew stronger. So he hung around her all day, looking for a chance to speak.
But Reina didn’t seem to notice him at all.
‘Fine. I’ll talk to her just once… get it off my chest.’
That was the plan. But just when he was about to approach, Karlhail showed up, and Aysen hid — only to overhear something unexpected.
“A contract marriage?!”
The words stuck in his mind. Contract marriage. The phrase burned bright red in his head and slowly turned into a blazing fire in his chest.
Back at the Philon Estate…
Karlhail escorted Reina home. When he arrived, Count and Countess Philon ran out to greet him.
“Your Grace, welcome!”
“We didn’t expect you to come all this way in person!”
Grace beamed with delight. Reina let out a small sigh.
‘She was so worried when he didn’t send word for days, and now she’s glowing.’
Seeing her parents’ relieved faces, Reina had to admit — maybe it was a good thing Karlhail had escorted her home.
“Would you like some wine again tonight?”
Apparently, her father had enjoyed drinking with Karlhail last time. But Karlhail politely declined.
“Thank you, but I have early business tomorrow.”
‘Busy as always, huh?’
“I see. That’s a shame.”
Reina’s father looked disappointed.
Then, just when it seemed like Karlhail was about to leave, he suddenly spoke seriously.
“Father… could you consider moving up the wedding date a little more?”
“More than we already have?”
‘What is it with him and this wedding?!’
Reina rolled her eyes.
“But we’re already rushing it. We barely have time for dresses, venue decorations, and inviting guests.”
“Yes, and you’re still in the South. There’s no need to rush…”
Still, Karlhail looked at them with pleading eyes.
“I don’t think I can wait much longer… please, Father. Mother.”
“Oh my…”
Count Philon looked between Karlhail and Reina and nodded slowly. Grace blushed for some reason.
“Ahem… dear, do dress fittings really take that long?”
“If we hurry the tailor, we can save 5–10 days,” Grace said. “But what about guests?”
“The most important thing in a wedding is the couple’s feelings, not the guests. Since His Grace is so passionate, let’s do what we can.”
“Alright. We’ll invite only close relatives and contact the temple to find an available date.”
Suddenly, the wedding plans were being fast-tracked.
“So… one month, then?” her father asked gently.
Karlhail smiled brightly.
“That would be perfect.”
‘Um… excuse me, I am also one of the people getting married here, you know?’
Reina looked back and forth between her parents, but they were too busy calculating dates to notice her at all.
“I’ll be going now. See you again soon.”
“Take care, Your Grace.”
As her parents escorted Karlhail out, he leaned close to Reina and whispered,
“Try to behave until the wedding, Lady Reina.”
‘Ugh. When have I ever caused trouble?’
Watching his carriage disappear into the distance, Reina sighed.
‘Is this how I’m really getting married? Just like that?’
Well, it couldn’t be helped. Whether she liked it or not, she had to get through the next two years anyway. And going north before it got too cold… maybe that wasn’t so bad.
In the distance, she could already see Grace bustling about, excitedly preparing for the wedding.
After the Hunting Event…
Worried that Blair might retaliate, Reina kept a close eye on her father Nicolai’s mood — especially since Karlhail warned that their business might be at risk. But so far, her father hadn’t seemed upset.
“Maybe Blair’s more forgiving than I thought?”
Was this the calm before the storm? Or was the Crown Prince really that generous? Either way, things stayed peaceful for now.
“…So, what will you do about the island, my lady?” Amy asked.
Reina waved her hand tiredly.
“Ugh, don’t even bring it up. Just thinking about the way Blair glared at me gives me chills…”
Even remembering how Isabelle handed her the kill felt like a trap.
“I’m just going to leave it alone for now.”
It was always meant to be her post-divorce asset anyway. Still, Amy looked a little worried.
“You’re a lord now. Won’t there be a lot to manage?”
Reina had already thought about that.
“Father said he’d help for a few years. I told him he could have all the profit from the land, and he seemed happy with that.”
“Well, that works. I guess it was unclaimed land anyway.”
Amy nodded, looking relieved. Things at the Philon estate were peaceful…
At least, until the wedding.
