CHAPTER 98………………………………..
“…You’re awake?”
“Yes.”
Come to think of it, it hadn’t been that long since they were married, and yet waking up beside him already felt so natural.
What surprised her wasn’t that this man was still with her—but that he had to leave again. That was what felt strange, and sad.
Whether he knew her feelings or not, Killian approached with a cup of steaming coffee and brushed a kiss against her bare white shoulder.
“Adele.”
“…You have to leave again, don’t you?”
“…”
His silence was answer enough. Adele pulled the blanket up to hide her unsettled face.
Why on earth had she married a knight, only to end up in a weekend marriage that wasn’t even in her fate?
She had promised herself their marriage was purely contractual, but now, just the thought of him leaving already made her heart ache.
“Should I not go?”
“…You have to.”
Adele’s hair was messy on the pillow, and only her eyes peeked out.
This man wasn’t the type for push-and-pull games. He didn’t hint or test people; if she asked him not to go, he really wouldn’t.
“Then… does my wife wish for me to leave?”
“That’s not what I mean.”
When Killian’s face darkened, Adele lowered the blanket a little more.
She hadn’t known there could be something even more embarrassing after spending a night together.
Well… that probably wasn’t something she could fix anyway.
“You can probably tell, but things haven’t been great for me lately. Still, for the sake of the child we might have someday, at least one of us should have a job.”
“You’re… with child?”
“…W-What? No!”
“Then talk properly.”
Startled, Adele shook her head frantically when Killian suddenly leaned in and pulled back the blanket.
What would he even be able to tell by looking? But the fire burning in his eyes wouldn’t be easily quenched.
“We were together, after all…”
“I may have prayed at Saint Fidelio’s shrine, but unless I conceived by the Holy Spirit, that’s impossible!”
How could a man of the temple not understand divine providence! Her cycle had already come after their first night—how could she possibly be pregnant?
For the first time, Adele found him almost pitiful. Those broad, strong shoulders seemed to sink all at once.
“…I see.”
“Killian.”
“It’s fine. I’m not disappointed. Not at all.”
Even so… he was endearingly cute in that moment.
Who would have thought the famed Commander of the Knights of Saint Fidelio could look like this? Maybe this was why people said you had to keep living—you never knew what you’d see next.
Turning onto her side, Adele rested her head on one hand and smiled teasingly at him.
“You do look disappointed.”
“…I’m not.”
“Come on.”
“I said I’m not.”
Even a playful brush of Adele’s fingers made Killian react like a wild beast. He pinned her hands down, hovering above her.
“…If you ask again, I’ll make sure there’s no reason for you to be disappointed next time.”
Gulp.
Adele swallowed dryly.
Teasing this man was a life-risking act.
Truly, what a formidable husband she had. But knowing how much he longed for a child wasn’t such a bad feeling.
Even if he meant an heir, that child would still be theirs.
“…”
What’s wrong with me?
Adele averted her gaze with a faint, unreadable smile.
Things were already hard enough; she didn’t want to give herself more reasons for heartbreak. Yet she kept wishing for more from him.
“What troubles you, my lady?”
Even a man as dense as him was quick to sense her mood.
Before Killian could question her further, Adele smiled. There was no point hiding it—he wasn’t the kind to just say, “Ah, I see,” and drop the matter.
“Anyway, you can’t quit. My situation’s bad enough as it is—if you stop working too, we’ll both be stuck twiddling our thumbs.”
Of course, her idea of “twiddling thumbs” was rather different from most. The family fortune wasn’t exactly something that could disappear overnight.
Even if the worst happened and she ended up sitting idle, the fingers she’d be twiddling would be dripping with diamonds and coated in solid gold.
But would that actually be as sweet as it looked? Not a chance.
“…Is the situation really that serious?”
“Think of it as… just a precaution.”
Adele looked up at him playfully, worried she might sound too grim.
It felt like she was comforting a husband anxious about losing his job—shoulders weighed down by responsibility.
She placed her hand gently over his.
“You know why I’m really worried? If you quit as commander, they might ask us to return all those holy relics you got as a wedding gift. And that’s just not happening.”
“…Adele.”
“I never let go of what’s mine.”
She even tapped his hand twice, but he didn’t laugh.
Nor did he look fired up like before.
He simply gazed at her in silence, as though lost in deep thought.
“…Commander?”
“Then what about a position where you’d never have to worry? A place so high that no one would dare covet what’s yours.”
“…Oh, come on. As if such a thing exists.”
“If you wanted it, I could—”
“No. I’m not into freeloading. I prefer earning my keep. No matter how high the place you’re talking about is, my place is here. Even if my nails wear down to nothing, I’ll climb up myself.”
Adele waved her neat fingers lightly, as if to say, Trust me.
Only then did Killian give a small smile.
It felt oddly lonely—but seeing that smile, even just once more, made her heart ease.
It wouldn’t last long, though.
He’d have to leave before sunrise.
If her father saw him, he’d surely find something to nitpick again—maybe even demand a piece of the sun this time.
To think this man could say things like that…
She used to believe every grand promise a man made was just bravado.
But coming from Killian, she realized—it wasn’t about what was said, but who said it.
“Adele.”
As she sat up, Killian wrapped his arms around her from behind. His bare chest against her back was hard enough to ache.
“…Are they still taking volunteers at the temple?”
“Why?”
“If I lose my job soon, I might actually apply.”
“Well… maybe not volunteers. But it seems I am in need of a wife.”
“Ah…”
Can’t he just stop joking for a second?
Adele shivered as his lips brushed her neck.
They couldn’t stay like this forever.
But thanks to Killian, who had braved storms to come to her, she felt stronger. Next time, she wanted to face the world not as someone who failed, but as someone who could ride in proudly in a flower carriage.
Even if Rebecca screamed about her falling into sin—so what? It was her husband, and she’d save him if she pleased.
“By the way… who’s been interfering with your work?”
“Oh, you wouldn’t know even if I told you. It’s a woman from the capital.”
“…The capital?”
“They say she’s the only daughter of Duke Oren. Since you’re from that region too, maybe you’ve heard of them. There aren’t many ducal houses in the Empire.”
“…”
“Killian?”
Adele tried to turn to face him, but he didn’t let her go.
Then, in a low, thoughtful voice, he murmured—
“…If she’s Duke Oren’s daughter, she wouldn’t have the strength for travel. Let alone to deal with someone like you.”
“So you do know her?”
“A little.”
And that was all he said. Adele didn’t press him to remember more.
He probably didn’t know much beyond that.
Zerox was already investigating that family, and Killian—an honorary noble—wouldn’t be expected to know the details of a high-ranking ducal house.
“…Do you really have to get involved with her?”
“It’s work. Can’t be helped. Don’t worry.”
Lost in thought, Killian still didn’t loosen his arms around her, as if refusing to show his face.
She wanted to see him once more before he left.
Suppressing her disappointment, Adele rested her head against his chest.
“I told you, I’ll be fine. Once is enough—I won’t be fooled twice.”
“Adele.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple.
Worry still clouded his face, but if she was this determined, he couldn’t stop her.
“…Very well.”
Because if he saw her face again, he knew—he wouldn’t be able to leave.
