Chapter 84
Ruan, Morning Greetings Are Only Once
“……”
Their eyes met in the bath. Marican froze, and Ruan stiffened. Then she shut her eyes and screamed.
“Kyahhh!”
“Shh!”
Ruan quickly pressed his hand over her lips, turning his head aside with his own eyes squeezed shut.
“F-forgive me, my lady! I didn’t know you were in the bath. I’ll let go of your mouth now, so please don’t scream. I’ll turn away and keep my eyes closed—so you should leave first.”
“Alright, Ruan.”
As soon as Marican agreed, he slowly removed his hand. The moment he turned away, she scrambled to her feet and wrapped herself in a robe.
“I-I’ll leave first.”
Ah… so embarrassing. Did he see? He must have seen.
Back in her room, Marican dove under the covers, hiding her face in the sheets. Her cheeks were still blazing red, shame prickling all over her.
She’d only meant to stay in the bath for a short while, but after a long day in the city, fatigue had overtaken her. She’d dozed off—and then, upon hearing Ruan’s voice in her sleep, she had bolted upright… only to end up in his arms.
How am I supposed to look at him tomorrow morning?
But then, in her mind, she recalled something else—the sight of Ruan’s body, smeared with blood when he entered the bath.
Wait. Wasn’t there blood on his face and body? Could he be hurt?
Her embarrassment forgotten, Marican hastily changed into her nightgown and rushed to Ruan’s room. She raised her hand to the door, hesitating.
After what just happened in the bath… should I really…?
She almost turned away, but her worry won. She knocked softly.
“Ruan, may I come in for a moment?”
“……”
“Ruan?”
A spike of fear shot through her—what if he’d collapsed again, like before? Without thinking, she pushed the door open.
“Ruan, are you alright—?”
The words died in her throat.
He was stepping out of the bath, fresh from washing, a towel hanging low on his hips.
……
Oh no. Not again.
“My lady. Is something wrong?”
“…Eh?”
Her gaze had frozen on his broad chest, water dripping down taut, defined muscles. At the sound of his voice, she jerked her eyes upward.
“Lady Marican?” he prompted, rubbing down his wet skin with a towel.
“I-I’m so sorry. I thought I saw blood on you in the bath earlier, so I worried you might be injured. If you’re not, then I-I’ll just go now—”
She spun to flee, but suddenly Ruan was there in front of her, blocking her path.
“Ah!”
Startled, she lifted her head. His eyes had gone languid, his expression unreadable.
“My lady… I don’t think your business here is finished yet.”
W-what business?
Her eyes darted helplessly over his bare chest. Her pulse quickened madly.
“…Eh?”
“You said you came to check if I was unharmed,” he murmured. “But you barely looked. Won’t you regret leaving it at that? If you wish, I can show you everything—thoroughly.”
With a mischievous smile, his hand brushed the knot of the towel at his waist.
Marican’s eyes went wide. Heat flooded her face. She squeezed her eyes shut.
“R-Ruan! Y-you seem fine, so I’ll just go!”
Her blush was so fierce it felt like a touch would make her burst apart. To Ruan, the sight was unbearably sweet—too sweet to resist teasing her further.
Ah… she’s driving me mad. She’s so lovely, so cute… I could devour her.
But instead, he softened.
“I’m sorry… about earlier,” he said quietly.
Marican blinked up at him.
“…What?”
“I didn’t realize you were in the bath.”
“No—it’s my fault. I only meant to stay for a little while, but I fell asleep. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I disagree. I rarely use that bath, but today I walked in carelessly, assuming you were already asleep in your room. It won’t happen again.”
“Ah… I-I see. Then it’s all cleared up. Since you’re well, I’ll be going now—”
She tried to slip past, but he caught her hand.
“Wait a moment.”
“…Yes?”
“You seem very tired. Come here—just for a bit.”
“Ruan, please, put some clothes on first.”
“My apologies. Don’t leave just yet.”
He disappeared into his dressing room, returned fully dressed, then stepped into the bath again—this time to bring out a large towel.
“You haven’t dried your hair,” he said. “Come here.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I can do it myself—”
“You’ll catch a chill if you sleep with wet hair. Allow me.”
“…You, Ruan?”
He only smiled, leading her to sit on the bed before gently wrapping the towel around her hair. His touch was surprisingly careful, tender.
So… he can do things like this?
Marican’s eyelids grew heavy under the soothing rhythm of his hands.
N-no, I mustn’t fall asleep…
But she nodded off anyway, her head drooping. Ruan quickened his movements, steadying her with his leg so she wouldn’t topple. When her hair was dry enough, he carefully laid her on the bed.
“Forgive me, my lady. I should carry you back to your room, but my arms are weak from drying your hair. Please don’t misunderstand—I don’t intend anything improper.”
“…Mhm. Alright, Ruan…” she mumbled sleepily.
“Then I’ll take it as permission to let you sleep here tonight. Rest well, my lady.”
He tucked the blankets securely around her neck and lay down beside her, his heart pounding.
How long had it been since he’d lain at her side? Even now, with her asleep, his pulse raced.
In the bath earlier, when he first saw her—he had nearly lost control. He had even doused himself with cold water just to smother the heat.
And then, to have her come to his room afterward…
Could this be a gift? For punishing Daimond on her behalf today?
Her soft breathing lulled him to sleep.
Sometime in the night, Marican stirred. Her hand brushed against something firm.
What’s this?
Still half-dreaming, she stroked it up and down.
“My lady,” Ruan’s voice rumbled, catching her hand, “I don’t mind you touching me… but I may not be able to restrain myself. If you can handle me, then I’ll release your hand.”
“R-Ruan, why are you—?”
Awareness crashed back. She blinked around, realizing she was in his room, on his bed.
She shot upright, flustered. But he pulled her straight into his arms.
“Did you fall asleep while I dried your hair?”
“…Yes. And you laid me here.”
“That’s right.”
“…Oh.”
She scrambled to her feet, meaning to flee, but he caught her again.
“At least… a morning greeting is allowed, isn’t it?”
“…A morning greeting?”
“Good morning, my lady.”
He kissed her forehead.
“Oh… good morning, Ruan.”
She smiled faintly, then kissed his forehead in return.
And then he stole a kiss from her lips.
“Now it’s truly a good morning.”
“…”
Marican couldn’t help but laugh, though she tried to hide it. Ruan puckered his lips expectantly.
“Ruan,” she teased, pressing a finger to his mouth, “morning greetings are only once.”
Then she darted out of the room before he could react.
“…Ha.”
Ruan stood there, half dazed, half exasperated.
She’s testing my patience more and more. Very well. Once she’s my wife, I’ll collect every last debt.
Two days later, Marican met Risha at the dessert shop they had agreed upon.
“Duchess, this way.”
“Risha, you’re already here?”
Risha beamed and clasped her hand warmly.
“You came right on time.”
“Of course. A promise shouldn’t be broken.”
Their tea and cakes arrived.
“Oh! These cakes are delicious,” Marican said in delight.
Risha nodded. “I’ve tried every dessert shop in the area over the past year. This one and the last one we visited are the best.”
“You went to every shop nearby?”
“Yes. I had no friends when I came to the Empire, so I comforted myself with sweets.”
“Ah… I see. I don’t have any friends either.”
“No? But what about Zelda—the woman you came with last time?”
“Zelda is more than a friend. She’s my savior. She’s like an older sister to me.”
“Your savior and your sister?” Risha’s eyes sparkled. “Would you tell me the story? If it’s not rude to ask.”
“It’s no secret.”
Marican told her about the six-month contract marriage with Ruan, about meeting Zelda, following her to the village of Phenomenon, and everything since.
“My goodness… you’re so kind, Duchess. If it were me, I’d never forgive a husband who deceived me.”
Marican chuckled. “Is that so? Well, I’ve already forgiven him.”
The Duke was under a curse… if it were the man he used to be, he would have died.
“And you, Risha—what country are you from?”
“I came from the Kingdom of Allomande.”
“The Kingdom of Allomande? Forgive me—I’ve just started studying history and haven’t yet learned much about the other nations. What is it like?”
“A good and gentle land… at least until the second prince raised a rebellion. Your husband, the Duke, came under the pretext of war, crushed the rebels, and ended it. Though that was when he was cursed.”
“Ah… I see. So the rebellion is over now?”
“Yes. It’s peaceful again.”
“That’s a relief. You must miss your homeland after nearly a year away.”
“I used to. But lately, those feelings have faded.”
“…Why?”
“Because I suddenly have so much to do. And because I’ve met someone I want to be friends with.”
Risha’s smile bloomed as she gazed at Marican.
