~Chapter 35~
After a long moment of contemplation, I comforted myself with a simple conclusion: “Etienne is someone who gets angry at any moment.”
Anyway, it worked out that we’d have separate rooms… so that was a good thing.
Still, there was a strangely lingering sense of disappointment.
Etienne called for a servant to move things, but perhaps because of the banquet, no servant arrived for quite a while.
So I had to stand idly in the quiet room, nervously watching Etienne.
Whether it was the Emperor, the Empress, or Etienne, I had to watch my step with everyone. Sigh… when will I finally live freely without worrying about every little thing?
Trying not to breathe too loudly, I focused on calming myself when I heard a welcome knock.
Relieved that I could finally relax without prying eyes, I couldn’t help but smile.
The door opened, and a man stepped in.
It wasn’t a servant. The man smiled brightly at me.
“Have you been well, Dalia?”
“B-Be… Bessas?”
I glanced at Etienne, feeling I should check with him.
“Am I invisible?”
Etienne’s voice made Bessas shift his gaze from me to him.
“Etienne… I didn’t think you’d come, but you really did.”
“The Crown Prince himself requested it, so of course I had to come.”
Etienne stepped closer, standing beside me. His eyes glittered dangerously, radiating an unusual aura.
I froze in discomfort, standing quietly.
Why did Bessas suddenly appear here?
According to the story… he should be walking in the garden with Sophienne right now. Holding hands, trying to kiss, and then being stopped because of the punishment.
Haha… I remember the comments about recruiting party members for bee hunting back then.
Lost in memories that didn’t fit the situation, the servant who should have come earlier hurried into the room.
“My apologies, Your Highness. There was a crowd of guests, so I’m late. Do you have any instructions? Oh, should I prepare a separate room for Her Highness?”
Etienne glanced at Bessas and then at me.
Why… what? Why that look?
He met my eyes and spoke.
“Why would a married couple need separate rooms? That’s unnecessary.”
Huh?
I stood there in shock for a moment before fully understanding what he meant.
“W-wait a minute! Separate rooms…!”
I tried to say something, but as soon as I met Etienne’s blazing eyes, my words choked back down my throat.
Damn it.
I knew I couldn’t completely fool Bessas. From the moment I rejected his confession and kiss, he already knew most of my cards.
But still, I didn’t need to give the impression that we were such a perfect couple.
He’s my top suspect! If he sees this, he’ll be even more wary of me!
“So… what do you need?”
Etienne slowly turned toward Bessas. Then he grabbed my waist, pulling me close, a faint smile on his lips.
“Prepare enough bathwater. Enough for me to share with my wife.”
…What? Wha… what…?
The servant, professionally, simply nodded and left.
The room was filled with silence.
I was doomed.
Bessas stared at me as if expecting an answer.
I don’t know… so don’t look at me.
Etienne pulled my hand, and instinctively I pressed close to his side.
“I wanted to have a chat, but it seems I got in the way.”
“Yes… could you maybe step aside a bit?”
Etienne’s tone was getting colder by the second. I was in a daze, trying to keep an eye on both of them.
Bessas didn’t seem to mind Etienne’s sharp words—or maybe he was just a master at controlling his expression, as he kept smiling.
“Really? Dalia seems more uncomfortable with you right now.”
The smile was fake! Bessas was attacking!
And I seemed to be the one getting hit!
I quickly turned my head away from Etienne, imagining a cracking sound at my neck.
Feeling that intense gaze, Bessas’ warm voice reached me again.
“Dalia, want to come with me? I’ll get a room ready.”
Bessas was making a “hand offer” attack! And at the same time, Etienne’s piercing glare was a double critical hit!
What am I supposed to do!?
If I grabbed Bessas’ hand, Etienne would probably kill me. If I refused, I’d be forced to share a bed with Etienne for the night.
Eh, better to sleep in one bed than die… I can endure with a thigh poke if necessary…!
“Thanks for thinking of me, but we don’t need a separate room.”
“If that’s what you want… If you ever need me, come find me anytime.”
“Y-yeah… thanks.”
“See you tomorrow, Dalia. Make yourself look pretty.”
Bessas left with a tone that could have come straight from a rom-com love interest. Then, it was just Etienne and me in the room again.
And now, it was even more awkward. I was standing right beside Etienne.
I didn’t know whether to move away or act like everything was normal.
Meanwhile, the servants busied themselves preparing the bath. I silently watched the large bathtub being set up in the middle of the room.
Steam rose gently. The maids disappeared swiftly. I swallowed nervously to keep from making any sound.
Etienne suddenly stood. I flinched, glancing at him. He calmly began taking off his clothes.
“W-what are you doing!?”
I covered my eyes with my hands. Peeking between my fingers, I saw him looking straight at me, deliberately removing his upper clothes.
Oh my! Is he trying to seduce me? Such a bold husband!
I was terrified, yet couldn’t look away. This was instinct.
I couldn’t help it. How could a young woman my age ignore a man with a body like that!
Firm, broad chest, abs divided like flowing rivers—shoulders wide enough to throw myself onto.
Wow, all that training at the martial hall wasn’t wasted.
Should I release a paid photo set? I bet it would sell well.
Just as my gaze traveled from his shoulders down to his defined abs, I heard his voice.
“You’re looking, so why cover your eyes?”
Our eyes met, and I quickly closed my fingers again.
“I just wanted to see if you were alive! Why are you taking off your clothes in front of someone! What happened to manners…!”
“Who bathes fully dressed?”
“Exactly! Then why are you undressing with me here?”
“After a year of marriage, sharing a bath isn’t unreasonable.”
His voice came closer.
What the… why are you approaching me completely naked!?
“This is ridiculous…! We’re not supposed to be like this!”
“Then what are we?”
This time, his voice was right by my ear. I got goosebumps all over.
“Eek!”
Startled, I fell to my left side. My hand slipped from my eyes while bracing myself. I absolutely did not want to see his bare body again.
And yet, before me, Etienne was looming naked, staring down.
“So… what if it were Bessas?”
“Huh?”
Why is Bessas coming up now?
“You wouldn’t have hated it as much if it were Bessas, right?”
Etienne’s lips twisted.
“What do you mean all of a sudden!? Put your clothes on, or I swear I’m leaving!”
I stammered, trying to cover myself. Etienne reached for my hairpin. My twisted-up hair fell to my neck in an instant.
I gasped. Etienne’s faint smile lingered as he looked down at me.
“Take a bath, my wife.”
Not wanting to cause any more trouble, Etienne moved away from me.
He draped a thin robe over his shoulders.
Wait, isn’t he giving up too easily?
With his perfect body out of sight, I felt a strange disappointment. I awkwardly played with my hair. He had said he’d give me an hour, then left the room.
Disappointing… or not at all. Meh.
Once I finished washing and changed clothes, Etienne returned as if by magic.
He must have washed too, his face pale, silver hair slightly wet. The thin robe he wore outlined every curve of his broad body.
Thankfully, Etienne didn’t even glance at me and lay alone on the bed.
Like a vampire in a coffin, he lay straight, eyelashes lowering over his closed eyes.
“Really going to sleep together?”
I asked, and he slowly opened his eyes. His sharp gaze scanned my face, making me swallow nervously.
But the words from his sensuous lips made me want to clutch my neck instead of my heart.
“You don’t dislike it because it’s not Bessas?”
Was Etienne always this hard to understand?
At this point… is he actually… fond of Bessas? Both men were handsome, but I had no intention of giving up my husband.
“No, seriously! Why do you keep bringing up Bessas? It’s not like that at all!”
“Well… from what I see, Bessas—”
I couldn’t take it.
Before he could say Bessas’ name again, I pressed myself beside him.
“Okay, now?”
Satisfied, Etienne quietly closed his eyes.
Yes. What’s so wrong with sleeping in one bed? It’s just sleep.
I closed my eyes too.
Hmm…
Hmmm…
Why can’t I sleep?
Time seemed to move slowly. I was exhausted, yet my mind felt sharper than ever.
It must be the unfamiliar sleeping arrangement. That’s why I can’t sleep.
I tried to convince myself, but my attention kept drifting to him. Even without anything happening, why is my mouth watering? I tried to swallow, but it was so quiet I couldn’t help it.
“Hmm.”
I shifted slightly, naturally turning my head toward Etienne. I opened my eyes slightly and looked at him.
