RVMPT Side Story – Chapter 1

Side Story – Chapter 1

Two years later — summer.

When I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by an endless field of golden flowers.

I had fallen asleep in the marital bedroom with Harold, but suddenly woke up in this strange place. For a moment, I was confused.
But somehow, it didn’t feel completely unfamiliar.

‘Ah… this is the same place where I met Diana in my dream.’

Then… am I dreaming again? A lucid dream, maybe?

Just like last time, I looked around, hoping Diana might be here too. But there wasn’t even a shadow of anyone.

“Diana?”
“…”
“Maloney? Diana? Is anyone here?”

I shouted at the top of my lungs, but no one answered. Really, no one?

I kept turning in circles, scanning my surroundings—then suddenly my gaze fixed in one direction.

I couldn’t explain why, but I just knew I had to go there.

‘…Let’s go.’

As if under a spell, I began walking toward it.

It felt like I’d been walking for half a day, yet the flower field stretched on endlessly.

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and the air I breathed burned my lungs like shards of glass.

“Huff… huff…”

I stopped to massage my legs.

‘It’s just a dream, but my legs hurt.’

It had been so long since I’d felt physical fatigue like this—especially with divine power in me—that the sensation felt strangely real.

…How much farther do I have to go? Maybe I should rest a bit?

Just as I thought that, the ground started to tremble.

“W-wait! I won’t rest! I’m going, I’m going right now!”

Thud.

The shaking stopped.

I frowned, half amused, half exasperated, and took another step.

A soft breeze brushed past me, like it was cheering me on.

‘It’s like being punished and rewarded at the same time. But I guess it means I really need to keep going.’

The breeze tapped gently against my cheek, almost as if agreeing.

Encouraged, I pushed forward again, legs trembling but steady.

“Huff… huff… almost there…”

Just when I wondered if this place even had an end, it appeared.

I walked faster, and finally stopped at the edge of a cliff.

Right before me—floating in the sky—was a radiant sun. My chest tightened with emotion.

‘Ah…’

I understood instinctively.

‘You’re the reason I had to come this far.’

Just meeting that light made my eyes sting with tears.

“Let’s go home.”

Smiling softly, I reached out both arms. The sun moved closer, and I wrapped it in a tight embrace.

Warm.

That was the first thing I felt as I snuggled instinctively into Harold’s chest.

A low chuckle vibrated through him, and he kissed the top of my head.

“Awake?”

“Nooo.”

“You’re awake.”

“I’m not yet.”

I peeked one eye open and met Harold’s gaze. My husband looked dazzling, as always.

Just looking at him made my whole world feel bright; I couldn’t help grinning.

“Ah, Harold, I had a really nice dream! It was about—”

Mid-sentence, I caught sight of the clock and jolted upright.

“Ah! How did it get so late?! You didn’t wake me again, did you?”

“I didn’t. I was too busy admiring my lovely wife to notice the time.”

Harold glanced at the clock casually. “Eleven o’clock already.”

I gawked at how calm he was about it.

“Oh my goodness…” I muttered several times under my breath, scratching my head. Then I flopped back down on the bed.

“Well, you probably don’t care since you never have morning meetings lately.”

“Correct.”

I nodded knowingly—then froze as something struck me.

“Wait… you really haven’t had morning meetings lately, have you?”

Yesterday, the day before, even five days ago—nothing.

…Ah!

“Harold! Be honest. You’ve been clearing your mornings just to spend more time with me, haven’t you?”

“Oh no, I’ve been found out.”

“Hehe—see how quick I am now?”

“If you say so.”

Harold chuckled and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close.

The rhythmic thump of his heartbeat matched mine perfectly—it was so comforting I couldn’t help smiling into his chest.

He brushed a big hand through my hair.

“Diana, how do you feel?”

“My body? Same as always.”

“Still sleepy?”

“I slept so much, I’m fine now—haaam…”

“Still sleepy, then.”

…Why did I yawn right then? Embarrassed, I wrinkled my nose and jumped up.

“Let’s go eat.”

“It’s only eleven.”

“You skipped the minutes—it’s eleven fifty. Practically noon!”

Harold followed me off the bed. As I reached for the bell cord to summon the servants, he came up behind me—and nipped my neck like a mischievous puppy.

“Kyaa! Y-you scared me! I just called the servants!”

“All right, I’ll stop.”

He said he’d stop… but his eyes still lingered on my neck.

I pressed a hand over the spot and backed away quickly.

He’d been a bit frustrated lately—since I’d been too sleepy at night for intimacy—but now, with servants coming in, wasn’t the right time.

‘If only he’d said something before I called them, I would’ve said yes right away…’

As I thought that, Harold caught my wrist and lifted my hand away from my neck—then kissed my wrist instead.

The warmth of his breath stuck to my skin, sending heat all the way to my scalp.

“You said you’d stop…”

“Did I?”

“You’re shameless.”

He smirked and brushed his thumb over the faint tooth mark he’d left.

“It fades fast.”

“Yes, because I have divine power.”

“Right. You do.”

His grip on my wrist tightened slightly.

“As long as you have that power, you’ll never fall ill, will you?”

I blinked up at him, wondering why he was saying that so suddenly—then there was a knock on the door.

I asked the servant to prepare lunch, then headed to my room to change.

When I arrived at the dining room, Harold wasn’t there yet. I sat down to wait—but soon, my head drooped.

“My lady, you’re about to fall into your water glass.”

“…Did I nod off again?”

I rubbed my eyes, hearing Anna’s concerned voice.

I’d slept plenty—too much, even—but lately, I kept getting drowsy.

Even when I forced myself to stay alert, I’d somehow end up asleep.

‘If I didn’t have divine power, people would probably think I was sick.’

Leaning tiredly against the chair, I looked up as Harold entered.

“Sorry for being late.”

“It’s fine, I just got here.”

He sat down, and soon the food arrived—salad with lemon and olive oil, creamy stew, and veal with truffle.

The meat looked especially delicious today—

“Ugh…”

I snapped my head up. Harold had covered his mouth and nose, grimacing.

I grabbed his hand in alarm.

“Harold, are you all right?”

My holy power flowed into him. He lowered his hand and looked at me.

“I’m fine now. Sorry to worry you. The smell of the meat suddenly made me feel sick.”

“The smell? But it smells amazing to me… Why?”

“Strange. It doesn’t smell bad anymore.”

Frowning slightly, Harold glanced at the meat again. I followed his gaze.

What had just happened? Why did he suddenly feel nauseated?

I didn’t understand, but since he seemed fine now, I released his hand.

At that moment, his brows knit tightly again.

“…That smell—again.”

“What? The smell’s bad again?”

“The odor—it’s getting strong.”

I grabbed his hand again, worried.

Was something wrong with his body? That didn’t make sense—my divine power would prevent that.

I looked up at him, confused and anxious.

Then Harold suddenly turned his head toward me. His navy-blue eyes flickered with a strange, intense emotion.

“Are you… feeling really unwell somewhere?”

“No. Not that.”

He opened and closed his mouth a few times, then ran a hand over his face and stood up.

“Diana, excuse me for a moment.”

Before I could ask what he meant, he slid an arm under my knees and another around my back—lifting me right off the chair.