Chapter 108
Ben, coughing as if he had swallowed something the wrong way, stared at the two of them in utter disbelief.
Ben was one of the few who knew that they were a couple by contract.
He had thought that sharing the same bedroom was merely to deceive the Emperor.
But their previous conversation suggested they had already consummated their marriage. Ben was aghast.
“W-w-when did it become like that?”
“It’s been a while.”
Kaiden muttered awkwardly, feigning nonchalance. Ben’s gaze turned toward Reina.
Reina had a deep blush on her cheeks and was wearing an awkward smile.
“Goodness. My word… I can’t believe… this is happening…”
Ben uttered a string of exclamations, struggling to find the right words.
From his perspective of having watched Kaiden’s long-standing unrequited love, he hadn’t noticed at all that the atmosphere between them had changed.
It was only natural, as the two had behaved no differently than usual.
After a moment, Ben spoke.
“Congratulations.”
“Ahem. It’s nothing much.”
Kaiden looked bashful, while Reina fanned her reddened cheeks with her hands.
Ben continued with heartfelt sincerity.
“I cannot tell you how long I have looked forward to this day.”
“That’s enough. Reina’s face is going to explode at this rate.”
“Kaiden!”
Reina let out a shrill cry and slapped Kaiden’s arm.
Seeing Kaiden laughing, clearly enjoying even that, Ben felt somewhat uneasy.
Reina gave Ben a request.
“Please continue to monitor Jeffrey’s physical condition.”
“Wouldn’t it be dangerous to leave things as they are? Today was just a minor incident, but next time he might do something even more perilous.”
It had already been proven that Jeffrey had lost control of his body and was obeying the Moon Shadow.
Keeping someone who could become a threat at any moment in the Crensia mansion was extremely risky.
Ben spoke with that intention, but Kaiden’s response was swift.
“All things naturally involve risk. It’s my job to prepare for even the expected dangers. Do not burden Reina.”
“…I apologize. I spoke out of turn without realizing it.”
Ben apologized quickly. Reina said to him:
“I’ve actually obtained a clue that might improve Jeffrey’s condition. So please trust me and wait a little longer.”
“I understand.”
Ben left the room with a faint smile.
Once they were alone, Reina spoke to Kaiden.
“Are you really okay?”
“Why? Are you going to help me if I’m not?”
“I’m not joking!”
Reina reacted frostily and examined his body.
As she was inspecting him—even using Litsy’s power—Reina suddenly felt her throat go dry.
The poison must have been neutralized long ago, yet she could feel a burning desire radiating from him.
Reina felt every day how desperately he wanted her.
Even without borrowing Litsy’s power, he would constantly tempt her with his gaze, his touch, and his voice.
Then Kaiden cupped Reina’s cheek and said:
“I’m not joking either. I’m always serious when it comes to you.”
“…”
“May I kiss you?”
At Kaiden’s question, to which the answer was obvious, Reina slowly closed her eyes.
A moment later, a warm breath brushed against her lips.
Reina leaned against his chest and quietly enjoyed the sweetness he provided.
The touch as he gently brushed back her hair was tender.
On the other hand, the hand that sought her waist was hot and possessive.
Just as they did every night, Reina and Kaiden lost track of time as they got to know each other.
And they realized that beyond the walls they had finally torn down, a world of infinite novelty unfolded.
The more they got to know each other, the more emotions they hadn’t known about themselves were awakened.
They wanted to be together constantly, and when apart, the longing was almost too much to bear.
Reina thought for the first time that she wanted to monopolize someone.
And she could no longer fail to realize that Kaiden felt the same.
* * *
Pale moonlight illuminated the floor of the Emperor’s bedroom.
A moment later, a man who had concealed his presence appeared from among the moon shadows.
Sensing the man’s presence, the Emperor slowly shifted his gaze.
Having been waiting for him, the Emperor spoke without hesitation.
“What happened?”
“Jeffrey has completed the order.”
“Did you verify it yourself?”
“Yes.”
At the man’s clear words, the Emperor wore a crooked, sinister smile.
Everything was proceeding with clockwork precision.
The Emperor had assigned a shadow to monitor Jeffrey’s every move.
There were no exceptions, even after he stayed at the Crensia mansion.
Compared to the North, the Crensia mansion in Lunin was not heavily guarded.
Even if it were, as long as Jeffrey was in the mansion, it was advantageous for the Emperor.
He would have no choice but to blindly follow his orders.
Furthermore, Reina did not suspect at all that her long-lost brother had suddenly appeared.
On the contrary, she rejoiced and welcomed him into her inner circle.
Such vulnerabilities satisfied the Emperor deeply.
Since it didn’t matter what happened to Reina as long as a child was born, the Emperor wore a despicable smile, looking forward to that day with anticipation.
12. Holy Day
A procession of envoys lined up in front of the Great Temple.
Priests who came to meet them welcomed the distinguished guests with meticulous care.
“Welcome to the Mernier Empire. We will serve you with all our heart and soul at the Lunin Temple during your stay.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
As Isadal offered a brief gesture of courtesy, a light of profound respect appeared in the priests’ eyes.
It was highly significant that the most prominent candidate for the next Pope had chosen Mernier as his first destination.
When he ascended to the papacy in the future, many benefits would be granted to the Mernier church.
Furthermore, Cardinal Isadal possessed the most powerful divine power among existing priests.
He was a being so beloved by God that even the current Pope could not treat him lightly.
Despite his young age, he possessed such deep wisdom that he was already regarded as an insurmountable wall.
Meanwhile, Isadal looked around blankly, completely unconcerned by the priests’ reverent gazes.
Even though it was his first time setting foot on this land, it wasn’t unfamiliar because he held memories of it.
While he was carefully surveying the surroundings, Michael, who had finished his duties, gave a brief greeting.
“I will take my leave now. His Majesty has said he will request a meeting soon, so please rest well until then.”
“Thank you for the long journey. I arrived comfortably thanks to you.”
After Michael left, Isadal was assigned his lodgings.
When Isadal arrived at the lodging and began to unpack, the attendant priest was at a loss.
Originally, the room assigned to Isadal was the suite reserved for High Priests.
But because Isadal had requested to go to the lodging where the apprentice priests stayed, the arrangements had been changed.
“They said we should host you in a better place…”
“Then it wouldn’t be a spiritual practice. This is more than enough for me.”
When Isadal repeatedly declined with polite persistence, the priest reluctantly withdrew.
Finally left alone, Isadal let out a low sigh.
He had expected such fawning when he revealed his power, but it was more uncomfortable than he had thought.
Back when he helped Kaiden in the previous life, he was merely a low-ranking priest.
That had made him perfect for helping quietly in the shadows.
In this life, he had to show his strength because there were things he had to find out about Jeffrey.
It would be easier to command holy knights or utilize the power of the Holy Kingdom the higher his rank became.
‘It won’t be easy to meet separately at this rate…’
Lunin was a place crawling with the Emperor’s eyes.
If he weren’t careful, his meeting with Reina could be discovered and ruin everything.
While it would be possible to meet Kaiden in secret, it wouldn’t be easy with Reina.
He would have to substitute with official meetings as much as possible and utilize the Hook Merchant Guild as he had before.
‘I’ll have to bribe a reliable priest soon.’
Isadal shifted his gaze toward the direction of the Crensia mansion.
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