Chapter 13: TWOCM

Reina also seemed surprised, her eyes widening as she asked back,

“Pardon? But shouldn’t we head to the North as quickly as possible?”

Struck right where it mattered, Kaiden flinched for a moment, but quickly pretended to remain calm.

“We were supposed to, yes. But thanks to you telling us where Goret’s egg is, we’ve taken care of part of the work.”

He was relieved he had quickly come up with a suitable excuse.

At the mention that she had discovered the location of Goret’s egg, Reina brightened.

“I’m glad I was even a little helpful.”

At her self-deprecating tone, Kaiden frowned and corrected her.

“It wasn’t just ‘a little help.’ Honestly, I’ve been thinking about how to properly repay you. So if there’s anything you want, just say it.”

“Then I’ll take a tour of the Great Temple. There’s somewhere I’ve wanted to visit anyway.”

Only then did Reina happily agree.

If she had refused again, he would have forced her to tour it anyway.

For some reason, he kept feeling weaker in front of her.

It wasn’t sympathy… but something more like—

A strange feeling.

But when he saw her smile, a sense of satisfaction filled him.

Just then, the carriage stopped in front of the Great Temple.

A priest, already informed of their arrival, came out to greet them.

“Welcome, Duke Crensia. Princess Reina. We were expecting you after receiving the notice. You’re heading straight to the North afterward, correct?”

“No. The schedule has changed. I’d like to stay here for one day.”

At Kaiden’s words, the priest looked troubled.

“I’m afraid that’s difficult. Due to a special prayer period, there is only one guest room left.”

Then he glanced between Kaiden and Reina and continued,

“It seems you will have to share it. Would that be alright?”

“I’ll camp with the knights. Guide Reina to the room.”

Kaiden replied indifferently.

Just then, Reina grabbed his sleeve in surprise.

“Pardon? You’re going to sleep outside?”

“Then… are you suggesting we share?”

“Or should we take separate rooms?”

At Reina’s bold question, Kaiden blinked.

He looked as if he didn’t even understand what he was saying himself.

As Kaiden was thinking of how to refuse, the priest interjected.

“It shouldn’t be uncomfortable for the two of you to share. If we made the Duke sleep outside, Her Holiness would certainly reprimand us.”

“I really am fine…”

“Besides, aren’t you a married couple officially recognized by His Majesty the Emperor?”

At the priest’s sharp remark, Kaiden had no answer.

As he said, publicly they were a married couple.

They had even skipped a formal wedding ceremony due to the urgency of the Northern matter. If they refused to share a room here, it would only raise suspicion.

Reina also sided with the priest.

“The priest is right. We’re married now, so it’s right to share a room.”

In the end, Kaiden silently accepted the arrangement.

And when they were led to the room, he faced yet another dilemma.

As the only remaining guest room, it was smaller than a regular one.

Especially after seeing that there was only one bed, Kaiden almost wanted to walk right back out.

To him, the bed looked far too small for two people.

Of course, it only looked that way to him; in reality, it was large enough for two adults.

Reina, who was calmly unpacking, noticed Kaiden staring at the bed with a serious expression and tilted her head.

“Is there something wrong with the bed?”

“Something wrong? There’s plenty wrong. How are we supposed to sleep here?”

Kaiden frowned.

Reina paused her unpacking and walked over to the bed.

She sat down and bounced lightly once or twice, then said calmly,

“Maybe you were just raised too delicately.”

“What?”

“It seems fine to me.”

Realizing what she meant, Kaiden clicked his tongue.

He had only now realized she might have misunderstood him.

“No, it’s not that I’m picky about sleeping conditions…”

“Then it’s fine. I like this room.”

At her innocent words, the room fell silent.

If he kept talking, he would really end up looking like a fussy noble who couldn’t even share a bed.

In the end, Kaiden sighed in defeat.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being dragged along by her.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he asked,

“Are you always this calm about everything?”

“About what?”

Reina still didn’t seem to understand the situation she was in.

There was no fear in her light blue eyes as she looked up at him.

He couldn’t understand why she was so comfortable around him.

This wasn’t the kind of gaze someone would have after only meeting a few times.

That was exactly why he kept being thrown off by her.

Kaiden stepped closer to her, sitting on the bed.

“I’m saying you don’t seem to realize we’re sharing a room alone.”

Then he blocked both sides of her with his arms and continued,

“Do you even know what I might do to you, acting so relaxed?”

Only then did Reina’s eyes begin to tremble slightly.

As she belatedly recalled what it meant for a man and woman to share a room, she asked softly,

“Then… is today the day we form our marital bond?”

“What?”

Kaiden nearly choked at her blunt question.

But Reina didn’t stop there.

“I was prepared from the moment I went to see you, Kaiden. Even though it’s a contract marriage, if you need an heir, I’m willing to fulfill my duties as a wife…”

“W-wait!”

He cut her off and quickly stepped back.

His whole body felt hot, as if it had been scorched.

Reina stopped talking and stared at him blankly.

Seeing her calm, innocent expression made Kaiden speechless.

He had only intended to warn her because she seemed too unconcerned.

Instead, she had started talking about “marital duties” and heirs so casually that it left him dizzy.

“What are you talking about right now?”

“Pardon? Was there something wrong with what I said?”

“Plenty. Very plenty.”

Kaiden protested, flustered, but Reina still looked confused.

Her expression made him feel like he was going insane.

He ran a hand through his hair and said firmly,

“Let me make this clear. I have no intention of forcing anything on you. The idea that I would makes me uncomfortable.”

His usually composed face was now sharply distorted with irritation.

To Reina, unaware of this, it could easily be misunderstood.

She stared at him blankly as he seemed to be getting angry.

There was no real love in this marriage, but they were still husband and wife in name.

She had assumed that as a duke, he would eventually need an heir.

She had only stated something she thought was obvious.

Yet she hadn’t expected such a strong reaction.

Does he really hate it that much?

Well, it made sense. They had only met a few times—sharing that kind of intimacy might feel awkward for him.

Reina had already prepared herself when she chose to go to the North with him, but Kaiden clearly hadn’t.

So he might be uncomfortable with this situation.

Accepting that thought, Reina nodded quickly.

“Alright.”

However, the feeling of being rejected didn’t sit well with her.

Unable to hide her expression, she lowered her head.

An awkward silence filled the room.

Kaiden, seeing Reina suddenly deflate, felt troubled.