Chapter 36

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 36

Chapter Title: The Joy That Man Gives

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"...Kaiyan."

Uttering his name, Clodel was swept up in emotion.

She knew that once they became husband and wife, regardless of their pre-marriage status, they might call each other by name instead of titles.

But she never imagined she'd get permission to call him by name from the man who had wrinkled his nose in disgust at the sight of her Vermonte red hair the moment he entered the bridal chamber.

He hadn't been ignorant of his bride's name either.

'Don't make me say it twice. What's your name?'

'Clodel Queen... Vermonte.'

'Whether you can become Clodel Queen Temneth depends on your efforts tonight. Do your best.'

After that, Kaiyan had never spoken her name again.

He mostly called her "you," or when scolding, mocking, or embarrassing her, he referred to her as "Duchess" like he would anyone else.

So what if she was starting to like her husband a little on her own?

It wasn't a problem at all, she'd convinced herself in a moment of self-victory not long ago.

"Kaiyan."

Calling him softly again, he didn't seem offended or angry.

Each time she said his name, it was like a signal—as if on cue, he sucked on whatever was in his mouth.

The kiss, her first, was so sensual it was almost too much for Clodel to bear.

She had never even held hands with a man other than Kaiyan, so every revelation about intimacy between man and woman came straight from him.

Their lips met, and some invisible force, heated to a glowing red-hot, kneaded her brain, heart, and organs in her belly.

"Ahh."

Pleasure exploding from every part of her body made her writhe and let out strange sounds over and over.

She felt trapped by Kaiyan—by the joy that man gave her.

They don't call holding hands "hand-holding" for a reason.

She understood why kissing lips was called a "kiss."

Because it was special.

Tiny droplets welled up at the corners of Clodel's eyes.

It could be an illusion, for all she cared.

She just liked how fervently he looked at her, like he desired her.

Her dazed mind finally cleared when he pulled away to remove her soaked undergarments clinging to her skin.

"Kaiyan. To the castle... to the bedroom."

Since her health improved, they hadn't shared a bed.

The man who came to her bedroom every night at her request only slept.

She had clung to him, begging relief from her maddening insomnia, but he merely held her like a doll—leaving her a bit resentful.

More precisely, saddened when he looked at her.

Her body hadn't been that gaunt to begin with.

It had all the right curves to look properly womanly.

But after months of barely eating and suffering from illness, it had withered away hideously—and the thought of showing him that belatedly shamed her.

Now, the lost weight was filling out, returning to its former appealing shape bit by bit.

He had seemed disinterested in her.

That's what she'd thought—until now, seeing the resolute glint in Kaiyan's eyes as he lay her down in this flowerbed, determined to have her. Her heart pounded.

It made her feel special, beautiful to him.

"Anywhere but here. Okay?"

Anywhere but here would be fine, she soothed him.

Kaiyan spoke up.

"Can't make it to the castle."

Why not? The castle was right there, within arm's reach!

"Can't hold back."

His voice, grinding out the words as if suppressing something, dismantled Clodel's last defenses.

'I'm weak to handsome men.'

She wanted to grant his every wish.

But some things just weren't possible.

Kaiyan said no one would come to the rear garden, but if that were true, why would rumors spread?

Stories about some lord doing this or that.

"Please. I don't want to do it outside."

At that, Kaiyan scooped her up and carried her down a narrow forest path.

Between dense trees stood a small building—too grand and sturdy for a mere cabin, too modest for a house.

"This is..."

"My old study. From before I became family head."

The cozy space, built from fine dark wood, seemed like a annex for the heir.

Built-in bookshelves in a tone matching the family head's quarters in the castle were packed floor-to-ceiling with books. A desk, chair, and several weapons like swords adorned the walls stylishly.

Beyond that space lay a simple bedroom.

Her wet clothes were stripped off in an instant.

"Clodel."

The moment Kaiyan called her name in that heated voice...

Clodel knew she'd never forget it.

The royal castle of the Oberon Kingdom sat high up, offering stunning views.

Valquiter quite enjoyed the terrace overlooking the capital spread out below like a carpet at his feet.

Sipping tea there, he resembled a statue or painting stepped from myth or legend.

The most perfect king in Oberon royal history.

Voices fretting over his youth when he ascended the throne had vanished.

Now, they idolized the young king for his brilliant governance.

His lemon-blond hair, vivid blue eyes, and pale skin eerily mirrored the late Queen Sylvia, who had died screaming— as if she had become a man.

Old nobles loyal to the crown teared up at his sight, murmuring, "It's like Her late Majesty the Queen has returned to life."

Yet a truly devoted king was busy. Even savoring tea leisurely, Valquiter scanned endless reports and agendas.

"Your Majesty."

"What is it?"

Without lifting his eyes from the documents, he prompted. Court Count Makie placed a letter on the table and stepped back.

"A report from Rowen. And word from Valmond."

"Ah. Right on time."

Valquiter brightened, finally setting aside his reading.

"Let's see what amusing news arrived."

His eyes sparkled with anticipation as he opened the envelope.

But reading it, he immediately scowled with one eye.

"What is this? The Duchess is cured?"

Herzol wasn't a curable disease.

It was one to avoid from the start.

No cases since preventive methods were found three hundred years ago—now even the medicine was gone.

"That bastard did it after all."

Valquiter crumpled the letter in his fist.

He'd forced the marriage to Vermonte precisely because he hated seeing her state.

Yet he had to admit it.

He'd underestimated Kaiyan's stubbornness and resolve.

"Never thought that rigid fool, who can't bear defeat, would try saving the lame daughter of his enemy house, calling her his wife."

An unforeseen variable. The letter ended noting the Duchess had recovered and was healing, with Lady Irena soon visiting Rowen from Valmond.

"So that letter is..."

The Rowen report and Duke Vermonte's letter arriving together was no coincidence.

Valquiter reached for and tore open the Valmond missive.

"His daughter's condition improved after marrying into Rowen, so no need for territorial war with Temneth? Ha. Look at this sly old fox scheming."

He had leaked to Duke Vermonte that Kaiyan was preparing for war.

Predictably, the duke had flared up like oil poured on flames.

Outwardly, the royal marriage aimed to reconcile the houses—but once the sick bride in Rowen breathed her last, he'd use Valquiter to crush Temneth.

Yet Valmond currently lacked strength for conflict with Temneth due to drought.

The duke knew but pride wouldn't let him admit it. He'd hire mercenaries or borrow foreign troops via connections to smash Temneth.

Now he backed off from fighting Temneth?

And send his pampered Lady Irena all the way from northern tip to southern Rowen?

"Planning to swap the Temneth Duchess for his own daughter, I see."

Upon reflection, the biggest variable was Kaiyan.

"Vowed to kill every last breathing red-haired Vermonte on this earth. Unexpected, indeed."

Even with a royal command, who knew?

He hadn't expected Kaiyan to take the marriage seriously.

"What do you think?"

The white-haired man standing silently beside him had a sturdy build and dignified air despite middle age. Court Count Makie, who pledged loyalty to the new king after serving the queen, was among Valquiter's most trusted.

Court Count Makie replied.

"Lady Irena is said to be exceptionally talented and dazzlingly beautiful."

"Is she? Sounds familiar."

"If he's keeping the marriage anyway, better a healthy, impressive woman who looks good to others than a lame, once-sick wife, no?"

"True."

That was likely Duke Vermonte's aim.

"I married him to Vermonte because I couldn't stand seeing him with that."

Kaiyan getting a proper, admirable wife, that is.

Absolutely not—Valquiter himself deserved the kingdom's finest bride.

"Is Lady Irena that much of a beauty?"

"My daughter-in-law once said the northern debutante ball saved her marriage into our house—if Lady Irena had debuted in the capital, she wouldn't have stood a chance."

"That impressive?"

"Women are proud; they rarely praise rivals like that. Means anyone would acknowledge her."

"Hmm."

Such a talented lady heading north to seduce her sister's husband at her father's behest.

Valquiter's interest piqued.

"Prepare to go to Rowen. I need to write to Kaiyan."

The game, once too easy and boring, grew entertaining.

Valquiter planned to watch the board turn from the dice he'd thrown—personally.

Kaiyan was thrilled.

The custom necklace set from the jewelers had arrived.

Examining it in his office, its refined craftsmanship satisfied him completely.

"Wonder if she'll like it."

Clodel had odd tastes that worried him sometimes.

When he'd taken her to the jewelers, she'd casually called everything pretty—but spent an hour poring over every word of the cafe menu.

Might be better to build a private garden cafe by the castle lake than buy jewels.

With extra text on the menu, even better.

Knock knock.

Kaiyan cleared his throat before knocking on her door.

'I'm losing it.'

He used to barge right into Clodel's room.

But this knocking habit started because...

"Kaiyan."

She'd open the door herself after hearing him, greeting him in a way that felt welcoming. He liked that.

"Come sit here."

He led her to the vanity with its mirror. The woman in a sky-soft lilac dress, fresh as acacia blossoms, followed lightly.

"What's this?"

Clodel alternated glances between his face and the jewelry box on the vanity, then opened it—her eyes widening.

"Wow. So pretty."

Kaiyan barely noticed the necklace, too busy admiring her awed face—but he played along.

"A gift."

"Out of nowhere?"

"Try it on."

Clodel carefully lifted the necklace to her neck and looked up at him.

"Put it on for me."

"Sure."

Her loose hair quickly twisted up elegantly.

Gazing at her slender white neckline, Kaiyan fastened the necklace.

"How's it look?"

"Looks good."

The necklace? No—you.