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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: A Warm Morning Embrace
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#56.
'Everyone thinks spirits are such solemn beings, but they're really not. They're so chatty that there are times I want to rip my ears off.'
'Are they naturally in the form of butterflies?'
'It varies by the contractor's attribute, apparently. Once I get more used to the power, I can even change their form.'
Akid recalled Roena chattering away about spirits.
Remembering just how talkative they were, he pressed his index finger to his lips.
"Shh."
― …….
"Everything you saw today is a secret."
As he murmured softly, something brushed against his fingertip. Sensing it was agreement, Akid let out a small chuckle.
Right at that moment, the mischievous spirits shoved Roena into Akid's arms.
She tumbled right into his embrace and settled there, letting out a faint groan as she snuggled in even deeper.
Akid froze in surprise, his body going rigid. The bed was wide enough for him to pull back, or he could even push her away if he wanted, but he stayed perfectly still.
An inexplicable emotion flickered in his pale blue-gray eyes. He didn't want to let go of the warmth in his arms.
Roena smelled nice, somehow. Akid savored her scent for a moment before impulsively pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.
For some strange reason, whenever he looked at her like this, he felt an urge to touch her, talk to her, make her smile.
Growing bolder than before, Akid caressed her cheek.
She had burrowed into his arms, and on top of that, she was sleeping deeply, which made him all the more daring.
He gazed quietly at her. Then, suddenly, he remembered what she'd mumbled back when he'd said they had to sleep in Prodium.
'Even here, separate rooms... It's not like we're practicing abstinence or anything.'
Recalling her deeply disappointed mutter brought a smile to his face.
Because of his collapse, the very thing she'd wanted so badly had come true, yet here she was, sound asleep and oblivious.
In truth, Akid didn't mind skipping the consummation altogether.
It was a political marriage meant to solidify his legitimacy after his late entry into the family register, after all.
He'd heard that both House Hadellusga and House April had agreed before the wedding to use separate rooms until adulthood.
But now, feeling this warmth in his arms, he felt a pang of regret.
Their marriage vows were already sealed in writing, so there was no backing out now.
"You'll have to make do with this."
Akid whispered softly as he planted a light kiss on the bridge of her nose. It was the opposite of restraint, despite his words.
The birds chirped, announcing the arrival of morning. I burrowed deeper into the fluffy blanket, drawn by its soft texture and some inexplicably pleasant scent.
So warm.
I wanted to sleep a little longer like this, but the blanket started to slip slowly out of my arms.
I grabbed the wriggling blanket and pinned it firmly with my arm. I didn't want the warmth to escape.
The blanket twitched and stiffened, and only then did I belatedly sense something off, freezing in place as well.
'Huh? How is the blanket moving?'
Blankets don't have legs—they shouldn't move.
Still half-asleep, it was hard to open my eyes, so I fumbled around with my hands instead. That's when someone whispered softly right by my ear.
"Roena, are you awake? Or is this just another one of your sleeping habits?"
"!!"
I jolted awake, eyes flying open. It was unmistakably Akid's voice. And the face I met was, of course...
"An, an, angel?"
"Pardon?"
"Oh."
For a split second, I'd thought an angel had descended from heaven, only to realize it was Akid.
'Oh, I must still be dreaming.'
I grinned dopily at the thought that Akid couldn't possibly be in my bed. Even if it was a dream, having him there felt amazing.
Besides, the sight of Akid just woken from sleep—even if it was my imagination—had devastating impact.
How could his tousled hair look so perfectly styled, like he'd just blow-dried it?
Dream or not, I pried my eyes wide to savor the view.
I was fangirling hard inside, openly admiring his innocent beauty, when Akid's face gradually turned bright red. A moment later, he mumbled,
"Staring like that is dangerous..."
His ears flushed crimson too, and he shrank under my gaze, looking embarrassed. Did he know how much more dangerous he looked?
"Gasp!"
Only then did I fully realize this wasn't a dream—it was reality. The Akid before me was far too vivid for a dream.
He bit his lower lip, his scarlet ears turning away from my stare.
I'd fallen asleep clinging tightly to him, leaving barely any space between us.
And what I'd been groping earlier? His back. No wonder the "blanket" had felt so noticeably firm.
Akid was still recovering, so he wore only a very thin nightshirt—practically see-through in places. A dangerously alluring sight.
Putting it all together, I let out a shriek and scrambled backward.
"S-s-s-s-sorry!"
For the first time in my life, I shrank space itself to escape. That's how fast I fled his arms.
Akid glanced between the now-empty spot beside him and my retreating form, looking somewhat wistful.
But I had no time to notice.
'Why am I sleeping in the same bed as Akid? I could've sworn I passed out face-down yesterday. Did Hanna move me? Oh god—not "oh yeah," but what if Akid thinks I'm a creep? Coveting a sick person's bed? Worst case scenario!'
Flustered and panicking, I heard Akid sit up with a slightly dissatisfied tone.
"You didn't have to run away like that."
No. Right now, I'm way too dangerous for you.
I shook my head vigorously and asked,
"D-did I do something wrong?"
"Wrong?"
Akid tilted his head in confusion, his expression saying there was nothing to worry about.
'Like, did I suddenly kiss him in my sleep? Or maybe stick something in his mouth and go motorboat? Or squeeze him till he couldn't breathe... Oh wait, I already did that one. Ugh. Damn it.'
A torrent of unspeakable worries flooded my mind. So many potential issues, but not one I could voice honestly.
Either way, I'd basically stolen a sick person's bed and slept in it.
And that wasn't all—judging by Akid's flushed face, it was because I'd hugged him too tightly.
I felt glum for unintentionally acting like a crazy sasaeng fan. It violated my ironclad fanning rules. That's when Akid spoke.
"You didn't do anything wrong."
"Really?"
"Yes. Really."
Akid beckoned me closer to reassure me. I inched toward him, and he gently straightened my messy hair.
"Sleeping together wasn't uncomfortable at all. You slept like a rock with me right there."
Th-that's because I was so exhausted yesterday, I didn't even realize I'd crawled into bed.
If I'd known, my heart probably would've exploded, and I wouldn't have slept a wink.
Akid grinned, his hand smoothing my cheek as he finished with my hair. The brief touch made me oddly shy.
"Actually, it was nice. First time spending the night with anyone."
My ultimate bias said our night together was nice.
I clutched my heart, wildly misinterpreting his words.
What was with that misleading statement?
Whew, glad I'm still alive.
As I indulged in all sorts of delusions inside, Akid said,
"But we do have that promise from before the wedding. No consummation yet."
"Huh? What promise before the wedding?"
I forgot my fantasies and pressed him on the "not yet" part.
"Oh, didn't Marquis April tell you?"
I shook my head, completely clueless, and Akid continued.
"Ah, you haven't heard. I thought you knew, Roena."
"Knew what...?"
"About the consummation. We agreed not to until adulthood. And I heard Marquis April had quite a few other demands too."
What did you say?
The bolt from the blue left me speechless. Unable to withstand the shock, I collapsed forward onto the bed.
"Roena!"
Akid startled and tried to support me, but my world had already crumbled—I couldn't get up.
Separate rooms! Until adulthood!
Marquis, what is this thunderclap from a clear sky?!
No wonder things were going well but there was no talk of consummation. They'd plotted this beforehand.
House April, that overzealous bunch, must've decided it behind my back.
Looks like it wasn't just the divorce agreement I needed to shred to pieces.
'Sob, no way.'
Why are there so many saboteurs ruining my blissful otaku life!
"Anyone would think you were the one up all night suffering."
Elena eyed me with clear displeasure.
"Good morning..."
I barely had the energy to respond, nodding weakly.
'Does this even feel like living anymore, Mother-in-law?'
Akid's words still swirled endlessly in my head.
Forced into a seven-year train to Frugalville.
It felt like an eternity, and I'd have to weed out all my death flags in the meantime.
I didn't want reasons to survive that long like this.
Meanwhile, Elena asked Akid,
"How are you feeling?"
