Chapter 19

"Then, Lady Lilith, we will take our leave now..."

"It's fine. His Highness will come tonight. After all, there was no word. No news is a sign of good health, right?"

"...I suppose so. Good night, then."

Taina, while wondering whether she should worry about the energetic Lilith or feel sympathy for Jezalde, gave a safe response and stepped back.

Yesterday, Lilith had accidentally fallen asleep, so today she decided not to go to bed but to sit on a long chair instead.

No matter how much Lilith slept during the day, she would fall asleep as soon as she lay down on the bed.

However, this long chair was so comfortable that she gradually began to feel drowsy.

(I wonder if His Highness is here yet... No, I can't, I might fall asleep...)

Night is for sleeping.

It was a habit ingrained in Lilith's body.

Therefore, realizing that reading a book would be futile, Lilith stood up and decided to move her body.

However, it was indoors.

She tried walking around the bedroom but stopped, feeling like a wolf in a cage.

Next, she tried the morning exercises the servants did at Freud Castle.

But she ended up shouting and quickly stopped, worried that Taina might come to see what was happening.

(Hmm... What should I do...)

Lilith was troubled and glanced at the bed.

This bed was much larger than the one she used at Freud Castle, and there was something she had wanted to do since she first saw it.

However, Taina had warned her not to do it, so she had given up.

(But no one is watching, so it should be fine. After all, the bed is inviting me.)

Lilith concluded this and moved away from the bed.

She stood at the spot farthest from the bed and decided on a starting point.

(Yes, that's the right spot.)

With confidence, Lilith started running.

Her nightgown was soft and not very obstructive.

Then, at the starting point, she jumped with all her might.

Extending her limbs straight, she felt as if she were flying through the air—indeed, she was floating—before diving into the bed.

The large, soft bed caught her as expected.

"Hehehe."

The feeling of liberation from flying through the air and the sense of accomplishment from finally doing it made her laugh involuntarily.

Jezalde, who had been watching, was speechless.

He had been pondering in his room for a while. Since he had said he wanted to come last night, he thought Lilith wouldn't mind, and opened the door to her bedroom.

The moment he did, he saw Lilith running across the room and diving into the bed.

(She is quite unusual... A rare treasure...?)

Jezalde doubted his own common sense.

Just as he was about to pretend he hadn't seen anything and leave, he met Lilith's eyes as she sat up in bed.

Reluctantly, he stayed.

"Um, that..."

"What were you doing?"

"Well, of course..."

She had been seen by the one person she shouldn't have been seen by.

She knew she was waiting for Jezalde, but she had completely forgotten.

Panicking now was too late.

So, Lilith smiled and lied.

"I was checking the bed's safety."

"Really? And?"

"Huh?"

"Did you confirm it?"

"Yes, perfectly!"

"I see..."

When asked by Jezalde, who remained expressionless, Lilith nodded firmly.

It seemed she had managed to deceive him.

Then, Lilith realized something.

Despite Jezalde's visit, she had left him standing at the entrance.

Jezalde, seeing Lilith's sudden paleness, thought she had changed her mind upon seeing him.

He gripped the doorknob, still in his hand, and was about to return to his room.

But Lilith jumped off the bed, pulled back the covers, and patted the bed, smiling.

"Here, please."

"...Huh?"

"It's safe, so please lie down."

"...Is that the Freudian way?"

"Huh? Did I do something wrong? I'm new to the customs..."

Even in neighboring countries, there are many cultural differences.

In some countries, even noble daughters are taught bedroom techniques to control their husbands.

However, Jezalde had just realized something.

This princess is not just unusual; she is strange.

Given her age, she probably hadn't been betrothed before, and this alliance through marriage was fortunate for King Freud.

He must have been pushed off to Aelus, a bride who had been delayed in marriage.

The quick response to the proposal now made sense.

Having reached this conclusion, Jezalde decided to return to his room.

He thought it best to avoid further involvement with her.

"Then, let His Highness teach me."

"...Huh?"

"I don't know anything since it's my first time. So, if His Highness teaches me, it should be fine, right? My mother said the same thing. She said everything would be fine if I left it all to His Highness."

"..."

Jezalde, for the first time in his life, was at a loss for words.

He wanted to run away from this place immediately.

But his pride wouldn't allow him to retreat, so he reluctantly approached Lilith.

He then embraced Lilith, who was looking up at him straight.

"Are you not afraid?"

"Um... Well, it is a bit scary, I guess."

Jezalde smiled at Lilith's response.

From her immediate look down, he guessed that her mother, Queen Freud, had told her to endure.

Thinking that she was forcing herself, he felt sorry for her.

But—

"But I've heard that you get used to it quickly, so I'll be fine. I hope we can have a baby soon, His Highness!"

"...Wait a moment..."

Something seemed a bit off.

Jezalde's question was about whether he—his red eyes—was scary.

But Lilith's response seemed to be about the wedding night.

Looking at Lilith's green eyes, now filled with expectation, he wondered if her earlier shyness had vanished.

Jezalde, for the first time in his life, was so confused that he felt dizzy.