Chapter 45

"Departure is in five days... right?"

"Yes, it's a bit rushed, but there's an unavoidable meeting a month from now, so the schedule has been set for this date. I'm sorry."

"N-no, there's no need to apologize. It all started because of my selfishness. I'll make sure to get my health in order and be fully prepared by then."

"I see..."

Lilith smiled as she replied, but inside she was disappointed.

In five days, her period would just be ending.

Though the trip was nominally a honeymoon, it was actually an inspection tour, and she didn't think the serious Jezalde would visit her room at night.

(No, wait. Maybe the inn or the lord's mansion on the trip will be considerate and arrange for us to share a room...? No, that's not right. We should definitely have separate rooms. We can't sleep together.)

Ignoring the original purpose of the trip, Lilith was thinking about things that a lady shouldn't.

Jezalde's voice broke through her thoughts, bringing her back to reality.

"We'll give you a detailed itinerary of the cities we'll stop at tomorrow, so please check it."

"Yes, I understand. How long will the entire trip take?"

"Roughly twenty days for all the travel, round trip. We'll stay a few days in Toisen and Bunmini, so the total is planned for twenty-five days."

"I see. I'm looking forward to it."

In five days, it would be impossible to make Shyana.

Therefore, Lilith was desperately trying to think of a reason to extend the stay.

She didn't want to use the sickly excuse because it would cause worry. She would have to tell Jezalde to some extent, as Frederick had suggested.

The problem was the timing and how to explain it.

While talking about interesting events in Freud, Lilith was carefully observing Jezalde's reactions, who still didn't talk much.

She had to understand his character better to avoid failure.

Although Frederick was planning to accompany her, she couldn't rely on him all the time.

When the meal ended, Jezalde stood up.

"Lilith, I'll see you to your room."

"Oh, thank you."

Leaving the small dining room, they walked through the quiet palace, which was different from the daytime.

However, with guards nearby, they couldn't have much of a conversation.

(Oh, if only I could offer him a drink in my room and then push him down...)

While thinking such unladylike thoughts, they arrived at Lilith's room.

Still, as a matter of etiquette, she should invite him in.

"Your Highness, would you like to have a drink in my room? I have some of Freud's famous apple wine... and other things."

Freud's apple wine, like its cheese, was well-known and truly recommended. But hearing Tena's cough, Lilith awkwardly added:

"Sure, I'll have that apple wine then."

Jezalde answered, letting Lilith go through the door opened by the guard first, and followed behind.

Tena hurried to the anteroom to prepare.

Lilith invited Jezalde to sit on the sofa and sat opposite him.

Jezalde slightly moved his gaze, observing the room.

(Come to think of it, this is the first time Jezalde has been in this room. I've redecorated it to my taste...)

Moving large furniture would cause the wallpaper to fade, requiring major renovations, so she replaced the paintings on the walls with ones from Freud, added new furniture, and decorated the chest by the window with lace given by Daria. She also placed cushions made by her mother on the sofa, adding many small items.

"Um... do you like it?"

"What do you mean?"

"The room. I've made it quite to my taste..."

"Oh, no, that's fine. It's your room, so you should make it as you like. But..."

"But?"

"...It's quite a change. I think this room is very you."

Lilith smiled back at Jezalde's slight smile, but inside she was a bit annoyed.

(Mother said the same thing, but why are men so insensitive? Jezalde must be unconsciously comparing me to Queen Corina, right? Well, that's understandable, but not noticing what he said...)

Even when she glared at him, Jezalde, who was looking around the room, didn't notice.

Tena and Rase came in with the drinks, so Lilith reluctantly took on the role of host.

"This apple wine isn't sparkling, but it's my favorite. This cheese is—"

"No, explanations are fine. I've reviewed everything about Freud in preparation for your arrival."

"Really?"

Lilith was surprised by Jezalde's words but quickly understood.

Despite his initial reluctance about the marriage, the serious Jezalde had studied thoroughly, more for himself than for her.

"So, you have something you want to tell me, right?"

"Eh?"

"Your stories about Freud were interesting, but you've been distracted all night. No, to be precise, you've been observing me. I thought you might be reconsidering the trip to Toisen, but it seems different."

"That's..."

Lilith's plan had been seen through.

She should have told him, but she hesitated because her strategy wasn't fully formed.

There was no Frederick to help her, and Tena and the others had left the room.

After much deliberation, Lilith finally spoke.

"Um, actually, today... my period started..."

Since her plan wasn't fully formed, she ended up telling him the other thing she needed to say.

Jezalde furrowed his brow, seemingly not understanding at first, then his expression relaxed.

"I see..."

This ignited Lilith's anger.

Of course, she understood that as the Crown Princess, a pregnancy would be a big deal, but that was a different matter.

Lilith had enjoyed the intimate moments with Jezalde at night, and she was disappointed that they wouldn't happen for a while.

However, Jezalde seemed to think differently.

Moreover, his earlier insensitivity and the dream she had last night added fuel to her anger.

Worst of all, there was no one to stop her from losing control.

Lilith smiled and opened her mouth again.