Chapter 82

"By the way... though it's a bit late now, how is Hans doing? I want to properly thank him."

After changing into her dress for the day, Lillis asked Taina.

In response, Taina smiled wryly, more out of exasperation than anything else.

"Lord Frederick confirmed your safety and then Hans immediately returned to Toisen."

"Oh, right. He left the kiln behind. That was quite irresponsible of him."

"…No, Hans said he was worried about Rese…"

"Ah, that’s right. Yes, of course Rese is… really okay, isn’t she?"

Lillis smiled wryly at Hans' predictable actions and began to worry that Rese might be seriously injured, but was just being kept in the dark.

Taina's expression turned serious, and she firmly denied it.

"No, there's no need to worry. She's really fine. In fact, I had to strongly dissuade her from going with Lord Frederick… Of course, I did tell her about your safety, but she’s probably anxiously waiting right now. So, it’s probably a good thing that she has someone to distract her…"

"Yes, that’s true. I really need to thank Hans for everything."

Lillis had intended to apologize to Rese as well, but decided against it.

Rese must feel just as responsible as the knights.

When they return to Toisen, they can all chat and have fun together as usual.

Thinking this, Taina continued, somewhat perplexed.

"I tried to express my gratitude to Hans, but he just brushed it off with a joke. And even though the prince offered him a reward, he declined it outright… Captain Cyrius was a bit irritated by his attitude, but the prince just smiled wryly, so it didn’t become a big issue. But I was really worried watching it all."

"Hmm, that’s understandable. Hans probably has his reasons."

Given Hans' personality, he likely dislikes formalities, but a reward from the prince would have been known by his family.

Lillis thought he might have wanted to avoid that.

"But you can’t run away forever. One day, his name will surely be known throughout the country—no, the world—along with Edgar’s. This time, his pottery was truly magnificent."

"That’s wonderful. I’d love to see it too."

"Yes, of course. When we return to Toisen, I had planned to load some pieces onto the carriage to show to the king and the prince, but they might be damaged now…"

Lillis sighed deeply, remembering the jolts of the carriage.

She hoped they hadn’t broken.

This whole experience had been a lesson in many ways.

She couldn’t keep her dreams a secret from Jesarld any longer.

Though she was afraid to reveal them, she believed Jesarld would understand.

With this in mind, Lillis spent the time talking with Taina about pottery.

By nightfall, Lillis, having prepared for bed, sat on the bed in her bedroom.

She had been able to have dinner with Jesarld, which was a pleasant surprise.

Though they couldn’t have a deep conversation with Taina and others around, just seeing Jesarld and talking to him was enjoyable.

In fact, she was so nervous that she barely had an appetite and even worried Jesarld.

(Ah, no good. Why am I only realizing this now? Looking back, I’ve been doing so many embarrassing things. Even though we’re married, sneaking into his room at night was a bad idea…)

Thinking about her past actions, Lillis flopped onto the bed and writhed in embarrassment.

(That’s right. There’s no way I wouldn’t fall for Jesarld. He’s so handsome, kind, and amazing with a sword!)

Recalling when she was rescued by Saul and the others, she writhed in a different kind of excitement—what one might call fangirling.

(A girl’s dream! This story would definitely be popular! …Maybe if I turn this into a story and spread it, no one will call him the ‘Red Reaper’ anymore. Instead, the name of the ‘Dawn Star’ who heroically rescued me at dawn will be known!)

Lillis, thinking of something that would annoy Jesarld, hugged her pillow and let her imagination run wild.

She decided to call a bard or a writer to turn it into a proper story when they returned to the capital.

Suddenly, she realized something.

(Wait. Stories always end with a happy ending, right? The two lovers live happily ever after. Right?)

As soon as she realized this, her fantasies quickly deflated.

She had finally acknowledged her feelings, but what about Jesarld?

His rush to rescue her was probably due to his strong sense of responsibility.

He would have done the same for anyone who was kidnapped.

Now that she knew Jesarld better, she understood this much.

But he had agreed when she said she didn’t want to be separated.

(And he was genuinely worried about me, and he kissed me so many times… hehehe)

The kisses and embraces after so long had filled her lonely heart with happiness.

If she could, she would have spent more time with him, but she couldn’t interfere with his work any further.

There were probably unfinished tasks in Toisen—like gathering evidence of corruption—that had been delayed by this incident.

She couldn’t be selfish.

Though she understood this, she was disappointed that the rooms in this inn were completely separate.

(Ah, I miss him. We were just together a little while ago, but I still need more of Jesarld.)

Lillis lay on the bed and sighed deeply.

While stories do end with the lovers living happily ever after, she thought maybe a one-sided love was okay too.

(Because even if it’s one-sided, Jesarld is still my husband, and there’s no doubt he has affection for me as family. Even if his love died with Queen Corina, that’s okay. If I can make him happy with my own happiness, maybe he’ll think I was a good wife. Maybe he can feel a little happiness.)

With this conclusion, Lillis stared at the door leading to the living room.

There were probably guards in front of both her room and Jesarld’s.

If she wanted to sneak into his room, she’d have to get past them.

(Ugh, that’s a bit embarrassing… But I still need more of Jesarld! It’s torture not to see him when he’s so close! Yes, even if it’s embarrassing, it’s okay. We’re married, after all!)

Lillis, who had been writhing in embarrassment earlier, had no one to remind her of her earlier thoughts.

Unable to bear the torture any longer, she stood up with determination—just as a knock sounded at the door.

Thinking Taina might have sensed her intentions and come to stop her, Lillis approached the door.

"What is it? Taina, did you somehow predict—"

Opening the door with a slight pout, Lillis froze.

Standing at the entrance was not Taina, but the person she had been planning to sneak into his room to see—Jesarld.