Chapter 40

Viera popped a grape into her mouth as if to nourish her brain, but she couldn’t taste it at all, and of course, the nutrients wouldn’t reach her immediately.

"Viera, why are you hesitating?"

"That is... why, I wonder?"

"Huh?"

"Really, why, I wonder?"

She had tried to answer reflexively, but she didn’t even know herself.

First, it was because she was embarrassed. Then, it was awkward.

But why she felt that way, she hadn’t clearly recognized the reasons.

(I’m embarrassed because Lord Luca looks so handsome and dazzling... I get flustered on my own. It’s awkward because... I might be falling in love. If I fall in love with Lord Luca, who doesn’t think of me as more than a contract partner, it will be the start of a painful one-sided love. Well, I’ve never been in love, so I don’t really understand, but I often hear that one-sided love is painful.)

The thought of continuing the engagement and then really getting married made her feel like every day would be a living hell.

It was best to avoid known dangers.

To avoid falling in love, it would be safer to return with the Barrier Division.

During the time they were separated, she could ensure time to discipline her heart to "not fall in love."

However, according to the Duchess Ambrosia, with whom she had made a bet, there was still a possibility that she and Luca were mutual.

It’s impossible, right?—But it was hard to dismiss Luca’s kindness lightly, which she felt every day.

Yesterday, even though he was tired himself, he had gently picked Viera up and carried her.

Now, with no one around, there was no need to act affectionate, but his attitude and distance made her feel closer than just a close friend.

(Am I really special to Lord Luca? As someone he can dote on? As a woman?)

She looked up at Luca, who was gazing down at her with a puzzled expression.

His handsome face wasn’t cold like when he was in hero mode. It was the face of a young man in his mid-twenties, his true self that he only showed to those close to him.

"Viera, are you hiding that you’re not feeling well? Your face is red. You might have a fever."

"No, it’s a different issue."

Luca, unable to read Viera’s true intentions, furrowed his brow even more in confusion.

(With my zero romantic skills, I can’t tell from his face whether he has feelings for me. If Lord Luca likes me, I should ride with Lady Tina. If not, I should return with the Barrier Division.)

Time was running out. She needed to confirm Luca’s feelings before the deadline at five o'clock for changing her plans.

The method she had come up with was the bet with the Duchess.

If she kissed Luca and he was happy, it meant he had feelings for her. If he was displeased, it was a misunderstanding.

Although it was unfair to Luca, she could use the excuse that "the Duchess told me to" if he was displeased.

(Kissing is something you only do with someone you like, so it’s a clear way to determine. Kissing... someone I like... I’m going to kiss...)

She was startled.

Kissing couldn’t be done alone, and she was the one initiating it. She realized that she wasn’t averse to kissing Luca.

She had intended to decide based on his reaction, but it was already too late.

(I like... Lord Luca...)

Viera had to admit that she was in love with Luca.

She needed to confirm the feelings of her contract fiancé and control her own feelings even more.

She looked at Luca again, focusing on his lips.

They were thin and very well-shaped, with no signs of roughness, and the skin quality was excellent.

It was impossible. Just imagining it made her brain want to shut down. Kissing was out of the question.

"Lord Luca, I need to decide whether to ride back with Lady Tina or return with the Barrier Division. Could you please turn and face the door?"

"…Alright."

Despite seeming curious, Luca was pressed by Viera’s intense determination and turned his gaze to the door.

In Viera’s pale pink eyes, his well-defined profile was reflected.

She opened the cap of a small juice bottle and drank it all at once. It wasn’t alcohol, but she felt a bit tipsy.

"Excuse me!"

Viera lifted herself slightly and kissed Luca’s cheek forcefully. She counted one, two, three... before pulling away to gauge his reaction.

Luca touched his cheek with his long fingers, as if confirming where Viera’s lips had touched.

His handsome face slowly turned to face Viera, his eyes wide open in astonishment.

She couldn’t read anything beyond surprise, so she asked in a rush, still tense.

"Was that okay for you, Lord Luca? Or not?"

Luca’s expression suddenly became serious. Viera could see a glint in his blue-gray eyes.

She expected to be scolded for her selfish action. She thought she had failed and tried to pull away, but a large hand circled her nape, stopping her.

"Okay, but it’s not enough."

Luca pressed his lips to Viera’s. It was a forceful kiss.

"Mmm!"

"Don’t run away."

Without breaking the kiss, he spoke, demanding more. Viera was overwhelmed by his aggressive kiss, and there was no doubt about Luca’s feelings.

After a longer time than when she kissed his cheek, they finally pulled apart.

"I like you, Viera. I assume you feel the same, is that okay?"

"Y-Yes."

"There’s no talk of annulment in a few years. I wish to be with you forever."

"…Yes."

"Let’s become a real couple, not just a contract."

"～～～～!"

Viera’s chest was full of emotion, and she couldn’t form words. Her face was bright red as she nodded.

"Then, have you decided whether to return with me or the Barrier Division?"

Luca’s expression was more alluring than ever, and he smiled blissfully. Viera was taken aback by his allure.

She placed her hand on her rapidly beating chest, took a deep breath, and replied.

"I’ll return with the Barrier Division."

"Why is that?"

Caught off guard by her unexpected answer, Luca frowned.

"My heart can’t take it. It will definitely explode if I’m held by Lord Luca for a long time."

She had just realized her feelings, and the happiness of mutual love was overwhelming. It was impossible to calm down, and her uncontrollable emotions were raging inside her.

She still needed time to sort things out.

"Kissing is fine, but suddenly hugging is not. Even if I explode and become a corpse, I’ll carry you. Give up on resisting."

Her fiancé was relentless. But she couldn’t argue.

Viera’s face turned bright red as she raised the white flag.

"Ugh, can I please have until tomorrow?"

"Of course, my beloved fiancée."

The next day, as planned, Viera rode on Albertina’s back, held from behind by Luca.

In the arms of the cool and composed captain, the small, blushing fiancée trembled visibly, drawing a lot of attention.

Completely, like a small animal captured by a fierce beast.

During the journey, Viera’s mental state, under the warm gazes of the divine beast knights, was almost lifeless by the time they reached the capital.

This concludes Chapter 1! Thank you very much for reading this far!

I hope you will enjoy the second half, Chapter 2.