Chapter 74

◆11/2 Release◆ The book version of Volume 1, which includes new episodes and a special extra chapter, is now available! This is a special short story to commemorate its release!

Before moving to the Yubert estate—around the time when the kidnapping incident had settled down.

Viera woke up early despite it being a holiday. It was just after dawn, and the sun was still low in the sky.

"Hmm, I can't go back to sleep."

For the past few years, her holidays had been days to catch up on sleep due to her busy work schedule.

However, now that she was engaged to Lukas and the personnel reshuffle following the kidnapping incident had created a much healthier work environment, her body, no longer overly fatigued, no longer craved more sleep.

"Since I'm up, I might as well go for a walk."

There was still plenty of time before breakfast. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get some light exercise and aim for better health.

Viera decided to take a stroll in the garden.

Stepping outside and taking a deep breath, the fresh air, scented with flowers, felt delightful. She walked, enjoying the plants that the gardener had tended with great care.

Then, she spotted someone behind a low hedge.

(Lord Lukas! He's supposed to be off today, yet he's practicing so early in the morning!)

Her fiancé, Lukas, was practicing with his sword alone. The sound of the sword slicing through the air was clear as he cut through imaginary enemies.

The sweat on his forehead suggested that he had been training even before Viera woke up.

Despite being known as the "King of the Sky" and already a highly respected knight, his dedication to training was truly admirable.

(My future husband is just too wonderful...! I must cherish him!)

She reaffirmed her resolve, which she had made countless times before.

At that moment, his sword movements came to a halt.

"Good morning, Viera."

Lukas noticed Viera and smiled warmly.

It was blinding. His smile was always radiant, but the glitter of sweat in the morning sun made it even more dazzling.

"Good morning, Lord Lukas."

"Hehe, still half-asleep?"

"Actually, I was about to drift back into dreamland... Never mind."

"Hey, are you okay?"

Lukas approached Viera, shaking his shoulder playfully, and peered at her face.

Viera averted her gaze and tried to maintain her composure.

"I'm fine. I was just mesmerized by Lord Lukas's sword. It's impressive that you're training even on your day off. I understand why you're so strong."

"That's an honor. Moving your body in the morning helps clear your mind and improves your focus throughout the day. It also keeps you in good shape."

"Really? I didn't know that."

Thinking about it, she had never seen Lukas in poor health. Even when they met by chance at the palace, he always looked composed and free from fatigue.

(If I could improve my concentration through exercise like Lord Lukas, maybe I could finish my magic tools faster. And it would help with my lack of exercise too.)

Viera became interested in morning exercise.

However, she was quite inexperienced when it came to physical activity.

"Lord Lukas, is there any exercise I could do? I want to improve my work efficiency."

"An exercise that Viera can do... Alright, let's go back inside. I'll show you some light exercises you can do indoors. I'll put away my sword first, and you change into something comfortable and wait in the room."

"Okay! Thank you."

Following Lukas's instructions, Viera returned to her room to change.

A few minutes later, Lukas arrived with a rug. He spread it on the floor and sat down.

"Let's try some sit-ups. Lie on your back and lift your upper body while keeping your feet on the ground."

Lukas placed his hands behind his head and performed the sit-ups effortlessly.

It looked simple enough.

Viera took his place and tried it... but reality was not so kind.

"Ugh!"

Her face turned red as she struggled to lift her upper body, but it wouldn't budge. Her feet started to lift off the ground, and her back quickly met the floor.

Lukas grabbed her ankles.

"I'll hold your feet. Also, you don't have to cross your hands behind your head like me; you can stretch them out in front of you."

"Okay. Let me try again—uh!"

To her surprise, her upper body lifted easily. It wasn't effortless, but the transition from impossible to possible was a significant improvement.

"Good. Try a few more times."

"Okay!"

Viera enthusiastically followed his instructions and lifted her upper body a few times.

(Huh?...)

She lowered her back and tried a few more times to confirm.

Then, Viera realized something.

(Each time I lift my body, my face gets close to Lord Lukas's serious expression!)

Since they had confessed their feelings to each other, Viera and Lukas had kissed many times. Being this close to his face now, even though it was during exercise, made her feel embarrassed.

The closeness reminded her of their kisses. Each time she lifted her body, she was the one initiating the close proximity.

This realization made it impossible to ignore. His face was too attractive, making it even more noticeable.

She couldn't help but look away.

"Viera, if you keep turning your head, you might hurt your neck and back. Look straight ahead."

"Ugh... Okay."

When turning her head didn't work, she tried closing her eyes. However—

"Open your eyes. You're already using unnecessary force, and you might end up with a red face."

"..."

As expected of a respected knight and a beloved knight commander, his advice was spot-on, and he wouldn't let anything slide.

(What a predicament...)

With this realization, she couldn't lift her body anymore. Viera pretended to take a break and looked up at the ceiling.

"Are you at your limit?"

"Pretty much."

"Then let's do ten more and call it a day."

"Huh?"

Lukas explained with a serious face.

In reality, Viera could probably do ten more, but her heart wasn't in it. With Lukas holding her ankles, it was hard to focus on the exercise.

So, she decided to use a desperate strategy.

"Okay!"

She pretended to try hard but stopped halfway without fully lifting her upper body. She adjusted her speed to avoid getting too close to Lukas's face.

Lukas didn't comment on this, so it seemed safe.

Her stomach felt a bit shaky, but she ignored it and continued until she completed ten sit-ups.

"Phew..."

Lukas's large hand rested on Viera's head and gently patted it. His smile was innocent and pure, showing genuine praise.

Despite her poor performance, her fiancé was kind. The fact that he was usually strict about exercise made his kindness even more touching. Viera's heart raced easily.

(Being praised feels great! Maybe I should keep trying.)

However, the next day—

"Ouch, ouch..."

Strong muscle soreness attacked Viera's stomach. She must have used the wrong muscles, as the soreness extended to her legs, even though it was mild.

The distance to the dining room for breakfast felt much longer.

She had underestimated her own weakness. She decided to take a break from sit-ups until she recovered.

But even when she resumed, it would mean getting close to Lukas's face again. Her heart gave up immediately.

"Viera, good morning. You look like you have muscle soreness."

As she wobbled down the hallway, her cheerful fiancé, Lukas, appeared.

"Good morning, Lord Lukas. I realized that building strong abs isn't easy. You're truly amazing."

Viera couldn't help but poke Lukas's stomach. It was firm and elastic, almost inhuman.

"Touching unilaterally isn't fair."

"Eh?"

Lukas grabbed Viera's hand and kissed her fingertips.

"Since you touched me, it's only fair that I get to touch you too, right?"

In other words, Lukas would touch Viera's stomach next.

"Ah! I won't touch anymore!"

"Too bad, you didn't fall for it."

Her charming fiancé always tried to push things forward whenever he had the chance. His playful gaze made Viera almost nod in agreement reflexively.

Of course, Lukas was a gentleman and would stop if Viera shook her head, but how long could she resist? This time, she was safe, but she had a feeling she would fall into his trap soon.

(I need a bit more time to prepare my heart. No... This is my own fault for touching him first. Ugh!)

Lukas smiled as if enjoying Viera's struggle and changed their handhold to a more intimate grip.

"Shall we go to the dining room?"

"...Okay."

"Next time, let's try some stretching exercises that help with recovery. You won't have muscle soreness the next day."

While walking, he suggested another exercise. Without muscle soreness, it sounded great. So—

"Sure, let's do that!"

She agreed immediately, but once again, she found herself in an embarrassing situation.

The cover of the book version is displayed at the bottom of the page!

Mr. Nakajo has drawn some wonderful illustrations! Of course, the color plates and illustrations are fantastic! You can see the cute Viera and the charming Lukas!

Please check them out if you have the chance!