Chapter 5.3

Unlike him, who was noble by birth, she was an orphan with no particular ties. Even if she were a woman from an ordinary family, people would click their tongues and say, ‘She’s not a noble lady?’ Let alone someone like her, who was even less than that. She thought she would surely be seen as a flaw.

“As I said before, it’s quite a leap to overcome.”

If he were an arrogant noble, he might have accused her of blasphemy just for speaking to him. She had indeed seen such people before. Even the servants of nobles who occasionally came to buy bread behaved that way, as if their master’s status was their own. In such situations, she was always the weaker party and had never dared to lift her head. So she was worried that he might face countless objections and ridicule because of her.

At that moment, he asked, 

“Status?”

At the same time, he furrowed his handsome brow and tilted his head, clearly indicating that it was the wrong answer. Then, suddenly, he lowered his head and pressed a light kiss to her lips, responding, 

“Wrong. And anyway, since we’ve decided to marry each other, it’s not something others can interfere with. He didn’t mention anything about that either. So please don’t belittle yourself, Hestia.”

“But… mmph.”

Just because Sir Forrest didn’t point it out didn’t mean the issue would disappear. As she tried to reply, he kissed her again. It seemed he intended to silence her with kisses whenever she mentioned status.

Breathless, she finally surrendered. Only after she managed to pull away and say, “Alright, I won’t talk about status anymore,” did he stop intertwining their tongues and smile slyly.

“Then what did he really say? He wouldn’t have asked me to leave if it was nothing. Tell me. I won’t be hurt….”

She tugged at his sleeve playfully, asking. He hesitated for a moment, looking troubled, as if deciding how much to reveal. Only after she glared at him, urging him to speak, did he finally open his mouth. He explained that someone had requested a private meeting with him, crying, and demanding an explanation, now that the news of their marriage was out.

“Someone’s been begging for a private meeting, saying they want to discuss this matter. Right now, he’s been covering it up as a rumor, but once it’s known to be true, he won’t be able to do that anymore, so I’ll have to handle it myself.”

Was marrying me something that required ‘handling’? And who on earth was demanding a private meeting with him?

“Huh? Why would they go that far….”

‘Wait, could it be that there was someone else before he lost his memory…?’

A sudden, anxious thought struck her like lightning.

Feeling a surge of emotion, she looked at Lian with tears welling in her eyes. He let out a heavy sigh and spoke firmly.

“I’ll tell you now, there was nothing between us. Just someone who wasn’t pleased with me getting married.”

“Can you read minds or something…?”

“What? It’s all written on your face anyway.”

He chuckled, lightly brushing his fingers against her flushed cheeks. It seemed her embarrassment was all too apparent.

“Were you worried?”

When he hit the nail on the head, she immediately bit her lip, her eyes darting nervously before she nodded shyly. Then, lowering her gaze to the floor in embarrassment, she hesitantly pushed out a response.

“I was afraid… that even after we had finally decided to get married… we might end up separating…”

At that moment, a warm sensation enveloped her cheek. Simultaneously, warmth touched her lips. He was kissing her deeply. Startled, Hestia’s eyes widened in confusion, but after a while, Lian pulled back, exhaling a shaky breath and smiling happily as he said, 

“I’m glad. Hearing you say that makes me happy. But don’t worry. There was no one else. You’re the first woman I’ve ever had, both before and after the accident.”

“…Really? Is that true?” 

She asked in disbelief. His expression turned slightly sullen at her question, and he began explaining himself, as if worried she might think poorly of him.

“It’s true. Ever since I joined the knight order at fourteen, my actions can be verified by Forrest or any of the other knights. If you want, I can even prove it.”

“No, it’s not that I want proof… I just find it surprising that you’ve never had such experiences. You’re so handsome…”

She had even heard that he had once been acquainted with an Imperial Princess. Because of that, even noble ladies were hesitant to approach him. 

Unlike her, who had grown up struggling just to survive day by day, he was different. Even without his name and achievements, someone like Lian would have had women flocking to him just by standing still.

“How unfair. I’m the one who had my first kiss stolen, remember? I didn’t even have the courage to touch you. If I had more experience, I would’ve been better at it.”

“Ugh, that was because you were drunk… Can’t we just forget about it?”

“Drunk or not, it happened. And how could I forget? It was the day you kissed me first—a monumental occasion.”

With a doting tone, Lian gently took her hand in his long fingers and caressed it. His happiness was almost tangible. Then, suddenly, he confessed something unexpected.

“To be honest, I think I’ve always been a bit overly sensitive and strange compared to others. And I can’t say I’m not still like that now.”

“Sensitive and strange? In what way? I don’t see it at all.”

She replied, puzzled. Hearing her words seemed to please him, as he let out a low laugh. His face lit up with joy. 

But Hestia truly didn’t think there was anything strange about him, even when he wasn’t fully himself. She had simply thought, ‘He’s different from the rumors. How can someone be this adorable?’ as she watched him follow her around like a loyal puppy.

Then he answered, revealing a side of him she hadn’t known. 

“I’ve apparently always hated physical contact with others, especially when it came to people who approached me romantically. Because of that, I’ve never been involved with anyone. In fact, my subordinates thought I was asexual. Even now, they find your presence in my life fascinating.”

“Now that you mention it…”

A brief memory suddenly flashed through her mind.

It was when the Saintess had tried to touch his forehead to heal him. Looking back, he had reacted very sensitively, swatting her hand away sharply, as though he couldn’t bear to be touched.

‘Then how… how is he okay with me?’

Not only was he fine with her, but he was often the one initiating kisses and intimacy. From what she could see, he didn’t seem like someone who avoided physical contact with women at all. In fact, from the moment he first woke up, he had clung to her, hugging her tightly.

As her cheeks burned red, she hesitated, unsure how to bring up the question. But Lian, as if sensing her thoughts, smiled quietly. He began placing soft kisses on her cheeks and all over her face, as if to prove something.

“Strange, isn’t it? You seem to be the only exception. Maybe it’s because you’re my destined partner.”

As he spoke, his lips trailed down to her neck. Everywhere he touched left a tingling warmth, as though his kisses were leaving footprints on her skin.

‘I’m his only exception…’

Her heart trembled. At the same time, she was overwhelmed with joy at being someone so special to him. Stroking his hair gently, she whispered back, 

“Can I kiss you now?”

It was fortunate they were already on the bed. As her knees buckled, he caught her and gently laid her down. Then, as if responding to her request, he leaned in and kissed her, pouring all his affection into it.

Curious about his earlier words, Hestia cautiously reached out to touch him mid-kiss. Her hands moved over his heated, firm chest and abdomen through his shirt. His muscles, taut with tension, seemed to respond to his excitement. The skin visible through his unbuttoned shirt was flushed, as if it too was heating up.

As he flinched slightly under her touch, she hesitantly asked, 

“What about being touched…? Does it bother you? If it does, please tell me honestly. I’ll be careful from now on.”

But he quickly answered, “No.” Taking her hand that had been resting on his chest, he brought it to his lips, kissing each of her fingers deeply.

“I told you, you’re the exception. I like it. I want to keep you close to me all day.”

His golden eyes, heavy with emotion, gazed straight at her. The tenderness in his gaze made her stomach flutter. Unable to hold back, she leaned in and kissed him again. He welcomed her without hesitation.

She still didn’t know why she was the exception for him. But every time he expressed his love for her so wholeheartedly, she couldn’t help but feel the depth of his feelings.

“You’re not strange at all.”

She said after pulling away slightly. Lian, as if asking what she meant, slowly blinked and turned his gaze toward her.

“I don’t like being close to other people either. I don’t even like being touched. So you’re not strange.”

Though her tone was lighthearted, her words were sincere. She wanted to empathize with him, to let him know that they were alike, and that they had chosen each other as their only exceptions.

Whether he understood her intentions or not, he let out a contented, languid laugh.

“None of that matters. I don’t need anyone else’s opinion. I only need you. As long as you’re okay with me, that’s enough.”

Ah, but that wouldn’t do. He still had comrades, the Imperial Family, and his own family to think about.

She wanted to say that, but before she could, an overwhelming wave of drowsiness washed over her. It was unfortunate that she only caught the latter part of what he said.

“Don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of everything from now on. All you have to do is stay by my side. Just stay safe and happy next to me.”

His words carried a weight that made her heart feel heavy. Why did Lian speak like that? As if this was his last chance, as if she might leave him at any moment.

“I’ll stay by your side. And I’m already safe and happy, so don’t push yourself too hard.”

“…Alright. Get some rest for now. I didn’t want to expose you to the outside world just yet, but it seems I’ll have to move up the schedule. Let’s go to the temple tomorrow and submit the marriage vows immediately.”

There was even a hint of urgency in his voice. It seemed as though he wanted to resolve this marriage issue as quickly as possible.

“Alright. Actually, I’ve already prepared the outfit I’m going to wear. I’ll dress up nicely.”

Hearing her excited response, he let out a short laugh and tightened his embrace. Then, he gently stroked the back of her head, burying his face in her hair. His affectionate actions made her heart flutter again.

‘I love this man. I want to be with him forever, no matter what happens.’

She resolved to run to the temple with him as soon as its doors opened the next day. Once they submitted the marriage vows, they would officially become a married couple, and no one would be able to say otherwise. Imagining herself leaving the temple with him, smiling, she closed her eyes.

Little did she know that a massive obstacle awaited them the next day.