Chapter 6 (Part 2)

As they left the temple, people smiled as if waiting and threw petals. She forced a smile as Cardin stopped.

His eyes, now free of anger, held her gaze. Before she could react, he kissed her. Applause echoed around them.

Cardin slightly pulled away and looked at her. His breath was a little deeper. His gaze on her, too.

“Mother’s ultimate goal is to separate you and me.”

Brienne already knew. She stared blankly at him, and Cardin cupped her cheek.

“I won’t let that happen, so keep your distance from my mother.”

He kissed her cheek. At the sound of the kiss, she finally came to her senses and blinked.

“Understood?”

Cardin looked at her insistently. It felt like everyone was focused on this place. The popping sounds echoed in her ears, making her dizzy.

She barely nodded. Only then did Cardin smile and step back. Under the sunlight, his face was particularly dazzling.

Seeing Cardin’s bright face reminded her of the time in the cabin. When she hoped his memory wouldn’t return and deceived him by not telling him about the past.

She was deceiving Cardin once again. She feared the day when Cardin would know everything, but she didn’t think further.

For now, this was the best, and even if it was a position that would eventually collapse, marrying him was a stroke of luck.

As soon as they got into the carriage, leaving the noisy sounds behind, the surroundings became quiet. The tension released, and she sighed naturally. At that moment, Cardin sat close to her. As she flinched and looked at him, he exhaled and cupped her cheek.

“It feels like a dream, marrying you.”

He smiled, as if holding all the happiness in the world. She gently kissed his cheek.

“It’s not a dream.”

Cardin looked at her as if frozen, then leaned his upper body. His breath was rough as it touched her. As her body gradually leaned back, he pulled her waist close.

Cardin didn’t let her go until they reached the beach. Even when her lips became chapped and she was out of breath, he let her rest briefly before kissing her again. Until she fell asleep exhausted.

* * *

The touch on her forehead was so soft. When she opened her eyes, Cardin smiled and kissed her cheek. Around him, she saw a ceiling she had never seen before. It was so white that it caught her eye.

“Have we already arrived?”

“Yes.”

She hurriedly got up and looked around. She had no memory of getting off the carriage, so she was bewildered, but the room was quite spacious. There was a table, and long green plants hung down, giving a fresh feeling. Moreover, the wind blew through the slightly open window, making the white curtains flutter beautifully.

She saw the blue sea. Even at a glance, it was an open view. Mesmerized, she got up and walked toward the balcony, and a cool breeze blew, making her hair flutter. It was her first time seeing the sea. The light emerald color and white sand matched exceptionally well.

As she stared blankly, she felt a familiar presence behind her. Cardin hugged her from behind and lightly kissed her cheek.

“Do you like it?”

She smiled brightly and nodded.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen such a beautiful sea.”

Cardin smiled and pressed his lips gently against her neck. His lips, which brushed softly, deepened as if imprinting themselves. Just as a strange sensation was rising.

Thud, thud, a knocking sound was heard. She flinched slightly, and Cardin spoke lowly.

“Don’t mind it.”

He lifted her and laid her on the bed. Just as their lips were about to touch.

“Your Grace, it’s urgent.”

It was the aide’s voice. It seemed he had come separately by carriage. Cardin leaned down and gently bit her lower lip.

With his rough breath, his tongue slipped in. Then the knocking sound echoed again.

“Your Grace?”

Cardin sucked her tongue more deeply. Though he told her not to mind it, the persistent knocking couldn’t be ignored. The aide’s voice also seemed quite urgent.

As Cardin pressed his lower body against hers and lightly bit her lips, she pushed his shoulder. He easily moved back and looked at her.

“Why?”

His voice was quite rough. His low gaze was endlessly dark, making her heart pound. She barely swallowed and spoke.

“It seems urgent. Aren’t you going out?”

“I finished everything I needed to do before coming.”

Just as he was about to kiss her, the sound of knocking echoed again. Eventually, she turned her head.

“Cardin, go check it out.”

Cardin, with a deep gaze, stood up. His face was set, as if he was reluctant. He walked straight to the door.

She sat on the bed, watching his back.

As expected, the aide spoke quickly, indicating it was quite urgent. Then Cardin looked back at her.

“Brienne, I’ll be right back.”

The door closed with a thud.

‘What could it be?’

If the aide came in this situation, it seemed urgent. She stared at the closed door for a while. She thought he would return after a brief conversation, but there was no sign of the door opening.

After a moment of hesitation, she went out to the balcony. There were chairs and a table to sit on. She looked toward the door, but Cardin still hadn’t returned.

Feeling slightly disappointed, she sat in the chair in front of the table. The constant sea breeze was neither cold nor too warm. After watching the waves break in the sunlight for a while, the door opened.

Turning her head with anticipation, Cardin entered. He immediately came to where she was, sat down to meet her eye level, and met her gaze.

“Brienne, I have to go to Devok for work, so I’ll be back tonight.”

For a moment, her face stiffened.

“Is it that busy?”

Cardin slightly furrowed his eyebrows and cupped her cheek with one hand.

“I’m sorry, I need to handle it as quickly as possible.”

His words conveyed his busyness. If he finished his work and returned to this place from Devok, he would surely be tired.

Then Cardin kissed her cheek and stood up.

“I’ll be back tonight.”

As he stood up, she hurriedly grabbed his arm. Cardin immediately looked back.

“Just take me with you.”

“Why? Don’t you like it here?”

“It’s just, you seem busy, and I feel uneasy being alone….”

Cardin held her hand and sat down to meet her eye level.

“Once I finish this, I won’t be busy anymore. I’ll be back by tomorrow morning at the latest.”

As their eyes met, Cardin smiled slightly. He gently kissed her forehead and stood up. She didn’t have a chance to stop him.

As Cardin left the room, she suddenly felt drained.

‘This marriage won’t be eternal anyway.’

That’s why she wanted to be with him even more. With a vague feeling, she looked out at the distant sea. It was strange. The sea, which had seemed beautiful just a moment ago, now evoked no emotion.

Yet, she continued to look at the sea, trying to forget the emptiness even a little.

* * *

As soon as Cardin arrived in Devok, he headed to the underground prison near the royal palace. His gaze out the carriage window was endlessly sharp.

Beside him, his aide Damon cautiously spoke.

“Since Your Grace last visited, Baron Hurrick’s arrogance has been sky-high. He’s relying on the Messerode family, not paying at hotels, and got into a fight with Earl Rodes at a restaurant, so now he’s in prison….”

If Cardin didn’t go immediately, Baron Hurrick would die. Previously, when he conducted a private trial, he had approved such actions at the courthouse.

In case Baron Hurrick was caught for any reason, he had ordered them to kill him.

At that moment, the carriage stopped. As soon as Cardin got off the carriage, he quickly entered the gray building.

Everyone bowed their heads as soon as they saw him. One person hurriedly came out and spoke.

“I’m Ottren, in charge of this prison. Are you here because of Baron Hurrick?”

“Where is he?”

“Please follow me.”

Ottren was much older than Cardin. He led Cardin to the end of the corridor, watching his demeanor. The surrounding walls were unsightly, with traces of mold, water leaks, and cracks.

He stopped and spoke.

“Even if I wanted to take him to a better prison, it’s full of criminals right now. I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

“No, you don’t have to treat Baron Hurrick like that. Is it here?”

“Ah, yes. I’ll open it for you right away.”

Just the fact that Cardin had come seemed to resolve everything, and the old man’s hands moved without hesitation. The old iron door opened in an instant.

As the unpleasant creaking sound echoed, Ottren bowed his head and stepped back. Cardin stood in front of the open door.

Baron Hurrick approached with a smiling face.

“Thank you, Your Grace! I was in trouble due to a misunderstanding….”

“I heard you didn’t pay at the hotel.”

“Ah, that was a misunderstanding too. I definitely paid, but the hotel….”

“Did you know I married Brienne today?”

Baron Hurrick’s eyes widened.

“Was that today?”

Cardin let out a laugh as if it was absurd.

“Baron.”

His face, faintly smiling, exuded coldness. Baron Hurrick looked at Cardin nervously.

“Why don’t you know something the whole kingdom knows?”

“…….”

“You should stop acting.”

For a moment, Baron Hurrick’s eyes trembled. Cardin stared at him and slowly began to speak.

“When I said I’d watch over you, it wasn’t to see things like this.”

“…….”

“You know well, don’t you?”

Baron Hurrick immediately knelt and pressed his head to the ground.