‘Why on earth did Cioranne choose someone like this?’

They said the cat Cioranne picked up was a cursed emperor. So they met, and while caring for him, her heart was drawn to him.

‘That cat. I thought it was really irritating.’

Recalling the baby cat Cioranne had cared for, Richard ground his molars. He had disliked that cat even then. Just by being small and cute, it had so easily taken Cioranne’s attention and love. Still, he could endure it. Back then, it was just an animal.

But for that beast to become human and snatch Cioranne away like that. This was cheating.

‘Why did such a miracle have to happen to this person?’

For an ordinary person, it would have been a terrible curse, but because of that curse, he received Cioranne’s love. What a lucky man.

Richard’s fists clenched involuntarily. He felt both frustrated and wronged. No matter how much Cioranne loved this person, it was difficult to sort out those feelings.

Kailas curved his eyes mockingly at Richard.

“If watching over her is painful and difficult, why don’t you go somewhere else? I’ll set you up in a very high position.”

Kailas had already thrown various strange missions at Richard several times, trying to drive him away from Cioranne’s side. Did he think Richard would give in? Richard answered bluntly.

“No thank you. My place is beside the Holy Maiden.”

“I don’t understand why you insist on enduring such suffering.”

If he would abandon his vow to protect her over something so trivial, he wouldn’t have called it love in the first place.

‘I suppose his feelings are something that can be easily overturned?’

Facing Kailas made thorns sprout sharply in the heart he had carefully organized. Richard asked back with a sharp voice.

“If the Holy Maiden had chosen me, do you think you could easily step aside?”

You would also cling with regret and circle around, wouldn’t you? That was his retort, but the answer that came back was absurd.

“I would have kidnapped Ran. I might have killed you too.”

Kidnapping when things don’t go his way and eliminating rivals. What despicable words. Richard twisted his lips.

“Those aren’t words befitting an emperor.”

Looking down at Richard, Kailas replied with an arrogant tone.

“I already stole Ran away from God.”

“……”

With that single statement, the argument between the two men ended. Richard, who had lost words to respond, hung his head again.

With perfect timing, Cioranne walked out. She wore the dress with a more fitted waist than before, apparently pinned with safety pins.

Simons pleaded tearfully.

“If you lose any more weight, we’ll have to remake the dress. Don’t reduce your meals, don’t get stressed, and please rest until the wedding!”

“……You heard him, Your Majesty?”

“Why are you telling me that?”

Lady Eleanor shot Kailas a look that said Cioranne’s weight loss was all his fault. Kailas played dumb shamelessly.

Cioranne watched them and laughed. Very much like she was enjoying herself.

“……”

Richard squeezed his eyes shut. Unless he was a fool, he had no choice but to know. There was no gap for him to wedge into. He had to be satisfied with just being told he was like family.

So now, all he could do was pray for Cioranne.

‘You must be happy, Cioranne.’

* * *

Somehow the final alterations to the dress were completed.

‘I didn’t do much, but I want to lie down.’

So this was fatigue. Though I shouldn’t be able to feel tired, I moved my neck and arms around.

Even while following me into my room, Kyle persistently worried about the dress.

“Still, that dress should be changed……”

“Kyle, if you say any more, Mr. Simons will be troubled.”

At my line drawing, Kyle made the haughty expression characteristic of cats and answered.

“What does it matter if he’s troubled? If I don’t like it, it gets changed.”

It was the persistence of a hunter. But I knew the magic spell to put Kyle to sleep.

“I liked it though.”

“……I like it too.”

As expected, I suppose. When I said that, Kyle changed his tone to a sweet one like he’d never said otherwise. I found Kyle so adorable that I gave his cheek a quick kiss.

Then I slipped back a step before Kyle could pull me into his embrace. Kyle, who ended up grasping empty air, frowned slightly. I continued while fidgeting with my wrist.

“For the actual ceremony, I’ll wear long lace gloves that come up to here. It’ll probably feel awkward since it’s my first time.”

“If it’s awkward, just don’t wear them. I prefer holding bare hands.”

Saying that, Kyle grabbed my hand. His large fingers pressed into the hollow of my wrist, then slithered up my arm like a snake.

“Ran is so soft. Just like a flour doll. Your lips, cheeks, nape……”

I quickly pulled my hand away. Unlike before, I had withdrawn too obviously, making Kyle’s eyebrow rise. Kyle stared at me with narrowed eyes.

“……It seems like you’ve been slipping away from my side since earlier. Is it just my imagination?”

It’s not your imagination. I answered while subtly avoiding his gaze.

“Lady Eleanor told me to avoid you whenever you come close.”

At my answer, Kyle frowned like he found it ridiculous.

“Ellie is saying useless things. Where is there a wife who avoids her husband?”

“Just for two weeks. She said if I lose more weight, both Mr. Simons and Lady Eleanor will cry.”

“……D*mn.”

Kyle let out a deep sigh. Then he spread his arms toward me. I shook my head while making an X with my arms. Kyle sighed again.

“I’ll just hold you. Come here.”

Only then did I feel reassured and nestle into Kyle’s embrace. Kyle’s arms hugged me tightly enough to crush me. But seemingly not satisfied at all, he muttered in a voice even lower than before.

“……Should we just get married tomorrow?”

“Nonsense.”

“Ran, you’ve become heartless.”

I haven’t become heartless, I’ve become firm.

‘I was wrong from the beginning. A proper caretaker should be clear about what’s allowed and what isn’t.’

Recalling cat-raising tips I’d heard somewhere, I answered with a dignified expression.

“We’re setting rules. We have to spend a very long time together now.”

“That’s……”

Kyle, who was about to argue back, suddenly changed his tone with sparkling eyes.

“Then can I make rules too?”

I nodded my chin slightly to mean go ahead. Kyle narrowed his eyes and whispered.

“How about staying only by my side after the wedding ends?”

“Until when?”

“Until I say stop.”

“Hmm.”

The content wasn’t much, but his grinning face seemed somehow ominous.

‘He has some scheme in mind.’

I rolled my eyes slightly to look at empty space. Sure enough, a bright red message was floating there.

[‘The Dragon Trampler’ says contracts should be made carefully.]

“Why? Do you have something else to do?”

Kyle blinked his eyes innocently like he didn’t understand and asked back. At that expression, I was certain.

‘He definitely has a scheme!’

He probably planned to keep me by his side for as long as possible. Judging from his past behavior, he’d probably use that excuse to feed me himself and change my clothes himself, wouldn’t he?

‘Maybe he’s planning to do even worse things……’

[Shouts in agreement.]

[Says he’s a very black-hearted fellow.]

The more my suspicions deepened, the more Kyle sparkled his eyes pretending to be innocent. That look should definitely seem detestable, but…… it looked cute.

I ended up nodding my head.

‘How could I beat Kyle? I should let myself be fooled.’

They say if something’s cute, that’s the end of it.

[Smacks forehead.]

[Bites handkerchief.]

[Insists this isn’t tears but sweat.]

God seemed to dislike me letting Kyle fool me, sending a bunch of protesting messages. That was also cute, so I ended up giggling.

Kyle, who had been grinning after getting my permission, tilted his head seeing my laughter.

“Why are you laughing? What’s that God saying now?”

“Nothing.”

Is there a reason when laughter just comes out? The arms holding me were solid, the body temperature enveloping me was warm, making even my heart feel warm. God’s messages worrying about me were delightful and joyful, so……

After thinking for a moment, I slowly pushed out the word that could explain my current feelings.

“Because I’m happy.”

Instead of answering, Kyle kissed my forehead. That tickled too, so I laughed again.

Fin.

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