Kina’s Lover

A quiet temple with no one else around.
Only one couple and a single priest were present there.

“If you sign here, your marriage will be recognized.”

Raon and Kina sat across from each other, wrote their names on the paper, and signed it.
The priest held up the paper with their signatures.

“Duke Raon Graize.”
“Yes.”

Raon’s voice answered as if responding to a roll call, calm and indifferent.

“Viscount’s daughter, Kina Sennet.”
“Yes.”

In contrast, Kina’s voice trembled slightly. But it was so subtle that one would have to pay attention to notice.

“I will now sign my name to certify your marriage.”

The priest signed at the very bottom with his name. With that, all the names required for the document were filled in.

“With this, the two of you are now legally recognized as a married couple by the Empire.”

Even the priest’s voice was formal. There was no “live well” or any congratulatory words.
There were no well-wishers, no passionate kiss between them, no exchanged glances, no ring ceremony.
Thus, Raon, who had been Bersha’s lover, and Kina, who was Bersha’s friend, became husband and wife.

* * *

“Who are you?”

It was obvious. It was the voice that had kindly called Kina’s name in her room.
Raon grabbed Dave by the collar, startled.

“Since when have you been seeing her? How long have you known?”

He was questioning Dave.

“Duke, let me explain.”

Kina realized that he was in a situation where he could easily misunderstand her, suspecting her infidelity.
Still holding Dave by the collar, Raon looked down at Kina.
Judging by her expression, she didn’t know much about Dave. She seemed to think of him as just a young man helping at the orphanage.

“I’ll hear the explanation from this man. Isn’t that right, Dave?”

Both Kina and Dave were surprised that Raon knew Dave’s name. She had never called Dave by name in front of Raon.

“You know my wife’s name, so how could I not know yours?”

Raon was like a tiger, growling as if protecting his territory.