Chapter 164. A Deep Conversation

“…No way.”

That was the single phrase that came out of Johann’s mouth after a long silence.

And during that time, I saw countless changes in his expression. From his wildly shaking pupils to his furrowed brow as if he was imagining something, and finally to his eyes hardening stubbornly as if he absolutely couldn’t accept it.

“That can’t be possible.”

“I’m just telling you the facts as they are.”

As I said this, I took a bite of the bread I hadn’t been able to eat earlier.

“How can you eat bread right now?”

“Why? Are you feeling a bit parched?”

“…What?”

Johann wore a blank expression.

It was undoubtedly the most foolish look I’d seen on him so far.

That must mean I hit the nail on the head.

As if his throat really was dry, he grabbed the cup on the table and gulped down water.

Thud.

And the moment Johann put down the cup,

“You were destined to chase after another woman, that’s what I’m saying.”

“Cough! Cough!”

At my blunt words, Johann choked. He grimaced as he coughed violently.

Ah, I didn’t mean to make him this flustered…

His reaction is so extreme that I can’t just let it go, you know?

I added a bit more. About the wheel of fate I would have experienced if I had stayed quiet.

“If I had died in the Battle of Agulena, that’s what would have happened. Since I wasn’t in the world anymore, you would have been drawn to Aveline, who has similar abilities, right?”

“That’s impossible.”

Having calmed his throat, Johann drove the point home without a hint of hesitation.

No, I read it, so don’t just insist like that.

Actually, it wasn’t a dream, but something I read directly before possessing this body.

But if I say that much, it gets complicated.

I pondered how to phrase it, then carefully chose my words.

“Why do you think there’s absolutely no possibility of that happening?”

It’s probably best not to bring up the soul swap with Yoon Ji-ah. I have no idea where to start explaining, and I might come across as a strange person.

Johann stared at me with calm eyes. It felt like a deep and heated gaze. The atmosphere suddenly became quite serious, causing me to unconsciously straighten my back.

“Even if you hadn’t run away, I would have protected you anyway.”

“……!”

My eyes widened.

Despite making my heart flutter with such a sudden statement, Johann maintained a serious expression without a hint of a smile.

“Wasn’t there anything in that strange dream about me playing a role in the Battle of Agulena? Well, if there had been, you probably wouldn’t have run away.”

“……”

How does he keep guessing so accurately?

I was at a loss for words for a moment, then opened my mouth a beat late.

“It just said I died there, there weren’t any detailed descriptions.”

“Sounds like a complete nonsense dream.”

Johann raised one eyebrow with a dubious expression, then lowered his blue eyes diagonally like he was thinking about something.

Seeing this, I casually remarked.

“And here you were so obsessed with the dream earlier.”

“It does seem a bit strange after all.”

“There must be some things that match up for you to not dismiss it as nonsense?”

“I can’t believe that nonsense about me chasing after Aveline.”

As he said this, Johann abruptly stood up. My head tilted upwards accordingly.

What’s this?

Why such a scary expression all of a sudden?

Just as I swallowed dryly, Johann came around the table to stand in front of me. Then he took the bread I had been holding, forgotten while talking, and placed it back on the plate.

“Ah.”

“Stand up.”

“Suddenly?”

“I think we need to have a more in-depth conversation.”

Despite his forceful tone, Johann gently took my hand and helped me up.

Due to the late hour, the inn’s dining room was empty, but there were occasional knights passing by.

Among the knights who glanced at Johann and me in our corner seat, trying to pass by quietly so as not to disturb our conversation, was Jesuf.

In any case, it meant this was an open space, not suitable for an intimate conversation.

We climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor.

And I saw it.

Jesuf’s wavering pupils.

“Gasp! At this hour…?”

It was a small sound, half mixed with air. But perhaps because the night air was so still, it reached my ears clearly. There’s no way Johann didn’t hear it.

But Johann paid no mind and opened the door to a room.

I became anxious, worried about strange misunderstandings. Besides Jesuf, there were three or four other knights. I could feel them pretending not to pay attention, but their nerves were on edge.

“Your Majesty, just a moment.”

When I planted my feet firmly and resisted, Johann turned to look back.

“Why.”

“Can’t we just talk downstairs?”

“…Why should we do that?”

Johann frowned as if he didn’t like my suggestion.

“I want to talk quietly, just the two of us.”

“That seems to be the problem.”

As I said this, I tried to remove Johann’s hand. But Johann, as if he had no intention of letting go, instead tightened his grip.

“Let go of me.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

“Why are you ignoring other people’s wishes?”

“What? Other people?”

Well, aren’t we different people?

We’re not the same person, are we?

He got sensitive when I called us strangers before, so it seemed to be a landmine. I’ll have to be careful with this phrase in the future.

Johann asked in a chilling voice.

“Do you really think I’m a stranger to you?”

I couldn’t answer yes when asked in such an atmosphere.

I closed my mouth with a “hmp”.

“Say ‘stranger’ one more time.”

“Stranger.”

“……”

I shouldn’t have done that.

Seeing Johann’s expression contort in a strange way, I quickly entered his room.

* * *

“What if other people look at us strangely?”

As soon as the door closed, I grumbled.

Jesuf’s wavering pupils somehow bothered me. I was worried that strange rumors might spread, especially since I was already among men.

Well…

Although Jesuf didn’t seem likely to be the source of rumors, there were other knights too.

“It’s better not to worry too much about others’ gazes.”

“How can I not worry?”

Johann might find it as natural as breathing to live under others’ gazes since he was born into the imperial family, but I wasn’t like that.

“If strange rumors spread…”

“What keeps being so strange?”

Johann suddenly bent down at that moment.

I held my breath at the suddenly close distance. His face was too close.

Johann took one step forward, then another. Accordingly, I stepped backward.

“Ah.”

When my back hit the wall, there was nowhere else to go.

My startled gaze wavered.

“Am I being insensitive? Is there something you’re secretly hoping for?”

“W-what are you talking about!”

Heat suddenly rushed to my face.

I raised my voice with a “Wah!” like a thief caught red-handed. Then Johann bumped his forehead against mine, startling me, before covering my lips with his the next moment.

“Mmm…”

Ah, really.

It’s not the first time, so why am I trembling like this?

My heart was racing fast and my lower abdomen tingled. Feeling like my legs might give out, I had to struggle to keep my senses.

In the brief moment our lips parted, I instinctively blurted out something to escape this situation. It felt like something tremendous would happen if I just stayed still.

“Weren’t we going to have a deep conversation?”

We clearly got here while talking about the ‘book I read in my dream’.

Johann seemed to take that dream seriously while simultaneously calling it nonsense. Some elements must strangely align with reality and bother him, while other parts he absolutely cannot accept.

What’s important now at this point?

I said the letters moved…

The original content is now null and void…

But Johann didn’t seem to think so. I could sense his persistence in bringing me here. As if he wanted to prove there was absolutely no possibility that he could have liked Aveline.

So we should be talking about that…!

“We are having one.”

“……!”

I looked at him with wavering eyes.

Johann was confident.

As if he hadn’t said anything wrong.

Wait, wait!

This isn’t the kind of deep conversation we were supposed to have!

Sensing the atmosphere shifting towards a different kind of deep conversation, I squirmed.

But like a cornered mouse, I had nowhere to run. Honestly, I’m not sure if I even want to run away.

My mind just went blank like an empty sheet of paper.

Johann’s head tilted once again.

In the brief moment before I closed my eyes, I caught a glimpse of his eyes tinged with satisfaction.

Trapped between the wall and Johann, I had no choice but to accept his lips. It was hard to resist the sweet kiss.

When our lips finally parted for a moment, I asked between heavy breaths.

“How are you so good at kissing, Your Majesty?”

Does he think it’s a stupid question?

Johann let out a small chuckle.

Why did I ask that! I wanted to blame my mouth for moving on its own. I felt like my face might explode from embarrassment.

“Johann.”

Just then, a low voice tickled my ear.

I looked at him with trembling eyes.

Johann gently wiped the saliva from my lips with his thumb, then continued in a deep voice.

“When we’re alone, call me by my name.”