[Romance is Risqué]

Seated by the window where warm sunlight poured in, Belita enjoyed a leisurely moment while caressing her now visibly rounded belly. The sun had shown itself after a long time, and she wanted her child to feel its warmth. It was peaceful. She had never thought she would experience such peace of mind and tranquility living with him.

A whole month had already passed since they began their contractual romance. At first, they watched each other cautiously as if preparing for some great battle, measuring each other’s intentions and adding suspicion upon suspicion, but disappointingly, nothing happened. After the exploratory phase ended, it was such a boring romance that she thought, ‘Is this what dating is supposed to be like?’

Like any married couple, they ate together and slept together, but there wasn’t much else that could be called dating. It was embarrassing how grandly they had declared, “Let’s date!”

If anything had changed during this time, it was that in trying to maintain a strong attitude so as not to lose to him, she felt like she had become somewhat of a fighting hen, or a tough mother raising an immature son.

“Tsk, what is this.”

Still, she no longer felt lonely. She wasn’t afraid of him, nor did she hate him. With a man who would hold her tight on thunderous nights, she could sleep peacefully, finding comfort in him. She must have really grown attached to him. It was strange how the arms of the man she had once desperately wanted to run away from, the man she feared most, now gave her the greatest sense of security.

And this change was possible thanks to his efforts. During the month, he neither desired nor forced physical relations. He always just held her as they slept, doing nothing more. Of course, sometimes he would show a fiery gaze, but for some reason, he held himself back firmly. At first, she had been so suspicious of this behavior.

But now, while she was proud of Rian becoming more like His Grace, she felt somewhat disappointed somewhere deep inside. Had she really gotten used to Crazy Rian? Not that she wanted to see the impulsive side of him or had any intention of awakening his beastly instincts.

In any case, Belita’s wariness had completely crumbled due to his behavior during this time. She seemed to have developed some trust, and his embrace had become the most comfortable place for her.

He still occasionally had conflicts between his two personalities, but even those incidents became increasingly rare. It really seemed like he was healing. She felt proud that her efforts were bearing fruit. She had chattered so much on purpose to not give him time to talk to himself. She had probably never talked so much in her life. Her own chattiness sometimes surprised her.

In conclusion, it was a positive change. For the first time while living together under the name of husband and wife, it felt like they had become a real couple. Sometimes it felt like a bland daily life without thrills, but living like this was a hundred times better than being caught in a storm like before.

She wasn’t sure what he meant by a passionate romance, but it seemed that maintaining this subtle relationship and living calmly suited her better. If only Crazy Rian wouldn’t suddenly ‘pop’ out, if he could just maintain how he was now, they could continue living peacefully like this….

“Belita!”

It seemed that was too much to hope for.

“What is it?”

“Get dressed.”

“What?”

“It’s not good to stay in the room all the time. I was told it’s better to breathe fresh air and go for walks.”

“Are we going out?”

“Yes. Let’s go on a date.”

“……”

A date…. Something they had talked about many times but never actually done. Recently, Rian had been busy splitting the funds sent by the Emperor and would only lie down next to her to sleep at dawn. For such a busy man to suddenly ask for a date made her worried but also tickled a corner of her heart. As if she had been waiting for a day like this.

“Aren’t you busy?”

“I am. But I think it’s time now.”

“Yes…? Time for what…?”

“Time for a date?”

Why did the man’s natural smile look so innocent today? Even though she felt something was strange, her already vanished wariness made her follow him obediently. Since she usually did most things herself except for getting ready in the morning, Belita took out just one thick coat and asked Rian while putting on her clothes.

“So where are we going on our date?”

“A place we’ve been to before.”

“Before?”

The man’s hands helping her dress were remarkably natural. He tightly closed the front of her coat and bundled her up so thoroughly that she wouldn’t freeze even if she rolled in the snow. And Belita’s face, receiving his care, looked comfortable as if used to it. Somehow, the couple had become quite natural with each other’s touch and such daily conversations.

“Remember when we went horseback riding together before?”

“Ah…. Are we going there now? Why…?”

“Does a place need a reason? What’s important is that we’re going on a date now.”

“Well, no…. It’s just that you suddenly said we’re going there….”

“Don’t argue and let’s go. Today, do as I say. You’ve been listening to me well all this time.”

“Ah! Rian. Let’s go slowly.”

“Should I carry you?”

“No! I’m h-heavy now….”

As she pushed away the man who was not only pulling her hand urgently but looked ready to actually lift her up, he firmly gripped her hand and smiled brightly.

“Heavy? Even with triplets in that belly, you’d be as light as a feather.”

“Ugh…. Where did you learn to talk like that…?”

“Like what?”

Walking alongside Rian, who was now moving more slowly than before, Belita shuddered all over from the goosebumps rising on her skin. She cringed at words that were completely unsuited to him.

“Ah… feather? It’s true though?”

“Stop it.”

“You’re so cute and adorable that I want to put you in my pocket and touch you every day.”

“Ugh…! Stop it!”

“Why?”

“Why do you keep saying such strange things,”

“What’s strange about me complimenting my wife? And you need to realize how attractive and beautiful a woman you are,”

“I-I’ll go ahead!”

“You’ll fall!”

Rian’s cheeks twitched as he watched Belita’s retreating figure, her face bright red as she hurried away. She was such a fun woman to tease. How could she be so transparent? It was amusing how her shoulders had risen proudly lately after she’d been following his lead, and even when she nagged him about this and that, she looked like a gentle child when she fell asleep in his arms, breathing softly.

Still, knowing why she behaved that way, he found all her actions lovely and appreciated them. Above all, he was pleased that she seemed much brighter than before.

“This is why I keep falling for her.”

“That’s why we need to try harder too. To make her fall for us.”

“If only you would disappear.”

“My wife needs my gentleness.”

“Don’t you know Belita’s been frustrated lately?”

“Is that why you picked today?”

“If you don’t like it, just go to sleep.”

“What on earth did Font see in someone like you to trust?”

“If he trusts me, it’s because I do well. If he doesn’t trust me, it’s probably because of you.”

“Ha! You madman. Anyway, not outside.”

“Just go to sleep.”

“What if she catches a cold!”

Rian, who had been chattering as he walked, suddenly stopped in his tracks. While his fist was tightly clenched, his face wore a bright smile.

“Rian! Come quickly!”

At Belita’s voice, the mouths of both personalities closed tight. Then soon, his halted steps lightly moved toward her.

* * *

The day was still cold, but perhaps thanks to the warm sunlight, the mood was refreshing. The winter breeze that brushed past her nose lifted her spirits. Strangely, whenever she smelled the scent of a season, it seemed to bring back faint memories from the past.

“Haah…. I think it was good to come out.”

“Right? Aren’t you cold?”

“No. I wish every day could be like today.”

“Still, it’s not good to stay outside too long, so let’s get back to the carriage after a little while.”

“Okay.”

He watched with satisfaction as she smiled brightly and inhaled, even though the weather was cold enough to turn her cheeks and the tip of her nose red. At first, she had only shown trembling, but lately, he could often see the flowers of smiles blooming on her face. How could a person’s smile be so clear? She must have grown up receiving a lot of love. Unlike himself.

“Hmm… it was all green fields before, but now it looks like a barren plain.”

“When spring comes, it will turn green again.”

“It was so pretty then.”

“So you did see it? You just kept asking why I hadn’t disappeared.”

“Wh-when did I ever say you hadn’t disappeared? I was just surprised because a man who used to appear like a water ghost whenever it rained was there even when it wasn’t raining…. Well.”

“What? Water ghost…? This, woman.”

“Ah! I-it was a joke!”

Rian caught Belita’s hand as she quickly moved her body away as if to escape. Then he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. He growled with their foreheads touching.

“Don’t run. What if you fall?”

“O-okay. Let me go now.”

“Do you know why a water ghost is called a water ghost?”