~Chapter 8~
“What exactly do you plan to do after divorcing me?”
“Do I have to do something after divorce?”
I immediately retorted. Cedric frowned at my answer, clearly not pleased with it. He seemed uncomfortable with the idea of divorce.
“And what is this? Why were you looking at me like that?”
“I just wanted to know what you want.”
I was momentarily speechless at his gaze. I had heard that when a man is too handsome, you can lose your words, and it seemed that was true.
Cedric wasn’t even wearing anything cold-weather appropriate; just a loose shirt.
The fabric at the neck was open, exposing his toned chest.
My eyes unintentionally moved down, and I quickly snapped myself out of it to ask.
“Why, why?”
My voice trembled as I spoke. Even though I tried to act like I was fine, I knew it wouldn’t fool him.
When I saw his disheveled black hair, his sharp eyes, and those long lashes peeking out, my heart couldn’t help but flutter.
Was that it? Every time he looked up at me with those blue eyes, I couldn’t think of anything else.
‘How can a man be so pretty and handsome?’
Was it true that a person is only beautiful from afar? No, Cedric looked handsome from a distance, but up close, he was even more handsome.
With his slightly tanned skin, broad shoulders, and muscular arms that the shirt could barely contain, he was overwhelming.
He rested his chin on his hand and pushed a document toward me.
“Do I need a reason? I did it because I wanted to impress you.”
I inhaled sharply at his words. Did he even realize what he was saying? His blue eyes looked innocent, as if he didn’t understand.
‘Hmm, he probably doesn’t get it.’
It was probably not what I thought it was, so I decided to let it go.
I crossed my arms and stared at the document.
‘…1,000 gold is a lot, but 2,000 gold?’
Was this guy out of his mind? I blinked in surprise. It was still 2,000 gold.
“How am I supposed to spend all of this?”
“Why can’t you spend it? There’s everything you need in the North.”
“That’s not the point! It’s too much!”
“…Too much? You think your husband can’t even do this for you?”
“That’s not what I meant!”
“Clea, I don’t understand why you keep rejecting me. It’s not because I lack anything, and it’s not because you don’t like the night either.”
Cedric stood up, walked around his desk, and came closer.
I stepped back, unsure of what was happening. Something about his mood felt different.
‘He’s been strange since that day in the forest.’
I swallowed nervously and took another step back. His blue eyes were burning with intensity.
If there were more animals, hiding my powers would be impossible. Blood would soon spill in the garden.
“Or maybe…”
I had nowhere to retreat and was pressed against the wall as I looked up at him. My hands were folded neatly on my chest.
“Do you just hate me?”
I swallowed hard, holding my breath, as his large hands hovered dangerously close. The air felt tense.
“I… I don’t…”
I couldn’t bring myself to look directly at him and lowered my gaze. My eyelashes fluttered, and I wrapped my arms around myself, hoping to shield my trembling.
“You don’t?”
He asked, moving even closer.
Say it! Tell him you hate him! There’s no clearer rejection than saying it right to his face. I quickly lifted my head, but as soon as I met his gaze, I lowered it again.
“…That’s not it.”
His eyes seemed to burn with intensity as though he was about to devour me. I felt like a rabbit about to be caught.
My heart raced with a mixture of fear and something I couldn’t identify. I froze, unable to move, my back pressed to the wall as I watched him.
His large hand gently lifted my chin, forcing me to look up at him.
“I told you this before.”
I blinked slowly, confused.
‘What?’
Maybe seeing the blank expression on my face irritated him, as his eyes narrowed. He sighed and stepped back, putting distance between us.
“…Forget it.”
The tension between us cooled as he pulled back, but for some reason, I felt disappointed.
‘…Disappointed?’
Was I really feeling disappointed? I quickly shook my head. Was it because Cedric was acting strange, or was I strange too?
“I… I’m leaving! And! Please don’t bring any more animals into the garden!”
Bang.
I quickly slammed the door behind me, my face flushed as I rushed to my room.
Since that day, I had been avoiding Cedric, so it had become rare to run into him.
The problem was that animals seemed to have developed a taste for the garden, and they kept gathering around.
“Go away!” “Chirp chirp.” (Give me rice.) “I already put food in the container.” “Chirp chirp, chirp chirp!” (I’m tired of grains. Who eats grains nowadays? I like white rice.) “Grains are more expensive. They’re good for you, so eat them without complaining.” “Chirp!” (You’re stingy!)
Ugh, really. I had spoiled them, and now they complain about food every day. Since when do birds choose their food? In the forest, it’s hard to even find good grains.
Because they kept flying above my head, I had to carry an umbrella around. Who would’ve thought I’d be bullied by a bird… my fate, I guess.
“Growl.” (I want meat too.)
“Go hunt in the forest. You’re a big cat, why don’t you hunt? Stop begging for food.”
The black leopard came up to me, rubbing its face against my leg and growling. Honestly, it acted in ways that didn’t match its size.
I shook my head and took a sip of my tea.
“Sigh, I’m so bored.”
As I leaned back in the chair and looked up at the sky, I noticed blue eyes that were even bluer than the sky.
“Ah, uh… huh?!”
I was about to fall. Just as I was tipping over, Cedric caught my chair firmly and set it upright without a care.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Madam.”
“…Has it?”
For some reason, I felt a cold sweat run down my back. I had been intentionally avoiding him, but he seemed busy too.
He had been attending his training more often recently, and he seemed troubled. But I couldn’t ask what was wrong.
“I’ve interrupted your rest because I need to talk, but don’t worry.”
Cedric sat next to me. It had been a long time since we were face-to-face, and he looked worn out. Still, his handsome face was the same.
“Is there something going on?”
“I think I have to participate in the war.”
“…What? Why?”
He didn’t answer immediately. Maybe he was thinking. After all, when we made eye contact, I had asked for a divorce, so he couldn’t be leaving just to avoid that conversation, could he?
He wasn’t that thoughtless, though.
But suddenly talking about joining the war… I couldn’t understand why he had to go. Was it because of our marriage that some unfavorable conditions had been added?
“This is different from our agreement. Didn’t we say that once we’re married, you wouldn’t have to go to war anymore? You’re not going because of me, right?”
“It’s not because of you, so you don’t need to worry. It’s not just me who has to go to war under the Emperor’s command.”
I nodded at his words. But being sent to the battlefield seemed too dangerous…
“Do you really have to go? I mean, you can’t ignore your father… or the Emperor’s orders, right?”
“This will be the last time. After this, I won’t leave you alone at the estate.”
Still, I wasn’t keen on him going to war. Something about it felt off, and I just wanted to stop him. Without thinking, I grabbed his sleeve.
“Just don’t go.”
“…”
He smiled softly and looked at my hand holding his sleeve.
“Are you worrying about me now? When you were pushing me away before.”
He gently wrapped his arm around my waist and leaned in closer. His breath brushed my face every time he spoke, and it made me feel ticklish.
“You’re making me confused.”
Confused?
I pulled back a bit as his face came so close. He smiled, squinting his eyes, and tapped my lips with his finger.
“Don’t think about anything else, and don’t even think of running away.”
“Ah…?”
“You’d better give up on the false hope of escaping this place even if I’m not here. One more thing.”
We were so close now that our lips were almost touching. I lowered my eyes and stared at his red lips quietly.
“If you don’t like it, push me away.”
With that, he kissed my lips for the first time since our wedding night. His warmth felt strange, and for some reason, I couldn’t push him away. His gentle touch on my back and the way his eyes held me made me feel mesmerized.
It was such a strange day.
