Chapter 82
“Because I understand the sanctity of this marriage.
Not wearing the token that signifies marriage might be interpreted as having second thoughts at any time.”
“How could it be interpreted like that?
What’s the big deal about a ring?”
He came out so strongly that it triggered a reaction in me.
“What’s the big deal about this ring?”
I asked sternly.
“Is it really meaningless?”
“….”
“It hurts my feelings.”
“What hurts?”
“I consider this ring as a symbol of our love.”
His eyes widened for a moment.
“….”
It seemed like his ears turned red.
“Of course, you know that I don’t have feelings for you.”
I looked down pitifully.
“Not only do I not have feelings, but I also dislike you.”
“….”
“But still, if you wear the ring, it feels like I’ve truly become your real wife, doesn’t it?”
I found myself saying these words without thinking.
During my rambling, Amoide’s expression remained unchanged.
…It’s probably like a dog barking somewhere.
Why am I trying to reason with such a person?
“I also have a ring.”
“That’s right.
So, will you wear it from now on?”
“I don’t want to.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to pretend to be unmarried just because I don’t wear a ring.”
“But you’re a knight.
Knights value any oath.”
Although he had never made such an oath.
The seal on the marriage vow was stamped by Camilla, not by him.
It was stamped by Camilla as a proxy due to his illness.
“Maintain the dignity of a knight.”
“I’ve been retired as a knight commander for a long time.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re not a knight anymore.
The pride, dignity, and honor of a knight are still the same.”
“So?”
He lazily raised his eyes.
It was dangerous when he looked at me like that.
His handsome face seemed to have a powerful influence.
“So, please wear the ring.”
It was forced.
I tried to make it sound pleasant, but it was all nonsense.
Since I’ve never heard any vows from him.
But what else can I say other than a forced confession?
“….Okay.”
“What?”
I unintentionally asked in a loud voice.
“Why are you surprised?”
He tilted his head, looking at my surprised face.
“Um… nothing.”
This was quite unexpected.
But since I had made up my mind, I might as well accept it.
“Since you’ve made up your mind… how about wearing it now?”
“….Okay.”
A small velvet box was placed between us a moment later.
“It must have been difficult to find it buried deep.”
“Yeah.
I couldn’t remember where I put it.”
“Will you really wear it?”
“I’ll keep my word once I’ve said it.”
He brought the box and opened it.
Inside was a platinum ring that had probably not seen the light for a long time.
The diamond on the ring was smaller than the one on my hand, but its sparkle was no less dazzling.
“This ring is made from the same gemstone.”
As Amoide took out the ring, a bright light spread throughout the room.
“It’s a gift passed down through generations to the lord and lady of the manor.”
That’s why it was even more unsuitable for me.
A gift suited for a lady of the manor.
Not for someone like me, who was contracted for money, but for someone who was formally proposed to and had a grand wedding ceremony.
…Someone like Veronica.
A fictional character from a book I had never encountered.
She was just a character from a far-off world, even when I recalled my past life.
Her refined manners, her elegance, all described in elegant prose.
And the person who could have been Amoide’s wife.
“What are you thinking?”
“Huh?”
“You seemed to be somewhere else.”
“No, no, it’s nothing.”
I quickly brushed away the complex residue.
“I’ll put it on for you.”
I looked at him with determined eyes.
Seeming to admit his defeat, his face showed signs of resignation.
“You admit it?”
“Admit what?”
He pretended not to know, with a mischievous air.
“Yeah, it doesn’t sit well. You definitely made a bet with me. Anything you want, I’ll do it.”
I said that, but I was nervous inside.
Why was I making such a big deal out of it? I kept feeling smaller and smaller.
“So, what?”
“What do you mean?”
I stretched out both hands in front of him, palms open and overlapping.
“What’s that?”
He hesitated, but his tone wasn’t particularly refined, so I let it slide.
I’ve come this far, after all.
I’ve heard worse and survived; I’ve come a long way.
I felt proud of my small victory.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
Amoide looked at me with a puzzled expression.
Only then did I realize that I was smiling broadly, lifting the corners of my mouth.
“It’s good to smile. Better than frowning like someone else.”
“….”
Amoide’s expression turned slightly more menacing.
Before he could utter anything harsh, I casually revealed my true feelings.
“It’s a date.”
“A… what?”
He frowned as if he couldn’t believe what he heard.
“What did you just say?”
He looked at me as if he couldn’t hear what I said.
“Come on, I’m not a snake with scales, so can you stop it?”
“A date. Why are you acting like someone who has never been on one?”
“….”
Oops.
As his expression contorted into an unfixable grimace, I realized my grave mistake.
Could it really be my first time?
He collapsed from illness at eighteen…
But surely he must have had encounters with women.
Even though he collapsed at eighteen, in this country, it’s an age where people get engaged or even married.
…But if it were true, he wouldn’t react like this.
“Could it really be your first time?”
I discreetly observed his reaction.
The area around his cheeks turned pink, unlike usual.
‘Ah, how cute.’
The thought made me tremble with excitement.
Who’s cute?
I must be the one hurting, not Amoide.
“What about you?”
“It’s obvious… I’ve done plenty…”
I suddenly realized the truth and was surprised.
My goodness.
I’ve never done it either.
Oh my.
In this life or the last, I’ve been too busy making money to have the time or meet the right person.
‘When I think about it, it’s really pitiful.’
Tears from my past self still linger.
“Obviously what?”
I quickly wiped the shocked expression from my face at his question.
“I’ve done it plenty of times. I’m healthy, so I can have healthy encounters whenever I want.”
Was I boasting? But even if I wanted to, I couldn’t tell the truth.
“Healthy encounters?”
He asked, squinting his eyes.
What’s going on? Why is he looking at me like that?
Maybe he’s concerned about his wife’s past?
“Well, it could be a bit unhealthy, too.”
I added quietly.
“….”
His eyes gleamed like sharpened blades for a moment.
And I felt somehow delighted.
It wasn’t so bad to tease him.
Seeing him adapt to my teasing gaze, I felt proud again.
He is jealous omg 😭