I always received attention when I went down alone or when I took Ian, so I came down the village alone because I thought I would get more attention if I took Valery. Valery said he would never be parted away from me. Still, thanks to Amaterin, who held him back tenaciously, I could come this way. Even Valery couldn’t beat Amaterin.
“He must be bombarded by Ami’s questions by now.”
It would be nice if he pretended not to speak the common language, but it was a set procedure because they came to my side and pretended to know me.
The gazes that had been loose for some time felt exceptionally hot today. It was like everyone was looking at me. What’s going on? Eventually, I was going to go grocery shopping and stop by the clothing store to say thank you. Still, Sagrina, the clothing store owner, pulled my arm in a hurry.
“Renia!”
“Hello. I came here to give you something because it was warm and nice fur that you gave me.”
I stopped by the grocery store and showed the fruit I had bought earlier. Sagrina took it, put it next to her, and put me in a chair altogether.
“No, why are you buying these things? Sorry. Anyway, take a seat.”
“Why? Do you need more clothes?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Sagrina looked outside and looked at me again.
“Who is your real husband?”
At the words, I frowned as I could not hide the absurdity of that. “What do you mean?”
“The rumors are all over the place! It said that you have two husbands in the land below! Your beauty is unusual, so there was no way they would leave this pretty face alone. Who knows they have the same level of beauty too.”
“That, Sagrina.”
“So, who is your real husband? Or who is your first husband?”
I couldn’t believe this was the rumor that Amaterin was talking about. I only went to the few shops without holding hands with Ian, and it must have looked like a lady and her escort. It hadn’t been two days since Valery came. Even on the first day, we stayed in home all day, but when did this rumor spread?
“It’s not like that.”
I hastily corrected it. I hadn’t even married yet, but for having two husbands?
“It’s not like that?”
“I’m not married.”
“What? Then, they’re not your husbands?”
I didn’t know why I had to make excuses here, but a correction was needed before more strange rumors spread. Sagrina, who heard me, somehow looked terribly sorry. She really looked like someone who really wanted me to have two husbands. I asked her to tell others it wasn’t like that, then leave.
I wouldn’t have cared about such words in the past, but I know things would be more tiring if I left them alone because it’s narrow here, and rumors turn around quickly. In the end, as if I was being chased, I roughly bought the ingredients and returned.
As soon as I arrived, Amaterin saw my expression and laughed while holding her belly.
“It was a weirder rumor than I thought.”
I sat on the outside bench, feeling extremely tired. Still, Amaterin giggled.
“I was going to correct it too. But they have to listen to the person who got involved. I guess the villagers haven’t had anything fun lately.”
“Still, it was too much to have two hidden husbands.”
“Well, when I think about it, it was too much. Your friend Juri was also here. They forgot about it.”
I squinted my eyes and looked at her.
Unlike how I always had breakfast and dinner with Kuren and Amaterin, Valery and I ate separately for dinner after Valery came. I felt sorry for everyone because I knew it was consideration from Ian. Still, now it seemed like the time for Valery to leave was approaching, so I didn’t have time to pay more attention to it anymore.
After dinner, I put down the tea and asked him. Valery buried his face in my shoulder with his arms around my waist. He’s always been like this since we met again.
There was no difference at bedtime. I was so frustrated that he hugged me as if he were holding a doll when I opened my eyes. It felt like I was trying to solve a problem I hadn’t met before. I wondered if he was more careful than before, but I didn’t hate it either, so I left him as it was. However, he couldn’t stay attached to this village.
“When do you have to go back?”
“Where should I go back?”
He asked back as if it were an unfamiliar question.
“You’ve been away for a few days already. You have to go back now.”
Then he hugged me tighter. “I’m not going back.”
Bewildered, I put down the spoon I was stirring the teacup with and tried to turn around. “Can you loosen your arms for a second?”
“…I don’t want to.”
“Then what do you mean you’re not going back?”
I tapped him on the arm to relax and turned around. In the blink of an eye, I faced him.
“It’s literally. I said I would stay by your side now.”
“I know, I remember that. But going back is a different story.”
“I will not party away with you again.”
He insisted. He was ready to throw everything away to be with me, but I didn’t expect it to be true.
“I’m not saying let’s break up.”
“…”
“I can’t go back right away. It’s been a while since I’ve been here, and I need some time to sort things out. But Valery, you’re not like me. You have been here for several days now…”
He hugged me again. I clasped my chin against his shoulder and tapped him.
“Hey, Valery. Don’t hug me.”
“I know, I know.”
I sighed with a puff. “I don’t want to let you go after realizing my heart. But you’re no longer a prince.”
“I was going to do whatever you wanted as long as you returned. I was going to say all of them were ready, whether it was about family or anything is ready. So Bella, you just need to come.”
“…Really?”
“At some point, it didn’t even matter. I thought I just needed to be by your side.”
“So you’re saying you’re going to give up the throne?”
He did not answer. That means he meant it. That he really ascended to the throne to gain power for me. Are those words really true? Is that really all? No, really, this person.
The tearful reunion has already happened. Then it was time to return to reality. Even though I made it clear that I would never leave him.
“Then how’s the imperial palace going now?”
“I’m sure it’s doing fine on its own.”
I closed my eyes tightly and opened them. “I don’t like irresponsible people.”
“…”
“I like you, but if you’re going to become this irresponsible, I’ll have to rethink my choice again.”
“Bella.”
I squinted at him. “There’s no use in making such a face. Who in the world just leaves the throne behind to come here? Do you know what kind of position it is?”
Then he bowed his head. “I know.”
“So you’re going back, right? Me too… I will be there after I’m done organizing things here. I’ll have to figure out how to get along and go back, but I will follow you. I promise that. So don’t be reckless.”
Then his big body came back.
“One month.”
“What?”
“I want to be with you for at least a month.”
“Did I hear correctly what you just said?”
Valery said he had taken a proper vacation. However, he confessed he would stay here if I didn’t want to return.
If you’re on vacation, you should say so. Still, I was relieved that he hadn’t thrown everything behind. Anyway, is he really… staying for a month?
“That’s a relief, but is it really a month?”
“I have entrusted the work to my aide. So don’t try to send me away.”
In the end, I accepted him, who kept hitting me.
“Then go back exactly a month after you promised. No matter how much you entrusted your aide with your work, who would respect the emperor when he went away?”
“Alright.”
“I see.”
I managed to get his definite answer.
A month. I have a month to decide.
* * *
“What are you doing?”
After an early dinner, I sat down in front of the fireplace. I had received a lot of work in the past, but it started to be pushed back because Valery came.
I looked at the traditional doll and looked at him. What should I call this? It was a little embarrassing to tell the truth.
“…Making dolls.”
“Dolls? As an ornament? This much?”
“Well, they’re ornaments, but I’m not trying to use them. I’m selling them.”
He raised his eyebrows. My face got hot for no reason, and I coughed in vain.
“I left everything behind on purpose. Everything I had was given to someone else, so I only brought a few sets of clothes and the necklace you gave me.”
“…”
“At first, I started because I wanted to get rid of my thoughts, but the cost of living was a bit low, so…”
As I spoke, I felt like I was embarrassing myself, so I dropped my shoulders.
