In truth, Kaiden had always been rather blunt.
He wasn’t good at speaking indirectly, so he often said things exactly as they were.
In aristocratic society—where everything was wrapped in layers of politeness—this was a particularly noticeable flaw.
Of course, those who knew him well were already used to it, but Reina was different.
Even he himself was surprised to realize he had been treating her more casually than he intended.
At this rate, things would become awkward between them.
Then he suddenly remembered something from when he was scolded by his younger brother after making his niece cry while playing with her.
“Brother. You have to handle girls gently, like fragile glass. If you treat them the way you treat me, they’ll all cry and run away.”
What was he supposed to do again?
Kaiden carefully searched his memory for a solution.
He clearly remembered calming his niece down after listening to his brother’s advice.
“Ah.”
He finally came up with an answer—but hesitated for a moment.
Would this actually work?
With no better idea, he decided to try it.
He slowly approached Reina and awkwardly placed a rough hand on her head, patting it.
“???”
Reina looked up at him, utterly confused by the gesture, as if he were pressing down on her head rather than patting it.
Seeing Kaiden’s serious expression, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him to stop.
After an awkward silence, Kaiden cleared his throat and said,
“I heard this makes people feel better.”
“…”
“Was that not it?”
He frowned slightly and muttered to himself.
Watching him quietly, Reina suddenly burst out laughing.
“Pfft.”
She had finally realized why he was acting so strangely.
Seeing this normally confident man look uncertain was unexpectedly… cute.
As Reina’s mood softened, Kaiden also looked satisfied.
Just then, a knock came at the door, and a priest informed them that dinner was ready.
Kaiden lowered his hand from her head and naturally took hers instead.
“You must be hungry. Let’s go eat.”
Even though she knew he was doing it because of the priest, Reina still felt an odd sense of comfort.
Feeling the lingering warmth on her head, she lightly touched her hair and said,
“Alright.”
After dinner, Reina went alone to the prayer hall where the goddess statue stood inside the Great Temple.
It was the place she remembered visiting with her older brother when she was young, and she wanted to see it first.
With a nostalgic expression, she looked around the hall.
It hadn’t changed at all.
Memories of her brother surfaced naturally.
Holding her small hand tightly, he had once pointed at the statue and said:
“Reina, if you place your hand on this goddess statue and pray, your wish will come true.”
“Really? Then I’ll make a wish! What will you wish for, big brother?”
“I can’t tell you. Wishes only come true if you keep them to yourself.”
“Then I won’t tell mine either!”
She remembered covering her mouth with her hands, afraid she might accidentally say her wish aloud.
Back then, she had believed she would stay with her brother forever.
Now, she didn’t even know whether he was alive.
Reina grew quietly bitter.
Because of the special prayer period, the hall was crowded.
Reina joined the line and waited silently.
When her turn came, she placed her hand on the goddess statue and prayed earnestly.
Please… let my brother still be alive.
Even in her previous life, she had never heard news of him, so it was likely he had already died.
But just in case—
If he was still somewhere out there—
Reina clung to that thin hope like a lifeline.
And if he is alive… please let me meet him again.
She prayed with all her heart that her wish would reach the goddess.
When Reina returned to the bedroom, the room was empty.
After showering, she hesitated for a moment.
Going straight to the bed reminded her of Kaiden’s earlier complaint.
He had clearly said the bed was too small.
Then it might be better if she let him have it alone.
Her body was small anyway; she could sleep on the sofa just fine.
Compared to the marble floors she had once endured underground, the sofa was practically luxury.
Having made up her mind, Reina moved to the sofa.
She soon drifted off to sleep there.
Sometime later, she suddenly felt a sense of weightlessness and opened her eyes.
Kaiden was there.
He was moving carefully, trying not to wake her.
As he placed her on the bed, their eyes met.
“Did I wake you?”
“No. What time is it?”
“Two in the morning. Go back to sleep.”
Kaiden pulled the blanket up to her neck.
Then, noticing him turning toward the sofa, Reina instinctively grabbed his hand.
“What is it now?”
“Are you planning to sleep on the sofa?”
“It would be better for both of us, wouldn’t it?”
“Then I should sleep there instead.”
Reina tried to sit up, but Kaiden pressed her shoulder down.
“Then I’ll be more uncomfortable. Just stay here. I can sleep anywhere as long as I rest my head.”
“I think I won’t be able to sleep if you’re uncomfortable.”
Reina held his hand more firmly.
“Just sleep next to me. I really sleep quietly.”
She was surprisingly stubborn, and he wasn’t confident he could convince her otherwise.
If this continued, they would only end up in a stalemate.
In the end, Kaiden gave in and sat at the edge of the bed.
Only then did Reina smile in relief.
When he turned off the bedside lamp, darkness filled the room.
Reina turned toward him and said softly,
“Good night, Kaiden.”
But there was no answer from him—only a low sigh.
The next day, they used a portal and entered the North.
The North, cold throughout all seasons, was known for its steep rocky mountains and unfrozen lakes formed by volcanic activity.
Even at the entrance, a freezing wind swept into the carriage.
For Reina, who had always lived in the mild climate of the capital, it was her first time experiencing such cold.
She shivered slightly, and Kaiden wrapped a blanket around her.
“This is actually a mild day.”
“You’re lying, right?”
Reina looked at him in disbelief, and Kaiden smirked.
Half of it was a joke, but her reaction amused him, so he didn’t correct it.
The carriage carrying them traveled through the North for several days.
Just as she was getting tired of the scenery outside, they entered the Crensia territory.
Soon, in the distance, the Crensia Castle appeared—its tall spires clustered together.
Standing against the snowy mountains, it looked like the fortress of a demon lord.
Its scale was far greater than she had imagined, and she couldn’t help but gasp.
It was her first time seeing Crensia Castle with her own eyes.
Reina quietly gazed at the place where she would now live.
This was the same castle that had once been completely burned down because of her.
Remembering how the Emperor had laughed at the destruction, her heart grew heavier.
So many lives had been lost there.
This time… I will protect it.
As Reina strengthened her resolve, the carriage stopped in front of the main gate.
Kaiden stepped out first and offered his hand.
Reina placed her hand in his and stepped down.
At that moment, servants lined up on both sides bowed their heads in unison.
“Welcome back, Your Grace. And welcome to the North, Duches
A passionate storyteller who loves creating immersive worlds and captivating characters.
