“……Um.”
My body is tired and doesn't want to wake up. I tried to turn around and roll around in the blanket, but it felt like I was about to be sucked back into the soft bed, making my mind stagger and everything gradually blurred.
Then another feeling appeared. Strange. This time, it grabbed my ankle. It felt wet, warm, and seemed to scratch slightly.
I opened my eyes heavily and looked towards the head of the bed. Is it some fabric string or ribbon?
"EH?"
Cesar was holding my ankle, pulling gently.
“Hehe.”
Our eyes met, he smiled.
I rubbed my eyes, both tired and annoyed, and said to him:
“……Let's go back to your room.”
“……”
But Cesar had no intention of listening and continued to firmly hold my ankle.
I know what to do. Can't chase him away...
“Ah, well, it can't be helped.”
I sighed. It felt like even if I sent him back to his room, he would definitely come right back. I lifted the blanket and pulled him into bed.
"It's cold sitting out there. Come in here."
"YES."
As soon as he was given permission, he jumped into bed like a happy child. The distance between the two of us is difficult to get used to.
"Well, we're husband and wife. There's nothing wrong with sharing the same bed..."
I blurted out an unconscious excuse, then had to try to stop him from penetrating me.
“Ha ha.”
Looking at that, I suddenly remembered Annalisa and burst out laughing. It's been a long time since I felt the warmth of another person before falling asleep.
Before joining the Flores family, when we lived with Annalisa in a small apartment, we hugged each other and slept every night. Especially in winter, when the heater is not warm enough, we rely on each other's body heat, curling up and close to each other.
“Hugging each other like this, it's warm so it's easy to fall asleep.”
"YES……."
Cesar's quiet breathing also showed fatigue. Of course, he's had enough trouble, it's true he's tired.
I closed my eyes completely, trying to fall asleep.
"Lace."
Cesar called my name in the darkness. I only opened half my eyes, which were as heavy as wet cotton.
Then soft lips touched mine. The half-open eye was now completely opened.
Did he… just kiss me?
A small smile escaped my lips, unintentionally.
Cesar raised his eyes and looked at me intently. For a long moment, then snuggled back into my arms.
"Oh my God."
This cute action made me giggle uncontrollably. Amidst that feeling of gentle joy, I slowly fell asleep.
“Is she still alive?”
"That's right."
Matthias de la Rosa, son of Queen Cornelia, Second Prince of the Empire, almost dropped his pen when he heard the surprising news from his courtier.
The person I said, the woman who was once considered the fifth wife to die... is now alive.
“I thought I saw a dead body again.”
Matthias smiled softly, curling his lips. The situation that unfolded was even more interesting than imagined.
“Conservatives will be delighted.”
Matthias was known all his life as a bastard. The conservatives who supported the Grand Prince, Cesar, despite his mental illness being considered a problem, still wanted to protect legitimacy.
A prince has legal rights. A legitimate emperor. Therefore, the first prince must be the heir.
“In essence, they just want a scarecrow.”
The continental alliance with demons formed from long-standing wars includes three factions: Asetria Empire, Hebrium Forest, Stoican Steel Alliance.
The Emperor of Asetria must have the absolute consent of allied lords to be recognized. The remaining two lords always wanted the emperor to follow their wishes.
“So which family is that lucky woman the daughter of?”
Of course, the wedding hasn't happened yet, no one knows.
“The family of the Duke of Flores.”
Flores, Flores. Matthias repeated the name over and over, then laughed.
Cosimo Flores. Even three-year-old children or homeless people walking on the street must bow respectfully. Sacred and brilliant name.
Centuries ago, a giant dragon rampaged through the world. Heroes appear to destroy dragons.
One of them was the great magician Cosimo Flores. Thanks to his victory, he was awarded the title of duke, becoming a hero who saved the country and a prominent sage.
“Does the blood of the great sage really restrain the power of the dragon?”
That story seemed to be just a legend.
“It's very clever that the duke's daughter entrusts this person who is considered crazy.”
“……Indeed.”
The courtier lowered his voice and looked around. Flores has calculated carefully. Who dares to give an adult daughter to a cursed person? Families usually never let their children be destroyed like that.
Flores's marriage preparations… left Matthias with a bad taste in his mouth.
“What about the Holy See?”
“Will send congratulations soon.”
Recognition from the Holy See further strengthens the position of the Grand Prince. Matthias tapped his hand on the table, amused.
“And my mother… will be angry.”
“Sure…”
The moonstone palace trembled. You don't need to see this to know. The Queen originally hated the Great Prince.
“The lineage of Cosimo….”
This name is like a distant legend. Legends, magic, all are the past. Matthias smirked, full of trickery.
“Are Cosimo's descendants really different?”
What special ability does that woman have to control this madman? Or thanks to ancient magic to tame wild beasts?
“If only I could go see the wedding.”
I don't care about looking at a dying person, but now that she's alive, things are different.
“Let's gather more information about you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The courtier bowed his head and retreated. Matthias looked extremely curious about that woman, even singing softly.
―Tell the truth!
The bedroom is chaotic. Those were the noises of the maids who used to take care of me.
―Delfina has touched your majesty's jewelry.
A brown-haired maid sobbed and fell to the floor. She shook her head repeatedly, begging.
―Your Majesty, I swear it's not me!
Tears fell freely. The scene was pitiful.
―It was Delfina who did it!
―She!
Everyone blames Delfina. But I know, the person who touches the jewelry is actually...
Open your eyes, it's morning. The dream I just had was so strange, the details were so vivid that it seemed like it really happened.
But it's probably just a dream.
“Um.”
Cesar was still sleeping, breathing evenly in my arms. Looking at him like that, he looks strangely like a noble prince.
I gently touched her curly hair, then closed my eyes again. When I was about to fall asleep, there was a noise outside the door.
The sound of arguing, and even the sound of sobbing.
―Why don't you tell the truth!
―I swear it's not me!
The deafening noise made the bedroom chaotic.
“What's going on?”
I was startled when I heard a voice outside the door:
“Your Majesty, are you coughing?”
A group of people rushed in without knocking. All familiar faces, people who did my makeup for the wedding.
“Uh…uh…”
Before he could ask, a growl echoed throughout the room. Cesar.
“Ah!”
He looked like he was about to rush out, causing the maid to panic. The water in the basin spilled onto the floor, the precious carpet got wet, and everyone turned pale. A brown-haired maid stepped forward:
"Sorry! Sir, I didn't know the Prince was here!"
“Uh…uh…uh…”
The apology made Cesar even more agitated. He stirred as if he was about to rush out.
“Cesar, no way!”
I shouted loudly, stopping him. Otherwise, violence will happen again today like yesterday.
Luckily, he listened and calmed down. No incidents occurred.
“What is this all about?”