Since the kiss with Cahilin during the martial arts competition, public opinion regarding us has been divided. There were still disapproving looks, but there were also romantic gazes.

Although there was an intention to publicly announce our relationship with the golden rose, I didn’t expect the kiss to have such a significant impact. Fortunately, Floria, for now, seemed to be observing quietly.

I was currently busy with wedding preparations. Due to the worsening condition of the king, there was no time to delay.

“A bit straighten your posture.”

Since I didn’t have any significant elders or Sharplong to consult, Cahilin called his late mother’s sister and his aunt.

Eliza Laine was strict yet affectionate. Through her, I could learn that ‘Kal’ was Cahilin’s childhood nickname. Judging by the way she added the external surname to a childhood nickname, it seemed she poured quite a lot of affection into the external family.

Eliza had liked me from the beginning. When she asked about the rumors in the social circle and the local territories, I wondered if she had heard about me. However, she was merely someone with infinite trust and love for Cahilin.

“If Cahilin has chosen a woman, you can trust her.”

For the sole reason that Cahilin had kept me in his heart, Eliza was exceptionally kind to me.

Thanks to her, wedding preparations proceeded smoothly.

I sighed as I looked at the pile of unopened letters.

Upon learning that I was marrying Cahilin, Violet Gae from the Violet family sent letters expressing her displeasure.

There was no need to read the contents. The letters, which previously demanded allowances and gifts like a king, now contained more explicit requests. They intended to catch me and rebuild the family.

But more than that, the concern was about what kind of mischief they might cause to Floria by using me. I worried that I might accidentally touch her feelings and sparks might fly.

“They’re not family, they’re enemies, enemies.”

Thinking that today’s letter would be the same, I absentmindedly opened it and suddenly stood up. The family was currently in the Samian territory, not far from the capital.

“Oh, darn.”

Their intention to enter the palace before the wedding was glaringly obvious. I massaged my forehead, feeling a headache. At that moment, someone gently stroked my head. Even without looking up, I could tell who it was.

“What’s the problem?”

I slightly turned my head, and Cahilin was looking down at me. It was the face I hadn’t seen in a long time since he had been on an inspection trip for several days due to the water shortage problem in the Herbert Territory.

“When did you come back?”

“Just now. Is something wrong?”
Cahilin glanced at the neatly arranged table and then picked up the letter I was holding in my hand.

Since there was no reason to hide, I watched quietly. Cahilin quickly scanned through the letter, and a smirk briefly appeared on his lips before disappearing. His eyes also seemed to clearly show the annoyance from the Violet family.

“Didn’t you sigh and avoid meeting your family last time?”

“Yes. There’s nothing good about meeting them now. They’ll undoubtedly provoke Floria by putting on a front. Especially since they are already sharpening their fangs for her.”

“That’s problematic.”

Cahilin narrowed his eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he lightly asked, “How about I give them a little scare?”

Your ‘a little’ and my ‘a little’ should ideally be about the same level. Unable to trust him completely, I shook my head.

“Well, it’s not quite suitable to scare them since they’re family.”

Certainly, they weren’t truly family, but it was a matter of formality.

“Perhaps you’re right.”

He answered as if he had expected it, but there was a clearly dissatisfied expression on his face.

“Well, if I urgently signal, would you secretly make them faint or something?”

If saying absurd things like that in front of Floria could prevent them from causing trouble, so be it. It would be better than Floria sending doves flying or instructing Shan Na to cast spells.

Cahilin nodded seriously at my words.

“Have you chosen your wedding attire?”

“Yes.”

There was a strange tradition in the Hyllic Kingdom where the couple shouldn’t see each other’s wedding attire until the wedding day. It was a kind of superstition to ensure a long and happy marriage.

“I can’t wait to see you in a wedding dress.”

“It’s just a contractual marriage, anyway.”

“At every word, contract, contract. It’s going to be annoying.”

Cahilin frowned slightly.

“Even in a contractual marriage, is there room for a kiss?”

“Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”

As I closed my eyes as if possessed by something at that moment. Until when was I going to endure this? I glanced at Cahilin, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

“Since you keep talking about the contract, I thought I’d bring it up for no reason.”

“Even in a contractual marriage, depending on the need, you can have that level of intimacy.”

I answered somewhat thoughtlessly. And I regretted it immediately. Cahilin’s expression became mischievous.