“If it’s Layton, he might have been in the territory with me. In that case, there must be memories I can recall through him.”

“Do you know that every time he looks at you, his gaze is unusual?”

“Why are you saying something so absurd? Layton has been protecting me since I was a child… Ah!”

As Ibelia was absurdly explaining, a faint moan slipped out. It was because Caliph forcefully pulled her hand that he was holding with strength.

Ibelia, with surprised eyes at the suddenly narrowed distance, blinked. In an instant, his scent blew into her nose. Because of that, her heart, which was just beating pleasantly, thumped violently.

“I can protect you well enough on my own.”

“Huh?”

“A word implying dependence on someone other than me is uncomfortable to hear.”

“I didn’t mean that.”

In response to the unjust feeling that suddenly pushed in, Ibelia bit her tongue. It was because she sensed that no matter what she said, it would be of no use.

Even when they knew each other as Rurian, he sometimes showed possessiveness to a certain extent. However, at that time, he seemed to be somewhat cautious, probably because he was hiding his true identity. After revealing his true identity, he expressed himself more openly, as he did now.

To exaggerate a bit, it seemed like he was intensely interested even just by making eye contact with a man. No matter how much she explained, he didn’t seem to understand.

He probably didn’t have the desire to understand in the first place. Just by looking at his expression now, that seemed to be the case. It felt like he wouldn’t even pretend to listen to her explanation.

Instead of making empty excuses, she glanced at the closed bedroom door. Then, with an uneasy voice, she spoke to him.

“…Pailin will be here soon.”

“So?”

“This kind of posture…”

“It won’t be a problem. Anyway, he probably knows that you and I are the Prince and Princess couple.”

Caliph promptly retorted. It was a correct statement without any superfluous words. Because of that, Ibelia felt quite awkward.

Although there were many good aspects to the changes in their relationship, there was also one fatal drawback. As the relationship got closer, occasional skinship like this occurred.

Ibelia found these situations too unfamiliar. Even before the royal marriage, and even after getting a husband, there was no such skinship.

Since her husband always focused only on other women, she wondered if there would be any contact at all. Now, looking back, it was fortunate, but the embarrassment was still unbearable.

Ibelia had no immunity to such discreet postures in any way. Sometimes, just by his persistent gaze, she felt a tingling sensation all over her body. Yet, how could she endure such a posture as being embraced by him?

She cautiously stepped back. Even if she tried, it was at an inconspicuous level. However, Caliph, who keenly sensed that fact, narrowed his eyes subtly. Then, this time, he pulled her waist tightly towards him.
He appeared from a closer distance than a moment ago.

“Why do you always run away?”

“…Run, you say?”

“When you hold hands, you pretend it’s a mistake and let go, and when you try to hug, you suddenly talk to the maid. If it’s not running away, are you avoiding me?”

In response to Caliph’s precise observation, Ibelia’s face instantly turned beet red. Naturally, he had already noticed even though it was done casually.

Ibelia rolled her eyes here and there, feeling a bit awkward. There were no ready-made words for excuses.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like him. On the contrary, she liked him too much, and that was the problem. Except for the difficulty of recalling memories about him, she was quite happy now that there was no need to hide her feelings.

However, regardless of that, his overly proactive attitude was perplexing. Whenever he behaved like this, she couldn’t figure out how to handle the emotions that surged like waves.

As the time passed without an answer, Caliph’s expression stiffened. By now, he probably had thoughts in his head that she had never tried before.

Ibelia sighed softly and, as if it couldn’t be helped, parted her lips.

“I… just want to take it slow.”

“What?”

Caliph asked like a child. It seemed like he didn’t understand her words at all. At times like this, it was hard to believe that he was a man who casually engaged in skinship.

On the other hand, he was cute when he acted like that. If she remembered all the memories about Caliph, his current face would likely be there. Of course, the face might be a bit more mature, but she was confident that his eyes, at least, would remain unchanged.

Ibelia gently brushed his cheek with a calm smile.

“Anything. I hope recalling memories about you could be as fast as the speed we’re going.”

There was no more kind explanation than this. Thanks to that, Caliph, who fully understood Ibelia’s words, frowned displeased.

“Are you saying that I’ll only hold your hand once you remember a complete memory?”

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea.”