Strategic Marriage with the Mad Villain - Chapter 52

“Uh, that… That’s…”

When I couldn’t finish my words, Reus spoke to Luden.

“Our bathroom in the room will suffice, so don’t worry about it and go ahead.”

Suffice? Wh-what will suffice!

“Then… Please do call for me again whenever you need.”

Luden retreated with a somewhat regretful look, and we entered the room.

The room was dark because the key card wasn’t inserted. Thanks to that, the night view outside the window was very visible, but it wasn’t quite registering in my eyes.

At that moment, Reus said,

“Are you disappointed? Then tell Luden to prepare it.”

“…Pardon?”

Surely he’s not suggesting we get a spa treatment together right now?

“T-that might be a bit… Even if others believe we’re married, we’re in a contract relationship… O-of course, I’m not saying our relationship has grown distant, but still, this is…”

“What are you thinking about?”

When Reus inserted the key card, the lights in the room turned on all at once, illuminating everywhere.

“I was saying that if you want to go alone, let me know.”

“…”

Thanks to that, my reddened face was also fully revealed.

“What were you thinking about alone… Your face.”

Instead of finishing his words, Reus’ finger lightly touched the tip of my cheek.

Our gazes lingered for a moment in that state. Soon, I shook my head side to side.

“You have to say it for me to know.”

“…”

“If you just shake your head like that, I can’t quite tell what you’re trying to say.”

I hope you never know in your lifetime…!

It felt like my whole body was creaking. I felt like I had to go somewhere right away, but I was confused by the many doors.

As I was hesitating, Reus wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“Are you going to change your clothes first?”

When I nodded, Reus pushed me forward and led me to the small dressing room.

“If you change your mind, tell me anytime.”

“…”

“I can’t accompany you, but I can convey the message to Luden.”

As soon as the click sound rang out, I slid down to the floor with my back against the door.

‘Ah, how embarrassing…’

I don’t know why I misunderstood and blabbered on my own. I wanted to run away from the festival and everything.

* * *

Perhaps because of the unfamiliar environment, my eyes snapped open. Judging by the dazzling sunlight entering the room, it seemed to be early morning.

‘I think I woke up much earlier than usual.’

The embarrassment from yesterday hadn’t quite dissipated yet, so I wanted to face Reus as late as possible.

I was very careful to make almost no sound from the bedding as I surveyed my surroundings, but fortunately, the spot next to me was empty.

‘Did he go training even after coming to the hotel?’

While thinking it was just like Reus, a sigh of relief naturally escaped my lips.

“Haa… Thank goodness…”

“Thank goodness?”

“…”

‘I thought my heart would drop…!’

I don’t know why this man always appears without a sound like this. With my startled heart not yet settled, I slightly furrowed my brows and lifted my head.

“You surprised me…”

Then, Reus naturally reached out his hand to my face, rubbing my forehead with his thumb as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“Why did you wake up so early? Was the bedding uncomfortable?”

I thought he was going to tease me with wordplay like yesterday, but his attitude was quite serious.

“It’s not to the point of being uncomfortable… I guess it’s because the sleeping arrangement suddenly changed.”

“Still, get some more sleep. You’ll quickly get tired if you walk around from afternoon till evening.”

“I’m fine though…”

Even though I said that, Reus insisted on laying me back down and pulled the blanket up to my chin.

“Haven’t you been sleeping more lately? If you suddenly reduce your sleep time, you’ll definitely get tired. Get some more sleep, even if it’s for the sake of your body.”

After Feria’s visit, Reus prioritized my well-being in any situation. I understood that him diligently coming to meals was an extension of his concern.

But there was still a bit of puzzlement remaining about him taking time out of his busy schedule to spend tea time with me, or accompanying me to see the festival today for my sake.

“Reus.”

“I told you to get some more sleep.”

“There’s something I’m curious about. Can I ask you?”

Reus silently nodded his head slowly at my words.

“Why are you being so good to me…?”

“You seemed like you weren’t thinking much, but you were actually paying attention.”

I waited for the answer that would come without a word. But Reus didn’t continue for a long time. As if pondering something, he stared at me with inscrutable eyes, then soon spoke.

“Aren’t you… my benefactor?”

It was such an obvious answer, but along with the feeling of deflation, my shoulders slumped.

What was I expecting to ask such an obvious question? I didn’t quite understand myself either.

“Now, let’s go back to sleep. That way, you can fully enjoy the festival you’ve been looking forward to.”

Reus covered my eyes with his large hand. I wanted to see his face a little longer, but sleepiness rushed in like a lie at his warm touch.

* * *

After having lunch, it was a bit late in the afternoon. We finally arrived at the street where the festival was being held.

As Reus had suggested to me before, we used magical tools to change our hair colors and changed into clothes that ordinary imperial citizens would wear.

‘I didn’t know he would go this far for me.’

Reus was wearing a loose-fitting shirt and dark-colored pants that commoners would wear. And due to the effect of the magical tool that randomly changed hair color, his hair was not a light silver but a very dark black.

Seeing him in such loose attire with changed hair color, unlike his usual sharp suits, somehow made him feel like a different person.

Of course, I also changed my appearance a bit.

After changing into slightly stiff clothes, I changed my hair color from platinum blonde to light brown.

The changed appearance felt a bit awkward, and as I was fiddling with my hair, Reus suddenly held out his hand to me.

There would be many people on the festival street, so we wouldn’t be able to walk while escorting each other as usual. So if we were to hold hands, we would have to tightly clasp both hands together like lovers…

‘Wouldn’t he find it too bothersome if we go that far?’

As I hesitated for a moment, Reus called out to me with the nickname we had agreed to use for each other just for today.

“El.”

“Yes, Re… Oh.”

“For safety, even if you don’t feel like it, I’d appreciate it if you could cooperate to this extent.”

When I carefully placed my hand on his, Reus lightly grasped my hand, then interlocked our fingers tightly, leaving no gaps.

“Now, let’s go, El.”

We naturally blended into the crowd. Walking together while holding hands, it felt like…

‘We’re on a date.’

Reus might be a little upset if he heard it, but that was the vibe I felt.

In the past, he was someone I could hardly make eye contact with, but I don’t know when we became this comfortable with each other.

A tingling sensation brushed past my chest, making me fidget with my hand for no reason. Then, Reus looked down at me.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“No, I was just worried my hand might get sweaty…”

When I answered timidly, Reus let out a short laugh as if saying I was worrying about nothing.

We walked aimlessly, following the direction most people were heading. After walking a bit like that, it seemed we had entered the middle of the festival street, as the crowd became even more packed.

The atmosphere turned chaotic with the noisy sounds, and I couldn’t focus at all.

But for today, this bustling wasn’t so bad. Of course, the man holding my hand didn’t seem to think so.

The further we went inside, the more Reus’ eyes slightly distorted. Every time we walked, he seemed to be unfamiliar with the people bumping into us or the completely uncontrolled streets.

“You’re regretting coming with me, aren’t you?”

“…No, I’m not.”

“It seems like you’re regretting it though?”

“…”

Anyway, whenever he’s slightly at a disadvantage, he shuts his mouth.

It was at that moment when we were walking without a destination.

From a bit of a distance, cheers from people could be heard, and that sound gradually got closer to us. And not too far away, a procession of men could be seen.

I had thought there were unusually many people gathered here since earlier, but it seemed they had all been waiting in advance to see this procession.

The men scattered flower petals from baskets as they walked forward, further ripening the festive atmosphere.

But the people’s eyes didn’t seem to be on the flower petals.

Perhaps because the men following the procession were all handsome and had very good physiques even at a glance, people’s heads moved in unison according to their route.

‘But what kind of procession is this?’

While inwardly curious, I was absentmindedly watching the procession when the men started placing the flower crowns they were wearing on the female spectators nearby.

“Ah…”

Thanks to that, I also ended up wearing a flower crown. But that wasn’t the end of it.

The men who took off their flower crowns suddenly started taking off their tops with a flourish!

White shirts flew in all directions, revealing the men’s tanned, muscular bodies. All the women around them screamed as if they had been waiting for it, not knowing what to do.

It all happened right in front of me, so I was a bit startled and widened my eyes. But with a thud, my vision suddenly darkened.

“Reu… No, Leo, why are you…”

I fumbled around the large hand covering my eyes, but it showed no signs of letting go. Soon, I heard the sound of the flower crown on my head flying far away.

“L-Leo…! Why did you throw the flower crown…!”

But Reus didn’t give any answer.

In the meantime, the cheers following the procession gradually faded away. Only after the crowd thinned out a bit did the large hand blocking my view finally fall away.

“Leo…! If you throw the flower crown like that, what will you do? What if it hurts someone?”

“I threw it to a place with relatively few people.”

“No, that’s not the issue… Why did you throw the flower crown in the first place?”