Ch.131Side Story) Race (3)

The days passed quietly.

Since there were preparations to make with Daisy before the wedding, I spent more time with her.

Wedding invitations, the families to send them to, detailed plans for the ceremony, the procession route, and more…

Even tasks we could have delegated to servants, we planned together.

Daisy was deeply satisfied with our collaborative planning and expressed her affection openly. Even simple things moved her deeply.

As we worked out the details of our marriage plans, our relationship grew stronger.

“…..Phew.”

Even after dinner, my work wasn’t finished.

Putting the final touches on the wedding invitations, I rolled my shoulders to relieve my neck. Sitting at a desk all day writing letters wasn’t easy.

Especially for someone like me who wasn’t used to it. Despite my efforts to adapt to desk work over the past six months, my lifelong habit had been to exercise and work up a sweat. I still needed more time to adjust.

As I was stretching, Daisy suddenly jumped up from her seat and stood behind me.

Puzzled by her abrupt movement, I turned to look at her as her cool fingers grasped my shoulders.

“Are you feeling unwell? If you need to rest, I can finish up, Caden.”

She began massaging my shoulders earnestly.

Her concern was so genuine that I couldn’t even tease her about it.

I just smiled at her thoughtfulness and reassured her.

“I’m fine, Daisy. I was just stretching a bit.”

“…You don’t have to go to such lengths for me…”

When she spoke with an apologetic tone, I couldn’t help but smile.

“This is for us. It’s something I should do. But still…”

As I let my words trail off, Daisy leaned in, listening intently.

“…I must admit, the massage feels nice, so perhaps I’ll enjoy it a little longer.”

As I relaxed into the chair, smiles appeared on both our faces simultaneously.

Daisy’s hands worked diligently on my shoulders. Though she possessed inner strength, her hands didn’t match that power. In truth, they weren’t having much effect on my shoulders.

This kind of physical fatigue couldn’t be easily relieved by something like a massage. It required either a long rest or dedicating time to exercise.

Nevertheless, I felt as if my fatigue was melting away. Daisy’s noble heart transmitted warmth through her hands on my shoulders.

Gradually, her hands slowed… and then slid down my body.

“……”

Before I knew it, she had wrapped her arms around my neck and rested her head on my shoulder.

I raised my hand to gently caress her cheek as we exchanged warmth.

“Caden.”

She spoke.

“…I’m truly happy. I’ve dreamed of moments like this my whole life.”

“…….”

“Dreaming of a future with someone I love. Sharing warmth in peaceful everyday moments. Having a relationship where just existing gives strength to each other.”

“…Is that so?”

“But I had somewhat given up on it. Political marriages don’t always go according to one’s heart. So in that sense… I’m incredibly happy. To be connected with you.”

Stroking her cheek more carefully, I continued.

“…I sometimes find it amazing too, Daisy. Did I ever tell you?”

“…Tell me what?”

“That I knew you before entering the Academy.”

“…What?”

“…It’s complicated to explain in detail, but aside from knowing you grew up at the Hexter Orphanage, I knew about you through a series of events. Just as you knew about me, a commoner-born Praester.”

“………”

“…I don’t know if you’re aware, but I was drawn to your inner strength. When I gave you that flower during the jousting tournament, it wasn’t without thought.”

After a long silence, Daisy broke into a playful laugh.

“…I thought you gave it to me because I was the most beautiful?”

At that sharp observation, I blinked, searching for an excuse.

“Well… I mean… your inner beauty, and your outer…”

“I’m just teasing. I don’t dwell on such things.”

“No, that’s not right… Daisy.”

Since I had an obligation to make my wives happy every day, I could speak words that might make others jealous when we were alone.

“Daisy… don’t tell anyone else. In my eyes… you are the most beautiful.”

“……..”

Daisy tried to hide her reaction, but I felt her arms tighten around me.

“You don’t know that I was captivated by you on the day of the entrance ceremony, do you?”

“……..”

Daisy didn’t answer.

To see her expression, I carefully turned my head, only to find Daisy trying to hide her beautiful smile.

That sight made me smile again.

After sharing a laugh, I stroked her cheek once more, bringing this moment of happiness to an end.

“Well, Daisy. Thank you for the massage.”

“Ah, Caden. Let’s call it a day. I think you can rest now.”

That suggestion immediately appealed to me. I thought about relieving my built-up fatigue through exercise during the remaining time. After all, having grown up as a knight, that felt more natural to me.

Working up a sweat always brought peace to my body, mind, and spirit.

“…Hmm. Then let’s finish here for today… I should go exercise a bit. Would you like to come with me, Daisy?”

“No, I’ll stay here.”

“Why not? Come with me.”

I said, stroking her silky hair as she still rested her head on my shoulder.

“…Well…”

“…?”

“…My heart is beating too fast.”

“Ah.”

Another brief silence fell between us.

This time, Daisy broke the silence.

“Well, Caden.”

She unwrapped her arms and stood up.

As I was about to rise from my chair, I felt a soft sensation on my cheek.

-Smooch.

Daisy had kissed me.

“…Come back safely, my love. Have a good night.”

She said.

After taking a moment to calm my fluttering heart, I stood up to face her.

I gently held the back of her neck, pulled her head slightly, and carefully pressed my lips against hers before answering.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

****

When I arrived at the training ground, Judy was already there. She was swinging her sword in the red sunset glow.

Though I wanted to call out to her, she seemed so deeply focused that I decided to watch for a moment.

She must have been exercising for quite some time, as her body was drenched in sweat.

Thin but firm arms. A delicate neckline. Glimpses of abdominal muscles. Strong thighs and buttocks.

Though she was only practicing with her sword, I couldn’t help but be captivated by her appearance.

Eventually, she noticed my presence first.

“Caden?”

Upon seeing me, she lowered her wooden sword.

Wiping away her sweat, she brushed back her hair.

“…Are you done with work for today?”

“More or less.”

She nodded slowly. Her expression seemed different from usual, showing signs of worry.

Come to think of it, that might be why she was swinging her sword.

Since we were similar in many ways, I tried to understand from my own perspective.

After all, knights like us relieve stress through sweat.

I approached her, trying to read her expression.

Perhaps noticing my attempt, Judy slightly turned her body away.

That gesture confirmed my suspicion that something was bothering her.

I debated whether to use humor or ask directly… ultimately, I picked up a wooden sword from the training ground.

“Judy.”

She turned to look at me. Her eyes found the wooden sword in my hand.

“Want to spar for old times’ sake?”

“…….”

Judy stared at me without answering for a while. I felt quite ashamed for realizing her feelings so late. No matter how busy I was with wedding preparations, I should have paid more attention to her.

Finally, Judy nodded and gripped her sword.

****

After working up a sweat for a while, we sat on the training ground.

Darkness had fallen, making it difficult to see each other’s faces clearly.

This was actually better. Leaning on darkness to open up one’s heart was a good approach.

“So?” I asked.

“…Hm?”

“What’s making you so sullen?”

“…What?”

“Don’t try to hide it, Judy. I know something’s bothering you.”

“…….”

I asked in a light tone, turning my head away to avoid pressuring her.

She muttered.

“…How do you always know…?”

“…Well, we’re similar. Just because we’re in Mels now doesn’t mean our past has changed.”

“……”

Since Judy remained silent, I began to probe with questions.

“…What do you think of Mels territory, Judy?”

“…Here?”

“It’s far from your hometown. Do you miss home or…”

“This is my home now, Caden.”

“……”

“I don’t miss home. If anything… I feel like I can breathe here. Like I finally have a place where I can exist.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“Yes. And it’s by your side.”

Her natural expression of love made me want to tease her.

“You’ve been quite expressive with your feelings lately.”

“Why wouldn’t I be open with the only person on my side?”

But her serious response made me fall silent.

I reached out to comfort her solemn mood.

Patting her shoulder, I said:

“…Why am I the only one? Everyone in the Mels family is on your side now.”

“…….”

As she grew more dejected with each question, I moved closer to sit beside her, concerned.

Her sweet, floral scent wafted toward me.

Lowering my voice further, I asked earnestly:

“…Judy, what’s wrong?”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and tilted my head slightly to examine her expression.

“When you’re troubled like this, it troubles me too.”

“……”

“…Are you feeling homesick without realizing it? That can happen when your living situation changes suddenly. If you want to visit the Ice Family’s Territory, I’ll go with you. Just say the word.”

“…It’s not that. I’ve been exchanging letters with my father.”

“…Then? Are the twins bothering you?”

On that point, Judy answered definitively.

“No. That’s absolutely not it, Caden.”

“…….”

“Especially since I brought you back from that forest… the twins have been… respectful toward me.”

Judy rested her head against my neck. Then slowly, as if in confession, she opened up.

“…It’s just. Lately I’ve been having bad thoughts.”

“What kind of thoughts?”

“Thoughts I shouldn’t have. Despite promising not to… I keep wanting to break that promise.”

Suddenly remembering Kirsy from a few days ago, I asked Judy:

“…Is it because of the wedding with Daisy?”

“……”

Her continued silence suggested I had hit the mark.

I spoke to comfort Judy in my arms.

“Judy, if you have concerns, talk to me. I’m not just looking after Daisy. I don’t want to ignore your opinions either.”

“………Sigh.”

She exhaled deeply.

“…I promised myself not to be greedy… but I keep feeling greedy.”

She began sharing something that sounded familiar.

“…I told myself I’d be content as a concubine, that I’d be fine as long as I could be by your side… but I don’t want to lose to Lady Daisy.”

Her hand fell limply onto my thigh.

“I want you to love me the most. Sometimes I fear becoming irrelevant to you. Since I’m falling behind in everything… I worry I might fall behind in love too.”

“What are you saying, Judy? How could you ever become irrelevant to me? That’s impossible.”

“…I know, but fear isn’t something you can control.”

Her vulnerability worried me. In truth, among the four women, Judy might be the most fragile.

She seemed similar to Kirsy, but unlike Kirsy… Judy didn’t have many people to lean on.

That’s probably why she had these concerns. She came to the Mels family solely for me, so naturally she would worry if I couldn’t be her reliable sanctuary.

With time… she would likely learn to rely on many people in the Mels family and feel their warmth.

But at this point, having only recently arrived at Mels territory, it was perhaps natural for her to feel such anxiety.

“I’ll always be by your side, Judy.”

Judy shook her head.

“You’re busy with the wedding preparations with Lady Daisy right now.”

Her suggestion not to worry somehow sounded like a complaint to me.

Like saying, ‘How can you pay attention to me when you’re so busy?’

Usually, Judy was the one who initiated kisses. She would surprise me with sudden kisses, and I couldn’t help it.

But in this atmosphere…

-Smooch.

I gently separated her from me, then kissed her cheek.

“…….”

But Judy didn’t react much.

“…You do this often with Lady Daisy, Lady Asena, and Lady Kirsy too.”

Trying to lighten the mood again, I teased her once more.

“You’re being adorably jealous today, aren’t you?”

“…I always have been.”

But that attempt failed miserably again.

“……”

As she had indicated, her worried expression remained.

Unable to find an answer, I finally asked:

“…What would make you believe me?”

“…Believe what?”

“That I’ll love you no matter what happens. What would make you believe that?”

Had Judy’s mood finally lightened? This time she teased me back, though her expression remained serious.

“…You’re being especially attentive today, Caden?”

“…I always will be.”

“…….”

And this time, by answering her teasing seriously, I left her speechless.

After enjoying the cool breeze against our cooling sweat for a while… Judy spoke.

“…I’m cold, Caden. So…”

She turned her head to look up at me. After hesitating for a long time, she said:

“…………Hold me.”

It was a strange request. I was already holding her.

And I knew there was another meaning to her request to be held.

Judy murmured in a yearning tone:

“……..Then, I think I’ll believe that you love me.”

With words like these, her intention became crystal clear. Even I couldn’t misunderstand.

“…Give me your first time, Caden.”

But.

But……

For indescribable reasons, I hesitated.

Was it because it would be my first time? Was I worried? Did I want to treat Judy preciously until after marriage?

Anyone would hesitate when faced with an unknown territory they had never experienced.

As I failed to answer for these reasons, Judy’s final words echoed:

Somewhere between teasing and sincerity, she provoked me.

“……….Are you impotent?”

That made me burst into laughter.

Then, dusting off my backside and standing up, I said:

“…Get up.”

Judy, who had just provoked me, hung her head low. Looking at her, I said:

“It’s cold. Let’s go inside.”