episode_0002

Episode 2

My bride, who used to be the admired princess knight, seems a bit strange. I thought she was strange from the moment she covered me with a blanket because I resembled her.

“I came here just to make sure you’re not uncomfortable. There’s no other reason, so you can relax.”

“Is that so.”

Although I had no other worries, I simply nodded my head for my bride who seemed embarrassed by her actions.

The somewhat sincere princess, or rather Leila, briefly explained about future events.

“To prevent unnecessary rumors, there will be an announcement tomorrow, followed by a banquet the day after. I know that a marriage that only happens once for a man is important, but it’s for each other, so I hope you understand even if it’s a bit modest.”

I replied that I understood, as I had no romantic notions about marriage.

“Thank you for understanding. Things have turned out this way, but I seriously consider you as a lifelong companion. I hope you… could accept me little by little.”

“Understood.”

Honestly, I am still bewildered and not yet accustomed. I became the princess’s husband overnight.

Nevertheless, as Leila makes an effort, I also plan to make an effort so that I do not become an embarrassing princess husband at least.

“Then rest well.”

“Huh? Are we using separate rooms?”

“…Huh?”

I didn’t intend to cause any discomfort if she wanted something different. It was a pure inquiry.

Was there something in my question that made Leila’s eyes suddenly blush to the point of being scary?

“Can we sleep together?”

It might be rude to say to a woman, but Leila suddenly looked cute. Even her tone of voice.

“Regardless of whether it’s okay or not, I naturally assumed we would share a bed. Oh, if you don’t want to, we don’t have to force it…”

“This… perverted guy!”

Today, for the second time, I was covered up. This time, I could understand how I was covered up the first time.

Additionally, my sexual desire and stamina seemed quite strong, and my perspective on intercourse was contrary to societal norms.

Two days later.

I officially became a son-in-law of the Bell Duke family.

Time passed smoothly thereafter. However, when I became a son-in-law of the Bell Duke family and a week had passed, I realized that a significant problem had arisen in my life.

“I’m bored.”

While Leila went around inspecting villages within the territory during the day, until she returned at night, I repeated the same routine of eating, sleeping, and fighting every day.

At night, I engaged in different activities, but that’s beside the point.

“I always dreamed of moments like this, but in reality, is it supposed to be this boring?”

The territory of the Bell Duke family, including my hometown village, is located near the kingdom’s border, where monsters roam due to the kingdom’s changes.

Even though they may not know, I probably know more about monsters than the kingdom’s scholars.

Regarding why a noble family like the Bell Duke family is located near the border, I could probably answer with the words of the Bell family’s ancestors.

According to the words of the Bell family’s ancestors, if one is a noble, they should stand on the front lines to protect the country and its people.

Truly an ideal noble. The people of the Bell family who have upheld these words like gold until now are truly remarkable.

“I had to follow along even if it meant forcing myself.”

After getting married and becoming an official couple, Leila did not try to take me on inspections.

Initially, she took me along as a guide and companion, but as her husband, Leila argued that there was no need for a man to engage in such rough work.

I am very grateful for her consideration. However, it was still boring.

Ordinarily, men might meet with other husbands at tea houses and chat, but as someone with opposing views, I wasn’t particularly interested.

“Hmm. It won’t work. I should go sightseeing in the city.”

Feeling bored, I got up from bed and changed into outdoor clothes. The high-quality indoor clothes that Layla gave me were nice, but I preferred the leather armor for its comfort.

Although it might be considered inferior to nobles, it was a nostalgic item that I had saved up money to buy.

I will never discard it.

“Other men might think I’m crazy for cherishing this outfit, but…”

After getting ready to go out, including putting on a robe, I didn’t open the door. I had once tried to go out before but was stopped by the butler, so I decided not to go out.

Layla had instructed never to let me out when she wasn’t confident herself.

She was an overly protective wife. So, I jumped out of the window.

Jumping from the second floor and landing lightly on the ground, I ran towards the high wall after leaping over it.

Then I dashed to the city market. Although I had no discomfort with the Bell family mansion, the fresh air outside was incredibly refreshing.

“I feel alive.”

When living in a village constantly attacked by monsters, I had hoped to stay home quietly for just one day, but it turned out to be impossible.

Balance in life was important. It’s not good for anything to be off-kilter.

“Since Layla gave me pocket money, maybe I’ll snack a bit before returning.”

Being from a noble family, the gold coins in the purse Layla casually handed me were an amount I had never seen in my lifetime.

Why did she give me so much pocket money if she wouldn’t let me go outside? I’ll have to ask her later.

“Huh?”

As I took a bite of a delicious chicken skewer I found while wandering the market, I turned my head towards the direction of the castle gate.

This tender meat surely belonged to the monsters. This aspect was no different from my hometown village or here.

However, unlike my hometown village, there was no need for me to rush even if monsters attacked. This city was guarded by the strong soldiers and knights of the Bell family.

Thinking so, I was enjoying my second chicken skewer when suddenly screams and shouts were heard from the other side.

“Everyone, run!”

“The gate has been breached!”

Oh, really?

With the skewer still in my mouth, I instinctively started running towards the direction where the sounds of battle were coming from.

As the city had the Bell noble family estate, it boasted the highest walls and defenses within its territory. Naturally, the gate was as sturdy as could be compared to other villages.

If the gate was breached, it meant that it wasn’t just an ordinary monster attack. Unaware of the impending disaster, I leisurely snacked, oblivious to the fact that an irreversible event was about to unfold.

“Oh no.”

The situation near the gate was predictably grim. Small monsters were trying to pour in around the giant monster who seemed to have broken the gate.

Despite the Bell family soldiers managing to hold them off near the gate, it seemed like they wouldn’t last long.

Without slowing down, I picked up a fallen soldier’s sword and stabbed the monsters approaching, then charged towards the giant monster.

As the giant monster spotted me, it swung the rock axe it held.

“Oops.”

Thinking I could dodge it since I was airborne, I reached out and redirected the axe’s trajectory by hitting its side with my palm, landing on the creature’s arm.

The giant roared as I climbed onto his arm and dodged his huge hand reaching for me. It seemed like he was trying to shake off a fly stuck to his body, but I managed to avoid his hand and quickly climbed up his arm to his shoulder.

Next, after flipping the robe he was wearing over the giant’s head, I put all my strength into thrusting my sword.

[——-!]

Blood burst uncontrollably from the giant’s neck as he let out a chilling scream. No matter how giant, they are still living beings.

He can’t withstand this level of bleeding.

As the giant fell, I leaped down, and soldiers, knights, and even monsters within the battlefield stared blankly at me.

“Wait, it’s a man?”

“Who the… Wait, really?!”

“Crazy! You’re Lady Leila’s husband! Quick, protect him!”

They protected me, momentarily disrupting their formation. The soldiers and knights of the Bell family were not fools.

They pushed the monsters back, incorporating me into their formation. The monsters, demoralized by the fallen giant, couldn’t hold on for long and fled.

One would expect cries of victory at this point, but instead of cheering, the soldiers and knights rushed towards me.

“How did you get here?”

“Would Lady Leila allow you to join the battle?!”

“More importantly, what was that move earlier! Are you really a man, Edward?”

“Excuse me for interrupting, stupid bitch!”

“Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Of course, all the soldiers were women, and all the knights were women too.

Having never been surrounded by so many women in his life, I couldn’t help but feel pathetic and flustered.

“Well, you see… Let’s keep this a secret for now, shall we…?”

I thought I might get scolded later for this request, but there were too many eyes watching.

That night, I had a fierce argument with Leila, who was almost fainting at the thought of me fighting a giant, marking the first major fight since our marriage.

—

“What should I say… You, the young master who just arrived, were truly remarkable. I’ve never seen a man move like that in my life.”

Listening to the report from Lieutenant Sarah about the chaos that ensued when she went outside the city yesterday, Leila grabbed her throbbing head.

Leila knew that if it weren’t for Edward, the city would have suffered immense damage.

She was extremely proud that he had averted the crisis in the city and felt grateful as a noblewoman.

However…

“What should I do with this troublemaker husband, Sarah?”

From a wife’s perspective, she couldn’t simply be pleased that her man had rushed out with a sword to fend off monster attacks.

In fact, when Leila heard the story of Edward fighting and defeating a giant last night, she felt a sensation as if all the blood drained from her body.

Sarah, who was present at the time, scratched her cheek and replied to Leila’s question.

“Well, isn’t it not a big problem? Everyone in the territory is praising the young master…”

“That’s the problem. Every time something like this happens, everyone will look for Edward.”

While she had no intention of forcing him to take up quiet hobbies like flower arranging or embroidery like other men, this situation was too much.

As someone who hoped Edward would stay inside the mansion as much as possible, Leila could only describe it as a potentially crazy situation.

“Of course, that aspect is attractive, but I don’t like my husband being in danger.”

“Please refrain from boasting about your husband in front of unmarried maidens, Lady Leila.”

Seeing Sarah’s sudden melancholy, Leila remained silent for a moment, but it didn’t last long.

“It’s not bragging, it’s the truth. Since yesterday, women from all over the estate have been praising Edward. Even our soldiers. Do you know what it feels like to have your husband become the subject of gossip?”

Laila, who was turning every insult against Edward into dough with her companions, was getting tired of hitting them.

“I don’t know. You need a husband for that. I’m curious too.”

“If you want to know, get married.”

“Don’t act like I’m gone now! If you’re going to say that, give me a man!”

“Find one yourself.”

Laila, who had been bickering with her friend since childhood, sighed deeply and said,

“Should I tie you up in chains?”

“If you want to turn the Bell family into perverted nobles, go ahead.”

“That’s easier said than done.”

The last resort was what Laila swallowed.

“And if you think about the performance Edward showed us yesterday, he might break free from the chains and run away. Don’t just think about tying him up all the time, allow him to go out casually. Then at least he won’t escape secretly.”

“But I don’t want to…”

She really didn’t want to. She thought it might be better to keep him chained even if she had to listen to the perverted noble talk.

She couldn’t allow him to go out even if she hated it when other women looked at her husband.

“Well, I’ll think about it a bit more for now.”

“It seems like a matter of time… I’ll take my leave now.”

Under the piercing gaze of a friend who seemed overly concerned about her husband, Sara fled the study as if escaping.