Chapter 62
It was the first time in his life he felt his sanity slipping over such a matter.
‘Will tonight be another repeat?’
Perhaps it was time to ask a physician for a strong sleeping potion…
Knock, knock.
But before Izar could settle on that course, a hesitant knock sounded at the door.
“Come in.”
Surely it was an attendant with a report, or perhaps Charles.
However, this visitor was neither.
“Your Grace. I apologize for disturbing you when you’re busy.”
Just as his quill hovered over the documents, it froze at the sound of that quiet voice.
Izar thought his heart had stopped for a moment.
Why was she, whom he’d been maintaining a distance from since returning to Arcturus, standing before him now?
The woman clasped her hands neatly, tilting her head slightly as she looked at him.
‘…Is it because it’s been a while?’
The shepherdess’s face seemed brighter, her features more delicately assembled, to the point where one might say she looked pretty with just a little kindness shown her way.
Perhaps avoiding encounters with her stepmother had benefited her mental health, making her appear more attractive by improving her complexion.
Forcing his gaze back to the paperwork, Izar asked brusquely,
“What is it?”
“I have something I’d like to prepare, and there’s something I should discuss with you beforehand…”
However, Freesia suddenly paused mid-sentence.
‘Why does he look so ill?’
Having spent three years walking on eggshells around him, watching her ‘husband’s’ reactions and expressions each time he visited, she could tell that the faint shadows under his eyes meant he was significantly more tired than usual.
‘But… if he’s tired, it’s better to get straight to the point, right?’
Freesia quickly continued,
“Before we head to the capital later on, I was thinking of preparing a gift in advance to present to His Highness, the Imperial Grandson.”
“His Highness isn’t interested in jewels.”
Izar retorted gruffly.
Riegel would only truly appreciate something like rare books, but the royal library already boasted the empire’s largest collection of such treasures.
Upon hearing that, Freesia smiled brightly, undeterred.
Thinking over it again, she was confident that the gift she was preparing would be well-received.
On the other hand, Izar’s lips tightened as he saw that smile.
When had the shepherdess ever looked directly at him and smiled like this?
She had smiled at the fruit given by Albireo Deneb, and even while shaking hands with that man…
The grip on his pen tightened.
If he didn’t focus his strength here, he feared he might spout nonsense or something in his body would malfunction due to the strange thoughts swirling in his head.
“Instead of any jewels, I thought of giving something that would make reading more comfortable.”
“……”
“And so, I was wondering if I could also include something I’ve thought of?”
Her green eyes sparkled, and her small lips earnestly explained before breaking into a smile.
Seeing that, even Izar couldn’t bring himself to say, ‘Don’t overstep your bounds,’ as he usually might.
Maybe it was the accumulated fatigue that made it hard to be as sharp as usual.
Or perhaps the thought of those large eyes shimmering with disappointment was a bit too much to bear today.
“…Do as you wish.”
“……!”
“Including one thing you’ve prepared shouldn’t be a problem.”
Whether His Highness would like it remained to be seen.
But then, the shepherdess timidly asked a question that made his shoulders twitch.
“But Your Grace, are you feeling unwell?”
“……”
“You seem tired. Shall I call for a physician, if you don’t mind?”
“A physician for what.”
He had actually considered calling one for a sleeping potion just now, but Izar evasively brushed it off.
Instead, he silently looked at Freesia.
How could he possibly explain?
That he was accumulating fatigue because he couldn’t sleep thinking of her.
That seeing her asleep might allow him to finally rest properly.
‘How could anyone say such a thing without being insane?’
But ironically, the very cause of his sleeplessness was the first to notice his condition. His mind was already becoming clouded, as if shrouded in a thick fog. He couldn’t see any decision other than ones he wouldn’t normally make if his mind were clear.
It’s not that he intended to truly sleep with her. He just felt that having her by his side, seeing her asleep, might bring him some peace.
He had absolutely no intention of laying a finger on her.
So, he just said it.
“You’re sleeping in the new bedroom I arranged for you now, correct?”
“Yes? Yes.”
“Come to my room tonight.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
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