Chapter 190
“Caught me.”
His easy admission caught me off guard. I’d expected a denial.
Embarrassment and awkwardness washed over me at once. Unable to meet his eyes directly, I glanced away and asked,
“More importantly, don’t you have to go? Today’s your day off.”
“It’s fine. I’m already resting.”
“……?”
Resting?
Despite avoiding his gaze, I found myself looking back at him. When I stared questioningly, he smirked.
“Being like this with you is resting.”
For a moment, I was speechless. Now that he said it, it made sense…… or did it?
While I blinked in confusion, Reno gently rubbed my chin and lips with his thumb.
The affection in his smiling eyes was undeniable. Even without words, I could tell exactly how he felt about me.
“So, about that……. Can we do it again?”
I had no idea how he’d become so smitten, but…….
‘I don’t mind.’
I nodded slightly in permission, and his lips met mine again. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I closed my eyes.
After a slightly different morning than usual, Reno left. Since running into Isaac was inevitable, I tensed slightly, worried about his reaction.
But the two acted as usual. Reno greeted him casually, and Isaac, though frowning, returned the greeting—after first paying his respects to me, of course.
Watching them, I realized I was the only one overthinking things. But it couldn’t be helped—the principles I’d grown up with were ingrained in me.
Even though I knew this was a game, it felt like reality, so real-world standards still applied.
At any rate, Reno and Isaac’s nonchalance was a relief. Afterward, I sprawled on the bed and leisurely checked my status window.
[―Current Mana Accumulation: 51% (Normal)]
‘Nothing’s changed.’
Not that I expected much. I’d already learned from Isaac that frequency didn’t affect accumulation.
Still, since this was the first time with someone else—and to this extent—I’d wondered if something might be different…
Guess it was just wishful thinking.
* * *
The fatigue clinging to my body didn’t fade easily. Even after resting all day, my muscles still ached too much to do anything.
Just as I reached for a book in the library to distract myself—
“Ah.”
The twinge made me wince. Pausing, I felt Reno step close behind me and ask,
“This one?”
“No. The one next to it, to the left. Yeah. That one.”
As he pulled out the book, I lowered my arm, rubbing my sore muscles. Reno asked casually,
“Does it hurt a lot?”
“No. It’s just… like after riding a horse too long.”
“I suppose. That is a form of horseback riding too.”
The meaningful remark was also a pun only I’d understand. Stunned beyond embarrassment, I stifled a scream internally.
“Y-you—really…….”
“What did I do?”
His innocent act was infuriating. And yet, with that face, he looked genuine.
Unbelievable. Really…….
“This is all your fault.”
His feigned ignorance was maddening. How was it fair that despite the physical difference, one of us was perfectly fine while the other could barely move?
“Sorry. Next time—no, the time after that—I’ll go easier.”
His coaxing smile melted my resentment. Or it would have, if not for the last part. Sensing something odd, I tilted my head.
“The time after next?”
“Next time, Isaac will be attending to you.”
Isaac? Me?
It wasn’t strange. I’d been sharing mana with him all along. But he’d always treated it as an obligation, and now that Reno was an option too…
I’d assumed he’d stop. Was that not the case?
“Your Highness? What’s wrong?”
“I thought you’d be the one to come next time.”
“Really? I’m happy you thought that, but we’ve decided to take turns.”
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