Chapter 84
It was lunchtime on Rachel’s fifteenth day in Nemeas. With the wedding just a week away, she was busy selecting her wedding dress.
The fourth dress she tried on featured an exceptionally full skirt. Gold thread embroidered at the cuffs shimmered softly in the sunlight. She fluttered the sleeves and complained.
“You think this suits me?”
“Yes, it’s lovely.”
“Hmm…”
Rachel propped her chin, looking unsatisfied. The attendants immediately adjusted the skirt’s hem. Maria, who was to be promoted to head attendant in a week, brought over different accessories.
The skirt’s silhouette, adjusted by the attendants’ hands, regained its shape. The tiara Maria swapped in was far more dazzling. A stream of gold dripping from the center of her forehead scattered tiny reflections of light every time she turned her head.
Despite this, Rachel narrowed her eyes and scrutinized her reflection in the mirror. She had expected to wear a mermaid dress, currently in vogue at the palace, but the traditional Nemean attire was excessively puffy. It didn’t show off her figure at all.
“Am I really pretty?”
She spun around in front of the mirror and asked again. Killian, seated on the sofa, nodded immediately.
“You’re beautiful, Rachel.”
His answer was brief, but his expression was sincere. His eyes held a light that went beyond mere compliment.
“Hmmm… Alright, I’ll go with this one.”
Under his gentle gaze, Rachel finally surrendered. She had no intention of being stubborn just because she didn’t particularly like the traditional attire of the country she had come to. More than anything, since Killian said she looked pretty, that was enough for her.
“A good choice, Rachel.”
He lifted the corners of his mouth, seeming satisfied. The man who was usually indifferent to clothing was now watching her intently until the very end. It seemed he was making an effort for the wedding.
Just as Rachel, feeling pleased, was about to smile back at him, a knock was heard. Soon after, the Imperial Physician’s voice echoed in the room.
“Your Majesty, lunch is over.”
A hint of regret clouded both their expressions. Killian rose from the sofa with a short sigh.
“…I hadn’t realized it was so late already.”
“Indeed.”
Rachel’s eyebrows drooped dejectedly. Killian pressed his lips to the corner of her eye and continued.
“I’ll try to finish early today. Wait for me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Truthfully, she wanted to tell him not to go. But she couldn’t infringe upon his only one hour of rest per day. She could only force a smiling face and see him off.
As Killian stepped through the door, he met her gaze one last time. Rachel gave a small wave. The moment the door closed completely, her expression fell back into a pout.
‘I want to be stuck to him all day long.’
Her honest feelings were that she wanted to be glued to his side the entire day. She could adapt to the different culture gradually, but she just couldn’t get used to his short rest periods.
‘How can someone work 13 hours a day?’
Excluding meals, sleep, and this time, Killian had about 13 hours left. He spent most of that time tending to the nation. She had heard that the Emperor of Nemeas was a workaholic, but she hadn’t realized it was to this extent.
According to the Imperial Physician, he originally had no concept of ‘rest’ at all. It was only upon the physician’s advice to look after his health that he reluctantly carved out this time, and even that, he said, he used entirely for her.
After hearing that story, Rachel stopped complaining. How many people in the world would dedicate their only daily rest period entirely to her?
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