Chapter 131: Side Story – A Silent Competition (3)

The next few days passed by quietly.

There were, of course, many things I had to prepare together with Daisy before the wedding ceremony, so we naturally spent more time together.

Invitation cards, the families we’d send them to, the detailed wedding schedule, the procession route…

Even the tasks that could easily be handed off to our attendants, we planned ourselves by hand.

Daisy seemed genuinely happy to be part of the process like this. Even the simplest things moved her, and she showed her affection openly.

The more concrete our wedding plans became, the stronger the bond between us grew.

“……Haa.”

Even after dinner, my work wasn’t over.

I placed the final period on the invitation card and rolled my shoulder to ease the tension in my neck. Sitting at a desk all day, writing letters, wasn’t something I was used to.

Especially for someone like me—it still didn’t come easy. I’d spent the past half year training myself to sit and focus, but a lifetime of working my body through sweat and motion doesn’t fade so quickly. I still needed more time to adjust.

As I stretched and loosened up my body, Daisy suddenly stood up with a start and came up behind me.

Startled by her sudden movement, I turned to look at her—just as her cool fingertips touched my shoulder.

“Are you feeling unwell? If you’d like to rest, I can take over from here, Cayden.”

And without waiting for my reply, she began to gently massage my shoulders with all her effort.

The concern on her face was so sincere, I couldn’t even joke about it.

I just smiled at her pure heart and spoke softly so she wouldn’t worry.

“I’m okay, Daisy. I was just stretching a little.”

“...You didn’t have to go this far for me...”

She said that with a hint of guilt, and I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“It’s not just for you. It’s for us. Of course I should do it. But still…”

I trailed off, and Daisy leaned in, listening attentively to the rest of my words.

“...Still, this massage feels pretty good. Maybe I’ll enjoy it a little longer.”

As I relaxed into the chair and leaned back, both our lips curled into a quiet smile.

Daisy continued massaging my shoulders diligently. Though she had an inner strength, her hands didn’t have the pressure to match. In truth, she wasn’t doing much to relieve the tension in my shoulders.

Not that it mattered. This kind of fatigue doesn’t really go away with a simple massage anyway. It needs a long rest—or a good workout.

And yet, I could feel the fatigue melt away. Her kindness, flowing through her fingertips, touched not just my body but my heart.

Her hands gradually slowed down… until eventually, they slid down my back.

“……”

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

I raised a hand and gently stroked her cheek, sharing in the warmth between us.

“Cayden,” she whispered.

“……”

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

“……”

“To dream of a future with the one I love… to share warmth in peaceful, ordinary moments like this… I’ve always hoped for a relationship where just existing together gives strength.”

“...Is that so?”

“I’d somewhat given up on it, to be honest. Political marriages don’t always follow the heart, you know? But with you… I feel so happy we’re together.”

As I gently stroked her cheek again, I replied,

“…Sometimes, it feels surreal to me too, Daisy. Did I ever tell you this?”

“…Tell me what?”

“That I knew about you even before you entered the academy.”

“…What?”

“It’s a little complicated to explain in detail, but even aside from the fact that I grew up at Hexter Orphanage… through a certain series of events, I became aware of you. ”

“……”

“…You may not realize it, but I was drawn to your inner strength. When I handed you that flower during the joust—it wasn’t some thoughtless gesture.”

Daisy stayed silent for a long moment, then suddenly let out a playful laugh.

“…Wasn’t it just because I was the most beautiful woman there?”

Caught off guard by her sharp jab, I blinked, scrambling for a reply.

“Uh… well… it was your inner beauty, and also, uh—outer…”

“I’m kidding. I don’t fuss over stuff like that.”

“No, wait—that’s not what I meant… Daisy.”

After all, it was my job to make my wife happy every day. When we were alone, I could afford to say things that might make others envious.

“Daisy… Don’t tell anyone else. But to me… you’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“……”

She tried to hide her reaction, but I could feel her arms tighten slightly around my neck.

“You don’t know this, but I couldn’t take my eyes off you on the day of the entrance ceremony.”

“……”

She didn’t answer.

I gently turned my head to read her expression, wanting to see whether she really didn’t care, as she claimed. But Daisy couldn’t suppress the beautiful smile that crept across her face.

I laughed again at the sight.

After that little moment of laughter, I stroked her cheek once more, gently bringing our brief happiness to a close.

“Well then, Daisy, thanks for the massage.”

“Ah, Cayden. Let’s wrap up here for today. You should take a break—I think it’s fine to rest now.”

That offer instantly stole my heart. I started thinking I might use the leftover time to relieve some of my stress with a workout. After all, my roots were as a knight—it felt the most natural to me.

Working up a sweat was how I cleared my mind, body, and soul.

“…Alright. Let’s call it a day, then. I’m going to go stretch out a bit. Want to come with me, Daisy?”

“No, I’ll stay here.”

“Why? Come on, let’s go together.”

I stroked Daisy’s silky hair as her head still rested on my shoulder.

“…It’s just…”

“…Hm?”

“…My heart’s beating too fast.”

“…Ah.”

Another moment of silence passed between us.

This time, it was Daisy who broke it.

“Alright, Cayden.”

With that, she gently unwrapped her arms and stood up from her seat.

Just as I was about to rise from the chair too, something soft touched my cheek.

—Smooch.

Daisy had kissed me.

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

She spoke with a tender smile.

After a brief moment to calm my fluttering heart, I stood up and faced her.

I placed a hand behind her neck, gently pulled her closer, and brushed our lips together softly as I whispered,

“See you tomorrow.”

****

When I arrived at the training grounds, Judy was already there. Bathed in the crimson glow of the setting sun, she was swinging her sword.

I almost called out to her, happy to see her, but seeing how deeply focused she was, I decided to simply watch for a while.

It looked like she’d been training for some time—her entire body was covered in sweat.

Slender but toned arms. A graceful neckline. Fleeting glimpses of defined abs. Strong thighs and firm hips.

All she was doing was training with a sword, and yet I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

Eventually, it was Judy who noticed me first.

“Cayden?”

She spotted me and lowered her wooden sword.

Wiping the sweat from her face, she swept her damp hair back.

“...Are you done for the day?”

“More or less.”

She gave a slow nod. Her expression was different from usual—there was a heaviness to it.

Come to think of it, maybe she was swinging that sword to deal with whatever was weighing on her.

Since we had similar upbringings, I could only view things from my own perspective—after all, knights like us release stress through sweat.

I approached her, trying to get a better read on her face.

Maybe she noticed my intent, because she turned away slightly.

And in that movement, I sensed it clearly—something was bothering her.

I debated whether to tease it out of her or ask seriously… In the end, I grabbed a wooden sword from the rack.

“Judy.”

She turned at the sound of my voice, her eyes landing on the sword in my hand.

“How about a spar? It’s been a while.”

“……”

Judy stared at me in silence for a moment. Realizing only now what she’d been feeling, I felt a pang of guilt. Sure, I was busy preparing for the wedding—but that wasn’t an excuse to neglect her.

Eventually, Judy nodded and gripped her sword.

****

After sweating it out for a while, the two of us sat down on the edge of the training grounds.

Night had fallen, and we could no longer clearly see each other’s faces.

That was for the best, in a way. It felt easier to open up when you had the cover of darkness to lean on.

“So?” I asked.

“…Hm?”

“What’s got you in such a mood?”

“...What?”

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

“……”

I kept my tone light, my head turned away so she wouldn’t feel pressured.

She mumbled softly.

“…How do you always know?”

“Because we’re alike. Just because we became part of House Mels doesn’t mean our pasts suddenly disappeared.”

“……”

Still, Judy said nothing.

I grew more curious and decided to press a little.

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

“…Here?”

“It’s far from your hometown, right? Do you miss home, or…”

“This is my home now, Cayden.”

“……”

“I don’t miss my old home. If anything… I can finally breathe here. It feels like I’ve finally found a place I belong.”

“Mm. Is that so?”

“Yeah. And… I’m by your side.”

The natural affection in her words made me want to tease her a bit.

“You’ve gotten bolder with your feelings lately, huh?”

“What can I not say to the only person on my side?”

But her serious tone left me speechless.

Wanting to comfort her, I reached out and gently patted her shoulder.

“…You’re not alone. Everyone in House Mels is on your side now.”

“……”

Still, she looked downcast. Worried, I scooted a little closer to her.

A soft, floral scent drifted from her.

I lowered my voice, asking her carefully.

“…Judy, what’s really wrong?”

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

“If something’s weighing you down, it weighs on me too.”

“……”

“…You’re not just homesick without realizing it, are you? It happens, especially when you suddenly start living in a new place. If you want to visit House Ice, I’ll come with you.”

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

“Then what is it? Don’t tell me… are the twins giving you a hard time?”

At that, Judy answered without hesitation.

“No. Absolutely not, Cayden.”

“……”

“Especially after I brought you back from that forest… the twins have respected me ever since.”

Judy leaned her head against my neck. Then slowly, like she was confessing in a chapel, she began to open up.

“...Lately, I’ve been having a lot of bad thoughts.”

“What kind of thoughts?”

“Thoughts I shouldn’t have. I promised myself I wouldn’t… but I keep wanting to break that promise.”

The image of Keirsey from a few days ago flashed through my mind, prompting me to ask,

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

“……”

Her silence confirmed it.

I gently held Judy in my arms a little tighter and spoke with care.

“If you’re upset about something, just tell me. It’s not like I’m only taking care of Daisy. I don’t want to ignore your thoughts, either.”

“……Haa.”

She let out a long sigh.

“…I told myself I wouldn’t be greedy… but I keep feeling greedy.”

It was something I felt like I’d heard before—now coming from Judy too.

“I said I’d be satisfied just being a concubine, that I’d be fine as long as I could stay by your side… but I hate the idea of being overshadowed by Lady Daisy.”

Her hand slipped weakly onto my thigh.

“I want to be the one you love most. Sometimes, I’m scared I’ll become someone who doesn’t matter to you. I’m falling behind in everything… and I’m afraid I’ll fall behind in love, too.”

“What are you talking about, Judy? There’s no way you could ever be meaningless to me. That’s impossible.”

“…I know. But fear isn’t something you can control with logic.”

The more she spoke, the more worried I became. Honestly, among the women in my life, I often felt that Judy was the most emotionally vulnerable.

It reminded me a bit of Keirsey… except unlike Keirsey, Judy didn’t have many people to lean on.

Maybe that’s why these anxieties kept creeping in. She came to House Mels looking only at me. If I couldn’t be her reliable place of comfort, it was natural for her to feel uncertain.

In time… she would find strength in the people of House Mels, and she’d feel their warmth too.

But right now—so soon after arriving—it was probably inevitable for her to feel uneasy.

“I’ll always be by your side, Judy.”

She shook her head.

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

The way she said it—like it didn’t matter—still sounded like a plea to me. Almost as if she were saying:

“Can someone that busy even spare a thought for me?”

Usually, it was Judy who initiated kisses. She often surprised me with them, as if it was second nature to her.

But this time, given the mood…

—Smooch.

I gently pulled her away and kissed her on the cheek.

“……”

But Judy didn’t react much.

“You do that all the time with Lady Daisy, Lady Asena, and Lady Keirsey too…”

Trying to lighten the mood again, I joked,

“You’re awfully cute with your jealousy today, you know?”

“I’m always like this.”

My attempt crashed and burned again.

“……”

The worry was still etched on her face, as plain as day.

Feeling helpless, I finally asked,

“…What will it take for you to believe me?”

“Believe what?”

“That I’ll love you no matter what happens. What do I have to do for you to believe that?”

Maybe something in her heart had finally softened—this time, Judy responded with a playful quip, though her face was still serious.

“…You’re being awfully sweet today, Cayden.”

“I’ll be like this every day.”

“……”

And that sincere answer from me left her speechless.

We sat there for a moment, letting the cold breeze brush against our sweat-damp skin… until Judy finally spoke again.

“...I’m cold, Cayden. So…”

She turned her head to look up at me. After hesitating for a while, she said—

“...Hold me.”

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

But I knew—there was another meaning behind those words.

Judy whispered in a trembling voice.

“...If you do that, I think I’ll be able to believe you really love me.”

At that point, her intent was crystal clear. You’d have to be dense not to understand what she meant.

“…Give me your first time, Cayden.”

But—

But…

For reasons I couldn’t quite name, I hesitated.

Was it because it was our first time? Because I was worried? Or maybe… because I wanted to treat her preciously until the wedding?

Anyone would hesitate at the edge of an unfamiliar world they’ve never stepped into before.

Because I didn’t respond, Judy spoke again—this time with a line that straddled the line between teasing and serious.

“…Are you… impotent or something?”

At that, I burst out laughing.

Then I dusted myself off and stood up.

“…Come on, get up.”

Even though she was the one who provoked me, Judy dropped her head sheepishly.

Looking at her, I said gently,

“It’s cold. Let’s go inside.”

--- End Of The Chapter ---

 

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