* * *
As expected, seeing my condition caused a commotion.
The servants crowded around, questioning Klen relentlessly.
Especially about how he could let me end up like this while staying by my side.
I’d grown rather used to these scenes by now.
He could’ve easily said he wasn’t allowed to interfere since it was an event hosted by the Count.
But instead, he grinned, like being scolded by the servants was preferable to staying behind in the audience chamber.
Of course, it went without saying that the attendants got even angrier upon seeing that face.
“Then, I’ll take care of my unwell wife.”
“…Pardon?”
But even the noisy commotion died down as if cold water had been poured over it at that single sentence.
Taking advantage of their stunned silence, he quickly dragged me into the room.
“Everyone leave, and don’t open the door unless you’re bringing lunch.”
Click—
And just like that, he finished speaking and shut the door.
“W-Wait, Young Master!”
“Young Master, please wait! You’ll struggle to manage alone!”
“Please open the door~!”
“Adrian~!”
The shouts of the attendants burst out only after the door slammed shut right in their faces.
But the door was already closed, and no matter how uneasy they were, they couldn’t disobey their master’s orders—none dared even touch the door.
I considered opening the door, feeling a twinge of sympathy at their pitiful cries, but decided against it.
There were only a few hours left until lunchtime anyway.
I lingered by the door for a moment before finally walking further inside.
I first removed the suffocating outer garment choking my neck—it instantly became easier to breathe.
I peeled off the heavy, ornate shirt adorned with extravagant buttons and changed into something more comfortable.
The tension in my entire body melted away, and the stiffness in my shoulders eased.
Only then did I fully realize that the exhausting formalities were finally over.
“Haa…”
As I exhaled deeply in relief, suddenly—
‘…Huh?’
A strange thought popped into my head, and I quickly turned to the side.
The reason for my confusion was simple enough.
Even though not a single attendant stood by my side, changing clothes felt so natural and effortless.
And the reason for that was obvious.
Klen, who had been beside me, was neatly folding the clothes I had taken off, placing them to the side.
He also removed my belt and the sword attached to it, organizing everything with care.
When Levatein was hung on the display rack on the wall, the entire room somehow gained a more refined atmosphere.
‘He’s… actually attending to me right now?!’
The movements were so familiar, I hadn’t even noticed.
But this man, who always despised bothersome tasks, was now helping me without a single complaint—he was the one reaching out first.
Unlike him, who carried everything out so naturally, I found all of this terribly unfamiliar.
Once he finished tidying up my clothes, Klen flopped onto the bed in his still-uncomfortable attire, rolling around until he found a cozy position.
‘So, he really did run away because it was too bothersome.’
Lying there as if all the laziness in the world was weighing him down, yet still exuding that distinct cold energy—it finally felt like the Klen I knew so well.
“Adrian, aren’t you going to rest?”
Lying on his side with his chin propped up, he patted the spot next to him.
I was admittedly exhausted after rushing around since early morning, dealing with unfamiliar duties.
Though truthfully, it was more of a mental fatigue.
I wasn’t so worn out that I needed to collapse onto the bed.
Besides, that was my situation.
‘What is he so tired from?’
All Klen did was stand around in slightly uncomfortable clothes—he didn’t even move much.
So why did he look more drained than I did?
“I didn’t exactly move around that much.”
“If the frail you, who nearly collapsed from handling today’s work, is standing while I’m lying on the bed, what do you think the attendants will assume?”
“…”
And yet, he had confidently declared in front of them that he’d take care of me.
So he does care about appearances to some degree.
Klen patted the spot beside him again.
I had thought he blocked the attendants to avoid the hassle of acting—well, he is resting now.
Sprawled across the bed like that, making himself perfectly comfortable.
Besides, rumors must’ve already spread that I collapsed again today, so I wouldn’t be able to go anywhere anyway.
I sat down near the spot beside him.
“…!”
Suddenly, Klen’s arm wrapped around my waist.
Before I could react, he pulled me toward him, and I fell into the softness of the bed.
Naturally, the spot I landed in was right beside him.
His arm still encircled my waist, and our faces were so close, we’d touch with the slightest movement.
The position of his flushed lips caught my attention more than it should.
Lately, the distance between us had felt much smaller.
But Klen, completely disregarding my discomfort, simply closed his eyes.
“The mages are located on the western side, opposite the Healers’ Tower. The key difference is that only those with permission can enter, since they deal with dangerous potions and magical tools.”
“…!”
Though he’d been lying perfectly still, as if asleep, he suddenly opened his mouth.
And he casually recited the very information I’d been curious about.
Perhaps he noticed my lingering gaze, because those amber eyes, hidden behind his eyelids, slowly revealed themselves.
“Of course, since you’re my wife, you can enter freely.”
A soft smile formed on his lips.
But despite that gentle expression, the atmosphere he exuded was undeniably chilly.
“As I mentioned, that man is terribly lazy. Even if you go, meeting him won’t be easy.”
“…”
I turned my head slightly and let out a deep sigh.
Why was someone like that appointed head of the mages?
Was there truly no more suitable candidate?
“Does that person even have the skills for the position?”
“They say his abilities are top-tier… but I’ve never seen it for myself, so it’s hard to say.”
“Hmph… I see.”
Too lazy to even show his face, yet somehow rumors praised his talent.
Could it be he’s the child of some influential noble, propped up to a high position?
If so, him disappearing after revealing his true lack of skill would make sense.
The western tower—that’s where he resides.
I didn’t recall it being mentioned in the original novel.
“Are you worried about the forest area?”
“…!”
Klen asked, interrupting my thoughts.
“Yes… it concerns me.”
“You want to personally tell him to investigate further?”
“I think that might be the best option…”
At least saying something directly might jolt him into action.
But I realized I needed to shift my perspective—the idea that we could just erase the magic we found wasn’t enough.
What if it was undetectable to begin with?
We had to prepare for what came next.
The potential outbreak of war.
“Could we… call for your second brother?”
“You mean my brother, Kerwin Valuncio?”
Ah, right.
If I simply said ‘second brother,’ it could be confusing whether I meant mine or his.
I quickly nodded.
“He’s so obsessed with work he couldn’t even make it to our wedding.”
“Still, if something urgent happened and he rushed over, how long would it take?”
“Hm…”
Klen pressed his lips together and lowered his gaze.
But at the same time, the arm around my waist tightened, pulling me even closer.
Our bodies, which had a slight gap, were now so close only a sheet of paper could barely slip between us.
I could almost feel the steady thump of his heartbeat against me.
* * *
