Chapter 65: Finally, Berg

Xavier’s steps felt heavy as he made his way to the tent where Jude was being held in isolation.

Meanwhile, I waited anxiously for him in Xavier’s tent. After about 30 minutes, a shadow appeared outside the tent, and the flap was pulled back as Xavier entered.

“Xavier?”

I had expected him to confront me about the earlier incident with the Crown Prince, but instead, Xavier approached me unsteadily, his eyes red.

“Yuria.”

The heavy weight of the large man leaned entirely against me.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“Yes.”

Perhaps shaken by Jude’s actions, he clung to me like a child. I raised both hands to gently pat his back.

“It’s not your fault. You know that.”

“I’m unfit to be a leader.”

“Xavier.”

Though he didn’t cry, his pain was palpable.

“And I’m sorry.”

“I’m fine.”

Even without hearing it, I could guess what Jude might have said based on everything that had happened.

Jude wanted to kill me. My mouth tasted bitter with the sourness of that thought.

“Let’s stay like this for a moment.”

Xavier wrapped his arms around my waist and stayed there for a while. After some time, he seemed to calm down and pulled away from me.

“Here, drink this. It’ll help you feel better.”

“Thank you.”

I handed him a teacup filled with herbal tea. Xavier and I decided to go over everything that had happened so far.

“General Jude couldn’t have done all this alone.”

After saying that, I glanced at Xavier to gauge his reaction. He forced a smile and nodded.

“It’s alright.”

“Then I’ll say it. There’s a strong possibility that the Crown Prince and General Jude were connected. The sudden visit from His Highness also points to that.”

“Yes.”

“And Margaret, whom Jude brought along.”

“We’ll need to confirm whether she’s truly an old childhood friend or someone sent here under orders.”

“I’ll contact Albert and tell him to stay alert.”

“I’ve already sent word.”

Xavier, after sipping his herbal tea, lowered his gaze. Betrayed by Jude and even having his life threatened, it was only natural for him to be lost in thought.

I knew Jude disliked me, but I never imagined she would want to kill me.

Xavier didn’t explicitly say it out loud, probably to spare me from shock, but he had told me that Jude’s actions stemmed from her feelings for him.

All of this, simply because she wanted Xavier for herself.

If things had gone wrong, both Xavier and I—and even Rosetta—could have lost our lives. The thought alone made my body shudder with chills.

Was that really love? Acting selfishly, driven only by one’s own emotions? Hurting others to get what you want—could that truly be called love?

At that moment, Xavier lightly flicked my forehead.

“Ouch! That hurt.”

“I barely tapped you.”

I rubbed my forehead with both hands in protest.

“You’re a Swordmaster, you know? A mere flick from you could kill someone like me.”

“Haha, I’ll be more careful next time.”

“Hmph.”

Ugh, it still stings. He must have put some emotion into that flick.

In a low, calm voice, Xavier said, 

“Don’t worry about Jude. It’s all over now.”

“…Alright.”

“But when did the Crown Prince become family?”

“T-That’s just His Highness claiming it unilaterally.”

I had wondered why he hadn’t brought it up yet. Feeling wronged, I voiced my complaint to him.

“Don’t do it.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t call him Arthur.”

“That was just because of the situation earlier. I didn’t want to either.”

Xavier stared at me intently for a moment, then reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

“If there’s a fight, I’ll handle it. You don’t need to call him. And anyway, do you think the Saintess has a status equivalent to a princess for no reason?”

“Oh.”

“The Saintess doesn’t have to comply with the Crown Prince. You don’t have to do as he says.”

“Ah, I see.”

Maybe it was because I still had a commoner’s mindset, but the thought of going against the Crown Prince hadn’t even crossed my mind.

Hearing him repeatedly say ‘don’t,’ I suddenly felt an urge to tease him. I looked at Xavier slyly and asked, 

“Oh my, are you jealous?”

“Yes, I’m jealous.”

“……”

“I’m so jealous I can’t stand it.”

It had been a joke, but Xavier was dead serious. So I stayed quiet. He looked at me with eyes blazing brightly and declared firmly, 

“Anyway, from now on, let that pretty mouth of yours only call my name.”

“Xavier.”

“Yes, like that.”

Because you’re my wife.

Muttering those words, Xavier sealed his declaration with a final remark.

“If my wife calls the Crown Prince’s name again, it’ll mean war.”

His jealousy was truly intense.

＊

We arrived in Berg a day later than expected. Since we had planned ample time to make it for the meeting, we weren’t late, but because we had lingered in one place for too long, we had to drive the carriage non-stop to Berg.

‘Ugh, I feel sick. It’s like my butt’s bruised.’

Even though the carriage Xavier and I rode in was a top-class luxury carriage with cushioned seats, the long journey took its toll. My poor bottom was growing numb from the bumpy mountain roads.

‘And how many times did my head hit the ceiling? Ugh, my poor scalp.’

As we crossed a drawbridge spanning a massive river, the towering Berg Castle came into view on a high hill.

This is insane. Do we really have to climb all the way up there?

I frowned and discreetly placed my hands on my sore backside.

“Ow.”

As soon as we arrived inside Berg Castle, I stepped out of the carriage and leaned against the castle wall, gagging.

“My lady, are you alright?”

Maya, whose leg was now free from bandages, approached me with concern.

“Are you okay?”

Xavier, worried as well, came to my side and gently patted my back with his large hand.

“I-I’m fine.”

Barely holding back the bile rising in my throat, I straightened my back.

Wow, the sky looks so blue.

“Lean on me.”

“Yes.”

Practically leaning into him, I clung to Xavier as we passed through Berg’s inner castle gates.

As a neutral city, Berg’s laws required that everyone, regardless of status, pass through the gates on foot. It was said to be the will of the city’s founding king.

“Welcome, Your Grace. Welcome to Berg.”

A butler from Berg, who had received advance notice of our arrival, greeted us.

“This way.”

The meeting was to be held in the east wing of the beautiful Berg Castle, while the accommodations for visitors were in the west wing. The attendants carried our belongings, and I leaned on Xavier as we headed to the west wing.

When we reached the entrance, Maya hurriedly approached us and said urgently, 

“Your Grace, Madam. I’ll catch up with you shortly.”

“Why?”

“Rosetta is lagging behind.”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen Rosetta in a while.

“Is something wrong with Rosetta?”

“I’m not sure. She’s been avoiding me since lunch.”

“Avoiding you?”

“Maybe she’s sulking, or maybe it’s just her teenage mood swings. She is 17, after all.”

Maya, you and I are only 19.

Still, in Maya’s eyes, Rosetta must seem much younger.

“Maya, please take care of Rosetta. Find out if she’s feeling unwell or if it’s about the animals.”

“Animals?”

“Yes. It’s possible. Let her know I’ll talk to her later.”

“Understood. You two go on ahead.”

After bidding me farewell, Maya went off to find Rosetta, who was lagging behind. I watched her retreating figure absentmindedly.

It was strange. Normally, Rosetta would have been clinging to me, saying, “My lady! This place is so beautiful!” or “My lady, are you feeling alright?”

“This way, please. I’ll show you to your room.”

My curiosity was short-lived. Following the steward’s lead, Xavier and I moved on.

“Here we are, Your Grace, Madam.”

The butler led us to the largest and most luxurious guest room on the second floor of the west wing. The issue was, there was only one room.

“It seems there’s only one room.”

“Ah, yes. Due to the Beast Kingdom and Imperial delegates also staying in the west wing, there’s a shortage of available rooms. Since the two of you are married, we’ve prepared this room especially for you.”

Oh, right. We’re married.

Excuse me, shouldn’t you ask before offering such special treatment? Unable to argue with the proud-looking steward, I stood there awkwardly as Xavier, who was supporting me, spoke directly to the top of my head.

“Well, what do you think, wife?”

Ugh, I get it, so could you not talk to the top of my head?

“Yes. We’re married, so there’s no problem.”

After all, I’ve already shared a bed with Xavier when he was struggling at night. I tried to act cool and dismissed the butler.

Since we arrived in the evening, the surroundings were already dim. Feeling unwell and exhausted, I mostly just wanted to rest.

“The King of Berg has been considerate.”

Without hesitation, Xavier scooped me up and carried me into the room.

“Oh my.”

“Doesn’t this feel like a honeymoon?”

“Well, I suppose it does.”

I had always dreamed of being carried over the threshold like a princess on my honeymoon.

Wait, what am I even thinking?

The room was as spacious and beautiful as the bedroom in the ducal residence. Xavier gently set me down on the king-sized bed.

“How’s your stomach?”

“Thank you. I’m feeling better now.”

“That’s a relief.”

Xavier ran his hand across the wide bed and muttered, 

“The bed is nice. Perfect for the two of us.”

“Was that a private thought? Because I heard it.”

“Heh, caught me?”

When Xavier sat on the bed, the mattress dipped slightly. His large, handsome hand rested on my stomach.

“Uh? Xavier?”

“Does it still hurt here?”

“I told you, I’m fine now.”

His circular, gentle touch made me feel ticklish. My toes began to curl involuntarily.

“These hands belong to a Swordmaster, you know.”

“I didn’t realize Swordmasters were also healers.”

“Well, they’re better than a criminal’s hands, aren’t they? Haha.”

“Hah.”

“Don’t be sick, don’t be sick. My wife, don’t be sick.”

Xavier began singing a strange little song in his sweet voice. Oddly enough, it was quite pleasant to listen to.

Unable to tell him to stop, I simply rolled my eyes and stayed quiet, listening. The warmth from his touch spread through my stomach, and I felt a slight pull in my lower abdomen.

After enthusiastically rubbing my stomach, Xavier paused and looked at me.

“Are you really feeling better?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Grateful for his kindness, I smiled at him. He smiled back, and his body slowly leaned closer to mine.

“What are you trying to do…?”

“Finally, it’s just the two of us. I thought I’d go crazy wanting to have you all to myself.”

“We were alone in the tent and the carriage, too.”

“Melvin interrupted us then, and you kept talking about meat, hm.”

“You’re surprisingly sensitive to the mood.”

Xavier’s usually cool demeanor softened, and his cheeks turned slightly red.

Straightening up, he cleared his throat into his fist. His teal eyes shimmered as he looked down at me.

“Yuria, you’ve conquered me.”

“What?”

His voice was low and deep.

“I’m yours now.”

“……!”

Smiling faintly, he clasped my small hand and pressed it against his firm chest.

Thump, thump, thump. Through my fingertips, the strong rhythm of his heartbeat reverberated through me.

“So, I hope you’ll become mine as well, forever.”

He lifted my fingers to his crimson lips and began to kiss them.

“Uh.”

“Wait, just a moment, okay?”

No, wait, that’s not—

Wha-what-what?!

“Your Grace, Lord Melvin is asking why you haven’t come down for dinner yet….”

Rexton entered the room, only to freeze in place when he saw us in such an intimate position. His face turned beet red at the sight of our compromising posture.

The door was wide open!