TOOCM 45

Chapter 45

“Your Grace, it’s Celine. Someone wishes to see you. What shall I do?”

Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Reina replied hastily.

“I’ll go now.”

She rushed to the door, hesitated, and turned back.

Knowing she shouldn’t leave like this, embarrassment urged her to escape.

Unable to meet his eyes, she stammered.

“I…”

Kaiden spoke.

“It’s fine. Go ahead.”

“…Okay.”

Leaving a dazed reply, Reina hurriedly fled.

As Reina left the terrace, Kaiden stomped, swallowing a scream.

‘Insane. Completely insane!’

He’d kissed her cheek without consent.

A hand kiss was a common gesture of respect, but the face was different.

It carried romantic implications, a private act not lightly permitted.

He was mortified by his impulsive action.

He’d never wanted to touch or be close to a woman before.

Yet, Reina kept drawing his attention, making him linger by her side.

She made him act like a clumsy fool, as he had just now.

‘Sending her off like that, what was I thinking?’

He should’ve taken responsibility for his actions.

Instead, he’d practically cheered her escape.

‘Was I always this cowardly and shameless?’

Recalling her helpless expression as she left deepened his self-loathing.

“Ugh… why am I alive?”

Kaiden ruffled his hair, catching his breath.

He wanted to hide in a hole.

Then, a flicker of hope emerged.

‘She didn’t push me away. Does that mean she doesn’t dislike me?’

Even if it was a surprise, she had time to reject him.

Her not doing so—did she want it too?

The hope was fleeting.

Berating himself, he groaned.

“Idiot. Want it? She was probably just frozen. Thinking this nonsense now?”

The more he wrestled with his thoughts, the clearer the memory of her cheek became.

Her flustered cheek was peach-hued, her red lips tempting.

If no one had interrupted… he couldn’t guarantee what might’ve happened.

He cursed his weak self-control.

Clenching and unclenching his hand, still warm, he recalled her slim waist, groaning.

Her fragrance was faintly floral. Her light body made him want to carry her off.

All this from one kiss.

Sighing heavily, he looked down.

“Damn it!”

He swore, banging his head against the wall.

His body’s vigorous reaction filled him with shame.

To think he’d sent her off in this state.

Returning to the banquet like this would advertise what happened.

Worse, did she notice?

Is that why she fled?

As thoughts spiraled, he felt the ground collapse.

Her leaving without looking back sank his mood.

Imagining her contempt, he sighed.

He couldn’t return to the banquet calmly.

He stayed on the terrace until the event ended and Ben found him.

The next day, Reina sat demurely in the bedroom’s parlor, timed to Kaiden’s waking.

Yesterday’s unexpected incident made her flee, but she couldn’t delay further.

The fever would start at six p.m.

With time, she could explain calmly.

She’d barely slept, tossing over the memory of Kaiden’s cheek kiss.

Recalling it, her face flushed again.

It was different from her brother’s goodnight kisses.

Her heart raced, her body froze.

She’d imagined what came next when—

“Sorry.”

Kaiden apologized, and she fled.

‘I don’t know how to face him.’

Just a cheek kiss, yet she was so flustered.

Maybe Kaiden had forgotten by now.

Touching her lips, she saw Kaiden emerge from the bedroom, meeting her eyes.

“Good morning.”

She stood, waving cheerfully.

Bang!

He slammed the door shut.

“…?”

He’d been coming out.

Thinking he forgot something, she waited, but the door stayed closed.

Cautiously knocking, she found the bedroom empty.

Realizing he’d fled from her, Reina’s jaw dropped.

This was truly unexpected.

A chill hung over the training grounds.

Kaiden, arriving for the morning inspection, began one-on-one sparring with a fierce intensity.

The impromptu sparring felt like a massacre.

Since the schedule only called for inspection, Ben was equally thrown.

‘What’s going on?’

Recalling Kaiden’s bad mood last night, Ben decided to avoid provoking him.

Then, Andy, a knight, pleaded with Ben.

He’d been punished for accidentally throwing a spear at Reina.

“Please, stop him! We’ll all die!”

As his turn neared, Andy’s face turned green.

Already marked, he feared harsher sparring.

Ben patted his shoulder sympathetically.

“Hang in there. Better to take the hit first.”

Andy groaned at the dismissal.

“If only Her Grace were here…”

He recalled how Reina had spared him harsher punishment.

Ben shook his head.

“You won’t see her today.”

“Right. She wouldn’t come to this smelly place on a happy day.”

Andy sighed repeatedly, rubbing his neck.

After Reina’s near-injury, barricades were set up at the training ground’s rest area for her next visit.

“Why’s His Grace here anyway? He should be with Her Grace, not starting random sparring.”

Andy grumbled, and Ben shrugged, as if to say, How should I know?

But he’d already guessed.

‘Bet it’s because of Her Grace.’

Kaiden had rushed all tasks for Reina’s birthday.

Today’s schedule was just the inspection.

Yet, he was making work to avoid her.

‘They need to reconcile soon.’

Women were sensitive on special days.

If Kaiden ignored Reina’s birthday…

“Maybe I should step in.”

As Ben pondered, Andy spotted someone and brightened.

“Look… it’s Her Grace!”