75. I love this woman
Asherad felt Daphne's warmth. He could feel Daphne's unique scent and soft flesh.
He placed his hand on Daphne's hand that was wrapped around his waist and squeezed it tightly. It was because it didn't feel real. Why did you recognize me? Why? Of course, I don't know.
The arms that hugged his waist were happy. No, not happy. He was happy. Naturally, a dog that loves its owner is loyal.
Asherad tried hard to think that way.
However.
That couldn't be done.
"Your Majesty."
The moment he saw Daphne, the woman who discovered him from afar and ran to hug him, he recognized her.
He doesn't think of them as cute pets or anything like that.
This woman was like a puzzle.
He always finds this woman difficult.
He wishes this woman misfortune.
But he wishes this woman happiness.
He hates this woman's existence.
However, this woman is infinitely pretty.
He ended up falling in love with this woman.
He love this woman.
Even though he knew it was the biggest mistake of his life, and even though it was a feeling of humiliation that made him grit his teeth, Asherad was willing to admit it.
This woman will not leave his side.
She has no intention of running away anymore.
The moment he gives everything, this woman will willingly remain his. She will not leave.
That's how it will be.
He will make it so.
Asherad took off the mask that covered his entire face.
And he took off Daphne's mask. He saw dark blond hair made of melted gold, and bright blue eyes. He gently cupped Daphne's cheek.
Asherad brought his lips to Daphne's face. Daphne still looked surprised.
“I want to kiss you.”
She rolled her eyes as she looked at Asherad, who was asking for permission, as if she couldn't believe it.
"No?"
At that earnest question, Daphne shyly shook her head slightly. As she closed her eyes, Asherad kissed her deeply.
"Uh?!"
"No!"
He didn't care about the surprised voices of the people. He just wanted to enjoy this moment that he had longed for more than anyone else, this moment of crazy realization.
It was a kiss that had always been like that, but it was especially sweet, and the man who finally took off his mask did not hesitate.
And...
“I have something to announce to you all here.”
Daphne looked bewildered. The afterglow of the masquerade ball still lingered.
What on earth could make him so happy that he would kiss her? Asherad was affectionate towards Daphne, but he never showed it in public, let alone invited her to such a place.
But why did they kiss?
And why there?
“Baroness Ritter.”
Daphne turned her head at the voice of Ioannis calling her. Daphne Ritter. That was the name given to her. And what was given to her was the title of 'Baroness.'
At the masquerade ball, Asherad announced that he would award Daphne the title of Baroness. The ceremony to bestow the title as a noble title would be held at a later date.
“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”
At Ioannis' words, Daphne finally met his eyes.
“I’m saying this because it doesn’t feel real.”
“Is that so?”
“I never thought it would be this easy to become a nobleman.”
Ioannis spoke stiffly, the bitterness in those words making him laugh.
“The title is nothing more than a play on words. If the leader of the country acknowledges it, then it means you are a noble.”
Daphne looked at Ioannis' face. He had an expression that made it impossible to tell what was going on. The title was a pun, which was not something that would come from a son of a high nobleman.
“Besides, the territory given to you is not particularly good. It is just a small village that is embarrassing to call land, a faraway place where you will never go in your entire life.”
But where is that village? And if he keeps saying that she doesn't like what she's received, does he want Daphne to feel dissatisfied with Asherad? Daphne looked at Ioannis as if she were curious. Ioannis also said as if he were sorry.
“Of course, I know this is a huge surprise to you, Miss Daphne. So, what I mean is...”
“No, I am quite satisfied.”
“I had a complaint that if he was going to give a title, I wish it had been something a little more decent.”
He spoke awkwardly. The awkward feeling of 'awkwardness' on his hard face was funny, but the content was also surprising.
“For me?”
“Asherad should treat you better.”
Ioannis answered stiffly. What on earth is this person...
He is the successor to a high-ranking dukedom among the nobles, and he acts as Daphne's bodyguard, and also hopes for a high title from Daphne. He is a friend of Asherad, but strangely, he protects Asherad, but when he criticizes him, he criticizes him harshly.
Although she still keeps a close eye on him as he is still a friend of Asherad, Daphne has come to like him. It's not that she likes him as a man.
It's just that he became someone she could rely on.
“Still, Your Grace. Thanks to you, I can hold on.”
"Yes?"
“You are the only one who says such things, Your Grace.”
Daphne spoke with a genuine, bright smile.
“Still, I am lucky to have met you, Your Grace.”
At those words, Ioannis closed his mouth. He turned his head away, perhaps feeling displeased, angry, or embarrassed.
“Your Majesty, I am so tired.”
Daphne frowned and grumbled. But Asherad, sitting on the chair, smiled.
“You just need to wear one more set.”
"Please."
In the past, they only made a few suits, but now they have moved the entire costume shop. The number of dresses that the maids bring in is considerable.
“It’s a gift to commemorate becoming a noble.”
"Ha..."
Daphne wore a blue dress this time, with a sad face. This fabric was imported, so it had a luxurious sheen and was described as light, but to Daphne, it was the same. She came early in the morning and was rushed to change her clothes, but what was this sudden bolt from the blue...?
“You look so good together! Ah, you look so beautiful no matter what you wear!”
Here we go again! The professional spirit of the costume shop staff.
They would compliment Daphne with all their might every time she put on her clothes.
At first, she was blushing and grateful for it, but after hearing it about 30 times, shr wasn't very impressed.
As Daphne dozed off, Asherad chuckled and hugged Daphne’s head. His chest was wide, warm, soft, and comfortable. Daphne dozed off in his arms, half-asleep.
“Oh my, oh my... Come to your senses! There’s still a lot of sewing left to do!”
Indeed, the staff of the Empire's first-class costume shop were all professionals. As soon as they sensed a strange atmosphere, they quickly took the dress away.
“Your Majesty! Which of the dresses have you ever worn...”
“Buy them all.”
As he spoke quietly, the designer suppressed her urge to cheer and disappeared.
There was no mistress of the empire, and while Kalista had time to reflect, they had no money to make. Only then did Daphne's room become quiet.
"Daphne."
"Yes..."
Daphne answered weakly. Asherad looked at the person in his arms and ran his fingers through her hair. He picked up the sagging Daphne and sat down on the bed. He thought about laying her down, but he lay her on his lap instead.
A heavy scent was felt. Daphne lay on his lap and looked up at him. Smiling eyes reached out and touched Daphne's head.
Daphne's eyes closed on their own as the touch tickled and was gentle. She shouldn't sleep... She shouldn't sleep without being careful...
“Here you go.”
Asherad felt Daphne's warmth. He could feel Daphne's unique scent and soft flesh.
He placed his hand on Daphne's hand that was wrapped around his waist and squeezed it tightly. It was because it didn't feel real. Why did you recognize me? Why? Of course, I don't know.
The arms that hugged his waist were happy. No, not happy. He was happy. Naturally, a dog that loves its owner is loyal.
Asherad tried hard to think that way.
However.
That couldn't be done.
"Your Majesty."
The moment he saw Daphne, the woman who discovered him from afar and ran to hug him, he recognized her.
He doesn't think of them as cute pets or anything like that.
This woman was like a puzzle.
He always finds this woman difficult.
He wishes this woman misfortune.
But he wishes this woman happiness.
He hates this woman's existence.
However, this woman is infinitely pretty.
He ended up falling in love with this woman.
He love this woman.
Even though he knew it was the biggest mistake of his life, and even though it was a feeling of humiliation that made him grit his teeth, Asherad was willing to admit it.
This woman will not leave his side.
She has no intention of running away anymore.
The moment he gives everything, this woman will willingly remain his. She will not leave.
That's how it will be.
He will make it so.
Asherad took off the mask that covered his entire face.
And he took off Daphne's mask. He saw dark blond hair made of melted gold, and bright blue eyes. He gently cupped Daphne's cheek.
Asherad brought his lips to Daphne's face. Daphne still looked surprised.
“I want to kiss you.”
She rolled her eyes as she looked at Asherad, who was asking for permission, as if she couldn't believe it.
"No?"
At that earnest question, Daphne shyly shook her head slightly. As she closed her eyes, Asherad kissed her deeply.
"Uh?!"
"No!"
He didn't care about the surprised voices of the people. He just wanted to enjoy this moment that he had longed for more than anyone else, this moment of crazy realization.
It was a kiss that had always been like that, but it was especially sweet, and the man who finally took off his mask did not hesitate.
And...
“I have something to announce to you all here.”
***
Daphne looked bewildered. The afterglow of the masquerade ball still lingered.
What on earth could make him so happy that he would kiss her? Asherad was affectionate towards Daphne, but he never showed it in public, let alone invited her to such a place.
But why did they kiss?
And why there?
“Baroness Ritter.”
Daphne turned her head at the voice of Ioannis calling her. Daphne Ritter. That was the name given to her. And what was given to her was the title of 'Baroness.'
At the masquerade ball, Asherad announced that he would award Daphne the title of Baroness. The ceremony to bestow the title as a noble title would be held at a later date.
“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”
At Ioannis' words, Daphne finally met his eyes.
“I’m saying this because it doesn’t feel real.”
“Is that so?”
“I never thought it would be this easy to become a nobleman.”
Ioannis spoke stiffly, the bitterness in those words making him laugh.
“The title is nothing more than a play on words. If the leader of the country acknowledges it, then it means you are a noble.”
Daphne looked at Ioannis' face. He had an expression that made it impossible to tell what was going on. The title was a pun, which was not something that would come from a son of a high nobleman.
“Besides, the territory given to you is not particularly good. It is just a small village that is embarrassing to call land, a faraway place where you will never go in your entire life.”
But where is that village? And if he keeps saying that she doesn't like what she's received, does he want Daphne to feel dissatisfied with Asherad? Daphne looked at Ioannis as if she were curious. Ioannis also said as if he were sorry.
“Of course, I know this is a huge surprise to you, Miss Daphne. So, what I mean is...”
“No, I am quite satisfied.”
“I had a complaint that if he was going to give a title, I wish it had been something a little more decent.”
He spoke awkwardly. The awkward feeling of 'awkwardness' on his hard face was funny, but the content was also surprising.
“For me?”
“Asherad should treat you better.”
Ioannis answered stiffly. What on earth is this person...
He is the successor to a high-ranking dukedom among the nobles, and he acts as Daphne's bodyguard, and also hopes for a high title from Daphne. He is a friend of Asherad, but strangely, he protects Asherad, but when he criticizes him, he criticizes him harshly.
Although she still keeps a close eye on him as he is still a friend of Asherad, Daphne has come to like him. It's not that she likes him as a man.
It's just that he became someone she could rely on.
“Still, Your Grace. Thanks to you, I can hold on.”
"Yes?"
“You are the only one who says such things, Your Grace.”
Daphne spoke with a genuine, bright smile.
“Still, I am lucky to have met you, Your Grace.”
At those words, Ioannis closed his mouth. He turned his head away, perhaps feeling displeased, angry, or embarrassed.
***
“Your Majesty, I am so tired.”
Daphne frowned and grumbled. But Asherad, sitting on the chair, smiled.
“You just need to wear one more set.”
"Please."
In the past, they only made a few suits, but now they have moved the entire costume shop. The number of dresses that the maids bring in is considerable.
“It’s a gift to commemorate becoming a noble.”
"Ha..."
Daphne wore a blue dress this time, with a sad face. This fabric was imported, so it had a luxurious sheen and was described as light, but to Daphne, it was the same. She came early in the morning and was rushed to change her clothes, but what was this sudden bolt from the blue...?
“You look so good together! Ah, you look so beautiful no matter what you wear!”
Here we go again! The professional spirit of the costume shop staff.
They would compliment Daphne with all their might every time she put on her clothes.
At first, she was blushing and grateful for it, but after hearing it about 30 times, shr wasn't very impressed.
As Daphne dozed off, Asherad chuckled and hugged Daphne’s head. His chest was wide, warm, soft, and comfortable. Daphne dozed off in his arms, half-asleep.
“Oh my, oh my... Come to your senses! There’s still a lot of sewing left to do!”
Indeed, the staff of the Empire's first-class costume shop were all professionals. As soon as they sensed a strange atmosphere, they quickly took the dress away.
“Your Majesty! Which of the dresses have you ever worn...”
“Buy them all.”
As he spoke quietly, the designer suppressed her urge to cheer and disappeared.
There was no mistress of the empire, and while Kalista had time to reflect, they had no money to make. Only then did Daphne's room become quiet.
"Daphne."
"Yes..."
Daphne answered weakly. Asherad looked at the person in his arms and ran his fingers through her hair. He picked up the sagging Daphne and sat down on the bed. He thought about laying her down, but he lay her on his lap instead.
A heavy scent was felt. Daphne lay on his lap and looked up at him. Smiling eyes reached out and touched Daphne's head.
Daphne's eyes closed on their own as the touch tickled and was gentle. She shouldn't sleep... She shouldn't sleep without being careful...
“Here you go.”
Asherad said affectionately. She shook her head. She had to get her dress tailored and learn math. It was a small village, but she had to learn math to run the territory that had been given to her, Ioannis said.
“That’s why I said I wanted to sleep more...”
Daphne let out an annoyed grumble that she would never have made before. Asherad let out a low laugh at that.
“You didn’t have any winter clothes. Are you going to go out naked?”
“...”
“Walking around naked is enough for me.”
Daphne flinched. She was about to wake up slightly. It was because she vividly remembered how warmly Asherad had held her. Her chest still felt tingly. Daphne turned her head away as if burying it to hide her agitation.
“Your ears are red.”
A cold, teasing hand touched Daphne's ear. She buried her head in it even more stubbornly.
“It’s cute.”
Daphne opened her eyes wide at the words that were spoken with a smile. It was because of the amount of affection that was dripping out of those words. The affection was so great that it overflowed.
Daphne bit her lip as she heard the voice that was so sweet it almost made her tongue tingle.
It's a peaceful, warm, and faintly lovely time.
Daphne's eyes turned red for a moment. However, she closed them sleepily and opened them again.
"Your Majesty."
“...”
“Why are you being so nice to me these days?”
She snickered and buried her face in his lap. Daphne touched his knee, hoping that her tears would not spill over and stain his clothes. Asherad's hand went to Daphne’s forehead.
“Of course.”
“...”
“Because I love you, Daphne.”
Alas, he evades the question by saying only that he loves her as usual. Daphne thought that his honest and truthful answer was not sincere as usual.
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