I looked back at him with a stern face.
"What does that mean?"
"It means that we will have to stay together in the future."
He replied in a calm tone.
"There may be times when I have to ride a horse on the tour, but I will use the carriage with you as much as possible."
I swallowed dryly.
"So, where is the accommodation..."
"We will also share a room."
My heart sank. I didn't know if it was fear or an emotion that had been tormenting me for so many years.
I, twisting the jade ornament around my wrist, asked nervously.
"Do you have to?"
Barcas didn't say anything. I soon began to pour out aggressively.
"If you marry me, you don't know what people would say. Since the whole world knows the ins and outs of our marriage, it would seem even more ridiculous if we pretended to be a good couple."
"We don't have to look good friends."
Barcas let out a long breath.
"It is enough to make the marital relationship look as close as possible."
I, who had a puzzled expression, suddenly opened my eyes in shock.
Is a marital relationship what you think it is?
I stared blankly at his stoic face, which had not the slightest hint of human desire, and he continued calmly.
"Whatever the story, we have become a couple, and Your Highness knows at least what obligations come with a married nobleman. As long as we look like a normal couple, you, of course, will help me stand up."
My face turned bright red. Apparently, what he meant by 'marital relationship' seemed to be what I had in mind.
Stupid words flowed out from between my trembling lips.
"So what you mean is us... You mean we have to look like you're sleeping together?"
The corners of his eyes wrinkled finely. It was the same as smiling and frowning.
"If you speak nakedly."
I bit my lip and brushed it down carefully.
Beneath the thin glossy silk, a sturdy body was clearly visible.
Broad shoulders, a chest tightly woven with delicate muscles, a supple waist, and long, strong legs like a horse...
I suddenly felt my breath come out of breath and looked down urgently. I could see my bony legs looming over the thin skirt.
My stomach tingled. It was a wound that my mother frowned upon, as if she was disgusted. Even the nanny, who had raised me since I was a baby, couldn't hide her drudgery every time she washed me.
The thought of revealing such an ugly thing to him made me break out in a cold sweat.
I tore the hem of my robe and poured out my sharp voice.
"I don't like it. You can let everyone talk as they please. Originally, people are supposed to talk about things as they please. That's why I have a mouth. Why do I have to do such a funny play to look at the people below me..."
"Thalia."
A large hand covered the back of my stiff hand. I looked up at him.
Barcas said firmly, clutching my cold hand.
"I'm not asking you to do a play or something."
"..."
"It's enough to show the public that we're spending time together."
Barcas's words sounded more like a request than a command. That fact suppressed the words of rejection that had pooled in my throat.
Ti looked into his face with twitching eyes, pale fatigue. Judging from Grand Duke with Sheerkan's attitude, Barcas position also seemed to be in a precarious state. While I was confined to my bedroom, he must have been pushing himself tirelessly to consolidate his position.
Suddenly, my mouth became dry. If Ayla had been here, she would have rolled up her sleeves for Barcas. Her natural leadership and dignity must have helped Barcas establish himself.
He would not have asked for such a request. After a normal first night, the two naturally continued their relationship.
I bit my bottom lip. Self-deprecating thoughts bite the tail. How did Barcas treat Ayla? He was so kind to me that he snarled like an enemy, and he would have done more for Ayla, not less.
Just as he would try to touch me at every opportunity, he would have touched Ayla's body without hesitation. I could clearly picture him caressing her cheeks and ears and putting his arms around her waist. The two imaginary men did not hesitate to commit even worse things.
My heart felt like it was on fire.
I roughly pulled my hand out of his grasp. Then, I whispered my emotions to myself and looked out the window.
"Do whatever you want."
A heavy silence fell. I wanted to see his expression, but I was scared.
I rested my elbows on the windowsill and pretended to watch the horsemen.
Presently, with the sound of a thunderous horn, the carriage began to move slowly.
I peeked my head out of the window. As the carriage passed through the gate, a vast field opened up in front of them. A gust of wind swirled over the plains that touched the sky.
I looked at the ochre-colored meadow and squinted at him.
Barcas was also looking out onto the field. The pure white sunlight cast a dazzling backlight over his face.
My heart tightened with strange emotions.
In this strange and beautiful land, I have to spend time with him.
Will I be able to protect the wall that I have barely built?
***
Lucas swung the reins without hesitation.
It was the first horseback ride in almost a week. Angered by the days of neglect. Turgan snorted harshly as he streaked across the grassland.
He could feel the stallion's tight muscles trembling under my thighs.
He stepped on the stirrup and jumped to his feet. The dry wind scratched his body roughly. It was terribly refreshing.
"Don't leave the ranks!"
Tyron followed him and let out a roar. Lucas looked back at him with a dissatisfied expression.
"What are you doing with this?"
"I managed to get permission to accompany you in the name of teaching you how to behave as a vassal. If you act like that, what will I become?"
Lucas kicked his tongue wildly and pulled the reins. When he managed to calm his excited horse, Tyron slowed down and closed the distance.
"As I said before, you will be a servant of His Excellency the Grand Duke for a while. Do not go away from the carriage."
"I don't know anything. I'm doing this all because I'm thinking of my brother."
Lucas said sarcastically.
"You don't like me being messed around more, right? She must be the same."
He said in a prickly tone, and then looked at the carriage slowly moving across the hill from a long way back.
His face itched from being beaten by the woman. His cheek, which had been swollen for a while, subsided after two days.
He pouted his lips.
"You saw what she did to me that day."
"I saw you put your nose to the nape of her neck."
He blushed.
"You're so perverted when you say that! I just smelled a strange smell!"
"...No matter how you say it, you look like a pervert."
Tyron shook his head.
"As His Excellency said, both of you need to learn the etiquette of nobles. On the excuse that the former Grand Duke was sick, you were too free-spirited."
Lucas glared at him with a disinterested look. The words that secretly sided with Barcas made him angry.
"You're completely fascinated by him."
Tyron didn't deny it in particular. It seemed that he had already fully accepted Barcas as his leader.
This was not limited to Tyron. The old-fashioned elders were concerned about Barcas radical moves, but the fierce warriors enthusiastically supported him. They were all hungry for strong leadership.
To be honest, Lucas was also half-fascinated by Barcas overwhelming powerlessness. However, he didn't want to admit it lightly.
"Yes. I'll admit that I was a bit rude. But she wasn't easy either! Why should I be the only one punished?"
"She's a member of the royal family."
Tyron said in a sour tone.
"Moreover, she has now become the Grand Duchess. So, from now on, you'd better try to talk to her. Did you hear what Lord Darren said earlier?"
He pretended to stroke his neck with his fingertips.
"She is the one who spews vitriol in front of the Grand Duke of Sheerkhan without blinking an eye. She's going to cut your bones with her tongue, right? So, don't bother your temper for the sake of peace in the East."
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