Ner prepared to step outside as the day broke.
Peering through the window, a calm had settled over the estate, a stark contrast to the fierce battle of the previous day.
The tension that had weighed heavily on the soldiers shoulders seed to have dissipated sowhat.
Yet, with a hint of apprehension, Ner decided to first inquire with the guards stationed at the door.
-Creak.
She cracked open the door and peered out.
Shawn and Burns, who had been chuckling in conversation, turned their gaze towards her.
Is there sothing you need?
She responded to their question.
Is it... safe to wander outside now?
They blinked for a mont.
Soon, Burns looked at Shawn.
As the senior, Shawn pondered before replying.
Yes. It seems safe for now. Where are you planning to go?
...To et Berg.
Ah, then theres even less to worry about. Shall we go?
Ner waved her hand in dismissal.
No, Ill just inform Arwin-nim and then head out.
Alright. Well wait for you.
-Thud.
Ner withdrew her head back inside and closed the door.
She then quietly gazed at Arwin.
Pursuing My Ex Wife Isnt Easy Ch...
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Engrossed in ditation to hone her life force, Arwin seed distant.
She had returned briefly to greet her, but wondered if it was better not to disturb her.
...Where are you going?
But before she could decide, Arwin spoke first.
She seed sowhat aware of her intentions.
...Just going to look around for a bit, Ner replied.
Truth be told, her interest wasnt solely in Berg but also in the hero party.
It was impossible not to be curious about the chosen warriors of the gods, especially those who had been at the forefront of the seven-year war against the demons.
Arwin-nim, dont you have soone in the hero party you wish to et?
Ner asked.
Arwin nodded.
...Sylphrien unnie. Ill go et her later.
Ner nodded at her response and lingered in the room filled with an awkward silence before speaking.
...Well, Ill be heading out then. To get so fresh air.
Alright. Understood.
With Arwins reply, Ner moved to step out.
Stepping outside, Ner spoke to Shawn, who had been waiting for her.
Lets go.
Okay.
Ner, revealing a montary inner thought, asked.
Have you seen Berg by any chance?
Shawn easily answered her question.
He was sleeping in the front yard of the mansion, you know?
Ners brow furrowed in confusion at Shawns response.
What? Why there?
Shawn seed just as unsure of the reason as Ner was.
Im not really sure...
...
Ner nodded and moved on.
Regardless, eting Berg and talking things over was what mattered.
In fact, there were many pressing concerns at the mont.
The rapidly changing situation required quick decision-making.
How to deal with the hero party, how to behave in front of the royal Draigo family who were said to be coming here - there were too many unknowns.
...
But Ner pushed aside these complex thoughts and continued on.
She no longer needed to ponder these matters alone.
If she had questions or concerns, she could just talk to Berg.
He was on her side, after all.
Her husband.
With this thought, a smile crept onto Ners face.
****
-Tap.
Soone poked my cheek as I lay asleep, embracing my sword.
Slowly opening my eyes, I saw a white tail in front of .
-Tap.
I felt the sensation on my cheek again.
As I opened my eyes wider, the white tail began to sway gently.
The fluffy tail wiggled cutely.
...Ner?
I called her na, and she giggled in response.
Why are you sleeping here, Berg?
She asked.
Regaining my senses and looking up, I saw Ner crouching in front of , her arm resting on her knee, looking at .
...Did you co out here alone?
I asked, and she shook her head, pointing behind her.
From a distance, Shawn was engaged in conversation with the other mbers.
It appeared Ner had co here under his escort.
I looked at her.
Her clear, untainted smile was so infectious that it even affected my emotions.
I sighed heavily, embracing this new feeling.
I had been resting under a tree in the front yard of the mansion, having dozed off while trying to calm my emotions after a brief conversation with Gale.
It seed Ner had found and approached.
...
Observing Ners expression, I felt an indescribable sensation.
Perhaps it was more pronounced because I hadnt seen her since the incident with Sien.
Regardless, a smile naturally ford on my face as I asked her.
Did you rest well?
Yes.
After her brief affirmative, she reached out her hand.
Before I could react, her hand touched my cheek.
...Are you sure you dont need to treat those wounds?
She inquired.
Gently touching the scabs of my healing wounds, a worried look appeared beneath her smile.
Just as I was about to agree with her, she seed to have a sudden realization.
Ah! Theres the saintess. Maybe we could ask her for healing? They say she can heal any wound with just a touch.
...........
Hiding my true feelings, I responded to her.
...She might be bothered.
We wont know unless we ask.
Its fine, Ner.
I cut off her suggestion once more.
I had a thought that it might be better not to encounter Sien if possible.
Ner puffed her cheeks in response, then sat down beside .
Suddenly, a question struck .
Arent you scared being out here?
Huh?
The situation wasnt completely safe yet.
Although things seed to have cald down to so extent, there was still the possibility of other soldiers attacking Prin at any mont.
It would be safest to wait until King, Adam Hyung or Gale arrived.
Yet, Ner had chosen to co to my side instead.
Wasnt she afraid?
Arent you anxious?
...Hmm.
Ner showed a subtle reaction to my question.
Instead of answering, she blinked as she gazed into the distance, then whispered.
...Lately, I feel more anxious when youre not by my side..
What?
Her inaudible whisper prompted my query, to which Ner crinkled her face adorably and declared.
...Not anxious at all!
...
I nodded at her words, feeling relieved myself.
Furthermore, I felt that the urgent matters had been addressed.
The soldiers of Prin, having rested, were regaining their strength.
The security around the mansion was increasingly stringent.
Ner was aware of the attentive gazes of the recovered Prins soldiers.
Then, she leaned her head against my shoulder.
-Thump.
...
...
Whenever there were more people around, she always showed deeper affection.
She seed eager to fulfill any request I had.
In that mont, she brought up a new topic.
Berg. Isnt it true that many people are gathering in this territory?
Yes.
I heard the royal Draigo family is also coming.
Thats likely.
...
Why?
Ner slowly turned her head to look up at .
Her soft cheek cutely pressed against my shoulder.
How should we behave in front of those people?
...
I was about to question the need for different behavior when a thought struck .
It wasnt soone from the royal family.
She was already here, among us.
As I pondered, Ner continued.
...Should we be bolder in our actions now that the royal family is coming?
What?
Why, its easier to show off our relationship that way. It would also be safer for the Red Flas.
Surprised by her unusually daring suggestion, I looked at Ner, who wore a playful expression.
She was clearly not serious.
I chuckled at her provocation.
What kind of actions should we take then?
Well...
...
After a mont of playful banter, she mumbled.
...What if I start calling you Honey?
-Thump... Thump...
Ners tail began to softly tap my back.
If it were a hand, it might have felt like a flirtation.
But coming from Ner, it felt more like playful teasing.
Not that the teasing was unsuccessful.
I chuckled again and asked her.
...Call Honey, huh?
Are you, maybe, embarrassed?
Ner wore a teasing expression.
Yet she couldnt completely hide her shyness.
Responding to her expression, I said,
Go ahead then.
...
After my reply, Ner finally bowed her head.
After a long silence, she spoke.
Just kidding, Berg. Ho-how could I possibly...
Despite her disappointed tone, I smiled.
Such playful banter brought small joys.
Anyway. What should we do?
But then, her words reminded of soone else.
The one who still claims to love .
...
Finally, I looked at Ner and made a decision.
...Ner. Theres no need to put on an act when the royal family arrives.
J-Just kidding, I said. I dont plan to use that kind of nickna in front of people-
-No, not that.
...Huh?
Just be comfortable. Its okay not to show any affection at all.
...
Ner slowly raised her head, a puzzled look on her face.
.....Why...?
Slowly losing her smile, she asked dryly.
...
I had no desire to flaunt my relationships in front of Sien.
It just seed... too cruel.
I wanted to quietly get through this mont.
To quietly complete the task, quietly leave, and quietly conclude things with Sien.
But I couldnt reveal my true feelings, so I offered an excuse.
...Just. We dont know how the royal family will react.
...
Even to , it sounded like a flimsy excuse.
Ner was visibly taken aback by my sudden suggestion.
After pondering for a while, she asked,
...Even holding hands?
...
Debating where to draw the ambiguous line of affection, I said,
Everything.
..........Tch.
Ner responded with dissatisfaction to my words.
Do this, do that, which rhythm should I dance to?
At her words, I chuckled lightly.
I gently stroked her face, which was leaning on my shoulder, with my other hand.
Sorry.
At that gesture, her tail stood up rigidly.
She still seed to tense up at my sudden displays of affection.
I offered a final excuse.
Lets just try not to attract attention, especially with the king coming.
...If thats the case, I understand...
I stood up from my spot.
My stomach was starting to growl.
I decided to look for sothing to eat.
Ner. Lets go find sothing to eat. Are you hungry?
...
Ner nodded her head.
Then, she got up and stood by my side.
More and more soldiers were beginning to appear.
The day was about to start.
Soon, it seed, mbers of the hero party would also be waking up.
...Including Sien.
-Wham!
Suddenly, two arms wrapped around my neck.
Soone climbed onto my back.
Legs hooked around my hips, and a tail tightly coiled around my waist.
Then, rubbing her face against my neck, Ner said,
But its okay now, right? His Majesty the King isnt here.
Her playful smile was a bonus.
Defiantly doing more of what she was told not to, like a mischievous fox.
Co down, Ner. Its hard to walk like this.
No. Try pushing off. Oh, you cant touch the tail.
Just as a smile was about to break through at her antics, a sound interrupted.
-Thud.
...?
Ner, too, pulled her head away from my neck to look towards the source of the sound.
..............
There was Sien, sitting down with a vacant expression, looking at my feet.
Beside her, Sylphrien was fidgeting uneasily.
...Sai...Saintess...
...
Siens gaze slowly lifted towards .
Her eyes seed to ask, Who is that woman?
The sa expression of jealousy she had shown in the past was evident.
...
But there was neither a need for to explain nor was it the situation to do so.
The fact that Ner was my wife would soon beco apparent.
Ner, stiffening behind , asked,
Is... that the Saintess?
...
...Sh-shouldnt we help her...? Shes fallen...
............
I didnt want to show Sien this side of , but it was already too late.
Whatever I did now, it seed it wouldnt make much of a difference.
And with that in mind, I no longer wanted to push Ner away.
-Swish.
Ah...!
I gently wrapped my arms around Ners thighs and lifted her.
Startled by my touch, she tightened her arms around my neck even more.
...Itll be okay.
Siens eyes wandered at my actions.
Yet, due to the conversation we had before, she kept turning her head away as if pretending not to recognize .
...Lets go.
I carried Ner and started walking.
Ignoring the bitter aftertaste.
Ignoring the growing beat of my heart.
I tried my best not to think about Sien anymore.
I had already made my choice.
The End of The Chapter
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