Chapter 131: Side Story - A Silent Competition (3)
The next few days passed by quietly.
There were, of course, many things I had to prepare together with Daisy before the wedding ceremony, so we naturally spent more ti together.
Invitation cards, the families we'd send them to, the detailed wedding schedule, the procession route...
Even the tasks that could easily be handed off to our attendants, we planned ourselves by hand.
Daisy seed genuinely happy to be part of the process like this. Even the simplest things moved her, and she showed her affection openly.
The more concrete our wedding plans beca, the stronger the bond between us grew.
"......Haa."
Even after dinner, my work wasn't over.
I placed the final period on the invitation card and rolled my shoulder to ease the tension in my neck. Sitting at a desk all day, writing letters, wasn't sothing I was used to.
Especially for soone like -it still didn't co easy. I'd spent the past half year training myself to sit and focus, but a lifeti of working my body through sweat and motion doesn't fade so quickly. I still needed more ti to adjust.
As I stretched and loosened up my body, Daisy suddenly stood up with a start and ca up behind .
Startled by her sudden movent, I turned to look at her-just as her cool fingertips touched my shoulder.
"Are you feeling unwell? If you'd like to rest, I can take over from here, Cayden."
And without waiting for my reply, she began to gently massage my shoulders with all her effort.
The concern on her face was so sincere, I couldn't even joke about it.
I just smiled at her pure heart and spoke softly so she wouldn't worry.
"I'm okay, Daisy. I was just stretching a little."
"...You didn't have to go this far for ..."
She said that with a hint of guilt, and I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"It's not just for you. It's for us. Of course I should do it. But still...”
I trailed off, and Daisy leaned in, listening attentively to the rest of my words.
"...Still, this massage feels pretty good. Maybe I'll enjoy it a little longer."
As I relaxed into the chair and leaned back, both our lips curled into a quiet smile.
Daisy continued massaging my shoulders diligently. Though she had an inner strength, her hands didn't have the pressure to match. In truth, she wasn't doing much to relieve the tension in my shoulders.
Not that it mattered. This kind of fatigue doesn't really go away with a simple massage anyway. It needs a long rest- or a good workout.
And yet, I could feel the fatigue lt away. Her kindness, flowing through her fingertips, touched not just my body but my heart.
Her hands gradually slowed down... until eventually, they slid down my back.
Before I knew it, her arms wrapped around my neck, and her head rested on my shoulder.
I raised a hand and gently stroked her cheek, sharing in the warmth between us.
"Cayden," she whispered.
"...I'm truly happy. I've dread of a mont like this my whole life."
"To dream of a future with the one I love... to share warmth in peaceful, ordinary monts like this... I've always hoped for a relationship where just existing together gives strength."
"...Is that so?"
"I'd sowhat given up on it, to be honest. Political marriages don't always follow the heart, you know? But with you... I feel so happy we're together."
As I gently stroked her cheek again, I replied,
"...Sotis,
"...Tell what?"
feels surreal to too, Daisy. Did I ever tell you this?"
"That I knew about you even before you entered the academy."
"...What?"
"It's a little complicated to explain in detail, but even aside from the fact that I grew up at Hexter Orphanage... through a certain series of events, I beca aware of you."
"...You may not realize it, but I was drawn to your inner strength. When I handed you that flower during the joust-it wasn't so thoughtless gesture."
Daisy stayed silent for a long mont, then suddenly let out a playful laugh.
"...Wasn't it just because I was the most beautiful woman there?"
Caught off guard by her sharp jab, I blinked, scrambling for a reply.
"Uh... well... it was your inner beauty, and also, uh-outer..."
"Uh... well... it was your inner beauty, and also, uh-outer..."
"I'm kidding. I don't fuss over stuff like that."
"No, wait- that's not what I ant... Daisy."
After all, it was my job to make my wife happy every day. When we were alone, I could afford to say things that might make others envious.
"Daisy... Don't tell anyone else. But to ... you're the most beautiful woman in the world."
She tried to hide her reaction, but I could feel her arms tighten slightly around my neck.
"You don't know this, but I couldn't take my eyes off you on the day of the entrance ceremony."
She didn't answer.
I gently turned my head to read her expression, wanting to see whether she really didn't care, as she claid. But Daisy couldn't suppress the beautiful smile that crept across her face.
I laughed again at the sight.
After that little mont of laughter, I stroked her cheek once more, gently bringing our brief happiness to a close.
"Well then, Daisy, thanks for the massage."
"Ah, Cayden. Let's wrap up here for today. You should take a break-I think it's fine to rest now."
That offer instantly stole my heart. I started thinking I might use the leftover ti to relieve so of my stress with a workout. After all, my roots were as a knight-it felt the most natural
to .
Working up a sweat was how I cleared my mind, body, and soul.
"... Alright. Let's call it a day, then. I'm going to go stretch out a bit. Want to co with , Daisy?"
"No, I'll stay here."
"Why? Co on, let's go together."
I stroked Daisy's silky hair as her head still rested on my shoulder.
"...It's just..."
"...Hm?"
"... My heart's beating too fast."
"...Ah."
Another mont of silence passed between us.
This ti, it was Daisy who broke it.
"Alright, Cayden."
With that, she gently unwrapped her arms and stood up from her seat.
Just as I was about to rise from the chair too, sothing soft touched my cheek.
-Smooch.
Daisy had kissed .
"...Co back safe, my love. Have a good night."
She spoke with a tender smile.
After a brief mont to calm my fluttering heart, I stood up and faced her.
I placed a hand behind her neck, gently pulled her closer, and brushed our lips together softly as I whispered,
"See you tomorrow."
****
When I arrived at the training grounds, Judy was already there. Bathed in the crimson glow of the setting sun, she was swinging her sword.
I almost called out to her, happy to see her, but seeing how deeply focused she was, I decided to simply watch for a while.
It looked like she'd been training for so ti-her entire body was covered in sweat.
Slender but toned arms. A graceful neckline. Fleeting glimpses of defined abs. Strong thighs and firm hips.
All she was doing was training with a sword, and yet I couldn't tear my eyes away.
Eventually, it was Judy who noticed first.
"Cayden?"
She spotted and lowered her wooden sword.
Wiping the sweat from her face, she swept her damp hair back.
"...Are you done for the day?"
"More or less."
She gave a slow nod. Her expression was different from usual - there was a heaviness to it.
Co
think of it, maybe she was swinging that sword to deal with whatever was weighing on her.
Since we had similar upbringings, I could only view things from my own perspective-after all, knights like us release stress through sweat.
I approached her, trying to get a better read on her face.
Maybe she noticed my intent, because she turned away slightly.
And in that movent, I sensed it clearly-sothing was bothering her.
I debated whether to tease it out of her or ask seriously... In the end, I grabbed a wooden sword from the rack.
"Judy."
She turned at the sound of my voice, her eyes landing on the sword in my hand.
"How about a spar? It's been while."
Judy stared at in silence for a mont. Realizing only now what she'd been feeling, I felt a pang of guilt. Sure, I was busy preparing for the wedding-but that wasn't an excuse to
neglect her.
Eventually, Judy nodded and gripped her sword.
After sweating it out for a while, the two of us sat down on the edge of the training grounds.
Night had fallen, and we could no longer clearly see each other's faces.
That was for the best, in a way. It felt easier to open up when you had the cover of darkness to lean on.
"So?" I asked.
"...Hm?"
"What's got you in such a mood?"
"...What?"
"Don't try to hide it, Judy. I know sothing's been bothering you."
I kept my tone light, my head turned away so she wouldn't feel pressured.
She mumbled softly.
"...How do you always know?"
"Because we're alike. Just because we beca part of House ls doesn't an our pasts suddenly disappeared."
Still, Judy said nothing.
I grew more curious and decided to press a little.
"...What do you think of the ls territory, Judy?"
"...Here?"
"It's far from your hotown, right? Do you miss ho, or..."
"This is my ho now, Cayden."
"I don't miss my old ho. If anything... I can finally breathe here. feels like I've finally found a place I belong."
"Mm. Is that so?"
"Yeah. And... I'm by your side."
The natural affection in her words made want to tease her a bit.
"You've gotten bolder with your feelings lately, huh?"
"What can I not say to the only person on my side?"
But her serious tone left speechless.
Wanting to comfort her, I reached out and gently patted her shoulder.
"...You're not alone. Everyone in House ls is on your side now."
Still, she looked downcast. Worried, I scooted a little closer to her.
A soft, floral scent drifted from her.
I lowered my voice, asking her carefully.
"...Judy, what's really wrong?"
I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and tilted my head slightly to try and read her expression.
"If sothing's weighing you down, it weighs on too."
"...You're not just hosick without realizing it, are you? It happens, especially when you suddenly start living in a new place. If you want to visit House Ice, I'll co with you."
"... It's not that. I've been exchanging letters with my father."
"Then what is it? Don't tell ... are the twins giving you a hard ti?"
At that, Judy answered without hesitation.
"No. Absolutely not, Cayden."
""
"Especially after I brought you back from that forest... the twins have respected ever since."
Judy leaned her head against my neck. Then slowly, like she was confessing in a chapel, she began to open up.
"...Lately, I've been having a lot of bad thoughts."
"What kind of thoughts?"
"Thoughts I shouldn't have. I promised myself I wouldn't... but I keep wanting to break that promise."
The image of Keirsey from a few days ago flashed through my mind, prompting to ask,
"...Is it because of the wedding with Daisy?"
Her silence confird it.
I gently held Judy in my arms a little tighter and spoke with care.
"If you're upset about sothing, just tell . It's not like I'm only taking care of Daisy. I don't want to ignore your thoughts, either."
"......Haa."
She let out a long sigh.
"...I told myself I wouldn't be greedy... but I keep feeling greedy."
It was sothing I felt like I'd heard before - now coming from Judy too.
"I said I'd be satisfied just being a concubine, that I'd be fine as long as I could stay by your side... but I hate the idea of being overshadowed by Lady Daisy."
Her hand slipped weakly onto my thigh.
"I want to be the one you love most. Sotis, I'm scared I'll beco soone who doesn't matter to you. I'm falling behind in everything... and I'm afraid I'll fall behind in love, too."
"What are you talking about, Judy? There's no way you could ever be aningless to . That's impossible."
"...I know. But fear isn't sothing you can control with logic."
The more she spoke, the more worried I beca. Honestly, among the won in my life, I often felt that Judy was the most emotionally vulnerable.
It reminded a bit of Keirsey... except unlike Keirsey, Judy didn't have many people to lean on.
Maybe that's why these anxieties kept creeping in. She ca to House ls looking only at . If I couldn't be her reliable place of comfort, it was natural for her to feel uncertain.
In ti... she would find strength in the people of House ls, and she'd feel their warmth too.
But right now-so soon after arriving-it was probably inevitable for her to feel uneasy.
"I'll always be by your side, Judy."
She shook her head.
"You're busy with the wedding to Lady Daisy right now."
The way she said it—like it didn't matter-still sounded like a plea to . Almost as if she were saying:
"Can soone that busy even spare a thought for ?"
Usually, it was Judy who initiated kisses. She often surprised with them, as if it was second nature to her.
But this ti, given the mood...
- Smooch.
I gently pulled her away and kissed her on the cheek.
But Judy didn't react much.
"You do that all the ti with Lady Daisy, Lady Asena, and Lady Keirsey too..."
Trying to lighten the mood again, I joked,
"You're awfully cute with your jealousy today, you know?"
"I'm always like this."
My attempt crashed and burned again.
The worry was still etched on her face, as plain as day.
Feeling helpless, I finally asked,
"...What will it take for you to believe ?"
"Believe what?"
"That I'll love you no matter what happens. What do I have to do for you to believe that?"
Maybe sothing in her heart had finally softened - this ti, Judy responded with a playful quip, though her face was still serious.
"...You're being awfully sweet today, Cayden."
"I'll be like this every day."
""
And that sincere answer from left her speechless.
We sat there for a mont, letting the cold breeze brush against our sweat-damp skin... until Judy finally spoke again.
"...I'm cold, Cayden. So..."
She turned her head to look up at . After hesitating for a while, she said-
"...Hold ."
It was a strange request. I was already holding her.
But I knew-there was another aning behind those words.
Judy whispered in a trembling voice.
"...If you do that, I think I'll be able to believe you really love ."
At that point, her intent was crystal clear. You'd have to be dense not to understand what she ant.
"...Give your first ti, Cayden."
But-
But...
For reasons I couldn't quite na, I hesitated.
Was it because it was our first ti? Because I was worried? Or maybe... because I wanted to treat her preciously until the wedding?
Anyone would hesitate at the edge of an unfamiliar world they've never stepped into before.
Because I didn't respond, Judy spoke again - this ti with a line that straddled the line between teasing and serious.
"... Are you... impotent or sothing?"
At that, I burst out laughing.
Then I dusted myself off and stood up.
"...Co on, get up."
Even though she was the one who provoked , Judy dropped her head sheepishly.
Looking at her, I said gently,
"It's cold. Let's go inside."
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