Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

That day, we took an inn.

Half because the sun had gone down and traveling by carriage on the road at night was dangerous, and half because we wanted a little more time alone together.

It was an inn along a highway a little way outside the city, with few people around. A cottage quietly standing in the woods.

For each party of guests, one building was rented out entirely, and until tomorrow morning's breakfast, no one would disturb us.

It was a quiet night. It felt as though we had been cut off from the world.

We sat side by side on a simple couch, absentmindedly gazing at the moonlight spilling in through the window.

Spring nights in Dilz were freezing.

There was a small stone fireplace inside the room.

Lord Cyrus would occasionally peek into the fireplace and adjust the fire so it wouldn't go out. Watching his back as he bent over and curled in on himself filled me with a fierce, overwhelming tenderness.

The fire cast a faint shadow on the walls, and the light and shadow swayed back and forth. The only sound in the room was the crackling of burning wood.

Unlike the always-busy Granado Castle, this was a quiet space. Even though we stayed silent for a long time, I didn't feel the slightest awkwardness. Being alone with him in such a lovely place made my heart flutter.

Far away outside, I could hear the calls of birds that lived in the night. The sound of the wind shaking the trees, the sound of flowers falling... When Lord Cyrus returned to my side and sat down, he placed a hand on my shoulder the moment he did, then gave me a light kiss before pulling me into his chest.

"Since this was so sudden, I'm sorry I could only find a place like this for us to stay."

I shook my head.

"No. I think it's a very wonderful room. It feels like a world that belongs only to you and me... It's a little lonely, though."

"Next time, let's bring our daughter and the attendants too. We can pack lunches and all spend time together."

"Yes. That sounds wonderful."

Lord Cyrus gently took my hand. We kissed again and enjoyed our wordless conversation.

His body heat, his breathing, his hand sliding over my skin—everything about him gave me peace. How dearly he cherished me. That warmth seeped deep into my heart along with the light of the fire.

After drifting in and out of sleep a few times, I realized that bright light was filtering through the window. Dawn had begun.

"Marie, aren't you getting hungry by now?"

At Lord Cyrus's question, I nodded, and he got out of bed.

While I was putting on my clothes, he lit the fire, heated up the ingredients the inn had prepared the night before, and started cooking.

He made a sandwich of slightly hard bread, melted cheese, and ham. And there was corn soup, with white steam billowing from it.

"Ow ow..."

When I struggled with the bread, Lord Cyrus took it from me and tore it into bite-sized pieces. The melted cheese held everything together. When I bit in, the savory scent of ham and cheese and the simple flavor spread through my mouth.

"It's delicious."

When I said that, Lord Cyrus smiled gently.

"We don't often get a chance to eat things like this at Granado Castle. Or to spend time like this alone together."

I nodded. It had really been how long? Since we'd last spent time together like this, as if we were a young couple whose first love had just come true.

Still holding my bread, I tilted my head to the side. Just doing that made my ear touch Lord Cyrus's shoulder. I was so happy to be this close.

"...I'm happy."

"You don't want to go back to the castle?"

At that question, I almost nodded, then quickly shook my head.

"Lisa is waiting for us. And Mio, Lord Ryuu-Ryuu, and everyone at the castle too. I'd only be lonely if we stayed away for days."

"...That's true. I feel the same."

Lord Cyrus nodded.

"Even when I'm away for days on trade business, the reason I can keep working happily is because I know my family is living happily at home during that time. Because I know you'll be there whenever I return. Because I believe there's nothing I could lose..."