EBUY 19

• Chapter  19………………………. –

Melina, who liked the warm and cozy feeling, unconsciously buried herself deeper into that embrace.

She wished she could stay like this forever and didn’t want to open her eyes.

Then, when the thing she was leaning against shifted, she had no choice but to slowly open her drowsy eyes.

“Mel, that tickles.”

From above her head came Cheroian’s drowsy voice and a faint laugh, and Melina quickly lifted her head.

“Ah.”

As she wondered why he was beside her, Melina let out a small exclamation as she remembered what happened last night.

“Did you sleep well?”

She smiled softly, liking the hand that gently stroked her hair and the tender gaze looking at her.

Whenever she killed someone, she would always suffer nightmares that night and couldn’t sleep properly—but last night, for the first time, she had slept peacefully.

It was probably because of this man.

The warmth of being held by him, the steady sense of support—it made her not want to leave his arms.

“You said it’s fine no matter what kind of person I am.”

Last night, she had barely held back tears at those words.

The guilt that had always pressed down on her melted away like snow from a single sentence. She had felt such deep relief that she wanted to cry out loud.

She had lived her entire life in tension. Every moment had been a desperate attempt to be recognized. But neither her father nor the Emperor had ever been satisfied.

Yet this man had said even that version of her was fine.

He had not condemned her. Not looked at her with contempt. That alone made her deeply grateful.

How could her heart not waver for a man who told her to trust him and promised not to disappoint her?

Melina buried herself into Cheroian’s chest and hugged him tightly.

“Do you want to sleep more?”

Though he was puzzled by her unusual behavior, he held her in return and gently stroked her back.

“Just a little… I want to stay like this a bit longer.”

At her unexpected answer, his eyes widened slightly, and the corners of his mouth slowly lifted.

“By all means.”

Cheroian kissed the top of Melina’s head. The two of them stayed like that for a while, sharing warmth in each other’s arms.

“Only Noelle and Ran know about what happened yesterday. The others think you’re resting with a cold.”

“I’m fine. I can move around without any problem.”

Her side wound stung more than expected when she walked, but it wasn’t to the point where she couldn’t move.

There was no need to lie in bed pretending to be sick.

“I don’t believe you when you say you’re fine anymore. You always say that, even when you’re hurt or sick.”

“It’s because I really am fine.”

She had never been one to show pain, but since being poisoned, she had become even more indifferent.

Maybe it was because the pain back then had been so extreme.

“My words don’t work on you. So today, you will rest and not move at all.”

“If I show I’m perfectly fine, it’ll make the Emperor furious. I’d rather not give him the satisfaction.”

“I can’t stand that either—but you are more important to me than the Emperor. So no more arguments. Rest.”

This man sometimes struck straight at her heart like this.

Melina lowered her head, trying to hide her flushed face.

“…Alright.”

At her obedient answer, Cheroian finally relaxed his tense expression.

“By the way, how did you explain things to Noelle?”

“I didn’t say much for now. He probably thinks I dealt with the assassins myself.”

“What should we do going forward?”

“Do as you wish. However, I would advise against revealing that you are the head of Temno.”

“I don’t want that either. But I’ll have to step in from time to time, and coming up with excuses every time is inconvenient.”

“That’s true.”

As Cheroian fell into thought, Melina carefully brought up something she had considered before.

“I’ve actually thought of a cover story for situations like this.”

“Speak.”

“What if I say I used to be a mercenary? That way, my skills wouldn’t be suspicious.”

“That doesn’t fit our love story, does it?”

“I could say I was sold off deliberately to save a child who was taken by a slave trader, and Yan only found out after rescuing me.”

Cheroian thought for a moment.

“And what if Noelle demands details?”

“There’s a Black Bear Guild in the York territory. It’s part of Temno—we could say I belonged there.”

“When did you prepare all this?”

“Since I’m hiding my identity, I never know what might happen. Thorough preparation is basic for Temno.”

Melina winked at Cheroian, and he let out a small laugh.

“Alright. I’ll tell Noelle that story.”

As Melina nodded and tried to get out of bed, Cheroian carefully supported her.

“I’ll call Ran. Get your wound disinfected and apply medicine.”

He pulled the bell cord, and Ran entered.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

Her face was expressionless as always, but concern lingered in her eyes.

“The wound on her side is quite deep. Take care of it properly.”

At Cheroian’s words, Ran’s expression darkened.

“I’m fine. It’s nothing. I’ll heal in a few days.”

“Again with that. I should just forbid the word ‘fine.’”

He scolded Melina with an unsatisfied look.

“Ran, you too—don’t take the Grand Duchess’s ‘I’m fine’ at face value. Mel seems to say it out of habit.”

“…No, that—”

“Yes, I understand.”

Melina, who had been about to protest at the absurd instruction, was left speechless when Ran immediately answered.

Satisfied with Ran’s reply, Cheroian smiled and carefully lifted Melina into his arms.

“Put me down. I can walk.”

Startled by his sudden action, Melina lightly tapped his chest.

“Today, try not to walk if possible. Just wash up, disinfect the wound, and I’ll come back with clothes for you.”

He set her down on a chair and whispered gently by her ear, making her ears burn warm.

Melina avoided his gaze and nodded quickly.

Seeing her reaction, Cheroian smiled quietly to himself before composing his expression and leaving the bedroom.

“My lord, I’m sorry. I should have stayed by her side. It was my failure.”

Ran knelt and bowed deeply.

“It’s not your fault. I was the one who ordered the investigation yesterday and withdrew the Black Wolf. I was careless.”

“No. I should have accounted for every possibility and prepared for it. Please punish me.”

Knowing her stubbornness, Melina let out a small sigh.

“Ran, that is an order. Stand up.”

“My lord…”

At the word “order,” Ran lifted her head, looking at Melina with a pained expression.

“I was the one who ordered you out. If you ask for punishment, you are pointing out my failure as the leader. Are you defying me?”

This was something she had learned over months with Ran.

The only thing that could move her in moments like this was the authority of a command from her leader.

Ran bit her lip, conflicted for a long moment, then stood.

“…Understood. I will ensure it never happens again.”

“Alright.”

As Ran rose, Melina’s expression softened.

“Were you able to identify the attackers?”

“They didn’t speak until the end. They weren’t from the Empire. We should search the Grand Duchy first. Check if outsiders have infiltrated.”

“Understood.”

“It’s likely they’re from the Harsen Empire. It’s the closest country and has many people crossing the border.”

No reports had come in about assassination requests targeting the Grand Duchess.

That meant they likely hired foreign assassins and added the target for the first time.

That message carrier was still suspicious.

Whoever the recipient was, they were likely well-informed and efficient in Harsen’s intelligence network.

“We will investigate that side as well. El has created a tracking device, so I’ll pass it to Shan.”

“Good. While I’m here, the Emperor may use the message carrier again…”

Since she had not died, the Emperor might order another attempt.

Meeting assassins again was undesirable—but if it meant uncovering the sender, it was a risk worth taking.

“If not, I will find another way.”

At Ran’s words, Melina nodded.

After she finished disinfecting and changing, Cheroian returned. Noelle and attendants followed, bringing breakfast.

“Your Highness, you must have been very shocked yesterday.”

Noelle asked worriedly. Cheroian subtly signaled to Melina.

It meant they had explained everything as agreed.

“I’m fine. I already knew the situation, so I wasn’t that surprised.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through something like that.”

Noelle bowed deeply.

“It’s not your fault. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m truly grateful that you understand His Highness’s situation and remain so composed even after such an incident.”

Tears welled in Noelle’s eyes.

“Ever since Your Highness declared you would remain single, my heart has been so pained. To think you’ve met someone so wonderful—my prayers were not in vain.”

Overcome with emotion, Noelle wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.

“Noelle.”

Cheroian called him gently, his expression filled with both gratitude and apology.

“No matter what happens, I will not leave Yan. You may rest easy now.”

Though she spoke to Noelle, her gaze was on Cheroian.

She wanted to convey her true feelings from last night as well.

As if understanding, his silver-gray eyes deepened and rippled.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I, Noelle, will serve you with lifelong loyalty.”

Noelle bowed deeply.

“Thank you.”

Melina smiled softly.

“Noelle, the food will get cold.”

Cheroian, who had been watching warmly, stepped in.

“Oh, my apologies! Please eat. I’ll reheat anything that has cooled.”

“No need. It hasn’t been that long.”

“Our Grand Duchess is truly generous.”

Before she knew it, Melina had become “our Grand Duchess,” and she smiled warmly, feeling a quiet affection.

After Noelle and the attendants left, the two of them ate in peace.

“It’s rare to hear Noelle call you ‘our Highness.’ Impressive.”

It wasn’t sarcasm, but genuine admiration. He seemed pleased that Melina had earned Noelle’s trust.

“That’s because Noelle is a good person. It must not have been easy for him to accept me, a commoner.”

“Noelle is a good man, but there is no servant in this grand estate who would treat my wife carelessly.”

The words “my wife” made her chest feel strangely warm.

“I know.”

Not only Noelle, but all the servants treated her respectfully and kindly.

“Noelle should be grateful to you. Even as a prince, I have no real power, and no woman would willingly marry someone constantly threatened by assassination. Especially after something like yesterday.”

He was objectively assessing his situation, but Melina sensed pain in his voice.

So she answered brightly on purpose.

“Oh my, now that you mention it. No money or power interest me, and I can handle assassins just fine. I don’t even get scared when my life is threatened. Where would you ever find a wife like that?”

She lifted her chin playfully.

Cheroian, who had been listening quietly, burst out laughing.

“You should be grateful to me. Where else would you find a woman like me? I’m the one who saved you.”

“…Yes. You did save me.”

Her playful tone had been light, but his quiet sincerity made her blink in surprise.

“Thank you.”

Cheroian gently took her hand. Through his touch, his deep sincerity was conveyed.