GMWB 74

chapter 74

“Your pretty face got all messed up.”

Looking at her, Reto felt his heart ache.

Truthfully, he had been bothered that Clare had played around in the water.

Fortunately, Noah had scolded her properly, and Clare seemed genuinely remorseful. There didn’t seem to be any need for him to step in and warn her again.

Instead, he chose to give praise.

“You know how to reflect on your mistakes. Our little sister-in-law is truly remarkable.”

“Absolutely,” Asu added his praise.

“There are so many adults who never admit their mistakes. But our young lady has the courage to recognize her faults.”

It was something that not just anyone could do, Asu remarked.

Clare sniffled once and nodded.

“I’m a kid who can do that…”

Her voice was softer than usual, a little subdued, but the answer carried the same spirited energy she always had.

“Well, at least it’s not annoying if you can’t speak properly.”

Thanks to that, Noah’s heart eased considerably.

“Shall we get down now?”

“Mm-hmm.”

She snuggled a little closer.

Clare, being playful, burrowed deeper into Noah’s embrace.

Though there had been a little commotion earlier, the day had ended safely.

“Sis, sing me a lullaby.”

Clare, lying in bed, tapped Noah’s side with her hand. Unable to resist such a sweet request, Noah lay down beside her willingly.

“Pat my back.”

Noah slowly patted Clare’s back.

“What should I sing?”

“That one! The one with the uncle and aunt in the dream.”

Clare hugged her beloved knife-rabbit doll as she spoke. The child was ready to travel to dreamland.

“Then sleep well. Have sweet dreams.”

Noah greeted her before starting the lullaby.

“You too, sleep well.”

“You know I love our Clare the most in the world, right?”

“I like you the most too…”

After exchanging the awkwardly sweet confession and a kiss, Noah began to hum a soft melody.

The lyrics in the Imperial language described a baby gradually drifting off to sleep in a cradle.

Hush, hush, our baby.

No nightmare will ever come near you.

Hush, hush, our baby.

“Even in your dreams, we’ll be protecting you.”

After singing the lullaby about twice, she began to breathe in a slow, regular rhythm.

Noah carefully moved away and saw Clare asleep, her mouth slightly open.

She rose cautiously, not wanting to wake her.

“She’s asleep.”

Returning to the room, Reto was waiting for his wife, who had yet to sleep.

It was now Noah’s turn to rest in his arms.

“She fell asleep quickly today.”

“She cried earlier. Plus, after all the commotion, she must’ve been tired too.”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen her cry.”

“You might have to scold her in my place one day.”

“I just want to shower her with love…”

“If you do that, you’ll ruin her life.”

Noah collapsed onto the bed. As soon as she lay down, a soft moan escaped her.

“I need to change into pajamas first.”

“I’m too tired…”

Noah muttered, burying her face in the pillow.

Completely exhausted, she didn’t have the strength to even move a finger.

“Then just stay still.”

I’ll take care of it.

Reto removed Noah’s slippers, helped her into her pajamas, brushed her hair, and tucked her into bed.

Noah, quietly receiving his gentle care, looked at Reto lying beside her with fascination.

“I honestly thought you’d touch me.”

“Should I take off my clothes even now?”

“Let’s just sleep today.”

Noah wriggled into his arms under the blanket.

Amused by her unexpected cuteness, Reto let out a soft chuckle.

“You really take after your sister.”

How could they both be so adorable?

Reto held Noah tightly. The satisfying pressure of his chest made her smile, and she wrapped her arms around his waist.

“…I didn’t expect you to be this surprised.”

Reto relaxed his arms slightly and brushed her hair aside.

Noah, tickled by his hand across her eyes, slowly closed them. She felt she could fall asleep just like this.

But she didn’t want to.

“My parents did the same.”

When Noah had heard about Clare’s accident, she had thought of her late biological parents.

“……”

Reto shifted slightly, softly caressing Noah’s cheek with one hand. Her face felt unusually thin against his palm.

“Do you know what my parents said at the end?”

Noah spoke with her eyes closed.

“They said they wouldn’t die.”

But her parents did eventually pass away. And all that remained for Noah was baby Clare.

“If Clare dies, I really don’t think I can live.”

“That won’t happen.”

Reto could only offer ordinary words of comfort, but the sincerity behind them was genuine.

That was a huge comfort for Noah.

“Aren’t we, after all, the navy?”

It was their job to ensure that children, like Clare, could play pranks and be scolded without it being the saddest thing in the world.

That was how they maintained peace.

“You’re doing more than enough.”

Reto praised Noah, who had given her best all day.

“…It feels nice to be praised.”

Her wide blue eyes softened and curved gently.

Reto stared at her blankly for a moment, then, as if spellbound, peppered her face with kisses.

Overwhelmed by the continuous flurry of kisses, Noah finally laughed and surrendered.

“But, honey.”

Reto, planting a final kiss on her forehead, asked,

“Don’t I get any praise?”

Her whining tone carried a hint of hurt.

“I love Clare and think she’s cute too, but didn’t you show too much affection only to her today?”

Reto pouted, swaying his large frame playfully.

“I haven’t heard you say you love me lately either.”

“No, that’s not…”

“Yes, it is. Noah, you said it.”

Please, just say something.

The husband who knew how to reflect and learn was now actively expressing his love—but that made his lack of words a bit noticeable.

“We’re still newlyweds. Just looking at each other should make us feel hot.”

“……”

“Am I the only one who feels like that? Are you not interested in me now that we’re married? Are you just going to ignore me like a fish in a tank?”

Reto whined while sneaking a glance at Noah.

“……?”

Even after all that, no reaction.

By now, Reto felt a little scared.

“Is she mad?”

He had tried to get attention with his teasing, hoping Noah would pinch his bottom or pat him lightly, but she didn’t seem in the mood today.

“Well, that makes sense.”

She’d scolded Clare, been upset, and said she was tired, so it was understandable.

Just as he was about to back off,

“…No.”

A weak murmur reached his ears.

Curious, he lifted his upper body slightly and saw Noah clutching the hem of his shirt with one hand.

“It’s not like that…”

Reto blinked in surprise at her sudden explanation.

“You know me. My tone is stiff, and I seem cold. My expression isn’t exactly warm either. That’s why, when you first saw me, you said I looked so boring.”

Damn, he thought.

He quietly cursed his past self for speaking without recognizing the woman who would become his wife.

Then,

“…….”

He noticed the red hue in her ears.

“But I really like you. That’s why even when you made me sad, I quietly stayed by your side.”

Ah.

Noah was really tired.

And a person isn’t only drunk with alcohol—they can be exhausted enough to speak such heartfelt words.

Learning this, Reto took slow, deep breaths to calm himself, not wanting to reveal how his heart was racing.

“How can she look cute every single day?”

Hearing her “confession without confession,” he realized Noah had been bothered by his blunt tone and expression.

Yet, Reto fell for it all the more.

Even that indifferent face could convey so many emotions, and her carefully enunciated voice made him feel at ease.

Plus, he knew:

The shy smile she reserved just for him, her faintly trembling voice whenever she summoned the courage to tease him.

“……”

Reto let out a soft groan. Just thinking about it made his breath catch and blood rush.

“Breathing exercises are useless.”

He quickly admitted that his earlier restraint had been pointless and subtly lifted his upper body.

“Uh…”

As his arms unwound from around her back, a startled Noah tried to ask where he was going.

“…Huh?”

But only the first syllable came out, cut off.

“My bride.”

Reto rose, and in an instant, he was looking down at Noah.

His arms held her in place, while his legs trapped hers like bars.

“You can’t do this.”

Reto’s face, lecturing gently, was full of mock indignation.

“I was going to overlook it since you’re tired, but why are you tempting me like this?”

“What did I do…?”

Noah flinched.

In the dim light of the bedside lamp, her red eyes reflected fiercely.

Though soft as the moon in their curve, the will within them was formidable.

Feeling the serious tension, Noah quietly surrendered.

“We agreed to just sleep today, right?”

“I intended to…”

Reto pressed his forehead to hers, revealing his mischievous nature.

“Can’t be helped.”

“Hey, I said I’m tired…”

“Stay still, my love.”

His large hand began to slide down sneakily.

“I’ll take care of everything.”

Even in that, the gentle husband promised his wife:

“I’ll make sure you have the best morning.”

And with that promise, the soft glow of the bedside lamp—the only light in the darkness—went out.