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Chapter 37
I couldn’t immediately understand what it meant, and was stuck there helplessly, when Friedrich’s eyes grew slightly anxious and he suddenly leaned into my embrace.
Because of the difference in our builds, only his head and neck could barely fit against me, but he seemed satisfied with that nonetheless.
“Not necessarily right now…”
He mumbled, burying his face in my chest. I hesitated for a moment, then slowly stroked his head.
When I closed my eyes briefly from the unease and opened them again, the enormous body that seemed like it might crush me had vanished, replaced by a small boy.
It was already midnight.
Friedrich continued to press his face against me, and it was easy to guess that this was a mixture of embarrassment and self-consciousness.
“Friedrich Stade.”
I softly called out the name that had officially changed just yesterday. Friedrich hesitated before looking up at me.
Exactly as I expected, his emotions were like stars set in his brilliant eyes.
I gently held his cheeks and smiled warmly. Friedrich looked at me with a still-sad expression.
“Welcome to becoming Stade.”
I gently stroked his cheeks and asked,
“Shall we sleep now? You must be tired from today.”
Friedrich nodded with his head down, trying to lie on his side.
I turned him toward me and embraced him, and he stiffened with surprise at the sudden closeness.
“Shall we sleep like this? How about it?”
Friedrich looked at me blankly, and I smiled.
“Well, we got married today anyway.”
Friedrich nodded in a daze. We lay down together, holding each other.
Instead of a lullaby, I gently patted the child’s back, and soon I could hear his soft, even breathing.
Meanwhile, his face—the one he had shown when he suddenly became a child—kept replaying in my mind.
‘He has no one to rely on but me.’
At fifteen, he was suddenly cursed to become a child every night, and for five years he suffered harshly in prison.
By cruel twist of fate, he had barely escaped that prison after his country fell, and I had saved him from nearly dying.
Moreover, he had no one to lean on here but me. It’s only natural that he wants to stay close and not be abandoned.
His affection now is probably more about survival instinct than genuine emotion. Thinking that he’s even hiding his feelings to protect himself made me feel a deep sympathy.
‘He’ll change when he meets someone he truly likes.’
He’s young, and the situation he’s in could easily make him misinterpret his feelings.
Even if I corrected him now, his defenses would likely prevent him from admitting it.
‘Once he can live safely and comfortably without me, he’ll realize naturally.’
Now that I had become Rene, I would ensure that Friedrich—and everyone in the original story—would be happy.
I vowed to make it so and held the sleeping Friedrich close.
Suddenly, feeling cramped, I opened my eyes. At the same time, a huge body immediately filled my view.
‘…What the…?’
Some man was hugging me and burying his face in my chest.
I almost screamed, but then realized it was Friedrich from yesterday and quickly covered my mouth.
Right, I had comforted him and slept like that. But usually, one would shift positions if it got too cramped, right?
I seriously looked at Friedrich’s arms wrapped around my waist and his head still pressed against me.
…He’s not suffocating, right?
“Friedrich?”
When I called his name in a small voice, his grip on my waist suddenly tightened, and he sank further into my embrace.
Wait, he’s awake? I pulled him away in disbelief.
“You should answer if I call you. What’s with this bad manners?”
I teased him, and Friedrich finally pretended to wake up, lifting his head slightly.
Blinking drowsily, he looked almost like he was acting.
I squinted at him and asked,
“Honestly, when did you wake up?”
“…Just now.”
Seeing my skeptical expression, he drooped his eyebrows in a pitiful expression and quietly added, “It’s true.”
Well, what’s the point of arguing anyway.
“Aren’t you cramped? How about loosening your arms?”
When I nodded toward the arms around my waist, Friedrich slowly withdrew them. I clicked my tongue at him.
“My arms are going numb.”
“Not at all… ugh.”
Lying was useless. When I pressed his arms gently, a moan escaped his lips. I furrowed my brows and massaged his arms carefully.
“Ugh, it hurts…”
“Bear with it a little. Who told you to stay like that all night?”
“…I was afraid you’d leave.”
Friedrich murmured softly.
“Where would I go leaving a child behind? Don’t say things like that.”
Hearing that, Friedrich stared at me. When I returned his gaze, he smiled slightly. I flinched.
“…Don’t attack my face first thing in the morning.”
Feeling my heart sink, I let go of his arms. Friedrich pouted and rubbed them by himself.
I sighed and resumed massaging, and Friedrich’s expression finally relaxed.
But by now, shouldn’t the numbness have faded?
“Still numb?”
“Much better now.”
He occasionally frowned as he spoke. I massaged for a few more minutes.
“Thanks.”
“Let’s go eat breakfast.”
I replied casually and tried to get up, but Friedrich suddenly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back onto the bed.
Surprised, I looked at him, and he blinked in the same way.
…And you expect me not to be surprised too?
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah, I…”
Friedrich stammered.
“I’ll give you a massage.”
“Suddenly?”
“I did it for you yesterday too.”
He muttered that it was out of gratitude, holding my hand carefully. I was about to refuse, but…
‘S-so good!’
Unexpectedly, he had a talent for massage.
He ran his fingers delicately, pressing firmly to loosen all the knots in my muscles. I muttered in admiration.
“Wow… where did you learn to do this?”
“I’ve never learned… but do you like it?”
“Yes, it feels amazing. I would have regretted refusing.”
The fatigue from yesterday wasn’t going to disappear after just one night.
I couldn’t hide my satisfied smile as I enjoyed Friedrich’s massage.
“Anyone else who gets this would feel amazing too.”
“I’ve never done it for anyone else.”
I said it as a compliment, and Friedrich, who had been smiling, suddenly became serious.
“You’re the first. I don’t plan to do it for anyone else.”
“Oh… really? I guess it makes sense now that you’re my husband.”
I said something flustered, and Friedrich’s gaze wavered briefly.
Then he looked down again and continued massaging silently. I had no idea what he was thinking.
“You’re acting a little strange today.”
When I said it honestly, Friedrich murmured without meeting my eyes.
“I guess it’s because it’s the first day after we got married.”
…What does that even have to do with anything? If it were the day before the wedding, maybe, but…
I stared at him, trying to understand, but he avoided my gaze shyly.
That made me stubbornly ask,
“Aren’t you going to look at me?”
Friedrich froze, then slowly lifted his eyes to meet mine.
His violet eyes, which had looked red last night, now shone clear like amethyst.
I thought they were beautiful as I gazed at them.
Friedrich lifted my hand, still looking at me, and pressed his lips to it. Surprised, I stared at him.
“You…”
I was about to say something, but Friedrich smiled slightly and, to show off, kissed me once more.
…Didn’t I just say not to attack my face in the morning?
This was a fight I had no choice but to lose.
