Chapter 15 ◆◆ The Dream I Saw and My Adorable Wife’s Past Life

♡♡♡

 

“W-who…”

Shitoen shrank her body tightly and muttered.

The man who saw her like that smiled happily and approached Shitoen.

The white smoke that was wrapping around her as she backed away slowly while sitting on the floor vanished, and her vision rapidly cleared.

“Princess Shitoen!!”

Raul sensed the situation and ran over.

“Ah… if it goes that way, it’s no good. Especially with Winter Bear-kun not here.”

The man muttered regretfully.

The man still surrounded by the white smoke waved his hand like a child.

“See you.”

Then he slipped toward the side where the white smoke was still thick — and disappeared.

Raul came over to Shitoen as if replacing him.

“Princess Shitoen, you’re safe! Th-that… Captain!”

It was the first time Shitoen heard the usually calm and composed Raul’s agitated voice.

As Raul knelt down as if stumbling, a strange splashing sound like water was heard, and Shitoen turned around as if pushed.

There lay Saryu collapsed.

“Captain! Captain!”

Raul called out with a pale face, but Saryu’s eyes remained closed.

“Leg…”

Blood flowed endlessly from Saryu’s left thigh, wetting the floor.

When Raul shook him to wake him up, even more blood leaked out with the movement.

“Don’t move him!”

Raul stopped moving at Shitoen’s shout.

Pushing him aside, Shitoen kneeled next to Saryu and pressed tightly around the wound on his left thigh.

“Prince Saryu, Prince Saryu!”

She called his name repeatedly, but his eyelids neither trembled nor opened.

His usually cheerful face showed no expression, and his slightly open lips did not shyly call her name.

His strong arms and legs lay limply on the floor like a puppet with cut strings.

Shitoen’s hand pressing the wound gradually became wet and stained deep crimson.

(The pressure on the wound isn’t effective…)

Shitoen strained her eyes but it was night to begin with.

There was no light here to illuminate her hands.

“Captain! Captain…”

Before she knew it, Raul was holding Saryu’s hand across from her, desperately calling out.

Beside him, Leonias sat speechless, and worried Yuria gently stroked his back.

“Find the chancellor! Chase after the intruder!”

The angry voice of Crown Prince Arios echoed.

Perhaps informed by Monet and Roze, his bodyguard knights entered the room, and some ran out after receiving orders.

The chancellor was not in the ransacked room.

More than that, the man who was restrained had disappeared.

And that mysterious man as well.

Shitoen gently spoke to Saryu, whose eyes were still closed.

“It’s okay, Prince Saryu. I will protect your life no matter what.”

She firmly told herself the same and decisively raised her face.

“Sir Raul… Sir Raul!”

“Huh…!? Eh…”

Raul shook as if punched and looked dumbfounded at Shitoen.

“Don’t make that face! Prince Saryu will absolutely, absolutely, absolutely be okay.”

Each time Shitoen repeated “absolutely,” life returned to Raul’s face.

“…That’s right. The Winter Bear of Tidros wouldn’t die from something like this!”

Raul said firmly, and Shitoen smiled and nodded.

“Please tie something like a cord tightly around Prince Saryu’s left leg at the root. The bleeding won’t stop.”

“Understood.”

Raul quickly untied the cord attached to his sword and wrapped it around Saryu’s left leg.

“The groin… uh, a little higher. Right at the base of the leg.”

“Here?”

“Yes. Tighten it there.”

Despite his hands being stained with blood, Raul accurately performed the hemostatic procedure as instructed by Shitoen.

Thanks to that, the bleeding from the wound Shitoen was pressing greatly reduced.

(…With this amount of bleeding, we need to proceed to the next treatment quickly.)

Shitoen thought further and gave Raul another instruction.

“Thank you. Also, the lighting… Could you bring lots of lights somehow?”

“Light? Would candles or lanterns be okay?”

“Anything is fine. With this level of brightness, we can’t see Prince Saryu’s wound. We want to press the blood vessels precisely.”

“Then a projector… that one has a reflector so it’s bright. I’ll bring it! I’ll take others who are free with me.”

“Yes!”

Despite wavering, Raul stood and ran out with the knights.

“Crown Prince Leonias, I have a request.”

“Of course.”

Leonias, who was stunned earlier, seemed to have switched his mindset. His complexion was still poor, but the man who always wielded command in the office had returned.

“Please urgently call the royal medical team. I want their help with the treatment.”

“Understood.”

Yuria, leaning forward, asked Shitoen as she watched her husband run out.

“What should I do!?”

“Yuria-sama, please go to the kitchen and bring heated charcoal and fire chopsticks. Hot iron chopsticks will be used to stop the bleeding. Anything like a pointed iron rod is fine. Also, please tell everyone in the kitchen to bring large amounts of boiled hot water. Towels would be appreciated too.”

“Got it!”

Yuria grabbed her skirt and clicked her heels as she ran.

Shitoen looked up at the sound of someone entering in their absence.

“I brought many bodyguard knights! …Prince Saryu!?”

“Monet-san, Roze-chan, this is an emergency.”

Roze rushed over with heavy footsteps and grabbed Saryu, turning pale.

“Prince Saryu! What’s wrong!? The blood…!”

“Princess Shitoen, are you hurt!?”

Monet quickly approached.

Kneeling next to Shitoen, she peered at her face to check.

“You’re covered in blood… but is there a wound anywhere…?”

“I’m fine, no injury. The intruder disappeared, but Prince Saryu is in critical condition. I’m going to start treating the wound now… Could you please help me?”

“Of course. Roze, step back.”

Roze, who was shedding endless tears and still holding Saryu’s hand, was made to stand but shook her head fiercely and wouldn’t listen.

Monet’s second call to “Roze” was drowned out by rough footsteps.

“Princess Shitoen! Are you okay!?”

The first to approach was a young doctor who had been eagerly questioning Shitoen at a recent meeting.

Behind him came a chubby doctor, breathing heavily.

“The two of us are on palace duty today. The others are being summoned on Crown Prince Leonias’ call.”

While saying that, the young doctor quickly opened his medical bag.

“What should I do? Please give instructions.”

“Thank you. Could you please press the wound with gauze instead of me?”

The young doctor pulled all the cotton cloth he could find from the bag and knelt beside Shitoen.

“The wound is here. When I let go, press it immediately.”

The young doctor nodded, and at the signal, Shitoen and he swapped pressing the wound.

When Shitoen stood, the chubby doctor handed a towel. She accepted it with a small bow and wiped the blood, looking at Monet.

“Monet-san. I will start treating the wound now. He’s unconscious now, but pain might wake him up. So please hold Prince Saryu down during the treatment.”

“Understood.”

“Roze-chan.”

When Shitoen called, Roze shuddered visibly with teary eyes.

She probably thought she was being told to step away. She sat down with her butt on the floor, still holding Saryu’s hand, and looked up at Shitoen like a frightened child.

“Roze-chan, I want to ask you something too. Do you know how to check a pulse?”

Shitoen bent down gently and asked Roze.

“Pulse? On the wrist?”

“Yeah. Have you ever measured it?”

“If it’s just for fun… yeah.”

Shitoen nodded encouragingly at Roze, who was sniffling.

“Then watch Prince Saryu’s pulse. If it gets weaker or irregular, please tell me.”

“O-okay.”

“The projector’s ready!”

Raul entered with several knights, each carrying a lamp-like device with reflectors, lanterns, or oil lamps.

While Shitoen gave instructions to set the lights, Yuria brought hot water, fire chopsticks, and a brazier, accompanied by attendants.

“We’re boiling water steadily in the garden. If you need more, just say so anytime. I’ll get some right away.”

Yuria wiped sweat from her brow as she spoke.

Shitoen thanked her and immediately washed her hands in a basin full of hot water.

“What will you do with this?”

The chubby doctor asked suspiciously. The young doctor looked similarly.

They were watching the brazier with glowing charcoal and the fire chopsticks stuck in it. Shitoen looked back and forth at them.

“I will seal the wound.”

“Then shouldn’t it be oil?”

“No. I won’t use hot oil. This will be more precise.”

Normally, in massive bleeding, hot oil is poured into the wound to seal it.

While it does stop bleeding, most patients die from shock caused by burns or infections from the burns.

Stitching the wound is possible, but with this much bleeding, stopping it quickly is paramount.

(Ideally, I’d treat this with a laser scalpel…)

Shitoen picked up the fire chopsticks stuck in the brazier and grimaced at their thickness.

“What about these? Their tips are thinner.”

Noticing Shitoen’s hesitation, Yuria offered metal skewers used in cooking.

But even these weren’t quite enough. They felt slightly unstable in hand.

(Still… better than the fire chopsticks.)

Just as Shitoen steeled herself to stop the bleeding, Roze shouted, “Ah!”

“Sis! My knife!”

Monet quickly approached and removed the holder attached to Roze’s leather belt.

“Princess Shitoen, how about this?”

Monet offered a knife sharper than an ice pick.

“It’s a weapon for close combat, used to stab through gaps in protectors…”

“Let’s use this.”

Shitoen nodded, and the chubby doctor handed her disinfectant.

“I’ll prepare. When I give the signal, please remove the gauze, tear the clothing, and wash the wound. After checking the bleeding site, I’ll quickly cauterize it.”

The young and chubby doctors nodded tensely at this new treatment method.

“Place the brazier by Prince Saryu’s side. Please heat this knife and also the metal skewer.”

“Understood.”

The attendants quickly prepared everything.

Shitoen looked at the knights under Saryu’s command.

They all held lights high and kept encouraging him with their voices—some teary, some tender. All sounded like prayers for him.

(The brightness is sufficient.)

Shitoen sat beside the young doctor pressing the wound and peered at Saryu’s face, whose eyes were still closed.

“Prince Saryu, not just me but everyone is calling you. Please come back soon.”

After speaking, she gently kissed his cheek.

Then, resolutely, she got up and declared, “I will begin treatment.”

 

◇◆◇◆

 

I had assumed there was a mirror right in front of me.

“…Huh?”

Even though I opened my mouth to speak, the me in front of me had a completely different expression.

Smiling awkwardly, tilting his head slightly to the right, I looked at his clothes and remembered.

He was the man from that dream.

“You…”

The man smiled gently and slowly reached toward me.

The moment his hand touched me, as if becoming a catalyst, intense sadness, pain, and a bitterness akin to despair spread…

“No! I’m not you!”

I instinctively shook his hand off and shouted.

“You wanna be me or whatever, but I’m not you!”

He didn’t look away from me.

The more I looked, the more he resembled myself.

“And Shitoen’s no different. She’s not the woman you loved.”

The woman in a white coat I’d seen in the dream.

Somehow, a woman I mistook for Shitoen.

“You liked that woman in white, right? You wished she’d live, even at the cost of your own life, didn’t you? I get it. Anyone who’s ever loved someone feels the same. But the Shitoen I adore is different from the woman you loved.”

I said firmly and kept talking to the silent man.

“Shitoen Barimore, that girl is smart but somehow helpless… Even though it would make sense to ignore the guy who hurt her, she’s so kind-hearted she helps him out. She’s mature but also acts like a kid excited by sweets or horses… With those beautiful purple eyes and soft silver hair, she’s my precious wife.”

I stared directly into the man’s eyes and declared it without looking away.

“I won’t leave Shitoen’s side. No matter what, absolutely not. I won’t die before her or let her be sad. I’ll protect Shitoen with these hands and live forever. Forever.”

Saying it all in one breath, the man seemed to smile faintly.

Then, he reached out to me again.

I leaned back instinctively, but he chuckled and snapped his fingers right in front of my eyes.

 

◇◆◇◆

 

When I woke up.

I exhaled heavily with full-body fatigue.

What’s this? My entire body feels like sinking into a muddy swamp, unable to move.

On top of that, my eyelids are heavy.

After blinking a few times and groaning, the one who came close was Raul.

“Captain…! Princess Shitoen, the Captain!”

Raul and I have known each other since we were little, but the first time I saw him cry was the day before his engagement to Shitoen.

He cried thinking, ‘Now I can finally get a wife,’ but now he was sobbing like never before.

Plus, he had a runny nose. Raul, your nose is running bad…

“You… are filthy.”

I said that and then my memories became fuzzy again.

 

The next time I woke up, it was because of weight.

My stomach felt heavy—something was on top of it…

Opening my eyes slowly, Roze was clinging to my stomach, crying.

I smirked bitterly and thought, I’m not dead yet, when I caught a glimpse of Monet hugging Shitoen and comforting her.

“Uraah! Snow Leopard, you…!”

I shouted, “No slacking off or letting down your guard!” then blacked out.

When I woke up again, my mother was beside me.

She had a face like, “Is this really you?”

“You’re alive!”

She shouted and hugged me tightly… but then—

Her knee dug roughly into my scar…!

“Gyaaaaaaaah!!!!”

Sudden sharp pain shot through me, I screamed and lost consciousness.

 

I kept waking up and passing out multiple times in short intervals, but the time I spent awake gradually increased.

It wasn’t until eleven days after I collapsed that I could fully wake during the day and sleep at night.

Around the seventh day, Shitoen had been gradually raising my pillow—something I found strange.

Apparently, if you suddenly sit up after lying down for a long time, you can get cerebral anemia, so you raise it slowly in stages.

Now that I think about it, I jumped up the moment I saw Monet hugging Shitoen… That blackout was probably from that.

Right after I could wake steadily, I got winded just going to the bathroom, but now I’m fine.

I don’t feel much discomfort. Though I wouldn’t be able to suddenly sprint if told to.

Shitoen was worried about the range of motion in my injured left leg, but there’s no problem. I can feel it, and it moves properly as I want.

I want to eat meat soon, but so far only easily digestible foods are served.

I’m frustrated eating mostly mushy stuff.

I want to chew. Just to chew.

I’ve found myself clenching my teeth sometimes, and Raul joked, “Want some cow bone to chew on?” Am I a dog or what?

 

“Crown Prince Arios and Miss Meil have safely returned to the country.”

By the time my eldest brother gave me reports about official affairs, I was recovered enough to sit in bed and eat by myself.

“Arios wants to apologize to Saryu again.”

“No thanks.”

I waved my hand dismissively.

They’re always trouble when they visit.

When I bent my knee, it felt a little stiff.

The scar—or rather, the burn mark—is feeling a bit tight. It doesn’t hurt much, but Shitoen gets depressed when she sees my burn, so I try not to show it.

I smiled lightly at the worried Shitoen sitting across from me, pretending to be casual, and then I suddenly realized.

“Hmm? So the mastermind behind the incident was really the chancellor?”

“I heard that from Crown Prince Arios. Everything started with the Luminous Kingdom’s chancellor. He caused great trouble for Tidros Kingdom and, in King Noie’s name, promised a formal investigation report later.”

“King Noie must have a hard time, huh.”

“Luminous Kingdom depends on the Tania Kingdom for mineral resources. The chancellor wanted closer ties and got Shitoen engaged to someone with the dragon crest. Apparently, the engagement was broken off, and that was the cause, according to Arios.”

My eldest brother snorted.

“After Shitoen married us, we made a unique contract with Tania regarding mineral resources, and transportation is by sea now. It passes Luminous via land but avoids paying extra tariffs. That must anger Luminous, surely.”

“So that’s why they targeted Shitoen?”

I furrowed my brows, and my eldest brother chuckled.

“They probably didn’t want stronger ties between Tania and Tidros. If Shitoen vanished, not only would ties weaken, Tania might blame Tidros for Shitoen’s death, worsening relations. Tania’s king dotes on Shitoen completely.”

But he continued.

“Still, it’s really just collateral damage.”

“Yeah, I figured.”

I nodded quickly.

“They also wanted to get rid of that troublesome Meil at the same time, but everything failed once the plot was exposed.”

“What happened to the chancellor?”

Well… he’ll probably face execution if alive.

“Arios gave an order to arrest him immediately and asked for emergency deployments from home, so we thought he’d be caught soon…”

“He escaped?”

“Found dead — not inside our country, but near the Luminous Kingdom’s border.”

“Suicide? Murder?”

“Don’t know the details, but likely murder. That’s their country’s problem. We receive reports and an apology and secured an advantage over Luminous. That’s it. Is that acceptable, Saryu and Shitoen?”

My eldest brother looked between me and Shitoen.

I exhaled softly.

The chancellor had targeted Shitoen’s life.

Now that chancellor is dead, is there anyone still targeting Shitoen?

“Brother. I believe the chancellor instructed some group to assassinate Shitoen. Do we know who they are?”

My eldest brother shook his head.

“No idea. But the one who ordered them is dead. Would they act anymore?”

I was silent when asked.

Before, I asked Monet why the assassins targeted Shitoen.

She replied, ‘I don’t know,’ and said, ‘Orders from the head are absolute. As long as we’re in the organization, none of it’s on us.’

If they really just followed the chancellor’s orders, the assassination plan stops here.

But if the real reason is tied to the dragon crest, and the head of the assassins knew that…?

I don’t know why, but I can’t stop worrying about the man who slashed me.

“I… truly have conflicting feelings. Prince Saryu was close to death for a while,” Shitoen said, unusually angry, snapping me back to reality.

I looked at her, thinking she was mad, but she lowered her shoulders sadly.

“I’ll follow whatever decision everyone makes… but personally, I might distance myself from Luminous going forward…”

My eldest brother and I exchanged glances and told her, “That’s totally fine.”

Shitoen has been too kind so far. She’s faced danger many times.

It’s fine if she wants distance. In fact, it’s safer if she keeps her distance. Going forward too.

I squeezed Shitoen’s hand back. She looked up at me, and I gave a wide smile.

“It’s fine. Do whatever you feel.”

“Prince Saryu…”

She relaxed but still looked like she might cry, so I panicked.

“Don’t stay too long—it might hurt your wounds. I’ll leave now.”

My eldest brother stood up.

Shitoen sniffed, rubbed her eyes, stood, and bowed politely.

“Thank you. Please give my regards to Lady Yuria.”

“Ah! I almost forgot.”

My eldest brother took a paper bag from the back of his chair and handed it to Shitoen.

“Yuria left this. Open it later.”

“Thank you…”

Shitoen took it shyly, and my eldest brother nodded slightly then left the room.

As the door shut, multiple footsteps and soft talking sounded outside.

Hearing them fade, I felt sorry he came here during work. I need to recover soon to visit him.

“Prince Saryu, shall I give you some fluids?”

Shitoen set the paper bag next to the bed, stood up, and began pouring water into a glass.

But this stuff tastes awful…

I’ve been made to drink it since waking up; it’s hard to tell if it’s sweet or salty… I almost spit it out.

I told Shitoen I’d prefer regular water, but she said this is better, something about osmotic pressure.

After so much blood loss, they especially avoid giving water directly.

When told with teary eyes, “Please drink this,” you don’t really have a choice.

I thought warming it might help, so I had Raul warm it, but it was still gross… Now I just feel nothing and drink the required amount.

“Sorry, just a little.”

I swallowed the water handed to me without thinking, and Shitoen placed her fingers on my wrist that was not holding the glass.

She was checking my pulse but glanced briefly at her own bare wrist.

“Shitoen.”

“Yes?”

“When you check the pulse, you look at the wrist because…”

“Ah… habit.”

“Are you looking at a small clock?”

Shitoen, who was smirking, suddenly widened her eyes in surprise.

“After the ball, I wanted to confirm with you. About the dragon crest and the dreams too.”

“Dreams…? The nightmares you’d been having recently?”

Shitoen’s expression stiffened.

“Yeah. They were really weird worlds…”

I described the dream’s “huge hospital-like building,” “building materials I’d never seen,” and “an abundance of glass windows.”

“There was a woman with black hair and eyes there, but for some reason I could only think of her as Shitoen… Next to her was a man who looked just like me. Considering the closeness and relationship, I wondered if that was Shitoen’s past life and that guy…”

Shitoen gasped and somehow let go of my hand.

So I kept going, idly fiddling with the now-empty cup with both hands.

“Before the dreams started, I’d been dragged into some weird thoughts…”

“Weird thoughts?”

Finally, Shitoen spoke in a dry voice.

“Since I met you, I liked you. Since then, I thought I’d definitely protect you. Of course. But gradually it became ‘I have to protect you no matter what,’ ‘even at the cost of my life,’ and eventually I told Vandel and Raul, ‘If I die protecting you, take care of the rest.'”

“Ehh?!”

Speechless Shitoen made me scratch my head.

“Raul hit me with his ledger, and Vandel punched me. That’s when I realized something was wrong. Doing that wouldn’t make you happy. But I couldn’t stop those thoughts—weird like, wanting you to always be by my side, protect you, have to protect you no matter what.”

I took a breath and decided to tell Shitoen what I’d been thinking lately.

“When did I start thinking like this? I looked back and… well, it’s kinda hard to say…”

“What is it!?”

Shitoen leaned forward, so I hesitated, then steeled myself and looked at her.

“I think it’s been since I kissed the dragon crest…”

Shitoen looked dazed at first but flushed fiercely red seconds later as if steam was bursting out of her head.

“No, sorry!! But… but! Since I did something like that with you and kissed the dragon crest, I started feeling strange… And then I even started seeing those dreams…”

I didn’t know how to reply and flustered.

Shitoen covered her reddened cheeks with both hands and looked down, then took a deep breath and looked up.

I thought she’d yell, “It’s a misunderstanding!” or “What are you thinking?!”

But instead she said…

“Maybe… there is a connection.”

Still flushed, Shitoen nodded.

“The dragon crest is part of our culture and mostly kept secret… I’m truly grateful for the Tidros royal family’s consideration. I should have told you earlier about the dragon crest. Sorry.”

She lowered her eyes with regret, so I waved my hand with the cup in one hand, “No way!”

“Even mentioning its shape is taboo. Being cautious is natural.”

“But I trusted only trustworthy people. I was too dependent.”

Saying this, Shitoen put her hands on her knees and stared straight at me.

“I think I told you before I have memories of my past life.”

“Ah. You said you were a doctor… right?”

“Those who carry the dragon crest also hold memories of their past lives.”

Now it was my turn to look dumbfounded at Shitoen.

“A-are… all of them like that?”

When I finally asked, Shitoen gave a bitter smile.

“There are very few people who even carry the dragon crest. Nowadays… only me and maybe one other are alive. There was another a few years ago but died from illness.”

“I see…”

Nobody else can see it, so it’s impossible to identify who carries it.

“The Black Dragon involved in founding the country is said to connect the other world and the Tania Kingdom, so reincarnated people are sometimes born in the Tania Kingdom.”

“For what purpose?”

“For Tania’s prosperity. For example, if a person reincarnates from a world with science more advanced than Tania, their knowledge and skills are very helpful. My medical knowledge is like that, and long ago it was irrigation and mineral resource usage.”

I involuntarily breathed out.

Raul’s professor told him similar things.

“Those who carry the dragon crest serve all their lives for Tania’s prosperity… So did Shitoen use medical knowledge in Tania before marrying?”

When I asked, Shitoen laughed awkwardly and shook her head.

“I ate a peach at sixteen and had an anaphylactic shock… it didn’t suit me and triggered my past life memories. The high priest noticed and gave me the dragon crest, but before that, Tania had given me special consideration. I was ordered to serve the country—to maintain the relationship between Luminous and Tania then, and now strengthen ties between Tidros and Tania through marriage to protect Tania.”

So medical knowledge was probably a byproduct.

Or maybe it was part of Tania’s plan.

“I’ve only heard legends, but among those who carry the dragon crest…”

Shitoen’s gaze wandered as if searching for words.

I quietly waited for her to continue.

“Very rarely, one can share memories with others.”

“Share memories?”

Frowning in confusion, Shitoen gave an example.

“In my past life, there was a facility called a sauna.”

“Sauna?”

“Yes. A tiny room heated by steam created by pouring water on heated stones or various methods. People enter to warm their bodies, and forced perspiration bathing is said to rejuvenate body and mind, so it’s very popular.”

Imagining it crudely feels like torture.

But the scenes I saw in Shitoen’s past life dream were unimaginable—maybe the sauna was like that too.

“If I shared the memory of that sauna with you, Prince Saryu, you could get detailed info on a facility that didn’t previously exist and perhaps build a sauna in Tidros.”

“Can you build one, Shitoen?”

“No way!”

Surprised, Shitoen’s voice pitched high. That voice is cute.

“But if I consciously share sauna knowledge with you, and you judge it could help Tidros prosper, many would follow your lead, and it might become a reality.”

I realized it’s hard to share past life info by words alone even if Shitoen only has it.

But what if “sharing memories” means showing them in dreams?

Depending on the content, it might quickly lead to national prosperity.

“I do have medical knowledge, but some treatments aren’t effective here because of a lack of tools. And making tools is difficult if you can’t share images with the maker. I’m talking with the royal medical team about making intravenous devices now, and I realize that. Did they appear in your dreams? Devices connecting a needle and tube to your body to drip fluids…”

“I think so. Tubes spread from the body, connected to a box with blinking lights.”

“That’s an automatic infusion device. We can’t make such advanced tech here though…”

Shitoen sighed.

“Could it be I have that power and have influenced you? Sorry, I didn’t notice.”

She looked down again sadly, so I shook my head vigorously.

“That’s natural. I’m probably the only one in the world who could kiss your dragon crest!”

When I said it’s only natural she wouldn’t notice, Shitoen blushed deeply again and looked away.

Sorry, I said something weird again…

But it’s true, and no one else can do what I do!

Meaning, just me!

“Y-yeah…”

I adored blushing, shrinking Shitoen…

But no, wait, that’s not it.

“Hey. Isn’t the reason they’re after you because of the powers connected to the dragon crest?”

I gently flapped my hand, fanning my flushed cheeks, and spoke quietly to Shitoen.

“You’re saying… I’m a target because of the dragon crest?”

Shitoen looked dumbfounded and then tilted her head.

“Arios said the chancellor targeted me to sour relations between Tania and Tidros…”

“If they didn’t know about your dragon crest power, maybe. But if the chancellor got some info?”

While Shitoen stared silently at me, I continued.

“This power is incredible. It could make the country develop drastically. So some country might interfere if they tried to get it, right? I sure would.”

Shitoen listened silently.

She seemed deep in thought but then suddenly looked up.

“That may be true. But this information regarding the dragon crest is highly classified. Even I didn’t know I had such an ability. I don’t believe the chancellor was aware of it.”

Shitoen spoke with hesitation.

“…I see. Well, I hope I’m just worrying for nothing.”

I quickly tried to reassure her.

If the reason Shitoen was targeted was the chancellor’s solo decision and unrelated to the dragon crest, everything would have ended once the mastermind was gone.

When Crown Prince Arios asked, “Was this your father’s wish?” the chancellor did not say yes.

That must mean the chancellor’s thoughts were not those of the Luminous Kingdom.

“So, case closed.”

I wish I could say that but never could.

When I smiled, Shitoen straightened up and bowed deeply, surprising me.

“I’m sorry for having caused you so much trouble… But I survived and learned about my ability thanks to you, Prince Saryu. Thank you.”

“No, that’s not right! I’m the one who should thank you!”

“Me?”

Shitoen blinked her purple eyes in wonder.

I gazed into those beautiful eyes and started.

“In that dream, I… probably saw what you experienced in your past life.”

“Experienced…?”

Shitoen slowly repeated my words.

“A man with a knife appeared… and then…”

I stopped talking there.

I noticed her face stiffen, and my heart ached as if ripped open again.

I sympathize.

I sympathize but… I’m not that guy.

I can’t replace him, nor do I want to.

“What I told you before is true. When you banished that man from your heart, I wanted you to look at me even just a little. That feeling is honest. And I know you’ve been looking at me all along. That’s why I want to say this.”

I placed the empty cup on the side table and held Shitoen’s hands with both of mine.

“Thank you for being here by my side now, overcoming the pain, the hardship, the tears…”

Just seeing it in the dream shook my soul.

I thought my heart would burst.

I didn’t realize losing someone dear could be so devastating.

But she endured it and faced forward, stepping through it one step at a time.

Her strength and unbreakable resilience are what attract me.

“That’s because… after overcoming it, Prince Saryu was waiting for me.”

Tears slipped from Shitoen’s eyes.

“You never rushed me, never left ahead, never forced me. You waited with a smile all along.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks and chin.

Her moist eyes sparkled like amethyst.

“Thank you, Prince Saryu, for always looking at me. For welcoming me. For waiting.”

“Of course. We’re married, after all.”

I laughed and wiped away her tears.

My fingertips brushed her cheek, tickling her, and she scrunched her neck and chuckled softly between tears.

“Ah! Don’t overdo it. It’d be bad if your wounds opened.”

Shitoen sniffed, quickly took a handkerchief from her pocket, and wiped away the tears.

“Come on. Let’s rest for a while.”

She straightened my pillow and tried to help me lie in bed, her hand on my shoulder.

But I cupped her cheek with my left hand, pulled her close, and kissed her.

“Prince Saryu… mmm. W-wait…”

When I softly bit her lips, Shitoen murmured discontentedly.

Still reluctant to part, I pressed my lips to hers again.

I placed my right hand around the back of her neck and slowly stroked with my fingers.

The sensation of her smooth skin made me feel dizzy.

Shitoen’s shoulder twitched, making my head float again. I tried to touch her body with my left hand but…

“No! Stop it!”

With our noses almost touching, she scolded, “Tsk!”

…Am I losing it, thinking even this face is cute?

“Because you’re cute, Shitoen.”

“W-w-w-what did you say…?”

I blurted out my true feelings at last.

And loudly enough that Shitoen blushed furiously and panicked.

That too was adorable…

Just living normally, Shitoen is adorable. She’s overflowing with cuteness that I can’t handle. I realize now that being cute is unbeatable.

I want to survey the citizens: is everyone’s wife this cute? Are wives of other men really this cute?

No! That can’t be!

Shitoen is the reason she’s cute!!!!!

What should I do? I’m honestly the happiest man in the country…

It’s scary. My situation, filled with happiness, is terrifying…

Weakening, I lay back, and Shitoen covered me again with a quilted blanket.

“Once you’re better, let’s go to a hot spring.”

“Yeah. But let’s care for Sir Raul first. He seems very tired.”

Shitoen said apologetically.

…That’s right. While I’ve been bedridden, Raul has probably handled all the work alone.

“Then please rest well.”

Smiling, Shitoen turned to leave, and I grabbed her slender wrist.

I didn’t want to let go.

I was a little lonely.

Or rather, I just wanted Shitoen always by my side.

Plainly, it’s my selfishness.

“What’s wrong?”

Asked with a serious face, I didn’t know how to answer.

After much hesitation, I said.

“…I’ll sleep properly, but I want a goodnight kiss.”

Like a child clinging to their mother.

Honestly, it wouldn’t be strange if a grown man said that and got scolded or ignored.

But Shitoen looked around the empty room as if to make sure no one was there, tucked her long hair behind her ear, and bent gently.

“Please… just stay still.”

“Y-yes!!”

Shitoen’s shoulders were tense, and her face slightly nervous.

I’m feeling nervous too!!!!!

Even though I’ve kissed her many times already! Even just a while ago!

Not just today—I’m her husband, so of course we kiss! Lots! So many kisses!!! But…

Me lying down like this with Shitoen above me…

Is this the first time…?

No! Wait! Shitoen isn’t doing anything on top of me!

Absolutely not. This is just me saying, “I want a goodnight kiss,” and her saying, “Well, I guess I have to♡,” and kissing me.

Definitely not Shitoen climbing on me while I’m lying on my back. I have to strongly tell myself this! I must!

All right, I command myself! Don’t do anything beyond this!

Even if Shitoen teeters, saying “kya,” and falls on me, stay calm!

Even if she said, “Prince Saryu… aren’t you cold? I’ll warm you,” kissed me, and hugged me, today is for maintaining status quo! No advancing the front line!

Keep the battle lines solid and orderly!!!!!

“Um, Prince Saryu?”

I came back to reality when she called my name.

I must have been looking closely at her face as she neared me.

Shitoen’s eyes were faintly dyed pink, and her voice trembled.

“…Sorry. Could you close your eyes…?”

“S-sorry!!”

She averted her eyes and blushed, so I obediently closed my eyes.

As soon as I lost sight, all my silly fantasies vanished.

Probably because without visual info, I could feel her presence more strongly.

She stayed still, tense for a brief moment, but the springs of the bed softly creaked beside me. Probably, Shitoen put her hand down on the bed.

Gentle breath neared and softly brushed my cheek and lips.

Light as a feather.

Shitoen’s sweet scent tickled my nose.

The moment her lips touched mine.

She stopped moving.

I heard her breathing softly—like a child nervously about to jump into a pool.

Then her lips touched me…

“Kyaa!”

She didn’t touch me!!!!!!!!!!

Suddenly the door slammed open, and Shitoen shrieked and jumped away from the bed.

“Are you alright, friend!? Now that I’m here, don’t worry about anything!”

“I stopped it… I stopped it, but I ran out of strength…”

Vandel appeared proudly, with a worn-out Raul behind him.

Sorry, Raul! I’m bothering you even more when you’re busy!

“Why do you always have to get in the way?!”

I grabbed a pillow and threw it.

It hit Vandel’s face at a good speed but didn’t hurt, just light as raindrops.

“Well, well, madam. You look lovely today.”

He took the hand of the frozen Shitoen, kissed the back of it, then looked at me lying on the bed with tears streaming.

Are you emotionally unstable?

“I heard of Saryu’s crisis from my spies lurking in this mansion and wanted to come immediately!”

“Who’s the spy?! Call the steward! Where’s the head butler! The maid chief!”

“I want to know everything about Saryu! That’s why I have spies!”

“Steward! Investigate all the staff thoroughly!!!”

I shouted at the wide-open door.

Maybe because I tensed my whole body, my thigh hurt a bit, but not from an opened wound, I hoped.

“I thought Saryu would rather have me carry out secret missions than nurse him. So I swallowed my tears and came late.”

“No, even later would be fine. I don’t want to see you anyway.”

“You’re shy. I know that, friend!”

“Then why… aaaahhh! Don’t kiss my cheek!!”

“Ha ha ha. That’s right, be happy, Saryu.”

“If only you left immediately!”

“I found where the golden buckle and jade pendant settled.”

I stared closely at Vandel.

“Is that true?”

“Have I ever lied to you?”

He said this theatrically.

…Well, yeah. He teases sometimes but never lies.

“That… the assassination should be… no longer a problem?”

Shitoen nervously glanced back and forth between me and Vandel.

“Is that so? Well then, if this info wasn’t needed, I should have visited your recovery earlier.”

Vandel said, plopping onto the bed.

“Don’t sit down so hard! It’ll jostle the wounds!”

“Sorry about that. Let me check the wound…”

“Don’t touch! Don’t try to take off my pants! Gyaaah!!!”

I pushed him away forcefully, but he laughed and sat on the bed again, unfazed.

I gave him a sulky look and held out my hand.

“What is it? A handshake?”

“No! Give me information. Better safe than sorry.”

Shitoen said that, but if the assassins’ aim was the dragon crest, the matter changes. That man who emerged from the white smoke still worries me.

“We’ve been on the defensive until now… Let’s go on the offensive. Vandel, what is the main goal of the attack?”

“To break the enemy’s fighting spirit and cut off their will to fight.”

I nodded at Vandel’s words.

“Exactly. We’ll break their fangs, rip off their claws, so they’ll never dare defy us again.”

“I see. Sounds fun, Saryu.”

Vandel grinned, pulled an envelope from the belt at his waist, and handed it to me.

“Here are maps and ownership info. Heal quickly and pursue.”

“Understood.”

I nodded deeply.

Now we’ll take the initiative.

Whoever threatened Shitoen can go rot in hell.

 

◇◇◇◇

 

In a corner of the town where the night darkness solidified.

A man dressed like a merchant lifted his chin and let the night wind brush his cheeks.

Like a wolf sniffing the air, the men in black around him silently awaited commands.

“Boss, preparations are complete.”

One of the men in black ran over and whispered.

“Ah, good. Well then…”

The man glanced at the men around him and smiled.

“Now that loud chancellor (that guy) is dealt with,”

He spun a golden buckle on his raised index finger.

Moonlight reflected off it, scattering golden sand-like light around.

“Let’s go get the dragon crest girl.”

Chuckling wickedly, the man melted into the night with many shadows following.

 

 

 

Extra Chapter ◆◆ Me and My Cute Wife Take a Bath Together

♢♢♢

 

It’s the sixteenth day since I got injured.

I was walking in the garden inside the royal castle.

There was no more bleeding from the wound, and I was eating heartily. Since the noisy Vandel had gone home, my mental health was much better. My body felt light too.

When I consulted Shitoen, she said, “As long as you don’t overdo it,” so this was a walk to recover my strength. I really wanted to jog, but I got winded after running a little. Seems like I’m still not quite back to normal.

“Well, Prince Saryu—”

Just as I was about to speed-walk toward the pond, I heard a voice from the corridor.

When I turned to look, Yuria was there.

“Are you already okay to move around?”

Yuria approached, while her maid stood by.

“Sorry for worrying you.”

“It’s no problem~. But as expected of the Winter Bear of our country. Even after such a terrible injury, you’re already in rehab.”

Yuria laughed, twirling her parasol.

“It must be thanks to the devoted care from your beloved. Prince Saryu, did you properly thank Lady Shitoen?”

“Actually, we had promised to go to a hot spring together.”

Before I knew it, a deep, heavy sigh slipped from my mouth.

“Even though the chancellor incident is resolved… Shitoen’s safety still can’t be guaranteed. I guess we can’t risk going to a hot spring for security reasons.”

Shitoen must have been looking forward to it. She must be disappointed. But knowing her, she’d never say “I’m disappointed.”

She probably had everything prepared too…

Huh? Prepared…?

Prepared!!!

I forgot!!!!

That’s right, lingerie! I saw it… I mean, I saw the top! But I haven’t seen the bottom yet, and I want to see, like a million times, Shitoen in all kinds of lingerie!!!

“Ugh… do I have to give that up…?”

“Oh, you’re really looking forward to it, huh.”

“Of course I am!!!!!!!”

Lingerie-clad Shitoen!!!!!!!

“Lady Shitoen must be disappointed too… Ah, that’s right.”

Yuria spun her parasol again and narrowed her eyes.

“Do you know the bath in the South Wing?”

“The South Wing…? Is that the one in the royal castle? Wasn’t it under renovation?”

“Ufufufu. It’s done.”

She covered her mouth with one hand and laughed like a child.

“Isn’t the South Wing under Mother’s jurisdiction? She asked for opinions during the renovation, so I tried to make it luxurious ♡”

“The bath?”

“It’s really wonderful~. Why don’t you two try it together?”

“Huh!? No, but…! That place is for Mother to entertain important guests, right!?”

I was flustered, wondering if it’s really okay for Shitoen and me to use it, when Yuria tilted her head to the right with a nod.

“As long as Mother gives permission, it should be fine, right? Leonias and I have even bathed together there.”

“Eeeeeeh!?”

They really do get along somehow, the Crown Prince and Princess!!

I really want to know how that iron-faced eldest brother is around Yuria!

Ah! Speaking of which, the jokes the eldest brother often tells Yuria—maybe I can hear them now!?

“Crown Princess!”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Could you tell me some of the eldest brother’s recommended jokes?”

“Well! Of course, I’d be happy to. Then I’ll share a carefully picked selection of precious jokes…”

“Found you, Yuria!”

The second-floor window of the nearby building slammed open, and the eldest brother leaned out like he was about to fall.

“Oh, it’s you.”

“Straight to the office!”

“Crown Princess, but first, the eldest brother’s killer joke!”

“Urgent message for Yuria! Very urgent!! I can’t wait anymore, super express!”

“Oh my, then Prince Saryu, we’ll talk about Leonias some other time.”

The eldest brother glared down from above as if to say, “No chances for slip-ups.”

Yuria turned her back on me with a spin. Damn, I got outplayed again…

“About the bath, I’ll get Mother’s permission for you. Wait a little for the reply.”

When Yuria said that and left, I thought it’d take some time.

But surprisingly, the permission came back quickly.

 

 

Two days later.

Shitoen and I were in the bath on the first floor of the South Wing.

“Wow! This bath is so wonderful!”

Shitoen’s voice echoed beautifully in the bath.

Since I rarely come here, I found myself looking around curiously.

The round bathhouse focused on warm colors, and the scent of fragrant oil seemed to fill the air. The walls were decorated with mosaic tiles, and glass-heavy lighting hung from the ceiling.

Beneath was a round bathtub with pale blue tiles, resembling a tropical sea. Flower petals floated on the water.

A partition was set up by the wall, probably where you undress.

The shelves holding soap and oils even had pink-gold decorative metal fittings — looking overall like something a woman would like.

“Prince Saryu, these are viola petals!”

Shitoen moved closer to the tub and plucked a petal floating in the water.

Gentle steam rose as she smiled delightedly with flushed cheeks.

“Thank you to Mother, Yuria, and especially you, Prince Saryu, for inviting me like this!”

“No… I really wanted to take you to a hot spring. Sorry.”

“No way! Spending time together in a place this wonderful is so great!”

Shitoen said happily but suddenly fell quiet, making me confused.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-n-nothing, really. I just… now that I think about it…”

Sitting near the tub, she covered her cheeks with both hands, and her face quickly flushed red.

“When I think about… us bathing together… it’s just… e-embarrassing…”

Seeing her on the verge of tears, shrinking a little, hit me like being struck by a rock in the head.

She’s way too cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait… oh crap! What should I do!?

Bathing together, huh…

Can I even just bathe with her!?

But if, if we assume—

Inside this bathhouse. Inside the tub. In this space.

If Shitoen and I did… you know, all sorts of things.

Would she yell “What are you doing!?” or call me “Prince Saryu the pervert!?” or something!?

And would she hate me!?

If that’s the case… then maybe I should just quietly bathe side by side…?

No, what the hell am I worrying about!!!!

Shitoen’s this happy with this bath!! Quietly cherishing her next to me is important as a husband too!!!!

Preparing and securing time for my wife to truly relax is a husband’s duty!

Besides, I was the one who said, “Let’s bathe together!!!!!!”

Shitoen’s accommodating that!

Even though she’s shy, she’s taken my opinion into account. What more could I want!?

“Ah, right! Then, Shitoen, why don’t you get in the tub first and wait?”

“Eh?”

Blushing, Shitoen looked up at me.

“Well, if we bathe together, it might be embarrassing… so you could undress first, get in the tub. You know, you won’t be visible.”

I couldn’t say outright “Shitoen’s naked,” but I guess she understood.

“…I’ll take your offer. Would that be alright?”

She looked relieved but smiled happily.

“Of course, of course, of course, of course.”

I nodded quickly.

“Then, I’ll step outside for now.”

“O-okay. I’ll get ready. I’ll call you later.”

Shitoen stood up smoothly and disappeared behind the partition with quick little steps.

I awkwardly opened the sliding door and stepped out.

Inside the bathhouse, the heat made my shirt stick to my skin, but stepping outside gave a chill.

It cooled my overheated head a bit, and my mind filled with images of Shitoen happily looking at the bathtub sprinkled with petals.

I’m glad she’s happy.

Shitoen would never say she’s tired or in pain on her own, so I want to prepare lots of things she can enjoy like this.

As I thought I should properly thank Yuria and Mother later, I heard the sound of water from beyond the door.

Shitoen must be pouring water on herself.

Beyond this door is Shitoen… naked Shitoen.

Come to think of it, this is probably the first time I’ve seen her naked in such a bright place!?

I think I saw her naked when we were attacked at a hot spring in the Kingdom of Tania, but that doesn’t count. It was dark and an emergency, so naked or not was irrelevant! I was focusing on fighting off the bandits!

Today is legit. Official. Shitoen is naked in a real place.

But I’ll just look! Just look! Just enjoy the bath together!

While repeating that to myself, I heard Shitoen’s loud voice from the bath.

“Hyaa!”

“Shitoen!? What’s wrong? I’m coming in!”

Maybe because I was just thinking about what happened in the Kingdom of Tania, I only had a bad feeling.

I opened the door and rushed into the bathhouse.

Steam floated like a lace veil, and the first thing that caught my eye was Shitoen’s back.

Sitting on the edge of the bathtub, she turned around with a swirl.

The tips of her tied-up silver hair curled, and her purple eyes were wide open.

“Ah! Th-the hot water was so hot, it caught me off guard…!”

That’s what Shitoen said, but it barely registered in my ears.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her shameless figure that crashed into my field of vision.

Her long hair was up, so from her nape down her back to her hips—clear and sharp, I kept looking!!!!!

She was clutching a towel to her chest.

The towel was wet… because it was wet!!!!!!

It was wet!!!!!!

Clinging tightly to her chest!!!!!!

Her shape was clearly visible!!!!!!

My almost naked, too-cute wife was right in front of me!!!!!!

“Kyaa! Prince Saryu!?”

Oh no, nosebleed… was the last thing I thought.

Hearing Shitoen’s scream, I lost consciousness.

 

After blinking several times to clear my blurry vision, Shitoen was peering at me.

“Is this… the bedroom?”

Slowly sitting up, a wet towel fell from my forehead. Seems like Shitoen put it there.

“I collapsed in the bath…”

Shitoen blushed deeply and hesitated.

Right, I’d lost consciousness from a nosebleed after seeing her naked…

“Sir Raul, who was guarding outside, was asked to help and saved me.”

Apparently, I’d bled so much from my nose that Raul said, “It’s the second time I’ve seen the captain close to death.”

“Sorry, Shitoen.”

I covered my face, feeling so lame.

I was trying to give her an enjoyable time, but what am I even doing…

“Not at all! Even though it’s still early days since you got hurt… I’m the one who made you overdo it.”

Shitoen said that, so I lifted my head in surprise.

Sure enough, she sat beside the bed, drooping her shoulders sadly.

“Even if Prince Saryu invited me, I should have properly refused. I was selfish…”

“No, no! I got way too excited about it… You know, like when you get too excited for your birthday and run a fever!”

I reached out my hand to Shitoen.

“Of course, I wanted you to take it easy too, but more than anyone else, I wanted to relax and enjoy with you! So it’s not your fault!”

After I said it firmly, Shitoen finally smiled.

“Then… shall we borrow that bath again?”

“Absolutely! This time I’ll be fully ready!”

I can’t say exactly what that means!

Watching Shitoen smile cutely with a chuckle, she suddenly stood up.

“Ah, right. This is something Lady Yuria brought for us.”

The paper bag on the table. I thought it looked familiar—ah, it was the one eldest brother gave me after he visited post-injury, saying, “From Yuria.”

“What was inside?”

“Body cream.”

Shitoen sat down again, took out a round glass jar from the paper bag, filled with a white creamy substance.

“Since I was worried about Prince Saryu’s wound, Lady Yuria kindly prepared it, saying ‘It’s supposed to be good for the skin.’”

“I see.”

“Prince Saryu, give me your hand.”

“Hand?”

When I asked back, Shitoen nodded with a smile still on her face.

I held out my hand, rolled up my shirt sleeve to show up to my elbow, and she opened the jar and scooped out some cream.

“It’s a body cream you can also use in the bath, so I was going to use it together back then… but you can use it here too. It might feel a little chilly.”

As Shitoen put the cream on the back of my hand, it did feel slightly cool.

But what really startled me was the lovely scent. Lavender, maybe? Once on the skin, it smelled like being in a flower field, but not overwhelming.

Shitoen used both hands to spread the cream from my wrist to elbow.

Her fingers stroked my tendons from the base of my thumb, wrist, to elbow.

She pressed firmly in spots, and it felt just right. Combined with the drifting lavender scent, my earlier guilt and regret melted away little by little.

“Does it feel good?”

“Yeah.”

I must have been dazed; Shitoen peered at me and asked, and I answered reflexively.

“Good. This cream smells nice too.”

She looked relieved and scooped a little more from the jar on her lap, kneading it between my knuckles and fingers.

That felt just… incredibly good.

“Shitoen, shall I switch with you?”

Even though I was enjoying it, I snapped back to attention.

I figured I’d just put cream on Shitoen’s arm however I could.

“No, today I’ll do it.”

“But you must be tired, right?”

My hands and arms are big and tough. I thought she might be using a lot of strength pressing, so I spoke, but Shitoen suddenly looked down.

“Well… this might sound weird, but…”

“What?”

“Even though it’s a massage, I’m happy just to touch Prince Saryu’s big hands like this all the time. So don’t worry about it.”

“!!!!!!”

Too cuuuuuuteeeee!!!!!!!!!!

I was speechless and screamed inside.

Wait… seriously! Shitoen is holding my hand tight and not letting go right now—so cute!

For the first time ever, I was thankful that my hands are big!

God, Father, Mother, thank you! Thank you for creating me this way in such a time and place!

“Ah! Shall we switch to the other hand?”

Blushing, Shitoen hurriedly adjusted my right hand and scurried to prepare my left hand, making me flustered.

“It’s okay, really! I’ll do it because Shitoen will get tired!”

“No, it’s fine today! Prince Saryu will next time…”

“Then next time! When we bathe together next time!”

“Yeah, in the bath…”

I wanted to take care of Shitoen, and she didn’t want me to worry, so we both spoke quickly, then imagined how the other would feel about it.

So, again in that bathhouse, we’d use this body cream and give each other massages… right?

‘How’s that, Shitoen?’

‘Prince Saryu, you’re very good at this.’

Such a conversation would happen between us, both of us naked!!

Well, if it’s embarrassing for Shitoen, maybe we could both be inside the tub! This cream would probably still work! Probably! I’ll quietly ask Yuria or eldest brother later.

‘Good. Then Shitoen, your other hand next.’

‘Really? Then… ah!’

‘Ah, sorry! Hit the wrong spot!’

‘Prince Saryu, you’re so clumsy!’

‘Sorry, sorry, Shitoen. Come closer, I can’t reach otherwise.’

‘Kyaa! Prince Saryu, if you pull me suddenly like that…!’

What if stuff like this happened!!!??

I could die happy just being lovey-dovey in the bath with my cute wife!

Cause of death: happiness overdose!

“Hyaa! Prince Saryu, your nose is bleeding again!”

Seeing Shitoen hurriedly pull a towel closer, I flopped onto the bed on my back.

…No good. I guess it was still too much stimulation.

I have to be in perfect shape soon so I can enjoy lots of fun times with my cute Shitoen.

Thinking that, I ended up losing consciousness again.