The only sound in the room is the sound of my tiny hiccups.

Covering my face with both hands, hanging my head, I’m in a big panic.

What did I say!? What did I just say!? I didn’t hear it!? Aaah~ As soon as I woke up I started saying all sorts of things, maybe I even slipped out a secret~!?

I wanna pretend it never happened! That I ended up loving him so much that it surprised me, that I told him about it without meaning to, that I was trying to have a baby right from the start, the existence of the royal family, I want to pretend none of it all happened!

No, I don’t regret the fact that I fell in love with him, and I don’t think I can do anything about that. Who wouldn’t fall in love after being treated kindly by a handsome guy? Come on. And it’s me, you know. I’m not proud of it, but I’ve never been treated kindly by people in my life. It’s impossible not to fall for him, right?

Aah~ But it wasn’t supposed to be now. No matter how you think about it, it wasn’t supposed to be now, right~? There could have been a better timing~.

I should have smacked Edward, deleted his memory, and then went with a romantic route like a flower garden or a night scene in the background. Nope~. I can’t say that I only love him because I want children~. The order of things is getting broken~.

…I guess he won’t just say that he didn’t hear me, huh… But I really want it to be. I want him to say that he couldn’t hear me through the sobbing. Say it! Please say it, Edward!!

I mean, how does this look from Edward’s point of view? If he thinks I’m annoying for falling in love with him after he just treated me a little kindly and then confessing to him, his heart which is already occupied would completely stop. It would make my breathing stop. Wait, really, wait. Alfred… I don’t want to die until I meet Alfred, at least. But I know what I have to do to give birth to Alfred, and that may truly be a fatal wound now. Edward is absolutely lethal. If I see Edward in an indecent way in the bedroom, I would die from the shock in my eyes. Help me, Alfred. What can your mother do?

“…Justina.”

“Ahh…”

My throat tightens at the mention of my name.

What’s with that handsome voice? Stop, I’ll die with my ears at full capacity.

“…Umm.”

It’s no good. It’s no good if I ask further, and it’s no good to make him say it. Most importantly, my heart is at its limit. I’m going to have to strategically withdraw and then attack again… As I sat up while thinking about that, my knees gave out at the same time.

Huh??? Why???

I really want to ask my knees. What? The effects of the dash during the day? This isn’t a good timing, can’t you read the room?

Though we were sat across a low table, Edward’s movements were fast.

Supported by Edward’s arm, I was able to avoid rolling onto the floor, or, worst case, slam face onto the low table.

My dignity was protected. However, my heart is already full.

“De… I… Le…”

I wanted to say, dear husband, I’m alright so you can let me down. Really. Please believe me.

My tongue completely betrayed my brain’s instructions. Unforgivable.

“…Even you have that look on your face, huh.”

What does that mean? Then I wish you were at least be merciful enough not to look at it, or to speak it out if you think it.

I stared at Edward, my vision distorted by tears. I’m shaking, even though I’m sure there’s not going to be anything scary.

Edward is keenly peering at me.

Ah, no good. Even through the film of tears, he’s so handsome… My nose is about to bleed without even being hit…

Wait, isn’t he too close? Aren’t you up on top of the low table? That’s bad manners, dear husband. It is my fault, though.

“…Husband…”

Please give me a break. I was about to say that. I wanted to completely raise the white flag. My life is a zero.

As I was looking up at him, Edward laughed.

Lightly, with relief. It was a little manly, and very cool.

Huh? Wait, laughed? Edward??

As I was stunned, his face came in close enough that it was out of focus, and while I was thinking it was a shame that I couldn’t see it more clearly… Something touched my lips.

…Huh???

Edward, back in focus in the distance, is laughing. He put my hair behind my ears, touched my cheek, traced his fingers over it, then put his hand on my chin. He turned my head upwards, came in close and out of focus again, and something soft, breathy, hot and wet caressed my lips, and then…

“Obscene display penalty!!!!”

I screamed with all my might.

Before I came to my senses, my lips were throbbing after being done with as pleased for a while, I was intensely embarrassed and my chest was hazy, restless and limp. I just wanted to scream.

Edward looked very surprised, and a little… No, very cute.

He’s very cute, and even while as this burned into my retinas, I have to say it.

I cannot lose here. Good luck, me. There is a battle here that I absolutely cannot lose. Because my own life is on stake, after all.

“There… There may be a misunderstanding, but I’m a proper…. A proper maiden!”

“Yeah, I am aware.”

“So… So, something like this, in the office..!”

“…I’ve only kissed you, though?”

“Only!? It was in a way that definitely felt like it would continue onto something else, though!? I could feel nothing but eroticism, though!?”

“Was it unpleasant?”

“No!.. It.. It wasn’t, but… It’s not about that! Moderation! Right? And, after making sure you understand that your partner is an amateur.”

“So it’s okay in the bedroom?”

“It’s not about that, but yes!”

“I shall invite you to the bedroom next time, then.”

“Please do so… Huh?”

The allure and composure of the man I looked up to completely stopped my breathing.

Accepting defeat, I returned to my own room.

…I suppose, that you may also say, I scurried home.

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Chapter 10>