Suddenly, a wave of fear struck me.

Please, don’t ask why I was scared. I have no idea myself.

I had only heard Aslin suggest we head to the bridal chamber to end the day.

Yet, every step towards that chamber filled me with an inexplicable fear.

Thump- thump- thump thump-

My heart, which should have calmed down after sparring with Aslin, was now pounding even harder than during the duel.

No, no. Is my heart racing like this because I’m scared of the unknown that lies ahead?

I don’t know. I really don’t know.

I’ve never experienced something like this, so I have no idea how to handle this situation.

There was only one thing I could do.

“Are you tired? Your steps seem much heavier than before.”

“It seems the impact of receiving your blade is hitting me now.”

“…Not many can properly receive my blade, so I’m not sure what to say.”

All I could do was make up excuses to divert Aslin’s gaze, which seemed to be a mix of curiosity and concern towards my slowed steps.

It was the first time I felt that simply walking to a specific place could be so difficult.

It wasn’t that my body was in pain, but my heart was pounding so wildly that every step felt increasingly burdensome.

And as my heart raced faster, I couldn’t help but imagine what might happen when I finally arrived at that place.

The pristine and clean atmosphere of the bridal chamber that I had glimpsed.

The candles lighting up the room in place of lamps.

The sweet wedding wine made from precious southern grapes, meant to bless the couple’s future.

Aslin, dressed in attire that revealed every curve of her body, approaching me.

…Smack!!

“…What’s wrong?”

“A gnat landed on my cheek, so I swatted it away.”

“It’s winter…?”

“I’ve seen swarms of flies in winter battlefields, trying to lay their eggs in corpses.”

“…I see.”

In that split second, I slapped away the wild delusions racing through my mind and managed to fool Aslin, who turned her head in surprise.

‘Crazy bastard….’

Muttering a curse at myself that no one else could hear, I continued following Aslin.

The slap had quelled both my delusions and my racing heart, achieving a remarkable effect.

Even though those things would never actually happen, delusions have a way of making the impossible seem possible, and they grow as long as there’s a trigger.

I had to suppress them before they reached an uncontrollable size.

But what should I say? The fact that I entertained such delusions in the first place, knowing they wouldn’t happen…

Did I, even for a moment, wish for such a situation?

…No way.

‘Get a grip, you crazy bastard.’

After muttering another curse at myself, I calmed my steps and steadied my mind, contemplating the harsh reality that awaited beyond.

A bridal chamber that, though neat, exuded a bleak atmosphere.

A dark room, announcing the completion of a political marriage, with no bright candles to be found.

A small bed meant only for her to sleep in alone, indicating that a rough man like me should just sleep on the floor instead.

Aslin, clad in clothes that not only covered every inch but left no gaps, warning me with her cold eyes.

Yes, perfect.

This is exactly what will happen in the bridal chamber soon.

“Heh.”

I let out a quiet sigh, one that even Aslin wouldn’t hear, and quickly adjusted my faltering steps to follow her.

It seemed Aslin had noticed my steps returning to normal, as her slightly hesitant pace also returned to its usual rhythm.

All that was left was to enter the bridal chamber, end this day, and sleep.

As I followed the rhythmically swaying blue hair of Aslin with my eyes, I calmly prepared myself for what was to come.

Nothing will happen. Yes, nothing will happen.

Hmm, I’m not sure what to make of this.

After following Aslin’s suggestion to clean myself up, I washed thoroughly and changed clothes in the mansion’s facilities.

Guided by the mansion’s staff, I arrived at the bridal chamber where she was waiting. The sight that greeted me was unexpected.

In some ways, it matched my expectations, and in others, it completely defied them, filling my mind with confusion.

The room was a blend of the bleak reality I had imagined and the vivid delusions I had conjured.

How could I not be bewildered by such a scene?

The bridal chamber, which I couldn’t properly take in earlier because of Aslin’s drawn sword, shattered my expectations in many ways.

Though there were no bright candles, the atmosphere was not bleak but rather suitably cheerful.

There was no wedding wine, but a table with water bottles for easy access and chairs on either side for comfortable conversation.

“I thought you might be waiting inside since it took longer than expected to prepare,” Aslin said as she greeted me, her slightly damp hair accentuating her already beautiful face.

“That’s because I came in earlier but had to ask the staff for directions, which took time.”

“Remember this for the future, as you’ll be spending your nights here from now on.”

“I won’t forget a place I’ve entered twice.”

“Good… that’s all.”

The slightly damp hair and the unexpectedly welcoming demeanor were deviations from my expectations.

There were other significant deviations from my expectations, but I’ll introduce those later.

For now, let me explain the parts that matched my expectations.

Aslin’s attire was exactly as I had anticipated.

She was wrapped up so tightly that it was hard to even guess her figure, let alone her body curves.

Seeing her so bundled up made me wonder how she could sleep comfortably like that.

“…Why… why are you looking at me like that?”

“Even though it’s winter, we’re indoors with heating. You might get too hot dressed like that.”

“…I-is that so?”

Without realizing it, my questioning gaze caused her to respond.

Despite her attire, her natural beauty wasn’t diminished. I considered complimenting her striking appearance even in such clothes, but decided against it, fearing it might sound like flattery.

Apart from her clothing, there were other things I had accurately predicted.

The cold air from the still-open window, left ajar when I hastily escaped earlier after Aslin pointed her sword at me, created an unintended chilly atmosphere.

Though it would soon be warmed by the closed window and the heating, for a moment, it made the room feel cold.

“….”

Aslin’s gaze, filled with something close to the chill I often saw on the battlefield, indicated she was suppressing the urge to say something.

Considering this, it’s fair to say half my expectations were met and the other half were not.

However, there was one expectation I absolutely hoped would not be wrong, and it turned out to be completely off.

“…What’s wrong?”

As Aslin’s tone returned to a more relaxed state, she asked.

“Why… why is the bed big enough for two people?”

I tried to suppress the bewilderment in my voice.

“…? Even if our relationship is just for show, shouldn’t we maintain appearances, even in small matters like this?”

Seeing her emerald-green eyes blink with an innocent, matter-of-fact attitude, I couldn’t help but think.

‘Oh, dear God….’

For the first time in my life, I found myself praying.

‘Please do not let me be tempted.’

I sincerely hoped that I wouldn’t do something foolish in my sleep that would make this night my last.

“Hahahaha!”

Aslin’s laughter echoed through the bridal chamber, shaking the room.

She laughed like this as soon as she heard my calm observations after I looked around the room.

“I was serious.”

“Of course, how could you not be? I understand.”

I tried to defend myself against Aslin, who was laughing uncontrollably at what I said, but all I received in return was her voice filled with laughter, lacking any sense of seriousness.

Oh, I had expressed my concerns to prevent any potential mishaps, yet she laughed like that upon hearing it.

At least she wasn’t mocking me. She seemed genuinely amused, which prevented my mood from plummeting completely.

“To the current environment that made Endymion, who didn’t even break a sweat facing a horde of monsters surrounding the mountain range, say such words!”

Seeing Aslin delight in my words, spoken to prepare for any potential mishaps, my mind grew even more tangled.

She held a small glass in her hand.

Not the sweet wedding wine, but a high-proof spirit made from barley malt that thrived in the cold northern soil—whiskey.

A drink so strong that even the seasoned warriors of the North, who prided themselves on their drinking, would be called heavy drinkers if they drank it continuously.

Aslin, however, was drinking this strong spirit straight, without diluting it with water.

“Hoo….”

Though her demeanor after drinking was calm and composed.

‘…This is unsettling.’

The moment I noticed Aslin’s eyes trembling ever so slightly as she drank, I started to feel an unusual sense of worry about tonight.