“So it would be the worst situation for Shulk if a northern and western country were to join forces?”
“That’s right. We can understand them being cautious of us, but it would become a problem if they were to take it any further in an unwanted direction. That’s why we’re on guard as well.”
“An unwanted direction? Do you think they might declare war?”
Lord Simeon stopped speaking and thought about it for a moment. “I don’t believe so...”
“But you can’t say for certain?”
“Wars are brought about by many different causes. That’s why we have to pay attention not only to Shulk, but to other kingdoms as well... Though it’s ridiculous of us to start doubting everyone.” He chuckled at the irony of it all.
Neither of our kingdoms wanted to fight, yet with both raising caution against the other, that brought us closer to war. It was truly foolish. If only we could be honest with one another and ask to get along. Was that not possible?
I was almost satisfied with what I’d learned, but I had to tilt my head again. “But in the end, how does that relate to this travel mission?” I’d nearly forgotten, what with how complicated the story had become, but I’d originally asked why Lord Nigel was accompanying us. Why would that be the outcome of a cautious standoff with Shulk? “Is Shulk wary of Vissel as well?”
“Over the past hundred years, Vissel has lost most of its colonies. It’s no longer a threat to Shulk, and they most likely will never have direct contact. However, in the rare case that terrorism occurs, they’ll have to get involved. That’s what they’re wary of.”
“Ah...”
“Even if Shulk weren’t part of the equation, it’s only natural for Vissel to be watching out for terrorism at times like this.”
I nodded several times, finally understanding. These were the basics of the basics.
“I’ll say it again,” Lord Simeon continued, “we are not fighting with Shulk at the moment. We’re considering discussions with them so that we won’t. I believe Lord Nigel is simply concerned.”
“That’s why he came with us?”
“It’s just to be on the safe side. It’s probably more accurate to say that this was his excuse to tag along.”
That was how Lord Simeon ended his explanation. Lord Nigel really was this type of person, but I had to wonder if his mother’s home country being involved was what worried him. I didn’t think he’d be simply enjoying this situation without any emotional attachments to it.
My head was filled to the brim with these difficult topics. What I’d gleaned was that we had to be wary of terrorism during this trip, but that would remain true even if Shulk weren’t involved. Some in Terrazant still disapproved of the merger, so perhaps, in reality, nothing had changed.
I pressed my head against Lord Simeon’s shoulder. “You went along with Princess Mira’s whims because you could guard her more easily that way, right?”
He fidgeted. “Yes, I suppose.”
“Then it would be best for you to continue to stay by her side. I don’t know what her true goal is, but we do know that our plans align.”
Lord Simeon stared down at me with an inscrutable expression. What? Did I say something strange?
“I can’t believe my wife is recommending that I cheat on her...”
“I am not!” I narrowed my eyes. “You’ll just be acting. That’s what she’s doing, anyway.”
“Even if it’s just an act, are you really all right with seeing your husband be close to another woman?”
“Well, we can’t exactly help it right now.”
He became visibly upset and swiftly turned his head away from me. Shouldn’t I be the one sulking? I’m not, for the record, but this is backward!
“What’s the matter?” I reached up and held both his cheeks between my palms to turn his face back. “The reason I’m being targeted is that the culprit wants to pull you away from the princess, right?”
“That’s just a possibility. Nothing has been confirmed.”
He grabbed my hands and pushed me down. I fell on my back—the cover I’d wrapped around my body fell away, revealing me in my undergarments. Huh? Can we really do this now?
His beautiful face drew ever closer to mine. “From the beginning, you haven’t seemed bothered by this at all. I was the only one worried that I’d made you angry or made you cry... Is all this nothing more than another tale for you to ‘fangirl’ over? You don’t care what happens to me?”
“I am not fangirling over this. I just think there’s more to the story than what we’ve been shown. And I trust you, Lord Simeon.”
“Even so, how can you stay so calm?”
Oh, dear. He’s sulking for sure. What a botherso—I mean, troublesome man. Had I not reacted the right way? I was merely trying to let him know that he wasn’t at fault.
“I didn’t think my husband would get mad at me for saying I trusted him.”
“I trust you as well. But I’m not confident that I’d be able to stay calm if I were in your position.”
His light blue eyes threw his feelings directly at me, like a child’s. That gaze was sulking, angry, and imploring me to respond. Was I really making him feel this way? I wondered what the problem was.
Even his own mother had said, “Simeon looks like that, so naturally there are many women who will approach him. You mustn’t become jealous of each and every one of them and cause a scene. A husband will become fed up if his wife is full of envy, and she’ll end up driving him away. So even if he shows a bit of interest in another woman, as long as he doesn’t ignore you completely, make your feelings known to him, all right?”
I would be sad if Lord Simeon really did cheat on me. I would surely try to bear with it at first, but my heart wouldn’t be able to go unhurt.
However, that wasn’t the type of person he was. He was serious, sincere, and wouldn’t betray anyone, much less me. I couldn’t think of anyone I trusted more than him. He’d written in his letter that he wanted me to believe in him, so that’s what I’d done. I behaved exactly as you wished, didn’t I? Yet here you are, sulking. What’s going on?
I sighed, feeling like something was unfair about this, but nothing could be done. “It’s not that I didn’t feel anything about it. You and Her Highness looked so perfect dancing together that I...er...became very hazy! It didn’t look like you were having fun, so I didn’t get mad about it, but it made me not want to watch anymore. I’m not angry. I’m not, but I felt like I was being left behind, or that I couldn’t approach you. I can’t even put these feelings into words...”
Oh, you! It’s embarrassing for me to have to spell it out like this! I’d known that there were extenuating circumstances, so butting in would’ve just jeopardized his position. That was why I’d kept my momentary heart pangs to myself. But that had ended up worrying Lord Simeon even further, so perhaps I should have told him after all. How vexing.
Lord Simeon stopped pressing so hard on my hands and lay his face down by mine. His large body became even heavier. You’re going to crush me...
“Are you satisfied?” While bearing his weight, I petted his golden hair.
“I shouldn’t be happy about this...” he muttered. “I can’t be happy knowing that I made you feel such negative emotions...” He didn’t lift his head at all, so his voice was muffled. “Making you feel bad on purpose to confirm your love is something only a worthless man would do...”
“That’s true.”
“That wasn’t my intention... But that’s what this is, isn’t it?” Even at a time like this, his too-damn-serious attitude was ailing him. He wrapped his arms around me and lifted his weight a little. “I didn’t do it on purpose, really. But...I’m sorry. And to be honest with you...I’m happy.”
I couldn’t hold in my laughter anymore. You even say that you’re happy in such a serious way? That comes back around to being foolish!
I cackled beneath him. Our eyes locked when he finally raised his head. His pale cheeks were flushed, and I could only assume mine were too. The bit of heat tickled.
The harsh look in his eyes waned as he came closer, and his eyelashes brushed against my skin. I closed my eyelids and accepted his warmth. He pulled away immediately to remove his glasses, then took my own. When he touched me again, it was deeper, and for longer.
We repeated this kiss over and over, cradling each other’s bodies. His lips brushed my cheeks, ears, eyelids, and even the nape of my neck. Entranced and drunk on the fluttering sensation, I rubbed his broad back, searching for something deeper, more intense...
✦ ✦ ✦
