Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Chapter 45

Miesa could now listen more comfortably to the conversation behind the door.

“Eirik seems completely enthralled by his wife, acting recklessly together like a pair of lunatics.”

“That’s exactly why you can’t remain as the head of the family any longer.”

Margravine Cladnier had also risen; the click of her heels could be heard.

“If you want to live comfortably with that woman in your twilight years, then please come to your senses.”

“Dear, Taliesa, Taliesa!” The Margrave’s voice turned to a pleading tone, accompanied by a loud thud as something hit the floor.

“I lost my mind, I made a mistake—”

But Margravine Cladnier’s voice was colder than the winter wind. “There’s no need to wait until next year. We’ll start the succession process immediately. We’ll take responsibility for the woman and hide her in the estate.”

The sound of her heels faded as she walked out of the living room. Miesa continued to pretend to be asleep, while Gella squatted, clutching her head in distress.

Inside the room, there was a loud crash followed by a strange, animal-like wail. Miesa, deciding there was nothing more to eavesdrop on, sat up and leaned against Gella’s back.

“Do you want a piggyback ride?” Gella asked.

Gella carefully carried Miesa through the corridor. Gella’s back was drenched in cold sweat, but luckily they didn’t encounter any servants along the way.

Safely back in the bedroom, Gella set Miesa down and then collapsed onto the wooden floor.

Miesa lay down next to her. Despite the strange comfort and urge to laugh, she held back her amusement.

“Ah, no wonder you like lying on the floor, young madam. It’s cool and nice,” Gella whispered, giggling. Suddenly, the door opened, and she quickly sat up in surprise.

“Y-young master, you’re back!” she stammered.

“…I’m back, but are you unwell?” Eirik asked, his tone puzzled.

“No, I’m fine,” Gella replied hastily.

Miesa, still lying down, couldn’t see Eirik’s expression, but she heard him stride towards the bathroom.

“The young madam is resting well, so you may go now. I need to wash off the sweat.”

“Yes, understood.”

As soon as Eirik closed the bathroom door, Gella shook her head in exasperation. “Goodness, he startled me. He should make some noise when he walks.”

Gella carefully lifted Miesa onto the bed before leaving the room.

“What did you do today?” Eirik asked as he returned from his bath.

Miesa hesitated, wondering if she should mention eavesdropping on the Margrave and Margravine Cladnier’s conversation. She decided to keep it simple.

“I went to the kitchen and had some pecans…”

“What’s so interesting about the kitchen?”

“The people there are fun. It’s noisy and busy.”

Eirik listened to her rambling stories with a gentle smile.

“I’ve been thinking we should really get you some new clothes,” he said seriously, looking at her attire.

“I like these. They’re comfortable.”

“Still…” His gaze lingered on her bib, embroidered with delicate patterns. He hadn’t realized she cared about such things, but she always wore the embroidered bib with care.

“I’m not suggesting jewelry, but maybe some clothes with softer fabric, made similarly to these.”

He mused to himself, “I forgot to give the maids a reward.”

“Yes?” Miesa asked, confused.

“Oh, nothing. It’s just that the embroidery on this bib is quite detailed. It must have taken a lot of effort. Mother might have already rewarded them.”

Eirik added, “The servants and residents only need to fulfill their duties. This kindness goes beyond duty and shouldn’t be taken for granted.”

Miesa listened carefully, finding his words intriguing.

“It’s fascinating,” she said.

“What is?”

I’ve never heard such reasoning from the ruling class before. Miesa thought but changed the subject. “I like similar clothes, but I don’t like having a tailor come and measure me. It’s a hassle for both of us.”

This is what she says because she cannot stand docilely.

“I understand. We’ll use your existing clothes as a reference to make similar ones.”

“Okay,” Miesa agreed with a bright smile. Eirik returned her smile warmly but didn’t kiss her as he might have in the past.

Miesa noticed this absence of affection when she woke in the early hours of the morning. Since the incident with Maleca, he hadn’t initiated any physical contact, not even a kiss.

She sat up and looked at Eirik’s face in the dim blue light of dawn. It had become a new hobby for her to watch him while he slept. She propped her head on her hand and continued to observe him.

She didn’t mind his warmth when he carried her or climbed the stairs. She lifted the thin blanket covering him and slowly slipped her arm underneath, feeling the cool early morning air. She inched closer, stopping just before touching him, and continued her silent observation.

His sleeping posture was always neat. He never snored or talked in his sleep. He lay still, with his eyes and mouth firmly closed, always sleeping quietly on his back. It was fascinating.

Despite his large frame, he had delicate features when you looked closely. His long eyelashes, well-shaped nose, and tightly closed lips were all appealing.

Having heard that he was handsome, she found herself agreeing more and more. While wandering the mansion and even back at the royal palace, she had never seen anyone as striking as him.

She called his name softly, “Eirik.”

Of course, there was no answer. But Miesa couldn’t help but smile.

Since the first time they met, Eirik had always been kind to her. It was as if a fog that had clouded her vision had finally lifted, and she could now clearly see all his actions.

Even when he had every reason to be upset, he never got angry with her. He never raised his voice or scolded her; he always smiled.

Moreover, he always said pleasant things. He had never once spoken harshly to her.

“You’re more straightforward than you seem. You haven’t been particularly difficult or done anything without reason.”

It sounded like he was saying that she was a good person. The real Miesa.

Hearing those words from the one person who truly knew her made her happy. And then there was…

“It’s natural to cherish and protect my own. Furthermore, the Cladnier family never breaks faith.”

Miesa, who had never trusted anyone born as a human, wanted to believe those words. Eirik had never disappointed her.

She felt grateful. Perhaps the goddess’s wrath was finally coming to an end. Maybe that was why Miesa was placed in the position of his wife.

Miesa reached out cautiously to touch Eirik’s black hair. At first, she found it intimidating, but now…

“Are you enjoying the view?” he asked.

Startled, she sat up quickly, only to be pulled back into his embrace.

“Why didn’t you answer if you were awake?” she asked, her face flushing with embarrassment.

“I was curious about what you were going to do,” he replied.

Realizing she was now trapped in his arms, Miesa struggled to get away.

“It’s dark, so I thought I’d wait and see what you’d do,” he continued.

Thankfully, it was dark. She was sure her face was red.

“So, what were you doing?” he asked.

“Just… looking at you,” she stammered.

“At this hour? It’s still early, and you can’t see much,” he said, lighting a candle on the bedside table.

“There, now you can look comfortably,” he said, rubbing his face and running his hand through his hair before leaning back beside her.

“I haven’t washed up, so I’m a mess. Keep that in mind,” he added.

Now that he was openly inviting her to look, she felt embarrassed again. As she hesitated, he leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes.

“Do you prefer it if I close my eyes?”

“Yes…”

Even though she answered, she found it hard to look at him directly. Miesa bit her lip and glanced at his face before quickly looking away.

“I’ve seen enough. I’m done now.”

“If you’re done looking, you should share your impressions.”

“Impressions…,” Miesa began uncertainly, looking at Eirik’s face and listing her thoughts one by one.

“Your nose looks firm,” she said.

“Oh really?” Eirik chuckled, his voice still low from sleep, which sent a shiver through her.

“Well, better a firm nose than a soft one. And?”

“Your mouth is long.”

“That’s because I’m smiling. What else?”

“You have a dimple right here.” Miesa pointed to his cheek, but before she could retract her hand, he caught it in his grasp.

“So overall, how do I look? Do you like it?” he asked.

“Um…” Miesa hesitated, unsure how to describe his face. Finally, she said, “‘Saying he’s a handsome man isn’t enough.’”

“Suddenly, what?” he laughed again.

“Alright, now it’s your turn,” he said, turning towards her. Not seeing her well in the candlelight, he moved closer until he was practically on top of her. The proximity made her heart race.

Eirik looked down at her, sighed deeply, and said, “I’ve waited long enough. Tonight, you’ll have to give in a little.”

He leaned in closer, his face just inches from hers, and when her eyes fluttered shut, he took it as permission and kissed her.