:: Wake up, pervert! ::
:: I said wake up!—smack!— ::
"Uwah… haa—what?!"
A sharp voice cut through the haze in my mind, followed by a sting on my nose. My eyes flew open, and I lurched forward, blinking rapidly.
The first thing I noticed was the sheer size of the room—spacious, elegant, and too luxurious for someone like me. The air smelled of fresh flowers, mixed with the faint scent of perfume lingering in the soft silk curtains that framed the large windows. The golden embroidery on the walls shimmered under the warm glow of the morning sun, filtering through the open drapes.
My gaze flicked to the maids. There were two, no—three of them, carefully arranging flowers and decorations. But what stood out was the way they kept sneaking glances at me, their eyes filled with curiosity... and amusement?
’Shit—my clothes?!’
My hands flew to my chest, expecting the worst, but instead of bare skin, I felt smooth fabric. I looked down—
A black robe.
It looked similar to the one I usually wore, but the texture was different—softer, finer, expensive. My fingers brushed against the fabric, tracing the golden embroidery at the edges. It definitely wasn’t mine.
’What the hell? Last night, I was in the bathroom, having the best time of my life, and now I wake up here?’
Something wasn’t right.
I swallowed, my throat oddly dry, and turned toward the maids. "Um… can you tell me where I am?"
My voice came out rough, like I hadn’t spoken in hours. My hands instinctively pressed against the mattress, feeling the cool silk sheets beneath my fingers. The bed was massive, too large for one person. My mind jolted with a sudden thought—was someone beside me? My fingers moved over the sheets, searching.
’Shit. The princess…?’
Memories from last night hit me like a wave. The warmth of her body. The way her breath had hitched under my touch. The way our lips had—
I shook my head.
"Yes, my Lord," one of the maids finally answered, her voice smooth and polite. She bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle. "You are in the princess’ chamber."
My stomach dropped.
The princess’ chamber?
That meant—this was the same room I had entered last night. The same bed I had shared with her.
But something was strange. I hadn’t paid attention before, but I remembered the room being simpler. The decorations had been minimal. No extravagant flower arrangements. No added ornaments.
Yet now… it looked like a bride’s chamber.
Aleriana was frugal. She wasn’t the type to waste money on unnecessary luxuries.
So why…?
"...Where is she?" I asked, throwing off the blanket as I stood. My body felt oddly refreshed—no aches, no scratches, nothing. That alone was strange. I had expected some bruises after last night, considering I had been at the mercy of someone far stronger than me.
"Who, my Lord?"
’…These damn maids.’
Their faces were the picture of innocence, heads tilted in mock confusion. They knew exactly who I was asking for, but they wanted to hear me say it.
I exhaled sharply. "My wife. Where is she?"
"Behind you, husband."
—!?
"Ho—couldn’t you at least tell me first, Princess?"
I had been expecting a maid’s response. Instead, the reply came from directly beside me. Warm breath brushed against my neck, sending a sharp shiver down my spine.
I whipped around.
Aleriana stood there, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. Her silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the light, and her deep sapphire eyes held a glint of amusement. She was close—too close.
"...I see," she murmured.
With a small flick of her fingers, she gestured to the maids. They bowed, then giggled amongst themselves as they left the room. The last one, a girl with a blue ribbon in her hair, slowly pulled the door shut, as if reluctant to leave.
’The hell is with them?’
I could feel their teasing gazes even after they were gone. They were treating me like some small, helpless thing to toy with.
And honestly? Right now, they weren’t exactly wrong.
I had no idea how to act after last night.
I had kissed her. Claimed her. Gone all the way with her.
And then, instead of doing anything a man should…
I had passed out.
’Damn this body.’
I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling inside me. Like some weakling, I had collapsed after just one round. Forget going all night—I hadn’t even lasted long enough to enjoy it properly.
[ Host, you lost consciousness due to the effects of a potion. ]
’...Oh.’
So that was it. I must have tasted the potion when I kissed her.
A sharp flap! cut through the air.
I looked up—
A bat.
It flew in erratic circles around Aleriana’s head, as if trying to hit her.
:: Why did you do that with him with that face! ::
:: Don’t you have any standards, human! ::
:: Even a pig would have been fine, but him! ::
My mouth twitched hearing those words; yet, right now, it appeared I was becoming habitual of ignoring her, just like what I did last night, noticing a particular thing where each time this black reaper got close, a faint golden shimmer pulsed around Aleriana, repelling it effortlessly.
Her internal energy may be unknowingly guarding Aleriana.
"Good morning," she said, breaking my thoughts.
Her voice was softer than before. Warmer.
I hesitated. "...Good morning, Princess."
Scratching the back of my head, I shifted awkwardly. Even after everything, I didn’t know what to say. My mind was a mess, but unlike me, she seemed to be waiting for something.
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Then, I saw it.
The moment my bland greeting left my lips, her expression changed.
Her smile faded. Her gaze dimmed.
She let out a small sigh before turning away, settling on the bed with a stack of papers in her hand.
’Huh?’
Why did that feel like… disappointment?
Frowning, I studied her. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she focused on the papers. Her delicate fingers moved in smooth, practiced strokes, signing something.
A strange tightness settled in my chest.
I inhaled. "...You look beautiful, Princess."
’.....’
For a moment, I thought I imagined it.
But no. There was a faint redness near her eyes.
It vanished quickly.
"...I see," she murmured, voice hushed.
’System… did something happen?’
[ I don’t know. But she loves you for sure. ]
’How sure?’
There was no way she loved me. We had barely known each other for three days.
[ Memory Formation with Princess Aleriana Vandreat = 90/100 ]
’!?!’
’Wait—wasn’t it below 30 last time!?’
Memory Formation measured how much someone valued their moments with me. If it was high, it meant they cherished those memories.
Given that I had already read the story, I understood the importance of this memory formation, which was crucial. I knew that once it reached a value of more than 80, it was essentially the same as dying for the other.
For her to have such a high number… after just a few days…
It didn’t make sense.
It felt wrong.
’Am I… being a bastard here?’
That thought hit me harder than expected.
She was cherishing every moment with me.
Meanwhile, I—who had no real feelings for her—had simply spent the night with her without thinking twice.
"...Here."
Aleriana’s voice pulled me back.
She held out a document. "I’ve signed it, as promised."
I took it.
My eyes lowered.
A permission certificate.
For polygamy.
In that fleeting moment, I felt like the biggest piece of trash.
’Shit.’