Chapter 4

  Stupid husband.

  What type of facade would work on a jerk like him? This is a problem.

  A man, will always be a man. If i act the way I act around my family... all cute and pitiful, would he throw up? hit me? no way, he wouldn't.. i hope.

  The high ceiling of the duchy, the big marble pillars adorned with the hint of gold, paintings on the wall, and the long hallway. I had always thought that the north would be gloomy and dark, but it seems like I was wrong. The place is actually pretty. There are some flowers blooming by the help of the warm covered greenhouse.

  I'm claudette.

  of course, my goal isn't to explore around the north.

  I have to get Ozias to open up to me.

  I'm now hiding behind a pillar. I somehow made it to the training grounds where my husband is.

  Tall paladin's training, the noise of the metal sword clashing against each other, and there. a man stands, his whole demeanor screaming authority. they were totally different back in the south. The North is way more fierce than our knights.

  Their armor's looks heavy. how do they even move around with those on? they make it look easy.

  "Who are you looking for, lady claudette?"

  A voice rings out, shaking me back to my senses. I didn't even notice a paladin has approached me.

  A pretty face. sweet and soft smile. his hair was a pretty shade of yellow; Sachet.

  "Heh, lady claudette, right?" the man asked, blinking. Once, twice. Norko green eyes glinting with something I can't describe.

  He looks down at the basket I'm holding. filled with some fruits. he looks a bit taken back and he darts his eyes away.

  "When you were saying bye to your family, I was also part of the convoy."

  "Oh.. I'm sorry, I didn't.."

  "No wonder, you didn't recognize me. But what brings you here, my lady? are you here to see the greenhouse?"

  "No. Well, I heard my husband's here." I smiled softly and answered, and he--- the man. stayed quiet for a few seconds.

  ".....I see. wait for a minute" he smiled nicely again and walked past the pillar I'm hiding behind.

  I was about to peek my head out.

  "Ozias!.. Ozias! Your wife is here! Hey! Ozias! You dickhead! are you ignoring me!? ah, fuck, this bastard isn't listening!"

  I can't believe those words came out of that fine mouth. what the hell is wrong with people in this world?

  I hid behind the pillar again, staring down on my hands that are holding the basket. my wrists were aching. that's weird, I haven't cutted in a while.

  "What are you doing here?" The cold tone and the low-pitched voice pierced my ears. I lifted my head up and I feel shivers down my spine. Ozias is leaning against the wall, crossed arms, and those hostile eyes.

  sweat dripped down his tangled silver hair to his forehead. If this guy were to have a staring contest with ulyseus, it'd be worth to watch.

  "Last night- uh, I-"

  "What?"

  "I thought your concept about me will be weird. so I was worried..."

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  I say, murmuring my last words as I look around nervously. As if I didn't know what to say. Then my shoulders dropped, weakly.

  "Stop it, I'm fine."

  "Ho-hold on!"

  He didn't even waste a second and immediately shook off my delicate hand. It caused me to stagger back, dropping the picnic basket on the floor. It fell down with a thud.

  'Oh.."

  I expected Ozias to leave, but he stared down at me. looking at what I was doing.

  His jewel-like red eyes flashes with puzzlement.

  "You- what exactly are you doing?"

  what does it look like. I'm picking up fruits.

  what a cranky person.

  "Sorry.. I'm sorry.. I bought it for you.."

  "Who asked you to do something like that? why are you picking up fruits that fell on the floor?"

  "...so... sorry"

  cry. open up the dam, flow. the river of tears falls down my cheeks as I stand up, shuddering helplessly.

  hic.. sniff

  This survival instinct. I can even win the best actress award because of this. there are times where this didn't work with my brother.

  of course, there are different reactions whenever I start crying. but the situation would always calm down.

  what kind of guy would Ozias be?

  "I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to offend you.. I'm just trying to explain.. you must be mistaken about me and-"

  Ozias-- the best knight of the North was just there. staring at me like I'm crazy. what a consistent guy. your eyeballs might fall out soon.

  "What misunderstanding?"

  "Well, the misunderstanding, that I've taken Kirims place.."

  "It-.. It's understandable if you loathe me.. I-"

  "Who said that I hated you?"

  I slightly freeze. a sigh coming out my lips.

  I open my mouth.

  With him looking at me with those red jewel-like eyes, his head tilted, his lips goes up with a smile as he approaches me.

  unlike those who pity me, he hates it. he hates it very much.

  "I never said I hated you."

  "You.. don't hate me?"

  "No, I don't hate you."

  I look at him a bit surprised.

  "Are you joking or are you serious?"

  "It's true."

  My eyes lights up. I held his hand tightly as I flash a pretty smile from excitement

  "Really? No take backs!.."

  He looks down at me, and there was a moment of silence. His smile slowly faded away, looking at my face.

  I get nervous thinking he might throw hands here and there. but it did not happen.

  "Fuck, what am I doing?" he says. his voice sounded conflicted.

  He looked away, turning his body and he runs a hand through his hair in a frustrated manner.

  ah,

  I had done it. I managed to get a reaction from him.

  "...You okay?"

  He said as he picks up the remaining fruits on the floor, putting it back on the basket. he shoves the picnic basket back in my hands.

  Geez, what an aggressive guy.

  "Don't do anything this useless next time. I don't need it."

  "But-"

  "I'm saying this so you don't get mistaken. I don't care. I can't wait for you to drop that facade of yours. so, why not just write a letter and go back to the south, little princess?"

  ah, there it is.

  I haven't seen this side of him before and I'm more convinced than ever.

  People like him, who acts indifferently, was rather dangerous for me. I knew I'm not the naive and stupid type.

  maybe he thought that I wasn't worth arguing with. It was obvious what I was doing was not worth the vigilance or doubt.

  "..I don't want to."

  "Why? do you feel like this manor is your house already?"

  "Its- it's because I'm falling for you!.."

  for a moment, I could only hear the wind and birds chirping.

  "I.. I know you get that a lot but I swear that I won't cause any trouble around here.. and. and-"

  Without saying a word, he turns around walking away.

  "I won't a be a nuisance!..."

  Silence.