Merchant Noble is out (2/4 chapters for today)
Marie and Festival (6)
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“Uh, Marie, no, Marie-sama. Please, tell me you’re joking…” (Arc)
“You were calling me just ‘Marie’ earlier.” (Marie)
When Arc anxiously confirmed, Marie said this with a displeased tone.
“But Marie-sama, you are engaged, aren’t you?” (Arc)
“It’s only an engagement. We’re not married yet.” (Marie)
“But still, I can’t bring myself to touch a woman who’s promised to another man.” (Arc)
“Oh? Betty, my maid, said that men like that sort of thing.” (Marie)
Who’s Betty? What kind of maid says such things to an innocent princess?
It was true that he didn’t oppose the idea of flirting with a woman who already had a man. As a merchant, Arc had many opportunities to be involved with such women and even had a few experiences. But this was another story. She was a princess engaged to a marquis. If he were to say, “I’ll borrow her for one night”, it wouldn’t just be him, but the whole Warden Household might not survive.
But Marie kept pushing forward. She’d probably already crossed the threshold of embarrassment.
“Right now, my future husband doesn’t matter. This is about you and me.” (Marie)
“Even so…” (Arc)
“I’ll keep it a secret. I won’t tell anyone.” (Marie)
“But I wouldn’t be able to face your father, the King…” (Arc)
“Oh, enough!” (Marie)
Marie raised her voice in frustration as Arc tried to deflect as politely as possible. Then she looked down at Arc, who was pushed down and was lying on the floor, with a disappointed expression.
“So, you’re just seeing me as ‘Princess Marie’, after all. You were treating me as just ‘Marie’ until a moment ago.” (Marie)
Marie looked down sadly. It wasn’t that her attempt to seduce Arc had failed, but that being treated as “Princess Marie” had brought her back to reality. It felt like a guilty mother pulling her child away from playtime to take them home.
“Is the dream over already?” (Marie)
“…” (Arc)
“Do I have to go back to being ‘Princess Marie’?” (Marie)
“…” (Arc)
Marie’s tears fell onto Arc’s cheek as he awkwardly avoided her gaze. She began to cry quietly. She wasn’t throwing a tantrum like a child, but seemed to understand her situation, half resigned.
Arc embraced Marie and gently kissed her. Marie trembled in surprise but soon wrapped her arms around him. Perhaps nervous because it was her first time, her body shook slightly. Arc gently held her close. After a while, they broke the kiss as they ran out of breath.
“This is as far as I can go.” (Arc)
A final, passionate kiss, then it would end. That’s what Arc thought, but he was naive. Marie’s tears wouldn’t stop.
“Coward. I was ready for this.” (Marie)
Marie stood up and began to walk away unsteadily. Concerned for her safety on the wall, Arc hurriedly supported her. She gazed out beyond the walls. Outside the city, there were no lights. The forest and fields were swallowed by darkness.
“If I could say what I truly wanted, I’d ask you to take me away. Into that darkness.” (Marie)
Marie stared intently at Arc. Her tear-filled, shining eyes were incredibly beautiful.
“I’ve found love. Arc-sama, I love you. No matter whose wife I become, my heart will always be with you.” (Marie)
“Marie…” (Arc)
Moved by her earnest confession, Arc couldn’t help but embrace her. Had anyone ever cared for him so deeply? Seeing Marie, so purely in love, made Arc feel an overwhelming affection for her.
“I take back what I said. I want to stay with you a little longer, Marie.” (Arc)
As Arc said this, he deeply kissed her soft lips again.
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