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TN: To think they settled inside the carriage is quite concerning... but well~ it's a good time for both of them, right? Hihi, leave your comment below!
“I don’t want to say congratulations anymore,” Rowell said, meeting my eyes.
I tried to pull my hand away, but he held it tightly and gazed at me.
At that moment, Ardion pushed Rowell’s hand away. “Holding her hand with your dirty ones? How rude of you.”
“Your Highness, I brought you water. Please wash your hands quickly…”
But Rowell threw away the water the servant brought. The silver basin rolled on the ground with a clang.
“Did you say your name is Laila?”
I didn’t answer and just stared at him.
He had a faint smile, unlike his blunt face, while his gaze was arrogant and provocative.
“It’s always been quite unpleasant to be around Ardion, but now it’s really annoying.”
Rowell raised the corners of his mouth and turned around. The nobles followed him out of the temple. Suddenly, Rowell stopped in his tracks. “Ardion, if you have any considerations, it would be better to go see our father now.”
“…”
“He’s been feeling unwell lately.”
Ardion clenched his fist. I saw mana light leaking out brightly from his arm. I grabbed his arm, and it instantly diminished.
“Your Highness, this is the temple. And you don’t have to do this…”
“Aren’t you angry?”
“I am angry, but if you try to use your power on Rowell first, your reputation will only get worse. After all, this is the temple.”
Ardion’s reputation wasn’t all that good these days. The newspapers said that he was a prince who committed crimes and lived his life as he pleased by marrying me, a commoner. Of course, his crimes were now cleared, but the rumors had already spread, and his reputation wouldn’t change overnight.
The mana light gradually disappeared from Ardion’s arm. He glanced at me, his face was expressionless. But his lips drew a thin line, as if he was barely holding back his anger. He lowered his gaze and grabbed my hand.
“Let’s go.” His voice was low.
As I followed him, I could see the high priest and the priests hurriedly lowering their heads. As soon as we arrived in front of the carriage, Ardion let go of my hand and opened the carriage door himself. I lifted my dress and went inside the carriage. The carriage was very spacious, and the decorations were ornate, almost dazzling.
I heard the carriage door close. As soon as Ardion sat down next to me, the carriage started.
“I skipped going around the streets. I thought it would be too hard for you.”
At that moment, Derol stuck his head out.
Ardion frowned at Derol. “Wouldn’t it be better to keep Derol in the mansion?”
I glanced at Derol.
Ardion added, “The mansion is close to the villa. I’ll be back in a week. And most of all…”
He took my hand, placed it against his cheek, and touched my palm with his lips. I distinctly felt his smooth skin grazing against mine.
“I want to spend time alone with you. We’re married now.”
Ardion met my gaze. His eyes were filled with desperate longing. I looked at him carefully without realizing it, and Ardion’s lips went up. It was quite seductive. I stared at him for a moment as if I was possessed. He tilted his head as he met my eyes, perhaps knowing that I was lost in thought.
His playfully shining eyes were so attractive that I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.
Maybe taking Derol along would be rude to Ardion, but leaving him behind wasn’t good either…
Above all, Ardion wasn’t someone who would threaten my life. It didn’t seem like he would suddenly act like a rotten male protagonist.
He’s smiling so brightly…
I nodded, convinced in my heart. Ardion smiled faintly, kissed the back of my hand, and put my hand down. I stroked Derol with my other hand that Ardion’s hand wasn’t holding. I had no choice but to be away from Derol for a week.
Derol must have already sensed my feelings and squeaked. “It’s okay, Master. I will wait bravely without crying until you return.”
I stroked Derol with a faint smile.
The carriage arrived in front of Ardion’s mansion. I tried to get out and see Derol off, but Ardion stopped me.
“Laila, the butler will take good care of him. Don’t worry too much.”
“But I need to…”
Ardion gestured to the butler. The butler came closer and bowed his head.
“Take good care of Derol.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The butler opened a small box. I could only carefully place Derol inside the box.
“Master, I’ll wait for you.”
As Derol shed tears, Ardion wiped them away. Derol and I looked at him in surprise.
“Your Highness?”
“Derol, we’ll go and return safely. Have fun!”
Ardion’s tone was uncharacteristically affectionate. No, it was the most affectionate tone he had ever spoken to Derol. He looked at Derol with a straight smile. Derol simply turned his head away while squeaking.
Ardion waved his hand, and the butler retreated. Soon, the carriage door closed completely.
“Your Highness?”
“Laila.” Ardion’s eyes instantly darkened. As I looked at him in confusion, his eyes met mine, and his gaze suddenly dropped to my lips. “You should call me Ardion now. The officiant even said it in the marriage vows.”
“That’s…”
I hadn’t heard them well because I had zoned out. No, wasn’t it impressive to stay upright while listening to all those articles? Furthermore, Ardion knew that I had been bored.
“Article 75 of the marriage vows: The two people recognized as a couple shall replace each other’s titles with their names.”
“Was there something like that?”
“I listened to everything because I thought you might forget…”
“Do I have to follow all of that? Aren’t the marriage vows just a ceremony that happens during the wedding?”
Since this part hadn’t been described in detail in the original, I just said whatever came to my mind.
No, who would follow all 100 articles of the marriage vows?!
But Ardion’s answer was firm. “If you don’t uphold them, you’ll go to jail, Laila.”
“Huh?” My voice naturally grew louder.
Unlike me, Ardion replied calmly, “In the empire, marriage vows are almost like imperial law, so they must be upheld. That’s why princes and nobles have more articles. They have to do it due to their properties and status.”
I was speechless. What is this? What the hell is this?!
My eyes met Ardion’s. I was embarrassed. His eyes seemed to have lost their vitality, unlike earlier.
I ignored the goosebumps on my arm and said carefully, “Your Highness?”
Ardion smirked. “You broke the marriage vows, Laila.”
“Are you going to report me, Your Highness?”
“But you did break the laws.”
Ardion’s gaze scanned my face. It was like the eyes of a hungry predator. He looked at my lips for a moment as if he were longing for something, then lifted his gaze.
“Do you think I’ll let you off?”
“Wh… no, Ardion.”
Ardion smirked. “You’ve broken them twice, Laila.”
“Are you really going to send me to prison?”
“No, I’ll handle it my own way.”
“How?”
Ardion pulled me by the waist and sat me down on his lap. He bit my lips in one breath. When I opened my lips slightly, his tongue slid in. He wrapped his tongue around my tongue as if he wanted to swallow it, then slowly lowered his head. A thick breath spread across my lips.
“If you listen to what I say from now on, I’ll forgive you.”
The voice that fell softly was quite low.
When I didn't respond, Ardion said, “I want to do it here with you.”
“Huh?” I said in confusion.
Ardion’s gaze was still gentle. “It’d be better to roll around here with me than go to prison.”
“Your Highness, why are you suddenly doing this?”
“You broke them again, Laila. Now, you’re changing your mind? Didn’t you say I could do whatever I wanted with you after we got married? And you need to stabilize your mana as soon as possible.”
Ardion’s gaze was too sharp. His hand went up to my dress.
“But this is inside the carriage, and there’s a coachman outside,” I whispered.
Ardion shook his head. “I have no intention of letting you go now. It was hard to hear you call me Your Highness all this time.”
His words were quite cold. Where had the Ardion who smiled so affectionately earlier gone…
Is that his real face? The face of the rotten male protagonist I feared the most?
His expression remained cold. I forced a smile and opened my mouth. “Your Highness, this is…”
“You did it again, Laila. You don’t even listen to me.” Ardion’s eyes became sharp. Now, his face was devoid of mercy.
I tried to avoid it… but I ended up doing it anyway. My face naturally wrinkled. I felt an urge to curse inside.
I shakily moved off his lap. I saw my reflection in the mirror and knew I was pale.. Ardion carefully supported me, looking at me with concern. His expression had softened, looking more at ease and energized.
Ardion’s hand wrapped around my waist.
“I want to rest,” I said.
Ardion smiled and kissed my cheek. I never told him to do that.
Bad guy, I cursed Ardion inwardly.
Then I heard him say, “Laila, that won’t work.”
Ardion suddenly hugged me forcefully.
“Ack, Ardion!”
I was completely subdued in the carriage. I couldn’t even call him Your Highness anymore. Ardion chuckled softly and kissed my lips. I struggled to free my legs, but he didn’t care. He walked briskly, as if walking on clouds, with no sign of difficulty.