Killian stared blankly at the burning campfire, recalling what Veronia had said just moments ago.
Her words about preventing body temperature from dropping were not wrong.
That’s why he was surprised. It wasn’t common sense that someone who had never experienced outdoor sleeping would easily think of.
‘I didn’t know she had a habit of reading books. Come to think of it, I don’t seem to know much about Your Highness.’
Even now, that was the case.
The Veronia he had known until now would have wanted to be embraced tightly, kissed, or even more in this situation, but it wasn’t like that at all.
‘She has indeed matured a lot. If not that… Could it be…’
Has she really found someone else she likes? The thought that suddenly crossed his mind made his mood sink.
He tried to think of something else while watching the quietly burning campfire.
But once a thought had nested in his mind, it showed no sign of leaving.
‘Is it one of the guys she danced with at the last banquet? Who was it? I should have watched more carefully then, ah…?’
He quickly put the brakes on his thoughts that were chasing one after another.
It was ridiculous. He let out a chuckle at how pathetic he was.
‘Come on, what are you doing? Like someone who’s been rejected? Are you even jealous? It’s not like that.’
It’s not like that, right? Is it…? Killian was becoming confused even with himself.
Wishing for the distracting thoughts to disappear, Killian closed his eyes.
Hoping that drowsiness would subdue his mind.
But sleep didn’t come easily, and his arm and shoulder touching her only grew hotter.
How much time had passed?
Killian, who ultimately couldn’t fall asleep, lifted his eyelids.
Outside was still noisy with the sound of rain and thunder.
It seemed like it would still be a while before daybreak.
Veronia was still sleeping soundly, leaning on his shoulder.
Her body scent, her breathing, her soft skin touching him tormented Killian.
‘This is maddening.’
Killian, who rubbed his face with one hand, lowered his gaze to look at Veronia.
Her red and plump lips came into view.
They looked so tempting.
Killian unconsciously reached out his hand. There was no time for reason to stop him.
The soft lips touched his fingertips.
Adequately plump, adequately elastic, and adequately warm.
Was it because of the strange sensation? Suddenly, he wondered what it would feel like if lips met lips instead of lips and fingers.
Killian unconsciously lowered his head. Again, there was no time for reason to stop him.
That’s when it happened.
“Mmm…”
Veronia stirred and burrowed further into his arms.
Only then did Killian come to his senses and straightened his head.
Thump thump, his heart pounded terribly.
‘What on earth am I doing? You madman.’
He was dumbfounded. A sneer burst out without even having time to hold it back.
From the moment his engagement to Veronia was decided long ago until now, Killian had only been thinking about how to escape this engagement, from her.
That’s why he was glad when he got the chance to participate in battles, to leave the capital, and to roam the battlefield for a long time.
When the order to return came, he had many sleepless nights due to the feeling of regret.
‘But… to try to kiss… And like a thief, secretly!’
Curiosity about the sensation was just an excuse. An excuse so ridiculous even a 3-year-old would laugh at it.
In fact, he was captivated by Veronia sleeping on his shoulder, defenseless.
In fact, her long trembling eyelashes, the small steady breaths, the rising and falling chest with each breath, the soft breath tickling his forearm were all seductive.
It was to the point where he couldn’t escape, as if under a spell.
His gaze touched Veronia’s lips again.
He felt regretful.
‘Ha… Regretful? Did you just think it’s regretful?’
He must have lost his mind.
While he had never liked her for even a moment, and always felt the engagement with her as a burden.
Thump thump, his heart beat erratically.
He was afraid that Veronia, who had changed a little, who had matured, would leave him behind.
He was afraid that he would miss her when she was gone.
And despite that, he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to find her.
‘…Afraid? That I’ll miss her? …I’ve gone completely mad!’
It seemed like he might have injured his head when falling from the cliff into the river.
Or maybe there was a spell mixed in the net magic tool that caused mental confusion.
Killian tightly closed his eyes in irritation.
Sleep still wouldn’t come, but it seemed like he needed to forcibly drag that drowsiness in.
He turned his head to the opposite side.
It seemed like he shouldn’t let her enter his view if he happened to open his eyes.
But he couldn’t move the arm that was touching her.
It was unavoidable to maintain each other’s body heat.
And…
It felt good to be in contact with her even in this way.
Although he didn’t want to admit it.
[This is the timeline separator]
The next day, fortunately, the rain had stopped.
Veronia and Killian, who left the cave, entered the forest again.
It was because Killian said they should stay as far away from the river as possible to avoid being tracked by the masked group.
‘But why am I clinging to Killian again!’
It was the first time her own body felt like such a burden.
But it couldn’t be helped. This was the best way to move.
Killian, who had fully recovered his strength and energy, was almost flying while carrying her.
‘Yes, endure it. This isn’t a picnic, but the way home after being attacked. We need to return as quickly as possible. Just… endure a little more.’
Veronia, who comforted herself, tightened her arms around his neck.
Thump thump, the sound of his heartbeat reaching her ears was very loud.
Listening to that sound, Veronia’s heart also beat pleasantly.
‘How can being in someone else’s arms feel this good.’
She liked the sense of security given by his broad shoulders, firm chest, and strong arms.
She even felt like wanting to settle in his arms.
‘Should I just marry this person? Even if it starts as a loveless marriage, won’t we grow fond of each other over time? Like many strategic marriages… Unlike in the original story, if I don’t mistreat the female lead, I might be able to avoid execution.’
Veronia was surprised by the thought that suddenly crossed her mind.
It was an incredibly naive thought.
‘No, no! Given the accumulated karma of the imperial family, even without Veronia’s misdeeds, a rebellion will eventually occur and the imperial family will fall.’
So it was right to diligently plan an escape while there was still a chance.
Veronia pushed the useless thoughts out of her mind.
After running for about an hour, Killian stopped when a small pond came into view.
“Would you like to rest for a moment, Your Highness?”
“Yes, that would be nice.”
Her head and stomach were dizzy from being cradled in his arms and jostled since early morning.
Killian set her down in the shade.
That’s when it happened.
Growl- A thunderous sound erupted from Veronia’s stomach.
“Ah…”
I really am something else… Veronia’s face turned red in an instant.
It was always this body that was the problem. She felt like crawling into a mouse hole.
While Veronia was berating herself, Killian blamed his own insensitivity.
It was his first time spending time outdoors with a civilian, so he didn’t know.
When living outdoors with the knights, going without food for a day was nothing, so Killian was used to fasting. But Veronia was different.
For her, accustomed to eating three meals a day plus dessert, going a full day without food must have been grueling.
“I apologize. I should have taken care of Your Highness’s meal first, but I didn’t think of it.”
“I’m fine. I am… hungry, but really, I’m fine. So you don’t need to worry about it. Really.”
Veronia waved her hands, speaking as if pleading.
She felt like crying at Killian’s serious reaction to her bodily function.
There was still a long way to go. Moreover, they were being pursued.
She knew all too well that this was no time to be leisurely eating.
But Killian shook his head.
“No. It is my duty as a knight to prioritize Your Highness’s health above all else.”
“…”
Veronia couldn’t continue speaking.
Because Killian’s eyes were shining with such gravity.
‘What… Looking at his eyes, it’s as if filling my stomach is the greatest mission on earth.’
Embarrassed, Veronia just nodded silently with her lips tightly closed.
“Please wait here for a moment. I’ll go look for something to eat.”
“…Alright.”
“Just in case, I’d like to put you up in a tree. Would that be okay?”
“Ah…”
It seemed he thought it necessary to hide her body more thoroughly when alone, given that they were being pursued.
“Certainly.” Veronia answered briefly.
Killian found a suitable tree and guided her to it.
Stepping on the tree trunk and jumping halfway up, Killian reached out his hand towards Veronia.
It was a hand she had already held several times.
But every time she saw that large hand stretched out right in front of her, Veronia felt troubled.
It was a reliable hand, one she wanted to depend on, but also a hand she absolutely shouldn’t.
It was a hand she had already become somewhat accustomed to, but one she shouldn’t become any more familiar with.
‘…Let’s escape quickly. From the original story, from the male lead, and from this hand…’
Steeling her wavering heart and renewing her resolve to escape the original story, Veronia firmly grasped his hand.
Killian lightly lifted her up and seated her on a tree branch.
Concerned about leaving Veronia alone, Killian’s blue eyes looking up at her were full of worry.
That’s when it happened. Growl― Once again, a thunderous sound erupted. Veronia’s face turned as red as a ripe apple.
Killian quickly spoke up.
As if he hadn’t heard her stomach’s demanding sound at all.
“Please wait here for a moment, Your Highness. I’ll be back soon.”
“Be careful, Sir Killian.”
Killian immediately jumped down from the tree and ran into the forest.
As he disappeared from view, shame washed over her.
Veronia glared at her own stomach reproachfully and scolded it.
“Couldn’t you have held on a little longer! Why then of all times! Why did you do that, really!”
Why did you do that! As she lightly struck her stomach, perhaps she used too much force, because she momentarily lost balance and her body tilted precariously.
“Uh… Whoa!”
Male lead is a Love-Obsessed Merman
When he discovers she has gone, he risks everything to pursue her on land, enduring agonizing pain to transform his tail into human legs…
One-line summary: Male lead chases female lead. The male lead’s love is a bit sick, an invincible love brain.
Synopsis
During a voyage at sea, Jiang Yang accidentally captures a merman.
Servant: I heard that mermen are fierce and brutal.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman obediently rubbing her palm like a puppy: “You call this fierce and brutal?”
Servant: I heard that mermen have no human nature.
Jiang Yang looks at the merman with wet puppy eyes, obsessively calling her ‘A Yang’ like a childish infant: “You call this having no human nature?”
With great difficulty, she releases the merman back into the sea and returns to shore.
Who would have thought that in less than half a month, the merman, who should have been freely wandering in the South China Sea, would shed his scales, endure the pain of losing his tail, transform into human legs, and come ashore to find her?
He kneels at her feet, rubbing her palm, with merman tears rolling down: “A Yang, don’t abandon me.”
_____
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