Lust for the King’s Wife

Chapter 12: Two Thoughts (1)

A delicate hand emerged from between the folds of her tightly drawn dress. Before I knew it, the princess had nestled entirely into my embrace, as if we had become one. She clung to me, unwilling to part.

The sensation was slightly different from her usual childish clinginess. It felt more intense, enough to catch my attention just as I was about to point it out. But the princess spoke first.

“Here is the warmest. Or maybe I should say, the coziest.”

“Shall I lower the room temperature a bit if it’s too warm?”

“That kind of joke isn’t funny. Anyway, being like this makes me feel at ease for some reason.”

“Princess.”

“But standing is uncomfortable. Can I lie down on the bed?”

She wasn’t asking for permission. Her steps were already leading toward the bed. I followed her as if being dragged along. The bedding lay stretched out, with its cold sheets almost chilling to the touch.

The princess frowned slightly at the coolness, but soon she leaned against me with a faint smile.

“The weather’s gotten so cold lately. I should tell the maids to pay more attention to the bedding.”

“It’s because I left the window open, Princess.”

“Is that so? And you’re wearing such thin clothes—why would you do that? You’ll catch a cold.”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because staying inside the palace all the time feels a bit suffocating.”

“You’re starting to sound like the queen.”

I didn’t know what expression to make and averted my gaze. Noticing this, the princess gently tapped my chin with her head as if to say she was joking.

“Actually, I feel the same. It’s tiring to be outside, but being trapped in the palace is even harder. Do you think I might have an adventurer’s spirit?”

“Perhaps you’ve just spent too much time outside.”

“Since I grew up, I’ve spent more time outside than in the palace. A year in the Dragon’s Labyrinth. Two years with you, Alf. It might not seem long, but for three years during my youth, it’s no short time.”

“It was a nightmare for the kingdom.”

“For me, it was a blessing. My father is so overprotective. You’ve taught me much more than he ever has.”

For the first time, I thought she might not be wrong. The king I had encountered was perhaps a great warrior, but he fell short as a father or teacher.

Of course, it felt harsh to say this outright, so I expressed it with some humility.

“History doesn’t often speak of people who’ve journeyed with a mischievous elf and a witty sage. I learned much from them, too, so I’m sure you did as well.”

“I did. I learned elves are louder than I thought, and sages know too much, so every conversation with them drags on forever.”

“I can’t argue with that.”

“And that if you like something, you must leave your mark on it. Oh, wait, was that something I learned from you?”

She added a playful wink with her last remark. Finally, I cautiously brought up what I had been holding back all day.

“Princess, about what happened at the procession today…”

“Oh, that? Sorry. But you looked so dazed and cute that I couldn’t resist.”

“It was a rather hasty action on your part.”

“I admit I was a bit childish. But people seemed to like it.”

“Perhaps it reassured them that you’re doing well, Princess.”

“Or maybe it’s a sign of how much people like you.”

The princess pulled my arm over her like a blanket. With a radiant smile that resembled an innocent child’s, she spoke brightly.

“When we get married, so many people will bless us, won’t they?”

“…They probably will.”

“And if my father abdicates, you’ll make a great king. I don’t know what the future holds, but at the very least, you’ll do better than my father.”

“That’s…”

“And I’ll be a better queen than the current one.”

Her murmured words carried a profound certainty. The weight of her conviction left her silent, and I too fell into momentary quietude.

It wasn’t an unpleasant silence, to be honest. But I sensed there was more she wanted to say. The glass-like fragility of our quiet was soon shattered by her voice.

“I’ve been thinking about the past a lot today. We used to sleep like this all the time outside, didn’t we?”

“You often couldn’t sleep alone, Princess.”

“I was so lonely in the labyrinth. Maybe I just needed someone to lean on. Lately, I’ve been finding it hard to fall asleep.”

“Perhaps you’re not used to the palace yet.”

“That’s why, Alf… Do you also have trouble sleeping these days?”

I hesitated, unsure how to answer. The princess, not waiting for my response, continued.

“One of the maids mentioned that you wander the halls at night as if your bed is uncomfortable. I didn’t pry—it just slipped out.”

“I seem to have caused some unnecessary concern.”

“Behave yourself. You’re no longer an adventurer who can act however you please.”

“I have no excuse.”

“But I understand. Everything still feels unfamiliar, right? And soon you’ll have to be apart from your companions, so it must feel lonely.”

“I…”

“That’s why, Alf…”

The princess nestled deeper into my arms. Pressing lightly against me, her voice softened, tinged with maturity.

“I’ll stay by your side, like always.”

“Princess.”

“Does this sound like childishness again? But I mean it. If becoming a king from a hero, and being alone, frightens you, I’ll stay with you.”

“…”

“If that’s too much to handle, then at least let me hold your hand.”

A delicate hand cautiously covered mine. I hesitated briefly, then gently held it in return. The princess’ eyes closed as a faint sigh escaped her lips.

Was she planning to fall asleep like this? I tried to let her lie comfortably, and naturally, I lay down beside her. The princess whispered softly to mark the end of the day.

“Goodnight, Alf.”

“Yes. Sleep well, Princess.”

As we exchanged goodnight wishes, her fingers tightened around mine. Warm, yet firmly locked together—they were cuffs meant only for me.

When the pale moon was veiled by dark clouds, the princess fell asleep. She snored lightly and even mumbled in her sleep, indicating a deep slumber.

Even so, her hand remained clasped around mine. I dared not move, afraid of disturbing her peaceful rest.

It had likely been a while since she had slept so deeply. Thinking so, I found myself unable to let go. It seemed tonight’s secret meeting would have to be abandoned.

But then, the wound on my wrist began to sting once more.

It wasn’t just pain; blood started to seep out from within.

“Ugh…?”

Startled, I let go of the princess’ hand and stifled a groan. Thankfully, she didn’t wake, but the bleeding didn’t stop.

Before it could stain the sheets, I quietly slipped out of bed. Walking softly, I left the room and stepped into the corridor.

The moment I did, the bleeding began to subside as if by magic. Seeing this, I let out a faint, bitter laugh.

“Haha…”

Was this the witch’s magic? I couldn’t fathom its mechanics, but the message was clear. She was calling me—demanding I come to her at once.

It seemed she was upset. Perhaps this was her way of taming me, exaggerated as it might sound.

Instead of heading directly to her room on the fifth floor, I stopped in the middle of the corridor and called her name.

“…Mirian.”

I deliberately delayed my steps, leaning against the wall. It wasn’t as though the bleeding was severe enough to harm me. A simple bandage could stop it entirely.

So, I didn’t rush. Like someone awaiting their lover’s reaction, I nonchalantly gazed out the window, taking in the view.

Not long after, something tapped on the window behind me. Turning to look, I caught sight of a thorny vine sliding gracefully upward past the glass.

It felt like playing hide-and-seek in the middle of the night. Finally, I moved my feet, heavy with reluctance, and headed toward her room. 

By chance, or perhaps intent, no maids were wandering the hallways tonight, allowing me to arrive sooner than expected.

The door was already open. Unlike the time I had scaled the wall to enter, the difficulty was nonexistent. Feeling mildly grateful for the difference, I stepped inside.

As soon as I did, the door closed behind me. Looking at my wrist, I saw the bleeding had already stopped.

“You’re late.”

“…”

“Though not terribly so.”

Her ever-unemotional voice seeped into my ears. I savored the delicate tone for a moment, then directed my gaze to the silhouette behind the bed’s canopy.

“The princess sought me out.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

“Is that so?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, and then you called me. Quite unilaterally.”

I rubbed at my wrist again, wiping away the lingering bloodstains, and spoke without much thought, directing my words toward the woman on the bed.

“But I’m not yours. You’re mine.”

“For a noble hero, you’re exceptionally rude to me.”

“If speaking the truth is a crime, then perhaps.”

“It is a crime. To meet the queen without kneeling, and to call her your possession?”

“If you still can’t accept it, I’ll just leave an even deeper mark this time.”

“I wonder when I’ll finally get to string you up.”

“How about we get to the point? The night is far too short to waste without savoring you.”

It was, in some sense, an undeniable truth. Midnight had long passed, and I couldn’t leave the princess unattended for too long. She’d quickly notice my absence once she reached for the emptiness beside her.

Mirian responded in her usual calm voice, either unaware of my thoughts or choosing to ignore them.

“I just wanted to hear a story. As you said, it’s a bit lonely falling asleep alone. A hero must have plenty of tales to entertain a lady, no?”

“A story, is it?”

“Don’t you have one? If not, I’d be rather disappointed.”

“It’s not that I don’t have any. I just don’t know if I have one that will amuse you.”

“Try me. The bed is small, but there’s just enough room to make space for a storyteller.”

With that, Mirian pushed back part of the bed’s canopy. As the delicate fabric fluttered aside, her appearance in nightwear came into view—a departure from her usual attire.

“…”

The sight of her in a different outfit immediately seized my attention. Her presence in the dim glow of the room felt like an irresistible temptation.

“Go ahead. Begin, hero.”

“If it’s entertaining, I might just keep you up all night.”