How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 78.1
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In the afternoon, the wind blew rather strongly. However, the sunlight spreading across the deck was quite warm, and a few sailors were casting their fishing nets into the sea. I joined in for a rare moment, relaxing and chatting with them.
“At that time, I was really nervous. A pirate fleet suddenly appeared right in front of us…”
I waved my arms in exasperation, and the sailor standing in front of me burst out laughing and shook his head.
“Really? Grand Consort, I could never have imagined that. You always seemed so composed. You were always so confident.”
“I am human, after all. Of course I was nervous. Well, I was confident we would win, though.”
I shrugged and responded, when I sensed someone approaching from the side. Reflexively, I turned my head.
“Ah, Tristan…”
“Ruellin.”
Damn. I did not want to face him right now.
Ever since the morning meeting, our relationship had somehow grown even more awkward. Tristan did not seem to have come looking for me either, and his expression faltered slightly as he averted his gaze.
Feeling even more embarrassed, I started rambling words that I did not even need to say.
“I was… fishing. The weather was nice, and everyone said you could catch big fish here.”
“I see.”
“I wanted to have grilled herring for the first time in a while… pickled herring is nice too… but freshly caught grilled herring is the tastiest. Herring is in season now…”
“Herring… you say?”
“Yes… herring.”
Even as I spoke, I had no idea what I was saying. The sailors nearby, hesitating, looked bewildered at my sudden obsession with herring.
“Um, Grand Consort, herring is in season during winter.”
“But they are being caught even now.”
“Eh? Eh…”
I scolded the sailor who had interjected without noticing and checked Tristan’s expression. Tristan remained silent for a moment, then quietly walked past me without a word.
In doing so, our hands brushed for a brief moment.
Tristan and I both jumped back as if startled. The surrounding air seemed to drop tenfold in tension.
“…”
“…”
Tristan frowned slightly, took a step back, and muttered softly.
“Excuse me.”
“It is nothing. Between husband and wife, what does it matter…”
Without realizing it, I spoke carelessly again and flinched. The sailor standing nearby took a step back and looked toward the bow. The sailor who had interrupted my herring chatter bowed his head and pretended to check the nets.
Tristan did not respond at all. I felt as though I might suffocate under the awkward tension.
How did the atmosphere even get like this?
“Take good care of the Grand Consort.”
“Yes, yes… Your Highness.”
Only after Tristan left, leaving the sailor with his instructions, could I finally exhale deeply.
Glancing at his retreating figure, I absentmindedly brushed my hair that was whipped by the wind. My cheeks felt warm despite the cool air.
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The leisurely afternoon passed quietly. I leaned against the prow at the end of the deck, staring absentmindedly at the crashing waves. The sailors were busy hauling in nets full of fish, but I paid them no attention.
I had been startled when our hands brushed, fumbling in surprise. It was not only because of that brief contact, but it was ridiculous all the same.
‘I’ve already gone too far, twice. And now, just one kiss, and I’m all flustered… what is this…’
I could not tell if the irritation was aimed at Tristan or at myself. The words muttered under my breath drifted away in the sea breeze.
Surely, we had been entwined and lost control two nights in a row. Yet this was the first time we had kissed while fully sober, which made it even more bewildering.
Judging by Tristan’s actions, he did not seem to have forgotten.
No, judging by that strange look in his eyes and the way he twisted away the instant our hands touched, he remembered too well, which was the real problem.
‘We’re not children. Did I do something wrong? How long are we going to act like this as husband and wife? Oh, really…’
I felt uneasy for no reason and kept staring at the fish caught in the nets. Their silvery scales sparkled unusually in the fragments of sunlight.
“Grand Consort Ruellin.”
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