TSMMT Ch 115

Anxious

Guiscard stared at her, bewildered. Observing his confusion, Dianna spoke with measured care.

[Dianna] "I mean exactly what I said. Let us do it now."

[Guiscard] "..."

[Dianna] "You said you were anxious. Beyond just kissing... more."

Clarifying her exact meaning, his eyes flickered like a flame.

Dianna stared at his face, spellbound. In her eyes, he possessed a side akin to a youth newly awakened to physical pleasure. Toss him a sweet, and he would be satisfied like a child.

[Dianna] "Isn't this a wife's duty? Doing this ought to ease your mind."

Expecting him to claim her body, she grew flustered when he stared into her eyes in unwavering silence.

He whispered quietly.

[Guiscard] "I don't understand."

[Dianna] "What?"

[Guiscard] "What does your own body even mean to you?"

Is he telling me to treasure my body?

Looking at his solid physique, she responded.

[Dianna] "Are you aware of how aroused you are to be questioning that?"

She had not made such a provocative offer without reason. On rare occasions, he cast dangerously intense gazes at her, burning desire lurking beneath a facade of gentle restraint. Though she had always ignored it, his struggle was plain to see.

Now was no different. The moment he pinned her to the bed and kissed her, his solid body pressed against hers, making it clear that he was uncontrollably aroused.

If this was what he wanted, why not grant it?

Marital intimacy was meant for maintaining a union, not cultivating youthful romance between yearning lovers. Just as on their wedding night, she needed only to close her eyes and yield her body. Seeing his wife open herself to him would surely dilute his anxiety, just as it had for her.

Physical intimacy was meaningless. Meaning to one's body? No such thing existed. Yet, he studied her expression before whispering softly.

[Guiscard] "Regardless of how aroused I am, I will not take you now."

Her expression shifted.

Aroused like this, yet refusing? Does he intend to sleep with someone else? A woman like Levian?

[Dianna] "Why act like this now when you agreed initially?"

A soft sigh escaped his lips.

[Guiscard] "Why can you not understand the reason yourself?"

She felt bewildered. It sounded almost as though she were begging him.

Letting out another low sigh, he spoke after a long pause.

[Guiscard] "Fine. Then let us sleep."

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he buried his face near her collarbone.

[Guiscard] "We have kept separate bedrooms since I returned."

[Dianna] "Pardon?"

[Guiscard] "If a wife's role matters so much, start by sharing a bedroom again. Do that first."

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "We will never sleep in separate rooms again. Though you may carry on your daily life in another chamber, you must share my bed."

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "So, from now on, we sleep together."

Only then did she realize he meant literal sleep, slumber devoid of physical intercourse. He delivered the proposition with unnecessary solemnity. He could have simply asked, yet he framed it like a grand directive.

So that's all it is.

If literal sleep diluted his anxiety, she didn't mind.

As she nodded, Guiscard released a deep sigh. His hold around her waist tightened, his burning body heating hers.

He was aroused and desired her. Yet, he took no further action. Though he burrowed closer in lingering longing, he pressed no further...

[Guiscard] "I am always terrified that you might disappear somewhere."

[Dianna] "..."

[Guiscard] "Especially today."

With his head bowed, his face remained hidden.

Watching his hand stroke her waist continuously, Dianna found him foolish. Yet, a strange comfort washed over her. In the end, he didn't crave her body; he needed her embrace, he needed Dianna Brienne.

That was why he felt anxious. Curiously, his anxiety felt oddly welcome.

Feeling his deep uneasiness, she closed her eyes.

In truth, she knew. This man was not the exact same person from her past life. While his mindset and habits remained largely identical, his feelings toward her differed significantly. Though she feared him, knowing they were the same man, she occasionally acted more recklessly around him than before.

Guiscard, terrified that I might leave.

Guiscard, utterly helpless.

Perhaps in this regard, she inherited her family's selfish blood. She closed her eyes as languid drowsiness enveloped her.

---

When Guiscard raised his head, soft, rhythmic breathing greeted him. Faint light filtering through dark drapes illuminated Dianna's pale face, making it glow softly.

Enfolded in his arms, she had fallen asleep. Her irregular breathing settled into a steady rhythm, signaling deep slumber.

Remaining still in her embrace for a moment, Guiscard carefully pulled away and sat on the edge of the bed, gazing down at her sleeping form.

His long fingers brushed through hair pale as moonlight, far finer than his own coarse strands and extraordinarily soft like silk thread.

A subtle smile touched his stoic lips.

It was a simple, peaceful moment, an ordinary scene for some, but a priceless luxury for others. This single moment was the reason he had pursued marriage. He needed to savor this precious time before it slipped away.

A thin beam of sunlight streaming through the drapes rested gently on her cheek.

He stared endlessly at the sight. The quiet atmosphere, the room filled with her presence and scent. And his master, Dianna Brienne, was resting in a place he would yearn for eternally.

Guiscard shifted his body. Though he wished to gaze upon her forever, he couldn't stay.

Rising with utmost care, he slipped through the doorway and closed the door behind him. Peering through the narrowing gap at her figure, his eyes softened into a gentle curve.

[Guiscard] "Good night, my lady."

It was the faintest whisper.

---

Alexa called out in a bright voice, only to freeze with a blank expression.

[Alexa] "Welcome, Brother-in-law!"

His hair was messy and flattened on one side. The king of a nation, looking disheveled at a time when Panborough nobles were visiting, and appearance demanded extra care!

[Alexa] "Did you just wake up from a nap?"

He nodded. He appeared in such a visibly good mood that Alexa found herself speechless.

Then again, what could anyone say to a heroic king who slew a venomous dragon...?

[Alexa] "Where is Sister?"

[Guiscard] "Sleeping."

A strangely buoyant tone laced his voice.

[Guiscard] "She must have been exhausted. The moment she lay on the bed, she fell fast asleep. She was never one to take afternoon naps."

His eyes gleamed, seeking her agreement, leading Alexa to nod bewilderedly.

Guiscard showed no intention of dropping the topic of sleep, continuing earnestly.

[Guiscard] "Animals only sleep when comfortable. Taking an afternoon nap means she feels entirely at ease, doesn't it?"

[Alexa] "Pardon? Ah... yes..."

[Guiscard] "During my mercenary days, I could never sleep easily. One can only sleep in stable surroundings. The fact that she slept..."

What in the world is he talking about...? Why does he keep babbling about sleep...? Is he still half-asleep?

Nevertheless, as a merchant's granddaughter, Alexa instinctively knew how to respond appropriately.

[Alexa] "Exactly. I once took in a stray cat that bristled and refused to sleep at first, but eventually slept peacefully... It means there's trust."

[Guiscard] "..."

[Alexa] "Before that, the slightest movement made it dart around frantically, but now it sleeps soundly. Yes... it means she feels secure."

He nodded solemnly. Anxious to end this absurd discussion about sleep, she cut straight to the point.

[Alexa] "Why did you ask to see me?"

[Guiscard] "Ann is plotting something, isn't she?"

She flinched. As expected, nothing escapes the king's gaze.

[Guiscard] "I heard she invited Emil Brienne."

[Alexa] "I know you harbor ill feelings toward him. If you wish..."

[Guiscard] "You misunderstand. I am not scolding her for scheming."

[Alexa] "..."

[Guiscard] "I need to know what she intends to do, and why."

Feigning composure, Alexa observed him. Was this man her sister's ally or foe? Would he interfere or stand aside? Yet one thing remained certain...

Ruffling her own hair, she looked up at him.

[Alexa] "I will only speak if you torture me."

[Guiscard] "..."

[Alexa] "You know as well as I do, Sister is far prouder than she lets on. She refuses to show vulnerability."

[Guiscard] "..."

[Alexa] "If she kept silent, she had a good reason."

Alexa had yet to grasp the full nature of their marriage. Nevertheless, she knew the former Guiscard well. Back when Dianna served as Princess Ionia's lady-in-waiting, he had attended to her briefly. He had remarked back then:

[Guiscard] "Damned younger sister."

[Alexa] "What?!"

[Guiscard] "Whining without realizing how much her older sister suffers."

Damned younger sister.

Those words had cut deep. Yet, he had uttered them solely out of concern for Dianna.

If no one else did, Alexa trusted him. He was not a man who would harm her sister.

[Alexa] "Just watch over her. Even if she ends up hurting herself, step in quietly and heal her."

[Guiscard] "Hurting herself?"

[Alexa] "Yes."

At her response, his face darkened, sharp as a blade, a stark contrast to his demeanor moments ago while babbling about sleep.

Sister will exact her own revenge. Yet, I can see how precarious she is.

How wonderful it would be if this man offered his aid.

---

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