If I Can’t Be Your Wife - Chapter 115

“Kieran!”

 

Mortified, Peter raised the fallen Viscount Schenberg up. Then, she was even more surprised because his upper body was bare. She couldn’t understand why the man next to her was naked waist up. Her face felt hot at the thought of being held in those arms earlier.

 

“How could you suddenly push me like that?”

 

Fortunately, Viscount Schenberg was able to get up as he grumbled.

 

“I almost hurt my arm even more.”

“You’re hurt?”

“Yes.”

 

He recalled taking his coat off and tying his left arm with it. Luckily, it didn’t seem like any bone was broken.

 

“Don’t you remember?”

 

Viscount Schenberg looked at Peter’s expression and said,

 

“I saved Your Majesty.”

“You did?”

“Yes. Look.”

 

When the viscount turned around, black bruises could be seen all over his shoulders and back. There was also a clear stamp in the shape of a horseshoe. She was speechless.

 

She remembered throwing herself in front of the rampaging horse to save Luci, but didn’t remember anything after that.

 

“It seems you don’t remember.”

 

Viscount Schenberg laughed bitterly.

 

“That’s a bit sad, I risked my life for Your Majesty.”

“…..why.”

“Yes?”

“Why did you risk your life for me?”

“Isn’t that natural? Your Majesty…”

 

Viscount Schenberg was about to answer quickly, but hesitated. He thought it was obvious, but when he tried to say it, he realized that he wasn’t sure what to say. Besides, the golden eyes looking at him somehow…

 

“Your Majesty, are you crying?”

 

“No.”

 

Peter immediately denied and got up. Her pursed lips remained firm. But he was certainly not mistaken. The golden eyes, which always showed a resolute light, seemed watery.

 

Satisfaction filled his chest. His arm ached like it was broken, and his back and shoulders were sore, but it didn’t matter. The emperor made that expression because of him, so this much wasn’t a big deal.

 

Shwaaa.

 

“Oh.”

 

With that sound, the top of his head started to get wet. Viscount Schenberg and Peter looked up at the sky simultaneously. Rain was pouring from the darkening sky. It was raining.

 

“Spring rain.”

“Is it the time to be saying something so carefree?”

 

Peter said in a bewildered tone.

 

“If you get rained on with your body in that state, you will surely get sick.”

“Your Majesty knows the western hunting grounds well, so I have no worries.”

 

Viscount Schenberg stood up as he said that. He didn’t think it was a serious injury but he frowned involuntarily when he tried to exert his body.

 

“…..Lean on me.”

 

Seeing this, Peter approached.

 

“No. How dare I lean on Your Majesty? I can go alone.”

“Are you claiming that your body is fine even after being trampled on by a horse’s hoof?”

“My leg isn’t even broken so there’s no reason to be helped.”

“Are you acting tough right now?”

“That’s not it.”

“Or is it because I’m not trustworthy because I’m a woman?”

“…..Your Majesty.”

 

“If you thought I can’t support a weakling like you, you’re wrong. I can compete with imperial knights on equal footing.”

 

While Viscount Schenberg was at a loss of what to say, Peter stubbornly raised his right arm and placed it on her shoulder. It was a skillful movement. He leaned on Peter and somehow felt the illusion that the hand on his waist was hot.

 

“The rain is getting stronger. Since the knights haven’t found us yet, we’d better avoid it for a while.”

 

Peter, not noticing that Viscount Schenberg’s ears were burning red, eagerly supported him and headed for what seemed to be a nearby cabin. She was worried about the surroundings because it was getting dark, but luckily, she was able to find out right away that they were in the right direction.

 

“If we wait here, the search party will come.”

 

Peter sat Viscount Schenberg on the couch inside the cabin and looked around. She thought it was good that there was a cabin in a small cave inside the hunting grounds.

 

Alexis must never have stopped by there before. Still, medicine, bandages, and blankets were prepared.

 

“Let me see where you’re hurt.”

 

At Peter’s words, Viscount Schenberg obediently turned his back and showed her where he was injured. Peter sat behind him and applied medicine. She shuddered as she placed a hand on the injury from the horse. The sight made her feel strange. It was the first time she had felt like this in her life.

 

Peter tried to ignore the feeling and applied the medicine somewhat clumsily. She wanted to apply it well, but she was no good at it. Anyway, after the medicine, Peter got up to apply the bandage.

 

“Remove the clothes.”

“Do you know how to bandage?”

“Roughly.”

 

She has never actually done it to anyone else, but she was used to it because she had been wearing bandages herself. Peter untied the bandage and came closer to Viscount Schenberg. Then she hesitated. She was the one who asked him to remove the clothes that were covering his arms, but she didn’t know why her face was getting hot again because of his naked body.

 

It wasn’t even the first time she had seen a man naked. Didn’t she get tired of seeing them when she sparred with the knights?

 

Peter was dumbfounded by her sheepishness and began to bandage it with a rough hand purposely. However, as it was the first time she had done it to someone else, it was sloppy.

 

“Give it to me. I’ll do it.”

“Didn’t I tell you I’d do it?”

 

Peter insisted although even to her, she could see that she had done it poorly. Still, although she was inexperienced, she wanted to do it.

 

“No matter how untrustworthy I am, you must follow the Emperor’s words. So be quiet…”

“It’s not because Your Majesty is untrustworthy.”

 

Viscount Schenberg spoke in a low voice and took Peter’s hand. Peter paused and looked up at his amber eyes. His eyes, which she thought were familiar, were unfamiliar.

 

The hand holding her felt hot.

 

“…because it might get ruined.”

“What does that mean?”

“I am afraid of Your Majesty touching me.”

“What?”

“Every time Your Majesty touches me, I’m afraid that I’d feel something else for you other than being my emperor.”

 

This time she was the one completely speechless. A bundle of bandages slid out of her hand. While Peter was sitting there doubting her ears, Viscount Schenberg skillfully tied a bandage to secure his left arm without batting an eye.

 

Peter murmured blankly.

 

“I thought I told you I’d do it myself.”

“It’s alright. I’m used to doing it.”

“Then you should have told me earlier.”

 

She didn’t know why she was faulting him for it when she was the one who had insisted first. The corners of Viscount Schenberg’s lips curled up slightly at Peter’s words.

 

“I was afraid, but to be honest, this is also good.”

“Hey, did the horse hit you on the head too?”

“I too think that I’ve become crazy.”

 

Peter forcibly averted her gaze. She didn’t know the nature of the unfamiliar feeling she was experiencing for the first time. Viscount Schenberg did not say anything more.

 

While silence ensued, the rain also continued to fall outside the cabin. A chilly air climbed up the cave floor.

 

He seemed in a better state than expected, but he was still a patient. With a creak, Peter stood up and threw a blanket at Viscount Schenberg.

 

“Cover up, if your body temperature drops, you’ll die.”

 

However, the viscount handed the blanket back to Peter.

 

“I won’t die from this. Use it, Your Majesty.”

 

“I won’t die from this either. You are the patient.”

 

He was still naked since he had taken off his top to use it like a bandage. Maybe he already has a cold. His ears were red.

 

“If you fall ill, your return schedule will be disrupted.”

 

Peter grumbled and threw the blanket back. Schenberg, who picked up the blanket with one arm, stared blankly at her. Their gazes were intensely intertwined.

 

Flustered, Peter asked in a daze.

 

“Why’re you looking at me like that?”

“I’m thinking of actually getting sick.”

“Are you trying to joke around in front of your superior?”

“No. I meant I wanted to stay by Your Majesty’s side a little longer.”

“You… Have you really gone mad?”

“Maybe.”

 

Viscount Schenberg said in a subdued tone.

 

“I know this is something I shouldn’t say, but I feel like I will never have an opportunity like this again. I apologize.”

“……”

“But I’m relieved that I’m finally able to confess. As expected, I’m not a worthy vassal as I cannot devote only my loyalty to you.”

 

Viscount Schenberg said, criticizing himself. He was now red from ear to ear. Even in the midst of the embarrassing situation, Peter was overwhelmed by the urge to cover him with a blanket. Somehow she felt like she had to.

 

Peter got up and put a blanket over his shoulders. She could feel his breath from the distance. At that moment, their eyes met again. Her whole body froze.

 

Viscount Schenberg asked.

 

“May I dare have feelings other than loyalty to Your Majesty?”

“…..”

“Please give me your permission.”

 

It was an unparalleled impudent remark from a subject. Normally, she would have castigated him without hesitation, but her mouth did not move. Viscount Schenberg’s right hand caressed Peter’s cheek.

 

“Can’t I?”

 

She could hear the sound of her heart beating in her ears. Peter felt the urge to run away. But she also didn’t want to remove his hand. Peter agonized over her conflicting feelings, then said.

 

“Do whatever you like. When did you ever listen to me?”

“Thank you.”

 

He responded quickly and pulled Peter in. His slightly dry lips touched hers. Her golden irises widened in surprise, but her trembling eyelids eventually closed.

 

The spring rain soaked the ground until late that night.

 

***

 

The Emperor and Viscount Schenberg appeared long after the spring rain had stopped.

 

Since the emperor’s disappearance was a top secret matter, Alexis, who had canceled the hunting competition under the pretext of the weather, found them while searching the hunting grounds and brought them back. Peter looked fine, but somehow she seemed to be out of it.

 

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

 

Kathleen, who had been waiting in the hunting grounds again after taking Luci back to the Grand Duke’s mansion, ran towards her.

 

“Are you not hurt anywhere?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

 

Peter spoke kindly and headed for the carriage with Alexis’ help. She said she was fine, but she seemed a bit uncomfortable walking, perhaps she had sprained her ankle. Still, she didn’t appear to be seriously hurt.

 

Kathleen relaxed and approached Viscount Schenberg. He was bandaging his broken arm yet somehow, his face was shining brightly.

 

“Thank you, Viscount Schenberg. Thanks to you, Luci and His Majesty are safe.”

“You’re welcome. It was only natural to do so as his vassal.”

 

He was smiling uncharacteristically for an injured person. Meanwhile, his eyes remained on Peter’s back.

 

Kathleen looked back and forth between the two. Perhaps, the thought crossed her mind, but Peter rode back to the imperial palace without even looking at Schenberg. Viscount Schenberg watched the scene before getting on a separate carriage.

 

***