If I Don’t Get Married I’ll Die - Chapter 40

How can you say such a thing so casually?

 

I wanted to cover his mouth, however, as I couldn’t bear to put my hand on him, I resolved to only clench my fists.

 

“W-What are you talking about…! When did I ever!”

 

“I clearly saw you.”

 

“They’re not naked. Everyone is wearing underwear!”

 

Though I called them underwear, they were clothing worn under armor, so they were thick and non-exposing and could even be worn as street clothes.

 

Seeing my embarrassment, Kalius smiled mischievously.

 

“So you admit. You stole a peek.”

 

“I didn’t peek at anything. And your voice is too loud…!”

 

He didn’t lower his voice so I had to lower my voice to whisper.

 

“There’s no use making excuses.”

 

Then he looked behind him and shouted.

 

“Did you all hear that? My bride is sneaky, so everyone take good care of yourselves.”

 

“Yes, milord!”

 

The knights responded loudly.

 

I saw the Uttar chieftain and his family laughing soundlessly.

 

My face became so hot.

 

I couldn’t bear to lie down, so to avoid people’s eyes, I fell as if I was collapsing and used Kalius’ large body as a wall. I pulled the duvet over my head.

 

The duvet made of fur had a distinctive stale leather smell and was heavy.

 

Kalius asked outside the covers.

 

“Aren’t you going to take off your outdoor clothes?”

 

“No, never.”

 

I tightened the leather clothes I was wearing.

 

I could feel Kalius’ breathless laughter.

 

“We have to get up early, so you better sleep soon.”

 

When I refused to answer out of spite, he called again after a while.

 

“Do you want an arm pillow?”

 

As a sign of rejection, I moved a span closer to Lamia.

 

Then, Kalius suddenly pulled himself towards me and laid down beside me

 

I lowered the duvet a little and glared at him with only my eyes showing.

 

“Why are you coming closer?”

 

“Because Brentian has a nasty sleeping habit.”

 

He pointed with his chin over his shoulder.

 

Brentian, who was lying down with a blanket covering up to his neck, said dryly.

 

“I do not have any sleeping habits.”

 

Kalius lowered his voice and whispered to me.

 

“Actually, that guy smells a little bad.”

 

“Even a deputy has honor, milord.”

 

Kalius looked back and scolded Brentian sternly.

 

“It’s not polite to eavesdrop on a couple’s private conversation, Viscount Cliff.”

 

“Bad-mouthing me where everyone can hear-……nevermind. I apologize.”

 

Brentian stopped retorting and lowered his tail.

 

Hearing the conversation between the two, Lamia giggled and laughed under her breath.

 

Of course, everyone heard it too.

 

Brentian’s sigh as he heard Lamia’s laugh became a catalyst and caused everyone in the Kerr to burst out with the laughter they had been holding back.

 

When the sound of laughter filled the Kerr, the air that had been awkward because of the unfamiliar and uncomfortable bed was relieved in an instant.

 

‘It’s not as bad as I thought.’

 

I pulled the blanket down to my neck and stared at the ceiling.

 

Huge chunks of ham hung in clusters from the exposed wooden frame on the ceiling.

 

In the bonfire under our feet, firewood crackled and burned, spreading warm heat.

 

It was my first time sleeping in a space that was not a bed, and although my body was slightly uncomfortable, I felt cozy and at ease.

 

“Sweet dreams.”

 

Kalius whispered in my ear.

 

“You too, Kalius.”

 

After briefly responding to the greeting, I closed my eyes.

 

Not long after, snoring and strained breathing could be heard here and there.

 

I waited for everyone to fall asleep, focusing my ears on the various sounds.

 

‘I’ll go to Lhasa and make sure to ask what she wanted to tell me.’

 

Before long, the Kerr became quiet.

 

I got out of my blanket very carefully.

 

Apparently tired from the arduous journey, Lamia and my maids were asleep without a care in the world.

 

I lifted my heels as best as I could and crept out of the Kerr.

 

As I pulled the thick cloth blocking the door and came out, a sharp stinging wind brushed against my face.

 

‘Uhh, it’s frigid.’

 

It was warm inside the Kerr, so I didn’t know it was this cold outside.

 

Since my clothes were already heavy, whenever a strong blizzard hit me, I kept falling and had to get up repeatedly with every step I took.

 

The Kerr where Lhasa took Kalius separately was not far away. Perhaps that place was Lhasa’s own Kerr.

 

As I made my way there, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“……!”

 

I turned around in shock and saw Kalius looking down at me.

 

‘But he was definitely asleep?’

 

When did he wake up?

 

Still, it was fortunate that the one who saw and followed me was Kalius, not anyone else.

 

I told him the truth.

 

“Lhasa……”

 

The wind muffled my voice, I cleared my throat and spoke a little louder.

 

“I want to meet Lhasa!”

 

“At this hour?”

 

Kalius held my arm tightly, he must have been afraid that I’d fly away.

 

I was grateful. If he hadn’t, I was on the verge of being blown away by the wind and rolling around like fallen leaves.

 

I looked up at him, squinting from the wind.

 

“It’s because Lhasa left me a prophecy.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“She said she would tell me something with her actions, but I’m not sure if I interpreted it well. I want to secretly check with her!”

 

“Seeing that you waited until this time, it must be a private conversation.”

 

“Yes! But I don’t have to keep it a secret from Kalius.”

 

As long as Kavala’s spies did not know about it, it was not a secret to be kept from Kalius, who was in the same boat.

 

Just like last time, I grabbed his arm with both hands and clasped it tightly.

 

“Will you go with me? As you can see, it’s a little difficult to go alone.”

 

“Please call me next time. Traveling alone is dangerous in many ways.”

 

I held his arm tightly and smiled at him. The wind was so strong that I could barely open one eye.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“You say thank you very often.”

 

‘Was I?’

 

Kalius’ words left me speechless.

 

With Andrea I only heard, ‘Stop saying you’re sorry. You’re like an exhausting parrot.’ many times, but it’s the first time I’ve heard that I say thank you a lot.

 

“I must have many things to be thankful to the Marquis for.”

 

My little murmur was blown away by the wind.

 

I’m sure he hadn’t heard my voice because of the wind, but maybe it was a coincidence or something, but I saw Kalius smiling out of nowhere so it felt like I received a kind reply.

 

With his help, I approached Lhasa’s Kerr .

 

I heard that the Uttars lived in one Kerr with several families, but Lhasa uses her own Kerr by herself.

 

Kalius cautiously opened the door and called Lhasa.

 

“Lhasa, are you sleeping?”

 

Smoke leaked out.

 

Kalius, who had been looking around, let me in and said.

 

“I can’t see Lhasa.”

 

As he said, the Kerr was empty.

 

Seeing that the fire in the brazier was still alive, it seemed that Lhasa had just left.

 

After brushing off the snow from our clothes at the entrance, we sat on cushions near the fire and waited for Lhasa.

 

Kalius pointed to the innermost seat of honor.

 

“Looks like she’s out.”

 

Lhasa’s position had a gold line.

 

A gold chain with colored pebbles were threaded through it.

 

“The fact that this was placed here means that the owner of the Kerr has been away for a while.”

 

“She went out alone when it was so cold? Where would she have gone?”

 

“Well. I don’t know about that, but Lhasa is a prophet who has so much mystical power, there is no need to worry.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

“Let’s wait here for a bit.”

 

I was outside for a while so my body temperature dropped and I was shivering.

 

I didn’t refuse and sat down in front of the hearth and warmed my hand over the fire.

 

Because I was wearing clothes with a structure that made it impossible to remove my gloves, the heat did not reach me directly, so when I kept bringing my hand closer to the fire, it started to smell like burning leather.

 

“Be careful.”

 

Noticing that my clothes were being scorched, Kalius tugged at my arm to keep me a little away from the fire.

 

“Oh, thank you.”

 

Kalius smiled meaningfully. It was a playful smile.

 

Realizing what he wanted to say, we smiled together.

 

“Kalius is right.”

 

I can’t believe I said thank you again so soon.

 

I stared at Kalius’ face.

 

The bonfire cast deep shadows on his face, accentuating his striking appearance.

 

The orange light reflected in his eyes made his gaze directed at me feel very warm.

 

My eyes were fixed on him as if they were attached to a magnet.

 

Without realizing what I was doing, I stared at him in awe and confessed like I was possessed.

 

“Do you know that Kavala sent me to be her spy, Kalius?”