If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 44

“Oh my goodness…”

 

The tree, which had only sprouted tender, light green leaves this afternoon, was now boasting lush green foliage as if it had swallowed the height of summer. Such a dramatic change in just half a day was almost a transformation. My prediction that this single tree could rival the density of a forest or mountain was spot on.

 

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the massive oak tree, reminiscent of the mythical World Tree. And somehow, I felt as though the tree was looking back at me too.

 

✦

When Regen woke up, he was so startled that he almost stopped breathing. The position he had been in while unconscious was… quite provocative. First, Regen was lying stretched out on the couch, and on top of him, Sasha was sprawled out as if straddling him. To make matters worse, Regen had his arms wrapped tightly around Sasha’s slender back, holding her close to him to keep her from falling.

 

Regen gasped for air as if his chest was about to burst, but then he froze completely when he saw Sasha rising and falling against his chest with each breath. Meanwhile, Sasha was breathing evenly. Her soft breaths brushed against his neck.

 

“…”

 

Regen felt like he was about to lose his mind for some reason.

 

“Sasha.”

 

“…”

 

“Sasha.”

 

“…”

 

The warmth and softness of her body, separated by just a thin layer of clothing, was almost unbearable. After much internal struggle, Regen gently shook her shoulder. His touch was soft, but his heart was desperate.

 

“Sasha, please wake up.”

 

“Ah, Regen…”

 

Sasha slowly opened her drowsy eyes and groggily lifted her head. When he saw her slightly parted lips, Regen swallowed dryly, realizing there was yet another thing he had to endure. And then, as expected, it happened. Her light blue eyes, now fully awake, widened in shock. She seemed to have realized the position they were in.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Her porcelain-fair face turned a rosy red, like a ripe, tempting apple. Just as it was Regen’s first time waking up with a woman cradled so closely in his arms, it seemed it was Sasha’s first time waking up nestled so snugly against a man.

 

“Have we… been like this the whole time?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…”

 

Sasha inched away, retreating to the opposite couch as if fleeing. Her posture was unusually stiff, her back straighter than usual as she sat down. Regen also sat upright. Both of them maintained a silence, their postures resembling that of a proper lady and a knight.

 

It was Regen who regained his composure first and broke the awkwardness.

 

“Did you see my tree?”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

“How was it?”

 

“It seems… incredibly effective.”

 

Regen thought to himself calmly. Of course it would be. It was his first time. Since it was his first kiss, the ‘first offering’ condition had been perfectly met.

 

Sasha, on the other hand, didn’t seem to care whether it was Regen’s first or not. She was simply pleased with the results. “I’m glad the effect was significant, even with just a kiss.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I was worried about what I would do if it didn’t work…”

 

“What would you have done?”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

The atmosphere, which had been carefully eased, became awkward again because of Regen’s thoughtless question. The answer was obvious. If a kiss didn’t work, there was no choice but to do something more.

 

“I-I haven’t thought that far…”

 

“I see…”

 

“What about you, Regen…?”

 

Sasha’s response, though unintentional, was a brilliant counterattack. Regen’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. He hadn’t thought about it before, but it felt like he was about to start thinking about it now. It was a very troubling situation.

 

“It’s late. I’ll take my leave.”

 

“Ah, yes. Good night.”

 

Regrettably, it seemed unlikely that Regen would get a wink of sleep tonight.

 

✦

Everything went smoothly after that day. Regen’s mana core treatment progressed steadily, and his oak tree extended its branches magnificently and sprouted lush green leaves. Already formidable, like a living legendary sword, Regen’s aura only became more refined and sharp as his mana recovered.

 

My relationship with Regen also became comfortable. When we first kissed, I had no idea how I would face him the next day, but Regen was the one who approached me naturally first, so there was no need to worry. Even when we kissed again later for the mana core treatment, his demeanor was nothing but polite and composed.

 

Maybe… It’s just because he’s doing only what’s necessary, as much as it’s needed…?

 

Regen seemed like a very rational person. I was honestly relieved by that. Even though he might not have any feelings for me, I was content just knowing he didn’t feel any aversion toward me.

 

Of course, it goes without saying that I really enjoyed kissing him. Maybe it’s because he’s my first love, or maybe it’s because Regen is so skilled. Probably both.

 

I heard he didn’t have a fiancée, but considering his popularity, it’s unlikely that I’m his first… I quickly stopped myself from continuing that train of thought. Letting my thoughts wander into jealousy wasn’t a good idea.

 

Anyway, I’ve been wondering about something lately. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but… Regen seems to be taking care of me more kindly than before.

 

“I can do it myself.”

 

“I’m your brother. Feel free to think it like that.”

 

“…”

 

At some point, it became normal for him to cut up snacks into small pieces and feed them to me. And whenever my clothes or hair got messy, he would naturally reach out to fix them. One time, we went out for a walk, and my boots became loose, making it uncomfortable to walk. He crouched down in front of me, checked my ankle with his own hands, and retied the laces of the eyelets.

 

His excessive kindness almost made me misunderstand. It reminded me of the noblewoman’s saying: men get terribly gentle after spending the night with someone they love. Not that I’ve spent the night with Regen or anything… Moreover, he probably just sees me as a little sister, not a woman…

 

Thanks to Regen, I’ve realized that I’m quite the overthinker. Fortunately, my rationality quickly kicked in and did its job. I pushed away the delusions that suited me and steadied my wavering heart.

 

From an early age, I received various forms of education to maintain my dignity as a member of the imperial family. One of those lessons was to have it drilled into my head, almost to the point of brainwashing, that not every man in the world would like me.

 

I must never mistake the kindness directed at my status and power as genuine affection for me. Regen’s kindness stemmed from the fact that I was a princess and his liege. It was also because he was inherently a kind-hearted person. On top of that, wasn’t his loyalty and reverence toward me further amplified by the imprint?

 

If I didn’t want to become a fool lost in pointless delusions, I had to stay sharp and build a resistance to his kindness. So I carefully kept my foolishly lovestruck heart in check, preventing it from harboring any stupid expectations. Even in the face of Regen’s excessive kindness, I pretended to remain unfazed.

 

Thankfully, the cunning nature of humans, who tend to mistake continued kindness for entitlement, worked in my favor. I grew accustomed to Regen’s kindness over time. Even now, as I watched Regen cut the éclair into bite-sized pieces, I wasn’t even thinking about picking up my fork. I was just preparing to accept it straight into my mouth.

 

“Sasha.” He speared a piece of éclair with his fork.

 

Just as I shamelessly opened my mouth, like a baby bird, something happened.

 

“What kind of siblings are they? If that’s what siblings are like, then I’m an only child!”

 

“…!”

 

“…!”

 

Startled, I turned my head. Through the slightly ajar parlor door, I could see Demia grumbling to Sione.

 

“Listen, Sione. You know Mary, the kitchen maid, right? She got a tiny cut on her hand, and Evan rushed over to blow on it, causing such a fuss. When I asked if they were dating, Evan snapped, saying he only sees Mary as a cute little sister!”

 

“That’s hilarious. What did Mary say?”

 

“She blankly said, ‘Ah, I see,’ and then mentioned how happy she was to have a reliable older brother like Evan.”

 

“I feel like telling Mary. That’s all because Evan just wants to sleep with her.”

 

Demia and Sione disappeared, carrying the vase. Their voices could no longer be heard.

 

I quietly picked up the fork myself and started eating the éclair. When I glanced at Regen, his condition seemed unusual. He looked as if he were somehow in shock.

 

“Sir Regen?”

 

“I’m… not like that.”