I Married to Retire, Only to Find Out My Husband Was an Emperor Chapter 8

Then, I suddenly came to my senses.

I hadn’t come here alone to watch the show.

This was a date…

I had been so absorbed in the performance that I had forgotten to check on Kai.

I quickly turned my head.

“…”

Kai wasn’t watching the puppet show.

He was resting his chin on one hand, looking at me.

His gaze was so intense and deep that I momentarily stopped breathing.

“…How long have you been watching me?”

At my question, Kai gave me a gentle smile.

It wasn’t the playful smile he had shown me until now.

“Regina, since your eyes started getting a little teary. I’ve only been watching you.”

“…!”

I hurriedly wiped the corners of my eyes.

My hand came away damp.

Had I been crying without even realizing it?

Feeling embarrassed, I cleared my throat and looked away.

“I guess… the play was a little sad.”

“Did you like the play so much that you wanted to watch it with me?”

Kai’s voice dropped low.

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“…I heard you were born on the battlefield.”

Kai suddenly said.

“…?”

I tried to remember whether I had told him something like that during our last meeting.

No, I hadn’t. It wasn’t exactly something I would bring up myself.

But then again, my story was famous gossip in the capital’s social circles.

“Word gets around quickly, I see. That’s right.”

I calmly confirmed it. People whispered that my background was “lowly” or “savage.”

Or they called me “interesting” and looked at me like a monkey in a zoo.

Kai’s eyes wavered.

“So that’s why you like it? The play? Does it make you feel like you’re being repaid for your time on the battlefield, for all that pain?”

His question was sharp.

A knight who kept his vow by dying, then received recognition from the princess.

Did he think that was the ending I wanted?

But I shook my head.

“No.”

I gave my head a small shake.

“I’ve never expected anyone to repay me for anything in my life. My life was never so poor that I needed to ask for anything in return.”

Kai’s eyes widened at my words.

 

 

****

 

 

 

“I know what you’re curious about. I’ve been asked that question countless times.”

I spoke calmly, fiddling with my teacup.

“I also know that my life might look difficult from a certain point of view.”

I shrugged.

A woman born on the battlefield, who grew up holding a sword instead of a toy.

A woman who became an adult surrounded by the smell of blood without ever getting to play with dolls like other girls.

People would pity me by forcing my life into the labels of “tragedy” or “cruel fate.”

“But I’m really fine, so… I can only say that I’m fine. To begin with, I’ve never thought deeply about this.”

I paused for a moment, then scratched my cheek, feeling a little embarrassed, and added,

“And to be honest.”

“…?”

“The reason I thought I should watch this play with you… was because of that knight.”

I glanced toward the knight puppet lying on the stage, terribly broken.

“The knight’s love for the princess is so pure and unwavering. I thought that was a virtue you rarely see these days.”

A heart that asks for nothing in return for the one it loves, and keeps its vow to the very end.

I wanted Kai to feel that pure passion.

Kai couldn’t say anything for a while after hearing my words.

He stared at me blankly.

It was as if I had spoken in some difficult ancient language. He seemed to turn my words over and over in his mind.

“Regina.”

After a long while, he called my name in a low voice.

“I think I’ve been completely wrong about you.”

“Hm?”

When I tilted my head, Kai looked at me with an unusually serious expression, without a trace of his usual smile.

“Even though I told myself not to… I guess I was also caught up in the same old prejudice.”

Kai snapped his fingers lightly.

“You may leave.”

The puppeteer and staff who had been waiting backstage bowed and left the theater.

For a moment, I was surprised by Kai’s attitude.

His command was so natural and authoritative.

Every movement carried an undeniable dignity, as if he had spent his entire life giving orders to others.

‘It’s a little unexpected… But then again, he’s a noble. I guess he’s used to ordering servants around.’

Once everyone had left, only the two of us remained in the theater.

In the silence, Kai’s gaze fell entirely on me.

He spoke again, wearing a gentle smile.

“Back when we first met, I thought it was just a funny coincidence that the two of us had ended up meeting.”

His voice sounded sweet in my ears.

“But now… I really want to get to know you, Regina.”

My heart gave a loud thump.

It wasn’t playful curiosity. It was a sincere confession.

“So I’ll be the one to ask you on our next date. And…”

He paused for a moment, then added with a determined look,

“I’ll tell you something very important then.”

“Something important?”

“That’s right. Something that… you and I need to talk about.”

Was he going to tell me how much debt he had?

Or did he have some hidden illness?

I was curious, but Kai said he wanted to tell me after he had properly prepared, so I nodded.

“All right. I’ll wait.”

When I checked the clock, it was already almost time for dinner.

As I prepared for my second meeting with Kai, I recalled the “Successful Blind Date Strategies” book I had found and read at the library.

“Then, for the rest of today, how about we have dinner together…”

I was about to make the suggestion naturally when Kai stood up with an awkward expression.

“I’m sorry, Regina. I’m really disappointed, but… I have to go right away.”

“You have to go? Already?”

“Yes. I have a mountain of things waiting for me.”

He sighed and shook his head.

He was probably going to work a night shift to pay off his debts.

I felt sorry for him.

To think he had to work all night with such a pretty face.

Swallowing my disappointment, I nodded.

“It can’t be helped. Since you’re busy, I won’t keep you.”

We left the theater.

One by one, the streetlamps were lighting up along the darkening streets.

“Is it still too early for you to walk me home, even on our second date?”

I asked casually, and Kai burst into bright laughter.

“Hahaha! I suppose it is. Haven’t you heard that the third date is when things really get serious?”

He winked playfully and gave my shoulder a light pat.

“Then take care on your way home. I’ll contact you next time.”

Kai waved and disappeared into the darkness.

His steps were still light, but there was something about him that made it clear he was in a hurry.

I waited until his presence had completely disappeared, then let out a small sigh.

“Phew…”

On my way home, I looked up at the night sky and thought.

‘Today wasn’t bad either.’

No, it was good.

The serious look in his eyes, the voice that had tried to understand me.

‘It would have been even better if we’d had dinner together.’

In fact, I had already booked a table at the restaurant said to have the best view in the capital.

It was a shame, but I would have to save it for next time.

After walking for quite a while, I finally arrived home and opened the mansion’s front door.

Just then, two black shadows jumped out from behind the entrance pillars.

“Regina!”

It was my father and older brother.

The two of them rushed toward me like beasts pouncing on their prey.

“How did it go? Did that guy ask you to lend him money? Or did he run away crying this time?”

“You didn’t like him after seeing him again, did you? Please tell me you didn’t like him!”

I quietly listened to their barrage of questions, then spoke without much expression.

“He turned down my invitation to dinner.”

“…What?!”