The vassals paused and exchanged glances before Laslo spoke while grinning.

 

“If this occurs again, I won’t just give you verbal warnings.”

 

“Let’s leave.”

 

A quick-witted vassal hurried out of the office with the others.

 

Only after they had all vanished from his view did Laslo strike the office desk with his fist. The wood had dents in it. He was getting angry. Furthermore, the princess agreed with their nonsense and tolerated it.

 

What were you thinking?

 

Laslo couldn’t imagine how she felt.

 

It’s all my fault. She wouldn’t have endured such a slur if I had been a little better off than I am now, or if the princess had wed someone else.

 

He walked around the office, trying to keep his rage and shame at bay. The vassals kept claiming that Laslo had never entered her bedroom. He could only do one thing to put an end to it.

 

He gave it considerable thought.

 

Laslo didn’t have a romantic relationship with the princess for a very practical reason. God does not consider a couple complete if they are childless. If she doesn’t have children, she can easily remarry even if the estate falls or he passes away. There was only one thing Laslo could offer her: that. He was hoping that she would manage to leave the sinking Arpad.

 

“ha.”

 

He exhaled a deep sigh. Even though he wasn’t sure what was right, he knew what he had to do. Laslo headed to the princess’s bedroom after leaving his office.

 

***

 

“My Lord.”

 

Because it was his second visit, the servant who was guarding her bedroom was less perplexed this time.

 

“Should I let her know about your visit?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The door instantly opened as the servant entered. The princess looked serene as she welcomed him.

 

“Duke Arpad, what happened?”

 

“….. “

 

He struggled to speak for a while after seeing her face. He is unsure whether to begin by apologizing or by outlining the main points of his visit.

 

“What is going on?”

 

“About the vassals.”

 

Laslo only said that much before biting his lips. His mind was complicated.

 

“Have they visited you recently?”

 

“They seem to have a lot to say to me.”

 

Agnes’ complexion darkened in an instant when the story about the vassals was revealed.

 

“Why did you not inform me?”

 

“The Duke?”

 

When Laslo asked Agnes the question, she showed confusion.

 

“Why do I need to inform the Duke?”

 

“What…!”

 

In an instant, the end of his voice rose and then faded. He suddenly realized that over the years, they had rarely spoken to one another.

 

“What will change if I tell you that the vassals have come to see me?”

 

“….. “

 

“Anyway, there is nothing to worry about; it’s just a repetition of a story we’ve been discussing for a year.”

 

Her face had a slight expression of resignation. Laslo lowered his head halfway after noticing it. In turn, he felt both remorse and shame.

 

“If you want, I will say something to them whenever they come.”

 

“….. “

 

“It’s already getting late, so leave if you’re done talking.”

 

Agnes spoke softly, turned, and walked away from him.

 

He had so much to say to her.

 

Are you upset with me because I didn’t spend the night with you or were the vassals’ words, which instructed you to bring in another woman, not hurtful to you?

 

From behind, Laslo caught a glimpse of her. He is unable to identify his feelings toward the princess. He wanted to open the door and run away now, but he was immobile. It appeared as though his feet were bearing a heavy load.

 

Agnes spoke casually as he remained motionless in the center of the room.

 

“Why? Do you intend to shed blood today and then leave?”

 

“… no.”

 

Laslo’s head cleared of the complex ideas that had been occupying it at her words. He made the decision to take action in the most effective way he knew how. He walked briskly over to Agnes’ bed.

 

“Hmm?”

 

Agnes’ eyes were blinking as she turned to face Laslo as he approached. With all his strength, Laslo put his hand on her shoulder.

 

“Tonight, I will spend the night with you.”

 

“… uh? What night?”

 

The princess has a perplexed look on her face as she still does not fully understand the situation. The absence of light in the space was a relief. If not, he would have seen her ears start to flush.

 

“Duke Arpad. What did you say?”

 

“I’ll wash up first, and then I’ll come back.”

 

His touch on her shoulder soon turned hot. Laslo quickly made a U-turn and fled. He walked back to his room and took a long bath in hot water while reflecting. Before leaving to see her, he had a lot of hesitations.

 

However, this was the most successful strategy for keeping the vassals quiet. Laslo fiddled with the piece of paper the princess’s maid had given him and tucked it away in his pocket.

 

“Sigh.”

 

As he entered her room, he sighed. He can’t see well because it is so dark around him. Laslo approached her bed with caution. She noticed Agnes snoozing on the bed as he drew nearer.

 

Laslo laughed lightly when he saw this. Soon, his tense body loosen up. He sat down next to Agnes and gave her a close inspection.

 

“Why didn’t you grow up?”

 

She has been in Sutmar for over a year. He had anticipated that she would change a little, but the princess had barely changed from when she had first arrived. She was still the same height, with tiny hands and feet, barely reaching his shoulders. Laslo instructed the chef to monitor the princess’ diet carefully from the moment she arrived, but it didn’t seem to be of much use.

 

“Sleeping like this would be uncomfortable.”

 

He reasoned that because Agnes was sleeping with her back on the head of the bed, it would be better to lay her flat on the bed. He carefully lifted her after bending her knees and extending his hand beneath her neck.

 

She was remarkably thin. He wondered if she wasn’t getting enough nutrients.

 

“I should have paid more attention.”

 

He moved slowly so as not to wake the princess. Laslo had some success getting her on the bed for a while. He pulled his arm behind Agnes’ knees when their eyes locked.

 

“…… Ah, that.”

 

“Hmmm.”

 

The princess got up from her seat and rubbed her eyes despite his best efforts.

 

“I fell asleep, when did you arrive?”

 

“Just now.”

 

After a brief period of relaxation, his body began to tense up once more. On the bed, the couple sat and awkwardly exchanged glances.

 

“Today, well. Are we going to spend the night together?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“So, what should I do right now?”

 

Her naive question left Laslo speechless.

 

“First, hmm. So.”

 

He doesn’t know how to respond because he isn’t that good either. While he struggled to find the right words to say to her, Agnes applauded.

 

“Yes, Dress, we must first remove our clothing.”

 

Agnes impulsively pulled on the string that was fastened to her waist. Laslo surprisedly grabbed her hand.

 

“Wait a second.”

 

“Why? Is the Duke supposed to do this?”

 

“Please.”

 

He placed her on the bed after gently snatching her arms. Agnes’ blue eyes captivated him as he saw them through the flickering candles. He felt something distant when their eyes met.

 

As if kissing a sacred object, Laslo lowered his lips to the princess’ shoulders slowly. Her body twitched just a little, like it was tickling.

 

“Ney….”

 

“…..”

 

“She said doing it for the first time hurts.”

 

She muttered. Ney is most likely the princess’s maid. When he imagined the princess listening to an explanation about the night of men and women, he couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“Right. I’ll take note of that.”

 

Laslo spoke solemnly while suppressing his laughter. After a brief pause, Agnes reached out and delicately grabbed his neck. He couldn’t even tell if she had actually touched him because the sensation was so weak. But for some reason, at that moment, she looked unbearably lovely. His chest tightened internally. His stomach was turning, and his heart was racing.

 

He yearned to give her a bear hug. But Laslo clenched his fist and refrained out of concern that she might break. The candle was entirely extinguished by the wind. The only sound left at this point is rustling.

 

Complete silence descended upon the room.

 

***

 

He felt the warmth on his exposed skin as soon as he awoke in the morning. Laslo was confused for a brief period of time before realizing they had spent their first night together.

 

The room was illuminated by dawn as it peaked through the drapes. As a result, Agnes’ face became visible. Laslo gave her a long, spellbound look as he regarded her. Her cute lips and nose caught his eye. He accidentally put his finger on her cheek, then yanked it out in surprise.

 

While she slept, her breathing was barely audible. If it weren’t for her chest rising and falling, he might not have believed she was still alive.

 

How long has he behaved that way? He was brought back to reality when he heard people bustling around outside. He has to patrol the front lines of defense every morning. He has been doing it every day since he was fifteen, but today he didn’t feel like leaving the bedroom.

 

Laslo whined in bed for a while before being compelled to get out of bed when the sun fully rose. The knights were waiting for him as he ascended the wall.

 

“You’re here, my Lord.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“The corners of your mouth aren’t dropping. Is there any good news?”

 

“Hmm. Nothing happened.”

 

The knight inquired amusingly, but he coughed in vain and averted his gaze.

 

He felt like he was floating in the air all day. Although it wasn’t a special day, something felt different. Even the things he had never given much thought to, like the sunlight filtering through the leaves and the airborne dust, were surprisingly wonderful.

 

After that evening, he couldn’t say that he and the princess had remained friendly. They were still uncomfortable with each other. Unless absolutely necessary, he hardly ever saw her face.

 

After that, Laslo repeatedly went to her bedroom using the vassals as an excuse. He would occasionally just lie next to Agnes and then leave. His feelings for her gradually changed as he stayed with her more frequently.

 

“What if…”

 

“Yes? What did you say?”

 

“No. Nothing. Please sleep.”

 

Laslo believed that if his estate had been more typical, he could have simply spent his nights with her and given birth to a child who looked like her.

 

If…..

 

He shook his head to clear his mind. It’s just a wish that will never come true.