The Unwanted Princess Becomes Loved in the Werewolf Kingdom and Becomes Queen!

Chapter 73: Not a dream 2

After the family meeting, Ernesta was able to get an update from Ivan on various situations. That they ended the war before it intensified, that Mikolash and Silvestor were both safe, and that they didn’t blame Engeberg and Ermengard for the crime. Ernesta felt all the energy draining from her body upon hearing this.

Then, after the family members retired to their respective rooms, Ernesta hesitated but turned around to see Ivan standing there, just out of the bath. His wet golden hair still exuded a rugged sex appeal that left Ernesta overwhelmed, and it was all that she could do to look him in the eyes.

Bruno’s hemp shirt and cotton trousers were neither particularly high-end nor perfectly sized, but somehow on him, they exuded a sense of class.

In contrast, Ernesta had yet to finish her bath and had only changed into a plaid dress after lightly wiping her body. She had tied up her braids into one because they were already frayed, but she felt that it made her look shabby.

Suppressing her shyness in front of the person she admires, Ernesta tried to smile as usual.

“I served a little extra so you don’t get cold.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. Thank you.”

Yes, he ended up staying in the guest room of the Gentner family due to Isolte’s forceful recommendation.

Ernesta had tried to stop her mother’s outrageous proposal, but Ivan had easily accepted it, surprising her.

“Um…there were better accommodations in this town, I’m sorry for making you stay in this small room. I hope the length of the bed is enough.”

Ernesta shrunk and looked down.

She didn’t want to burden Ivan any further by making him come to such a place. She never expected this turn of events.

As she sank into a net of guilt, a faint sigh fell from above her head. When she timidly looked up, she saw a familiar beautiful smile.

“I want to be by Ellie’s side. If I can stay here, there will be no greater accommodation.”

——What really happened?

Ernesta’s cheeks flushed red as she heard these words spoken so casually. Before she could respond, she felt his hand wrap around her waist, pulling her closer with strength.

“You’re not…”

“Huh…?”

The hand on her cheek was heated enough to follow its thickness. Ernesta, who was shot by the sadly narrowed blue eyes, felt frustrated by the closeness of the distance.

“I was dying to see Ellie. Every time a battle ended, I thought, ‘I’ll be able to see her again soon.’ I dreamed of you smiling at me countless times.”

His hand tracing the curve of her cheek drifted away, then he caught and held her right hand. Their palms touched, fingers interlocking, and Ernesta was surprised at the warmth. Before she knew it, he pressed his lips to her hand.

“Don’t say that you don’t want this. Holding you like this, I don’t ever want to let go.”

By the time Ernesta felt the low vibration in her defenseless hand, she had already teared up at what was happening.

She couldn’t even hear the sound of her heart pounding loudly. Her cheeks were so hot that she felt they must be as red as the heat, making her feel unbearably embarrassed.

She didn’t know what to do. Just the fact that he was here was unbelievable, let alone this.

“I, I also… wanted to see you.”

Ernesta lowered her eyes, unable to meet his gaze that was filled with warmth. If she didn’t do that, she wouldn’t even be able to talk anymore.

“I thought we would never be able to meet again just a little while ago. I’m so glad… I don’t know what to do.”

The moment she managed to convey her feelings with a trembling voice, she was embraced with a painful force.

Although her right hand was released, she was now stitched all over her body. Her body, fresh out of the bath, was burning hot, and the arms that were wrapped around her shoulders and waist were as strong as steel.

“Why are you so cute? You’re so endearing and brave… It makes me feel so overwhelmed.”

Ernesta didn’t understand what was being said and couldn’t hug back. It was not because of consideration for the fact that she was a replacement, but because the sudden physical contact caused confusion.

Her whole body tensed up, and she didn’t even know how to breathe properly. Was it dizziness or tears that made her vision blur?

Is it really okay to be this happy? It felt like being in a dream, and a sense of restlessness weighed on her mind like being stuck in the sand.

“Ellie.”

She timidly looked up when her name was called. Their eyes met for a moment, and Ernesta closed her eyes just before they kissed.

The soft warmth moved from her lips to her nose, cheeks, and eventually her neck. When the man’s lips touched her white and delicate skin, she shuddered visibly.

——What should I do? It’s embarrassing, even though this is my house. But I’m happy. I love him. So, so… what should I do?

Her normal thought process had long since ceased to function, and Ernesta trembled with her eyes tightly shut.

Eventually, Ernesta felt the lips that had touched hers drift away and a wry smile that shook the air after a brief pause. Wondering what was going on, she opened her eyes and at almost the same time, a kiss was planted on her forehead.

While his smile was gentle, she couldn’t help but feel a hint of sadness in it. His large hand wrapped around her shoulder as he slowly pulled away from her.

Lonely. Ernesta covered her cheek, suddenly feeling this way. It was contradictory to her earlier agitation.

“Come to think of it… that candy was delicious.”

Although it was a sudden change of topic, she immediately understood its meaning.

“Oh…! The apricot flavor, was it okay?”

“Yeah. It helped me a lot.”

Ivan had eaten the candy that he gave her before deploying. Ernesta blushed and smiled, thinking that it might have been a burden and caused some trouble.

“That’s good…”

At that moment, Ivan momentarily stared, then quickly looked away. Did I say something strange?

❂

Ernesta was sitting seiza in Konrad’s room. The room’s owner stood before her, glaring and not even trying to hide his bad mood.

“It’s been noisy since this morning.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yesterday’s emergency family meeting left me sleepless, and here you are disturbing a student’s sleep. Aren’t you an adult?”

“Yes, you’re right…”

Perhaps tired of his sister’s sincere apologies, Konrad sniffed and picked up one of the scattered equipment on the floor.

As a matter of fact, Konrad’s room was a real astronomical observatory. Taking advantage of his family’s blacksmith business, he and Bruno made their own measuring instruments which they invented themselves.

Unlike his sister, this younger brother has chosen to face the stars as an academic pursuit — a prodigy renowned even in the local area.

“I see. There are new things that I don’t know every time I visit. What kind of research are you doing now?”

“Proving the heliocentric theory. Mom and I have been working on it, and we just completed it yesterday.”

“Helio-what? Well, that’s something.”

“I’ll tell you once the presentation is over. Whether you believe it or not is up to Nee-san.”

“Hmm…?”

Just as she was twisting her neck at his affected turn of phrase, Isolte’s voice called from downstairs with a request for help with breakfast.

“I have to go. Konrad is still sleeping.”

“Oh, by the way, congratulations on your marriage, Nee-san. Do your best so that your beautiful husband won’t get tired of you.”

Konrad flashed a teasing smile. It was a rare, straightforward smile from her little brother.