BOAD 29

Chapter 29. Sharing a Bed
Before I returned in time, it was only natural for us to use separate bedrooms.

I had no desire to grow closer to him, and he seemed to feel the same.

We didn’t even eat together, except on the rare occasions when His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress invited us to dine.

No matter what the palace staff whispered behind our backs, we only showed our faces together for the sake of appearances.

But now, even though only time had rewound, he hadn’t left me alone on our wedding night.

He had stayed by my side until morning, even changed our honeymoon destination just to enjoy time together with me.

So now, sharing a bed again might be a bit surprising—but it wasn’t entirely out of place, was it?

Truthfully, I had been flustered when he first brought it up. But the way he insisted on sleeping on the floor for my comfort sparked a kind of stubbornness in me too.

I looked sharply at him, still standing there with a stiff expression, and asked,

“Are you uncomfortable sleeping in the same bed with me?”

“Of course not, Amelia.”

“…You said we should be a couple like Their Majesties. So I assumed you’d suggest we continue sharing a bed throughout the trip.”

After all the talk about wanting a relationship like the Emperor and Empress, why was he suddenly being so distant?

When I said I was fine with it, he didn’t even care.

“But now, even during the trip—and tonight, again—you’re so adamantly refusing to share a bed with me. That’s why I’m asking.”

That must be why.

I lifted my chin slightly and asked again, “Even after all that, are you still going to sleep on the floor?”

“I’ll say it again, the more stubborn you get about this, the more uncomfortable I feel.”

“……”

“It’s just one night, Your Highness. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be camping, and whether you want it or not, we’ll end up sleeping separately. So don’t worry and come to bed.”

We didn’t get official proof of consummation, but we had shared the same bed on our wedding night.

To me, his refusal just seemed like pointless pride.

He stood there, lips moving wordlessly, unable to find a response. I turned away and climbed into bed.

“So… are you saying that unless we’re camping, you’re fine sharing a bed with me any time?”

I had just laid down facing the window when I heard his voice.

It was low and restrained, as if holding something back.

I sat up and looked at him again.

He had lowered his head slightly, so I couldn’t see his expression clearly.

“Amelia. I told you clearly—I have feelings for you.”

That I want to get along with you. That I want us to be like my parents.

His words came slowly, one by one, and I had to swallow dryly.

If I didn’t, the tension drying out my mouth would’ve overwhelmed me.

“If you knew how I really felt right now, you wouldn’t offer that space so easily.”

Leofric raised his head.

His eyes met mine directly.

And in that languid gaze, I saw something that made me suck in a sharp breath.

“Your Highness…?”

“But if you’re really fine with it, I’ll sleep in the bed.”

He spoke softly, and then turned off the lights.

Before I could say anything, he quietly climbed into bed.

His weight sank into the mattress, and the sudden freshness of his scent made my body tense involuntarily.

Noticing my stiffness, he chuckled softly.

That gentle laugh seemed to ease the tension in the air.

“Excuse me, Amelia.”

As he slid into the narrow bed, our bodies naturally touched—warmth pressed against warmth.

It was strange. I thought I would be fine.

But the words Leofric had said earlier kept replaying in my head, and I couldn’t settle down.

A peculiar silence filled the room.

With the pitch darkness, every other sense sharpened.

His calm breathing, his scent—it all felt too overwhelming.

On our wedding night, he’d smelled like the kind of musky perfume Lloyd might use.

But now, freshly bathed, he carried a clean, ocean-like scent.

…It suits him much better than that musk.

“Amelia, can’t sleep?”

“…Huh?”

“If you feel uncomfortable during the night…”

“I’m fine, Your Highness. Once I fall asleep, I don’t wake up easily. Don’t worry about me.”

I was flustered by the thought that had just crossed my mind.

So much so that I cut him off and spoke hastily in a cold tone.

Totally unlike me.

I had planned to talk to him before sleep to see if he really had come back in time like me—but that thought had long vanished.

I didn’t even dare look at his expression. I simply closed my eyes tightly.

If I could run away, I would’ve, right then and there. But I held myself down and forced myself to sleep.

* * *

So she really doesn’t wake up easily.

Leofric now had firsthand proof of what Amelia had claimed earlier.

At some point, she had started sleeping peacefully, even when he shifted toward her or lightly adjusted her position to check on her—she didn’t stir.

“…Isn’t this when people usually toss and turn a bit?”

It was a relief that she didn’t wake no matter what he did.

But it also made him wonder if he really was that unthreatening—enough that she had no guard up around him.

Leofric muttered softly with a hint of disappointment.

He was being stubborn, half out of spite.

Amelia’s cold demeanor throughout their honeymoon had left him unsure of her feelings. He had feared that if he pushed too hard, she’d leave him again—so he’d opted to sleep in separate rooms.

But she never once questioned it.

Not that he ever gave her much of a hint otherwise.

He’d worried that if this continued, they might return to the palace without ever having slept in the same room again—so tonight, he pushed a little.

The lack of available rooms had been true, but they could’ve made other arrangements.

Even so, tonight, he had wanted to sleep in the same room.

Because he felt like once this day passed, she might return to being the cold, indifferent crown princess he remembered.

Even though he knew it was just a feeling—that things could be different—it still lingered.

Maybe it was that unwelcome expression he saw earlier through the fireworks that made him feel this way.

He let out a small sigh as he stared at her back.

He had thought, just maybe, things were finally changing—but perhaps not.

“Sometimes, I wish you’d give me a little room too, my lady.”

There was no other way to express his true thoughts but to whisper them to her sleeping form.

He lightly touched the strands of hair cascading down her back… then pulled his hand away.

These strange thoughts only came because he couldn’t sleep.

He should’ve just fallen asleep quickly.

Just then—

“Mm…”

Amelia stirred softly, still facing away, and turned in her sleep.

Leofric froze, holding his breath involuntarily.

She turned toward him.

Of course, she wouldn’t even remember this when she woke up.

He gazed at her sleeping face and turned himself to face her too.

With her brow slightly furrowed and lips gently moving, it looked like she was dreaming.

Is she dreaming about eating or something?

He stared quietly at his wife as she slept soundly, gently brushing the hair off her face.

He had imagined this kind of moment before.

Back when they could barely exchange a word.

Back when he tried to act considerate just to ease the guilt he felt from his own indifference.

And on those days when her presence weighed on his mind—when her image wouldn’t leave him no matter where he went—he used to imagine her sleeping peacefully beside him.

A face without worry or fear, simply resting by his side.

He used to dream of that.

Everything he did in her name… in the end, none of it had been true consideration.

They were just selfish choices to avoid hurting his own feelings.

If he truly wanted her, he should’ve approached her regardless of the risk.

“I won’t make the same mistake again.”

He made that vow softly, watching her sleeping face.

Only a fool makes the same mistake twice.

And especially when it comes to someone worth risking your entire life for.

Watching her sleep so peacefully, Leofric suddenly thought of Lloyd Alois—glimpsed earlier among the crowd.

He didn’t know how Lloyd had tracked them down, but he would never allow things to go his way.

He wouldn’t let that man even come close to her.

No room for stray thoughts—he’d crush the possibility before it took root.

He was determined that Amelia would continue to sleep this peacefully—not just tonight, but every night from now on.

As he gazed at her still-beautiful but now different face, Leofric vowed again and again.

“I’ll take it slow. We have all the time in the world now.”

* * *

When I woke up in the morning, Leofric wasn’t beside me.

I thought I’d gotten up pretty early, so his absence made me wonder if he’d had a rough night.

In contrast, I’d slept so deeply by his side that it felt a little wrong.

I even let out a quiet, embarrassed chuckle at myself.

“Your Highness, are you awake?”

As I stared at the empty spot beside me, lost in thought, Bay knocked from outside.

I pushed off the blanket and called out.

“Come in.”

Betty entered.

Already dressed and fully prepared.

Wig, hat, and her usual work outfit, perfectly worn.

I laughed in disbelief.

When did she get all that ready?

“Don’t tell me I’m the last one up?”

“Not quite. But the knights are always quick. And since you’ll be dressing as a man starting today, there’s more prep for you.”

Betty laid out the clothes from our luggage on the bed.

She’d even brought everything I’d need—so I could just put them on and go.

As she unpacked, I hurried to change clothes.

From today on, it would be a forced march.

Forget about beds—we might not even have time to wash.

So I had to minimize anything that needed attention.

“I’ll tie your hair tightly so nothing sticks out.”

“Okay. No makeup either—just splash on some skin lotion.”

“Your Highness has good skin, even without products.”

“It’s because I doubt I’ll get to wash my face for a while.”

“Though I doubt His Highness would allow that. Still, less hassle is better, right?”

“Yes, please.”

We tied my hair tightly, put on the wig, and secured the hat.

Just in case the wig slipped, we tied the hair up high so the hat could cover it.

I packed all jewelry away and wore slightly oversized clothes.

It was about done.

“Amelia, are you ready?”

At that moment, Leofric knocked on the door.

Betty stood to answer it, but I stopped her and went to the door myself.

“All done, Your Highness.”

“Ah…”

When the door opened and our eyes met, Leofric froze in place.

He stood as if turned to stone.

“…Are we heading out now? We’ve nearly finished packing and can leave anytime.”

“Uh… yes. That’s right. I was just about to…”

His voice trailed off.

Why was he looking at me like that—like he was completely dazed?

His reaction was odd, but I didn’t think much of it and just tilted my head.

It seemed like he had come to say something.

“Well then, we’ll head down. Betty, ready?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Let’s go!”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

Just as Betty and I started moving with our things—

“Amelia. Is… is that really your best option?”

Leofric’s urgent voice stopped me in my tracks.