HDBMTD 18

Chapter 18

The maids stood speechless as they watched the pair walk tenderly along the lakeside.

“What…?”

“What’s going on?”

They had just been gossiping excitedly, saying the Princess must have been rejected, humiliated even—yet now, this?

The East Palace maids were clearly flustered by the unexpected sight.

“This is ridiculous.”

And, for once, the West Palace maids agreed.

It really was ridiculous.

Just yesterday, the two of them had made the entire palace staff tremble with their vicious arguments—and now, they’d apparently cleared everything up overnight and were strolling together like the picture of peace.

“The weather’s beautiful.”

Aria spoke as she and Nocturne walked along the sunlit lakeshore. Light danced across the rippling water in a rainbow of colors. She pointed toward a small group of palace maids gathered nearby and smiled.

“Look, the maids must’ve come out to enjoy the nice weather too.”

“I see.”

Nocturne’s response was flat and emotionless.

Aria glanced at him. Though still strikingly handsome, there was a strange distance between them.

He would’ve taken her hand and smiled gently, once upon a time.

That thought passed through her mind—but for now, simply walking beside him was enough.

As they stepped over a cobbled path, Aria stumbled slightly. Nocturne, who had seemed just far enough away, rushed in and caught her waist.

“Ah… thank you.”

Half leaning into his chest, Aria looked up at him. He didn’t reply and took a step back.

Nocturne clearly didn’t enjoy spending time with her, but he never ignored her when she spoke. Aria searched for a topic, wanting both to increase their intimacy and hear his voice.

Right, Tita told me Nocturne went berserk…

Tita had been faithfully relaying reports while carrying out Aria’s instructions. One of her latest updates was that Nocturne had gone into a frenzy right after the death of Cambiata’s leader and Aria’s collapse.

It made sense. At the time, he’d burned the entire Cambiata stronghold, and Aria had blacked out before she could calm his madness.

She wanted to ask how his condition had been afterward, but feared stirring up unpleasant memories and making him wary again.

Unexpectedly, Nocturne broke the silence.

“Are you sure you’re okay walking this much?”

Was he still thinking about her earlier stumble?

His indifferent eyes scanned her face.

“You don’t look well.”

“Oh, it’s just… I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“Why not? You’ve gotten everything you wanted.”

His voice dripped with sarcasm, but Aria answered as though he’d asked sincerely.

“I used to take sleeping pills, but they were damaging my stomach, so the doctor reduced the dosage. I guess that’s why.”

“…You can’t sleep without them?”

“It’s not that bad. I’ve been off them for three days. Slept fine for two of them—just had a nightmare last night.”

“I see.”

Nocturne fell silent again. Aria changed the subject.

“What should we have for lunch?”

“Your Highness should use that time to rest instead.”

“You’re not getting out of this. We’re in a contract, remember? Cooperate. Come on—what do you want to eat?”

“Whatever you like.”

“Trying to be accommodating? How sweet.”

“I meant: choose whatever you like by yourself.”

“Oh, come on. You have a tongue too.”

“I already ate.”

“…We met at 11 a.m.”

Still, he seemed determined to honor the contract. When Aria insisted, he didn’t refuse.

After a simple meal at the palace, Nocturne drank tea while Aria took out a pouch of medicine. Nocturne glanced at it.

“That’s a lot for someone who said her dosage was reduced.”

Was he picking a fight again? But instead, he reached out and took the pouch.

Was he actually curious?

Aria hesitated, then explained.

“Immune boosters, antibiotics, and painkillers.”

“And the other two?”

“Those are… analgesics and sedatives.”

Her voice trailed off. She’d only answered his question, but his expression visibly hardened.

…Why?

Truthfully, she no longer needed the painkillers or sedatives.

Right after waking, she’d relied on them to survive each day—but things had changed. Her powers had returned, allowing her to numb pain responses. That’s how she was even able to enjoy this walk.

Still, she kept taking the pills. Saying she didn’t need them might tip Padva off that her powers were back.

Nocturne, unaware of that, silently stared at the pills. After she swallowed them, his gaze shifted to her face.

“No wonder your stomach’s a mess.”

His voice was low. Aria smiled faintly.

“Are you worried?”

It was possible. After all, he was brainwashed—not a completely different person.

“Me? Worried about you?”

But his tone was full of disgust. Aria just shrugged.

“Then I’ll recover quickly so you don’t have to worry.”

Nocturne didn’t respond.

She figured it was time to let him go—keeping him around too long might backfire. He already seemed tired of her. Even his earlier suggestion to rest more had likely been a veiled excuse to get away.

When she offered to escort him to the annex, he silently nodded.

Now that she wasn’t trying to keep up the conversation, silence filled the air between them. It felt like it would last until they parted—until Nocturne suddenly spoke again.

“What was the nightmare about?”

“Hmm?”

“You said you had a nightmare.”

She was surprised—and pleased—that he remembered something so offhand.

Maybe he thought it was trauma-related?

But the dream had nothing to do with the accident.

“Don’t worry. Just a normal nightmare.”

“Did it have ghosts? Or a killer?”

“Hmm… a killer.”

She scratched her cheek as she answered. They arrived at the annex, and Nocturne turned to her.

“We’ve arrived. You’re not planning to escort me all the way to my bedroom, are you?”

“If you want me to.”

“I do not.”

Aria laughed brightly.

“See you tomorrow, my love.”

A week had passed since their contract relationship began.

The first day, they walked through the palace gardens. The second, they read books in the library. On the third, they watched the stars from a terrace.

None of it was extravagant—it was simply a revisit to memories of happy days long gone.

When Nocturne was busy, Aria didn’t push him. She tried to spend time with him without being a burden. Though he remained cold and distant, Aria smiled as brightly as she had in the past.

“Prince Ellicia’s delegation arrives in two days. Will you escort me to the banquet?”

She had to ask now, even for things that used to be a given.

“I’ll keep the bare minimum of decorum.”

“Thank you.”

So curt.

“What are you planning this time?”

He pointed toward a few maids approaching from a distance.

They always kept a fixed distance—close enough to see them, too far to hear. If they were closer, Nocturne’s cold tone would be revealed.

“Something you’ll like.”

Aria smiled and signaled to the maids. The timing was perfect—sunset had begun.

They brought small fireworks. Something they used to enjoy together.

Nocturne had always liked fireworks.

Maybe it’s instinctual—he’s a flame user, after all.

She remembered those nights by the river, sparkling fireworks lighting up the dark sky, and Nocturne’s face glowing even brighter with laughter.

A beautiful memory. One she wanted to recreate.

If she could stir up those old feelings, she’d be able to access his deeper consciousness before the contract ended.

Feeling a spark of joy, Aria’s voice lifted.

“I’ll set them up—just light the fuse at the end, okay?”

Then, Nocturne’s face changed.

As Aria spoke with the maids, he poured water over the fireworks.

“W-What are you doing?!”

The maids panicked. Aria calmed them and checked the soaked supplies.

“They’re ruined…”

He’d been cooperative—why this sudden turn?

She couldn’t tell what had triggered it.

When she turned toward him, Nocturne was already striding away.

“Nocturne!”

She ran after him. He spun around, face twisted in fury.

“Enough. Even I have limits.”

“What…?”

“Do you think you deserve to be by my side?”

His voice cut like a knife. Aria froze—but she had an answer.

“Of course I do.”

“…”

He looked at her with open contempt.

“Everything you do is disgusting.”

He turned and walked away without another word.

Aria tried to follow, but in her weakened body, she couldn’t catch up. By the time she reached the annex, he had already left for his territory.

Nocturne broke the contract—and didn’t show his face for two days.

Aria wasn’t allowed to leave the palace. Padva claimed it was for her health, but everyone knew the real reason.

“Stay calm…”

She muttered it like a mantra.

This was a natural disaster. Hard times become memories once you’ve overcome them.

Someday, looking back on this day, Nocturne would be filled with guilt, and Aria would smile and say it had been an interesting experience.

Yes, a strange one. When else would your beloved pet puppy turn into a feral cat?

When it was all over, she would no longer take his kindness for granted. This experience, like rain that hardens the earth, would only make them stronger.

Just one more week—and everything would return to normal.

Then, she could finally leave the palace and live the rest of her life freely.

She would do just that.

Because she deserved to be happy.