Cermiane’s Secret (4)

“But, the reason why I wasn’t scolded despite doing all that was because Father was a marquis, though?”

“Yes, but a typical marquis lady would dismiss the situation with ‘it is expected that a low-standing noble be bullied.’ That again is a restraint due to status. You took action purely because you were angered at the sight of bullying, correct? Yes. We must not tolerate injustice. Rank and status do not matter. We must not be frightened by the consequences. And we must run forth and send them flying.”

The me at that time probably wasn’t thinking about any such grand ideas thinking back, though. But, even if I was faced with the same situation right now, I would still send them flying with my flying kick.

“When I saw you at that time, I finally remembered something that was more important than status. What was more important than status was my own thoughts, believing in what I thought was correct. To take action on my own sense of justice, there is no need to become reserved due to status.”

Cermiane closed his eyes happily.

“That time, I had felt that someone was directing the path I was supposed to take. Now, the reason why I decided to rejoin the imperial family that my mother had forbidden, was due to the revelation I had back then. I can say confidently that this was all thanks to you, Ral.”

Cermiane opened his eyes, reached out his hands and enveloped my hands with his.

“I am truly sorry I had kept this hidden from you. I had thought that being able to happily live with you here would be enough. I had never imagined this would cause you to be roped into doing something you did not want to do. However, I believe that accepting Father and Elder Brother’s requests is what I must do.”

While smiling, Cermiane’s blue eyes were glowing with intense gravity.

“… If you are angry at me for breaking our promise…and have no intention of being involved with the imperial family…. I will accept a divorce….”

….We stared at each other with a heavy silence hanging in the air. Cermiane was still smiling. And I was….

Extremely angry.

Rage was bubbling inside me. All the hairs on my body were about ready to stand up with all the fury inside me. I glared at Cermiane, and he apparently felt the anger that was residing in my glare.

“Ral…?”

“Enough! Belittling others like this!!!”

I shake off Cermiane’s hands off mine, grab his collar from across the table, forcefully drag him towards me, and throw him over my shoulder.

“This!!! Darn idiot husband of mine!”

My throwing move succeeded and Cermiane crashed into the floor. Since he had a large frame, a large noise erupted, as if the house shook from the impact. Seeing as Cermiane was a knight, he probably was able to land protectively and didn’t sustain any damage to his body. I then get a hold of his legs and pull them up to my ribcage, and start to forcefully swing him around.

“Ral!”

Cermiane, who was usually always calm and collected, was panicking. I ignore him and keep swinging him around and then threw him.

“Ahhh!”

Cermiane went flying and now went crashing into a wall. As expected, he was able to protect his head due to his incredible reflexes. The wall had an impressive dent, and some plaster debris fell from the ceiling.

I then pounced on him, sat on top of the Cermiane who was covered in white plaster, and squeezed his neck. I mean really squeeze. Cermiane started to grow serious. He grabbed my wrists and tried to pull them away, but I continued to squeeze with all my might.

“Ral!”

Cermiane finally became serious and pulled away my wrists. As expected, I didn’t stand a chance in terms of physical strength, and my hands were slowly pulled away. I then immediately headbutt Cermiane’s forehead. Bam! A really good sound resounded.

“Urgh!”

I had thought of choking him again when his grip loosened, but he already predicted this. His grip remained strong. I tried to headbutt him again, but Cermiane drew me close and didn’t let me pull my head back. I struggled and wriggled around, but Cermiane was also desperate. We eventually ended up in a stalemate with our foreheads touching.

“Ral, calm down!”

Yelled Cermiane. I glared at Cermiane and growled,

“You, who do you take me for?!”

Cermiane responded with sweat dripping down his face:

“Y-you are my wife, yes?”

“Yes. I’m your wife, right? And you seriously thought that I, your wife, would divorce and run away when my husband is in the middle of a crisis?”

Cermiane swallowed his breath. Cermiane knew what type of person I was. He most likely noticed his mistake.

“I-I did not intend for it that way…!”

He started to make excuses, but stopped. Cermiane understood my personality reaaally well. He probably noticed that making excuses would be adding more fuel to the fire. This wasn’t our first argument.

“…I sincerely apologize. I was wrong.”

Good. But, I still don’t loosen my grip. I bitingly hissed at Cermiane, who was inches away from my face:

“So, don’t you have something to say to me?”

Cermiane seemed hesitant.

“B-but, you are…”

“Say it. What your wish is! What do you wish from me!”

Cermiane’s cerulean eyes wavered, and then firmed with resolve.

“Of course, I want you to stay by my side. I want you to… help me. Even in the event that I become … the Emperor.”

“Good! I heard you! As you wish, my dear.”

I finally loosen my grip. Then, all the strength suddenly left my body. Even for me, it was tough to wrestle with my husband, who was stronger than a bear. I collapsed on top of Cermiane. Cermiane wryly laughed and hugged me.

“Will you not regret it?”

“I already am.”

But, I hate running away, and I hate losing even more. If I’m going to do something, I have no intention of running away or losing. I’ll show everyone. Crown Princess? Bring it on. Also…

“…If you ever bring up divorce ever again, I will seriously choke you.”

“I will engrave it in my mind.”

Cermianely joyously kissed my bruised forehead. I stuck my cheek to his chest and hid my expression from him.

All while internally thinking, “Things may have slightly definitely gotten complicated.”