Political Marriage With a Friendly Enemy - Chapter 106

Chapter 106

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I didn’t do it for honor, but I was slightly embarrassed to hear compliments from Sharsh. Without the help of Kwanach and others, we would not have been able to get through all the crises.

 

But Kwanach stepped back and turned all the credit to me. He was a man who had no interest in making himself stand out.

 

The tribe people did not stay at the palace for long and headed straight to their land as soon as they finished trading. Just before leaving, Sharsh delivered me a lucky message.

 

“May the benevolence of the silver forest dwell in you.”

 

Even after all the tribes returned, there was an exciting atmosphere in the palace. I was nervous, too, but my shoulders relaxed after I entered the cozy bedroom at night.

 

When Kwanach noticed that I had lost all my energy, he picked me up from the door and strode to the bed. Sitting me at the edge of the bed, he knelt down in front of me.

 

“Why are you doing that?”

 

“Weren’t you busy standing all day and being called around? I’m afraid your legs are tired.”

 

“That’s the same for you…… Ugh.”

 

Big hands clasped my calf unannounced. My leg was completely wrapped in one hand.

 

“No, how can you stand on such slender legs?”

 

Kwanach mumbled as he rubbed my calf to my ankle. He was not teasing, but a voice that seemed genuinely curious.

 

I looked at Kwanach with my legs in his hands. Even though he was on his knees, his eyes were at my level. I realized the difference in physique with him again.

 

My stiff muscles relaxed and a sluggishness came over me. I said in a slightly droopy voice.

 

“Let’s go to Achaia together later when we have more time.”

 

I briefly explained to Kwanach the information I received from Sharsh earlier. Kwanach raised his gaze slightly and nodded at me.

 

“Yes, whenever you want, I’ll go with you.”

 

“Yes…but you keep rubbing me like that, I’m a little sleepy…….”

 

Kwanach smiled quietly and raised a big body. Naturally, he placed me aside and hugged me on the bed.

 

“It’s understandable that you’re tired. Then should I just hug you and sleep like this today?”

 

I habitually dug into Kwanach’s arms. It was as comfortable and warm as a solid nest. As I leaned my face against his chest, I immediately fell asleep.

 

Amid the drowsiness, the thought that it was too bad to fall asleep immediately passed by. I lifted my reclining face and kissed Kwanach on the chin.

 

“Good night. I’m just sad to sleep like this…….”

 

“No, if you fall asleep like this….”

 

Soon afterwards, I couldn’t hear the words that followed because of the flood that hit my whole body. Now I fell into a deep sleep in my husband’s arms, the most comfortable and peaceful place in the world.

 

* * *

 

The empire’s summer came quickly. Spring was gone, and the air soon heated up. My body seemed to melt down in the heat of the South, which I had never experienced before.

 

So, in the name of summer vacation, we decided to visit the kingdom of Achaia. Just in time, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s new business plan was finally passed by Congress, giving it room.

 

Oslin scolded me and Kwanach for being workaholic. He told us to take this opportunity to rest for a few days.

 

The Radon Empire’s bureaucratic system was surprisingly solid, so even if we were to leave for a while, we wouldn’t have much trouble. Oslin would fill the vacancy well.

 

So we arrived at Achaia in a carriage after a few days.

 

I was going to stop by the silver forest after taking care of Jenner, who was suffering alone at a young age. I was also excited to see my father after a long time.

 

When I arrived in my country, a familiar palace welcomed me. However, the atmosphere was completely different from before. It seemed that the royal palace was renovated to greet us.

 

After Diaquit’s death, I heard that Achaia tried a lot to reorganize and move on in its own way. At the center was my younger brother, Jenner.

 

As soon as I got out of the carriage, I could see Jenner and my father’s faces. It’s been such a long time since I saw my father that I got emotional without realizing it. As I approached as if running, my father hugged me.

 

“It’s been a while since I saw you.”

 

“How have you been? Can you stand outside?”

 

“My body is always the same.”

 

My father spoke softly, but there was a little bitterness at the end of his voice. He must have had a hard time because of Diaquit.

 

After hugging my father, I also hugged Jenner, who was next to him. My wedding in the Empire was only a few months ago, and in the meantime, he had grown a lot.

 

He had a face that was beginning to look quite manly now. After Diaquit died, he seemed to have matured faster as he began to take over politics in earnest.

 

“How are you, sister?”

 

However, the smiling face still had a childish appearance.

 

“I’m well.”

 

Jenner loosened his arms and glanced at Kwanach, who was standing still behind me.

 

” …… Your Majesty…”

 

“You don’t have to call me Your Majesty.”

 

Kwanach spoke kindly. He didn’t have to say anything, for his face was grim and his voice had a low, frightening tone. Jenner seemed to flinch a bit.

 

“Yes, well, I’ll change slowly…….”

 

Jenner hesitated and led us into the palace. I walked with him, helping my father.

 

On the first day in my homeland, I took a good rest straight away to relieve my travel fatigue. I decided to stay with Kwanach in my old room.

 

It was a strange feeling to be back in my homeland after so many years. There was nothing in particular that was hard about missing home, but when I finally got here, I was flooded with all kinds of emotions.

 

The weather was cool, unlike in the Empire. The room was as neat and tidy as when I left.

 

Kwanach entered my old room and stood in the center for a while looking around. This was the first time he had entered this room due to the fact that he had headed back to the empire as soon as the wedding took place.

 

I quietly approached Kwanach and leaned on his arm.

 

“What are you looking at so much?”

 

“Just ……it’s fascinating. It’s where you used to live.”

 

Kwanach studied every corner for a moment, then turned and embraced me. I ruminated on my two lives as he held me to his chest.

 

The first time was when I came back from the edge of death and woke up in this room as a ten-year-old. That miraculous moment came vividly to mind. Everything changed from the second life I gained in that way.

 

The continent was at peace and communication with the different races resumed. Instead of Jenner, Diaquit died, and the strange man named Kwanach was now more reliable than anyone else. When people saw me, they praised me, not condemned me.

 

‘It really is like a miracle.’

 

I don’t know how this happened to me, but I reflected my gratitude to the Goddess and the silver forest in Kwanach’s arms.

 

This was such a full and precious life. Such a life that I could not even imagine in my previous life. Amazingly, it was my reality now.

 

***

 

We spent two days leisurely at the royal palace. Since we really came here to rest and recuperate, I refrained from a fancy banquet. Instead, I sat with my family, ate good food and rested well.

 

Jenner, who had struggled with Kwanach, seemed to have become a little more comfortable. It’s because Kwanach looked rough, but I’m sure Jenner recognized that Kwanach was really sweet.

 

Three days since I came to Achaia. We decided to go to the silver forest as planned.

 

I did not disclose anything about the Genesa Catatel. From what I saw in Sharsh’s memory, the silver forest didn’t want to be revealed.

 

I told my father and Jenner that I was going to thank the silver forest. I couldn’t step into the forest unless I was the king of Achaia, but I wanted to see the forest from outside.

 

‘I wish the forest would let me in like when I was young.’

 

A young day when I recklessly endured the cold to visit the silver forest. The silver forest slightly loosened the barrier and I was able to step into the forest.

 

“Sister, brother-in-law. Have a safe trip.”

 

Jenner said, calling Kwanach with a more comfortable title. We headed for the silver forest with only a few escorts.

 

The air froze sharply as we approached the silver forest. A hard-to-grow frozen soil all year round.

 

I wore a thick cape with artifacts in it to help keep my body warm. I wore gloves and covered my head with a hood.

 

However, as I rode the horse for a long time, I felt a chill in my body gradually as the wind blew hard. But it wasn’t to the point where I couldn’t hold out.

 

When I arrived in front of the silver forest and got off the horse, Kwanach came straight to me.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“I’m okay. I’m a northerner, so I’m used to the cold.”

 

My head was slightly dizzy by the intense cold, but I tried to smile. Kwanach hugged me tightly. When I was hugged by him, who was much taller than me and had a higher body temperature, I felt that my body’s fatigue was relieved immediately.

 

After a while, I fell away from him and turned my gaze forward. Trees full of silver leaves, nowhere to be seen. It only looked like heavy snow here.

 

It may be a surprising sight to see for the first time, but Kwanach was quite calm. The escorts were put on standby and the two of us walked one step at a time into the forest.

 

This was a land that only the king of Achaia could enter and leave. Originally, I had to bounce back against the warding of the forest.

 

‘Somehow the forest seems to be calling me.’

 

But now I felt a strange attraction. As if the forest allowed me. As if possessed by something, the steps toward the forest continued to speed up. I took steps without any tension or fear.

 

Kwanach, who held my hand tightly, seemed to be the same. The moment I stepped into the entrance of the forest, suddenly, my vision blackened.

 

When the dark vision returned. A familiar voice came in.

 

“If I am guilty, please punish me alone. This person is innocent.“

 

 It was Kwanach’s voice.

 

Like when I saw the memory of Sharsh, I felt like my soul was possessed in Kwanach. The current view was stained. His eyes were filled with water.

 

A convulsed body, a cape that was soaked in blood and hard to recognize its original color, rough breathing. And the silver leafy trees that covered the surrounding area.

 

‘This scene… I’ve definitely seen it before.’

 

The scene I saw in my dream when I lost my consciousness after being poisoned. Kwanach, exhausted in the silver forest, kneeling on his knees in a haggard appearance and praying to someone.

 

Now I was in the scene as him.

 

‘Is it fantasy or memory?’

 

When I asked him about the silver forest the other day, Kwanach replied as if he did not know. So I forgot the dream, too. Thinking it must be a delusion I saw when I was sick. It would have been impossible for Kwanach to even step into the silver forest.

 

“Now..… I’m the King of Achaia.You have to grant me my wish. I came all the way here believing that story.“

 

Then Kwanach’s voice rang out.

 

He knelt down and touched the frozen ground with his bare hands. Tears fell on the back of the scarred hand and left marks.

 

“Please…… revive the Usphere Catatel…”

 

Only then did I slowly understand this situation. In my previous life, I was told that Achaia was defeated by the Imperial Army and went on the path of destruction.

 

However, Kwanach did not subjugate Achaia under the empire, but inherited the title of King Achaia as if he were extorting it.

 

‘Then this is… Kwanach from my previous life.’

 

Kwanach became King of Achaia after a long war after I died in vain on the day of my wedding. An emperor who was eaten by the madness of war.

 

There was a huge tree standing in front of him now. The forest road, which was winding in the back, was cut off here. I felt as if I had walked alone to the end of the silver forest.

 

‘To get me back…….’

 

At that moment, the various emotions that Kwanach was feeling back then were vividly conveyed to me. Miserable, hopeless, desperate, horribly deep self-loathing.

 

I had a throbbing sensation near my heart. My whole body was cold, but my head was as hot as heat.

 

Then a loud voice came from the air.

 

<I don’t grant personal wishes.>

 

It was the silver forest’s spirit.

 

***