The Munchkin Princess Wants to Run Away - Chapter 16

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Cedric had changed into a thin nightgown and left his chest half-exposed.
He’d merely undone a couple of buttons for comfort, but it felt excessive to Ivanna.
The Tent’s various spaces were divided by partitions.
She’d believed that once she lay on the bed, his desk would be out of sight—or so she’d told herself before stepping out.
“You should dry your hair properly.”
As Ivanna gazed at his chest with wavering eyes, Cedric gestured toward her damp hair and spoke.
His ash-gray eyes fixed on the strands.
“I understand.”
Ivanna turned and went straight to the washroom.
Thump-thump.
There was nothing to be embarrassed about, yet her heart hammered away like she’d done something wrong.
The nightgown was different from what she usually wore. She’d nearly lost herself staring at the taut muscle visible through the open fabric.
I should dry my hair before he falls asleep.
Once I’m under the covers, my body won’t show.
Ivanna used a towel instead of an Artifact, carefully blotting the moisture from her hair.
‘She’s taking a while.’
Cedric, who had been sitting on the bed reading a book, turned his head toward the washroom.
The Princess had been in there far longer than it should take to dry her hair.
Had she collapsed?
Her wrists were so thin that, with only slight exaggeration, they made the Sword Hilt he carried look stout by comparison.
Her body, barely concealed beneath a thin nightgown, looked fragile enough to shatter at the slightest touch.
Water dripping from her still-damp hair had soaked through the delicate fabric in dark patches.
The Imperial Court had mentioned that the Princess had a weak constitution, which was why he’d insisted she dry her hair before coming out.
A cold could throw the entire journey off schedule.
He was already anxious enough about the Princess spending the whole journey in the carriage without her falling ill on top of it.
Cedric hadn’t expected that traveling with another person could be this exhausting.
The moment the Princess entered the carriage, the air itself changed. Unlike when he traveled alone, a soft, warm atmosphere now permeated the space.
Just one extra person, and yet the altered environment left Cedric oddly tense.
Moreover, each time the Princess moved, her perfume wafted past his nose.
It wasn’t the sharp, intense fragrance of the young ladies who approached him at parties, but something soft and subtle.
So sweet, in fact, that on the first day of the journey, Cedric had half-wondered if she’d somehow gotten fruit all over herself.
He had to resist the constant urge to turn his head toward her, as if someone had threaded a needle through his nostrils.
Click.
This was taking far too long.
He’d turned three pages of his book, and still the Princess hadn’t emerged from the washroom.
Cedric closed his book, set it on the table, exhaled softly, and rose from his seat.
Clearly, the rigorous journey had worn her down.
He stepped toward the washroom entrance, a belated concern settling over him.
“Your Highness.”
When he called softly, no answer came from within.
Cedric tilted his head.
“Your Highness. I’m coming in.”
When she didn’t respond to his second call, Cedric pulled back the thin curtain without hesitation.
“Oh!”
“So you were still drying your hair.”
Seeing the round eyes finally turn to him, finally able to set his worries at ease.
The Princess sat on a small stool, towel in hand, drying her hair.
“You’re not using an Artifact.”
“I didn’t want to disturb you while you were reading.”
“The sound isn’t that loud. It’s fine.”
Cedric examined her condition carefully. Her face was flushed, and her body trembled slightly.
Was that an early sign of a cold—the kind he’d read about in books?
“Let me help.”
He decided that drying her hair quickly was more important than letting her catch cold.
He retrieved an Artifact and stood behind Ivanna.
Whoosh!
“Ahhh!”
Ivanna shrieked as wind suddenly whipped through her hair from behind, battering her face. The Duke had activated the strongest setting, and her hair lashed at her wildly.
“I’m s-sorry.”
Cedric, who ordinarily dried his short hair with a strong wind, looked flustered as he watched the Imperial Princess’s long locks whipping about wildly.
“Would you lower the wind a bit?”
Ivanna grabbed at her unruly hair frantically and caught his eye in the mirror.
“Of course.”
“And I’ll do it myself.”
“No. If you’ll just tell me how, I’ll take over.”
He glanced back and forth between his arm and the Artifact. It seemed he couldn’t hold the Artifact steady the entire time the Imperial Princess dried her long, abundant hair.
Of course, Ivanna couldn’t grasp what that look meant.
‘Did I really look so impoverished that I’d never used an Artifact before?’
Ivanna glared at Cedric in the mirror. Standing behind her, he looked grave—like a man on the eve of a decisive battle.
The intensity in his eyes as he studied her hair was like that of a general calculating where to strike down an enemy commander.
Whirrrrr.
In the bathing room with only the two of them, there was nothing but the sound of the Artifact spinning.
Ivanna felt her eyes beginning to flutter closed from the gentle warmth that brushed past her ears.
The tension and exhaustion from sitting in the carriage all day finally caught up with her.
She couldn’t fall asleep.
When she felt her head tilting, Ivanna’s eyes snapped open.
In doing so, her gaze met Cedric’s, who’d been watching her from behind.
He too looked startled, as though he hadn’t expected their eyes to meet.
“It seems to be dry now.”
His large hand passed delicately through her hair.
Ivanna shivered slightly, her shoulders drawing inward at the sudden prickle of goosebumps.
“You seem cold. Let’s finish up here.”
“All right.”
She didn’t know why he’d suddenly said she seemed cold, but Ivanna nodded quickly.
She wanted nothing more than to escape this situation. If she told anyone that Cedric Reynolds had dried her hair for her, no one would believe it.
She’d meant to go to bed early, but had staying out late left her frustrated?
She couldn’t believe what was happening to her.
With a bewildered expression, Ivanna followed Cedric back to the bed.
He gestured sternly toward the bedding. Ivanna climbed onto the bed hesitantly.
This was the first time since their marriage that he’d involved himself with her bedtime.
Usually either she was already asleep when he came to bed, or he was asleep first.
Even when they entered together, he’d act indifferent, as though he had no interest in her at all.
What on earth was happening?
Ivanna pulled the covers over herself and looked at Cedric.
Was something resolved?
The Duke, who’d been assessing something, finally gave a small nod. Ivanna squeezed her eyes shut as he lay down beside her.
What a strange day.
Though she couldn’t understand why the Duke was acting differently than usual, her heart kept fluttering and she felt as though she might sneeze.
It must be because of that Contract.
The excessive politeness and tenderness she felt must all be attributable to that.
He’d mentioned the Contract before going to bathe. Clearly something about it was bothering him.
After organizing her thoughts this way, Ivanna began counting silently to herself.
One, two, three.
Rustle.
Ivanna held her breath at the presence she felt beside her.
“Are you in pain anywhere?”
“No!”
It seemed the Duke was looking at her. If she opened her eyes, their gazes would surely meet.
“If you are in pain anywhere, please tell me at once.”
Nod.
Clutching the blanket tightly, Ivanna nodded quickly in agreement.
Let it rain. Pour down.
Ivanna murmured silently to herself.
Rather than worrying about the Duke’s sudden departure from his usual behavior, it would be far more meaningful if it simply rained.
Then tomorrow she wouldn’t have to see the faces of disheartened people.
Ivanna quietly gathered her Divine Power.
She felt the strength of her Divine Power draining from her body. She was grateful it didn’t show outwardly.
The power seemed to be leaving faster than she’d expected, but this much should be manageable.
Ivanna closed her eyes, hoping that tomorrow she might hear the sound of laughter from people, even from far away.
Tap.
Tap. Tap.
The sound of rain falling on the Tent reached her ears. She felt Cedric stir, startled by the patter, but Ivanna kept her eyes firmly shut, feigning deep sleep.
Whatever his reasons for showing interest in her, she wouldn’t let herself misconstrue them.
It was probably just a passing whim.
Only when she sensed him withdraw completely did Ivanna allow herself to drift into genuine sleep.
* * *
“Mmm.”
Warmth surrounded her. Last night’s rain had brought a chill, and it seemed Anthony had placed an Artifact between the blankets for heat.
The Tent could adjust its temperature to suit its user, but since it had been calibrated for Cedric’s naturally high body heat, it ran a touch cool for Ivanna.
‘Though this Artifact feels rather large, doesn’t it?’
The warm Artifact fit perfectly in her arms—just the right size for embracing.
Though perhaps a bit too large…
“Yelp!”
Ivanna’s eyes snapped open, and she let out a cry.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————