Unbeknownst to Me, I am Secretly Dating the Emperor - Chapter 199

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story Episode 1
“Still newlyweds, I see? Your husband’s eyes are practically dripping with sugar water.”
The innkeeper, whose expression was blunt and unremarkable, set down a steaming bowl of stew on the table and asked with brazen charm.
“Well, yes. Ha-ha.”
We were technically still betrothed, but since commoners rarely formalized betrothals, I deflected with a vague answer.
Ed smiled as though my response satisfied him.
“Ah, youth is wonderful.”
The innkeeper seemed to interpret Ed’s smile as the sort of affection newlyweds naturally displayed just by looking at each other.
“This inn has excellent soundproofing, and the beds are sturdy too.”
He delivered his innuendo with a sly grin.
‘I heard the same thing in Diegis. Does the Imperial Innkeeper Association distribute this sort of spicy banter to all their staff?’
My face flushed.
The Northern Region was said to have people as cold and dry as its weather, yet this innkeeper alone defied that image with considerable impudence.
When Ed’s and my pupils wavered, the innkeeper simply laughed brightly, as though he’d merely been pointing out the inn’s merits, and departed.
We buried our heads in our bowls and ate the stew with great concentration.
Whether the heat creeping up my ears came from the steaming stew or something else, I couldn’t say.
After finishing our meal faster than usual, we set out toward the Festival Village where the festival was being held.
This was the reason we’d decided to spend our holiday in the Northern Region: the Ice and Snow Flower Festival was starting today.
The inn, situated some distance from the village, meant the narrow forest path beneath our feet bore not a single footprint in its accumulated snow.
Walking slowly to match my stride, my footprints formed a dotted line alongside Ed’s deeper tracks.
I delighted in the crisp crunch of snow beneath my feet as I spoke to Ed.
“I haven’t seen snow pile up like this in such a long time.”
Lanheldin, where I grew up, was warm enough that some winters would pass without a single snowfall.
The Capital saw snow more frequently than Lanheldin, but it rarely accumulated deeply.
“What about you?”
“I saw plenty of it until last year.”
Ed answered with a faint furrow appearing at the corner of his eyes.
The primary theaters of war had been the Eastern and Northern Regions, so he must have seen snow often.
‘Judging by his distaste, Ed is still a soldier through and through.’
“You don’t like snow?”
Since I’d chosen this vacation spot, I asked cautiously, and Ed widened his eyes with a laugh.
“I do like it.”
Ed paused briefly before adding:
“……I’m starting to like it again.”
Then he gently took my gloved hand in his.
I didn’t need him to explain the reason.
Peace meant being able to appreciate the beauty of snow without worrying about supply lines or combat difficulties.
The cold-protection gloves were so thick my fingers could barely bend, but I squeezed Ed’s hand with all my strength.
“I think you’ll like it more and more.”
I was determined to protect this hard-won peace with all my might, together.
‘So that Ed can keep gazing at the snow and laughing without a care in the world.’
I forced myself to smile at Ed as cheerfully as I could.
But the moment our eyes met, worry flashed across his face.
“Are you very cold?”
I was bundled up so thickly I could barely walk, and I wore multiple Cold-Protection Artifacts.
Except for the tip of my nose, which I’d had to expose, everything was warm.
“I’m fine.”
Yet Ed, his face full of concern, removed his gloves and pulled a Cold-Protection Artifact from his coat, holding it near my face.
Specifically, near my nose.
It seemed the cold had numbed my senses entirely.
As warmth touched my skin, sensation slowly returned.
My nose stung sharply.
‘Please tell me it’s not just my nose that’s red.’
I felt rather embarrassed.
And worried that my nose might be running.
I hastily covered my nose with my palm.
Ed laughed quietly.
“Don’t laugh.”
When I spoke gruffly, Ed offered a soothing suggestion.
“Should I have someone bring the carriage now?”
The inn was some distance from the village, but it was only about a twenty-minute walk.
Besides, we’d already been walking for over ten minutes.
“We’re almost there anyway, so never mind.”
I answered briskly, and Ed opened his outer coat, which had chilled in the fresh air, and drew me into his arms, wrapping me in it.
The Sword Master seemed to regulate his own body temperature; his embrace was warm.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“No.”
Assured that he was fine, I pressed my cheek against his solid chest and nestled closer.
“Ah, you’re so warm.”
As I spoke nestled in his arms, my breath touched his neck, and I felt his body grow even warmer.
“Ahem.”
Feeling the sudden change in his temperature, Ed made an embarrassed coughing sound.
“You have no sense of timing.”
I pressed my lips together impishly and pulled away from his embrace.
As I deliberately walked ahead, I heard Ed following behind at a deliberately slow pace.
After trailing a step behind me for some time, Ed finally called my name.
“Lina.”
I turned back reluctantly, as though I couldn’t help myself.
“What?”
“Hold my hand.”
Whether it was a charm offensive or not, Ed smiled brightly.
“Fine.”
Weak to such appeals, I held out my hand eagerly, and Ed interlaced his fingers with mine.
In the distance, the Festival Village where the celebration was being held came into view.
* * *
True to its name, the Ice and Snow Flower Festival had transformed the village entrance with ice sculptures.
“Wow, how beautiful.”
At the entrance, several Snow Spirits from this region’s legendary tales were carved to roughly human size, greeting visitors as they arrived.
There were sections where small, cute animals—squirrels, rabbits, and other creatures unseen in winter—huddled together among ice trees.
Beyond that, the sculptures appeared to be works submitted by various ice carvers, with no unified theme.
Yet all of them were masterfully crafted.
While I gazed at the ice sculptures as if entranced, Ed had somehow obtained a pamphlet and spoke up.
“It says the sculptures are lit up once the sun sets.”
“Can we stay and see that too?”
“Yeah. And there’s a parade in the evening related to the Snow Spirit legend.”
“Could we see it all? The moon’s bright enough that the path shouldn’t be dark……”
My plan to visit the festival before dinner and return early began to expand gradually.
Ed smiled knowingly and nodded.
This was supposedly the most famous festival in the Northern Region, and there truly was much to enjoy.
“Do you want to try that?”
After devouring plenty of roasted marshmallows over a campfire.
“Now let’s have something cold!”
We shared a shaved frozen treat made from sugared fruit.
After eating sweet things in rapid succession, Ed’s face bore the expression of someone desperately craving something bitter.
“Next, shall we try hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on top?”
When I offered to put three marshmallows in his cup, Ed shuddered.
“I’m actually craving a Stamina Recovery Potion—the one famous for tasting bitter.”
Pleased with my successful teasing, I laughed loudly.
“Then, shall we get some meat pies?”
I pointed to a stall with a long queue, and Ed eagerly nodded.
The meat pies we received after the long wait were worth every moment in line.
As we wandered around the village admiring the ice sculptures scattered throughout while eating snacks, the sun began to set.
In such a cold place, darkness fell rapidly.
The sunset reflected off the snow blanketing the village.
The snow accumulated densely throughout the village transformed into countless shades of pink.
We watched the sunset for a long time.
As complete darkness arrived, magical lights flickered to life above the ice sculptures placed throughout the village.
Now I understood why people said the Ice and Snow Flower Festival truly began after sunset—the sight was nothing short of magical.
I tugged on Ed’s coat hem to share this wonder with him.
Ed’s eyes, somewhat emotionally reserved, showed only a hint of curiosity.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
When I tugged his collar several times as if urging a response, Ed laughed and answered.
“Yeah, it’s amazing.”
It was half-hearted admiration, but I was satisfied even with that.
“Oh, right. You said there’s a parade after dark.”

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