I Thought I Was the Only One in a Contract Marriage
Clarissa
나만 계약 결혼인 줄 알았다 Jun 27, 2026 40 views
Chapter 2
Three months had passed since she left the underground.
Kaiden took care of Reyna’s meals every day.
It was far too generous treatment for a fallen empire’s princess.
Everyone whispered about Reyna.
Even though she could not see, it did not mean she could not hear. Their voices were full of restraint.
“Even in today’s meeting, His Majesty dismissed the ministers who demanded Princess Reyna’s purge. What exactly is so special about that worthless princess that he’s protecting her like this?”
“Could it be that he has feelings for the princess?”
“Impossible. He’s probably just pitying her. I heard she was imprisoned underground for ten years. They say she’s lost her mind.”
“Either way, if this continues, His Majesty will be in trouble. The nobles are strongly opposed.”
All of them served Reyna while subtly treating her with hostility.
Even without sight, she could tell. The emotions directed at her were cold and sharp.
But Reyna did not care.
There was nothing wrong in their cutting words.
She had been the backing force of the former emperor—the infamous villainess of her time.
She would have nothing to say even if she were taken to the guillotine that very moment.
So the one who understood Kaiden’s actions least of all was Reyna herself.
“From today, you’re allowed to eat meat. Finish it all without leaving anything.”
Kaiden said as he placed a plate of sliced meat and a fork into her hands.
Reyna silently ate what he gave her, but her conscience pricked at her.
It had been so long since she received such humane treatment that her heart felt warm.
At the same time, guilt welled up—because she was the one who had ruined him.
As he had said, her body had improved significantly.
But she was not far from death.
Reyna instinctively knew she would die soon.
And that she still had one more use of her power left.
As she fiddled absently with her fork, Kaiden spoke.
“If you have something to say, say it. Don’t fidget in front of your meat.”
“I have a question.”
“Why so serious? As long as it’s not ‘kill me,’ I’ll listen. Speak freely, Princess.”
“Why are you treating me so well? I heard from the maids. They said everyone demanded I be purged.”
“……”
At that moment, Kaiden’s atmosphere turned noticeably cold.
He let out a deep sigh.
“Next time, I’ll have to tell them to watch their mouths in front of the princess. They’re saying unnecessary things.”
“Please answer me. Is it because of my power…?”
“Princess Reyna.”
Kaiden cut her off mid-sentence.
His voice sounded slightly angry, making Reyna shrink her shoulders.
Seeing that, his tone softened slightly, though still sharp.
“I don’t like being compared to the former Emperor.”
“……”
“I don’t expect anything from you. And I have no intention of killing you.”
“Why…?”
“Because I want to. That’s all there is to it.”
Kaiden’s blunt answer caused a tremor in Reyna’s heart.
It was the first time anyone had shown her unconditional kindness.
Not as a means to gain something—but simply because they wanted to.
She could not fully understand it, but it was a very Kaiden-like answer.
“I see.”
Reyna lowered her head and gave a faint smile.
It felt as though the unstable ground beneath her had finally stopped shaking.
At some point, a dark speck had begun spreading through Kaiden’s aura.
And now, his original light was almost completely swallowed by darkness.
Reyna knew that energy well. It was the aura of death.
At that moment, she understood what she had to do.
She wanted to return something precious to Kaiden.
Even if it meant exhausting her remaining life force completely.
He had already lost so much because of her.
It did not matter if this was repentance for her sins.
She would use the remaining life force of the infamous villainess to bless the great emperor who had treated her kindly.
It was not a bad ending for the final moment of a notorious villainess.
Reyna finished all the meat without leaving a single piece.
As Kaiden, satisfied, took away the empty plate—
Reyna grabbed his hand.
“Why? Want more?”
At his question, Reyna shook her head.
Kaiden looked at her as if asking what she meant.
Reyna spoke sincerely.
“Thank you. Because of you, I’m no longer afraid of death.”
“Just because of food? That’s awfully modest for a princess.”
Kaiden smirked, misunderstanding her meaning.
Reyna, for the first time, smiled brightly at him.
“It’s not modest at all. You’ve given me something far too precious.”
“You’re making me embarrassed. Stop there, Princess.”
As Kaiden awkwardly tried to pull his hand away—
Reyna tightened her grip.
“Let me use my remaining power one last time… to bless you properly.”
After all, I don’t have much life left anyway.
She swallowed the rest of her words and smiled faintly.
Kaiden, sensing something strange, froze.
“For the great king.”
Reyna bowed her head and kissed the back of his hand.
With reverence, she poured out her remaining life force as a blessing.
“May you achieve everything you desire.”
At that moment, Reyna’s familiar spirit beast burst forth in a crimson light, rushing toward Kaiden.
The bird that had always been blue was now burning red for the first time.
