Thank You For The Confinement, Grand Duke! - Chapter 73.2
At that, the grip around my waist tightened. Wait, I didn’t ask him to do it with me—why?!
“I’ve already had enough. And…”
“You’re not trying to say that spending time with me is special or something, are you?”
Ah, was that the point?
He fell silent.
After a moment’s hesitation, Enfrise carefully rested his forehead against my neck.
“How did you know?”
Uh, because I thought he would say something like that?
Typically, male leads said things like that easily. Given Enfrise’s personality, he probably would, too. Still, since I couldn’t say that outright, I paused for a moment and thought of something nice to say instead.
“I feel the same way.”
It wasn’t a lie. It really was nice.
In this world, not everyone liked me.
It wasn’t just ordinary people like me, but even female leads from novels who faced hatred and obstacles from others. There were certainly people who felt envious that Enfrise loved me and others who were unhappy about it. So, was there really any need to stress over getting involved with people like that?
That was also why I became a homebody.
I had already experienced enough stress at home, and the stress I faced outside was overwhelming.
Why do people act that way?
They freely pry into the lives of others without knowing the facts, questioning why I haven’t had a boyfriend at the age of twenty-five. They insist on introducing me to men, claiming I must have my head in the clouds. When I said I didn’t need it, they suggested I meet someone suitable, saying all men were the same once they were married.
What did it even mean to call me a woman like that? And what kind of man was supposedly suitable for me?
Have they been happy in their own marriages? That wasn’t the case. They often complain about not wanting to go home, criticizing their wives or husbands. They grumbled about their children not listening and made no effort to hide their family’s flaws.
Yet, when something happened, they declared that family was the best and raising children was the most rewarding part of life.
Was that all?
They said I needed to lose weight to get married, questioned how I dress, and suggested I should cut my hair or grow it out. Why were they so concerned about someone else’s appearance?
I enjoyed looking at beautiful things, too. That was why I loved my appearance as it was now. However, back then, I didn’t have the luxury to take care of myself, nor did I feel a strong need to. Wasn’t it enough to look good when I wanted to? I didn’t understand why they made such a fuss about looking perfect, even on ordinary days.
They say that if I dressed well, I’d find a man.
While appearance does play a role in attraction, if it were everything, I should have fallen head over heels the moment I saw Enfrise. He even mentioned that he didn’t fall for Chaperil just because of her looks. Though, of course, they might have helped a little. And while preparing for Enfrise’s birthday this time, I realized that when I truly want to look beautiful, I end up dressing up myself.
However, people outside would say things like this about me.
I didn’t act like a noble lady. I lacked dignity. I had no grace. I should always dress neatly and appropriately for a noble lady. I shouldn’t associate with someone like Enfrise.
I didn’t want to feel that kind of stress.
There was no need to. Just being with Enfrise already felt like it wasn’t enough time in a day.
“I think I’ve been mistaken in my thinking.”
“Really?”
“What good is it to go outside? Should I give Enfrise a book as well?”
“No need. Just reading what you read is entertaining enough for me. Besides…”
“Is it better to read the same thing as me?”
“…Yes.”
Well, if that’s the case.
Enfrise didn’t say anything insincere. I didn’t lie, either.
We both thought that was enough.
I opened the book and started reading the text. It was about time the prince went to defeat the dragon. It was a storybook for children, but it was surprisingly more exciting than I thought. Maybe it was been too long since I’ve seen one.
The sentences were easy to read, with illustrations included, and there were enough plot twists to keep it interesting.
“Speaking of which, Enfrise.”
“Yes?”
“If I were captured by a dragon, would you come to rescue me like this?”
What kind of question was that?
This was what was known as an obvious question. The answer was already decided! Just give the expected response!
“If it were me…”
If it were you!
“I would never let you get captured.”
…Oh, well. That was true.
Though the princess was captured before meeting the prince, I was with Enfrise every day. And if such a situation ever came, I would definitely get heated. Producing mana like crazy. For Enfrise, it would be a situation he would absolutely want to avoid.
“Hmm.”
“I’m sorry if that’s not the answer you wanted… but I truly don’t want to put you in danger.”
Well, that was fine.
We could create our own story. It was also pretty cool if the prince eliminated the cause before getting captured by the dragon, right?
“Enfrise.”
“Yes?”
“Since it’s your birthday, I’ll allow a kiss this time. But no tongues.”
“….”
And there was the prince, who turned red so quickly when I teased him.
I chuckled mischievously and buried my face in the book.
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