Teasing the Amnesiac Bride and Dalgeori's Arrival
What were you imagining? I felt sorry for Sua, who must be struggling with her memory loss, but the current her was just too fun to tease. Her reactions were bigger than before she lost her memory, and she was too flustered to even think of a comeback. The way she was hurriedly covering her cleavage peeking over her breast wrap wasn't adorable at all, was it?
“Th-this is just because it's uncomfortable to sleep in!”
And whenever I teased her, her expression brightened a little, so how could I possibly stop? The image of that once-bright woman turning into dead-fish eyes day by day after losing her memory was still vivid in my mind. Fortunately, yesterday's conversation had worked, and now there was a bit of life in her, but a lingering sense of hesitation and gloom still hung around.
Until she regained her memories or opened her heart more than this, all I could do was tease her as much as possible while waiting.
“Still not covering up? Looks like you should show it, then.”
“Aaaah! I'm getting dressed right now!”
More than anything, if I didn't toss out jokes and tease her first, it was hard to hold back. I'd just teased her about being half-naked in that getup, but she hadn't even dressed properly—instead, she'd just draped her jeosam over her shoulders and held the front closed with her hand as she turned back around.
“This okay now?”
What was okay about that? Was she seriously telling me to hop over the windowsill and peel off that pathetic excuse for covering? I'd thought my joke had gone too far when she poked her head out in the village, but apparently, it had been permission after all. What a sly fox of a wife.
“Actually, I have a favor to ask you, my lady.”
“A favor?”
If this kept up, I really might climb over that windowsill, so I forcibly steered the conversation to serious matters. I'd originally planned to just say hello and leave.
“I'm sorry since you have no memories. But as the Hobuin, there's something you need to do.”
It was something that had to be said anyway, so this was a good chance to get it out quickly. The more time Sua had to mull it over, the better.
“Guests are coming from Geuminsan, so it looks like you need to show your face as the lady of the house.”
“Suddenly? Who are they?”
“Tigers.”
Even without her memories, Sua's innate cleverness hadn't vanished, so her little head was probably whirring away at the mention of tigers visiting my domain. With rumors of a black tiger impersonating the Sangu, they'd come to sort things out. And since she was the lady of the house, she needed to make an appearance... something like that, I figured.
That was the surface reason, but really, it was just an excuse for her to meet some tigers she was close to. Officially, she was still recovering and their marriage delayed, so she didn't have to attend formal events. She could meet her friends under the guise of bedside visits instead.
“Hmm. Can I really pull that off?”
“It's not that formal, so don't worry.”
She didn't know it, but Sua was practically an object of worship to those crafty tigers. If bedside visits were allowed, even the old ones would come up with excuses just to chat with her once. The knowledge from her past life was worth more than gold to them. The 'mirror' had started from one offhand comment, after all. Thinking back to how she'd planned a three-day visit to Geuminsan but ended up stuck there for a month still made my blood boil.
“Alright, I'll give it a try. I want to do what I can, too.”
It'd be better to have her make a quick official appearance at the set time, then spend private moments only with her friends. Having her deal with them all day wouldn't be good for her health.
“I'd be grateful if you did. The details will take a while, so let's talk tomorrow.”
Sua nodded at my words. Things would get busy starting tomorrow.
“Well, we've said goodnight plenty, so I'll head out.”
“Wait!”
As I turned to leave after wrapping up, Sua urgently spoke up.
“I have a favor to ask, too!”
“A favor?”
“Yes. Well, you see...”
She wanted permission to create a shelter for the children orphaned by the recent village incident. A request just like her—she adored kids. I'd happily approve something more selfish, but she looked guilty even for this. I wished she'd hurry up and regain her memories so she could be bold again.
“I can look into getting permission.”
“Really? Thank you!”
What was there to thank me for? It wasn't even a firm yes—just that I'd ask—and she was beaming like that.
Didn't it make me want to tease her a bit? If she smiled that brightly all the time, I'd have let it slide.
“But with just words?”
“Huh?”
Her pure, joyful expression froze at my single remark. I could tell she was flashing back to when I'd first permitted her outing.
She'd basically begged for it herself back then, so why was she looking at me like I'd wronged her?
“It's not like submitting to the court is simple, right? Hardly a small matter.”
“Ugh...”
It was simple. Just scribble a few lines and send them off.
“You heard from Hwaya, but getting approval is even tougher.”
“I did hear that...”
Not really. The royals favored Sua, so as long as we met the court's few demands, it'd sail through. But without her memories, she wouldn't know.
“So, don't I deserve something for handling my busy lady's request so diligently?”
“Wh-what do you want?”
As if answering, I leaned against the windowsill and thrust my upper body toward her.
“Get it now?”
Hwaya had bragged endlessly about today's events before I came here. A hug that even her fiancé and lover hadn't gotten first? I'd been minimizing contact to respect Sua's memories of only being a man.
Time to claim that hug, if only out of spite. Petty and narrow-minded for a soon-to-be husband and lover, sure—but what could I do?
“You really want me to...?”
“Yeah.”
Even when I pettily held her request hostage, she hesitated. Thinking about it, holding hands and her calling me 'seobangnim' had all come from dirty, petty tricks too. But for someone who'd botched our second first meeting so badly, it was the only way to advance things. No choice.
“F-fine! I'll do it!”
She pulled herself together quickly enough—her hands slowly reached toward me.
My lady. Please understand my desire for affection, even like this.
As her hands settled on my shoulders, I spread my arms to hug her back.
Smack.
A soft sensation hit my right cheek, followed by a short, sharp sound that rang in my ears.
“Th-there! So you have to really work hard on it now!”
What a crafty fox wife.
“Why aren't you answering? I'm really embarrassed here...”
Dirty, sleazy male lead vibes. Using a project for the kids as leverage for a kiss? No matter how much it was for the children, I couldn't bring myself to kiss a man on the lips, so I'd gone for the cheek and pushed through.
“...Seobangnim?”
Sohwi, arms still spread in that awkward pose, slowly touched his right cheek and stared at me.
“My lady.”
Maybe forcing it wasn't enough. But kissing a man on the mouth was impossible...
“I just wanted a hug.”
“Huh?”
A hug?
“Look, I had my arms all ready. Then you suddenly shove your lips at me.”
Like the first outing, had I misunderstood again and made a fool of myself solo?
“Our lady's really half-naked bold today.”
“No no no, you made me think that! Sticking your face out, talking about 'empty words'—I naturally thought...”
“What were you imagining, my half-naked lady?”
“I wasn't!”
No way. He was just teasing. Still, there was no way I, the guy inside, had imagined it and kissed his own cheek!
“Oh dear, it's getting too late. Good night, then.”
Sohwi flashed a satisfied smile and slipped out through the window.
Aaaah! I don't even want to see his face! I'll avoid him completely tomorrow! Won't even glance toward the garden! He can eat dinner alone!
Even after Sohwi left, my face burned so hot I tossed and turned for ages before finally collapsing into exhausted sleep.
And then I regretted it a little. Sure, last night I'd thought I was too embarrassed and wronged to even look at him.
But...
“Hwaya... it hurts...”
I'd meant embarrassed—not that I wanted to crawl into bed because I was in pain. Pain did mean I couldn't meet him, but...!
This hurt way too much for that.
“Lady.”
For the first time, this kind of pain had me writhing under the covers. I called out weakly for Hwaya, who approached, took my hand, and put on a grave expression.
What was it? What had her looking so serious? Even lying still hurt; moving a little hurt more. It felt like someone had sewn needles into my gut while I slept. Just lying there, I was clammy with cold sweat, dizzy, irritable...
“Lady. Your dalgeori has come.”
“Wh-what?”
“Your menstruation.”