Chapter 201

He had thought that Yelena might feel uncomfortable around him if she had seen him mercilessly killing monsters, so he had taken special precautions to make sure she wouldn't witness such a scene when he had gone to exterminate the monsters at the Herman Mountains.

He hadn't missed a single monster. He was certain that he had killed all the monsters outside of Yelena's line of sight.

'If it isn't that, then just what...'

He tightened the grip on his sword abruptly.

He was painfully struck by the memory of his wife avoiding his hand with a startle. His chest, which monsters couldn't even lay a finger on, stung sharply.

Usually, Kaywhin felt nothing when he would get rejected by other people. People avoiding him and feeling uncomfortable around him was such an often occurrence that he eventually even stopped batting an eye when it happened.

But now there was an exception.

He didn't care if other people rejected him or avoided him.

But his wife, only she...

Keeeee!

A monster dashed towards Kaywhin, baring its large fangs threateningly.

Kaywhin swung his sword. The simple movement of his hand sliced the monster's head off with such ease, it was as if the monster's head had been separated from its body from the start. The monster's blood splattered on Kaywhin's right arm and shoulder.

"..."

A rather nauseating stench permeated the air.

Then, Kaywhin spoke up.

"...Listen up, subjugation unit."

Most of the knights present were already focused on Kaywhin, watching him hunt monsters in fascination. Thanks to that, he didn't really have to raise his voice to get their attention.

"After today's subjugation, stop by an inn and clean off your clothes and bodies before returning to the castle."

The knights exchanged confused looks.

'Is he telling us to return to the castle after taking a bath?'

'Why?'

'We've never done that before.'

'It's not like we got more monster blood on us than usual.'

'Well, since this is His Excellency's decision...'

After their quick exchange of glances, the subjugation unit energetically shouted in reply.

"Yes, sir!"

"Understood, sir!"

***

Yelena looked out the window, lost in thought.

'...I think he misunderstood. I'm sure he did.'

Yelena was thinking about Kaywhin's reaction when she had unconsciously avoided his touch.

His hardened expression, as if he was flustered. The way he had gotten on his horse and departed without even waiting for Yelena to speak, as if he had thought an explanation would be meaningless.

"Sigh."

Yelena sighed with her elbows propped up on the windowsill.

'I made a mistake. I acted in a way that could only cause a misunderstanding...'

For a very brief moment, Yelena wished Kaywhin could read her mind. Then, she would be able to truthfully convey what she was feeling and thinking without having to put it in words.

But then, the thought evaporated.

'No, no.'

If Kaywhin could read her mind, then wouldn't he be able to see her dream vividly every time she thought about it?

'Am I crazy? No way.'

Yelena shook her head.

She wasn't only embarrassed because her dream had been erotic. Of course, that was a big part of it, but there was an even more important reason.

In her dream, her husband had seduced her with only a wet shirt. One could easily guess what Yelena's subconscious had imagined when she had seen her husband completely drenched in real life.

Yelena would be utterly humiliated if anyone were to find that out.

"This is all Aendy's fault..."

This wouldn't have happened if Aendydn hadn't done such an unnecessary thing. She sighed, knowing she was only pinning the blame on someone who wasn't even there.

"...I'll have to tell him the truth when he returns."

Even if she couldn't tell him what exactly happened in her adult-rated dream, she could still explain that it was because of that that she had avoided his touch.

If she was going by her original plan, she would have needed a few more days to muster her courage, but she changed her mind. She would come clean as soon as her husband came back from the subjugation, since the look on his face when she last saw him weighed heavily on her heart.

'When is he coming back?'

Yelena stamped her feet as she looked out the window.

Then, a maid came looking for her.

"Madam."

"What is it?"

"Marquess Marco has come to visit."

"Marquess Marco?"

Yelena searched her memory. The name sounded familiar.

'Ah, the vagabond who's crazy about art.'

This wasn't Yelena's personal opinion. Marquess Marco was famous among nobles, and this was how he was described.

'Why is he here?'

Was her husband buying a painting from him, by any chance? Yelena tilted her head in thought. The maid spoke.

"He's at the gate waiting for permission to enter. What should we do?"