I Became a Barbarian's Bride - Chapter 62
Kagan gave up on correcting her form of address, which kept switching back to formal speech, and shrugged as he spoke.
“There are seasons. Not as distinct as in Roshan, but we definitely have winter and summer. It’s currently the dry summer season. The best time to be out and about.”
“I see…”
As he gazed at her fair complexion, he gently flicked the reins.
They rode through a long stretch lined with light-colored buildings, eventually entering the bustling center of the capital, where a lively market came into view.
At the market’s entrance, Kagan handed off the horse, then effortlessly lifted her down from the saddle, holding her hand lightly as he did so.
Nisha’s body stiffened for a moment at the unexpected warmth of his touch.
“…”
“Is there any food you like, Princess?”
Noticing how his pet-name might have been bothering her, he leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered. Nisha hesitated.
‘…This is strange.’
Yes, it was strange.
From the first time she met him, this man had no qualms about physical contact.
He approached her easily, kissed her casually, and acted with familiar intimacy, as if he didn’t care at all that she was a foreign princess.
It was clear he wasn’t someone who lacked social skills. If anything, she was the one who was more reserved.
As a princess, she was used to maintaining a poker face and wearing a mask in social situations.
Although she had often been excluded from gatherings due to her frail health, it wasn’t as if she had never attended them.
The Emperor was a cunning man who detested having his image tarnished.
Whenever envoys from other countries visited or when he had to stand before the people, he would act like the most loving father in the world.
He treated her as if she were a precious daughter he was too afraid to let out into the world, even though everyone, except for the foreign envoys, knew of her true circumstances.
So it wasn’t surprising that Kagan saw her as a naive princess, sheltered from the world.
In fact, that might be why she still held some value as a hostage or a bargaining chip, making it less likely that he would treat her harshly.
‘The oracle…’
Nisha had only heard of it in passing. This was the first time she had encountered an actual oracle.
“Princess?”
“Ah, yes?”
“Is there no food you particularly like?”
Kagan asked, looking somewhat frustrated.
Nisha hesitated for a moment before letting out a small, “Ah,” and then spoke.
“Anything is fine. I’m not picky, and I’m not really sure what’s available here. Just… eat whatever you like, Kagan.”
At her words, Kagan narrowed his eyes.
‘No opinions of her own…’
It was almost hard to believe she was the same person who, not long ago, had clearly stated what she liked and disliked.
Though it wasn’t as if she was completely silent now.
If she needed something, she would speak up, though it was always something trivial.
‘Maybe she simply doesn’t have strong preferences.’
Unfortunately, Kagan wasn’t particularly sensitive, so if she didn’t speak up, he wouldn’t notice.
He glanced at her and, with their hands still clasped together, slowly continued walking.
He figured that time would resolve things.
After all, the oracle was not meant for him, but for the next generation.
So, as long as she bore him a child, it wouldn’t matter if he treated her forcefully.
He had taken her as his wife according to the oracle, and if she gave him a child that he could raise into a fine future ruler, that would be enough.
However, if he truly treated her harshly, he worried that her already pale face might grow even paler, and that she might collapse from the stress.
In Xieman, seeing blood was a daily occurrence, yet when she saw blood, she turned pale and trembled uncontrollably.
Still, he had been relieved to see that she had the strength to run away and to speak her mind in front of him, which he found quite admirable.
‘Perhaps this is the limit of an outsider.’
It was exhausting.
