I Became a Barbarian's Bride - Chapter 65
Deep in thought, Nisha blinked at the menu, her eyes widening as she asked,
“Why… are there seafood dishes here?”
Moreover, the variety of seafood was extensive.
Kagan glanced at her curiously before responding,
“There’s a peculiar underground lake nearby, formed as seawater flows in through a subterranean channel. It’s not quite the sea, but it’s large, about the size of a village. Marine life drifts in from there. Do you like seafood, Katun?”
“I’ve never seen it before.”
“Really? I heard the Emperor was very protective of you due to your frail health. Maybe we should visit it someday. It’s not too far from here.”
The man, resting his chin in his hand, spoke casually.
Watching his eyes sparkle in a way that matched his personality, Nisha slowly nodded.
“I’ll have the seafood…”
“Alright, then let’s get the seafood platter. I’ll order some meat and share it with you.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Kagan ordered naturally, as though such outings were routine for him, prompting Nisha to ask,
“Do you come out like this often?”
“Hm?”
“You seem quite used to it.”
Kagan’s eyes widened slightly before he smirked and responded.
“Oh my. Is my princess finally curious about me? It’s the first time you’ve asked anything about me.”
Kagan teased, his voice laced with amusement, causing Nisha’s cheeks to flush deeply. Her earlobes, too, turned a soft red.
Watching her pale skin flush, Kagan quickly continued, sensing that teasing her further might bring tears.
“I come out often. Even as royalty, aside from wearing a crown, there’s not much difference.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. You were likely raised gently due to your frailty, but once the royal children of Xieman grow up, they get thrown into the desert.”
Nisha blinked at him, not fully understanding what he meant.
“Why…?”
“The leader of Xieman has to be stronger than anyone else in Xieman.”
Kagan ‘s eyes gleamed dangerously as he spoke, locking his gaze on her. The chilling intensity in his eyes made Nisha inhale slowly.
“Here, royal bloodlines mean nothing. Only the strong can rule in Xieman.”
“Then…”
“The position of Kagan belongs only to the strongest, so it must be earned through strength. That’s why we’re thrown into the desert once we’ve come of age.”
“And… if you die?”
“I wouldn’t know. Haven’t heard that story from my father yet.”
Kagan shrugged lightly.
Nisha looked at Kagan with a somewhat weary expression before slowly turning her head.
“Why, are you afraid your child might die?”
“Excuse me…?”
At the unexpected question, Nisha was shocked, opening and closing her mouth.
“My princess tenses up whenever we talk about these things. Are you secretly having some indecent thoughts in that head of yours without me knowing?”
At his teasing voice, Nisha flinched and quickly shook her head.
“No, it’s my child, but it’s also… your child, after all.”
She wasn’t even sure if she would be the one raising the child. Even if she did, she wasn’t confident in her ability to do so. She’d only do what was asked of her. If not instructed, she wouldn’t do it.
“Do as you please.”
After glancing cautiously at him, Nisha added the remark, which caused Kagan’s expression to shift slightly.
“…Right, well.”
He had been about to promise not to kill the child if that was what she wanted, but her face showed no real concern.
‘She’s endlessly sensitive when it comes to violence… yet strangely indifferent when it comes to this.’
She was a woman he couldn’t quite figure out.
Despite thinking that, he gave a slight nod, considering that they had managed to sustain a conversation for quite a while—a small victory in itself.
“I hope we have a child soon.”
At Kagan’s words, Nisha froze.
She felt her heart drop abruptly, as though it had just plummeted to the ground.
