Chapter 7 The Princess-Carried Princess

“We’re here.”

As Mistral came to a stop deep in the forest, Belvant smoothly dismounted and secured the reins to a nearby tree. Returning to Marietta, who couldn’t get down on her own, he placed his hands around her waist and gently lifted her off the saddle and set her feet to the ground.

“Ah-“

Even though she had had Belvant’s body supporting her, Marietta had still been shaken quite a bit atop the large warhorse, especially considering Mistral’s speed. Trembling spread from her knees up through her body, causing her to stagger, and she simply couldn’t put any strength into her legs. Her legs buckled, and she reached for the closest support… In short, a slim, white arm entangled around Belvant’s sturdy chest, and Marietta clung fast with an adorable squeeze.

“What’s wrong?”

The light Marietta clinging to him was no more inconvenient than a small bird resting on his shoulder, but for some reason, the sight of the young woman burying her blonde head against his chest stirred up unfamiliar, somewhat impatient feelings within the general.

“I’m terribly sorry, but I cannot seem to place any strength into my feet.

Feeling Belvant’s arm circle around and firmly support her, Marietta’s face dyed. Entrusting her body to the reliable arm, a strange, sweet tickling sensation crept through her chest. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she caught a full gulp of an aroma like sun-dried grass, the fragrance of her beloved Belvant, and once more her agitation shot into excess.

Oh no, how can he smell so amazing?

Marietta thought, embarrassed of how entranced she was with the unfamiliar scent.

While blushing through her cheeks and wishing she could stay this way forever, Marietta heard Belvant’s worried voice.

“… Are you unwell, Princess? Since you are not used to riding, was it too intense? My apologies.”

“No, I am fine.”

Shaking her head, Marietta looked straight up with her clear blue eyes as she clung to Belvant’s strong chest.

Ah, as I thought, he is truly lovely. His pale blue eyes shine like gems. That such a man could become my dear husband, it’s like a dream. My beloved, and mine alone.

“Truly, I find myself quite embarrassed. Also… Please do call me Marietta… Dear husband.”

“R-right-“

Belvant’s stern face grew red. If those who knew the usual general were present, they might mistake this for a harbinger of the cataclysm and try to flee the scene, but those people weren’t here in the forest. Away from everyone, unburdened by the title “Guardian Deity of Oltaire” in this time and place, Belvant was simply a man showing his honest feelings across his face.

“Just, we aren’t married yet, so, calling me ‘husband’ is…”

“Oh, certainly… That was inappropriate. Please excuse me, it appears I have been discourteous.”

Upon seeing Marietta’s sorrowful face, Belvant replied in a fluster.

“No, that’s, I didn’t mean to say it was inappropriate, or, please call me Belvant as well, Marietta.”

“Yes, Sir Belvant!”

With her wide eyes locked with his, and those full, pink lips calling out his name in such a delighted voice, Belvant unintentionally smiled.

“Marietta…”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Seeing the ever grim or expressionless Belvant smile for the first time, Marietta’s breath caught in her throat. She had known from the start that his fearless face was quite handsome. However, despite how he usually appeared to hold not even a fragment of softness, with merely this small movement of his lips, his beauty compounded. Marietta, who was already head over heels for her valiant warrior, found her gaze transfixed.

“Ye, s, Sir, Belvant…”

Her eyes were fixed upon him, spellbound, as her slim fingers tightly gripped at his shirt.

In Belvant’s case, with Adlan’s preparations and pressure from His Highness to accept the “Growing Intimate” plan, he had reluctantly come around to have this horseback excursion and date, but when her body had been glued to his, and he unexpectedly partook of her soft and pleasant fragrance, the situation of his lower body took an unexpected turn.

The two were alone within the forest. The innocent princess was entrusting her tottering body to him, hanging in his arms. Her misty eyes gazing hotly at him, her petal-pink lips calling his name… Was it a perfume, the princess’s fragrance, faintly drifting about like the aroma of flowers?

So she is to become my wife, this charming flower-sprite like princess…

Belvant’s hand unconsciously extended towards Marietta’s face. Imprisoned by the defenseless, deep blue eyes fixed upon him, Belvant was drawn in, and the set of lips before his eyes were overlapped by his own.

His lips, they’re warm. Moreover, they’re soft too. Huh? Wait, is this the realSir Belvant’s face, right in front of my eyes?

With her eyes wide open in surprise, Marietta’s every sensation converged upon her lips.

Oh, oh my goodness, I-, he-, it’s a kiss!

With their lips meeting in what could only be a kiss, Marietta’s hips gave out underneath her. As what little strength she had left in her knees evaporated, Belvant put more strength into the arm circling Marietta’s waist, completely supporting her body.

“Oh, are you alright?”

“Ah, um, I…”

Her face dyed, Marietta’s misty eyes looked at Belvant, then turned away, flustered.

“… Looks like standing is a bit rough, huh.”

With that, Belvant placed another hand under Marietta’s knees and lifted her into his arms. Unable to say a word, Marietta wrapped her arms around Belvant’s head and clung to him.

She seems almost completely like a panicked young squirrel.

As she charmingly drew close to him despite her flushed face, Belvant was hit again with the urge to meet her lips with his, but he endured the feeling and began to walk.

“There’s something I want to show you a bit further on.”

Belvant smiled at Marietta’s lovely behavior, and she blushed all the more seeing that enchanting smile once again. Carrying her with one hand, Belvant grabbed their luggage from his horse and began walking deeper into the forest. With a few steps, the trees opened up and before their eyes spread a beautiful lake. That lake encircled by trees, its surface glittering in the breeze, was a deep blue.

“Oh, it is so beautiful…”

“Its the same color as your eyes, I thought.”

Belvant responded, looking into her eyes.

“This deep color, I wanted to show it to you. I’m simply a boorish soldier, so I don’t understand what a princess might enjoy, and I don’t know how to spin pleasant words. No doubt you think ending up forced to marry such a man is a great misfortune, but… I will treat you with as much care as possible from here on.”

“That… I feel overjoyed to be able to receive such a lovely present. Besides… To call this a great misfortune would be…”

I would actually count it as a great fortune. Her mumbled words did not reach Belvant, but as she no longer appeared frightened, he was satisfied.

Thinking Marietta still looked unable to stand, Belvant lowered her onto nearby rock and set the luggage on the ground.

“The house chef provided a lunch set. Do you like picnics, Marietta?”

“Yes.”

“Is that so. I have only ever considered picnics in the context of camping, so I thought I would ask if women find them enjoyable.”

“I think being able to receive a meal amidst such beautiful scenery will be quite enjoyable.”

“It’s good if that is the case.”

A placemat was spread over the ground, and various things like tea, fruits, cakes, and small sandwiches were arranged.

“My, it all looks delicious.”

“Since I didn’t know what you liked, I prepared a lot. Let’s wash our hands at the lake and eat.”

Belvant once more embraced Marietta, carrying her to the shores of the lake before softly setting her down.

“Don’t fall.”

His hand steadily supported her back. Though Marietta held no experience with men holding her this way, she had already completely accustomed herself to Belvant, and after innocently washing her hands, she looked up to his face with a sweet smile.

“Now then, Sir Belvant is next.”

“… But, it would be frightening if I removed this hand and you fell.”

“It should be fine like this, I think.”

Marietta circled her arms around Belvant and clung to him.

“…”

Although modest, her soft chest pressed against his body, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.

“I-is that so, hold on firmly.”

“Yes!”

Squeeeeze…

Though the king’s plan was for “growing intimate”, in no way did that translate to assailing her.

Though he was seriously disoriented by the young woman’s chest, the man known as a god-like demon scraped together every bit of his remaining sense.

“Ah… Marietta, make sure that you don’t embrace another man like that besides myself.”

Belvant said, affectionately patting her head and feigning calmness as he stood. Marietta also followed along, all but glued to him.

“Yes, besides Sir Belvant, I will not do such a thing with anyone else.”

Still unable to put strength into her legs, while her feet stumbled along, she clung to him desperately.

Gah, coming here may have been a tactical mistake.

He stooped down and once more took Marietta into his arms before turning his gaze to the sky.

Phew, it seems that I could still use some mental training…