Rean scratched the back of his head as he followed Qia. While they walked, she began to talk through Spiritual Sense Message.
"What's wrong with you? I have the feeling that you've been avoiding me for some time already."
Rean immediately denied that notion.
"Why would I do that? We already confirmed that we would accept this fake marriage thing since it would benefit both of us. If we didn't find each other in the last few days, that was just a coincidence."
Obviously, that wasn't. But Rean wouldn't say that.
Qia narrowed her eyes before looking back at him.
"Was it because of what I did?"
"What you did?"
Rean pretended to think about that question.
"What did you do exactly?"
"That day before I left, I k-k-kissed you, remember?"
Rean nodded as if he had been enlightened.
"Oh! That's what you are talking about. Don't worry, I know you did that for the sake of practice. Besides, I also did the same thing to you, so I guess it isn't a big deal. Don't worry, I won't have second thoughts just because of that. I know you have no feelings towards me either. It's just..."
"Just what?"
Rean then scratched the back of his head as he said.
"Well, you are a beauty yourself, so you made me feel a little flustered there."
At the same time, Rean was thinking.
'It is really hard to keep a balance between showing interest in her as a woman while keeping feelings like love out of the picture.'
Qia was taken aback by those words. However, Rean did quite well since that was the reaction she was looking for. She then looked away as she proclaimed.
"O-Of course! I also felt somewhat embarrassed, even though it was just practice. You would need to be a stone to not feel anything..."
Qia then glanced at Rean at the corner of her eyes.
"So... How was it exactly? I mean, the feelings..."
Rean felt like crying. It was so obvious that she wanted something extra other than just what he said. It would be hard to keep a status quo like that.
"Ahem... That's quite a difficult topic to comment on, you know?"
Qia didn't care.
"Of course I know! You think it isn't hard for me? Still, it is for the sake of practice for the marriage ceremony. Since I'm making this much effort, you should do the same. So... how was it? Did you like it?"
[Hoho~! Now, that's what I call a trap question. Go ahead, show me what you can do!]
'Shut up!'
Saying he didn't would once again hurt the girl's pride. Saying that he liked it would also be bad since it would increase her interest in him. What to do, what to do...
'It would be bad if she forced herself over me again if I showed no interest...'
"Ahem... Of course, I liked it. No man in this empire would not like a beautiful woman's kiss, right? Especially since it was a princess' kiss. That's everyone's dream. That was a great feeling."
Rean tried to make it look as if it was a general response. Still, Qia would get the 'liked' answer that she wanted.
[Hey, that was too sly!]
'Hmph! Don't compare me with the ice block! I know how to think about others' feelings, alright?'
Sure enough, Qia nodded, satisfied.
"Hahaha! Exactly! It seems like you finally understood the treasure you got in your hands."
Rean couldn't help but think that Qia was quite narcissistic. Well, any prince or princess would always think about themselves as someone more important. Still, since she accepted that answer, then that was fine.
'Alright, this should keep our status quo while not offending the girl. Rean, you are just way too good! The ice block would never manage to do such a thing.'
Or so he thought, however...
"Si-si-since that's the case... Let's pra-practice again!"
"Eh?!"
Rean almost vomited blood. There went the status quo Rean worked so hard to keep.
It turned out that the one who liked it the most was Qia herself. In fact, she had been thinking about it ever since they separated that day. Everything up to this point was so that she could do that again. The best thing was that since Rean was already publicly her fiance, there would be nothing wrong with it.
'It's just for practice. Yes, definitely! I absolutely have no other intention other than practicing.'
Qia kept saying that to herself even though any idiot could tell it was a lie.
As for Rean...
[Hahaha! Go, go, go! Show all the passion! Let your bodies talk for you! That's how a romance story should go on! By the way, when can I see the real thing?]
'Can you fucking shut up?!'
Rean then looked at Qia.
"Ahem... That's not a good thing to do, right? Others will think that we're showing off."