Conquest Complete, So Why Is the Affection Dropping? - Chapter 39
‘What is this? Why?’
I wondered if his affection dropped because I had been wasteful with the household expenses. Or could it be that Marvis’s initial affection level was randomly determined?
I took a deep breath while looking down, trying to hide my shaking eyes.
As I stood there confused by the suddenly incomprehensible situation, Kaint extended his hand to me.
“Shin Joo. Would you like to go together? I’d like to show you the results of our training.”
“Why do you want to show me the training results? It’s not like anything will change just because I see it.”
“You’ll be assured that this place is safer than the temple, so you can feel at ease.”
Though the temple priests were annoying, the temple wasn’t exactly dangerous. Marvis’s invasion happened because the warp gate opened a portal in the sky.
I wanted to tell him that being by his side wasn’t particularly reassuring either, but before I knew it, my instinctive hand was already gripping Kaint’s arm.
‘Handsome man, uniform, happiness…!’
Though I resented how my body moved so honestly to desire despite my rationality, I quickly resigned myself to it.
It’s not necessarily bad to escape reality by indulging in sweet fantasies during shocking and confusing situations.
Besides, this isn’t reality but inside a game.
‘Whatever. Let’s just enjoy the moment!’
Carpe diem. Those who cannot enjoy the present can gain neither romance nor pleasure.
Well, from a certain perspective, being with Kaint might be the best choice. It’s not easy to find a man generous enough to allow arm-linking even with zero affection.
I felt my frozen heart melting as I sensed the firm muscles beneath his uniform while following Kaint to the training ground.
***
A refreshing breeze carried a faint salty scent. Above and below, everything was breathtakingly blue.
As the large warship cut through the deep blue waves, white foam spread like wings on either side.
White clouds in the blue sky.
White foam on the blue sea.
It was like a perfect mirror image, identical from top to bottom.
I was standing on the deck of the Admiral’s ship. Every time the large sail swayed in the wind, the ropes hung high in the sky pulled taut.
“Admiral. Is it really okay for me to be on a warship when I’m not even military personnel?”
“It’s just a mock training exercise.”
I suppose he means it’s fine since we’re not actually facing enemies, so there’s no danger.
“We need to practice with you present, Shin Joo. That way we won’t make mistakes in actual combat.”
“If enemies attack from the sea, shouldn’t I be on safe ground?”
“Enemies don’t only appear from the sea.”
“What?”
Instead of answering my question, Kaint raised his hand.
At the Admiral’s signal, a shrill whistle sounded and red flags were raised simultaneously on the surrounding ships. Then came the sound of cannon ports opening with a grinding noise, and black muzzles extended their long snouts.
“You might be startled by the sound at first. Please cover your ears.”
“Now?”
Kaint smiled slightly. Understanding that was the signal, I quickly covered my ears with both hands.
With a sound like powerful fireworks, the cannons shot out balls of flame. I had expected the cannonballs to make a dull sound, but it was surprisingly sharp, so I pressed my palms more tightly against my ears.
Boom. Splash.
The massive wave, pierced with a round hole from the huge cannonball, spewed white foam as it shattered into pieces.
Even after the wave subsided, the sea didn’t calm down. As black smoke rose and dispersed, the blue waves surged greatly, and consequently, the floor of our ship also rocked significantly.
Unable to use my hands since I was covering my ears, I lost my balance and fell sideways with an “Oh!”
“Be careful, Shin Joo.”
An arm stretched out from beside me and wrapped around my waist. Finding it difficult to maintain balance on the rocking ship, I grabbed onto Kaint’s arm. Due to the ship’s heavy swaying, I had no choice but to practically cling to him.
“Ugh, the floor is swaying so much it’s hard to keep balance.”
“……”
“Admiral?”
Something was strange. The cannon fire had stopped, but a louder sound was resonating through my palm. My hand was resting on Kaint’s chest. I could feel his heartbeat tickling my palm.
‘Huh?’
When I suddenly looked up, Kaint quickly turned his head away from me. Though he was still firmly holding my waist to prevent me from falling, he neither met my eyes nor smiled.
Even though he wasn’t giving orders for cannon fire, his gaze was fixed only on the distant sea.
Suddenly, I recalled Kaint’s character setting.
‘Wasn’t he supposed to be awkward around women?’
This was different from linking arms or catching someone about to fall. Our current distance was much closer than during such ordinary and natural actions.
“Admiral.”
“……”
“Kaint.”
Thump.
When I called his name while gently resting my cheek against his chest, Kaint’s heartbeat grew louder. Though he didn’t say anything, I could tell. He was flustered by the unexpected contact.
‘Oh my. How cute.’
I thought he had no romantic interest in me at all, since he would entice me with seductive eye-smiles but never give any openings, maintaining a strict demeanor. That’s why I had started by targeting his siblings first.
Unexpectedly, he seemed weak to physical contact.
“The floor is swaying a lot.”
Pretending to struggle with balance, I wrapped my arms around his waist. Our chests pressed together.
“……”
His neat brow furrowed slightly, and Kaint’s Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. He let out a light sigh and looked down at me.
“Shin Joo, are you alright?”
His gaze had changed. I quickly checked the affection window. The number still hadn’t changed from 0. But I was certain.
That depending on what I said here and now, Kaint’s affection would either rise or not.
“Thank you.”
“……”
“If Kaint hadn’t caught me, I might have fallen. You saved me.”
As stars seemed to twinkle in his golden eyes, the sound of refreshing waves came washing in.
[Kaint]’s current affection: 15
‘Success!’
The affection increased.
What Kaint wanted wasn’t ‘sorry’ but ‘thank you’. To realize this only after losing 41 affection points at once – I must be losing my touch.
A war hero beloved by citizens. A man who takes care of his fallen comrades’ families as adopted siblings without asking for anything in return.
He would never want someone he helped to feel indebted.
Who would feel comfortable hearing “I’m sorry” from someone they wanted to help?
In fact, the previous two times Kaint’s affection increased were when I said I would visit his adopted siblings and actually played with them, making the children happy.
A person who helps others and finds happiness in seeing those he helped being happy. That was the very identity of the man called Kaint.
Now I understand why he rejected my invitation for tea and refused the temple’s negotiations to return me. Because those weren’t situations where his help was needed.
“This is my first time on a ship, so it felt a bit awkward at first, but it’s more fun than I expected.”
“Are you not scared?”
“I would have been if I were alone, but you’re here.”
I tightened my arms around Kaint’s waist. From here on, I needed to be very careful. If I carelessly touched his waist, his affection could plummet in an instant.
“What you said was true. Experiencing it firsthand makes me feel assured.”
“……I’m glad you feel assured, Shin Joo.”
“I’m so happy that you’re the one protecting me. I’m such a lucky person.”
When I looked up at Kaint with a bright smile, once again came the sound of gentle waves.
[Kaint]’s current affection: 32
They say a word can pay a debt of a thousand nyang, but this affection increase rate is no joke. What an easy man!
“Are you happy?”
“Huh? Yes.”
As I nodded while pulling up the corners of my mouth in a smile, Kaint wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer.
Our bodies pressed tightly together.
‘Huh?’
The awkwardness that had made him stiffen his body until just now was gone. It was an embrace without any hesitation between us.
Just as I was about to create some distance, wondering what was suddenly happening, a red window popped up with a sharp warning sound.
Event Progress Impossible! (Insufficient Conditions)
Special Event [Wedding] cannot proceed due to insufficient affection.
Current Affection: 32
Required Affection: 99
What is this? Why suddenly a wedding?
