After everything that had happened, Reina was still not fully used to the fact that she was married to Rui Griffin.
Even now, there were moments that made her heart jump for no reason at all.
Especially when he looked at her like that.
As she sat on the bed wrapped in a blanket, Rui stood nearby with a faintly amused expression, watching her try to avoid his gaze.
"You're overthinking again," he said lightly.
"I'm not," Reina replied too quickly, then immediately regretted it.
A quiet chuckle slipped from him.
That only made her more embarrassed.
She turned her face away, burying half of it into the pillow.
Later, when she got up to freshen up, she realized she had forgotten her clothes.
"…Seriously," she muttered under her breath.
After hesitating for a moment, she wrapped herself in a towel and stepped back into the room.
And immediately—
Bumped into something solid.
"Ah!"
Reina froze.
Rui Griffin stood right in front of her, just as surprised.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then he exhaled, recovering first.
"…I brought your clothes," he said, holding up a neatly prepared set.
"Oh," Reina blinked. "Thank you."
Her face was already turning red again for no logical reason she wanted to admit.
Rui glanced away slightly, clearing his throat.
"Go change," he said calmly, though his tone had softened. "Breakfast is ready."
Reina nodded quickly and slipped into the dressing area.
But when she looked inside, she noticed a maid was still tidying up nearby.
She paused.
"…Wrong timing," she whispered.
From outside, Rui's voice followed, steady but quieter now.
"Rei."
She turned slightly.
He leaned against the doorway, expression composed—but his eyes carried a familiar warmth.
"We're married," he said simply.
No pressure.
No insistence.
Just a fact.
Reina hesitated, then looked down at the clothes in her hands.
Her heartbeat was still a little fast, but not from fear anymore.
"…Yeah," she murmured softly.
Then, more to herself than to him—
"I guess I'll get used to it."
Rui's lips curved faintly.
"Take your time," he replied.
And this time, when she disappeared into the room to change, the silence between them didn't feel awkward anymore.
It felt… comfortable.