The Tyrant Is A Little Bit Kind-Chapter 39: Returning To Capital 2

(Orlax POV)

After a while of driving we stopped at a gas station.

While Riana went into a small store to buy a few things, I stayed to fill up the car with gas.

I was leaning against the car, refueling while waiting for Riana, who had entered a small store.

She came out a few moments later, carrying two bags containing water bottles and some snacks.

I closed the fuel cap, paid using my card, and got into the passenger seat.

Riana sat in the driver’s seat, placed the bags to the side, and started the car.

"Driving this type of car still feels strange to me."

"I found it strange at first too, but you’ll get used to it."

The car began moving slowly and cautiously until we reached the highway, where the speed gradually increased.

"You do know that neither of us has a driving license, right?"

Hearing those words, I looked at Riana, who was driving nervously.

"So?"

"Forget it. Trying to speak logically with you is useless."

"You don’t need to worry so much. In the end, logic doesn’t exist in our lives."

I relaxed in my seat and gazed at the long road ahead.

"Maybe you’re right."

As the sun began to set, Riana stopped at a roadside hotel and parked the car.

"Let’s rest for a bit and set off in the morning."

"As you wish."

I got out of the car and walked toward the hotel, stopping in front of the receptionist.

"Hello, sir. How can I help you?"

The receptionist didn’t recognize me, as I was currently wearing a hat that concealed my hair and sunglasses.

"I need a room for two."

"Alright, here are your keys, sir. The room is on the third floor. Have a good night."

"Good night."

I took the keys and walked away from the receptionist. Riana approached after parking the car and started walking with me.

"Give me the key to my room."

"Your room key? We’re staying in the same room together."

I teased Riana, whose eyes widened upon hearing my words.

"No way, no way! I’m not ready for something like this. Let’s go and get another room."

I stopped Riana as she was about to approach the receptionist and held her hand firmly.

"Are you scared? I didn’t expect the great Riana to be afraid of just sharing a bedroom."

She paused and finally clenched her teeth, turning her head.

"Scared? I’m never scared! Lead the way."

I smiled at how easy it was to manipulate this girl and led her by the hand to the room.

I unlocked the door, and we both entered.

After placing her bag to the side, Riana stood in the middle of the room, looking tense and irritated.

"Listen, we’re just sleeping—nothing else. Don’t do anything strange while we sleep."

Hearing those words sparked a mischievous urge in me, so I stepped closer to her.

"Even if I do something strange, so what? We’re married, so it’s natural."

Riana backed away in panic as I advanced toward her until she hit the wall, leaving her with nowhere to escape.

"No, no, don’t do this—at least not now. Give me some time to prepare."

I approached her so closely that I could feel her breath against my face. I placed my hand behind her neck and pulled her closer.

A kiss!

I kissed her slowly and cautiously so as not to startle her, holding her waist so she wouldn’t escape.

Her lips were soft and enticing, and I struggled to hold myself back from crossing the line further.

After several minutes of kissing, I finally released her and withdrew my hand from her waist.

Riana’s face was flushed red from embarrassment, and she was breathing rapidly, overwhelmed by excitement.

"Alright, you said it yourself—I’ll give you some time."

I pulled out simple sleepwear from my bag and went into the bathroom to shower.

When the cold water hit my face, my thoughts returned to normal, and I realized what I had just done.

’I’m not acting like myself these days. The exhaustion from not sleeping for several nights is making me do things I don’t usually do.’

I turned off the water, dressed, and stepped out of the bathroom, glancing at Riana, who was sitting on the bed.

[Loyalty: 10]

Seeing the transparent blue screen floating before me, I frowned slightly at the words displayed.

’She still hates me, huh? So all of this was just an act. That makes me feel a little disappointed and sad.’

I sat on the bed beside Riana, who looked tense on the outside, though I had no idea what she was thinking internally.

"I’m going to take a shower."

She quickly stood up from the bed, grabbed her clothes, and closed the bathroom door behind her.

’I shouldn’t have placed any hopes on her in the first place. This relationship is just words on paper.’

I pulled out my phone, which had been off since the morning, and started browsing.

I saw dozens of missed calls from Alice and Armanthor.

’Did something happen?’

Frowning at this, I immediately called Alice.

After several rings, I heard Alice’s voice.

"Where have you been all morning? I’ve called you dozens of times, and you didn’t answer."

I pulled the phone away from my ear due to her loud voice, which nearly made my ear bleed.

"I turned it off because I wanted to enjoy my trip back. What’s going on? Did something happen?"

"Oh no, nothing major—just that I saw the news announcing your marriage to Riana Elin and appointing her as Empress. That’s all."

"So?"

"What do you mean, ’So?’ Do you realize what you’ve done?"

"Did you read the full announcement? It states that there will be more than one Empress. Also, didn’t you tell me to do whatever I wanted? Why are you so angry?"

"Yes, I told you to do what you want. But I meant that you shouldn’t fulfill this woman’s request. You could have simply ignored it and done something else for her. But what did you do? You went and married her. Damn it!"

I was stunned upon hearing this, staring at my phone in realization.

"Look, damn it! I’m really angry right now. Let’s talk when you return because I don’t know what to do right now, okay?"

"No problem. We’ll talk once I reach the capital."

Before I could finish my sentence, Alice had already hung up, making it clear that she was furious and that I had landed myself in trouble.

"This is seriously annoying."

I sighed and moved on to another contact, calling him.

"Hello, Your Majesty. I called earlier, but you didn’t answer. Did something happen?"

"No, nothing happened. What’s the matter, Grand Duke?"

"Your Majesty, do you realize that what you did has created two problems?"

"What are they?"

"First, you divided the Empress’s authority, which will cause numerous issues. Second, you disappointed my daughter, Alice."

"I..."

"Wait a minute, Your Majesty. I’m not interfering in what happens between you and Alice. Yes, I’m a bit upset, but these matters are between you two, and I have no right to intervene. What I want to talk to you about is the political problem you’ve created."

"Go ahead."

"Alright. Since there is now more than one Empress, the nobles will split into factions supporting either Riana Elin or Alice. This will create a rivalry between the two factions over interests, and it could even lead to war, which would harm everyone. Your Majesty, you need to find a solution to this problem immediately."

"I’ll think about it. Thank you."

"You’re welcome. Goodbye."

I tossed the phone aside, closed my eyes, and began massaging my temples due to the headache.

’Problems, problems... Can’t I rest even for a short while?’

I collapsed onto the bed, contemplating how to resolve everything.

While lost in thought, Riana emerged from the bathroom wearing simple nightclothes, her hair still damp.

I didn’t bother opening my eyes to look at her; I remained deep in thought.

She sat on the bed after drying her hair, pulled the blanket over herself, and fell asleep.

*"Good night."*

I turned slightly to see that Riana had given me her back and was already asleep.

’Riana, you only bring me trouble. Why should I respect this relationship when I’m not gaining anything from it?’

Slowly, I rose from the bed to avoid waking her, left the room, and climbed onto the hotel’s rooftop.

I lay there, thinking about my future actions, until the sun began to rise, marking the start of a new day.

I descended carefully and headed to Riana’s room.

I found her sitting on the bed, browsing her phone.

"Did you have breakfast?"

"Ah, yes. I went a little while ago when I didn’t see you."

"Good. Let’s move."

We left the room, handed the key back to the receptionist, got into the car, and drove toward the capital.