Reborn: The Female Monarch Is My Life’s Greatest Love - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Moving into the Apartment

Under Shelley’s fury-filled gaze, Nathanael raised his hand and fed a piece of sliced cake to Constant’s lips, acting as if the other sub-female didn’t even exist.

Faced with this scene, the sharp pain from his bitten lip helped Shelley maintain a tenuous mask of composure. He stood up, brushed off his coat, and turned to leave.

Before exiting, however, he looked at Nathanael and left a single sentence: “Do you truly believe you are his best choice?”

After watching Shelley depart, Nathanael tightened his grip slightly. Once Constant released his hand, Nathanael traced his index finger across the other’s palm. “Is that Shelley Clark the sub-female who plotted with you to flee the wedding before?”

Hearing Nathanael’s inquiry, Constant’s mind—which had been confidently expecting praise—suddenly gave a loud buzzing ring. How does Nal know about that? Could it be that in the previous life…

It was true. In his past life, he and Shelley had indeed planned to escape on the day of the wedding. But Shelley never showed up at the rendezvous. When Constant was about to scale the perimeter fence, he was caught by a suddenly appearing Nathanael, nearly falling and crippling himself in the process.

He was then forcibly dragged to the wedding venue, enduring the cynical glares and ridicule of the crowd. It was precisely because of that humiliation that he had treated Nal so poorly on their wedding night…

Fortunately, things would be different in this life.

Nathanael had anticipated the shock in Constant’s eyes. He had avoided mentioning it until now because he feared his Ale would be angry, feeling as though he were being monitored.

“Nal, believe me, although I did have dealings with Mr. Clark before, I—”

Before Constant could finish, he was stunned into silence by the smiling look in Nathanael’s eyes.

“Of course I believe you,” Nathanael said, offering the last bite of cake. He watched Constant swallow it whole, then opened his light-brain to transfer a set of apartment floor plans.

“I just found this apartment. Since the villa nest needs major repairs, we’ll likely need to live here for the next month.” Nathanael sat down beside him. “Which unit do you like?”

As Nathanael spoke, a faint, sweet scent—like cream—wafted over, causing Constant to look up from the screen toward his partner. “Whatever you decide.”

“Then how about we buy the whole building?” Seeing his approach working, Nathanael silently noted that the Manual of Seduction Sace had given him was actually proving its worth.

However, after a brief silence, Constant shook his head. Even though the man beside him was emitting an aura that made him want to indulge, Constant had his own principles regarding Zerg coins in this life.

After they agreed on a layout, the two headed to the collective apartment complex adjacent to the villa district. By the time they arrived, everything had been arranged in advance; the furniture was already in place, and all that was left was to move in.

Faced with their new shared home, Constant hugged his Nal and kissed him repeatedly after the keys were handed over. How did I marry such a versatile Female Spouse? How was I so blind in my past life to try and leave him using such cheap methods?

Nathanael attempted to maintain his cold, disciplined expression while signaling to the landlord that he could leave, but he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from twitching upward.

The landlord, a sub-female named Laster, stood in a daze. He had only ever seen the Imperial Major General on television.

Who can explain why this partner is acting like this? Is he a sub-female in disguise? This doesn’t look like anything a Master would do.

Rumor had it that Major General Nathanael was married, so could the one in front of him be…

Laster suddenly seemed to “understand” something and nodded to Nathanael. “Rest assured, our privacy measures here are very thorough!” So even if you keep a bug-slave here behind your impatient Master’s back, there won’t be any issues.

Of course, this was something only high-status females dared to do; Laster had seen quite a bit of it over the years.

Unaware of what the landlord truly meant, Constant fully accepted the apartment, as Nathanael’s safety was his top priority and privacy was essential.

Nathanael, however, caught the subtle, knowing look in Laster’s eyes and stated flatly, “He is my Master.”

After a moment of panic, Laster’s eyes widened. Master? What kind of Master clings to his Female Spouse like that in front of a stranger!

“Hmm?” Sensing the disbelief, Constant finally turned his gaze to Laster. “Otherwise, what kind of relationship did you think we had?”

Realizing that Laster’s comment about privacy—given that everyone knew Nathanael was married—implied something scandalous, Constant finally connected the dots.

Just because I didn’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist…

Constant knew that beneath the Empire’s polished surface lay many dark secrets, but he hadn’t expected them to be so close to home. Realizing this, he ignored Laster’s stare and yanked Nathanael into the apartment.

The door slammed shut with a loud bang. Laster stood outside, swallowing hard. Did I just say something terrible in front of a Master? Will the Major General be punished because of me?

Masters with unique privileges were known to change their faces faster than turning a page; one second they could be caring, the next they could discard you like trash. And outsiders couldn’t interfere, lest they be sued by the Master for violating marriage laws, which could lead to imprisonment.

At the thought of this, Laster’s heart filled with guilt.

Inside, Nathanael was pinned against the door by Constant. The proximity made Nathanael’s ears flush pink. His amber eyes met Constant’s deep blue ones, feeling as though he were looking into a clear lake.

Since childhood, he had always hoped those eyes would belong to him alone.

“Those things he mentioned… did you always know about them?” Even in his past life, Constant had only heard rumors of such illicit affairs; he hadn’t realized they were common enough for a landlord to assume it.

“I knew.” Nathanael saw no reason to hide it. Moreover, he could tell Constant’s irritation was born purely out of jealousy.

Thinking this, Nathanael intentionally relaxed his body, letting Constant pin him against the door of the new apartment so his partner could focus on the “interrogation.”

Constant’s last bit of joy about the new home vanished. A deep sense of crisis rose within him. That means the Nathanael of the past life definitely knew these things too. He always had the power to choose…

“Then… have you ever?”

Constant knew exactly how much of a bastard he had been in the previous life. Because of that, he felt terrified: If Nathanael stops loving me one day, what will I do?

“I—”

Before Nathanael could answer, Constant leaned down and kissed him. He was suddenly afraid to hear the response.

Nathanael accepted the kiss fully, then swept his Master up in his arms and carried him toward the bedroom. Constant kept his lips pressed against Nathanael’s the whole way, as if to prevent him from saying anything else.

Amused by Constant’s sudden bout of temper, Nathanael let out a soft chuckle even when he felt a slight sting. That sound only made Constant’s suppressed emotions spiral out of control. Looking down at the Nathanael lying beneath him, Constant’s eyes suddenly turned red.

“I haven’t.” Seeing the sudden redness in Constant’s eyes, Nathanael hooked his arms around his neck. Using that leverage, he propped his upper body up close to Constant’s face.

Their foreheads touched. As Nathanael’s fingertips brushed Constant’s lips, he gave a clear, firm answer: “I only have you, Ale.”

“Constant Allex, you are my only partner.”

Hearing that answer in Nathanael’s slightly raspy voice, Constant wrapped his arms tightly around him, burying his face in the crook of Nathanael’s neck and letting out a soft, relieved “Mm.”

Meanwhile, Laster—terrified that Nathanael might be being mistreated by his Master—was pressing his ear firmly against the door, trying to hear what was happening inside.

For the first time, he felt the building’s soundproofing was a nuisance…

Just then, a voice spoke right into his other ear: “What are you listening to?”

“Shh! Quiet! Be careful…” Before Laster could finish, he realized something was wrong. He turned around awkwardly to face another apartment owner, Bai Nate.

“Mr. Nate! Oh, you know, a new couple just moved in across from you. I was just checking if the soundproofing was adequate so they wouldn’t disturb you.” Under Bai’s narrowing eyes, Laster swallowed hard and shuffled toward the stairwell with his back against the wall.

After Laster scurried away, Bai looked at the apartment across from his. He tapped his light-brain and muttered to himself, “Why hasn’t Le-克斯 (Allex) replied to my messages yet…?”