Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 25

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What a surprise.

That was the first thing that came to Cassia’s mind when she woke up.

The drug’s effect might have worn off fairly quickly. But even after it calmed down, they continued to explore each other until dawn with clumsy touches, and that had certainly not been due to the drug alone.

Was this what true marital relationship felt like?

Cassia felt like she had gotten a vague glimpse of what a truly healthy relationship meant, rather than an obligatory act of trying to make an heir. It was a bit embarrassing to admit, but she had reacted to every move Zester made, clumsy yet unmistakably filled with a kind of effort(?) that he hadn’t shown before.

For some reason, he felt like an entirely different person. He had explored her body for ages, his hands and mouth roaming over her body like he longed to touch and savor her. He was so excited that his rough handling sometimes stung but overall, it hadn’t been bad. In fact, saying it ‘wasn’t bad’ was being dishonest. Because Cassia had clearly opened her mouth during the night and told Zester ‘it feels good’.

At first, she felt  a little embarrassed by how her entire body was being sucked and kissed, but perhaps because of the drug, her mind went blank, and she quickly surrendered completely to the pleasure. It was almost unbelievable that the man who had only brought her pain and frustration for ten years, felt right with such intimacy.

What surprised her the most, was how Zester, despite his frenzy, tried very hard to be considerate. Whenever his excited hands grew rough and a cry escaped her lips, he would always pause and stop what he was doing. For someone so dazed from the aphrodisiac, his restraint was practically superhuman.

Frankly, Cassia felt very good, and her inhibitions had completely slipped away so she was very honest last night. She kept saying ‘it feels good’ and whenever she did, Zester would become more enthusiastic. If the night had lasted any longer, she might still be burning right now.

‘That said, what do I do now? Why in the world do things keep happening with this man?”

Though last night had been perfect, Cassia had one concern: her relationship with Zester.

There were many things about her husband that made her resent him in her previous life. The biggest ones being his blunt and reserved nature, which was frustrating, his overly close relationship with his childhood friend Vita, their unpleasant marital relationship…

But now? He was still blunt and awkward with words but he was clearly making effort. Cassia wasn’t an idiot so she knew how much Zester was being mindful of her feelings.

He had distanced himself from Vita immediately. And even though the circumstances last night were forced due to the drug, she was quite satisfied with the first ‘real’ intercourse she’d had in ten years.

It was as if he was deliberately trying to fix all the things she had disliked about him before.

Even this simple picture of them waking up together in the morning was worlds apart from their previous life. When she opened her eyes in the past, Zester had never once been there beside her. But now?

He was wrapped tightly around her from behind, making it hard to breathe. Cassia glanced down at the strong arms around her waist, and immediately flushed as the memories of the night came rushing back. She squirmed to free herself, but Zester only held her tighter.

“Are you awake?”

Cassia turned her head and asked.

Zester didn’t answer. His eyes were shut, but judging by his flickering lashes, he was doing a poor job of pretending to be asleep.

“Excuse me. Lord Baron.”

“…”

“It’s time to get up. We have to see off Viscount Havelyn this morning.”

Though they had shared a bed, they weren’t quite at the level where they could casually hug each other naked in bed so now that the aphrodisiac had worn off, Cassia felt quite embarrassed and wanted to get up. Zester, however, seemed to have a completely different idea.

“Baron.”

His arms tightened around her waist, and he squeezed his eyes shut even harder.

Why is he acting like this? Cassia was puzzled.

“Baro—.”

“Honey.”

“…”

“…is what you called me. Last night.”

Finally, Zester’s eyes, which had been tightly shut on purpose, opened up. His face looked sad. Cassia tilted her head, confused, until the memory suddenly rushed into her mind.

 

『Ngh… Honey, Honey!』

 

Her face immediately flushed red. That’s right. She did say that. In the heat of the moment, she clung to Zester and unconsciously called him that.

In her past life, she hadn’t had many chances to call Zester anything since they had been married for quite some time, she used to call him ‘Honey’. However, after she came back in time, she had made a point of keeping distance, and chose to call him ‘Baron.’

“W-What about it?”

“Can’t you just keep calling me that?”

Zester waited for Cassia’s answer, looking like a wet puppy waiting for affection.

‘What is wrong with this man? Did someone else’s soul enter his body when I came back in time? I just can’t understand it.’

Was this really the same cold and heartless husband who had completely ignored his wife?”

“Just let go of me first.”

Cassia pried his arms off and sat up. The blanket that had been wrapped around her body gently fell, revealing her naked body.

Zester blushed and rolled over, feeling bashful even after seeing and touching everything last night.

Cassia picked up her chemise which had been tossed to the far end of the bed, pulled it on, then threw her coat over the robe. Zester also got up and sluggishly prepared to dress himself.

The sun was already up in the sky, so she’d have to hurry if she wanted to see Drian off.

As Cassia was about to leave Zester’s bedroom, her gaze fell on the box of chocolates on the table. Zester, sensing her gaze, quickly ran over and grabbed the box.

“Wh, What a crazy thing this is, right?! Who calls such a, such a wicked thing a gift?”

He looked around exaggeratedly, like he was about to throw it away and seeing that, Cassia couldn’t help but laugh.

Whether she laughed because she found it absurd or because she truly found it funny didn’t matter. Zester’s spirits lifted just seeing her smile.

Seeing Zester looking at her with a content expression, Cassia shrugged and strode towards the door.

“No need to throw them away. The chocolate helped you with what you’re bad at, didn’t they, Baron?”

“What?! No! That’s not true! I can do a good job without these now! I swear!”

Zester trailed after her, shouting in protest with a look of injustice on his face. Cassia opened the door and stepped outside, then waved a hand telling him not to keep following her.

“We need to send off Viscount Havelyn so wash up and get ready.”

And just as she closed the door behind her, she mumbled softly with slightly flushed cheeks.

“…Honey.”

Bang!

The door shut, and behind it, Zester stood, staring blankly at the door.

‘She said honey.’

Thunk.

The chocolate box slipped from his hand and fell to the floor with a happy thud.

***

A strange atmosphere hung over Zester and Cassia.

Drian glanced back and forth between the two with suspicion in his eye.

The couple had come to see him off before his return to Havelyn, but despite standing side by side, they seemed awkward. They kept avoiding each other’s gaze. But it didn’t feel like they’d fought.

More like…

‘…The fresh awkwardness of a new couple?’

Drian pursed his lips at the thought. Cassia had clearly told him that the relationship between her and Zester was distant.

“Thanks to your hospitality, I have had a pleasant stay.”

“I apologize for not being a better host. On your next visit to Greze, I will be sure to be more attentive.

Right, like I believe that. The man was obviously very happy that Drian was leaving earlier than expected. Drian snorted inwardly, looking at Zester’s bright expression.

“Sia, I’ll started heading out.”

“Okay, Ian. Be careful. And about that thing…don’t forget to check it out and contact me.”

“Of course.”

“Contact about what?”

Both Cassia and Drian turned their heads as Zester suddenly interrupted. Seeing Zester’s blatantly wary expression, Drian suddenly felt mischievous and replied.

“Just, you know… a private, important, secret…”

“What?!”

Drian snickered, seeing Zester look like he was about to grab him by the collar. No matter how he looked at it, this man had clearly fallen hard for Cassia. Then again, what man wouldn’t be captivated by such a kind and beautiful woman by his side?

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s regarding magic engineering research. We’re just exchanging information.”

Cassia clarified crisply, but Zester still looked unconvinced. At least he didn’t do anything rash like grabbing Drian’s collar. Still, Drian couldn’t help but think Zester looked like a docile puppy.

‘Still, now that I’ve seen the Baron like this, I’m not worried about Sia anymore. If you’re marrying the Empire’s most beautiful woman, you better be overprotective to some degree.’

Drian chuckled to himself and reached out to take Cassia’s hand. He was about to plant a farewell kiss on the back of her hand, but before he could, her hand flew away.

“H-Honey!”

Cassia cried out and her face flushed red. Zester had snatched her hand away and laced their fingers together.

Then, without missing a beat, Zester used his free hand to pat Drian’s awkwardly hanging hand.

“I think that’s enough goodbyes, Viscount. I understand your schedule’s changed due to urgent business…shouldn’t you be hurrying back?”

So childish.

Cassia’s husband was many things, but charming wasn’t one of them. Drian forced a polite nod.

“Alright. I’ll be off, then.”

Watching their interlocked hands, and seeing Cassia making no effort to pull away, Drian climbed into the carriage with a face full of annoyance.

“Ahem.”

“Mm…”

The couple awkwardly looked off in different directions and continued to stand there until the Havelyn carriage, which had left the castle, shrank to a speck and disappeared from sight.

Of course, this wasn’t because they were particularly devoted to seeing Drian off. They simply needed an excuse to keep holding hands.

***

The day after Drian left for Havelyn, Baron Greze and his wife, along with the barbarian subjugation force, set out at dawn and arrived at Viche after a half-day’s journey.

Viscount Viche, having received advance notice from a messenger, was dressed to impress and waiting for their arrival. In negotiations, first impressions were key, and he was secretly looked forward to stomping the arrogance of that young lady who didn’t know what she was talking about.

When the castle gates opened and the first carriage rolled in, Viscount Viche sneered. The shabby carriage, bearing the gold seal of the Greze Territory looked ridiculous.

Erasing the mockery and arrogance from his face, he crossed his hands behind his back and waited for the procession.

Suddenly, a familiar face leapt out of the carriage. His loyal dog: Zester, Baron of Greze.

That foolish bastard grinned widely and walked over to him.

“Viscount, it’s been quite a while since we last met.”

“Indeed, it has. I’ve missed you a lot, Baron.”

The Viscount offered false pleasantries, and Zester scratched his head sheepishly. Viscount Viche chuckled to himself noting that the country bumpkin hadn’t changed at all.

“Speaking of which, I have looking forward to meeting the new madam of Greze…”

Right on cue, another figure stepped down from the carriage. She was small, so petite that she was hidden by Zester’s broad frame.

Cassia slowly walked over and peeked out from behind Zester.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Viscount Viche.”

The Viscount, who had been determined to seize the initiative, found all his plans shattered the moment he saw Cassia’s sweet, smiling face.

‘How can this be.’

That young noblewoman in front of him looked capable of bewitching people by appearance alone. He had thought the rumors were just gossip, but seeing her in person, he was stunned speechless by her beauty.

The Viscount’s mouth fell open in shock.

 

 

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