The Great Wish - Chapter 7.3

Vol.1 Chapter 7 Part 3 

"I envy the Iron King. He has a better eye for talented people than me." 

Kuhn's eyes shook in embarrassment before he let out a dispirited laugh. 

"Ahh... That's what you meant." 

"Don't worry. I haven't forgotten that you're one of the Iron King's men." 

"Aren't you going to try to make me change my mind?" 

"That's awful. I see that you're trying to sound me out. A man who has betrayed someone once will only find it easier to betray again. No matter how talented you are, I have no need for an unfaithful man." 

"It's a bit much to call it a betrayal... I've already told you. The Iron King isn't my master." 

"Then it's even worse. Are you staying by the Iron King's side without any intention to serve him?" 

Not wanting to start an argument, Kuhn kept his mouth shut. Why was she so extreme? There wasn't always a hierarchy in a relationship between two people. 

'Ah... I see.' 

Kuhn suddenly came to a realization. It was as if a veil in front of his eyes had finally been lifted. This woman was someone who had been born into a privileged position and grew up as such. 

As he traveled the continent, he met many kings and nobles. They were all rigid in their ways of thought, but the Princess differed in only one way. She didn't have to show her superior status in such a vulgar way. Because she was at the top of the top. 

For the past few days, he was in agony over one problem. By helping Dian, he would inevitably stab a dagger into the Princess's back. There was only one imperial throne. Once the victor was crowned, the other would lose in this struggle. 

He didn't choose Dian because of a sense of loyalty. If he had met the Princess before Dian, he might have made a different decision. 

What would it have been like if he met her first? The more he imagined this alternate reality, the more he mourned this one. 

Because he couldn't see Dian with such a shaky heart, Kuhn had locked himself away in his residence. The problem that had been eating away at him inside his head had been solved in one smooth stroke. 

Even though it wouldn't come to this, even if he had to turn his back on Dian, he would never be able to hold hands with her. 

To her, a vassal was only a vassal. Once someone was considered below her, they would never be able to move up in her eyes. He didn't want the wealth and power that came from helping her to the throne. He wanted something more basic and a lot simpler than that. 

Kuhn looked at Sienna and chuckled. It was a relieved laugh. 

"You have a decision to make, Your Majesty. A more perfect outing or a less perfect outing. Which would you prefer?" 

Sienna narrowed her eyes. She felt like he was joking around with her. 

"Isn't it obvious?" 

"Yes, I'm sure you want a more perfect outing. Will you do as I say?" 

"..." 

"If you don't want to, then the less perfect..." 

"I'll do it. I'll do as you say." 

"Then please change your clothes. I'm sure there's something lying around here you can wear..." 

Kuhn looked around. Furniture was strewn out here and there. It looked like it hadn't been that long since the business had closed. There was still some merchandise left over. 

He opened a door. It was a small room used for storage. After finding the goods placed underneath some fabric, he let out a murmur, 'Bingo.' 

He whipped off the fabric. Clothes were dangling on hangers on a rack. Because they were abandoned clothes, they had terrible designs and were made of poor materials. He quickly picked a shirt and a pair of pants. 

"Please wear these." 

Sienna merely looked at the clothes he held up to her. 

"Even if they aren't to your liking, we have no other choice. The easiest way to keep your identity hidden is to disguise you as a man." 

Sienna wasn't unhappy about that aspect. 

"We mustn't touch things that don't belong to us." 

Kuhn burst out in laughter. This was the first time he had met someone with such high morals. 

"Don't worry about that. I'll make sure to repay the owner." 

"Send me the bill." 

Sienna took the clothes and looked around. 

"You can get changed in here." 

Kuhn left the storage room and gestured for Sienna to go inside. Sienna glanced inside the room. It was small and messy. She bitterly entered the room. 

Kuhn closed the door from the outside, and the room was now dark. However, there was some light coming in through the small window, so she could still somewhat see. 

Sienna inspected the clothes she had been given. Even though she had never worn these kinds of clothes before, they were simply made, so she knew where to put her arms and legs. She unclasped the broach and took off her cloak. Then the dress. 

"..." 

What should she do? With a blank expression on her face, she patted her body. No matter where she felt, she couldn't figure out how to take off her dress. 

Even if Sienna's dress wasn't an expensive one, it was still a dress for a noblewoman. Commoners rarely wore one-piece dresses. If someone pointed out how to take it off, she could do it herself. However, Sienna had never put on her clothes by herself. 

Knock, knock. 

"Your Majesty." 

When she didn't respond, Kuhn knocked on the door once again. 

"Your Majesty. Are you finished yet?" 

She couldn't answer him. He knocked again. 

"Is everything okay? I'm coming in." 

Sienna met his eyes as he came inside. Kuhn saw that she was still standing there in her dress and stepped back out. 

"Please let me know when you're finished." 

"...I need it." 

Kuhn turned his head. 

"Your help... I need it." 

She said the words with much difficulty. Sienna was feeling incredibly embarrassed. To think that she couldn't even do something as simple as taking off her own clothes. She felt like she was completely useless. 

"What can I help you with?" 

"I don't know how to take it off." 

Kuhn silently stared at her before letting out an 'Ah.' 

"It seems that I have been inconsiderate. I'll bring someone to help you." 

"Who? I didn't bring any ladies-in-waiting with me." 

"Then... So..." 

"There isn't much time. I need to return to the Palace before the sun goes down. Do it yourself." 

"...What?" 

"I can't see it with my own eyes, but I think there's a stitch on my back. There should be a knot, so all you need to do is cut it loose." 

He was about to say that this was too much for him. Because all the guards had been sent away, they were the only ones inside this empty store. Because the awning had been lowered outside, the windows were sufficiently covered to keep the room relatively dark. It was the perfect, secluded location to commit some secret acts. 

He was grateful that she trusted him, but he also felt a bit bitter. It meant that she didn't see him as a man at all. 

Even if he got a little bit closer to her, he could smell her scent mixed in with her perfume. He almost lost his mind with the urge to touch her. This woman would never know how he was desperately holding himself back. 

Kuhn silently walked to the front door of the store. Sienna thought that he was going to grab someone else to help her. 

Kuhn crouched down before he made it to the door. He was picking something up from the floor. Then he turned around and walked towards Sienna. Every time he made a step, the floorboards creaked. Then he was right in front of her. 

"Please turn around." 

Sienna stared at him blankly before lowering her eyes. He was holding a small fabric scissor in his hands. 

Sienna turned around. When she heard the floor creak once again, she held her breath. He was right behind her. 

Pop, pop. 

Was the sound of snapping threads always this loud? Every time she heard a pop, she felt the pressure on her upper body loosen. However, she felt suffocated as if the ties around her hips were getting tighter. 

He didn't put a hand on her clothes, but it still felt like he was taking them off. She tightened her grasp on her skirts. 

The sounds stopped. The metallic sound of the scissors also disappeared. 

Was it over? The question never left her lips. Not a breath could be heard in this silence. 

Kuhn's hand remained in the air as they hovered over her shoulder. He bit down and clenched his fist. 

He mustn't touch her. He knew his condition well. He was on the brink of exploding. If one more drop was added, the dam would burst. 

He held his hands behind his back. He restricted himself so that he wouldn't do anything foolish. Then he slightly bent his hips and spoke into her ear. 

"I'm finished." 

Even though Sienna heard his footsteps and the door close, she remained still. Thankfully, it was dark. Thankfully, he hadn't seen her face. 

She felt feverish. She felt as if she were burning. Raising both hands, Sienna covered her warm face.