It was already dark outside.
The dark sky barely had any stars, seemingly disappointing. The whole capital was in a different mood, however. Bustling with the crowds, the capital's nightlife seemed even louder contrary to the one within the sun's embrace.
This didn't really help Reigner at all.
He felt even annoyed by the commoners who enjoyed their lives during the night... Of course, this is their world, their daily life. Why wouldn't they enjoy the night after their hard work? However, it had nothing to do with Reigner.
He also wanted to enjoy, but a different kind of life.
'Shit.'
And curses continued to ring in his mind.
Soon enough, the inevitable sound of the commoners diminished. Reigner had gone through the well-treated hedge that was cleanly cut. This was the border of the fourth princess' territory! She had her own house, staff, and everything any princess can wish for.
'It is quiet.'
It was also dark. The sight of servants was nowhere to be seen. The border was also in lack of any guards which was strange. Is the title 'failure' the reason for that? Reigner thought so as he strode toward the house with lights on.
She was probably waiting for him.
As Reigner came closer, his eyes checked out the exterior of the fourth princess' house. Her house was in good condition, clearly under someone's care. There were a lot of flowers around and even a few birdhouses could enter Reigner's eyes.
It was as if she was living with nature.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Reigner gently knocked, then waited for the princess to come. Her steps promptly rang out exposing that she was indeed waiting for him. When the doors opened, Reigner locked his eyes on the fourth princess that was pretty short.
If Reigner is around 190 centimeters tall, then she should be around 150 or 160. Her green, shoulder-length hair fluttered from the draft, her eyes closed. In fact, she had her eyes closed from the very start yet her adorable face was clearly raised so that Reigner can have a nice look.
Just from an appearance alone, the cute princess was not a failure at all. Short, but her figure was formful with a nice ample bosom jutting out. The lady was in her pajamas, so Reigner could properly gauge the necessary information.
"Nice to meet you, I am Merse Paula. Please, take care of me."
She clenched her lovable green pajama, then bowed.
"I am Medusa Reigner. Please, take care of me."
Strangely enough, Reigner could find any flaws in the lady's appearance and voice. His attitude toward her was also nicer than he imagined it would. He was surely affected by her adorable face and aura, but it was nice in itself.
From all the cursing and disgust toward the world, Reigner inadvertently sought some warmth. Though he was also doing it consciously by teasing the lady nice enough to enter his eyes, Paula had her charm which affected him before Reigner and the lady herself could notice it.
Before that though, it is rude to talk at the doors.
"I have prepared a bath, Mr. Reigner. It would be nice if you took it now..."
There was no hint of disgusting within her voice, but just sincere wish for his well-being. It was the truth that Reigner was kinda reeking of bad smell as he left the forest of the metal aura just today! It was fine between the men and even bitch Unni.
But not so fine in front of the gentle lady.
"Yeah, I feel bad now for not taking a bath somewhere else. My first impression turns out to be the worst one."
"Not really, I am happy that Mr. Reigner sounds casually without any hint of hidden motives. I am really sensitive toward such things... Also, Mr. Reigner just raised his impression tenfold."
"If that's the case, then I will get rid of the only error and come back as soon as possible."
"There's no need to hurry, Mr. Reigner. Take your time, I know that forest of the metal aura is the arduous and harsh test."
Reigner could only nod, but Paula's eyes were still closed. Just from that alone he kinda formed a desire to see her eyes, but Paula already turned around. She went to the kitchen to prepare some light food before sleep.
Since that was the case, Reigner followed her words and guide to find the bath. The sound of water was also needed to find the bathroom as her house was pretty big. As Reigner cleaned and washed thoroughly, he left the bath and took the prepared pajamas.
Those were a tad too short, but he didn't mind it at all.
"Paula, can I be blunt?"
"Feel free."
"Why are you called a failure? I don't see any of that title on you."
"It is exactly because I am like that, Mr. Reigner. I am too soft and useless."
Paula spoke slowly, her voice a little sad. She began her story with the failure that happened during the metal connection to the royal creation - the lion. The unexpected happened during her childhood which was the connection failure.
The royal family even tried to use other creations and borrowed other noble households' creations, but to no avail. No matter what, Paula couldn't connect and was doomed to be useless. However, it was not the end.
She was also blind.
Her knowledge and everything she learned through her teachers couldn't be utilized in the war. Deemed to be useless from a young age, Paula developed the self-defeating personality, but lately, it was getting better.
"I am alone and useless, but I became closer to the world. Sadly, it is dying, but that's inevitable... The world knows it. We are both... useless and pitiful."
"..."
"Thanks to the world's help, I have met a lot of friends. Have you seen the birdhouses? Please, don't laugh, but I can understand the birds and nature itself. They tell me a lot of stories, the struggles of the kingdoms, and even about the recent world hope."
Reigner closed his eyes as he listened to the sad story coated in the sweet voice. He was enraged deeply by the fantasy world. Another world where the lethal, deep wounds can be healed in a mere hour doesn't have any way to deal with the lady's blindness?
'Disgusting...'
He couldn't say anything about the way the kingdom treated the princess. If it was converted into the earth's standard, then the 'boss' also would kick incompetent workers. It was just a mere example Reigner thought on the spot.
"What is the reason for your anger, Mr. Reigner? Is it because of me?"
However, every person has a distinctive trait. A trait that sometimes suits the whole world, a trait that sometimes suits only one person. In Paula's case, she could soothe the anger of Reigner, his hate toward the world.
He opened his eyes and answered.
"No."
"I figured so. This is our first meeting. Do you believe we will be a good couple in the future?"
Since Reigner doesn't carry any hidden motives and his voice is clear and sincere, Paula asked softly surprising herself. Her adorable face turned a little below to form a bashful and charming appearance of the maiden.
No one could rely on her, but she felt like Reigner enjoys her presence around him. This along with his sincere and honest voice pushed Paula to speak more than she should.
"I hate thinking about the future."
'But I still do nonetheless.'
"I see... Then, I won't speak about the future from now on."
"Rather than thinking about the future and stupid 'what if', it is better to begin carving the future we want right now."
Saying so, Reigner stood up. He closed up the distance to the princess. On the table, there was hot milk and some light sandwiches before the sleep, but Reigner just chugged the whole milk and focused his attention on the charming princess.
"I would like to carry the princess in a princess carry. Hah, now that I said it out loud, it feels surreal and funny at the same time."
"I know my house very well, Mr. Reigner. But I feel like refusing your offer would be unwise."
Maybe Reigner began carving up the future by asking her this question? Paula smiled faintly as she thought about that. Being forced into a marriage is often bad for the lady. It was no different for Paula as she imagined a power-hungry commoner trying to reap all the rewards out from her status and self.
And that's how Reigner is.
But Paula underestimated her influence. However, if Reigner wasn't that disgusted by the world, then the possibility of him warding off her influence would be high.
Both of them ended up close to each other then.
Within Reigner's arms, Paula slowly put her head around Reigner's chest, then eased up. She felt strong, manly hands holding her like a real princess which was nice and amiable. She even silently smelled his fresh fragrance!
As for Reigner, he didn't hide his desire.
He just buried his nose within her green hair, inhaling deeply.
Just like that, the duo reached the bedroom. There was a huge queen-sized bed waiting for them. The bedroom was still large allowing the desk, closet, and table to be located here without building up confined space like feeling.
"Do a blind people dream?"
"Of course we do. I can see a lot of colors in my dreams."
In the bed, Reigner asked. He and the princess were in their pajamas, covered by the soft blanket. Looking at the ceiling while swallowed up by the comfort, Reigner couldn't even think about cursing, but just enjoy the small talk with the princess.
It didn't take long for his eyelids to get heavier.
"Then... sweet dreams, Paula."
"Sweet dreams, Mr. Reigner."
Something even nicer reached for Reigner's body. It was the hand of the princess who had met the unexpected. She copped Reigner's hand, then forced him to sleep on his back. She was already within the dreamland, a faint smile lingering on her adorable face.
Peeking at her face for the last time, Reigner turned his head and closed his eyes. For the first time in his life in another world, Reigner had a comfortable sleep. No curses, no disgust, but just a warmth that was coming from both the soft bed and adorable princess.
He was within dreamland on his own.
A dream where everything went the way he wants to.
It was a kinda strange dream, however. He was wearing a strange kind of equipment. His opponents were a people that Reigner was not aware of, but he still flawlessly dealt with them.
Outside the dream, Reigner and Paula's bodies were intertwined. They glued to each other while dreaming! There was also a strange phenomenon going on as both of them ventured within their dreamlands.
A bright light got emitted by Paula's body.
She wouldn't be able to recognize it.
It was the first time for her to do so after all.
And on this day, unbeknownst to Reigner, Paula, and even Nightmare himself...
[You have awakened The Dream Set.]
A new set awakened, but then scooched in the morning like a dream itself.