The next morning, Keegan woke up with a hangover and a throbbing headache. He wanted to rub his temples, but he noticed someone was pressing onto his arm as soon as he tried to raise it. Keegan froze and turned to find Stella lying beside him with her head resting on his upper limb.
Keegan’s expression relaxed as his thumb gently stroked against her cheek. Stella found it itchy and reached out to scratch her face. Keegan skillfully dodged her hand and continued rubbing her cheek once she went back to sleep.
Stella frowned. She got mad after not being able to catch what was grazing her face. All of a sudden, she opened her eyes and met Keegan’s gaze. The ambiance in the room was awkward yet romantic.
Stella licked her lips and explained, “You were drunk last night and wouldn’t let me leave, so I stayed.”
“Mhm,” Keegan replied in acceptance of her statement, but his expression showed otherwise. His half-smile seemed to be saying, “You’re making this up.”
Stella pursed her lips and said, “I’m telling the truth. Ask Aldor if you don’t believe me.’
“Sure,” Keegan gently stroked her hair and said. His eyes were drawn to her. Stella could not stand him looking at her like that, so she reached out and covered his eyes.
“Whatever!” She gritted her teeth and said.
Keegan chuckled, pulled her hand toward his lips, and kissed it. “Were you worried that I would choke on my vomit in my sleep?”
When Keegan opened his eyes that morning, he saw the things that Stella had placed next to him. It was not the first time she had done something like this. Whenever Keegan came home drunk from social gatherings in the past, Stella would take care of him even though she said she disliked it.
“Yes. I don’t have a name or place in your family yet. I’m not even qualified to inherit your estate right now. It would be a waste of my time if you died,” Stella paused and said in a serious manner.
Keegan was not angry when he heard that. He even muffled a laugh for a while before he said, “Then, let’s go get that marriage certificate. You’ll have a secure future with that thing if I di-“
Stella immediately put her hand over Keegan’s mouth and glared at him.” Please stop with the nonsense. It’s still early.” She never thought that Keegan would suggest getting married since she was only joking.
Stella used to think that Cordelia was superstitious when she accompanied her to the temple to pray for blessings. However, she realized that some things should not be joked about when it came to the people she cared for, fearing that the worse would come true.
Keegan kissed her on the palm of her hand before taking it away. He then whispered, “I want to get married again.”
Stella did not want to talk about it.
“We haven’t gone through everything in a marriage the first time we got married,” Keegan added.
“I’ve done my part in the marriage, Keegan. You’re the one who didn’t do yours,” Stella glanced at him and said.
Keegan was taken aback. “That’s why I need to make up for it,” he said.
“You know how people in ancient times would use a rooster to replace a groom who can’t show up for his wedding? Yeah. You should just buy a hen and marry it.” Stella sat up and replied.
Keegan was speechless. He sat up and froze. ‘Why are my pants halfway to my knees?’ He looked up at Stella, and his confused state turned into a burning gaze. “Stella,” he called out.
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