Namgung Se-ga, the warrior, was reincarnated in Romance

During the play, I couldn’t help but let out a loud sigh of disbelief, unable to suppress it until Shayden whispered in my ear, reminding me that it was customary to remain silent while watching a play.

Even after receiving the advice, I bit my lip and struggled to avoid clicking my tongue, not wanting to make a fuss about how uncomfortable it was to watch such indecent things, especially with such young ones around.

The content of the play was so crude and embarrassing!

The male character that appeared first was already a married man, and the woman he was holding was his mistress. He casually embraced her, singing about his carefree love, when his wife discovered them and he faced serious consequences.

The men and women on stage often shouted angrily at each other, only to suddenly burst into song or break into a dance, making extravagant gestures. Despite the pleasant voices and melodies, the content of the play was lewd and deeply unsettling.

When the play ended, a loud cheer erupted, and everyone clapped enthusiastically.

I looked around at the others with me. Danbi, Arno, and Gregory were even wiping away tears as they clapped with joy.

If it had been my friends acting like this, I wouldn’t have been able to hold back my sharp words, but seeing the entire theater, filled with five to six hundred people, laughing and clapping in unison left me speechless.

I had grown up in Sieron, seeing only what I thought was good and to my taste, so this was truly a shock.

Still, as I sat there in stunned silence, Shayden glanced at me and, stopping his applause, leaned over to whisper in my ear.

“Hey, Mika. Didn’t you enjoy it?”

“I… I don’t understand. I just don’t get it.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Do you really not know what I mean?”

“Oh? Ohhh… Wait, was there someone you knew among the actors?”

“No… Never mind.”

I replied curtly, feeling even more troubled. The thought of Danbi kissing the back of his girlfriend’s hand seemed like mere child’s play, but it troubled me even more.

Compared to that, my parents, Michael and Annette Ernhardt, had always been so proper and dignified in their behavior.

Even after their marriage, their conduct was entirely in accordance with the law, and it was clear from simply standing side by side that they were a loving couple. Just remembering their warm, affectionate manner made me sigh heavily.

In a village of one-eyed people, the two-eyed must walk with one eye closed, I thought. Even though I tried to console myself, I couldn’t help but scold myself for finding it so difficult to accept this.

I finally spoke up to the younger ones, who were still whispering and concerned, not understanding what was bothering me.

Though I had many complaints, this was about all I could bring myself to say out loud.

“…I just didn’t like the behavior of the male character. That’s all. It made me… uncomfortable.”

“I see, I see. It’s normal to get upset over a character like that. Sometimes, even I get upset over characters I don’t like, even when the story’s good! Even if they succeed in their revenge, it doesn’t mean the heroine’s heart isn’t hurt,” said Shayden sympathetically.

“That’s true. So, what do you say? Want to go somewhere and eat something to cheer up?”

“I know a great place for roasted whole pig. You’ll like it, Ernhardt.”

“Yes, alright.”

Though I was still unsettled, it wouldn’t be polite to continue looking so grim on a day out with everyone, so I tried not to let it show.

I walked, trying not to focus on Danbi, who was laughing and holding onto Arno’s arm.

The food at the restaurant Shayden chose was absolutely delicious.

As we ate, I occasionally smiled at the joyful conversations of the young ones. I also bought stationery and envelopes to reply to Michael and my family back home.

After we parted ways, I returned to the dormitory.

…Unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I knocked on Shayden’s door.

“Shayden, I need to ask you something.”

“What is it, Mika? Did something happen today?”

“Is it normal for people in the capital to embrace and kiss even if they’re not married?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, even if they’re lovers, is it not excessive to embrace and kiss in public, in the middle of the street?”

Shayden blinked his pale green eyes at me. I didn’t avoid his gaze.

He stared at me for a long while, then smiled slyly before leading me to the couch in the reception room with a strange expression on his face.

I waited silently for his response. It was a relief to have someone to explain these things to me, but at the same time, I felt a little foolish for being so bothered by it.

Of course, during my time at the Ernhardt estate, I had learned to be more accustomed to living alongside others in the Central Lands than I had been before.

But that was only in the case of married couples or older adults comforting younger ones.

Seeing unmarried, same-aged men and women engaging in such public displays of affection still seemed vulgar to me.

I knew that holding hands while dancing was not an uncommon sight, but kissing each other on the cheek and hands, in full view of others, was so mortifying, I couldn’t get over how embarrassing it was.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in a haze, completely bewildered.

Finally, after venting my frustrations, I felt a little bit better.

This was the first time I had witnessed such a scene with my own eyes, both in this life and in my past life. I still felt hot inside. I couldn’t hide my sulky expression.

Shayden, uncharacteristically cautious, poured me a cup of hot tea before speaking up. Thirsty, I took the tea without hesitation.

“Did Danbi and Arno… kiss? No, that doesn’t seem right.”

“On the hand.”

“Oh. Ah, I see… So, what happened next?”

“They were hugging and kissing in the play, but they’re not married, you know? Watching them do that in front of so many people made my face burn…”

“Hm, I see… But even though they didn’t actually kiss and only pretended to, it still bothered you?”

“…”

“Right… Well, you know, in some families, they might not see it as a big deal. Hold on, let me think for a second before answering.”

“Go ahead.”

Shayden covered his face with both hands, bowing his head as he pondered for a while.

I didn’t rush him and waited quietly.

Both Maelo Sanson and Shayden Roze were like this. When you let them think things through quietly, they always came up with the right answer, so I trusted them deeply.

“I… I’m not sure how to put this. Hmm, first of all, I didn’t know that you didn’t like this kind of thing. I’m sorry for taking you to the play without explaining beforehand.”

“No, it’s okay. It’s not your fault for not knowing.”

“And… I’m not sure how things are taught in the Ernhardt household, so I don’t want to speak carelessly, but… for actors in a play, physical contact like that isn’t that strange, as long as it’s not explicit…”

“That’s?”

“Yeah. The play we saw earlier was rated for all ages. It’s meant to teach good morals, like that monogamy is good and cheating is bad. The ‘Countess Daisy’ story has been a popular play for over a hundred years.”

“…”

“Especially the aria of the countess, where she reaches a four-octave range, is known as a test for skilled actors. It’s a role that all actors dream of.”

“…”

“Hugging is something anyone does when they’re happy, right? They pretended to kiss, but they turned their heads, so they didn’t actually kiss. Right?”

“… Are you trying to convince me?”

“No, no. I’m just explaining. Actually, even seven-year-olds who are close will hold hands, and later say, ‘We’re going to get married!’ and even give each other a peck. People think that’s cute, even adults.”

“Do seven-year-olds hold hands and kiss?”

“Why not?”

“Are you saying you’d do that in public once you have a lover?”

“Well, maybe! I mean, isn’t that what love is all about?”

“No, it’s not!”

“Then what is it?”

“…”

I shut my mouth, not having anything else to say.

Though I had experienced many things across both my past and present lives, I had never had a lover, so I couldn’t say definitively what love was.

Even though part of me still felt uncomfortable and disgusted, I knew that this was the custom in Sieron, so I didn’t feel I had the right to speak up.

Shayden’s outburst reminded me of when my father had first asked me to make a sibling, looking embarrassed and washing his face dry. I glanced at Shayden, who was similarly flustered.

I rubbed my temples with both hands, trying to calm the throbbing in my head. I sighed deeply and sank into the sofa. The room stayed quiet for a long time as both Shayden and I were lost in thought.

Shayden, rubbing his slightly reddened cheeks, continued.

“Though… now that I think about it.”

“Hm?”

“There are people who like to show affection in public, and others who are shy about it.”

“…! Yes, being shy is the right thing.”

“Well, it’s just the difference between wanting to show the world that you’re in love and not wanting to boast about it. It’s not because people think physical affection is unhealthy. I’m just saying this because I hope you won’t be rude to others, Mika.”

“Rude?”

“Yeah. Whether they hold hands, kiss, or whatever… that’s up to them, right? Love can be expressed in many different ways. What you think is right only applies to your own love.”

What I think is right only applies to my own love.

His words made me sigh softly and close my mouth. I raised my hand to stop Shayden from saying more. I needed a moment to think.

Shayden, quickly noticing this, leaned back quietly on the sofa and waited for me.

That was the truth. Just because others act a certain way, I didn’t have to show discomfort or dislike. I wondered why I had hesitated and thought for so long, letting out another deep breath.

It must have been because of the habits I had formed back when I was the judge in the martial world, deciding what was right or wrong for the so-called righteous and wicked.

Back then, I believed that what was virtuous was right, and what was disorderly was wrong. I had tried to judge others based on that, which now seemed like such arrogance.

Life in the Central Lands had been about asceticism, self-discipline, and meditation.

I had seen the control of one’s desires as something to be revered, while acting in a crude or vulgar manner was to be despised.

Everyone around me had said the same thing, so I had avoided places where people were drinking and rolling around and had always been uncomfortable when men and women touched or came too close.

But the customs of the Central Lands and Sieron were as different as the stars in the sky, and that was only natural, so I realized I shouldn’t automatically dislike them.

I ran my hands through my hair, feeling the texture of it, which was different from the hair I used to wear in the Central Lands, where I always tied it neatly with a blue ribbon and didn’t have to constantly mess with it.

The time to sleep was approaching, and I realized there was no reason to get upset with Shayden over this. I had finally come to my senses.

I carefully chose my words, aware that my voice still carried a certain firmness. I tried to speak gently.

“… Okay, I understand now. There was no need to overreact to what I saw today. In Sieron, lovers just want to show how much they care for each other.”

“Yeah, that’s right… Um, are you okay?”

“Even if I’m not okay, what can I do about it? No, I’m fine. Thanks for explaining. I should go to bed now.”

“Oh, okay… Good night.”

“Yeah, you too, Shayden.”

I glanced at him one last time. He didn’t seem like the type to be overly promiscuous.

I would need time to think about it carefully.

After all, I couldn’t change the entire world by my own will, and… now I wasn’t even sure if that was the right thing to do.

After drinking the now cold tea, I waved my hand lightly in farewell and returned to my room.