/
She couldn’t take off her underdress, so she kept it on, even though it was wet.
They spread out all their wet garments with the hope that they’d be dry by morning. And now that things were a little calmer, Valentia’s heart was finally stable enough to say what she wanted to say.
[ Valentia ] “Thank you.”
[ Lexus ] “For what?”
They were talking to each other, but their position was a bit strange with their backs turned to one another. Maybe it was because she was nervous, but she could clearly hear his voice, even over the sound of the heavy rain. Like it was permeating her skin.
[ Valentia ] “If it weren’t for you, I might’ve died.”
No, she definitely would’ve died. And it would’ve been a miserable death, too, dying by a dog bite.
[ Lexus ] “Don’t say something so scary.”
—’If she was going to die, she should’ve died sooner. Why did she have to give birth to that?’
Suddenly, she remembered what her father said. Cruel words, telling her mother she should’ve died before giving birth to her. So, it was just a little bit comforting, hearing someone worry about her death.
[ Lexus ] “But do you remember the face of the person who kidnapped you, Valentia?”
[ Valentia ] “Yes. He was wearing a very realistic mask of someone else’s face, but then he ripped it off.”
She didn’t think much of it at the time, but looking back on it, it was very bizarre and creepy.
[ Lexus ] “He tore off his mask……So you must’ve seen what he looked like.”
[ Valentia ] “Yes.”
[ Lexus ] “Then I guess he really was trying to hurt you. People like that don’t usually show their faces otherwise.”
[ Valentia ] “…..Maybe. But he said he had his orders. That there was someone else who wanted me to die.”
[ Lexus ] “Who the hell would want that…..”
[ Valentia ] “I don’t know either.”
It can’t have been the Baron. If he wanted her dead, there were thousands of ways he could’ve killed her, all of them happening when she was young. He wouldn’t wait until now to do it. So who could’ve done this?
[ Valentia ] “I think he was the one who released the dogs, too.”
[ Lexus ] “Why….”
Lexus was trying to ask a question, but then he quickly quieted. He probably realized the answer himself.
Knowing it was no coincidence that those dogs attacked Valentia, he would’ve realized that the next step would be a cruel and unusual plot to have her killed by them, leaving her body to be devoured.
[ Lexus ] “You remember his face, so we should have a composite drawn and look for him. We’ll put him on the wanted list.”
Valentia had her back turned to him, so she didn’t know this, but Lexus was pushing back anger so intense, he was clenching his fists hard enough to cut his own palm with his nails.
But though he was pissed beyond belief, his voice was entirely calm.
[ Valentia ] “Yes.”
[ Lexus ] “I made the order to have the forest searched, but they might not be able to find us tonight.”
It was already pitch black outside and the search would probably be delayed since it was raining so hard. They might be here all night. Thinking that, Lexus tossed a few more pieces of wood into the fireplace.
[ Lexus ] “Let’s rest. You must be hungry, but I don’t think I’ll be able to get us anything tonight. But we’ll be rescued in the morning, so hang in there, okay?”
[ Valentia ] “Yes. I’m alright.”
She was used to starving.
[ Valentia ] “What about you, Lexus? Are you alright?”
[ Lexus ] “I know I was raised preciously, but I’m not gonna go crying just because I skip a few meals.”
He knew just what to say to lighten the mood. He was able to get Valentia to laugh, despite the situation.
[ Lexus ] “If you’re tired, lie down and sleep.”
Reaching her limit, Valentia slowly laid down on the floor. She turned around and looked at Lexus, who was still sitting up with his back towards her. She could see his bare and broad back, with finely formed muscles visible just beneath the surface.
That was the same back that carried her here, today. And being held by a being so wide and strong, she felt safe.
Unknowingly, Valentia reached out her hand, placing her palm on his back, and she could feel his muscles beneath her hand twitch.
[ Lexus ] “Don’t touch me.”
He whispered with a low voice, like it was sinking.
[ Valentia ] “Ah, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have dared…..”
[ Lexus ] “No, no, I don’t mean it like that. Really, I don’t.”
[ Valentia ] “You don’t?”
[ Lexus ] “Normally, it’d be fine. You can touch me as much as you want. Or if I make a mistake, you can even hit me. But right now………I’m in a bit of trouble.”
[ Valentia ] “Trouble? Why?”
If she could do it under ‘normal’ circumstances, then why couldn’t she do it now? Was it because he wasn’t wearing anything? Although, in retrospect, her actions were very bold—touching the back of a man who was almost entirely naked.
[ Lexus ] “I don’t really know how to put this, but it’s out of my control.”
[ Valentia ] “What do you mean?”
[ Lexus ] “Well, I….or guys in general really, have a part of the body that we can’t really control, you know? So it’s best if you don’t provoke me.”
Valentia was a little lost for a second, but she caught on quickly, considering she had already completed her biological studies into human anatomy. She could understand where he was coming from.
[ Valentia ] “Oh, that. I, I see.”
Valentia bowed her head, not really knowing what to do, but embarrassed by her rash behavior.
She really liked it when he held her, though. It felt nice, letting go of all her worries while being held with such broad strength.
[ Valentia ] “Hey, Lexus?”
[ Lexus ] “. . .”
[ Valentia ] “Can you hold me?”
[ Lexus ] “…….Hasn’t anyone told you you shouldn’t say misleading things like that?”
Though, she really did want him to hold her, so it wasn’t all that misleading.
Lexus let out a low sigh.
[ Valentia ] “It’s cold.”
[ Lexus ] “I’m not any warmer than you are right now. I might even be colder, in fact.”
Honestly, it didn’t matter if his body was warm or cold. She just wanted to hold onto him. She wanted to be held by those big arms—to be comforted by them.
[ Valentia ] “That’s alright. If we hold on to each other, we may get warmer faster.”
Lexus clicked his tongue, leaning back and laying down next to Valentia. Then, he turned his head back to her, muttering.
[ Lexus ] “You’re cold because you’re wearing that.”
[ Valentia ] “Then, should I take it off?”
[ Lexus ] “That would be better.”
With that, Valentia took off even her underdress. Lexus didn’t look directly at her, instead just lightly putting his arms around her.
She could feel his soft skin against her and his big hands wrapped around her body. She was embracing a man nearly completely naked, but she didn’t feel anything but unabashed relief and safety.
And like he said, there were parts of his body that he couldn’t control. They still hadn’t warmed up entirely, but then she felt the sensation of something much hotter pressing against her.
[ Lexus ] “Sorry. As I thought, you should probably let go.”
Lexus’ voice was hoarse as he apologized, but she didn’t want to let go or loosen her hold on him. And she didn’t want to lose the feeling of his arms around her.
[ Valentia ] “What you said before.”
[ Lexus ] “Yes?”
[ Valentia ] “You swore on your honor as a member of the Imperial family….but you don’t need to worry about that.”
[ Lexus ] “What….”
[ Valentia ] “I don’t want you to hold back.”
[ Lexus ] “Hah.”
Lexus let out a harsh breath like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
But she didn’t want to think about anything else. She just wanted to let everything go, and be close to him. She wanted to feel nothing but his warmth against her.
[ Lexus ] “Do you understand what you’re saying right now?”
[ Valentia ] “I’m not the top student for nothing.”
He clenched his teeth, and as he tensed up, it made more apparent the muscles that lined his jaw. His handsome and detailed face was stiff beyond belief, but the look in his eyes was piercing.
[ Lexus ] “…Don’t regret this.”
In this moment, it did not occur to her that if she slept with the Prince, things would become difficult and uncomfortable for her should she choose to become the chief admin of the Imperial Palace.
She did not even begin to think that her life’s goal would be upset by this.
Because right now, none of those things mattered to her.
[ Valentia ] “I won’t.”
One day, this man would become another woman’s husband. For someone like her, this would be her only chance to be by the side of a man she dare not approach otherwise.
My heart will never love another anyway, and now my body will only ever know you. Forever and always.
With her whole being, Valentia held onto the man she carried so strongly in her heart as though she’d never let him go. And it was a warm and kind feeling.
*
* * *
*
The sunlight poked against her closed eyes, and she frowned. Then, the light dimmed like it noticed her consciousness, as if something were blocking it from touching her.
It was odd, since the morning sun was never something that greeted her in her dreary room.
And for some reason, her entire body was in pain and it felt heavy. Anytime she tried to move, she’d feel a tinge of pain and everything felt like it weighed a ton.
Valentia was barely able to open her heavy eyes.
[ Lexus ] “Did you sleep well, Valentia?”
Backlit by the sun, a blindingly handsome man was smiling at her. Her first reaction was to be shocked, but then she quickly gathered her bearings, realizing what was going on.
More specifically, she remembered what had happened last night, and why she was still in his arms now. She even remembered the reason why her body was in so much pain, and that her fatigue went beyond the tiredness that came with wandering through the forest in the rain.
And now because of him, her face was getting all red, since even now, his perfect and beautiful body was still exposed.
[ Lexus ] “Oh, you’re very shy. And you were so bold last night, too.”
[ Valentia ] “Q, quiet.”
[ Lexus ] “It’s a good morning, isn’t it?”
This was her first time getting a morning greeting from anyone. And the fact that it was coming from someone she loved made it all the more precious.
[ Valentia ] “Ah, yes. Good morning.”
[ Lexus ] “Won’t you ask if I slept well?”
[ Valentia ] “Did you sleep well?”
[ Lexus ] “Yes, I did. Though, you should probably get dressed now. My body tends not to listen to me in the morning either, so I’m in a bit of a bind.”
At that comment, Valentia’s face turned red like a cooked octopus after her eyes drifted down, and she quickly turned away, covering herself with her arms.
Lexus also slowly got up, lifting up his hard and stone-like body. She glanced back, catching a glimpse of his arm that was completely red. Now it was clear she had been sleeping in his embrace all night.
[ Valentia ] “Is your arm alright?”
[ Lexus ] “It’s a bit stiff, but I’ll live.”
Their clothes weren’t completely dry yet, but they were serviceable enough. Besides, they couldn’t exactly walk around naked, so it wasn’t as though they had a choice, even if they were still a little damp.
Lexus grumbled about what a pain muddy water was, picking up his clothes and shaking them off—now covered in dust and completely wrinkled.
[ Lexus ] “But the rain stopped.”
It truly was a bright and shining morning. He was laughing, and he never looked more disheveled in front of her than he did now, but for some reason, he never looked so bright before either. He was so brilliant, it was almost embarrassing to look at him. He made her feel shy.
[ Lexus ] “I thought we could go and find our way out once we woke up, but I guess we both ended up sleeping in.”
[ Valentia ] “Sorry?”
[ Lexus ] “I think people are here.”
And just as he said that, there was a heavy thud as the old and rusty door was knocked nearly off of its hinges, with several people clamoring in.