A strange and dangerous scent filled the air. Like a butterfly caught in a spider's web, I was helplessly ensnared. Terdeo climbed up fiercely and cupped my cheeks with his palms. I stretched out my arms as if bewitched and wrapped them around his neck. The blanket that had been precariously draped over my shoulder fell down. Our breaths, sticky and hot, mingled through our parted lips. As the alcohol burned hotly, we clung to each other without a single gap. Even the cool night breeze felt scorching.
'I feel like Iām getting drunk.'
Without knowing what I was getting drunk on, I gradually lost my senses and became intoxicated. Terdeo was not much different. Like a wild animal driven by instinct, he explored me intensely. It was as if someone else had taken control of his body. Or perhaps, as I relaxed, the alcohol that had slightly worn off was rising again. A wave of drowsiness washed over me, making me want to lie down in the fresh garden grass.
'Whatever happens now, itās fine.'
As my strength drained from my body, I leaned towards Terdeo. Despite the weight of my body, Terdeoās expression didnāt change. Instead, he held me tightly in his arms and devoured me fiercely. Terdeo, who had been caressing my cheeks, broke away from our entangled breaths and whispered softly.
"ā¦Your face is cold."
The touch of his hand on my cheek felt so good that I closed my eyes tightly and rubbed my face against his palm.
"Mmmā¦ because of the windā¦"
I heard Terdeoās reason snap. He suddenly scooped me up into his arms.
"Then letās go to the bedroom."
I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned against him softly.
"ā¦Tero."
"Uh-huh."
"ā¦You look so good."
My mind was hazy, and his voice echoed from far away.
"Yeah, itās been a while since Iāve been this drunk."
"ā¦Why?"
"I always had to be alert because I never knew what would happen when I got drunk. I couldnāt afford to lose my senses and get hurt."
For Terdeo, every breath and every step was a constraint. I hugged his neck tightly with a pained expression.
"Itās okay now. Iāll watch over you when youāre drunk."
The familiar scent of Terdeo made me instinctively bury my nose in his neck. Terdeoās body stiffened, and his steps quickened.
'This is a scent I want to keep to myself.'
Was I this possessive? But I didnāt want to share it with anyone. This scentā¦
"Mineā¦ only mineā¦"
Before I could finish muttering, Terdeo kicked open the bedroom door with his foot.
"Okay."
Teredoās eyes revealed the boiling desire within.
"Perecchi, then become mine completely. Make me yours."
The moment Terdeo laid me on the bed, he plunged his fingers into my hair and continued his fierce kisses. Lying on the soft bed, I felt an unparalleled sense of satisfaction. It felt as if I were a bird soaring through the clouds.
'A little moreā¦'
An inexplicable thirst arose. I wanted to quench this intense thirst. I wrapped my arms around Terdeoās neck and pulled him closer. As his lips crushed mine, I finally felt satisfied. As our breaths intertwined intensely, Terdeo, unable to hold back, continued kissing while hurriedly taking off his outer clothes. The sound of his labored breathing made me feel more urgent. Terdeo then unbuttoned his shirt. When it wouldnāt come off easily, he almost tore it off with all his strength. The buttons, unable to withstand the force, fell helplessly to the floor. Feeling this, my body was enveloped in a fiery heat, as if I were melting. I turned my head to the side, and our lips, which had been hotly pressed together, parted. But only for a moment.
"Where?"
Teredo, gripping my chin with his long fingers, turned my head to face him again. He showered me with kisses, as if not allowing me to escape. Wherever I turned my head, Terdeo persistently followed, kissing every part.
"Th, thatās enoughā¦"
"Do you not like it?"
He kissed my eyes, cheeks, and neck.
"Phineasā¦ sir, I promised to help youā¦"
"So you donāt like it?"
His touch, though unfamiliar, felt good. Terdeo kissed my fingers and asked.
"Do you really not like it?"
If I didnāt like it, I would have pushed him away long ago. Instead, I was melting like a marshmallow in hot cocoa. My face flushed red, and I shook my head vigorously. Then, in a low, heated voice, I said,
"ā¦Itās hot."
I could hear Terdeoās reason burning away.
"Then do you want to take off your clothes?"
Teredo reached out, and the clothes that had been restraining me fell helplessly to the floor. *** Chirp chirp. I woke up suddenly to the noisy chirping of morning birds. The sunlight flooding the bedroom made my eyes squint.
'Why didnāt anyone wake me upā¦'
I tried to recall. Ah, we all drank until the early morning yesterday. I had specifically instructed no one to wake me up today.
'ā¦Huh?'
Blinking, the events of last night, which I should have forgotten, flashed through my mind.
"ā¦Damn."
I lay in bed, staring at the ornate chandelier, and muttered a curse. I knew exactly what state I was in without even looking. The breeze that blew in touched my skin.
'Why did I do that!'
As I screamed in silent despair, I felt someone stir beside me. I turned my head sharply in surprise.
"Teā¦ Teo!"
I was about to call out loudly but clamped my lips shut. Terdeo was sleeping soundly, unlike his usual self. He must have been very busy recently, and the excessive drinking and the intense activities of last night had accumulated his fatigue. Terdeo was breathing evenly, like a newborn baby, without a care in the world.
'Wow, Iāve never seen his sleeping face before.'
Even though we shared the same bed every night, this was the first time I saw his sleeping face. I stopped my silent struggle and quietly observed Terdeo. He was a masterpiece that even God would be proud of. Just looking at him was enough to captivate anyone. His full lips caught my eye.
'Last night, those lips, those beautiful fingersā¦'
No! What kind of absurd thoughts are these! I hastily shook off the memories of last night and carefully got up.
"Ugh."
Bending down to pick up the clothes that had fallen to the floor, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach and a soreness in my back. Afraid of waking Terdeo, I covered my mouth with my hand and quickly put on my clothes. Usually, he would wake up at the slightest sound, but today, he didnāt even stir.
'Tero is human after all.'
The sunlight seeping through the window caused a wrinkle to form on Terdeoās forehead. I hoped he would sleep well today. I quietly got out of bed and closed the curtains. As the sunlight disappeared, the wrinkle on his forehead smoothed out. His face looked like a child throwing a tantrum, and I couldnāt help but smile.
'If I call the maids, heāll wake up, right?'
I tiptoed out of the bedroom, careful not to make a sound, and even pressed my ear to the door to make sure Terdeo was still asleep. Fortunately, he didnāt seem to be awake.
"Ugh."
As my tension eased, the pain in my back returned. Not just my back, but my entire lower body felt weak. It was the result of the explosive release of pent-up desire from last night. I managed to stand by leaning against the wall and saw Cercia standing in front of me, smiling meaningfully. When our eyes met, she approached with a brighter smile than usual.
"Shasha, did you sleep well?"
Her smile seemed to know everything, making my feet feel heavy. I laughed awkwardly and greeted her.
"Cercia, youāre up early."
"Oh, the two of you didnāt come, so we finished breakfast already."
Cerciaās gaze shifted to the bedroom door behind me.
"Is Teo still sleeping?"
"Ahā¦ yes, he seems very tired, so I didnāt want to wake him."
"That makes sense. After such a hot and intense night."
"Y-Yes, last night was veryā¦ intenseā¦ huh?!"
I nodded naturally but then raised my voice in surprise. Cercia laughed playfully and put a finger to her lips.
"Shh, you didnāt come out quietly so as not to wake Teo, right?"
"Wh-How did you knowā¦?"
"First, letās get you ready and have breakfast. You might feel nauseous."
"Huh?"
"Iāll wait for you in the dining room."
Cercia gestured, and the maids behind her quickly approached me. Cercia, seeing me standing there in shock, smiled widely and went downstairs. How did she know?
"Wait, Cerciaā¦ Ugh."
I stopped in my tracks and grabbed my back. My survival instinct kicked in. I grabbed one of the nearby maids.
"ā¦Was what you said before true?"
"Excuse me?"
"Please prepare a warm bath for me. I need to soak in it."
After a passionate night, itās good to soak in warm water to relax tense muscles. I didnāt think that advice would be true. My body was now longing for the soothing warmth of the water