My breaths intertwined in an instant. Terdeo's fingers, which had delved into my hair, pulled me intensely. I was instantly dominated by him. The way Terdeo explored every inch of me made my mind hazy. It was completely different from that night. He wasn't drunk; his touch was too clear. I focused on kissing Terdeo, clinging to him as if he would swallow me whole. Terdeo didn't stop. After exploring me wildly, he pulled away from my lips and murmured softly.
"…Is this a dream?"
His hot breath enveloped me.
"If it's a dream, don't ever let me wake up."
Terdeo bit the inside of his wrist lightly, not enough to draw blood.
"What are you doing?"
Terdeo, who had nodded, didn't answer me and bowed his head slightly. Then he gently, lightly bit my ear.
"Ah…!"
The light pain in my ear made me frown involuntarily and glare at Terdeo. Weren't we just kissing a moment ago? Seeing my reaction, Terdeo smiled, though he seemed apologetic.
"Sorry."
"…You don't look sorry at all."
"I'm just happy it's not a dream."
Terdeo cupped my cheeks and whispered with a voice filled with joy.
"I couldn't believe you said you loved me. That someone as perfect as you would choose me."
…Oh, this silly man. I reached out my hands and grabbed his face, then closed my eyes and lightly kissed his lips. *Peck.* The sweet sound of our lips parting echoed. Terdeo, surprised by my sudden kiss, touched his lips as if he were in a daze.
"You said before that you hoped to be happy at least once in your life."
"…."
"I'll take responsibility for your happiness."
Terdeo's eyes, which had been wide like a rabbit's, now shimmered with happiness and closed halfway. It was a smile I had never seen before. Seeing this silly expression on a man who never faltered, no matter what, made me feel strange. I wanted to make him smile like this always. He looked so beautiful when he smiled.
"I'll make you happy for the rest of my life, Theo."
I smiled along with Terdeo.
"So don't ever think about dying, and always stay by my side… *squeak!*"
Before I could finish, Terdeo grabbed my shoulder and pushed me forcefully to the side. When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying on the bed. Terdeo's eyes, looking down at me, seemed dangerous, like he was staring at a prey. I swallowed hard. He leaned down without warning, his expression lazy, and quickly penetrated my lips. The intense, passionate kisses made my breath hot. I gently embraced Terdeo. The moment my hands touched him, I could feel his hardness. At the same time, his breathing became rough.
"…Shasha."
Terdeo called my nickname in an excited voice. He pulled off his clothes without hesitation, revealing a figure that looked almost divine in the moonlight.
"I told you."
Terdeo softly gripped my chin. His restrained instincts began to stir.
"I was hungry."
Terdeo continued the hot, breathless kisses, gripping my chin. The intense heat that pushed its way inside made me shiver. The bed creaked all night long. ***
A few days later, we returned safely to the Duke's mansion. The first to greet me was Ailet.
"Sis!"
Ailet ran up and grabbed my legs, looking adorable. I naturally patted her head and smiled.
"Where did you go? I was worried because I didn't see you! Did you go on a picnic?"
"I went to help Setti for a bit…."
"Mom!"
Before I could finish, a sobbing voice interrupted. I looked up to see Selpheus, with red, swollen eyes, running out.
"Selpheus?"
Selpheus should still be at the academy. Confused, I tilted my head, and Selpheus clung to me.
"Where, where did you go?"
His voice was trembling, holding back tears. I was shocked and examined him. He usually doesn't show his emotions like this…
"I went to help Setti for a bit… Selpheus, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
What if something happened at the academy while I was gone? Concern filled me. I gently wiped his red, swollen eyes. Selpheus didn't answer, just let his shoulders droop weakly. Ailet, standing beside him, pointed at Selpheus and said worriedly.
"Selpheus didn't eat well, didn't sleep well, and didn't go to the academy after you left. I asked him to play, but he didn't and just cried."
"What? Selpheus, are you hurt?"
If Phineas was there, he would have treated any injuries! Usually, Selpheus would have scolded Ailet, but he didn't. Shocked, I asked, and Selpheus gripped my hand tightly, his lips trembling.
"I thought, I thought you left… Mom, I thought you left…"
"What?"
Wait, now that I think about it, Ailet's reaction is also like this. Could it be… I looked at Terdeo behind me with a bewildered face.
"…Didn't you even explain to the family where I went?"
"I explained to Lady Gloria and Phineas. I told them exactly what the note said, that you left me and went away. …I didn't say anything to Selpheus, though."
Oh my.
"Couldn't you just say you went to meet a friend?"
"I thought you really left. I didn't know if you would come back… I couldn't bear to tell Selpheus that."
"So now Lady Gloria and Phineas also think I left?"
My head throbbed.
"…No. They just laughed, saying the note wasn't written by you."
"Of course. You can tell by the handwriting."
"I was too shocked to think about that. And I didn't know it was Setti's handwriting. I don't pay attention to Setti's handwriting."
What a cold-hearted brother and sister. Gloria and Phineas must have realized it was Setti's handwriting at a glance. They probably thought you left for business, and since Setti left a note for me, they assumed I followed her. Ailet is still too young to think that I left! The biggest victim in this incident was Selpheus. I glanced at Terdeo and patted Selpheus's back.
"I didn't leave, Selpheus. I went to help Setti. I'm sorry I didn't tell you beforehand. You must have been scared, right?"
Moved by my gentle patting, Selpheus buried his face in my arm and shook his head.
"I should have told you properly. It's all my fault. I'm really sorry, my son."
Especially since Selpheus has a trauma of being abandoned.
'This must have been unexpected for Setti and Theo… and for everyone.'
I didn't expect it either. I kept stroking Selpheus's soft hair. Selpheus is still a child. When he asked me to be his mother, I was considering leaving, but he was too young to accept that. If I really left, Selpheus would probably stop eating, stop sleeping, and stop going to the academy, just like this.
"Mom… please tell me next time."
Selpheus murmured softly. It was something he wouldn't usually say, but he seemed to have no such thoughts now. Seeing his red, swollen eyes made my heart ache.
"I'll take you with me next time if I have to be away for a long time. Let's go together."
As I stroked Selpheus's slightly gaunt face, Ailet stomped her feet.
"Sis! Me too! Pet me too!"
Ailet pouted cutely and pushed her face forward. Finding her adorable, I tried to pat her head, but Selpheus grabbed my hand.
"He's my mom!"
Selpheus's cry shocked Ailet, who stared at us blankly. Then she grabbed my other hand and shouted.
"No! She's my sis!"
"Let go of my mom's hand, Selpheus!"
"Sis, let go of your hand! You're hurting her!"
"I'm not holding her hard! Ailet, you let go!"
"I'm not as strong as you, so you let go first! She's my sis!"
Watching the two of them fight over me, despite their lack of strength, made my heart warm and happy.
'Oh, these adorable little ones.'
When they grow up, they won't fight over me like this, and they won't want to play with me either.
'Enjoy this moment.'
As I was being pulled around by the two of them, someone suddenly picked me up from behind.
"Sorry, but she's mine."
Terdeo, who had joined the children's fight, slung me over his shoulder and walked away. The children, who had suddenly lost me, shouted in protest.
"Your Highness, that's unfair!"
"Your Highness! Mom will get dizzy! Put her down!"
But Terdeo ignored their cries and stepped inside.
"Why did you join in? They were so cute!"
"I know it feels good, but let's do it later. I won't interfere then. Do you know what your face looks like now?"
"What? What does my face look like?"
I rubbed my face against Terdeo's shoulder. Come to think of it, his skin felt a bit rough.
"Rest first. You didn't get much sleep on the way back. It was a long journey, so get some good rest."
"I'm not tired because of the journey, Theo, it's because of you…!"
It's because you didn't let me sleep properly at night! Just as I was about to shout, I realized there were many eyes around and clamped my lips shut. By then, Terdeo had reached the bedroom. He gently laid me on the bed. That day, the day he confessed his love. The bed we shared that night was narrow, but this one was wide, with a soft, plush mattress. Seeing the bed, the hot night came to mind, and my face flushed.
"What do you mean?"
Terdeo, smiling lazily, placed his hands on both sides of my thighs. He leaned in, as if he already knew what I was going to say, urging me to continue.
"Go on, say what you were going to say."
"I don't know. I, I forgot what I was going to say."
How can anyone say anything when you look at them like this! Pouting, I glared at him, and Terdeo smiled, a deflated smile, then leaned down and gave me a quick peck on the lips.