Not long after the new emperor ascended to the throne and began to directly involve himself in politics, an ominous rumor spread.
The rumor was that the former emperor had collapsed because a dragon descended upon Soleil Palace. Along with it spread rumors that some people had actually heard the dragon’s voice.
However, these widespread rumors never reached the former emperor’s bedroom. Almost no one visited the former emperor, who lay as if dead with only his eyes open.
Only the doctor who regularly came to check his condition and administer useless medicine, and servants who bathed him and turned him over to prevent bedsores visited. And these people didn’t treat the former emperor as a living person.
No one spoke to him, who had become stiff without any response, nor did anyone inform him about the outside situation. Once their tasks were done, everyone left and no one came to the bedroom.
There was no family to visit, and the new emperor absolutely avoided going near his father’s bedroom. As autumn deepened, the atmosphere in Craine somehow became more desolate.
****
However, Kerniola, known for its autumn beauty, was just bustling with tourists.
Nobles who couldn’t properly enjoy their summer vacation due to the crown prince’s engagement ceremony and coronation in the heat were now enjoying their belated vacation at their villas.
Of course, that was only possible for those who had the leisure. High-ranking officials who were assigned important duties because of the new emperor had to give up on any notion of vacation this year.
Amidst this, when the Grand Duke and Duchess of Lusenford appeared in Kerniola, naturally attention focused on them. They weren’t thinking of helping the young emperor, nor were they quickly returning to their territory to quietly withdraw.
The weight they carried was too heavy for them to spend time like a young couple enjoying their travels.
From the eve of the coronation to the coronation itself, the emperor’s acknowledged illegitimate child and the empress’s acknowledged illegitimate child were constantly compared, and these comparisons continued. Of course, it wasn’t the young couple’s concern.
Away from the center of Kerniola, which boasted a large lake, dense forest, beautiful scenery, and vast hunting grounds, there was a cluster of noble villas.
Among them, the largest and most spacious villa, the Saint Mernie Manor, was sold in summer.
It was so large, spacious, and expensive that maintenance costs were high, and no one had stepped forward to buy it, but as expected, the Grand Duke of Lusenford was the buyer.
The owner of a place famous for being barren and poor was gradually becoming synonymous with wealth.
“Do you like it?”
Going forward, the vast Lake Foch stretched out in the distance, and there was wide grass-covered land perfect for horseback riding. Through the round, tall trees, the Antegien Mountains could be seen far beyond the lake.
Behind the villa, the garden was paved with faded stones and filled with thick ancient trees, and weathered statues stood flowing water.
Along with the sound of water falling from the fountains, a cool breeze rustled through the red and yellow leaves with a swoosh. Small colorful birds came near the fountain to drink from the widely spread basin before flying away. The birds were becoming plumper as autumn progressed.
While leaves would have all fallen in Lusenford by now, here the autumn colors were just beginning.
Autumn had come, unlike in Lusenford where the atmosphere was fierce with busy winter preparations. The outdoor sofas placed throughout the garden all looked plush, with plenty of cushions and blankets prepared.
“There are so many flowers.”
“Though it seems only chrysanthemums have survived because it’s autumn.”
Various types of reeds harmonized with equally various types of chrysanthemums to decorate the flower beds.
Kaela couldn’t take her eyes off the garden surrounded by dense trees and just reached out her hand. When she reached out, Peon’s hand or arm was within reach. She held that hand and hugged his arm tightly before heading back inside.
Saint Mernie was almost the size of a palace. The four-story building spread out widely in a straight line, and at the entrance, round pillars extended up to the third floor to support the roof in a majestic form.
With curved stairs on both sides extending to both front and back of the building, it was truly a manor worthy of royal family members.
Kaela saw the beautiful reception room that appropriately mixed white and light blue colors. She was told there was also a family room upstairs decorated in warm cream and beige colors.
“It’s really big.”
“Lots of bedrooms, lots of bathrooms. Perfect for us to spend time intimately together.”
“It’s too big for spending time intimately.”
Kaela laughed.
“I love it so much.”
“They say all four seasons are beautiful here, so we can come whenever we want.”
Her eyes, like the clear sky, sparkled. Kaela kept nodding.
“And there’s a piano in the family room upstairs.”
Eyes that had been busy taking in Saint Mernie turned to Peon in surprise.
“I can barely remember how to read music, but you can play.”
“I don’t remember either…”
Though it hadn’t happened in this life, the last time Kaela played the piano was before her father passed away.
In the Ostein Lanpalar Palace, there were three pianos – in her room, reception room, and hall. All those pianos naturally belonged to Her Highness the Princess, but that natural time felt so distant now. It felt like her psychological fingers had stiffened.
“You’ll remember.”
Peon said, squeezing their held hands.
“It’s something you like. You don’t need to be perfect at it or as good as before.”
They came here just to enjoy what they like.
“Try playing lightly when you feel like it.”
He muttered as if it wasn’t a big deal while leading Kaela toward the stairs. Then without a moment’s hesitation, he suddenly picked up his wife at the foot of the stairs.
“Oh, why?”
“It’s stairs. Dangerous.”
“I’m good at climbing stairs?”
Peon didn’t answer and just tightened his arms holding her. It meant he wasn’t going to put her down.
Unlike Lusenford Castle, the stairs at Saint Mernie Manor weren’t rough or steep, and they had railings installed instead of walls, so they weren’t dangerous.
Kaela liked going down the stairs while stroking the railings that were carved in soft colors and rounded shapes. But as the weather grew cooler, Peon seemed to have no intention of letting Kaela climb or descend stairs at all.
She dejectedly watched the landscape painting of Lake Foch’s east side hanging on the stairway wall quickly receding. I’m not a patient anymore…
“We can go fishing or boating on Lake Foch, and horseback riding too. Do whatever you want to do. I brought art supplies too – want to paint?”
“A little.”
As it was part of a lady’s education, she did a little bit of everything that could build culture – embroidery, painting, music, reading, and so on.
“Don’t work, just do hobbies. That’s why we came.”
So first of all, all official duties were suspended. They decided to just rest fully and enjoy this season of harvest.
“We should date.”
Kaela, who was chattering while tightly hugging Peon’s neck, swung her feet playfully and rested her chin on his shoulder before laughing.
“Yes.”
Have to listen well to father-in-law. Since everything had been catastrophic from jumping straight into marriage, after resolving all that and flowing to this point, they needed to try dating which they hadn’t done before.
“Let’s just date a lot.”
****
Words were always easy. Filling newfound peaceful daily life with rest and loving one’s beloved are joyful things.
But Kaela soon realized one fact. She had been separated from such a leisurely and relaxed daily life for so long that she didn’t know how to spend this time together.
When time felt empty, she found herself checking if there were any urgent letters from Lusenford, and thinking about whether there were any management tasks needed for this new manor.
The memory of playing was distant. In Lusenford, where she was swept away while dealing with her father’s sudden death that fell like lightning, she was always busy performing a ‘diligent, exemplary, and proper’ daily life.
Since neither the head maid nor anyone else helped, maintaining dignity in an uncomfortable and cold place was an even harder task.
It was hard. Yes. Everything was hard. It would be a lie to say it wasn’t hard even after returning. After such tight and sometimes mind-numbing storms swept through and passed, Kaela felt stupid standing still in their wake.
‘How do I rest?’
For Kaela who was always sick, resting meant either groaning under the covers or falling asleep.
Can’t do that at a resort! While Peon was dealing with the emperor, she wanted to fully enjoy the manor he had prepared little by little whenever he got bored with the regency council position that didn’t suit his personality.
So Kaela decided to try everything available here. Going to try it all before leaving. And date diligently too. But how exactly does one date?
“Reading?”
As books were approachable, Peon sat next to Kaela who had opened to the middle part of a book she hadn’t finished reading. He was always with her. Isn’t being this close together dating? She wasn’t sure.
Kaela had always tried not to appear clumsy in front of the man who was her first love and unrequited love. How do other people meet and confirm and grow their love? She didn’t know.
Peon picked up one of the books scattered near the sofa. The couple had quiet time reading their own books.
Kaela would probably do that. She was such a bookworm that she brought trunks full of books, and she endured the cold Lusenford through reading too.
Though Peon enjoyed reading as well, that was when he was alone. With the southern flower and fruit scent wafting from beside him, he could hardly concentrate.
Kaela was still just reading. What could be so interesting? The book he picked up wasn’t interesting at all.
Peon looked closely to see what book Kaela was reading and which part she was reading. Kaela flinched and hesitantly turned to look at him.
He could clearly see a certain tension in her large eyes, slightly trembling plump lips, and fingers that just fidgeted with the pages without turning them.
Ah, so you were the same.
“The book isn’t interesting, is it?”
The uninteresting books fell to the floor with thuds. Kaela, who tried to bend down to properly pick them up thinking the pages shouldn’t get wrinkled, was caught by Peon.
Holding her hand and gently cupping her cheek just like that. Kaela closed her eyes. The library that Peon had carefully decorated soon grew hot. It was no longer a space for reading books.
Since it was autumn and the weather had become cool, Kaela wore something a bit thicker than summer dresses, and accordingly covered more areas.
So, there was quite a lot to undress. Peon quickly moved his hands while biting and scratching down her white, soft nape. Blood rushed just from making eye contact.
“A little, slowly…!”
Ah. You don’t dislike it, right? He grinned as he lifted away the fabric. The flowing fabric stopped at the curves.
Peon grabbed it along with the fabric. Kaela, caught in his large hands, drew in a breath. His hands also rose and fell following her breathing.
“Does it hurt?”
Kaela shook her head against his broad shoulder. Following her small hands that were scratching at Peon, the shirt he was wearing gradually opened before finally flowing down.
“Then, does it feel good?”
“It hurts a little…”
Peon immediately loosened his grip. Though he knew how to delicately control his strength, before that he was always aware of the fact that his wife would inevitably have difficulty due to their large difference in build.
So he always had to be careful. If she says it hurts, he stops. But Kaela shook her head and pressed her body even closer to him.
“It hurts in a good way.”
And, those eyes that instantly shatter savagely when she says this were good too.
Something behind those eyes went pop and burst. The veins protruding on the back of Peon’s hands writhed. He licked his lips at the sensation that filled his large hands.
It was good that he had fed her well anyway. Though she seemed all thin, there were quite a few places where she had gained weight. Need to feed her more and touch her more. She says she likes it. Of course, he was crazy about it too. Peon nibbled at Kaela without even blinking.
“Ung…”
Light and shadow coexisted in the library where curtains hung at every window. Kaela blushed while exhaling heated breaths. The violet eyes, made even more transparent in the light, were quite explicit.
He always purely admired her while greedily worshipping her. Peon buried his face right where his gaze had been fixed. At the same time, Kaela was lifted and seated on his thighs.
He was always overwhelming as usual. While harboring a desire so large it was burdensome for Kaela, he pretended it wasn’t quite to that degree and first diligently took her soul.
Peon smiled and kissed the heart that proved Kaela was alive as it beat strongly. Rapid breaths scattered over black hair.
He very carefully left his marks on the warm and soft skin for a long time. The more effort he put in, the higher her body temperature rose, and Kaela eventually ends up whining at him.
“That place, stop…!”
“You said it hurts in a good way.”
Peon growled lowly as he grabbed and stopped her arms that were shrinking back.
“Looking this pretty and telling me to stop?”
No, he was enjoying pretending to be angry. Kaela tried to get away from him somehow, feeling wronged.
The limit of how much stimulation one can handle doesn’t increase just because the frequency increases. She tried to slide off his legs by pushing her body back. Instantly, veins stood out on Peon’s temples and his jaw muscles tensed.
“You…”
“You’re just, just bullying me…!”
Kaela, who was protesting while trying to escape backwards somehow, flinched when she saw his eyes instantly turning red. The sensation felt was not ordinary. Seeing, feeling, and heating up again simultaneously.
“So.”
In an instant, Kaela was laid down on the sofa. His massive body blocked the sunlight that had been pouring down on her.
“I bullied you?”
The corners of his mouth rose refreshingly in enjoyment. Kaela felt wronged. Too, too wronged.
“I didn’t do anything…!”
Peon quickly lowered his body to completely cover his wife. That was Kaela’s last properly spoken sentence.
