Chapter 182
“Then kiss me now.”
At my words, Lucio flinched and stiffened.
A strange thrill surged through me at the thought that I had, for a moment, shaken his usual composure.
“So what you’re saying is…”
“It means I accept your feelings.”
But I had lost my composure too.
He always said he’d wait for me as long as it took, but I was afraid I might lose him if I hesitated any longer.
Right now, not even the necklace around my neck or the demon could stop me.
Because I didn’t want to lose my happiness anymore.
‘I got the relic safely. Once Diana awakens, everything will work out somehow.’
As I grew desperate enough to have such shameless thoughts, Lucio gently cupped my cheek. My mind went completely blank.
‘Should I close my eyes now? How do you even kiss someone?’
Even in my second life, there were still so many things I didn’t know.
I gulped nervously and closed my eyes.
‘I really don’t want to die.’
I had finally met the family I longed for, and I no longer felt the need to prove myself or belong somewhere. But there were still so many things I wanted to do.
‘Maybe I just want to try doing them together.’
“…?”
But no matter how long I waited with my eyes closed, nothing happened.
Wondering if I’d mistimed it, I cautiously peeked with one eye—and saw Lucio stifling a laugh while looking at me.
I snapped back to my senses.
As I flailed to get away, Lucio gently pressed his lips to my forehead and pulled back.
“I’ll stop with this for today.”
Wait, what? Stop what?
I covered my forehead with both hands and glared at him.
Lucio chuckled as he pulled my hands down.
“Don’t be too cute. You’re making me regret holding back.”
“Hmph.”
“If I don’t hold back, you’ll be the one who regrets it.”
“Even if I do, it’s still my choice. What does it matter?”
Embarrassed, I snorted and grumbled. Lucio stared at me.
“You said earlier you didn’t have the time or room to think about this. That was today, remember?”
Even though today felt endless, how could I forget?
Still, hearing it from Lucio’s mouth made my face burn.
I turned my head away, pretending not to hear, and he hugged me tightly.
“I don’t know why you’re anxious, but you don’t have to be.”
“…”
“I’m scared you’ll regret this.”
His words made me feel as if he had seen right through my impatience.
Feeling like I was acting childish, I pouted. Lucio chuckled and changed the subject.
“By the way, did you know you called my name earlier?”
…Did I?
Come to think of it, I might have shouted his name when I saw him after being stabbed by my sword.
“Can you say it again? Just once.”
Lucio leaned in with a soft smile, and I swallowed nervously.
‘Is this what they call seduction?’
I knew he was handsome, but with those sharp features smiling sweetly like that, I couldn’t keep my head straight.
His silky silver hair tickled my forehead, and his breath touched my skin.
If I moved just a little, our noses might touch. I quickly looked away and mumbled to myself.
‘Why does he keep asking me to say his name?’
He was so hard to understand.
Even back when I called Prince Nicholas’s name… He likely wouldn’t even remember…
“Hmm? Say it.”
Lucio urged again, and I felt a strange mix of emotions.
‘He’s… kind of cute, actually.’
Embarrassed, I cleared my throat and cautiously said,
“…Lucio.”
“Again.”
“Lucio.”
“Mm, Lia.”
Lucio beamed at the name I said so reluctantly, then gently began stroking my hair.
Watching his long fingers twirl a strand of my pink hair made my neck tingle and my toes curl.
‘Isn’t he a bit too natural with physical affection?’
The closeness of our bodies, the arm around my waist, and the hand in my hair…
He didn’t seem to realize how affectionate he looked.
While I was nervous, he seemed completely at ease. It was annoying.
“Aren’t we going to settle accounts?”
“…What?”
“The commission fee. You said you had something to ask me.”
“Sigh.”
At my abrupt question, Lucio furrowed his brow in confusion.
“You really had to bring that up now?”
His voice sounded almost resentful, and I stared at him in disbelief.
When I asked Darel to handle the job earlier, Lucio had said he wanted information instead of money.
He said I just had to answer what I could, even if I didn’t know everything. I readily agreed.
I believed in fast, clean deals, and the serious expression on Lucio’s face made me think it was important.
“Why? Can’t we talk about it now?”
When I asked bluntly, Lucio sighed and suddenly bit the bridge of my nose.
It didn’t really hurt, but I was so shocked that I yelped and grabbed my nose.
“What was that for?!”
“I’ve always wondered—how are you so clueless?”
“W-What?”
“I go out of my way to talk to you, and you just say your piece and walk away. You ignore me, even when I’m dying inside.”
He grumbled endlessly, as if he’d been holding it in.
“I should’ve known when I poured out my heart and you jumped around asking for payment.”
“…Huh?”
“You’re always so clueless. At times like this, I can definitely tell you’re Ascart’s sister. The mood was perfect, and you ruined it by bringing up payment. I must’ve known from the start you’d drive me mad. I always feel irrationally resentful when I see you.”
I blinked in confusion as Lucio shook his head and suddenly kissed my cheek.
“But you’re so **** cute, what am I supposed to do?”
“What now?!”
Is he planning to kiss everywhere except my lips?
Seeing the look on my face, Lucio smirked.
“If I kissed you for real, you wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
Then he gently pressed my head to his firm chest again.
“Get some sleep. You must be tired.”
“But…”
“If you say one more word, I will kiss you.”
“…”
I shut my mouth instantly.
His hand trailed slowly down my back, not suggestively, but still enough to give me chills.
Lucio chuckled at my silence, and though my pride stung, I soon relaxed as he softly patted my back. His warmth wrapped around me, and I felt myself getting drowsy.
‘But seriously, what kind of girl could fall asleep in this situation?’
Even though I was exhausted…
I scoffed and muttered,
“Does he think I’m really that innocent…”
***
A little later…
Lucio let out a quiet laugh as he looked at the sleeping Lia.
It hadn’t even been five minutes since she grumbled about not being innocent.
At some point, she had closed her eyes and begun to nod off.
She might be clueless, but she was extremely sensitive to her surroundings. Seeing her sleep so soundly now made her look both adorable and fragile.
Lucio carefully lifted her and laid her on the bed, then sat beside her.
It had been a long day for him, too, and fatigue crept in.
Ever since he heard she had collapsed and would be coming to the palace, Lucio had been too worried to focus on anything.
He felt helpless knowing he couldn’t openly protect her from the lecherous emperor. Though he tried to stay calm and rational, anxiety never left him.
But everything that happened at the swordsmanship finals had rendered those thoughts meaningless.
Lucio knew the true culprits behind Lia’s kidnapping were demon worshippers.
He also already knew Diana was the reincarnation of the Saintess. He had done extensive research on the Holy War, demons, and their followers, so it hadn’t surprised him much.
‘I thought I was well-prepared…’
But seeing a demon’s summoned beast in person chilled him to the core.
He regretted not carrying a sword that day.
Lucio had always been able to control mana effortlessly. Manifesting aura came just as naturally.
But he had kept this hidden, not just for political reasons, but because he simply disliked using that power.
Yet, for the sake of protecting Lia and her family, he wouldn’t hesitate. If Lia hadn’t used magic, he surely would’ve stepped in. But he hadn’t even been given the chance.
A dull pain throbbed in his head.
Compared to Lia, his strength felt insignificant… Still, Lucio wished he’d been the one to reveal his powers.
Because he already foresaw what was to come.
He also dreaded having to tell Lia that the royal knights had left the palace. But in hindsight, he was grateful she’d trusted him with that information.
He’d long given up trying to understand what went on in that small head of hers—but it was still better than letting her act on her own without his knowing.
‘…Though I didn’t expect her to be so aggressive.’
He had only planned to watch from afar, but seeing her flee in fear made him instinctively chase after her to calm her down.
But then she suddenly attacked him, pushing him into a defensive stance. The memory made him laugh.
Lucio glanced at his side, where there was no longer any trace of the sword wound, and softly stroked Lia’s cheek as she slept.
He meant to get up quickly, but the softness of her skin made it impossible to pull away.
