“Episode 44”
Ray’s assessment of the annex didn’t quite match Mrs. Mary’s expectations. It wasn’t because Ray had particularly refined tastes, but rather because she felt that Clothan had gone overboard with his preparations. However, Clothan was uncompromising on this issue. It was the first time he had prepared something for someone other than his own benefit.
Choosing a sofa to place in the empty hallway and hanging paintings that complemented the sofa, laying out decorative fabrics on the sofa – all these trivial things were done through Clothan’s hands. He poured his heart and soul into it, neglecting Ray, who had been on good terms with him recently.
Ray, who was born as the daughter of a renowned businessman, did not grow up modestly. There were extravagant consumptions like using powdered sheep’s milk to cleanse her skin. But the things Ray cherished were old shoes that hadn’t been worn out or outfits that could be worn without fussing even when going out.
Ray naturally abhorred receiving hatred or attention. Whenever Clothan bestowed valuable gifts on her, she felt more worried than moved. If she became accustomed to such extravagance, she feared she might not be able to adapt when Clothan changed.
While promising eternity, Ray was also considering life after parting ways. As the fear of losing someone she loved grew exponentially, the prospect of eternal happiness seemed false.
The annex came as a new burden to Ray. Moreover, she felt even more intimidated once inside, overwhelmed by its luxury. It was more burdensome than living in the mansion.
Even in the place Clothan designated as her own room, Ray felt uneasy. The annex she received as a lover was no less than a royal one. Worries outweighed gratitude once again. She feared that the things he forcefully filled the place with might come back as reproaches against her. What if she regretted it if her affection waned? What if she pushed him away with tired eyes?
“It’s not that great.”
They hadn’t even toured the first floor yet. It was a comment made as Ray marveled at the crystal wine glasses. In Clothan’s eyes, Ray wasn’t just surprised, but slightly irritated. She had been bustling since entering the entrance, but hadn’t touched any of the arranged items.
Earlier, she had commented on the diamond-studded teaspoon, wondering how to stir tea or sprinkle sugar with it. It was a reaction born out of enthusiasm.
“Do you dislike it?”
Ray shook her head at Clothan’s subdued voice. “I don’t dislike it.”
“Really?” Clothan’s posture from behind Ray was one of pulling her close. Although his facial expressions couldn’t be seen clearly, the atmosphere could still be guessed. He was like a teapot about to boil over. If he didn’t quickly put out the fire, the lid would come off and the water would spill over.
“I really like everything. I was just surprised that you went to such lengths to prepare all this.” “I told you to be honest.”
Quick-witted Clothan didn’t believe her. Until he was convinced, he would continue to pry and question. Ray gently released his arms that were wrapped around her waist.
“Clothan.”
“Speak.”
“Is there so much wealth that it’s overflowing?”
It was a question Ray had never heard before. Although she had inherited and raised quite a fortune through generations, she also had a considerable collection of items and treasures accumulated over hundreds of years. The reason for hoarding everything was for fun, but it was a long-standing hobby that couldn’t be taken outside the mansion. In any case, it was more accurate to say that it piled up without seeing the light than overflowing.
Moreover, although he didn’t want it, Clothan was the only magician in the world. He could reproduce any item he saw on the street, and he could also imbue special powers into created gems.
As an example, there was Ray’s anklet. The anklet connected to Clothan allowed Ray’s location to be estimated, and because of that fact, Ray, who was oblivious, cherished the anklet.
“In that case…”
“Later, won’t you think it’s a bit too much?” Clothan grabbed Ray’s chin as she tried to move away.
“What do you mean by later?”
“Just later, far later.”
“The later after you abandon me? The later after I abandon you? What later are you talking about?”
The spark spread uncontrollably into an unstoppable argument, and Ray hurriedly threw sand on it. “Abandon? Clothan, why are you saying that?”
“You’re the one who made me interpret it that way. Turning me, who only wanted to see your happy face all day, into an idiot…”
It wasn’t a spark, but a flame. Ray’s lips sought a suitable pair and gently explored Clothan’s mouth with a shy tongue. A single action was more effective than many words.
At first, he only looked at Ray coldly, but he couldn’t wait for her to poke his tongue and caught it eagerly. Softening eyes could be seen. Ray felt as uneasy as he did, but once again, she thought he didn’t deserve to be left alone, feeling sorry for him.
“Clothan, you know. I love you.”
Even as Ray spoke when the kiss paused for a moment, Clothan’s affectionate kisses continued on her cheek and neck incessantly. His pupils were tangled with distrust and excitement. It felt like blisters had formed in the tender spot. Ray wrapped her arms around Clothan’s neck.
“Listen to me.”
Clothan easily lifted Ray into his arms. Although still chubby, the gaze he cast on Ray was warm.
“Ray.”
“Why?”
“Where is our bedroom?”
Clothan’s eyes, slightly widened, subtly narrowed.
“Who told you?”
“Told me what?”
“About the bedroom.”
“No one did.”
“Mary? Philip?”
“No one, I said.”
Ray leaned in close to Clothan’s chest, where his heart was beating. “So, did you plan to have separate bedrooms for us?”
Then, she kissed his cheek as he looked at her with surprise. “Show me quickly. That’s what I’ve been looking forward to the most.”
As Ray shook her foot impatiently like a sulking child, Clothan, who had stood still like rusty iron, began to move.
The annex was a four-story building. The actual living space was up to the third floor, and the fourth floor was Clothan’s private area.
The main living space was on the second floor. There was a dressing room with neatly arranged clothes, a transferred bookshelf, and Clothan’s study. The first floor had a dining area and a reception room, while the third floor was reserved for lovers.
Clothan had planned to use the entire third floor as a bedroom. The spacious floor contained nothing more than a king-sized bed, a soft canopy, a bath hidden behind curtains, and a vanity. He had put the most effort into the bed, which was positioned to receive moonlight through the window.
Even Ray, who had initially hesitated to enter the annex, was drawn to this place. It was a place meant only for the two of them. It was so secretive that they could spend their whole lives here, desiring only each other. As Ray nestled into Clothan’s embrace, she spoke as if enchanted.
“I feel like this place will be nice.”
“It will be.”
Clothan gently set Ray down and began to remove her shoes. The slightly scuffed heels looked sore. They were the shoes she had received as a gift and hadn’t worn out of anger.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“It often happens when I wear new shoes.”
Ray lightly brushed Clothan’s furrowed eyebrows with her fingers. Although it wasn’t a big deal, Clothan sometimes overreacted.
“It’s not that scuffed, right?”
As Clothan, who had closed his mouth, touched the sore spot with his finger, it miraculously disappeared as if covered with wax. It was a convenient and sacred power, even when seen repeatedly. Ray checked the smoothed heel as if to confirm.
“There’s nothing you can’t do, my love.”
“My love?”
It was meant to tease him, but Ray’s playful tone vanished as she met his gaze.
“Say it again.”
There was a thought that there was nothing she couldn’t do. But the voice, as timid as praying to God for salvation, made her feel weak. Even ordinary words became shy.
“My love…”
It was a much quieter voice compared to before. Satisfied regardless of the volume, Clothan took Ray’s anklet in his fingers. “Do you love me?”
It must have been a confession heard hundreds of times more than usual. He asked and confirmed her love to make sure.
“I love you.”
“Ray.”
Clothan grabbed Ray’s wrist as she stroked his cheek. “Yes?”
“I don’t understand love well.”
One of the thousands of trees grown smoothly in his heart was uprooted. Ray, who had turned pale, quickly replied.
“Clothan. What, what are you talking about?”
“Can you quantify your love?”
“Quantify?”
Clothan, still holding Ray’s confused hand, kissed it with his lips. It was a slow and deep kiss.
“Twenty for Mary, fifteen for Philip, fifteen for the gardener, fifty for me. Can you divide it like this?”
“How can you divide love into numbers?”
As Clothan kissed her lips lovingly, Ray’s fingers fumbled for something in his pocket. “If you can divide it.”
“It’s something I haven’t thought about.”
“Ray.”
“Yes?”
Then Ray’s finger got caught in a ring. A blue diamond on the ring was wrapped in white wings. Ray’s mind went blank.
She hadn’t expected to receive such a promise. She just wanted to be by his side anytime. Even if her fleeting affection cooled, it was okay. Tears, inexplicable, fell onto the surface of the blue diamond.
“I can’t share. If it’s a hundred, then it’s all mine.” The greedy voice plunged Ray into unfamiliar desires.
“Ray, don’t you want the same? You want to possess my love forever. Isn’t that right?”
Clothan enveloped Ray, who didn’t know what to do, with warm words. “Think about what happens if your share is divided with another woman.”
“Another woman…?”
Clothan pushed Ray away and trampled on her. He whispered love to a faceless woman. He cherished a vile woman. There was no need to imagine. Tears even entered her eyes due to the extreme pain. Ray, who was boiling with anger, raised her head firmly.
“Why, why are you saying this all of a sudden?”
It was just a thought. But Ray looked at him with distrustful eyes. “You don’t want it, do you?”
“Of course not!”
“Don’t you want to have me?”
“I want to. I want to have you.”
“Don’t you want to share?”
“Anyone would feel the same. How can you share the person you love?”
Ray shouted as if confirming that it was true.
“Of course, Clothan thinks the same way, right? Right?”
“Of course.”
With a bright smile, Ray jumped into his arms. The ring on the fourth finger became even more precious because of the stolen tears.
Clothan greedily consumed the affection he obtained as planned.
