Episode 109
Just as I had done when I arrived, I borrowed the Anais family carriage to take me to the front of the palace. After bidding farewell to my mother, I switched carriages and returned to the Blighton Duke’s residence.
As soon as I arrived at the mansion, I looked around for someone.
However, only the servants were there to greet me with their heads bowed.
‘Ah, he said he had an outing today.’
I had gotten so used to Lloydin greeting me that his absence felt strange. Remembering that Lloydin had mentioned he would be out on business today, I felt a bit lonely as I entered the mansion.
After having dinner alone, I prepared for bed and rested in the bedroom.
“He’s late.”
I wanted to wait for Lloydin, but I was so tired that my eyes began to close.
I wanted to wait.
No, I wanted to see him.
I struggled to fight off the drowsiness that was overtaking me.
But fighting sleep was a losing battle, and I was drifting in and out of consciousness.
Eventually, I lost the battle and fell asleep on the sofa. When I started to regain consciousness, I felt someone lifting me.
“…Hmm, my dear?”
Feeling the cool scent and lively energy, I opened my eyes to see Lloydin looking down at me with a gentle gaze.
“Did I wake you?”
“Did you just get back?”
I rubbed my sleepy eyes, trying to wake up.
“Yes. It’s still the middle of the night. Go back to sleep.”
“No, you can put me down. I can walk…”
I tried to get down, worried that carrying me might be hard for him.
But Lloydin tightened his hold on me, showing no intention of putting me down.
“We’re almost there, so don’t move.”
“But you must be tired already…”
“I’m not tired at all.”
Having no choice, I relaxed and buried my face in his chest, hearing a faintly contented chuckle.
A moment later, Lloydin gently laid me down on the bed.
“You should lie down too.”
As I scooted over a bit, Lloydin lay down next to me.
As always, he naturally put his arm around my waist and pulled me close.
“I was trying to wait for you, but I fell asleep. I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry for waking you.”
“It’s okay. I’m just happy to see your face.”
“Actually, I feel the same way.”
“Really?”
Lloydin gently stroked my back in response instead of speaking.
“Did you have a good time at the palace today?”
“Yes. I had a lovely time with my mother at the princess’s palace. Princess Daina is even more impressive than I thought.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. The more we talked, the more I wanted to know about her. It’s the first time I’ve felt this way about someone I’ve met.”
“…I see.”
Hmm, what was that?
I thought I heard Lloydin’s voice drop slightly.
‘Maybe I imagined it?’
I felt his grip around my waist tighten slightly, but I convinced myself it was just my imagination and continued talking about my day.
“Yes. Oh, and it looks like I’ll be visiting the princess often now.”
“…Often?”
“Yes. The princess invited us because she needed our help.”
“Help?”
“Yes. Since she spent a long time in the temple, she’s not very familiar with social etiquette and the nobility. She doesn’t have anyone close to guide her, so my mother and I will be helping her. Well, mostly my mother, as I’m not very knowledgeable myself.”
“So, when will you be visiting next?”
“We decided to meet once a week. It wouldn’t be good to visit too often with so many eyes watching.”
“Once a week… I see.”
‘Oh?’
There it was again.
The same low, calm tone I noticed earlier now fully registered.
Wait a minute. My frequent visits to the palace… to him…
‘Ah!’
In that moment of puzzlement at Lloydin’s subdued mood, I remembered something I had overlooked: the connection between the Blighton family and the royal family.
For him, the palace and the royal family were not entities he wanted to be closely involved with, and I had forgotten that important detail.
“Um, if my frequent visits to the palace bother you, please tell me.”
I cautiously asked him, observing his reaction.
“…No, it’s not that. I’m fine.”
There it was again, saying he’s fine when he clearly isn’t.
Seeing his troubled expression while claiming it didn’t bother him made me feel sorry, so I hugged him tightly.
“Are you really okay?”
I asked again, hoping he would be honest with me.
“…Yes, I’m fine.”
He answered again, saying he’s fine.
‘Sigh…’
I sighed deeply inside and decided to change my approach.
It seemed like being direct would work better with Lloydin than beating around the bush.
“Just…”
I was about to speak when Lloydin started talking first.
He paused, seemingly thinking, so I waited patiently for him to continue.
“I just hope that you won’t neglect me while focusing on your meetings with the princess.”
“…What?”
I looked up at him, taken aback by his unexpected words.
“I know it sounds selfish, but I can’t help feeling a bit jealous. The thought of you spending so much time with someone else… I don’t want to be left out.”
His words were unexpected but endearing, and my heart softened.
“Oh, my dear…”
I reached out and gently cupped his face, looking into his eyes.
“Don’t worry. You are always my priority. I’ll make sure to spend as much time with you as possible.”
Lloydin’s tense expression softened, and he pulled me closer, resting his forehead against mine.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
“Of course. Now, let’s get some rest. We have plenty of time to talk more tomorrow.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
We settled into a comfortable position, holding each other close, and gradually drifted off to sleep.
So, it wasn’t that he didn’t like me visiting the palace, but rather that he didn’t like the idea of me being overly interested in the princess?
No matter how I interpreted his words, that was the only conclusion I could draw.
“Um, so you mean you want me to pay more attention to you than to the princess?”
“…Yes.”
“Oh…”
Seeing Lloydin’s serious expression, I suddenly found this big man very endearing.
“Pfft.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, and a look of confusion crossed Lloydin’s face.
“I’m sorry. Why would you worry about that? You are always my priority.”
I quickly apologized and added,
“You are my husband. It’s natural for a wife to be most interested in her husband. Isn’t that right?”
He seemed unsure about something, but he couldn’t easily answer my question.
So I rephrased it and asked him again.
“Isn’t it also natural for a husband to be interested in his wife? What about you, my dear?”
“Of course.”
He responded immediately, not waiting for me to finish.
“You are always my first priority.”
He followed up with words that made me feel deeply satisfied.
“Me too. So don’t worry. No matter who I meet, I will never neglect you. Got it?”
“Got it…”
Seeing his relieved smile, I smiled back at him brightly, and he finally smiled back at me.
He then whispered a small thank you, which made him seem even more adorable to me.
Just as I was about to raise my hand to pat his head, Lloydin gently grabbed my wrist and suddenly pressed his lips against mine.
“Oh, mmm!”
His lips enveloped mine, and I was completely consumed by the sensation.
I couldn’t think straight as my whole body heated up, feeling as if I was being pulled into an endless abyss. I clung to Lloydin’s neck to avoid falling.
My actions seemed to spur him on as he pressed harder, pushing me further.
The man who seemed cute just moments ago was now nowhere to be found. Instead, only a man craving and desiring me remained.
Lost in the kiss, I forgot my fatigue and surrendered to him completely.
It was a long while before we finally came to our senses.
“Hah.”
“Hah…”
We both exhaled deeply as our lips parted, having only managed shallow breaths during our passionate kiss.
My vision blurred slightly as I gazed at him, overwhelmed by the prolonged excitement.
But his eyes were still fixed on my lips, unsatisfied.
Fearing we might spend the whole night kissing, I quickly buried my face in his chest.
“My dear, let’s sleep now.”
I whispered softly, loud enough for only him to hear.
“Alright, my dear…”
His voice was thick with unfulfilled desire.
But I pretended not to notice and swiftly closed my eyes.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, my dear.”
With that, I finally fell asleep again, just as dawn approached.
