Episode 122

“Ha…”

As I exhaled a breath that had momentarily been caught, Lloydin gently caressed my cheek.

“Duke…”

“Dear.”

His expression showed his desire for me without any attempt to hide it.

In the delicate atmosphere, filled with trembling feelings, I looked at him, and his face suddenly drew closer again.

“Gasp!”

This time, it wasn’t a passionate kiss but a gentle movement that I felt on my lips.

While kissing me, Lloydin suddenly lifted me into his arms.

Surprised, I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck to avoid falling.

Carrying me naturally, as if flowing like water, he walked toward the bed.

When we reached the bed, he carefully laid me down, our lips still connected.

Lloydin climbed on top of me as I lay on the bed.

The kiss deepened, and his caressing touch grew bolder than before.

As the tie around my chest loosened, I felt his rough fingertips near my collarbone.

His hand moved lower, exploring around the area.

‘What should I do…’

Although I had anticipated this, I hadn’t thought it would go this far.

Due to Lloydin’s bold actions, I was becoming more and more disoriented.

Despite knowing about such actions in theory, experiencing them firsthand left me unsure of how to react.

I had thought I could accept it naturally, like a kiss or a hug, but that was a complete misunderstanding.

This was not something that could be easily or lightly accepted.

Of course, as a married couple, it was a natural step, so there was no need to be afraid.

Everyone goes through this, so I could manage it somehow as well.

But this was purely theoretical.

‘What should I do…’

In practice, an unending anxiety about an unknown world I had never experienced before began to fill my mind.

In the end, when Lloydin’s lips left mine and moved to my neck, I unknowingly tensed up.

And perhaps fortunately, Lloydin noticed my reaction immediately and slowly withdrew from my neck.

“My dear…”

“Ah, Duke, that is…”

Still overwhelmed with embarrassment, I couldn’t meet his eyes.

It was difficult to look him in the eye due to the awkwardness and shyness.

But Lloydin, seemingly displeased that I avoided his gaze, held my cheek and made me look at him.

“My dear.”

He called me in a voice that was so low it was almost hoarse.

Then he started to kiss me again.

I tried to focus on him once more while accepting his kiss.

But the fear that had already taken hold did not easily dissipate.

It wasn’t Lloydin I was afraid of, so why was I like this?

There was no reason for me to be afraid of Lloydin.

And this moment was something I had truly waited and waited for.

So why was I reacting this way?

I couldn’t understand my own state and felt frustrated.

So I tried to endure it.

Just a little more, and it will be okay.

So endure it. If I endure…

But such things cannot be overcome by mere endurance.

When Lloydin began to caress my neck and collarbone again, my body started to tremble slightly.

And once again, Lloydin immediately noticed and withdrew from me.

“…Duke.”

I called him cautiously with a gaze filled with fear, and Lloydin stared at me intently.

I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t find the words, so I remained silent.

As we looked at each other without speaking, Lloydin pulled me into his arms.

It was the same position he held me in when we slept.

I immediately buried my face in his chest and held him tightly.

Then, as if by magic, the anxiety and fear that had gripped me moments ago vanished.

“Are you okay?”

Lloydin gently stroked my back as he asked.

“…Yes. I’m sorry.”

I apologized, feeling both relief and guilt.

“No, it was my impatience. I should have been more considerate of you.”

“No, I felt the same way as you did, but…”

I couldn’t explain to him the reason for my reaction because I didn’t understand it myself.

So I had no choice but to mumble vaguely.

“We have plenty of time, so let’s take it slow.”

“Yes, let’s do that…”

We indeed had plenty of time together.

Of course, we had important matters to resolve, but I felt that I could accomplish anything with Lloydin by my side.

Satisfied with my answer, Lloydin gently kissed my forehead.

I looked at him and finally smiled brightly.

* * *

Time flew by again.

Since that day, I haven’t had another prophetic dream.

So the plan to prevent being accused of treason remained stagnant.

However, because I saw the princess in my dream, I continued to meet with her.

I met Princess Daina once a week and gradually grew closer to her than before.

Having a common interest in my brother Jade made it easy to build a rapport.

The princess liked my brother much more than I had thought.

However, even though I tried to arrange meetings with my brother, she always declined, saying she wasn’t ready, so that was still at a standstill as well.

With Lloydin, we only shared kisses and hugs, nothing more.

But because we had connected emotionally, our relationship had naturally become more special than before.

As everything remained stagnant without progressing, today was the day of the harvest festival and the founding festival, with a banquet at the imperial palace.

The harvest festival and the founding festival were among the biggest events in the empire, held in autumn.

Although the founding festival had deep significance, the harvest festival, where people shared the joy of a year’s hard work, was perhaps even more enjoyable for the citizens.

Thus, the festival continued for several days in a prosperous atmosphere.

Lloydin and I finished our preparations early in the morning and set off for the imperial palace to attend the evening banquet.

“The weather has gotten quite chilly.”

“Yes, it seems winter will be here soon.”

“Indeed. Time flies so quickly.”

At the mention of winter, the events I had seen in my dream flashed through my mind.

Winter wasn’t far off.

I had been so absorbed in happiness that I hadn’t realized the passage of time.

There was no time left to be idle.

I needed to stay alert to avoid heading towards a misguided future.

“Dear, are you alright?”

“Pardon?”

“You suddenly frowned.”

Lloydin reached out and gently smoothed the furrow between my brows as he spoke.

“Oh, I just had a slight headache for a moment. I’m fine now.”

I quickly responded with a smile, not wanting him to worry.

“I’m glad to hear you’re better. If you have another headache or feel unwell, please let me know right away.”

“Yes, I will.”

While talking to Lloydin, our carriage passed through the main gate of the palace and stopped in front of the building where the banquet was held.

When we got out of the carriage, we saw that many people had already arrived and were filling the space outside the banquet hall.

“Shall we go inside?”

“Yes.”

Linking my arm with Lloydin’s, we entered the banquet hall, which was just as crowded as outside.

Fortunately, we weren’t late, as the emperor and the imperial family had not yet appeared.

As usual, Lloydin and I first looked for our family.

I spotted my father and mother conversing with other nobles on one side.

‘The brothers must be here too.’

Not seeing my brothers near our parents, I looked around the hall.

Oh, there they are.

Jade and Luke were on the opposite side, mingling with young nobles.

Finding my family put me at ease.

“Shall we go to my parents first?”

“Sounds good.”

Just as we decided and were about to head towards my parents, a loud voice announced the arrival of the emperor and the imperial family.

“His Majesty Frederick Leteus, the noble sun of the Leteus Empire, is arriving. Please show your respect to His Majesty.”

We halted our steps and bowed our heads as the emperor and the imperial family entered.

As they passed by, I felt a strange, sharp gaze on me.

‘What is this?’

Everyone except the imperial family should have their heads bowed.

Thinking I might have imagined it, I shrugged it off and looked up to see the emperor and the imperial family taking their seats.

I was simply intending to look at the emperor, who was about to give a speech.

But instead, I found myself making direct eye contact with someone else.

It was Crown Prince Cloud.