Episode 113
Their lips were close—so close—but they didn’t touch. Yurian had stopped just before closing the distance, his eyes fluttering open.
He remained still, as if waiting for Yvonne to grant him permission. Eventually, she slowly opened her eyes and met his gaze.
“What are you doing?”
“Asking for permission.”
“And do you think I’ll give it?”
“Yes.”
He smiled brightly and leaned in even closer. With every word he spoke, his lips brushed against hers, making them tingle as if they had already kissed.
“Let me kiss you, Yvonne.”
“Be quiet.”
“Then I’ll kiss you now. If you don’t want it, move away.”
Yvonne was certain she was drunk. The thought of pushing him away briefly crossed her mind, but it vanished when she noticed that he was trembling more than she was. His hands, which cupped her cheeks, were shaking with nervousness.
And she found that endearing.
So, she was the one who closed the gap first.
“Mmph…”
Yurian stiffened in shock at her unexpected advance.
“Done.”
“Ah….”
Like stamping a seal, she lightly pressed her lips against his before pulling away.
“That was a kiss?”
“Yes.”
Yvonne boldly lied when he asked, bewildered.
“…You’re a liar, too.”
“Want to do more?”
“Yes.”
“Not today.”
“Why not?”
Fwooosh!
Yvonne turned her head toward the water at the sound.
Crackle! Crackle!
The fireworks had begun.
Boom! Bang! Crackle!
The dark sky, though not entirely black, was lit up by brilliant explosions of color. The fireworks bloomed vividly before fading into the night.
Perhaps it was the lingering alcohol, but the spectacle seemed even more breathtaking than usual. The Bricesys Empire had fireworks displays as well, but she had never been able to see them. Her life in the palace had been more akin to imprisonment, keeping her hidden from the outside world.
Of course, in her previous life, she had seen fireworks often.
Fwoooosh! Boom! Boom! Crackle!
For over ten minutes, countless fireworks erupted continuously into the sky.
Toward the end of the display, a faint smoky haze drifted around them, making Yvonne’s eyes sting slightly.
“My eyes sting.”
“Haha.”
Yurian pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. She took it and gently wiped her irritated eyes. As she unfolded the fabric, she noticed the embroidered crest of House Leonhardt.
“Did you embroider this yourself?”
“No, I received it as a gift.”
“From who?”
“Someone whose name I don’t remember.”
“A woman?”
“Yes.”
For a moment, Yvonne found herself staring at Yurian’s face again. Even after sunset, his flawless beauty was undeniable. His crimson eyes gleamed like polished rubies, and his hair was as dark as the night sky. His sharp nose and monolid eyes gave him a fierce, intimidating look, yet he always smiled when he looked at her, making it difficult to remember the expression he once wore.
And besides, he was someone who always said the sweetest things to her.
“Yvonne?”
“You’re quite clever. I almost wavered just now.”
“Huh?”
She found it amusing that he didn’t seem to understand what she meant.
“Ugh…”
“Are you feeling dizzy, Yvonne?”
“Yes. How do we get back?”
“I could carry you, if that’s alright.”
“Yes.”
As he stepped forward to lift her into his arms, Yvonne suddenly felt reluctant to leave the bottle in her hand unfinished.
“Yvonne?”
“Just a moment.”
She tilted the half-full bottle of rum back and drank it all in one go. Yurian thought about stopping her, but he doubted she would listen. And besides, he was beginning to think she could hold her liquor better than expected.
“Alright, carry me now.”
“Ugh…”
“What’s wrong?”
“The way you asked me to carry you just now… I liked it too much. It made me nervous.”
“Yurian, do you always answer whatever I ask?”
“I try to.”
“Why?”
“Because you said you like people who make you feel comfortable. And it seems like you can always tell when I lie.”
He reached out, and Yvonne set the empty bottle down before wrapping her arms around his neck.
“This is too good.”
“You don’t have to say everything out loud.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“Then don’t do it on purpose.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. It just feels… weird.”
She didn’t dislike it, but the way his words made her chest tingle was unsettling. She knew she shouldn’t feel this way, so she tried to ignore it.
“Hold on to my neck tighter, Yvonne.”
“Why?”
“You might fall.”
“That’s a lie.”
“Yes.”
“Pfft…”
She laughed, amused by how easily she could see through his intentions. But the fact that he admitted it so easily made her lower her guard without realizing it.
“You really are a strange person, Yurian.”
“Why?”
“I thought you’d like someone else.”
“Who?”
“My father.”
Yurian suddenly stopped walking. Yvonne loosened her grip slightly, trying to see his expression.
“How on earth did you come to that conclusion?”
“Just a feeling.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever doubted your intuition before, but this time, you’re completely wrong.”
“Really? You don’t feel anything for him?”
“Well, I do feel that I should be respectful. He is going to be my father-in-law, after all.”
“Who said I’d marry you?”
“I did. And I intend to make sure you do.”
Yvonne realized—too late—that she had fallen into his trap again. Annoyed, she tightened her arms around his neck, hoping to make him suffer.
“Ugh…”
“Oh no! Did I squeeze too hard?”
“No, it just… felt so good I could hardly breathe.”
“Damn it.”
“Hahaha.”
She cursed, realizing he had turned it against her once again. Resting her head against his shoulder, she could hear the steady thud of his footsteps and, more distinctly, the deep, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat.
“Yurian.”
“Yes?”
The earring in her ear pressed uncomfortably against her skin as she leaned into him. But more than that, she was distracted by the odd way he was walking.
“Is your leg hurting?”
“No.”
“Then why are you walking like that?”
Yurian tried to adjust his steps, but she had already noticed. And someone being carried would always sense even the smallest of changes.
“Don’t tell me… Is it that?”
“That?”
“You’re too tense?”
“…Yes.”
Yvonne debated teasing him further but decided to play along. There was no need to humiliate him. After all, she had endured enough of that from Hildebrandt.
“Let’s not go back to the inn.”
“My belongings are there.”
“I’ll have someone bring them over.”
Yvonne pulled away slightly to look at his face. His dark lashes, long and thick, were striking from this close. On impulse, she reached out and traced them with her fingertips.
“Are you saying no?”
“No. You were just so pretty I forgot what I was saying.”
At that, he gave her a radiant smile, locking eyes with her again. Yvonne felt as if she were falling under the spell of those red irises.
“That earlier? That wasn’t a kiss.”
“Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”
“Because I want to kiss you.”
The world around her spun slightly.
“Ah…”
Yurian tightened his grip on her, watching her face as she leaned in. She furrowed her brows slightly, perhaps from the haze of alcohol. But even then, she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen.
Her platinum lashes gleamed under the soft light, shimmering like rippling water. Beneath them, her mesmerizing violet eyes looked clearer than ever, as if she had let her guard down completely. Her sharp nose, flushed cheeks, and porcelain-like skin were stunning.
His lips still remembered the soft, fleeting sensation of her earlier touch. The heat in his body made his clothes feel stifling—his pants too tight, his shirt too constraining.
And her hands, her delicate fingers trailing along his neck as she held onto him. The way her lips parted slightly each time she swallowed.
The temptation of her, Yvonne, was so close, drawing nearer and nearer. He could hear her heartbeat—not as frantic as his, but still quicker than usual. And he knew she could hear his own, hammering in his chest.
Even if he didn’t say it out loud, there was no way she couldn’t tell how he felt.
“I think I’m going to throw up.”
Yvonne suddenly dropped her head forward, groaning.
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