Episode 114
“You lie so easily.”
“I’m not lying.”
Yvonne kept her face buried in Yurian’s shoulder, unable to lift her head. Instead, she clung to him tightly, her body trembling slightly.
“Hurry and take me back.”
“Are you really feeling sick?”
“I’m fine now.”
“…That’s a relief.”
The nausea that had been churning inside her suddenly settled. When Yurian sighed in genuine relief and resumed walking, she realized how much he had actually been worried.
“Yurian.”
“Yes?”
“Walk properly. I think I felt sick because you were walking weirdly.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Yurian was truly trying to walk normally. But the warmth of Yvonne’s breath against his neck, the tickling sensation of her platinum hair brushing his ear, and the soft sounds escaping her lips—every little thing about her was overwhelming.
If he weren’t a physical enhancement ability user, he would have already collapsed from weakness in his knees.
Yet, as much as her presence ignited something in him, he realized something else—he didn’t just crave her touch. He wanted her time, her presence. He wanted to exist in the same moment with her, to be by her side no matter what.
His initial desire had been simple: to touch her, to be close to her.
That desire was still there. But more than that, he realized—what he wanted most wasn’t just that.
“I’m happiest when I’m with you, Yvonne.”
“Ugh… I think I really might throw up.”
Yvonne groaned, her nausea returning as she tightened her grip on his shoulder.
“Hah…”
“Are you okay, Yvonne?”
“No. I’m dizzy, my stomach hurts, I feel like I’m dying.”
“I told you not to drink so much.”
“Ugh, I don’t care.”
Annoyed by his scolding, Yvonne pulled him into a tight hug. The pressure of her soft body against his collarbone sent a pleasant sensation through him. She was warm, alive, and undeniably real in his arms.
And her scent—sweet and intoxicating—was stronger than ever.
“A kiss might make you feel better.”
“Do I look that drunk? Drunk enough to believe anything you say?”
“I hope you are.”
“Sigh.”
Yvonne truly thought he was an odd man. The Yurian she had met in the dungeon hadn’t been like this. But now, it was as if he had transformed into someone who would do absolutely anything for her.
For Yvonne, her top priority had always been herself. But for Yurian… it seemed his priority had shifted from himself to her.
It was strange to think about how much he had changed since she first saw him.
“And if it doesn’t make me feel better?”
“Then punish me.”
“You’re willing to take a punishment without even knowing what it is?”
“Yes.”
Yvonne suddenly stopped and looked at his lips. They were as full and enticing as always, gleaming under the dim light. She reached out and ran her fingers over them.
“Don’t bite.”
Yurian didn’t move, allowing her to touch him freely. Yvonne could tell he was affected—his dark lashes trembled ever so slightly. But beneath them, his crimson eyes were locked onto her with an intense, unwavering gaze.
“Yurian.”
“Yes.”
Yvonne pulled her hand away from his lips and gently grasped his jaw. As her fingers brushed his ear, Yurian let out a pleased sigh, completely at ease with her touch.
“If you move, it’s over.”
“Huh?”
Without waiting for his response, Yvonne pressed her lips against his. Their breaths mingled, hot and shallow. Yurian froze, doing exactly as she commanded. If he moved even a little, she might pull away. And he couldn’t allow that.
Heat spread through his body. His mind was starting to cloud.
“You moved, so it’s over.”
“Give me another chance.”
“Too troublesome.”
“Then this time, if you move, it’s over.”
“What kind of rule is—mmph…”
He secured her in his arms with one hand and cradled the back of her neck with the other before capturing her lips.
“Mm…! You said if I move—!”
She had responded to him instinctively, but he didn’t stop. Instead, he deepened the kiss, sweeping through her mouth as if memorizing every part of her.
Yvonne initially tried to escape, but he followed her movements perfectly, as if it was a game he enjoyed playing. Soon, she found herself sinking into it, arms tightening around his neck. The strong scent of alcohol and the faint sweetness of her lips made Yurian’s heart hammer wildly. Yvonne felt the same—she had expected to dislike it, but she didn’t.
Not at all.
“Ah…”
Yurian only let her go when it felt like her jaw might give out.
He swiped his thumb across her chin, wiping away the thin trail of saliva. Then, he smiled—a dazzling, satisfied grin—as he finally released her.
“Yurian, you’re relentless.”
“Are you mad?”
“Yes. So I’d like to rest now.”
“Of course.”
“You’re not going to apologize?”
“I will. If you look at me.”
He wanted to see her face. He wanted to know if she was just as flustered as he was, if her heart was pounding just as much.
“No.”
“Don’t you want me to apologize?”
She suspected he was teasing her. Slowly, she lifted her gaze.
And in that instant, she forgot she was supposed to be angry.
His face was flushed, his damp eyes glistening, and he was smiling as if he had never been happier. She couldn’t even pretend to be mad—not when she felt that her own expression might look exactly the same.
“Yvonne.”
“What?”
“You’re breathtaking.”
“I— I told you to apologize, not compliment me!”
“Sorry. I forgot for a moment. You were just too beautiful.”
“Shut up. Aren’t you embarrassed, saying things like that so easily…?”
“Not at all. Even if I say it a thousand times, it won’t be enough.”
Without thinking, Yvonne wrapped her arms around him again.
Yurian felt as if his heart might burst. Even as he walked forward, he couldn’t calm the way his chest ached—overwhelmed, restless, happy.
Yvonne wasn’t sure whether it was the alcohol making her feel weak or if it was the way his deep, steady heartbeat pounded against her.
But the more she listened, the more she wondered—was that really his heartbeat?
Or was it hers?
* * *
Francis tracked Princess Yvonne’s whereabouts to Enpfirist Island.
With a squad of knights at his command, he scoured the island thoroughly, combing through every possible hiding place. Using illusionists who could distort sight, he ensured that his knights moved unseen. If Yvonne caught wind that the Bricesys Imperial Knights were searching for her, she would flee again.
Francis tightened his grip on the scarf hanging around his neck—the one he would use to blindfold himself the moment he found her.
“Commander.”
“They say a woman resembling her was spotted at the docks after the fireworks display.”
“First Division, head there. The rest, block any possible escape routes.”
“Yes, sir.”
With a sigh, Francis made his way toward the docks. He still didn’t understand why the Holy Kingdom had sheltered Princess Yvonne. However, if this incident were to escalate into a diplomatic conflict, it would only serve to strengthen Yurian Leonhardt’s position.
Unaware of Yurian’s involvement in the matter, Francis decided to keep this situation under wraps.
For now, his priority was to locate Princess Yvonne. He would inform the emperor later—after all, the current emperor was far too unstable.
“I love you, Yvonne.”
The emperor’s voice echoed in his mind, spoken to him in the throes of his ability’s side effects. The memory made Francis feel suffocated.
The concern he felt for Yvonne was different from his unwavering loyalty to Hildebrandt. It unsettled him. Perhaps the reason he wanted her to stay alive had nothing to do with the emperor at all.
Perhaps… it was his own selfish desire.
“Found it.”
He recalled the moment Yvonne had smiled and accepted the four-leaf clover he had handed her. His thoughts always stalled at that memory.
He had never known she was capable of smiling like that.
Perhaps that was why the emperor loved her so much.
Realizing that he had caught a glimpse of the Yvonne that Hildebrandt so desperately adored, Francis felt burdened by a sense of disloyalty—and by an unshakable uncertainty.
“Commander.”
“What is it?”
“A new report just came in. It appears Her Highness is with another man.”
“A man?”
“Yes. A man with gray hair, dressed as a commoner.”
That man was Yurian. However, due to the illusion cast upon him, none of the knights recognized him.
“Commander.”
“What now?”
“Another report just arrived.”
“Speak.”
“Her Highness Princess Yvonne is just ahead. Within 50 meters.”
Francis exhaled slowly and reached for the scarf around his neck.
The sound of waves crashing against the shore felt strangely unfamiliar.
After all, in Bricesys, the sea was always so far away.
⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ ✩ ﾟ｡ ⋆
☕ Hi, friends! Your support means the world to me. If you’d like, you can buy me a star here: Click the link on the image! 💖
Thank you for keeping me inspired! 🌸
⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ ✩ ﾟ｡ ⋆
