Finally, Julion slowly turned his head towards me.
His movement was so awkward, like a wooden puppet, that I couldn’t help but chuckle again.
“Why are you so flustered? I guess I should get back to work until you calm down. We can finish this conversation later…”
I pretended to turn away from Julion, as if I were about to leave, but before I could take a single step, Julion grabbed my hand firmly.
When I looked back, Julion was urgently speaking with a sheepish expression.
“N-no, I’ve calmed down now.”
“It doesn’t seem like it to me.”
“No, really. I have. So please, let’s continue our conversation…”
“Then why are you stuttering?”
“Because you’re… too…”
“I’m too…?”
Julion’s golden eyes flutter with confusion.
This man, who usually maintained such an impassive expression, was unexpectedly showing a wide range of emotions today.
“Too… distracting.”
Julion couldn’t hold my gaze and looked down slightly.
His ears, visible through his black hair, were noticeably red.
“At this rate, it’s going to be difficult. We haven’t even properly started our discussion yet.”
“What… kind of discussion?”
Julion glanced at me again briefly. In his eyes, there was puzzlement, confusion, and a hint of anticipation.
‘This makes me want to tease him more.’
Was this my personality all along?
Now I finally realize my feelings for Julion.
The anger I felt seeing Julion with Chersoniet, the difficulty in thinking rationally, and the relief when Julion said he loves me—it was all because I felt the same way.
In fact, it was strange how I hadn’t noticed until now.
I always thought love was a luxury.
Revenge against Cassian was my life’s purpose.
I planned to leave the Empire and start a new life once everything was over.
That’s why I considered my connections here fleeting and never allowed myself to develop feelings.
Or so I thought.
“Julion.”
I softly called his name.
Perhaps Julion’s name is the one I’ve called most after Zenid.
And now, Julion will surpass even Zenid.
He will be by my side for the rest of my life. Longer than with Zenid, in every moment.
“I’m listening, Rohiriel.”
Julion’s voice echoed.
He seemed to be tense.
His black hair looked almost silver in the moonlight.
With eyes full of expectation, he silently waited for my response.
I slowly began to speak.
“Earlier, you asked why I was angry.”
“Yes.”
Julion swallowed dryly once more.
Seeing his eager expression made it harder for me to speak.
Confessing feelings is indeed more difficult than I thought.
My mouth felt dry, as if it were parched.
I cleared my throat unnecessarily and continued.
“Well, it’s for the same reason as yours.”
“The same… reason?”
“If a wife sees her husband holding hands with another woman, secretly talking at night, how could she not get angry?”
“I explained everything… Wait. So, Rohiriel, you… too…”
Julion’s golden eyes shimmered uncomfortably.
I briefly avoided his gaze and redirected the conversation.
“Anyway, that answers your question, right? I have every right to be angry.”
“Yes? Wait, is that all? There must be more to the story!”
“Well… um, regarding your confession… I’ll think about it and give you an answer.”
I couldn’t possibly discuss it in this atmosphere, so I decided to postpone my response.
Julion looked disappointed, but I had no choice.
I had never imagined myself confessing love to anyone.
I needed time to process my feelings alone.
However, Julion looked at me with an expression as if someone had just stolen his favorite food.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Don’t you know why I’m asking? Didn’t you clearly say earlier that you don’t whisper love in front of others? So why are you changing your tune now, saying you’ll think about it and give an answer?”
“What’s that…….”
Suddenly, I remembered what I had said to drive away Chersoniet.
Because Julion confessed to me so openly in front of her, I had wanted to subtly boast to Chersoniet as well.
That’s why I said such a foolish thing…
“I just… I just… I don’t have that hobby of whispering love in front of others! I never said I would!”
Ugh.
I regretted saying it immediately.
Julion’s golden eyes, which had been sparkling just moments ago, suddenly darkened significantly.
“I see. Understood.”
Julion’s attitude completely changed back to calmness.
I thought he would press me further, since my excuse made no sense, but he didn’t.
‘Why can’t I speak properly?’
Uncontrollable emotions, a tongue that wouldn’t listen.
It was all so new to me.
Uncertain of what to do, I blinked, but Julion, returning to his usual self, grabbed my wrist.
No, to be exact, he didn’t return to his usual self.
“Then I suppose I’ll have to do something to get the answer I want from you.”
“…What?”
There was a bit of… allure.
His voice flowed sweetly like honey, but the slight curl of his lips was unsettling.
Contrary to the cold atmosphere, the fire contained within Julion remained unchanged.
Seeing this unfamiliar appearance for the first time, I stepped back in confusion.
But Julion only drew closer, taking the hand he had grasped and bringing it up to his lips.
“J-Julion?”
Suddenly, without warning, Julion’s lips touched the inside of my wrist.
Like a feather brushing past, yet warm, moist, and soft enough…
“What do you think? There are veins leading to your heart right below here.”
Julion whispered, his breath tickling my wrist.
The sensation, like feathers gently teasing, made me involuntarily shiver.
“W-what are you…”
“I thought it might make your blood run a little hotter. Then maybe your heart would warm up too, and it might make it easier for you to answer.”
Julion chuckled softly, still holding onto my wrist.
His smile was bright and gentle, but there was a flicker of something uncertain in his eyes.
Stepping back reflexively, I shook my head.
“It’s not normal for something as simple as this to affect my heart. Now, let go of me, now.”
“Is that so?”
Julion tilted his head, but he seemed entirely unwilling to give up.
Closing the gap I had opened, Julion kissed my wrist once more.
Once more, this time a little further up.
“How about this place?”
“No, I said it’s useless!”
Startled, I took a step back, but he closed the distance and came closer again.
“Then how about here?”
“Oh, no.”
“I guess it’s not enough.”
Julion’s lips now reached a point on my arm that couldn’t be called the forearm anymore.
I tried to move further back but bumped into a tree.
There was nowhere to back away.
I could feel his breath at the base of my neck as our bodies pressed together.
Desperately, I pushed Julion away and turned my head.
“W-wait, Julion. Just a moment…!”
“Why? Don’t you like it? Then push me away.”
Julion whispered softly in my ear.
My every nerve was focused on the barely-touching brush of his lips.
I exhaled sharply and pushed against Julion’s chest.
But my effort was feeble, and Julion not only resisted but pulled me into his embrace.
“I’ve said it before: I love you. I won’t do what you dislike. Is this unpleasant for you? Please tell me clearly, Rohiriel.”
It was so hot.
His golden gaze burned like fire.
Every place his lips, his breath, and his eyes touched were flushed with heat.
“Tell me, Rohiriel.”
His breath was just a whisper away.
Julion’s burning gaze was filled with earnestness.
I swallowed hard and gently placed my hand on his cheek.
“I knew you were a stubborn person, but this is beyond my expectations.”
“I’m honored. I was wondering if you could predict everything I would do.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“There are things like that.”
Julion chuckled softly.
The lively smile on his statue-like face made my heart beat faster.
Was it my body that was hot, or was it Julion’s hand holding me?
“I never knew this side of you, Julion.”
“I’m surprised, too. So, should I try something even more surprising…? If you don’t want to, I’ll stop.”
Julion’s face filled my vision.
I intuitively understood what he intended to do.
Starting from my wrist, Julion’s lips traveled up my arm, over my shoulder, past my neck…
“You’re really daring.”
“At this moment, that’s the greatest compliment.”
I extended the hand that had touched Julion’s cheek and wrapped it around his neck.
It was a cold winter night, but that day was not cold at all.
For both me,
and Julion.
