“Episode 72”
Evan let out a sigh, the meaning of which was indiscernible. Realizing Evan was deep in thought, the butler, Reyot, spoke.
“Prince Lucian visited the duchy today.”
“Ah, finally? I expected him to give up following me around and seek out Yuliana instead.”
Evan strode into the central hall, frowning arrogantly as he spoke. Reyot, not reacting in any way, merely smiled silently. The old butler followed the duke respectfully and said,
“There are widespread rumors that a reconnaissance team will be dispatched soon. It seems His Highness will lead it.”
“He’s not leading a reconnaissance team; he’s heading to his own funeral. His Majesty also seems to understand that this is a fitting measure. Since when has His Majesty ever liked having an unplanned bastard sitting in a part of the royal family?”
Mocking the prince’s situation, Evan muttered as he stood outside the door where his wife awaited.
“Unchanged as ever.”
Evan quickly turned to Reyot and asked,
“Was there any commotion?”
“The duchess did not say much. She just seemed to be deep in thought.”
“Hmm.”
After a brief silence, Evan nodded, indicating he understood. As soon as Reyot bowed respectfully, Evan stepped into the dimly lit room. He approached his wife, who was leisurely reading a book under the covers. Concerned that Yuliana was still awake despite the late hour, Evan spoke gently.
“I heard Lucian finally managed to step foot in this house. Is it true?”
“He was so persistent and oblivious to others’ attention that I couldn’t ignore him today. Despite being told he’d be kicked out, he still clung on!”
Yuliana giggled. Setting aside the novel she had been reading, she reached out. Evan, with the cool night air clinging to him, slid into her embrace. Yuliana whispered while caressing the firm muscles she felt under his broad back.
“I only told you this, but I actually kicked him out. You should have seen how startled he was when I said I’d do it more often in the future.”
“I’ve mentioned it before, but for that fellow, it’s a great honor.”
Yuliana laughed, squinting her eyes. Evan buried his face in her flowing red hair and rubbed his lips against her smooth cheek. The sensation was ticklish. Soon, lying back on the soft bed, Yuliana wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck, who was now looking down at her.
“Evan.”
“Yes?”
His voice was half-muffled. Meeting his eyes, which were beginning to burn with a passionate blue flame, Yuliana whispered.
“The prince who got kicked out told me that you’re threatening him with this reconnaissance mission. He seems to be afraid of dying out there. He asked for my help.”
Raising his thick eyebrows, Evan responded, seemingly surprised.
“The royal family’s stance has been decided. Soon, Lucian will lead the reconnaissance team to the north. If he dies there, it would reduce the trouble he causes for both you and me. You might finally receive some compensation for the time you sacrificed your life to come back.”
“Oh my. Did you do this thinking of me?”
“You know I always think of you. I still sometimes have nightmares.”
“Dreams of your death?”
“No. Dreams of you crying.”
Unable to hold back any longer, Evan’s lips covered his wife’s red ones. As the kiss deepened, Yuliana, who had her hands entwined around her husband’s neck, let out shallow, labored breaths. Evan’s fingers, intertwined with hers, slowly pried apart and delved between them. His long, firm fingers ensnared hers like a trap. As their lips momentarily parted, Yuliana, struggling to catch her breath, whispered.
“Coward.”
Evan, who had been gripping her cheek with his free hand, smiled. Yuliana’s eyelids fluttered. In the brief moment their lips parted, she caught a glimpse of his tongue through his crimson lips. She lightly bit the inside of her mouth. Sensing this, Evan gently licked her swollen lips.
“I don’t want you to cry, even if it means bearing such a disgrace.”
“If Lucian leads the reconnaissance team and dies, will you then march north? Didn’t you think that would make me sad?”
As he gently kissed his wife’s trembling lips, short of breath, Evan replied.
“Lucian Buel Ariacne finally conveyed what he wanted to say. I knew from the moment he shamelessly tried to speak with you.”
“So, it’s true then?”
But no matter what nonsense this inept fellow spouted to his wife, it was starting to create a rift in Yuliana’s heart. Letting out a long sigh inwardly, Evan muttered sweetly.
“Do you want to see him alive, wandering around us?”
“Of course not. But something more important has come up. I don’t want you to take the baton of war.”
“This war will be different from the last one. The conflict ended two years ago, and while it’s only natural for a reconnaissance team to be sent, if it fails, we might march a large army north. The last war took a year because it gave time to the barbarian tribes to rally.”
Yuliana, intending to explain just this point, gently pushed Evan back. Finding herself astride him in an instant, she caressed his cheek.
“I’m not giving Lucian Buel Ariacne a chance. And it’s not about giving you a chance either. Yes, Evan Hilchen might need the title of a war hero, but for me, it’s different. My husband is enough for me just as ‘Evan Hilchen.’”
Burying her head in his neck, she began unbuttoning his shirt one by one. Yuliana’s hand reached his firm chest, and she lifted her head to softly kiss his slightly parted lips, then smiled gently.
“You promised you’d gladly be my follower.”
Yuliana, grasping her husband’s large hand that lay idly on the sheet, whispered the words lingering in her mouth.
“Do you hate it now?”
“No way.”
Evan sat up, easily pulling his wife onto his knees. As he did so, her gown slid up, revealing her thighs, which appeared even paler in the moonlight. Evan murmured,
“You know how much I lingered at your feet.”
“Then, don’t leave.”
“…That’s a difficult request.”
“Fool. This isn’t a request.”
Yuliana said with a mischievous tone, then whispered into his ear with a smile still on her face.
“It’s an order.”
Evan pulled her thighs closer until they pressed together. Yuliana clumsily tugged at her gown’s belt as if undressing for the first time. Resting her entire body on Evan’s knees, she grasped the belt, and Evan placed his hand over hers, pulling it towards himself. The gown fell away, and Yuliana smiled leisurely.
The night grew deep, and Evan was a man who knew how to make good use of it.
* * *
Perhaps it was because they had left the curtains open all night. Yuliana woke up to the faint sunlight seeping through her eyelids. Yawning, she disentangled Evan’s arm from around her waist and rubbed her face against his firm chest to escape the light.
Her puffy red hair brushed against his cheek, making Evan open his eyes slightly before closing them again. As his eyes slowly shut, a contented smile curled his lips.
“Awake?”
“…Mmhmm.”
Contrary to her words, Yuliana’s voice still carried the remnants of sleep. Wanting to shake off the lingering drowsiness, Yuliana groaned inwardly. She reached for her gown, draped over the table beside her.
Grabbing it haphazardly, Yuliana slipped out of Evan’s embrace. Sitting up with her back to the sunlight, she slid her arms through the gown’s sleeves. Without bothering to cover herself, she donned the gown, her upper body glistening in the sunlight.
Yuliana often became too carefree in front of Evan. As he gazed at her bare upper body, Evan slid his hand between the loosely tied belt of her gown. Her body, warmed by the sunlight, felt warm to the touch. Yuliana giggled as his touch tickled her belly and bent her waist. Eventually, with Evan’s touch, she haphazardly draped the gown over her body and rested her head on his shoulder.
Burying his head in her unruly, puffy red curls, Evan pulled her hand, still holding the gown’s belt, and stroked her slightly tense stomach. Her pale skin turned a faint pink hue.
Despite not caressing her as persistently as he had the night before, Yuliana tensed under her husband’s touch, which made her body stiffen within a short time. Regardless, like a satisfied predator, Evan inhaled the scent of his wife’s skin and whispered,
“What should we eat?”
Yuliana, trying to hide her tension, swallowed hastily. Gripping her husband’s hand as it trailed down her body, she asked,
“Do you remember what we talked about yesterday?”
“Hmm?”
“Oh, don’t pretend you don’t.”
“Ah.”
Looking at his hand caught in hers, Evan chuckled. He kissed her abundant red hair and whispered,
“I remember.”
“Would you like to hear my proposal? It takes a bit longer than your aggressive methods, though.”
Yuliana playfully pinched his cheek and continued with a sly smile.
“But first, play with me a bit.”
“So, no breakfast?”
“What do you prefer, breakfast or playing with me?”
Feigning indignation, Yuliana smoothed Evan’s messy hair. Even with his disheveled hair, Evan’s looks were striking.
Gazing into his blue eyes, Yuliana stroked the back of his hand resting on her belly, then wrapped her arms around his. Clinging naturally to his arm, Yuliana giggled and whispered,
“You know, I don’t like people who hold back.”
Feeling his wife’s soft skin yielding under his touch, Evan whispered back,
“Neither do I.”
