Episode 100. Conclusion (5)

‘This stuff goes down like juice.’

I thought, continuing to sip the wine. Before I knew it, the bottle felt much lighter. It got to the point where I didn’t even bother pouring it into a glass—I just started drinking straight from the bottle. But then, suddenly, nothing came out.

“Huh? Why isn’t anything coming out?”

I tilted the bottle higher, leaning my head back as far as it would go. That’s when my body swayed, and I ended up falling backward. Fortunately, the thick carpets and rugs cushioned my fall, so it didn’t hurt at all.

I lay there on the floor, blinking up at the ceiling.

“When did I fall over?”

The alcohol must have gotten to me because I couldn’t stop giggling. Whatever was so funny kept me laughing for quite a while, but eventually, I started to feel cold. I sat up with a shiver, grumbling to myself.

“Who said it was hot? I’m freezing. This nightgown is way too thin.”

They should’ve given me something warmer to wear. I looked around for something to cover myself with, but all I saw was the thick rug that had cushioned my fall.

“Ugh, too tired to get up and go to bed.”

With a shrug, I wrapped myself up in the rug like a burrito. The warmth quickly spread through me, and I felt drowsiness creeping in.

‘Yeah, today really was a lot,’ I thought, reflecting on the day. I’d almost died, married Percy, and finished the game.

‘So, am I going to live in this game world forever now?’

It was an important question, but I was too sleepy to think about it any further. I drifted in and out of a hazy state, not quite awake but not fully asleep either.

I’m not sure how much time passed, but what finally woke me was Percy’s frantic voice calling my name.

“Sienna…!!”

“Percy?”

Why did he sound so alarmed? I started to sit up, and the rug easily unraveled from around me, making it simple to get up. I rubbed my eyes, still groggy and disoriented, having no idea what time it was.

“Is it morning already? Are we having breakfast?”

Above me, I heard a long, exasperated sigh. Confused, I looked up to see Percy kneeling in front of me, his expression softening as he asked in a gentle voice.

“Why are you on the floor?”

“Huh? I don’t know?”

Why was I on the floor again? I couldn’t quite remember. All I recalled was drinking a lot of wine. Another sigh escaped him, heavier this time. I tilted my head, puzzled by his reaction, and gazed at him.

“Percy?”

“Sienna.”

His expression was hard to read—like he was trying to suppress irritation or frustration. I cupped his face with both hands, noticing how warm his skin was.

“What’s with that face? Did something happen?”

“Well…”

He trailed off, clearly holding back something. It wasn’t like him to be so vague. Finding his behavior unexpectedly cute, I pulled his face closer and planted a kiss on his lips. His eyes narrowed slightly.

“Did you drink?” he asked.

Why was he asking if I’d been drinking when I had just kissed him? But the truth was, I had been drinking, so I pointed at the empty bottle and explained.

“Yeah, I couldn’t sleep. It’s apple wine. Want to try some, Percy?”

“You’re already drunk.”

he observed, his tone a mix of amusement and concern.

“Not drunk at all! See? I can even pour the wine just fine.”

I insisted, grabbing the empty bottle nearby and shaking it. Of course, nothing came out. Frustrated, I clamped my hand around the neck of the bottle and gave it a vigorous shake, only to have a few leftover drops splatter onto my face.

“Ah…”

What happened next was even more surprising. Percy’s large hand suddenly cupped my face, and before I could react, his warm, soft tongue licked the wine droplets from my skin.

I froze in place, utterly stunned by the unexpected gesture. Percy, with a hint of a smile, murmured.

“Sweet.”

“Wh-why would you do that?”

I stammered, still in shock.

“Curiosity about the taste.”

The shock of Percy’s actions seemed to sober me up instantly. I blinked rapidly and started to crawl away, mumbling nervously.

“I-it’s late. You should go to bed.”

But Percy didn’t let go. Instead, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me back into his embrace. I let out a small, startled yelp.

“Eep!”

Now nestled against his chest, I found myself tensing up, completely at a loss for words. The carefree, tipsy mood from earlier was long gone, replaced by a clarity that made my heart race loudly in my chest.

Percy’s lips began to trail gentle kisses across my face, his voice soft and teasing as he spoke.

“This is where I’ll be sleeping, Sienna.”

There was no mistaking his intentions. I suddenly remembered what the maids had hinted at earlier.

—*First night!*

‘Is he serious?’

Now that the thought had entered my mind, everything about the situation seemed overwhelming. The warmth radiating from his body through the thin fabric of his nightclothes, the way his tousled hair made him look even more irresistibly attractive than usual—it was all too much.

Blushing furiously, I placed both hands on his chest and pushed lightly.

“I-I have to get up early tomorrow. I’m supposed to meet Julius, and I still have to talk to Beth.”

“There’s a way to avoid being late in the morning,” Percy responded calmly.

“What is it?”

“Don’t sleep at all.”

“Wha-what?”

Did he really just say that? I stared at him, wide-eyed, and Percy, avoiding my gaze, mumbled softly.

“…Do you find me unappealing?”

His shy demeanor was so endearing that I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Leaning in, I planted a quick kiss on his lips and replied.

“You’re adorable.”

Percy’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but then he smiled warmly and scooped me up into his arms.

It was then that I realized—I had once again unknowingly provoked this man.

* * *

Percy let out a tired sigh, feeling the smooth skin of his hand where the mark used to be. It still felt strange to him, the absence of that mark.

‘Is it really over?’

He remembered clearly when that mark had first appeared—the day his father passed the title of Duke of Stewart to him.

‘That’s when I realized it was a brand.’

But now, this world no longer followed its predetermined path. The fact that he could resist Julius’s orders was proof of that. And the reason that control was broken…

“Sienna.”

Percy whispered, pushing open her door. His voice felt soft and sweet, almost unfamiliar to him.

‘It feels like, along with breaking free from the constraints of the system, my heart has been unshackled too.’

The sudden rush of emotions left him feeling awkward, unaccustomed to such feelings.

‘This is strange.’

It didn’t suit him. Worse, he worried that Sienna might not like this gentler version of him.

‘Is this how other people live? Constantly worrying about what others think, and fearing that their feelings might not be reciprocated?’

He found it incredibly bothersome, something he wouldn’t want to experience with anyone else.

‘Instead of overthinking, I should just ask Sienna.’

With that thought, Percy called out to her again. But as he opened the door and hesitated, there was no response. Percy furrowed his brow and looked around.

“Sienna?”

The room was dim, and there was no sign of her. He quickly moved inside, scanning the room until his eyes landed on the bed. It was empty, with no sign of having been slept in.

“Sienna!”

With a start, Percy turned and flung the door open, ready to dash out in search of her.

“Sie—!!”

“Percy?”

A soft voice called his name, stopping him in his tracks. Turning around, he saw her slowly rising from the floor near the table and chairs in the corner of the room.

“Is it morning already? Are we having breakfast?”

His heart began to race for a completely different reason now. As the furry rug slipped off her, revealing her slender figure rising like a goddess from a shell, her tousled hair cascading around her shoulders, he was struck by her beauty.

“…!”

She was definitely doing this on purpose, trying to drive him mad. The thin fabric of her nightgown clung to her, her bare shoulders glowing in the dim light, tempting him beyond reason.

Percy took a deep breath, trying to suppress the overwhelming urge to simply take her in his arms. She had a way of playing with his heart like no one else could.

“Why are you on the floor?” he asked, his voice strained.

“Huh? I’m not sure.”

Sienna responded innocently, tilting her head in confusion, clearly unaware of the effect she was having on him.

Percy knelt in front of her, their eyes meeting. She giggled and leaned in to plant a quick kiss on his lips, making him frown slightly in surprise. But the sweet scent of her breath made his eyes widen.

“Did you drink?” he asked.

“Yes, I couldn’t sleep. It was apple wine. Do you want some, Percy?” she offered, her words slurred slightly.

Percy couldn’t help but laugh. No wonder she was being so candid—she was tipsy. She had even managed to sprinkle herself with the last drops of wine from an empty bottle. The things that would normally irritate him felt endearing when she did them. Percy leaned in and licked her cheek like a playful cat, whispering.

“Sweet.”

Everything about her was sweet. Even her new name—Sienna Stewart.

Percy scooped her up into his arms. No matter how eager he was, spending their first night together on the floor wasn’t right.

After all, they had many more nights to come.