Chapter 88
After agreeing to take a stroll, Elena stood in front of the closet.
If she only wore a thin dress, she wouldn’t be able to withstand the early winter weather.
Elena began to worry and was about to pull out a slightly thicker cardigan when a hand suddenly reached out from the side and pulled out a thick coat first.
“Lexion?”
As Elena turned her head to him, Lexion was already putting the coat on her.
“It’s colder at night, so dress warmly.”
“Ah. I can wear it myself.”
It was a bit embarrassing to have Lexion dress her like he was doing her a favor.
Still, she was so happy as she looked up at him and smiled.
Lexion stiffened as she buttoned the coat.
He didn’t say anything, and just silently stared at Elena.
“… Lexion?”
Puzzled, Elena called him, but he only bit his lower lip.
Then, the rims of his eyes turned red and were now brimming with tears.
Once she saw the tears falling, Elena was startled.
“Le-Lexion? What’s wrong?”
Elena asked as she anxiously took his hand.
While in between tears, Lexion’s lips slightly curved up.
“I just suddenly realized that you’re… alive, and I was relieved.”
“Lexion…”
She could feel the sincerity in his eyes as she stared at him.
He also showed his unwavering love and longing for her.
Elena soothingly held Lexion’s hand, whose fingertips were trembling.
And with the other hand, she reached over to his face and wiped his tears.
“Don’t cry.”
“… Elena. Just looking at you brings tears to my eyes.”
For some inexplicable reason, those words caused Elena’s heartbeat to quicken.
Elena unconsciously stretched out her arms and embraced him.
Lexion stiffened as if surprised by her sudden embrace.
But eventually, he also hugged her back.
Elena could feel the strength in his hands as he enfolded her in his arms.
Then, Lexion’s breath fell into her ear.
“I love you, Elena.”
Elena’s heart pounded at that sweet, deep, and husky voice.
And so, she realized that she had to admit it.
The fact that she herself loved Lexion.
Elena tightly closed her eyes and opened them.
She released her hold on Lexion and slightly pushed him away.
However, Lexion didn’t let go. But despite being trapped in his arms, some distance was created.
Elena gazed up at him.
The eyes that were looking at him were a bit different from before.
“Elena…?”
At her earnest gaze, Lexion unconsciously became nervous.
Was she going to say goodbye to him?
He had always feared that she would feel burdened by his feelings and leave.
But the following words she said made Lexion feel something he’d never felt in his life.
“I love you too, Lexion.”
Was he dreaming right now?
Or did he go crazy and was only having these hallucinations about Elena?
He couldn’t believe it.
The person he loved the most also loved him back.
“… Is this a dream?”
Lexion asked with a bitter smile.
But Elena shook her head and answered firmly.
“No, it’s not a dream. I also love Lexion.”
Only then did Lexion realize that her confession was real.
Drip–
Experiencing such an unbelievable situation, tears started pouring out of his eyes again.
“Le-Lexion. Why are you crying again?!”
Elena panicked for a moment, but then took out a handkerchief and wiped his tears.
“I’m just so happy.”
When he said those words, and with that smile on his face, it was like he received a gift from the gods.
‘Is it okay to still look pretty while crying?’
This was cheating.
Elena struggled to suppress her rapidly beating heart, all the while, engraving Lexion’s image into her memory.
“… Thank you, Elena.”
But when Lexion expressed his gratitude, the overwhelming emotions she tried to subdue burst out.
Elena’s hand reached out to Lexion’s back.
And a strong force followed.
Lexion’s face was drawn effortlessly close to her, and soon their lips met.
Elena smiled and kissed him deeply.
Although stunned by the unexpected kiss, in the end, Lexion carefully responded to her kiss.
And that night, the two didn’t go out for their planned walk.
*****
Chirp! Chirp!
Elena rubbed her eyes as she woke up to the sounds of the birds chirping.
‘Why am I hearing the birds singing today?’
Her residence was located on the upper floor of the tower, so there were hardly any birds.
Because it was too high for the birds to fly around.
But today, the chirping of the birds could be heard very well.
She struggled to open her sleepy eyes and looked up at the ceiling.
‘That’s right. I decided to sleep in the Halos estate yesterday… Ugh.’
Elena hurriedly raised her upper body.
But soon.
“Ugh–!”
The pain in her lower back caused her to lie down again.
Last night was a night of love confessions.
Recalling what happened that night, her cheeks were dyed red.
‘Lexion wasn’t a joke last night….’
The corners of her mouth twitched upward in a smirk.
It started with a kiss, but in the middle of it, Lexion changed.
He didn’t let Elena go easily.
The two naturally went to bed, and Lexion asked her one last time.
“Are you sure….it’s okay?”
The way he said it – and the heat in his voice – couldn’t have been sexier.
Elena of course nodded, and the two had a rapturous night.
‘We were barely done by dawn. Although Lexion did stay for a bit longer…’
Exhausted, she pushed him away and ran to the bathroom.
But then, Lexion followed…
When her thoughts continued further, she shook her head to shake off the events of last night.
Then, she realized that the side next to her was empty.
‘Where did Lexion go?’
She wasn’t sure if he had left early to deal with the work that had been pushed back since they had unintentionally slept through sunup.
Elena stretched and got up again.
Every part of her body was aching, but it was better than before.
After picking up the dress that had fallen under the bed and putting it on, the door opened.
Lexion came in with a tray.
“Elena’s already awake?”
He slowly shook his head and approached her.
Lexion put the tray down on the table and immediately pulled Elena’s waist.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. What about Lexion?”
It was embarrassing to remember what happened last night, but it wasn’t to the point where she couldn’t look at Lexion’s face.
Rather, she was feeling shy when she confessed her feelings.
She didn’t mind staring him straight in the eye. Though her heart was still beating like crazy.
“Yes, I-I slept well.”
Because she was openly staring at him, Lexion’s cheeks turned red.
When his eyes met hers, they burned with heat.
Lexion’s lips touched Elena’s and then pulled away.
He looked disappointed, but he didn’t want to make it harder on her.
So he let her out of his arms, took her by the hand, and led her to the table.
A smile appeared on Elena’s lips as she followed him.
“I made it simple.”
Lexion spoke shyly, offering the food to Elena.
There was bread baked in butter, hot soup, and fresh salad.
“Did you make these yourself today?”
“Yes.”
At Lexion’s answer, Elena’s face brightened.
In fact, when Lexion entered the kitchen, the servants tried to make him leave.
News had already spread that he would use the kitchen. However, when they heard their master say he was going to cook, they couldn’t help but try to stop him.
Noticing their discomfort, Lexion reassured them that they didn’t have anything to worry about.
After that, he started cooking.
Lexion smiled and watched Elena eat.
“You don’t want to eat, Lexion?”
Elena, who was munching on a bread, asked him.
Lexion lightly shook his head.
“I ate before Elena woke up, so don’t worry.”
“I see….”
Elena enjoyed the food Lexion prepared.
The smile on Lexion’s face didn’t disappear as he watched her.
Her eyes, nose, lips, hair, jawline, fingers, toes, etc.
Every part of hers was just lovely.
It always has been, but more so today.
Because she accepted his heart, it was bound to grow even more.
Once she was done eating, Lexion promptly took her hand and led her back to bed as if he had been waiting all this time.
Lexion sat Elena on the bed and knelt in front of her.
“Do you feel sick anywhere?”
“A few sore muscles, but I’m fine.”
Elena said she was fine, but Lexion frowned at the words “sore muscles.”
He began to gently rub Elena’s leg.
“Where does it hurt?”
“I’m really fine.”
“But I’m not okay.”
Eventually, Elena raised her hands in response to Lexion’s pleas.
Lexion carefully massaged Elena’s sore spots.
Now and then, the mood shifted at his touch, but not as much as like last night.
“Th-Thank you, Lexion.”
Elena said, her face slightly pink.
Lexion’s massage was the best.
“What?”
Lexion sat down next to her; his cheeks flushed as well.
There was an awkward air between them.
A few seconds of silence went by.
Lexion grabbed Elena’s squirming hands.
