Episode 44

The time to part was approaching, and Kyle stole another glance at Rosanna.

His feelings wavered back and forth, but his desire to be with her remained unchanged. Even if he hesitated about when to propose, he wanted to know her feelings first.

“…What would you think if I didn’t become a priest?”

Rosanna tilted her head.

“Did you get your results? Were you rejected?”

“No, this is just hypothetical. I’ve been questioning it for a long time. Wondering if this is really my path. And then, after meeting you… I started dreaming about a different life.”

His voice grew quieter as he spoke. But Rosanna immediately smiled and answered without hesitation.

“I’d love that. It means we’d have more time together.”

“For now, things would be difficult. If I leave the clergy, I’ll have to find work. And a place to stay.”

“Come to my house. I have plenty of empty rooms.”

There was probably only one woman who could suggest living together before marriage so shamelessly. Kyle wondered if he’d ever get used to Rosanna’s audacity.

Or… was this a proposal?

He had thrown the question out lightly to gauge her reaction, but was she so unaware that she hadn’t caught on?
No… proposals should come from men first. No, actually, it didn’t matter who said it first—Kyle simply wanted to be the one to do it.

Yet Rosanna didn’t seem to have any deeper thoughts about it. After dropping such a shocking statement, she remained completely unbothered, as if Kyle was the only one making a big deal out of it.

Realizing his thoughts had gone too far, he shook off his embarrassment with a small cough.

“No, that wouldn’t be proper. We should live separately.”

“Why do you keep saying no? You like me, don’t you? Wouldn’t living together be nice?”

“…Because I like you, I don’t want to burden you. People will gossip. You shouldn’t be stained by such rumors. I want to become someone worthy of you first.”

“To me, what matters is you. Just Kyle Mason. I don’t care about titles, circumstances, or any of that. Who decides whether we belong together? By what right? If I say you’re mine, that’s enough. And if anyone dares talk, I’ll sew their lips shut.”

Her words were bold—almost violent—but genuine.

Rosanna had a way of unsettling him, then suddenly making his heart ache.
She was the only one who could push and pull him around like this.

But despite the chaos she stirred within him, her confidence gave him courage.

Kyle became certain—Rosanna saw a future with him. She wanted marriage. They felt the same.

“Rosanna.”

The carriage slowed.

Before it came to a full stop, Kyle took Rosanna’s hand and held it firmly.

“You’re important to me too. Just… you. Not your title, not your name—just Rosanna.”

Kyle’s gaze softened as he leaned in.

Their noses brushed, tilting their faces into a perfect angle for a kiss.

Their lips met, warm and soft.

When Rosanna slightly parted her lips, something hot and wet slid between them.
His tongue tapped gently against her upper teeth, as if knocking for entry.

He was still so polite.

Rosanna smirked against his lips and welcomed him in.

Their tongues tangled, rubbed, and entwined, the wet friction filling their mouths with sound.

Kyle’s movements were bolder this time.
He explored her mouth, grazing his tongue over her teeth, pressing against the roof of her mouth, then retreating to tease the delicate inner flesh.
At one point, he delved so deep it was as if he wanted to reach her throat.

It was a kiss that mimicked penetration.

“Mmh….”

A small moan slipped from Rosanna as his tongue pressed against the base of hers.
The sensation sent a shiver down her spine.
The saliva pooling beneath her tongue slid down her throat, tasting sweeter than anything.

Clutching onto Kyle’s sleeve, she let him take more and more of her.
The kiss stretched on—until they were both breathless.

By the time their lips finally parted, they were red and swollen.

Both of them panted softly.

“You said you weren’t going to do this,” Rosanna teased.

“…I thought about it, and it felt unfair that I kept refusing. I didn’t want you to feel disappointed… I’ll try to hold back.”

You won’t have to hold back for much longer.

That was the look she gave him.

“You’ve improved since last time. Where did you learn that?”

Rosanna traced a finger over his kiss-swollen lips.

“I had an excellent teacher.”

Kyle grasped Rosanna’s wrist and pulled her against his waist.

She found herself trapped in his broad embrace, inhaling his scent.

A fragrance that, no matter when she caught it, always seemed to calm her.

A scent so intoxicating, she wished she could bottle it into a perfume.

Burying her face into his chest, Rosanna remained in his arms until the evening deepened.

* * *

A delivery arrived from the high-end tailor shop. The newly tailored suits were placed in a wardrobe that had been recently added to one of the rooms.

Rosanna took a satisfied stroll around Kyle’s dressing room.

Ever since he moved into the townhouse, the space had been empty and dull, but now that it had an owner, the atmosphere had changed. Even the air felt fresher. Of course, that was thanks to the maids’ diligent cleaning, but Rosanna hardly considered that as she gazed at the wardrobe standing alone against the wall.

“I should start decorating in advance.”

While she was mentally arranging furniture for a harmonious layout, she heard quick footsteps approaching.

The footsteps stopped at the doorway.

Even though the door was already open, Henry didn’t enter right away. Instead, he peeked in, only his little face visible.

“Rosanna, are you here?”

“Come in, sweetheart.”

Henry dashed forward with the agility of a squirrel.

Rosanna scooped him up, supporting his tiny frame against her skirts.

“Oh? You’ve grown.”

He felt heavier.

For Rosanna, the weight was just noticeable, but for Tanesia, a human, it must have been quite a burden.

She recalled how Tanesia recently said she could no longer hold Henry for long. At first, Rosanna thought she was exaggerating, but it must have been true.

She also remembered Vlad, gently massaging Tanesia’s shoulders, worried about her exhaustion. That hopelessly devoted younger brother had even told Henry to start asking only him for hugs.

Disgustingly sweet.

“It’s fine, Henry. You’re not heavy at all. I’ll hold you as much as you want.”

“Uhh… You’re squeezing me too tight…”

Rosanna patted his small head and loosened her grip.

“Who’s going to use this room? Is it mine?”

Henry’s eyes sparkled as he pointed at the neatly hung men’s suits inside the open wardrobe.

Who did he take after to be so greedy?

Neither Vlad nor Tanesia were particularly materialistic, so Rosanna’s influence must have played a major role.

With amusement, she pinched the growing child’s plump cheek.

“You won’t be able to wear those for a long time. You have to grow a lot first. And that means no more staying up at night playing.”

“Cheh. But I want to wear cool clothes.”

The way he pouted and sulked was unmistakably childish.

Rosanna tickled him under the arms until he giggled, then spoke softly.

“But I have good news. This room belongs to Kyle. The big brother you said you liked.”

“…Kyle hyung? He’s moving in? When?”

“Very soon. Are you happy?”

“Yes! How many nights until he comes? I hope he comes quickly!”

Henry beamed, full of excitement.

“I’ll try my best.”

It was time for something dramatic—a defining moment to claim Kyle as hers.

Now that he had openly considered abandoning God, there was nothing holding her back. What kind of situation would be best? The moment Kyle became her most cherished possession had to be special.

It had been so long since she’d added to her collection—and Kyle… Kyle might just be its crowning jewel.

Rosanna resolved to finalize the plan she had been contemplating.

The plan to steal Kyle away from God completely.

Soon, she would have her treasured doll. The mere thought of it curled a smile at the corners of her lips.

“Rosanna… You look like a villain. What’s going on?”

“I’m just happy. It looks like I’m about to get a very precious doll, just like yours.”

She glanced toward Henry’s beloved teddy bear, now worn and tattered, its ear nearly torn off.

Henry lifted the bear proudly.

“Then we can play dolls together!”

Clearly thrilled that his lifelong companion would be getting a new friend, Henry chattered excitedly to the bear.

You’ll have a new friend soon! Isn’t that great? You won’t be lonely anymore!
What kind of doll will it be? A puppy? A kitty? Or maybe a bunny? Let’s play a guessing game!

Watching the child immerse himself in his imaginary world, Rosanna also drifted into her own thoughts.

How should she orchestrate it?

She had waited so long for this moment—it had to be meticulously planned. Rushing it in a single day would be careless. It would take time.

‘I miss him.’

Until Kyle officially moved in, she would have to settle for visiting him at night.

The time she spent sneaking into his room was never enough. But for now, she had no other choice.

She would go again tonight.

Turning to the window, she gauged the time.

Judging by the golden afternoon light spilling in, sunset was still an hour or two away. Or… was she wrong? Since it was summer, the sun stayed out longer than expected.

No rush, then.

Might as well take her time picking out an outfit for the night.

Rosanna handed Henry off to the butler and made her way to the dressing room.

Sensing her choice, the maid who had accompanied her wordlessly opened the wardrobe containing only gowns in shades of blue.

And so, the selection process stretched on—until the sky outside turned a soft shade of violet.

 

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