MWTB - Chapter 24

There were only a few items in the box, such as healing potions and potions, and the other magical tools were scattered around haphazardly, but the revolver was covered in dust and looked even more like an antique.

"...Yes. But I don't recommend that. It's pretty and expensive, but it's useless."

The man who was holding out two baskets of roughly packed goods paused and explained.

It can hold bullets, but the propulsion is weak, so it is not useful at aII. However, it is heavy, so if you hold down the button at the bottom.. the size and weight will decrease, making it easy to carry."

"Hmm, that's too bad."

Julia sighed deeply and turned to leave.

Actually, when hunting, due to the nature of the beast, swords, bows, and magical tools were used, and pistols such as revolvers were not very effective.

They could have developed gunpowder and bullets, but since there was more useful magic, the continental people did not bother to use guns that were inconvenient to use. As the man said, revolvers were useless things that could only be used to set off firecrackers.

But.

'I'm somehow drawn to it.'

The silver body was faded, but it still caught my eye because it looked antique, like a statue.

It's a bit old-fashioned and doesn't seem to have much practical use, but it can be made smaller and used as a decorative piece, so it's not bad, right? And if gunpowder and bullets are the problem...hmm...

"I'll buy that too."

"Is it so."

Iris, who had been waiting beside her, quickly grabbed the revolver and handed it over to her. Julia smiled brightly as she took the revolver, which she had been staring at because it was too tall to reach. It felt great in her hand.

She like it, too.

"Oh, no. Why would you buy that... You really won't be able to use it!"

"It's okay. I just bought it for decoration."

The man looked a little flustered and embarrassed, but when Julia quickly walked over and offered it to him, he had no choice but to accept it.

"If that's true..."

Thud. 

As he was handing over the revolver, it struck the ring on Julia's finger and made a noise.

The man's gaze absentmindedly rested on a simple ring without any decoration. However, he quickly passed it by and carefully took the revolver. Then, just like the magic tools before, he recorded it in the sales completion ledger, wrapped it all up, and handed it over.

"Thank you!"

After that, Julia and Iris had a wonderful dinner and returned to Hyde Mansion. Duke Hyde, who had arrived at the house earlier, quickly delivered a letter and made a plea.

"Why aren't you coming back?"

"Your Majesty, please spare me! His Majesty is too busy with state affairs to leave the palace, and I feel like I'm going to die from suffering! I'm sorry, but could you please return to the palace now? Yes?"

"I'm sorry, but I have so much fun playing with your wife."

Julia smiled gently at the bashful Duke, read the letter roughly, and then put it straight into the drawer. The next day, she took Ed out to another busy area and came back after having fun.

"Julia Semele. Are you protesting now?"

And the next day was dress shopping.

"You're not going to reply?"

The next day, they went on a picnic outdoors. She played as much as they wanted, and before she knew it, It was the morning before the coming-of-age ceremony.

"If you don't come back right away, wait for me."

Now it was time to go home.

"It was fun, Sis. See you tomorrow!"

Julia climbed Into the carriage with a bright smile.

***

Sneak.

The dark royal couple's bedroom. Julia took off her slippers and held them in her arms, walking barefoot on the soft carpet and carefully as a guest of the night. Luckily, thanks to the thick, soft carpet,  there were no footsteps at all.

'Phew. I'm glad he fell asleep first."

She was angry and thought, 'You've caused me trouble, so you should feel bad about it too.'

However, once she returned to the palace, she became hesitant.

Ha, this is the first time I've seen you since that day.

It was a major incident caused by an impulse that came about purely when she was not in her right mind. It was a strange feeling and trembling, that she could not explain herself.

Because of that, her relationship with Endymion was completely different from before she left the palace.

Originally, she had planned to come back and give him some medicine, but after she passed through the gate, she started to worry about it more and more and was startled every time she heard a sound.

"Your Majesty, what is wrong? Is something wrong?"

"No! It's nothing!"

When Julia thought about actually meeting him face to face, she suddenly got scared. She felt like she was trembling, and she had a strange feeling of wanting to run away. Somehow, Julia felt distant, and she hesitated to even look at her face.

So she arrived early, around lunchtime, but Julia was locked in the dressing room with her maids the whole time, saying she had to prepare for her coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow.

She tried on the perfectly prepared dress several times and made a fuss about putting on her hair and makeup in advance. After eating a quick dinner, she killed time by taking a full course of skincare and a luxurious bath.

After putting it off for so long, she finally heard the breaking news that the lights had gone out in the bedroom where Mion had entered, and she was relieved to hear that.

'They said you were very busy the past few days, so you must be asleep by now?'

If she sneaked into bed without waking him up, Mion would be fast asleep and find her the next morning. What would he do if it was the day of her coming-of-age ceremony!

Maybe we'll both be busy with tight schedules all day, so we'll naturally get back to being comfortable with each other.'

Perfect! 

Julia smiled happily, peeking through the gap in the canopy of the high-posted bed.

Inside, nothing could be heard except the sound of regular breathing. The darkness that covered the room had settled quietly on the bed as well.

“Ha.”

Success! 

Letting out a small sigh of relief, Julia bent down and carefully put down her slippers. Then she reached out to the canopy to lie down on the bed without anyone noticing.

The soft cloth touched her fingertips, and Julia's white fingers opened the curtain that covered the bed and stepped inside.

And then, the moment she tries to walk through the canopy, cutting through the quiet darkness.

Whoosh-

"Whoa!"

Her body swayed and she collapsed onto the bed.

In an instant, a soft bed was placed behind her, and a shadow that she thought was lying quietly covered her body.

"Did you enjoy your sleepover?"

In the darkness, blue eyes asked maliciously.

Julia felt oppressed as if she was being swallowed by the beast-like gaze. She began to protest urgently.

"No, It wasn't an overnight stay! I was recuperating at Duke Hyde's residence..."

"You left your husband and slept at another man's house?"

Endymion cut her off with a low, hushed voice. Julia's heart started beating so fast, it felt like it was made to react to that voice.

Ugh, heart, don't do this! 

Julia tried to argue, licking her dry lips with her tongue.

"Wh, why are you saying that? Duke Hyde, I'm just at my sister's house..."

"Why didn't you reply?"

Julia blinked at the irritated voice. Her heart was pounding and feverish, but she suddenly came to her senses.

Wait, I shouldn't be the one who's freaking out, right? Who's to blame for this in the first place!

"Get out of the way, this is all your fault."

Julia quickly shot back and shoved Endymion in the chest. Endymion rolled his eyes without even flinching and asked.

"What?"

It was annoying that he kept questioning her about staying out overnight when he had no idea what the problem was. Julia whined and pushed away his rock-hard body, snapping.

"The traces you left behind! I clearly told you not to do that!"

When she, who was always so gentle, raised her voice, he seemed to hesitate a little. Although they had fought lightly when they were children, Julia had never been this angry.

Endymion stared blankly down at the slender hands pushing against his body, then quickly stepped back obediently.

'Hot.'

Got it! I'm out! 

Julia crawled to the other side of the bed as soon as she had a chance. Then, she turned around and sat down, looking very angry.

"That almost made me the talk of the town! My arms and neck were covered in red marks, and I almost couldn't wear my dress to the ball tomorrow night!"

"Look where you are."

Julia was getting really angry and setting the mood, but then her body turned around slightly.

As the hunched Julia awkwardly reached out her arm in surprise at the gentle touch, the luminous glass that Endymion had lit began to shine, illuminating the bed with a dim light.

"There isn't any?"

Endymion took hold of her thin arm with both his large hands and turned it this way and that. Then, when his hard, callused fingers brushed against her soft skin, goosebumps began to appear.

Julia took a sharp, silent breath and stuttered.

"I am like that because I am better."

"That's too bad."

"What?"

"If there were any traces left, everyone would know that you were mine."

At that moment, Julia's face turned bright red, and she pushed him away, pulling her arm away. Then she snatched the pillow that was lying there.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The cheerful sound made him pound wildly. But Endymion, to her annoyance, leisurely accepted the pillow she swung around.

"Hey, hey, you pervert!"

“Ah.”

It was disgusting to see Endymion making noise without any pain. Julia kept hitting Endymion with her face burning hot and then gasped for breath as she was exhausted from her own exhaustion.

"You, you, if you do that again... I really won't stay still!"

"Okay. Sorry."

Endymion meekly admitted his mistake. Only then did Julia put down the pillow. The soft and fluffy pillow was completely crushed by his hard body.

"Really, you weren't like this."

Julia, her face flushed, fanned herself with her hand and muttered to herself as she smoothed the pillow again.

Haa. He used to be stubborn, but he was never this sly. How did he end up like this? 

All the fatherly and brotherly things are canceled. Give me back your mature, lukewarm side!

"Ugh, I guess I raised you wrong."

At those words, Endymion, who had been staring blankly at Julia, asked as if he was grabbing her tail.

"Who?"

"Who? It's you."

"Am I still a kid? That's not right."

Should I check again? 

The voice that muttered as if it had been waiting had a clear intention. Julia, who had become aware of that in a few days, was startled and quickly picked up the pillow.

"Oh, no, that's what I'm saying!"

The voice shouting from behind the pillow that was set up like a shield was extremely flustered. Seizing the opportunity, Endymion quickly closed the distance like a hungry beast.

"Come to think of it, you said, 'If that happens again next time.' Are you planning on doing it again?"

"When did I, when did I do that?!"

Ding ding ding ding! 

An instinctive sense of crisis rang a bell in her head.

As Julia continued to ramble on and on, a heavy weight came up to her nose. Her mouth automatically closed and her heart pounded like a drum, beating loudly as if to say, "You die and I live."

'I'm screwed! I'm going to sleep here tonight!'

I have to run away!

Julia, who realized that she had been caught in a trap, quickly turned around and tried to escape from the bed.

"I think it's okay for me to do it now."

But strong arms wrapped around Julia's waist and gently pulled her in. It was a natural movement, as effortless as flowing water.

'Uh?'

Julia, who had suddenly fallen down under Endymion, blinked in bewilderment, then widened her eyes at the sight of the silk gown slowly unraveling.

Just before a firm outline finally emerges between firm fingers.

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