'I guess I'm tired because it's been a while since I've been out.'
The hunting competition tomorrow is a very important event, so she needs to get a good night's sleep and wake up in perfect condition for tomorrow.
Julia, who had made that resolution, lifted the blanket and went inside, and then suddenly added something to Mion as if telling him not to forget.
"Right. You didn't forget that the ladies will be attending the hunting competition tomorrow, right?"
"To be honest. I was a bit picky because it was a bit sudden. I sent invitations to all the young ladies of the Counts and above who had a good reputation in high society, so just think of it as a chance to get to know them."
Yes, in fact, this was another purpose of the royal hunting competition.
The night Julia spoke of the need for a successor and a concubine. Endymion stormed out of bed, clearly displeased.
Julia was so nervous that she went to his office the next day, but he said he was busy and didn't meet her at all.
Endymion, who had been worrying Julia all day, returned to his bedroom in the middle of the night.
"I thought about it, and you're right. I completely agree with your opinion about the successor.'
Julia felt a sense of relief and slight disappointment at the clear answer.
Still, she wished he had been a little more resentful.
Julia wanted to vent her frustration at Endymion, who spoke with his characteristically cold gaze as if it were none of his business.
Even so, how could he agree so readily when she only suggested it once? What about our 12 years of friendship?
But she had suggested it first, so she knew she had no right to be upset. Besides, Julia wasn't just Endymion's childhood friend: she was his Queen. A position where she had to prioritize Endymion's well-being over her own feelings.
To fulfill her duties as a great Queen, Julia wiped away all childish emotions. And she opened her mouth in her usual bright voice.
"Then I have to choose a concubine..."
"Ah. I have something to say about that."
"Yes?"
"You can't choose your successor's mother that easily."
To Julia, who was just blinking as if wondering what he meant, Endymion suggested that they use the royal hunting competition.
Let's take a look at the young ladies who will be candidates to become concubines in the royal hunting competition held to commemorate their coming-of-age ceremony.
Originally, it was an event that only high-ranking officials and their families could participate in. However, Endymion insisted that the selection of a concubine be kept secret for now and that all the young ladies Julia deemed suitable be invited without restriction.
It was an unusual idea, but it was a plausible suggestion since the royal hunting competition was originally a sacred place for couples. In addition, as Queen, Julia also wanted to take a proper young lady as the concubine.
It would be better to evaluate a person's character by looking at their natural, everyday attitude rather than by looking at their appearance which was thoroughly prepared and decorated in advance.
"Yes, if that's what you think."
So, this hunting competition was prepared under the agreement of the King and Queen.
"Just, take a look around. If there are any good young ladies, we'll invite them again at the coming-of-age ceremony ball, so don't worry..."
As Julia spoke kindly, she noticed Endymion staring at her intently.
"What's the matter?"
Julia, who was about to crawl under the blanket, tilted her head and asked. Her eyes were clearly no different than usual, but somehow It felt like the temperature had dropped.
"More than that, I have something I want to ask."
"To me? What is it?"
Julia asked out of the blue. Endymion turned his body completely towards her as if he had been waiting.
"What the..."
And then he came. Julia trailed off, watching the distance narrowing in an instant.
As Endymion approached, the blanket that had been pushed away tickled her bare legs again. She had momentarily forgotten, but the feeling of the soft fabric brushing against her thighs was enough to send goosebumps down her spine.
Finally, Julia couldn't stand it anymore and tried to get out of bed, throwing off the covers.
"Hey, Mion? I'll go change my clothes. I'd better wear a bathrobe. It's so uncomfortable, I can't go on Iike this!"
"Is there anything you want?"
A soft, low rumble poured down from behind her, and in the blink of an eye, Endymion's arm blocked Julia's escape route.
When Julia reflexively turned around, Endymion blocked the other side with his arm. Soon, Julia was trapped between Endymion's arms, her back against the pillow and the headboard.
"Mion?"
"Not for me, but for you."
She looked up at him with her upper body erected awkwardly.
Endymion's deep lake-green eyes were as beautiful as ever, and his well-proportioned face was as handsome as ever. His skin was smoother than that of most men, like white marble, and his manly jawline and nose were superior to those of a statue.
It's been a long time since she's seen it this close. Julia felt her eyes light up and smiled brightly at Endymion, who smiled brightly.
"Are you talking about the coming-of-age ceremony gift?"
"Yes."
Julia, who had asked playfully, opened her eyes slightly wide. It was because Endymion felt different than usual.
It's hard to explain, but somehow...
"Thank you. But since you asked so suddenly, I don't know..."
"Not something like a dress or jewelry, something special."
Something special? Julia blinked in bewilderment. Endymion's blue eyes, on the other hand, remained unblinking, staring at her even more intently.
Suddenly Julia felt that the atmosphere surrounding him was different than before.
It wasn't a mistake.
"For example."
As Endymion whispered softly and ran his fingers through his hair. Julia's gaze naturally followed him. Julia saw his fine black hair flowing around his straight, long fingers.
Strong wrists that slowly slipped through the hair, nicely slender arm muscles, and even the veins that slightly protruded above the skin.
"What do you want from me?"
A languid voice filled the air. Julia knew that her body was sinking lower and lower, but for some reason, she couldn't move.
Before she knew it, Julia was lying down on the bed, and Endymion was lightly holding her under his arms.
"Oh, over there. Mion?"
"Don't think about other people. Just tell me what you really want from me."
A leisurely outstretched arm reached out and pushed away Julia's blond hair that covered her face. Then strong fingers lightly touched her round cheek, cupped her face, and reached her earlobe.
Soon, strong fingers caressed the soft flesh.
"..."
"I'll give you anything."
It was a ticklish contact as if they had bumped into each other by chance. It was a ticklish sensation that made her want to pull the blanket over her head.
"It could be the right to rule over the King, the power to put the King under your feet."
What kind of joke is this?
But Endymion is not the type to play small pranks. But it is too serious to laugh off as an absurd statement, so it is embarrassing.
Julia moistened her lips with the air of the bedroom surrounding her. Lying under Endymion's arm, it seemed even more suffocating.
Julia instinctively tried to wave her hand to relieve the awkwardness.
"No, I don't."
Immediately, Endymion gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him.
"If you really don't know, I can help you."
Endymion's lips touched the inside of her wrist. The moist flesh rubbed against her tender skin as if engraving a brand, then gently lifted off with a slap.
Julia opened her eyes wide. Endymion, who had been watching her reaction, immediately reached out with her other wrist. This time, he caught her easily.
"When I say I'll give you anything, it doesn't have to be something. For example."
"..."
"My crown, my throne my body."
The last one was whispered softly, but It lingered in her ears.
The blanket blocking Julia and Endymion was pushed aside. The two bodies became close enough that their gazes became entangled, and Endymion slowly opened his mouth, his eyes widening, and his face Iowered into her wrist again.
"So, uh..."
"Hunting clothes!"
Endymion paused.
It was because of the clear voice that was heard just before the two years of his life. Julia, who barely managed to cut him off, got up abruptly. Then, smiling brightly, she met his eyes and shouted clearly once again.
"Now I remember. I want a new hunting suit!"
"... Hunting clothes?"
"Yeah. Not a thin one like before, but a sturdy one like yours!"
"..."
"Why? Is it not possible?"
"...No, what....."
When Julia asked again, Endymion nodded reflexively.
Then, he quietly watched Julia with complicated eyes, and finally, seeing her brightly smiling, he followed suit and smiled softly.
The strange atmosphere from earlier
disappeared as if it had been washed away. The couple's conversation naturally turned to tomorrow as they prepared to go to bed.
"...Wow, Duke Tristan is already that old? What if he pushes himself too hard tomorrow?"
"I told him he didn't have to come, but he insisted on coming. That old man is so stubborn."
"Mion, you shouldn't say that to an adult."
The couple, lying side by side under the blanket as usual, chatted away, and as the night grew deeper, they said good night to each other and turned off the lights. Soon, a tranquil silence enveloped the bedroom.
***
A few hours later.
A quiet room with moonlight streaming in through the window.
In the bed where the couple were lying, only the sound of the blankets could be heard occasionally. Then, Endymion, who was breathing evenly, turned over in his sleep.
The wind swept away the blanket with a rustling sound, revealing Julia's body that had been covered. The hem of her shirt rolled up, allowing air to touch her bare legs.
"OMG."
At the same time, Julia, who had opened her eyes wide, quickly checked to see if Endymion had fallen asleep. After confirming that he had fallen asleep, she sighed in relief, then quickly turned over to lie down on the other side.
'Oh, what should I do!'
Her face turned red. Her heart, which had been calm all her life, started beating so hard that she thought it would burst. Her earlobes, the inside of her wrists, and even her thighs where his shirt touched felt ticklish and hot.
"My crown, my throne...my body."
"I'll give you anything."
Like an echo, Endymion's languid voice lingered in her head.
Just now, she was so surprised that she pretended not to know anything. But in fact, ever since then, Julia's mind has been in a state of panic.
'Why are you suddenly surprising people like that? Do you know how it sounds? I'm not the only one who's guessing, right?'
She couldn't sleep because of the speculations that didn't seem to let up. Julia tossed and turned countless times with a hot face, and eventually ended up staying up all night.
'I guess I'll have to use the second method.'
She has no idea what her husband, lying back to back, is thinking.
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