I put my hand on Julian's shoulder and faced him. Julian seemed desperate to comfort me. I looked at him, my face broken from crying.
“...Are you stupid?”
“I am your husband.”
“You’re an idiot.”
Strangely, tears continued to fall. Julian wiped them away with his large hand. I held his hand with both of my own and rested my cheek against it.
A person who doesn't talk much, yet is affectionate in every word they speak. Yet, strangely, they're also lovable. Even though you hate them, you still want to hear their stories.
I probably like him.
I couldn't deny it any longer. I knew it was a feeling I shouldn't dare harbor. So I turned away, and turned away again. I even tried to push him away with a whim no one could understand, but this was the result.
I like him.
Who wouldn't love such a loving person?
I removed Julian's mask. He blinked once, not even bothering to interrupt me. I stared longingly at the rare magic stone embedded in Julian's cheek, then grabbed both of his cheeks.
I thought you said that it was something that a friend wouldn't do.
I tilted my head and pressed my lips to his. I felt Julian's grip on my waist tighten.
But that was it. We held our breath, our lips touching, then slowly pulled apart. I lowered my gaze.
“I like you, even though it’s presumptuous.”
Julian said, pulling my chin towards him.
“Don’t overstep your bounds.”
Before I could say anything, he swallowed my lips. Every nerve seemed to be on edge. The warmth of his lips, the sound of our clothes clinking against each other, and even his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. Every single thing came to me vividly.
Julian and I held each other for a long time, our lips locked. Julian only let me go when I was suffocating and pounding his shoulder.
“So, I can’t breathe. Aren’t you even breathing?”
At my words, Julian apologized obediently.
“I’m sorry. It was my first time, so I was awkward.”
In that respect, Julian was truly remarkable. He didn't seem... like a newbie at all. I was the one who started it, but somehow I found myself being swayed.
I bit my lower lip, my forehead resting against Julian's. The reality of kissing him began to sink in, and my face grew warmer.
Julian looked at me with fondness. I tilted my head and spoke bluntly.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Why?”
“I think I’ll be ugly. Crying, getting angry...”
At those words, Julian smiled and kissed my cheek.
“You are most beautiful when you smile. But you are also lovely when you whine.”
“There is nothing I can’t say.”
A smile played on my lips as I spoke. I gently squeezed Julian's hand, which was cupping my cheek. As always, his large hand was in my grasp.
But something was different than usual. I tilted my head and gently rubbed the back of his hand. Julian seemed oblivious to anything unusual and kissed my forehead again.
“Julian.”
“Why is that?”
I couldn't answer right away. I didn't want to let the words out and give Julian undue hope. I simply traced his hand with my fingertips.
“Layla?”
And when my doubts turned to certainty, I pulled Julian's hand and held it in front of my eyes. As I tried to remove his gloves, Julian reflexively stopped me.
I pulled my head back and kissed Julian's lips. As Julian's shoulders stiffened, I carefully removed his gloves. They had been tailored to his body, but now they were loose.
His arm was originally covered in a hard stone, so hard that no skin was visible. It looked like a rare magic stone had lost its magic and become completely solid. But now it was different. His skin was visible, though there were a few gray stones embedded here and there.
I very slowly slid down Julian's arm and looked at him. Julian was staring at his arm with disbelief.
“What is this...”
It was a curse that had shackled Julian's body his entire life. It hadn't completely disappeared. No, it was more like it remained intact.
Even so, the mere fact that even a little bit had disappeared left Julian and me speechless.
“It’s gone.”
It was only after a long time that I managed to utter those words. I gripped his arm tightly and spoke again, this time with renewed force.
“Julian, it’s gone.”
I smiled brightly and looked at Julian. Julian still looked unconvinced by the situation.
That foolish expression was so touching that I hugged Julian tightly. Even though I was the one being held by him because of our physical differences, I was still happy. It was as if my curse had been lifted.
“Julian, are you happy?”
When I asked in an excited voice, Julian asked in a bewildered voice.
"How?"
It wasn't a complete sentence. Julian must be feeling more hopeful than anyone else right now, and the overwhelming emotion couldn't even be properly expressed. I released my hold on Julian and stood up in a hurry.
“This isn’t the time. I need to call Tien.”
“Tien?”
“Yes! I mean Tien Yus! That guy...”
Before I could even finish my sentence, I was dragged to Julian. He hugged me tightly around the waist and kissed me again.
He bit my lip lightly, then released it, and kissed my neck deeply. I curled my fingers and barely managed to hold onto his shoulder.
“Why are you suddenly talking about that guy?”
His hot breath touched the back of my neck. I felt a shiver run down my spine. Yet, I felt this sensation bordering on pleasure. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled awkwardly.
“Tien...”
“Are you calling him by his name?”
“I thought it would be good to become friends with him. Since you introduced me to him.”
I stroked Julian's back calmly, as if soothing an excited animal. Still, his hardened expression remained unshaken. The mood had seemed pleasant just moments ago. I wondered why things had turned out this way, and then a funny thought just from my imagination struck me, and I ended up laughing.
“Are you really... jealous?”
Julian frowned and then answered obediently.
"Yes."
“Really? Is that all you want? Do you like me that much?”
Julian, realizing I was teasing him, pulled away slightly and let out a sigh. I patted his arm and urged him on. But Julian wasn't having it easy either.
“Don’t be friends with that doctor.”
I shook my head with a smile.
“I’m sorry, but that won’t do.”
“Why?”
“Tien... Sir Yus seems to know a lot about curses. You should meet him, too.”
“...Yea.”
Julian answered, but didn't seem particularly hopeful. He'd been under this curse since birth, and he'd likely encountered a wizard before.
But he was still under the curse. I, too, was reluctant to even see a doctor, so I could understand his feelings. But just as I had found hope, I wanted to give him hope, too.
"For whatever reason, your curse has improved a little. I'm sure we'll figure it out."
“Since Madam recommends it, let’s do it.”
He still didn't seem to believe me. When I glanced at him, Julian stroked my cheek with his fingertips and said.
“Maybe if we kiss, it will gradually get better.”
Understanding what he meant, I opened my lips slightly and turned around. I heard Julian's low laugh behind me.
I thought he was just teasing me, but it also struck me as plausible. A kiss breaking a curse was a common fairy tale. Contemplating this, I turned back to Julian.
It wouldn't wear out, would it? And if kissing him would gradually heal his curse, I could do it a thousand, ten thousand times over.
I hesitated, then kissed him again. But nothing changed. I spoke tremblingly.
“I don’t think so.”
“That’s too bad.”
I burst out laughing. I sighed and leaned back on the sofa. Julian, leaning sideways on the sofa, looked at me. His eyes scanned my cheek, my eyes, and my lips intently. I lowered my gaze and licked my dry lips.
“I want to tell my story first.”
It was extremely rare for Julian to speak like that. I looked at him and nodded sharply, meaning he was free to speak.
Julian smiled as if he found me cute. But when he started talking, his face became serious.
“After you left the Grand Duke’s residence, I sent my person to confirm with Marquis Eriant’s daughter.”
“To the Young Lady of Marquis Eriant?”
Already? But Julian answered apologetically, perhaps misunderstanding my question.
"Yes. The opportunity to plant people in the palace hasn't come yet. The Princess's side is particularly guarded. I've deliberately forced a few people out, but they haven't brought in any new ones."
That meant Princess Abigail had begun to be wary of her surroundings, even if it meant risking a lack of manpower. It was a fascinating story, but something else struck me as more important.
“Did you make the Princess kick out her man?”
"Yes."
“You went that far?”
Julian nodded as if it were obvious. I couldn't help but ask, even though I knew it was too obvious.
"Why?"
And Julian, as always, did not disappoint me.
“Because I promised you.”
“...Are you stupid?”
“I am your husband.”
“You’re an idiot.”
Strangely, tears continued to fall. Julian wiped them away with his large hand. I held his hand with both of my own and rested my cheek against it.
A person who doesn't talk much, yet is affectionate in every word they speak. Yet, strangely, they're also lovable. Even though you hate them, you still want to hear their stories.
I probably like him.
I couldn't deny it any longer. I knew it was a feeling I shouldn't dare harbor. So I turned away, and turned away again. I even tried to push him away with a whim no one could understand, but this was the result.
I like him.
Who wouldn't love such a loving person?
I removed Julian's mask. He blinked once, not even bothering to interrupt me. I stared longingly at the rare magic stone embedded in Julian's cheek, then grabbed both of his cheeks.
I thought you said that it was something that a friend wouldn't do.
I tilted my head and pressed my lips to his. I felt Julian's grip on my waist tighten.
But that was it. We held our breath, our lips touching, then slowly pulled apart. I lowered my gaze.
“I like you, even though it’s presumptuous.”
Julian said, pulling my chin towards him.
“Don’t overstep your bounds.”
Before I could say anything, he swallowed my lips. Every nerve seemed to be on edge. The warmth of his lips, the sound of our clothes clinking against each other, and even his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. Every single thing came to me vividly.
Julian and I held each other for a long time, our lips locked. Julian only let me go when I was suffocating and pounding his shoulder.
“So, I can’t breathe. Aren’t you even breathing?”
At my words, Julian apologized obediently.
“I’m sorry. It was my first time, so I was awkward.”
In that respect, Julian was truly remarkable. He didn't seem... like a newbie at all. I was the one who started it, but somehow I found myself being swayed.
I bit my lower lip, my forehead resting against Julian's. The reality of kissing him began to sink in, and my face grew warmer.
Julian looked at me with fondness. I tilted my head and spoke bluntly.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Why?”
“I think I’ll be ugly. Crying, getting angry...”
At those words, Julian smiled and kissed my cheek.
“You are most beautiful when you smile. But you are also lovely when you whine.”
“There is nothing I can’t say.”
A smile played on my lips as I spoke. I gently squeezed Julian's hand, which was cupping my cheek. As always, his large hand was in my grasp.
But something was different than usual. I tilted my head and gently rubbed the back of his hand. Julian seemed oblivious to anything unusual and kissed my forehead again.
“Julian.”
“Why is that?”
I couldn't answer right away. I didn't want to let the words out and give Julian undue hope. I simply traced his hand with my fingertips.
“Layla?”
And when my doubts turned to certainty, I pulled Julian's hand and held it in front of my eyes. As I tried to remove his gloves, Julian reflexively stopped me.
I pulled my head back and kissed Julian's lips. As Julian's shoulders stiffened, I carefully removed his gloves. They had been tailored to his body, but now they were loose.
His arm was originally covered in a hard stone, so hard that no skin was visible. It looked like a rare magic stone had lost its magic and become completely solid. But now it was different. His skin was visible, though there were a few gray stones embedded here and there.
I very slowly slid down Julian's arm and looked at him. Julian was staring at his arm with disbelief.
“What is this...”
It was a curse that had shackled Julian's body his entire life. It hadn't completely disappeared. No, it was more like it remained intact.
Even so, the mere fact that even a little bit had disappeared left Julian and me speechless.
“It’s gone.”
It was only after a long time that I managed to utter those words. I gripped his arm tightly and spoke again, this time with renewed force.
“Julian, it’s gone.”
I smiled brightly and looked at Julian. Julian still looked unconvinced by the situation.
That foolish expression was so touching that I hugged Julian tightly. Even though I was the one being held by him because of our physical differences, I was still happy. It was as if my curse had been lifted.
“Julian, are you happy?”
When I asked in an excited voice, Julian asked in a bewildered voice.
"How?"
It wasn't a complete sentence. Julian must be feeling more hopeful than anyone else right now, and the overwhelming emotion couldn't even be properly expressed. I released my hold on Julian and stood up in a hurry.
“This isn’t the time. I need to call Tien.”
“Tien?”
“Yes! I mean Tien Yus! That guy...”
Before I could even finish my sentence, I was dragged to Julian. He hugged me tightly around the waist and kissed me again.
He bit my lip lightly, then released it, and kissed my neck deeply. I curled my fingers and barely managed to hold onto his shoulder.
“Why are you suddenly talking about that guy?”
His hot breath touched the back of my neck. I felt a shiver run down my spine. Yet, I felt this sensation bordering on pleasure. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled awkwardly.
“Tien...”
“Are you calling him by his name?”
“I thought it would be good to become friends with him. Since you introduced me to him.”
I stroked Julian's back calmly, as if soothing an excited animal. Still, his hardened expression remained unshaken. The mood had seemed pleasant just moments ago. I wondered why things had turned out this way, and then a funny thought just from my imagination struck me, and I ended up laughing.
“Are you really... jealous?”
Julian frowned and then answered obediently.
"Yes."
“Really? Is that all you want? Do you like me that much?”
Julian, realizing I was teasing him, pulled away slightly and let out a sigh. I patted his arm and urged him on. But Julian wasn't having it easy either.
“Don’t be friends with that doctor.”
I shook my head with a smile.
“I’m sorry, but that won’t do.”
“Why?”
“Tien... Sir Yus seems to know a lot about curses. You should meet him, too.”
“...Yea.”
Julian answered, but didn't seem particularly hopeful. He'd been under this curse since birth, and he'd likely encountered a wizard before.
But he was still under the curse. I, too, was reluctant to even see a doctor, so I could understand his feelings. But just as I had found hope, I wanted to give him hope, too.
"For whatever reason, your curse has improved a little. I'm sure we'll figure it out."
“Since Madam recommends it, let’s do it.”
He still didn't seem to believe me. When I glanced at him, Julian stroked my cheek with his fingertips and said.
“Maybe if we kiss, it will gradually get better.”
Understanding what he meant, I opened my lips slightly and turned around. I heard Julian's low laugh behind me.
I thought he was just teasing me, but it also struck me as plausible. A kiss breaking a curse was a common fairy tale. Contemplating this, I turned back to Julian.
It wouldn't wear out, would it? And if kissing him would gradually heal his curse, I could do it a thousand, ten thousand times over.
I hesitated, then kissed him again. But nothing changed. I spoke tremblingly.
“I don’t think so.”
“That’s too bad.”
I burst out laughing. I sighed and leaned back on the sofa. Julian, leaning sideways on the sofa, looked at me. His eyes scanned my cheek, my eyes, and my lips intently. I lowered my gaze and licked my dry lips.
“Shall we talk about the demon?”
It was extremely rare for Julian to speak like that. I looked at him and nodded sharply, meaning he was free to speak.
Julian smiled as if he found me cute. But when he started talking, his face became serious.
“After you left the Grand Duke’s residence, I sent my person to confirm with Marquis Eriant’s daughter.”
“To the Young Lady of Marquis Eriant?”
Already? But Julian answered apologetically, perhaps misunderstanding my question.
"Yes. The opportunity to plant people in the palace hasn't come yet. The Princess's side is particularly guarded. I've deliberately forced a few people out, but they haven't brought in any new ones."
That meant Princess Abigail had begun to be wary of her surroundings, even if it meant risking a lack of manpower. It was a fascinating story, but something else struck me as more important.
“Did you make the Princess kick out her man?”
"Yes."
“You went that far?”
Julian nodded as if it were obvious. I couldn't help but ask, even though I knew it was too obvious.
"Why?"
And Julian, as always, did not disappoint me.
“Because I promised you.”
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