When I suddenly woke up, I heard the sound of rain hitting the window hard. I opened my hazy eyes and looked around.
At first, my eyes were blinded by the darkness, and I couldn't see anything. But as I became aware of Julian's breathing nearby, my vision slowly began to clear.
“...I was surprised.”
The first thing that entered my sight was Julian's eyes. They glowed crimson even in the slightest light, even in the thin sliver of moonlight streaming through the window. Julian gently stroked my bare shoulder.
“Did I surprise you?”
“Were you looking at me the whole time?”
"Yes."
I felt a bit embarrassed. I pulled the blanket over my chin. My eyes had just opened, and I could barely distinguish his, but it couldn't be Julian. Julian chuckled softly at my actions.
“It’s different from yesterday.”
Those words brought me back to what had happened with him yesterday. I pulled him into bed, and we licked and bit each other's lips for a long time. The clothes I'd been wearing neatly tumbled down the bed, one by one, and Julian's hands reached every nook and cranny of my body.
Every time, I was so busy scratching his thick arms and sturdy back with my fingertips, then wrapping my arms around him, I was completely lost. My chest heaved and thumped incessantly, and my breathing became more labored than if I'd been running.
“I wasn’t in my right mind yesterday.”
As I spoke in a confused tone, Julian leaned toward me. The blanket fell from his body, revealing a thick, swollen chest. With every movement, I could see the muscles woven into his bare body flexing.
“Do you regret it?”
Julian kissed me on the eye as he said those words, and I thought that was truly cowardly. No one could regret spending a night with such a charming man.
“No. I just thought I should drag you into bed more often.”
I spoke firmly, and Julian laughed, as if tickled by my words. I placed my hand on Julian's waist and looked up at him. I didn't want to interrupt this peaceful moment, but there was something I absolutely had to say.
“Our family will volunteer for the operation to subdue the demons.”
I sent a messenger, but I didn't think my family would listen to me. The Winsley family was the type of people who would act with dignity, even if it meant facing a death that would draw the finger of others.
So, even if there was a possibility of being accused of treason, he would be cautious, but he could not ignore the fact that the Riar Plains were under attack by demons.
Julian didn't say anything, as if he agreed with what I said.
“This time, I don’t want to leave my family behind.”
“Do you want to volunteer for the operation to subdue the demons?”
"That's right. I want to join them and provide evidence that they weren't plotting treason."
Julian pulled back from where he had been standing close to me. Then he spoke in a cold voice.
"You're injured. Even if you weren't injured, the curse needs to be broken."
"My injuries will heal soon. The ring will also block the curse, so I'll be fine."
I spoke, clinging to him as he retreated. Julian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He stood up and put on the robe lying under the bed.
“Julian.”
I thought he might be angry, so I got up to try to persuade him. But he just turned on the lamp on the table and approached me, carrying a small box.
He sat down next to me again and opened the box. Even in the dim light, I could tell it was a necklace.
“Did you craft a rare magic stone?”
“Yeah. I remembered that when I saw you lying at the hunting competition.”
“What lie... Ah.”
I said that I threw a rare magic stone at the demon at the hunting competition and that I just kept it as a gift from Julian.
I was just telling a lie to avoid a crisis, but it seems Julian had been keeping it in his mind all along.
“Are you really giving it to me?”
“I wouldn’t have made it for myself.”
The voice was somewhat gruff. It seemed like he wasn't particularly pleased with my participation in the suppression operation.
"I already knew you were brave enough to throw a rare magic stone at a demon, so I placed a magic block on you. Looking back, I'm so glad I did. Since you're planning on jumping into the demon's hands this time, you know."
I smiled awkwardly at Julian and placed my hand on the necklace. The magic was definitely blocked, as the visions that had visited me whenever I touched a rare magic stone disappeared.
“So, does this mean that you wish for good luck?”
“It also means that I want to give you the most precious jewel in the world.”
"Definitely. I'm probably the first woman to use a rare magic stone as a useless accessory."
Julian placed the box in my hand and lifted the necklace, seemingly indicating he was going to put it around my neck.
I grabbed my hair with one hand and lifted it slightly. Julian wrapped his arms around my neck, and I felt the cold metal near my collarbone. The necklace clicked shut, and I felt it with my hand.
“Let’s depart after the wounds have completely healed.”
I nodded obediently. That was all I could do for a man who was so soft on me.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.”
"You remain in the capital and continue to monitor Princess Abigail. Make sure she doesn't resort to any means necessary for the operation to subdue the demons."
“Yes.”
We lay back down on the bed, side by side. The lamp wasn't turned off, so we could see each other's bodies clearly.
I looked up at Julian, my head resting on the pillow. It felt strange to see his body, which had only been visible in outline until just now, in its entirety. Even as I struggled to see Julian's face, I occasionally lowered my gaze to look at his body.
“My wife is a bit bright.”
“Will you do it only for me yesterday?”
We joked around. As I looked at Julian's body several times, I suddenly felt a strong sense of unease.
I reached out and slightly pulled back the gown that barely covered his body. I could feel Julian's body stiffening in embarrassment, but I didn't stop.
“Julian.”
"...why."
“Your body...”
I opened my eyes wide and pushed him onto the bed. I then removed his gown from his shoulders. Julian grabbed my arm, but I groped his shoulder as if I had no shame.
“Julian!”
When I called out to Julian in a fit of joy, he seemed to finally realize something. He stared at me blankly, then stroked his shoulders, then his chest, and then his stomach.
The rocks and magic stones that had covered half of his body had faded, just as the magic stones in his hands had faded last time.
The magic stone still remained on his face, but the area it occupied on his neck had also shrunk considerably. This meant he no longer needed to wear a bulky cloak to conceal his rugged physique.
I hugged Julian tightly and pressed my cheek against his chest. Then, I could clearly hear his heartbeat. The strong, beating heart signified hope.
Julian wrapped his arms around me with a creaking gesture. Then he spoke with disbelief.
“You are my miracle, Layla.”
Those soulful words were incredibly sweet and loving. There was still time before the rain stopped.
I wished this small room were my entire world. I desperately longed for an eternity of kissing him, with no family to lose, no one to harm me.
After the rain stopped and the ground dried, we prepared to leave. Sylvia, still expressionless, worked tirelessly on my leg, and thanks to her, I was able to walk again. With just a little more care, I could soon run and ride a horse.
“Your Highness, I will send a letter to the Riar Plains as soon as the matter progresses.”
Sylvia spoke sincerely, and I expressed my gratitude.
“If Sylvia can cure my curse, I will accept you as my benefactor.”
“It’s my job. I don’t expect any extra compensation.”
I liked Sylvia, who was overly rigid. She didn't look at us strangely, nor did she treat us like test subjects. She even protected us from the other wizards who looked on with curious eyes.
She was the person who was less like a wizard than anyone else, yet at the same time, took more pride in her profession than anyone else.
“Thank you, Sylvia. See you again soon.”
“I wish you good luck.”
After greeting Sylvia, I boarded the carriage, escorted by Julian. I sat next to Julian and rested my head on his shoulder. As we moved further west and closer to the east, Julian's grip on mine tightened.
We first stopped at a place where we could hear the story of the Count of Winsley and gather information. We found a guard guarding the territory and questioned him, and he replied, "Of course."
"Who is Count Winsley? I heard that as soon as he heard the news of the demon's appearance, he was the first to rush west."
“Thank you.”
I expected it, but it was only natural. It even occurred to me that the letter I sent might have been left before it even reached the Count of Winsley. If that were the case, I needed to hurry even more.
I decided to take a horse instead of the slow carriage. Julian seemed to want to dissuade me, but my strong will ultimately convinced him to allow it.
As I mounted the horse, Julian held the reins and said.
“Don’t forget that you owe me a debt.”
After hearing that, I bent down and kissed Julian.
“I will definitely come back to repay you.”
After locking eyes with Julian and saying goodbye, I quickly pulled the reins back. As the horse began to gallop, the gap between us and the carriage widened in an instant. I gritted my teeth as I felt the sensation of my necklace swaying inside my clothes.
It's not enough to just protect my family.
I had to come back. I owed life a great debt.
At first, my eyes were blinded by the darkness, and I couldn't see anything. But as I became aware of Julian's breathing nearby, my vision slowly began to clear.
“...I was surprised.”
The first thing that entered my sight was Julian's eyes. They glowed crimson even in the slightest light, even in the thin sliver of moonlight streaming through the window. Julian gently stroked my bare shoulder.
“Did I surprise you?”
“Were you looking at me the whole time?”
"Yes."
I felt a bit embarrassed. I pulled the blanket over my chin. My eyes had just opened, and I could barely distinguish his, but it couldn't be Julian. Julian chuckled softly at my actions.
“It’s different from yesterday.”
Those words brought me back to what had happened with him yesterday. I pulled him into bed, and we licked and bit each other's lips for a long time. The clothes I'd been wearing neatly tumbled down the bed, one by one, and Julian's hands reached every nook and cranny of my body.
Every time, I was so busy scratching his thick arms and sturdy back with my fingertips, then wrapping my arms around him, I was completely lost. My chest heaved and thumped incessantly, and my breathing became more labored than if I'd been running.
“I wasn’t in my right mind yesterday.”
As I spoke in a confused tone, Julian leaned toward me. The blanket fell from his body, revealing a thick, swollen chest. With every movement, I could see the muscles woven into his bare body flexing.
“Do you regret it?”
Julian kissed me on the eye as he said those words, and I thought that was truly cowardly. No one could regret spending a night with such a charming man.
“No. I just thought I should drag you into bed more often.”
I spoke firmly, and Julian laughed, as if tickled by my words. I placed my hand on Julian's waist and looked up at him. I didn't want to interrupt this peaceful moment, but there was something I absolutely had to say.
“Our family will volunteer for the operation to subdue the demons.”
I sent a messenger, but I didn't think my family would listen to me. The Winsley family was the type of people who would act with dignity, even if it meant facing a death that would draw the finger of others.
So, even if there was a possibility of being accused of treason, he would be cautious, but he could not ignore the fact that the Riar Plains were under attack by demons.
Julian didn't say anything, as if he agreed with what I said.
“This time, I don’t want to leave my family behind.”
“Do you want to volunteer for the operation to subdue the demons?”
"That's right. I want to join them and provide evidence that they weren't plotting treason."
Julian pulled back from where he had been standing close to me. Then he spoke in a cold voice.
"You're injured. Even if you weren't injured, the curse needs to be broken."
"My injuries will heal soon. The ring will also block the curse, so I'll be fine."
I spoke, clinging to him as he retreated. Julian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He stood up and put on the robe lying under the bed.
“Julian.”
I thought he might be angry, so I got up to try to persuade him. But he just turned on the lamp on the table and approached me, carrying a small box.
He sat down next to me again and opened the box. Even in the dim light, I could tell it was a necklace.
“Did you craft a rare magic stone?”
“Yeah. I remembered that when I saw you lying at the hunting competition.”
“What lie... Ah.”
I said that I threw a rare magic stone at the demon at the hunting competition and that I just kept it as a gift from Julian.
I was just telling a lie to avoid a crisis, but it seems Julian had been keeping it in his mind all along.
“Are you really giving it to me?”
“I wouldn’t have made it for myself.”
The voice was somewhat gruff. It seemed like he wasn't particularly pleased with my participation in the suppression operation.
"I already knew you were brave enough to throw a rare magic stone at a demon, so I placed a magic block on you. Looking back, I'm so glad I did. Since you're planning on jumping into the demon's hands this time, you know."
I smiled awkwardly at Julian and placed my hand on the necklace. The magic was definitely blocked, as the visions that had visited me whenever I touched a rare magic stone disappeared.
“So, does this mean that you wish for good luck?”
“It also means that I want to give you the most precious jewel in the world.”
"Definitely. I'm probably the first woman to use a rare magic stone as a useless accessory."
Julian placed the box in my hand and lifted the necklace, seemingly indicating he was going to put it around my neck.
I grabbed my hair with one hand and lifted it slightly. Julian wrapped his arms around my neck, and I felt the cold metal near my collarbone. The necklace clicked shut, and I felt it with my hand.
“Let’s depart after the wounds have completely healed.”
I nodded obediently. That was all I could do for a man who was so soft on me.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.”
"You remain in the capital and continue to monitor Princess Abigail. Make sure she doesn't resort to any means necessary for the operation to subdue the demons."
“Yes.”
We lay back down on the bed, side by side. The lamp wasn't turned off, so we could see each other's bodies clearly.
I looked up at Julian, my head resting on the pillow. It felt strange to see his body, which had only been visible in outline until just now, in its entirety. Even as I struggled to see Julian's face, I occasionally lowered my gaze to look at his body.
“My wife is a bit bright.”
“Will you do it only for me yesterday?”
We joked around. As I looked at Julian's body several times, I suddenly felt a strong sense of unease.
I reached out and slightly pulled back the gown that barely covered his body. I could feel Julian's body stiffening in embarrassment, but I didn't stop.
“Julian.”
"...why."
“Your body...”
I opened my eyes wide and pushed him onto the bed. I then removed his gown from his shoulders. Julian grabbed my arm, but I groped his shoulder as if I had no shame.
“Julian!”
When I called out to Julian in a fit of joy, he seemed to finally realize something. He stared at me blankly, then stroked his shoulders, then his chest, and then his stomach.
The rocks and magic stones that had covered half of his body had faded, just as the magic stones in his hands had faded last time.
The magic stone still remained on his face, but the area it occupied on his neck had also shrunk considerably. This meant he no longer needed to wear a bulky cloak to conceal his rugged physique.
I hugged Julian tightly and pressed my cheek against his chest. Then, I could clearly hear his heartbeat. The strong, beating heart signified hope.
Julian wrapped his arms around me with a creaking gesture. Then he spoke with disbelief.
“You are my miracle, Layla.”
Those soulful words were incredibly sweet and loving. There was still time before the rain stopped.
I wished this small room were my entire world. I desperately longed for an eternity of kissing him, with no family to lose, no one to harm me.
***
After the rain stopped and the ground dried, we prepared to leave. Sylvia, still expressionless, worked tirelessly on my leg, and thanks to her, I was able to walk again. With just a little more care, I could soon run and ride a horse.
“Your Highness, I will send a letter to the Riar Plains as soon as the matter progresses.”
Sylvia spoke sincerely, and I expressed my gratitude.
“If Sylvia can cure my curse, I will accept you as my benefactor.”
“It’s my job. I don’t expect any extra compensation.”
I liked Sylvia, who was overly rigid. She didn't look at us strangely, nor did she treat us like test subjects. She even protected us from the other wizards who looked on with curious eyes.
She was the person who was less like a wizard than anyone else, yet at the same time, took more pride in her profession than anyone else.
“Thank you, Sylvia. See you again soon.”
“I wish you good luck.”
After greeting Sylvia, I boarded the carriage, escorted by Julian. I sat next to Julian and rested my head on his shoulder. As we moved further west and closer to the east, Julian's grip on mine tightened.
We first stopped at a place where we could hear the story of the Count of Winsley and gather information. We found a guard guarding the territory and questioned him, and he replied, "Of course."
"Who is Count Winsley? I heard that as soon as he heard the news of the demon's appearance, he was the first to rush west."
“Thank you.”
I expected it, but it was only natural. It even occurred to me that the letter I sent might have been left before it even reached the Count of Winsley. If that were the case, I needed to hurry even more.
I decided to take a horse instead of the slow carriage. Julian seemed to want to dissuade me, but my strong will ultimately convinced him to allow it.
As I mounted the horse, Julian held the reins and said.
“Don’t forget that you owe me a debt.”
After hearing that, I bent down and kissed Julian.
“I will definitely come back to repay you.”
After locking eyes with Julian and saying goodbye, I quickly pulled the reins back. As the horse began to gallop, the gap between us and the carriage widened in an instant. I gritted my teeth as I felt the sensation of my necklace swaying inside my clothes.
It's not enough to just protect my family.
I had to come back. I owed life a great debt.
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