I woke up again around dawn. This time, Julian seemed to be watching me sleep. It wasn't as embarrassing as the first time.
Rather, I was pleased that he loved me enough to look at me for so long. I reached out and touched his bare face.
Then, the sensation of the magic stone under my palm disappeared like sand slipping away.
As I removed my hand, I felt his smooth face in its place. I called out to him cautiously, yet with a heart full of joy.
“Julian.”
“I feel it too.”
Julian wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him. The touch of his firm, bare chest against my skin made me feel hot again.
But I touched his face again, caressing each and every little magic stone with my hand.
The sight of the magic stone crumbling into dust and dispersing into the air was quite a beautiful sight. It was also ironic, as it had been something that had plagued Julian his entire life.
When I withdrew my hand again, Julian reached up and touched his own face. Both his faces were clean, not a single sliver of magic stone remaining. He muttered in disbelief.
“I’ve become ordinary.”
There was something heartbreaking about those words. But instead of telling a sad story, I said it as a joke.
"You're ordinary? You're... insanely beautiful. Then and now."
At my words, Julian kissed my face gently. The ticklish sensation made me laugh. Julian, smiling at me, was a sight almost enchantingly beautiful. I stared at him, lost in thought, and then pouted.
“There’s a problem.”
“What’s the problem?”
“I’m anxious. What if every woman in the world tries to get you in every way possible?”
It was part joke, part serious. As Julian has been appearing at various social events lately, more and more ladies have been saying he's handsome.
But if he were to completely remove his mask and reveal this appearance to the world... And if his wife were a woman of mere Count's birth, anyone would be after him. I suddenly felt a pang of fear and rubbed my forehead against the nape of his neck.
“What should I do?”
But Julian said it was nothing.
“You can’t have the rest. It’s already yours.”
"Really?"
"Really."
Julian's affectionate words made me melt once again. I was immersed in happiness when Julian spoke with concern.
“By the way, this is a big problem.”
“What is it?”
“I haven’t said hello to your family yet.”
"Ah!"
I jumped up in surprise. Now that I think about it, that's what happened. If Julian had come all this way, he should have greeted my father and other family members first, as was the custom.
But as soon as we saw each other, we got impatient because we couldn't stop eating each other, and without even thinking about saying hello, we went up to my room.
“I’ll be a little embarrassed to see my family tomorrow.”
But I wasn't overly worried. I knew my family wouldn't be the type to find fault with such things. Julian, however, looked concerned, as if he might be.
"I'm worried your father might misunderstand. This is his first time experiencing something like this."
Julian looked utterly serious. But the deep, handsome man was simply beautiful.
“I’ll take care of everything. Julian is hiding behind me.”
When I said this playfully, Julian chuckled softly, as if he found it amusing. We closed our eyes again, still embracing each other. I fell into a deep, comforting sleep, immersed in the scent of his body I'd longed for.
When I woke up the next morning, Julian was fully dressed. I was wearing thin pajamas, which Julian had probably made for me. It was something I'd never seen before.
“Did you bring my pajamas too?”
I asked, rubbing my eyes.
“You just went there with nothing but words.”
“I did. You were worried. I’m sorry.”
Julian approached me without answering and kissed my forehead. Even though it was just that, I felt his concern, and it made my heart ache.
“Marian came and went. Your father asked me to play chess.”
“From the morning?”
“That’s why I asked you to have breakfast together.”
I listened blankly, then a realization struck me: Julian no longer needed to wear a mask, and there was nothing to be afraid of when eating.
I was excited at the thought of sharing my first meal with my loved one and my family. I quickly got up from my seat.
“Then I have to hurry.”
I quickly got ready. I chose a comfortable, lightweight dress from the ones Julian had brought.
As I was combing my hair, Julian handed me a small box. I opened it and found a cute pair of small, emerald earrings. I bit my lip and smiled.
“It’s a pair with the magic stone necklace.”
“It suits your eyes well, too.”
Julian placed the earrings in my ears with his own hands. His firm hands touched my cheeks, ears, and the nape of my neck, and the events of the previous night came flooding back to me, causing my cheeks to flush.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Last night. The thought of you tormenting me.”
“I guess you like being bullied.”
I stood up, glancing at Julian. He escorted me, and we entered the small restaurant used by the family. As we entered, exchanging pleasantries, my father, Ruin, and Adam smiled sheepishly.
It was Julian who greeted them first.
“It’s been a while, Your Excellency.”
"It's been a long time, Your Highness. I'm glad you seem to care for my inadequate daughter."
“I’m sorry I didn’t greet you right away yesterday.”
"No, no. I'm actually worried that as an adult, I might have interrupted the newlyweds' cozy breakfast."
“No.”
While the two engaged in a dull conversation, I sat down. Julian sat down next to me, followed by Ruin and Adam. Perhaps because Julian was there, a rather elaborate meal was served, even though it was morning.
I could sense the tension in my family. It was because Julian was still wearing his mask. And the moment he took it off, a brief silence fell over the table.
Fortunately, my family didn't ask Julian anything. They couldn't completely hide their surprise, but it was nothing more or less than that.
In it, I had a satisfying meal, even though I thought the menu might be a bit burdensome for a morning meal alone.
Father and Julian seemed to have reached an unspoken agreement to talk about the expedition until they could find a suitable topic of conversation.
“...So, there were many casualties in the second expedition.”
“It’s a shame. It’s also foolish.”
“I think so too. It’s something that should never happen again.”
The two men discussed the expedition seriously. Then, Julian spoke as if it were a matter of course.
“I also want to participate in this expedition.”
Until Julian brought this up, I was quietly enjoying my meal, crunching on finely sliced paprika. Then, as if struck by a bolt from the blue, I looked at Julian.
“No!”
At my shout, my family and Julian all looked at me. I had been quiet until then, but now I suddenly shouted, and they all looked dumbfounded.
“Why not?”
The question naturally came from Julian. For a moment, I was speechless.
Why not? He had nothing to do with this expedition. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have come to this distant and dangerous West. Just seeing his face was enough. Sending him to the battlefield? I couldn't do that.
"Of course not. Why are you participating in this expedition? What if you get hurt?"
“Are you going to go to war and say I can’t?”
“That’s right. I can, but you can’t.”
“If I can’t do it, you can’t do it either.”
"Julian! You already gave your permission. But you can't. I won't allow it."
I stood up from the peaceful dining table.
“Layla! Come back!”
My father shouted loudly, but I didn't listen. I heard the sound of quick, clattering footsteps behind me. That alone told me it was Julian chasing me. I ran as if I were running, and Julian, with wide strides, followed closely behind.
“Layla.”
Julian called me when he was just outside my room. He didn't even touch my fingertips, but I couldn't help but stop walking.
His voice had such a powerful effect on me. I spoke without looking back.
“You can’t participate in the war!”
“Do you think I’m weak?”
I turned around and looked at him.
"No. I think you're strong. But what does that have to do with me worrying about you?"
“I won’t be taken advantage of by the demon.”
"I know you're from the North, but I'm worried you'll catch a cold if it gets even a little chilly. That's what worries me."
At my words, Julian slowly approached me. I took a step back, then sighed and took two steps toward him. Then, I banged my forehead against Julian's chest.
"Actually, it's no use trying to stop you, right? How can I stop you?"
"Sorry."
Julian embraced me gently. If I hadn't forced myself to come here, Julian wouldn't have had to fight. A wave of regret washed over me like an ebbing tide.
“You owe me a favor. You can never get hurt.”
“You are the one.”
We held each other for a while, then walked back into the restaurant, hand in hand. Our families were still there.
Father and Ruin greeted us with a sheepish smile and pretended nothing was wrong, but Adam clapped his hands gently.
"You're really our parents' daughter. You had such a big fight, but you made up in less than thirty minutes."
“Adam, be quiet.”
"Yes."
I glanced at Adam, but even if I had ten mouths, I couldn't say anything. We sat back down and drank tea together. It was a fantastic place to chat, if only Adam hadn't teased us so often.
Rather, I was pleased that he loved me enough to look at me for so long. I reached out and touched his bare face.
Then, the sensation of the magic stone under my palm disappeared like sand slipping away.
As I removed my hand, I felt his smooth face in its place. I called out to him cautiously, yet with a heart full of joy.
“Julian.”
“I feel it too.”
Julian wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him. The touch of his firm, bare chest against my skin made me feel hot again.
But I touched his face again, caressing each and every little magic stone with my hand.
The sight of the magic stone crumbling into dust and dispersing into the air was quite a beautiful sight. It was also ironic, as it had been something that had plagued Julian his entire life.
When I withdrew my hand again, Julian reached up and touched his own face. Both his faces were clean, not a single sliver of magic stone remaining. He muttered in disbelief.
“I’ve become ordinary.”
There was something heartbreaking about those words. But instead of telling a sad story, I said it as a joke.
"You're ordinary? You're... insanely beautiful. Then and now."
At my words, Julian kissed my face gently. The ticklish sensation made me laugh. Julian, smiling at me, was a sight almost enchantingly beautiful. I stared at him, lost in thought, and then pouted.
“There’s a problem.”
“What’s the problem?”
“I’m anxious. What if every woman in the world tries to get you in every way possible?”
It was part joke, part serious. As Julian has been appearing at various social events lately, more and more ladies have been saying he's handsome.
But if he were to completely remove his mask and reveal this appearance to the world... And if his wife were a woman of mere Count's birth, anyone would be after him. I suddenly felt a pang of fear and rubbed my forehead against the nape of his neck.
“What should I do?”
But Julian said it was nothing.
“You can’t have the rest. It’s already yours.”
"Really?"
"Really."
Julian's affectionate words made me melt once again. I was immersed in happiness when Julian spoke with concern.
“By the way, this is a big problem.”
“What is it?”
“I haven’t said hello to your family yet.”
"Ah!"
I jumped up in surprise. Now that I think about it, that's what happened. If Julian had come all this way, he should have greeted my father and other family members first, as was the custom.
But as soon as we saw each other, we got impatient because we couldn't stop eating each other, and without even thinking about saying hello, we went up to my room.
“I’ll be a little embarrassed to see my family tomorrow.”
But I wasn't overly worried. I knew my family wouldn't be the type to find fault with such things. Julian, however, looked concerned, as if he might be.
"I'm worried your father might misunderstand. This is his first time experiencing something like this."
Julian looked utterly serious. But the deep, handsome man was simply beautiful.
“I’ll take care of everything. Julian is hiding behind me.”
When I said this playfully, Julian chuckled softly, as if he found it amusing. We closed our eyes again, still embracing each other. I fell into a deep, comforting sleep, immersed in the scent of his body I'd longed for.
***
When I woke up the next morning, Julian was fully dressed. I was wearing thin pajamas, which Julian had probably made for me. It was something I'd never seen before.
“Did you bring my pajamas too?”
I asked, rubbing my eyes.
“You just went there with nothing but words.”
“I did. You were worried. I’m sorry.”
Julian approached me without answering and kissed my forehead. Even though it was just that, I felt his concern, and it made my heart ache.
“Marian came and went. Your father asked me to play chess.”
“From the morning?”
“That’s why I asked you to have breakfast together.”
I listened blankly, then a realization struck me: Julian no longer needed to wear a mask, and there was nothing to be afraid of when eating.
I was excited at the thought of sharing my first meal with my loved one and my family. I quickly got up from my seat.
“Then I have to hurry.”
I quickly got ready. I chose a comfortable, lightweight dress from the ones Julian had brought.
As I was combing my hair, Julian handed me a small box. I opened it and found a cute pair of small, emerald earrings. I bit my lip and smiled.
“It’s a pair with the magic stone necklace.”
“It suits your eyes well, too.”
Julian placed the earrings in my ears with his own hands. His firm hands touched my cheeks, ears, and the nape of my neck, and the events of the previous night came flooding back to me, causing my cheeks to flush.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Last night. The thought of you tormenting me.”
“I guess you like being bullied.”
I stood up, glancing at Julian. He escorted me, and we entered the small restaurant used by the family. As we entered, exchanging pleasantries, my father, Ruin, and Adam smiled sheepishly.
It was Julian who greeted them first.
“It’s been a while, Your Excellency.”
"It's been a long time, Your Highness. I'm glad you seem to care for my inadequate daughter."
“I’m sorry I didn’t greet you right away yesterday.”
"No, no. I'm actually worried that as an adult, I might have interrupted the newlyweds' cozy breakfast."
“No.”
While the two engaged in a dull conversation, I sat down. Julian sat down next to me, followed by Ruin and Adam. Perhaps because Julian was there, a rather elaborate meal was served, even though it was morning.
I could sense the tension in my family. It was because Julian was still wearing his mask. And the moment he took it off, a brief silence fell over the table.
Fortunately, my family didn't ask Julian anything. They couldn't completely hide their surprise, but it was nothing more or less than that.
In it, I had a satisfying meal, even though I thought the menu might be a bit burdensome for a morning meal alone.
Father and Julian seemed to have reached an unspoken agreement to talk about the expedition until they could find a suitable topic of conversation.
“...So, there were many casualties in the second expedition.”
“It’s a shame. It’s also foolish.”
“I think so too. It’s something that should never happen again.”
The two men discussed the expedition seriously. Then, Julian spoke as if it were a matter of course.
“I also want to participate in this expedition.”
Until Julian brought this up, I was quietly enjoying my meal, crunching on finely sliced paprika. Then, as if struck by a bolt from the blue, I looked at Julian.
“No!”
At my shout, my family and Julian all looked at me. I had been quiet until then, but now I suddenly shouted, and they all looked dumbfounded.
“Why not?”
The question naturally came from Julian. For a moment, I was speechless.
Why not? He had nothing to do with this expedition. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have come to this distant and dangerous West. Just seeing his face was enough. Sending him to the battlefield? I couldn't do that.
"Of course not. Why are you participating in this expedition? What if you get hurt?"
“Are you going to go to war and say I can’t?”
“That’s right. I can, but you can’t.”
“If I can’t do it, you can’t do it either.”
"Julian! You already gave your permission. But you can't. I won't allow it."
I stood up from the peaceful dining table.
“Layla! Come back!”
My father shouted loudly, but I didn't listen. I heard the sound of quick, clattering footsteps behind me. That alone told me it was Julian chasing me. I ran as if I were running, and Julian, with wide strides, followed closely behind.
“Layla.”
Julian called me when he was just outside my room. He didn't even touch my fingertips, but I couldn't help but stop walking.
His voice had such a powerful effect on me. I spoke without looking back.
“You can’t participate in the war!”
“Do you think I’m weak?”
I turned around and looked at him.
"No. I think you're strong. But what does that have to do with me worrying about you?"
“I won’t be taken advantage of by the demon.”
"I know you're from the North, but I'm worried you'll catch a cold if it gets even a little chilly. That's what worries me."
At my words, Julian slowly approached me. I took a step back, then sighed and took two steps toward him. Then, I banged my forehead against Julian's chest.
"Actually, it's no use trying to stop you, right? How can I stop you?"
"Sorry."
Julian embraced me gently. If I hadn't forced myself to come here, Julian wouldn't have had to fight. A wave of regret washed over me like an ebbing tide.
“You owe me a favor. You can never get hurt.”
“You are the one.”
We held each other for a while, then walked back into the restaurant, hand in hand. Our families were still there.
Father and Ruin greeted us with a sheepish smile and pretended nothing was wrong, but Adam clapped his hands gently.
"You're really our parents' daughter. You had such a big fight, but you made up in less than thirty minutes."
“Adam, be quiet.”
"Yes."
I glanced at Adam, but even if I had ten mouths, I couldn't say anything. We sat back down and drank tea together. It was a fantastic place to chat, if only Adam hadn't teased us so often.
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