“I wanted to come home quickly.”
Noah's languid voice, briefly kissing my lips, filled my ears. His blue eyes, staring down at my excited face, were as calm as a night spent alone. I swallowed hard, the hot breath rushing in. It squeezed through the slightly open gap, entangling, stroking, and prodding, wetting my insides and making them burn. Every place his lips touched seemed to be soaked with a crimson thrill. My whole body grew languid and hot, so I closed my eyes and covered my mouth. The soft, silver-white hair tickling my chin was bathed in the delicate moonlight. His ragged breath swept over my upper body, melting every nook and cranny.
“Oh, Noah.”
I felt like I was going to lose my shit. I twisted my waist this way and that, trying to resist, and clenched my thighs, but he wouldn't let go. My heart pounded, and my breathing quickened as the foreplay surged. I groaned and gently patted his back.
“Just slow down a little.”
“I don’t think that will work.”
He shook his head, wiping his lips with his finger, his eyes turning red.
The silvery hair covering his bangs fell back, revealing a handsome forehead. Every time I look at those eyes, bathed in sensuality, I feel overcome with ecstasy.
“You like it, right?”
"No."
This damn thing. Why do you know all about it?
His lips, tilting his head as if to tell me not to lie, were excessively moist. Why are sense and instinct so treacherous? My body's honest reaction was driving me crazy with embarrassment. I shook my head from side to side. The excuse I'd been trying to come up with was caught and swallowed deeply.
It's been a long time since I realized it was morning, as I felt the sunlight falling on my eyelids, but my eyes, crushed by fatigue, are having a hard time opening.
Even though I didn't drink much at the dinner party and came home early, I was so caught up in the swamp of desire that I ended up sleeping late.
Noah was already sitting up, looking down at me. The disheveled look he showed only to me was truly delightful. His silver-white hair was slightly disheveled and tangled, and his expression was relaxed. A couple of the buttons on his always-neatly buttoned pajamas were undone. His sleepy, sleepy voice, just awake, sounded sweet.
“Are you awake?”
"...No."
I quickly closed my eyes, which had been narrowing my eyes, but he didn't look at me.
“Princess, you should wake up.”
Noah slowly crawled under the covers, grabbed my arm as I curled up like a bean worm, and straightened my body. I let out a groan.
“I don’t have plans today. It’s the weekend, right?”
"So do i."
"Is that the date we talked about last time, a date in the suburbs?" I was lying face down, face buried in a soft pillow, when he picked me up and threw me into the bathroom.
I quickly washed up, intending to lie down again, but the room was empty. Where had you been in the meantime? You're so diligent. I sighed deeply in relief and tucked myself into the comfort of my bed, savoring the precious coziness. Soon, the door swung open, and Noah, his hair slightly damp, came in.
“I washed up too.”
“In the other bathroom?”
"Yes."
The curtains were tightly closed. I stared at Noah with bleary eyes and closed my eyes, thinking I should go back to sleep. I felt the bed sway, and then the fragrant scent of soap and the warmth of a freshly washed body came closer.
I shouldn't make eye contact. I feel like I shouldn't open my eyes. Judging by the fact that the man couldn't stand it anymore and came back from washing in another bathroom, the circumstances suggest otherwise.
“Diana.”
Noah called me in a charming voice, but I pretended to be asleep and didn't answer.
“Hmm, you’re sleeping.”
The warmth that had briefly faded away clung to my ear, melting it with a soft breath. Then, I heard whispered words, like a secret.
“Your pajamas aren’t all buttoned up. What should I do?”
"Didn't I button my shirt up?" Startled, I opened my eyes and looked down at my chest. Only then did I realize he'd tricked me.
I glanced up and saw my husband's face, which was so charming. He had a gentle smile on his face, his eyes narrowing and curved above his plump, aegyo-sal.
“You weren’t sleeping.”
"Yes..."
Finally, I locked eyes with that man. He was radiant and beautiful in the morning sunlight, but the sultry tint around his eyes made him feel strangely decadent. I felt like I was about to be utterly captivated.
This man knows no boundaries between day and night. He has no time or place. Once you face his languidly seductive face, silently grabbing your wrist, you simply can't resist.
He would ask me for my opinion in a murky, wet voice, even after being so captivated. And he would do it right next to my ear, the most vulnerable part of my body.
“If you don’t like it, just tell me.”
How on earth could anyone say no, how or why?
Once you're intoxicated by that powerful temptation, you can never say "no." It's just how newlyweds are, but even though I used to wish he'd be a little more assertive...
Noah's lips tasted warm and sweet like toothpaste. It was wonderful to feel my mouth moisten, to lock eyes and admire those mysterious blue eyes up close. Taking the time to melt into his kiss was wonderful in a different way. The long, straight strokes of his hands were also beautiful.
I was once again actively drained of my energy. No, I gave it to myself with my whole being. A thin ray of sunlight filtered through the tightly closed curtains. I felt as if my wobbly consciousness was being sucked away through that gap, oxidizing. In the end, all that remained was a selfless, almost involuntary conclusion: "It's okay, anyway."
“...It’s hard.”
After I got out of the secret pleasure zone, I washed up and collapsed on the bed, barely able to express my discontent, but he was so much healthier than I was.
“I’m not tired.”
Why are you looking so dazed again? Only then did I realize I'd changed into whatever I could get my hands on, a string silk slip. I was unintentionally wearing his signature slip. My husband, with his handsome, aristocratic looks and a finely sculpted upper body, flashed his signature smile. I resigned myself and spoke in a halfhearted voice.
“...My lifespan is just slightly shortened. Don’t worry about it.”
"Yes."
Noah didn't get my high-level sarcasm. His excited body hadn't even cooled yet, and just looking down at the straps sliding down my shoulders made me feel hot, and my legs trembled. I was embarrassed by his body's unexpected reaction. As I tried to pull away, he bit my lower lip to keep me from running away, staring at me with narrowed eyes.
Even when I was dying from exhaustion, when I saw that sensual man, I felt like it wouldn't matter if I lived a day or two less than others.
“Open your mouth wide. I’m asking you something.”
Before I knew it, lunchtime had passed. I was so weak that I was curled up on the sofa like melted cheese. The maid had brought a Medea-style brunch into the bedroom, and Noah was personally serving me eggs and bacon.
“There is a good way to make it small.”
"I see."
As I was staring at the man, who surprisingly seemed incapable of ordinary thought, a knock came from outside the door, and Molly entered the room. She paused for a moment, looking at me, who looked like salted spinach, before speaking her mind.
"I sent word that you would like to participate in a shooting competition as a member of the St. Louis Club. The Baron Chelsea family responded and sent you a gift."
She left the room, leaving the letter and teddy bear from the Commander on the table. Contrary to his appearance, the Commander seemed to have a gentler side.
I leaned back on the sofa, nibbling on plain toast as I unfolded the letter. It suggested a cozy family meal, and it even offered to bring Boaz, who suffers from anxiety, dog treats, a thoughtful gesture.
“You sent me an invitation to your home. Let me know your available dates, and I’ll reply.”
"Yes."
Noah usually didn't like my friends or connections, but he never really restricted me or interfered with my behavior. He would occasionally throw tantrums or insist that he was always the most important, but it was just the cute jealousy of a grown man.
I'm not the type to run wild for connections, and even if someone approaches me with favor, I know I won't trust them easily. In Barbara's case, she had a wide network of connections and a wealth of information, so it was more like I was using them out of necessity.
Noah was examining a black teddy bear dressed in a sailor uniform from the Medea Navy.
“I think it’s a teddy bear from a toy company acquired by Chelsea.”
“It’s cute.”
"They give them out for free to refugee children and war orphans. They say noble children also like them. The Navy teddy bears are especially popular."
“Is Commander Chelsea one of the royal supporters?”
Noah, who was trying to sit the teddy bear upright on the table by grabbing its arm in response to my question, opened his eyes wide.
“Did that noisy woman tell you?”
"Barbara? No, I think they contribute a lot to the national image. To promote a positive image of the Medea Army, they dressed a black teddy bear in a military uniform, the color of Medea's hair. It might not seem like much of an impact right away, but it's a potential benefit that children will think about when they grow up."
“How do you know that? It’s fascinating.”
Noah muttered with satisfaction, having successfully straightened the teddy bear that kept tipping over. I, feeling a pang of regret, explained that I'd read a related book in the study. He rubbed the corners of his mouth with a suspicious look.
“There’s no such book in the study.”
“Hey, you haven’t seen it, have you? There are so many books?”
He remained silent for a moment. Noah's eyes, which had been staring blankly at the teddy bear, slowly opened and turned toward me.
“I looked for it, but it wasn’t there.”
"Yes?"
“It’s not on the list.”
What did you find? I tilted my head. For a moment, my mind wandered, then I remembered the story of the dog and the wolf, where he pointed to his own head and said, "Here it is."
The back of my neck tingled. He has an incredible memory. Though sometimes, when things get out of hand, he insists he can't remember. My gaze, lost in thought, was fixed on the teddy bear.
“I guess I must have read it somewhere, even if it wasn’t in the study.”
“I see. If you had gone to school properly, you might have become a doctor.”
He spoke casually. I swallowed hard and watched his reaction. I realized I should refrain from pretending to know him from now on.
“Not to that extent.”
“If you want, I can teach you.”
"It's okay."
I've spent 80% of my life studying, including compulsory education and university. And now I have to go to school again? It's like a surge of anger welling up inside me. Noah suddenly asked, his face completely unconvinced.
“But how does Lennyvin know?”
“Is this Lennyvin?”
“A sandwich shop next to Hestia Royal University in Benelin City.”
Lennyvin was originally a sandwich shop near the public university I attended in my lifetime. While that part is similar, the university name is completely different.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you know this place?”
"I went to Frogen's military academy, but most of the Rotsilt family came here to study and graduated from that university. So I know."
“I don’t know...”
“Your favorite sandwich recipe is similar to that one.”
“What a coincidence.”
“Sometimes you order while sleeping.”
Noah had a leisurely smile on his lips.
I must have unconsciously said it in my sleep. I couldn't just pretend it was a coincidence anymore. But if I suddenly told him I'd come here from another world, I felt like the world would turn upside down, and I was worried that I'd be pressing a button that would send me back to reality. The fact that this wasn't the Diana he'd been looking for also bothered me.
“Oh... that’s interesting.”
"You seem like a person who has lived a life completely different from the one I know. You're closer to a privileged minority who, despite not having received any material benefits, have enjoyed everything. Your values, your perspective, your actions."
Noah's smile had vanished completely. His tone remained as gentle as ever. Well, it's strange, considering she's a former kitchen maid with a wealth of knowledge. Perhaps he'd been harboring doubts all along, but hadn't bothered to question them, simply observing until he was convinced.
My true self had been revealed so much that simply claiming I read a lot wouldn't be enough. Countless past actions that might have hinted at something to Noah began to surface. I racked my brain, desperately trying to come up with an excuse. He asked me directly.
“You’re not going to tell me?”
“I don’t understand. Am I talking in my sleep?”
“Yeah. When you sleep, it’s like you're in another world.”
Noah's eyes were gradually darkening. It was something a normal person might have overlooked without a second thought. He, of all people, was quick-witted and intelligent. Finally, a sigh was heard.
“I feel like I’m going to another world forever. Like returning to where I came from.”
“Hey, where is that?”
"It's beyond common sense. But I think it might not be impossible."
Noah placed the teddy bear on my lap, locked eyes with me, and clasped his hands together, clutching them as if he would never let go. His vulnerable expression, visible only to me, was shadowed by anxiety beneath his downcast eyelashes.
"Diana, that was the source of my anxiety. I felt like you might leave at any moment."
He's realistic, and sometimes he says unrealistic things. But his words are so accurate that they send shivers down my spine. That other worlds exist, that I've lived lives different from this one.
Clearly, the original Diana was timid, cowardly, and submissive. Perhaps that's why he pointed a rifle at me and scared me, just to test me out. That's when my interest and curiosity began.
“I’m not leaving.”
In the end, I couldn't tell the truth. I couldn't go there with you, so I had no intention of returning. From the moment I first arrived here until now, I've felt no nostalgia for the place where I was born and raised. After all, there was nothing there. Instead, I dismissed my original world as unreal, denying it.
“Noah, there is no such thing as another world.”
I chose a regressive, war-torn world over the modern one.
Noah's languid voice, briefly kissing my lips, filled my ears. His blue eyes, staring down at my excited face, were as calm as a night spent alone. I swallowed hard, the hot breath rushing in. It squeezed through the slightly open gap, entangling, stroking, and prodding, wetting my insides and making them burn. Every place his lips touched seemed to be soaked with a crimson thrill. My whole body grew languid and hot, so I closed my eyes and covered my mouth. The soft, silver-white hair tickling my chin was bathed in the delicate moonlight. His ragged breath swept over my upper body, melting every nook and cranny.
“Oh, Noah.”
I felt like I was going to lose my shit. I twisted my waist this way and that, trying to resist, and clenched my thighs, but he wouldn't let go. My heart pounded, and my breathing quickened as the foreplay surged. I groaned and gently patted his back.
“Just slow down a little.”
“I don’t think that will work.”
He shook his head, wiping his lips with his finger, his eyes turning red.
The silvery hair covering his bangs fell back, revealing a handsome forehead. Every time I look at those eyes, bathed in sensuality, I feel overcome with ecstasy.
“You like it, right?”
"No."
This damn thing. Why do you know all about it?
His lips, tilting his head as if to tell me not to lie, were excessively moist. Why are sense and instinct so treacherous? My body's honest reaction was driving me crazy with embarrassment. I shook my head from side to side. The excuse I'd been trying to come up with was caught and swallowed deeply.
***
It's been a long time since I realized it was morning, as I felt the sunlight falling on my eyelids, but my eyes, crushed by fatigue, are having a hard time opening.
Even though I didn't drink much at the dinner party and came home early, I was so caught up in the swamp of desire that I ended up sleeping late.
Noah was already sitting up, looking down at me. The disheveled look he showed only to me was truly delightful. His silver-white hair was slightly disheveled and tangled, and his expression was relaxed. A couple of the buttons on his always-neatly buttoned pajamas were undone. His sleepy, sleepy voice, just awake, sounded sweet.
“Are you awake?”
"...No."
I quickly closed my eyes, which had been narrowing my eyes, but he didn't look at me.
“Princess, you should wake up.”
Noah slowly crawled under the covers, grabbed my arm as I curled up like a bean worm, and straightened my body. I let out a groan.
“I don’t have plans today. It’s the weekend, right?”
"So do i."
"Is that the date we talked about last time, a date in the suburbs?" I was lying face down, face buried in a soft pillow, when he picked me up and threw me into the bathroom.
I quickly washed up, intending to lie down again, but the room was empty. Where had you been in the meantime? You're so diligent. I sighed deeply in relief and tucked myself into the comfort of my bed, savoring the precious coziness. Soon, the door swung open, and Noah, his hair slightly damp, came in.
“I washed up too.”
“In the other bathroom?”
"Yes."
The curtains were tightly closed. I stared at Noah with bleary eyes and closed my eyes, thinking I should go back to sleep. I felt the bed sway, and then the fragrant scent of soap and the warmth of a freshly washed body came closer.
I shouldn't make eye contact. I feel like I shouldn't open my eyes. Judging by the fact that the man couldn't stand it anymore and came back from washing in another bathroom, the circumstances suggest otherwise.
“Diana.”
Noah called me in a charming voice, but I pretended to be asleep and didn't answer.
“Hmm, you’re sleeping.”
The warmth that had briefly faded away clung to my ear, melting it with a soft breath. Then, I heard whispered words, like a secret.
“Your pajamas aren’t all buttoned up. What should I do?”
"Didn't I button my shirt up?" Startled, I opened my eyes and looked down at my chest. Only then did I realize he'd tricked me.
I glanced up and saw my husband's face, which was so charming. He had a gentle smile on his face, his eyes narrowing and curved above his plump, aegyo-sal.
“You weren’t sleeping.”
"Yes..."
Finally, I locked eyes with that man. He was radiant and beautiful in the morning sunlight, but the sultry tint around his eyes made him feel strangely decadent. I felt like I was about to be utterly captivated.
This man knows no boundaries between day and night. He has no time or place. Once you face his languidly seductive face, silently grabbing your wrist, you simply can't resist.
He would ask me for my opinion in a murky, wet voice, even after being so captivated. And he would do it right next to my ear, the most vulnerable part of my body.
“If you don’t like it, just tell me.”
How on earth could anyone say no, how or why?
Once you're intoxicated by that powerful temptation, you can never say "no." It's just how newlyweds are, but even though I used to wish he'd be a little more assertive...
Noah's lips tasted warm and sweet like toothpaste. It was wonderful to feel my mouth moisten, to lock eyes and admire those mysterious blue eyes up close. Taking the time to melt into his kiss was wonderful in a different way. The long, straight strokes of his hands were also beautiful.
I was once again actively drained of my energy. No, I gave it to myself with my whole being. A thin ray of sunlight filtered through the tightly closed curtains. I felt as if my wobbly consciousness was being sucked away through that gap, oxidizing. In the end, all that remained was a selfless, almost involuntary conclusion: "It's okay, anyway."
“...It’s hard.”
After I got out of the secret pleasure zone, I washed up and collapsed on the bed, barely able to express my discontent, but he was so much healthier than I was.
“I’m not tired.”
Why are you looking so dazed again? Only then did I realize I'd changed into whatever I could get my hands on, a string silk slip. I was unintentionally wearing his signature slip. My husband, with his handsome, aristocratic looks and a finely sculpted upper body, flashed his signature smile. I resigned myself and spoke in a halfhearted voice.
“...My lifespan is just slightly shortened. Don’t worry about it.”
"Yes."
Noah didn't get my high-level sarcasm. His excited body hadn't even cooled yet, and just looking down at the straps sliding down my shoulders made me feel hot, and my legs trembled. I was embarrassed by his body's unexpected reaction. As I tried to pull away, he bit my lower lip to keep me from running away, staring at me with narrowed eyes.
Even when I was dying from exhaustion, when I saw that sensual man, I felt like it wouldn't matter if I lived a day or two less than others.
***
“Open your mouth wide. I’m asking you something.”
Before I knew it, lunchtime had passed. I was so weak that I was curled up on the sofa like melted cheese. The maid had brought a Medea-style brunch into the bedroom, and Noah was personally serving me eggs and bacon.
“There is a good way to make it small.”
"I see."
As I was staring at the man, who surprisingly seemed incapable of ordinary thought, a knock came from outside the door, and Molly entered the room. She paused for a moment, looking at me, who looked like salted spinach, before speaking her mind.
"I sent word that you would like to participate in a shooting competition as a member of the St. Louis Club. The Baron Chelsea family responded and sent you a gift."
She left the room, leaving the letter and teddy bear from the Commander on the table. Contrary to his appearance, the Commander seemed to have a gentler side.
I leaned back on the sofa, nibbling on plain toast as I unfolded the letter. It suggested a cozy family meal, and it even offered to bring Boaz, who suffers from anxiety, dog treats, a thoughtful gesture.
“You sent me an invitation to your home. Let me know your available dates, and I’ll reply.”
"Yes."
Noah usually didn't like my friends or connections, but he never really restricted me or interfered with my behavior. He would occasionally throw tantrums or insist that he was always the most important, but it was just the cute jealousy of a grown man.
I'm not the type to run wild for connections, and even if someone approaches me with favor, I know I won't trust them easily. In Barbara's case, she had a wide network of connections and a wealth of information, so it was more like I was using them out of necessity.
Noah was examining a black teddy bear dressed in a sailor uniform from the Medea Navy.
“I think it’s a teddy bear from a toy company acquired by Chelsea.”
“It’s cute.”
"They give them out for free to refugee children and war orphans. They say noble children also like them. The Navy teddy bears are especially popular."
“Is Commander Chelsea one of the royal supporters?”
Noah, who was trying to sit the teddy bear upright on the table by grabbing its arm in response to my question, opened his eyes wide.
“Did that noisy woman tell you?”
"Barbara? No, I think they contribute a lot to the national image. To promote a positive image of the Medea Army, they dressed a black teddy bear in a military uniform, the color of Medea's hair. It might not seem like much of an impact right away, but it's a potential benefit that children will think about when they grow up."
“How do you know that? It’s fascinating.”
Noah muttered with satisfaction, having successfully straightened the teddy bear that kept tipping over. I, feeling a pang of regret, explained that I'd read a related book in the study. He rubbed the corners of his mouth with a suspicious look.
“There’s no such book in the study.”
“Hey, you haven’t seen it, have you? There are so many books?”
He remained silent for a moment. Noah's eyes, which had been staring blankly at the teddy bear, slowly opened and turned toward me.
“I looked for it, but it wasn’t there.”
"Yes?"
“It’s not on the list.”
What did you find? I tilted my head. For a moment, my mind wandered, then I remembered the story of the dog and the wolf, where he pointed to his own head and said, "Here it is."
The back of my neck tingled. He has an incredible memory. Though sometimes, when things get out of hand, he insists he can't remember. My gaze, lost in thought, was fixed on the teddy bear.
“I guess I must have read it somewhere, even if it wasn’t in the study.”
“I see. If you had gone to school properly, you might have become a doctor.”
He spoke casually. I swallowed hard and watched his reaction. I realized I should refrain from pretending to know him from now on.
“Not to that extent.”
“If you want, I can teach you.”
"It's okay."
I've spent 80% of my life studying, including compulsory education and university. And now I have to go to school again? It's like a surge of anger welling up inside me. Noah suddenly asked, his face completely unconvinced.
“But how does Lennyvin know?”
“Is this Lennyvin?”
“A sandwich shop next to Hestia Royal University in Benelin City.”
Lennyvin was originally a sandwich shop near the public university I attended in my lifetime. While that part is similar, the university name is completely different.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Do you know this place?”
"I went to Frogen's military academy, but most of the Rotsilt family came here to study and graduated from that university. So I know."
“I don’t know...”
“Your favorite sandwich recipe is similar to that one.”
“What a coincidence.”
“Sometimes you order while sleeping.”
Noah had a leisurely smile on his lips.
I must have unconsciously said it in my sleep. I couldn't just pretend it was a coincidence anymore. But if I suddenly told him I'd come here from another world, I felt like the world would turn upside down, and I was worried that I'd be pressing a button that would send me back to reality. The fact that this wasn't the Diana he'd been looking for also bothered me.
“Oh... that’s interesting.”
"You seem like a person who has lived a life completely different from the one I know. You're closer to a privileged minority who, despite not having received any material benefits, have enjoyed everything. Your values, your perspective, your actions."
Noah's smile had vanished completely. His tone remained as gentle as ever. Well, it's strange, considering she's a former kitchen maid with a wealth of knowledge. Perhaps he'd been harboring doubts all along, but hadn't bothered to question them, simply observing until he was convinced.
My true self had been revealed so much that simply claiming I read a lot wouldn't be enough. Countless past actions that might have hinted at something to Noah began to surface. I racked my brain, desperately trying to come up with an excuse. He asked me directly.
“You’re not going to tell me?”
“I don’t understand. Am I talking in my sleep?”
“Yeah. When you sleep, it’s like you're in another world.”
Noah's eyes were gradually darkening. It was something a normal person might have overlooked without a second thought. He, of all people, was quick-witted and intelligent. Finally, a sigh was heard.
“I feel like I’m going to another world forever. Like returning to where I came from.”
“Hey, where is that?”
"It's beyond common sense. But I think it might not be impossible."
Noah placed the teddy bear on my lap, locked eyes with me, and clasped his hands together, clutching them as if he would never let go. His vulnerable expression, visible only to me, was shadowed by anxiety beneath his downcast eyelashes.
"Diana, that was the source of my anxiety. I felt like you might leave at any moment."
He's realistic, and sometimes he says unrealistic things. But his words are so accurate that they send shivers down my spine. That other worlds exist, that I've lived lives different from this one.
Clearly, the original Diana was timid, cowardly, and submissive. Perhaps that's why he pointed a rifle at me and scared me, just to test me out. That's when my interest and curiosity began.
“I’m not leaving.”
In the end, I couldn't tell the truth. I couldn't go there with you, so I had no intention of returning. From the moment I first arrived here until now, I've felt no nostalgia for the place where I was born and raised. After all, there was nothing there. Instead, I dismissed my original world as unreal, denying it.
“Noah, there is no such thing as another world.”
I chose a regressive, war-torn world over the modern one.
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