IWAP - Chapter 98

I lifted the steaming teacup. Sis, who had been moving her lips to say something, closed his mouth at the sight of me.

I savored the rich aroma of the tea with the tip of my nose and slowly took a sip. The cool and pungent taste refreshed not only my mouth but also my mind.

I closed my eyes and savored the taste a little more. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel Sis's fidgeting.

"As I said before, I have never allowed anyone other than you to use my name. She is just saying whatever she wants."

Perhaps out of impatience, as soon as I opened my eyes, he rattled off excuses like a machine gun.

"I said there is no need to explain."

"Shouldn't you at least listen to an excuse?"

"It must have happened because you gave them some leeway." 

He swept his hair back with a rough motion, as if frustrated.

"I admit that I handled it carelessly. But...”

He got up and came out to me.

"I certainly didn't have feelings for her like the rumors say."

He knelt on the floor and met my gaze. I could see his golden eyes flickering with anxiety.

"You are the only one for me. Bee." 

His hand covered the back of my hand. Heat traveled through his hand and reached me.

"I swear by my late mother." 

“I know.”

"What?"

"I said that I was already aware that the rumors circulating were exaggerated."

"...!" 

He opened his eyes wide in surprise.

"Since Lady Deisha is going around leading your knights, it must be just a rumor."

"I had no grounds to refuse Duke Deisha's request for knights to escort the Duke's daughter. It is by no means my own wish that I provided the knights."

“I know that too.”

I answered calmly in a flat voice. He looked at me with a bewildered expression.

"You know everything, so why are you angry?"

“I’m not angry.”

"No, you are definitely angry."

“Why do you think that?”

"Because my whole body reacts sensitively to your mood."

His long fingers stroked my cheek.

"It’s okay to get angry. You have every right to be angry at me."

His thumb moved slowly and touched my lips.

"You can scream that I'm a bad guy and hit me until you're satisfied. I'll take it all. So please, don't try to push me away with that nonchalant look on your face like you are now."

"We cannot use violence against His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

He, who had been extremely nervous, smiled faintly at my spiteful answer.

"I remember getting hit quite a bit, even by now?"

"I don't remember."

"It's okay. Being a battered husband seems manageable. Don't you think I have some talent for it?"

"You have unique tastes."

"If only I could marry you, what wouldn't I do? You're finally letting go of your anger, right?"

He grabbed my wrist and shook it as if pleading. His cuteness made me laugh.

"As I mentioned, I wasn't angry."

"Then?"

" It's just a little annoying."

"I have not the slightest interest in the Duke's daughter. You know that, right?"

“I don’t know.”

“Bee!”

When I replied indifferently, he grumbled.

"Isn't this really too much? I've shown you my feelings over and over again, and is it still not enough?"

"Well."

I turned my head away as if ignoring him as he whined. He grabbed my head tightly with both hands and turned it back toward him.

"Seeing that you can't give a proper answer, does that mean my heart is still not enough for you?"

He grinned and pulled one side of his lip upward.

"In that case, I have no choice but to show you my whole heart. Even more than now."

His eyes gleamed dangerously.

"So that you can know for sure this time." 

Moist lips passed my lips and went down.

His tongue moved along my jawline as if drawing a picture.

"Ugh!"

His Adam's apple bobbed greatly, and a low, husky voice flowed from his lips.

"Hmm." 

His lips slowly traced down ny neckline.

“Sigh!”

He, who had been licking like a kitten milking, pressed his lips against the collarbone and sucked hard. A strange sensation began to tickle deep inside my stomach.

“Bee.”

His voice, calling my name anxiously, was hoarse. Unable to bear it any longer, I raised my hand and dug my fingers into his hair. A smooth, ball-of-mush sensation entangled between my fingers.

"Haa, it's not enough."

His lips let out a sigh and covered mine again. Our breaths exchanged, and from our bodies, heat rose.

“Can you feel it?”

He took my hand and placed it on his heart. His chest rose and fell violently.

Thump thump.

The strong pounding of the heart was transmitted through the palm.

"My heart beats like crazy whenever I see you." 

"..." 

"I'm scared I might die at this rate." 

He pressed his lips against mine again. Small kisses followed, like chicks pecking at food.

"Please allow me to have you completely as soon as possible." 

A burning gaze that felt like it would turn me to ashes just by meeting my eyes, and a sweet voice that felt like it would melt me in an instant, shook me at the same time.

"Please, I beg of you, Bee."

It seemed as though I would give my permission right then and there at his pleading.

***

As soon as the carriage door opened, Sis reached out his hand toward me as if he had been waiting. Dressed in a black uniform that contrasted with his neatly swept-back silver hair, he looked calmer and more serious than usual.

I stepped out of the carriage, holding his outstretched hand. I could feel countless eyes blatantly watching us.

"You are dazzlingly beautiful today, Lady Elliot." 

"Your Highness, you are wonderful as well." 

It was the day of the New Year's party hosted by the Imperial Palace, which takes place once a year.

The New Year's party was a very important event that had to be attended not only by nobles staying in the capital but also by those who had been staying secluded in their own estates, putting everything aside.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that all the nobles of the Empire were gathered in one place today. Unlike me, who felt uncomfortable with the more stares than usual, he seemed completely unfazed.

"Did you dress up this nicely just for me?" 

"Oh!"

"Aaah!”

He brought his lips to my cheek as if brushing past and whispered. Several noblewomen who had been watching the two of us made a fuss and let out gasps.

I also lowered my voice so that others might hear.

"Is it fun?" 

"I have to go around letting people know you're my woman, even if it's just like this, to stop those flies who can't figure out their place and try to swarm around me."

"Are you that lacking in confidence?" 

"I'm always overflowing with confidence. However..."

He took my chin with one hand and gently lifted it upward. His golden eyes, meeting mine, sparkled sweetly like honey. The moment I felt his face draw near, a feather-like softness came down to my lips and pulled away.

"When it comes to you, no matter how much I prepare, I can't put my mind at ease." 

“Aah!”

“Oh my!”

Once again, gasps like screams were heard from here and there. His arm naturally wrapped around my waist. I could feel his large hand firmly supporting my waist.

"Please come in, Lady Elliot."

He, who had transformed into the appearance of a gentleman in an instant, raised and lowered his eyebrows. I shook my head at the playful expression on his face, which contrasted with his polite demeanor.

The New Year's party was held at Erharrak Hall, which could accommodate a large number of people. Sis moved to escort me to Erharrak Home.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince."

The attendant blocked our path with a hurried expression. Sis's face furrowed slightly. A mere attendant blocking the Crown Prince's path was an extremely rude thing to do.

A servant working at the imperial palace could not possibly have been unaware of such a fact. The fact that he blocked the way despite knowing it was rude.

It means that something urgent has happened.

'Did something bad happen?'

The attendant quickly approached and whispered something in his ear. Displeasure settled on Sis's stiff face.

"So?"

"Well, that's..." 

The words flowing from Sis's mouth were colder than anything, as if he were in a bad mood. The attendant glanced nervously at him, not knowing what to do.

“What’s going on?”

"They say Duke Deisha is injured." 

“What happened?”

I smoothed out the frown that was threatening to form on my face and asked. Sis still did not let go of his displeasure. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to have no intention of answering. I turned my gaze to the attendant standing fidgeting nervously in front of him.

"Where and how badly was he injured?"

"I do not know the exact details, but they are looking for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." 

"If you were injured, you should have called a royal physician. Why are you looking for me?"

Sis appeared to have no intention of answering Duke Deisha's summons. A servant does not carry out his master's orders

He paced back and forth anxiously, fearing he might not be able to do it.

"I think it would be a good idea to go and see for now." 

“Why me?”

"There is no benefit in confronting the Duke right now." 

Displeasure was still clearly visible on his face, but he did not intend to be stubborn. A low sigh escaped from his mouth.

“Let’s go together.”

“I will guide you!”

Fearing that Sis’s mind might change at any moment, the attendant, who had been watching our reactions, quickly moved.

Sis's hand gently pushed my back. It was evident that he would absolutely not go unless I went.

"How about you go alone?" 

"If you won't go, I have no intention of going either." 

"You're acting childish again."

"Even if it seems childish, it can't be helped. I should become a child rather than leave you alone."

I ended up shaking my head at the sight of Sis stubbornly insisting that he had absolutely no intention of going back on his word.

"Understood. I'll go with you." 

Eventually, I followed him to where Duke Deisha was.

"I see you again, Lady Elliot."

"Bjorne Rossa Elliott greets the Duke." 

"Haha, there's no need to be so formal between people who know each other."

Duke Deisha gestured for me and Sis to sit on the sofa.

"You're saying you were looking for me?" 

"I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness. Today is the most important day for my daughter, and as you can see, I am in this state."

The Duke lifted his trousers, revealing his hidden ankle. It was tightly wrapped in white bandages.

His ankle was so swollen that the pain was palpable just by looking at it.

"I am too ashamed to even speak about this anywhere, so I intend to swallow my pride and ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for help."

"Please tell me." 

"Please escort my daughter to the party."

There was no change in Sis's expression. However, one could sense that his indifferent demeanor had instantly turned sharp.

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