Chapter 170: Side Story 26 

It certainly hadn’t been an easy day. There had been unsettling moments and exhausting ones, too. And yet, whenever she was with Ysildus like this… it was strange how she could forget everything else. As if none of it mattered anymore.

Right now, it was only Ysildus.

The kiss they’d shared replayed in her mind… and just feeling the warmth of his hand was enough to make her head feel like it might explode. Alexa glanced up at him.

Ysildus always looked good under the moonlight. He seemed even more beautiful at night than during the day. He was doing nothing more than looking at her quietly, and yet her heart jolted for no reason.

“W-Why are you looking at me like that?”

Alexa asked curtly, unable to lift her gaze from embarrassment. Even the sound of her swallowing felt strangely loud.

“Can’t I look at you?”

“…”

Ysildus smiled faintly as he caught sight of her flushed earlobes. He could see everything – what she was thinking, why she was reacting like that. Alexa was as transparent as water. Whatever she carried inside, she showed it all so honestly.

Ysildus ran a hand down his face. A storm of emotions surged through him. She was lovely. And once again, utterly lovely.

He pulled Alexa closer. Did she know how he felt, that even when they were this close, it wasn’t enough? That even when he saw her, he still longed to see her more?

Silently, he began to toy with her fingers.

“Alexa. Look at me.”

Alexa, who had been walking with hesitant, tentative steps, finally came to a stop. She lifted her head slightly and there, at the edge of her gaze, was Ysildus. Or more precisely, his lips.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

As she sharply turned her head away, Ysildus tugged her back. With eyes that so blatantly gave away what she was thinking and where she was looking… wasn’t that just inviting him to kiss her?

He gently tilted her chin up.

When his lips brushed against hers without warning, Alexa’s eyes flew open. Ysildus softly traced her jaw. Realizing what that meant, Alexa shut her eyes tightly again.

Somehow…

Since coming to the capital, she felt freer. Back in Thersion, there had been too many watching eyes. The people of Thersion had been overly protective of Alexa. They held her close like a precious child, never letting her go.

Even Essellia used to oversee all her meals, morning to night, and the head maid would fuss the moment Alexa looked the least bit tired.

Doing something like this with Ysildus there felt like…

‘A sin?’

Like doing something forbidden at her childhood home?

If they were to kiss like this in the garden, it felt like all of Thersion would come running out to stop them. Of course, that would never happen but still, that’s how it felt.

The capital had a freer air. No one peered out at them, even as she and Ysildus kissed in the garden. Alexa tugged him closer, parting her lips just as he wanted, accepting him fully. Her heart pounded furiously.

She gripped the front of Ysildus’ shirt. It felt like her soul was being drawn out of her. Even if she were to sink and die like this… she wouldn’t have any regrets. She let out a quiet gasp.

“Ysildus… wait.”

Feeling dizzy, Alexa pushed him away. Ysildus’ hand trailed up from her wrist, and he stroked her elbow as he whispered, “Should we go to the bedroom?”

Alexa’s face turned a fiery red. Here in the capital, they had separate rooms, next to each other, yes, but separate. For the first time, they were sleeping apart. It felt a little lonely… and a little strange. Her eyelashes quivered.

The fact that she hadn’t been able to sleep properly without him was Alexa’s secret alone.

“Wh-Which room…?”

At her question, Ysildus smiled with his eyes. Like a predator staring down a delicious meal. He pressed a soft kiss to her ear.

“Anywhere.”

Alexa gave a small nod. Their fingers laced together. Her heart thundered like she’d just stolen something. As he led her toward the bedroom, Alexa gasped for air. But before she could come to her senses, their lips met again.

As if those moments apart had been an eternity.

Alexa rose onto her toes and clung to Ysildus. The sound of their pounding hearts rang in unison. Ysildus gently stroked the nape of her neck. Her skin beneath his fingertips felt like it might melt. Everything revealed beneath the folds of her dress caught Ysildus’ gaze.

“…Now’s our only chance, Alexa.”

“Huh…?”

“If you don’t want this, say so now.”

His voice was low, much lower than usual, heavy with heat and desire. Alexa’s eyes flushed red.

“If you tell me to stop, I’ll walk out that door. But if you don’t…”

She already knew what would follow. Alexa grabbed his hand.

“…Do you love me?”

Why did she want to hear it again, like a child needing reassurance? Even though she already knew his heart.

“I love you, Alexa.”

The sweet reply came without hesitation, making her chest flutter.

“I do too.”

Alexa said softly, her voice slightly wet with emotion.

“I love you too, Ysildus.”

That was, without a doubt, permission.

Ysildus tugged her dress downward. The rustling fabric, the sliver of moonlight seeping in through the window, the scorching heat melting their skin, only those things remained.

* * * 

“Alexa.”

She blinked. That whisper in her ear, it was…

“Kyah!”

As the memory of last night hit her, Alexa shot upright. The maids were bound to come looking for her any moment. Not that she’d intended to fall asleep here in the first place.

As she squirmed in embarrassment, Ysildus held her tight. Her eyes wide and hair disheveled, she collapsed into his arms. And like magic, calm returned. Everything felt like it would be okay. Alexa opened her mouth.

“Ysildus…?”

“I’ll take you to the bath.”

His voice was bright and gentle.

Morning sunlight spilled across his body. His silver hair looked like it would dissolve into the light. Alexa reached out and stroked it. The silky strands slipping through her fingers made her blush for some reason.

She nodded.

“Okay.”

Alexa buried herself in his chest.

The wolf smiled with the red-haired girl held close in his arms.

A fullness swelled in his chest, as if he had finally, completely made Alexa his own. The mark deepened on his skin, dark and vivid, before slowly fading.

Ysildus gently caressed Alexa’s bare skin.

“Ysildus?”

“Ah…”

He shook his head, as if to say it was nothing. Then, lifting Alexa into his arms, he carried her into the bath.

The door didn’t open again. The morning was long, and strangely, no one came looking for Alexa that day. Very strangely.

* * * 

He said he was only taking her to the bath.

Ysildus, liar. That wicked wolf.

Alexa, running late, entered Jeremiah’s room with an awkward expression.

“Jeremiah. Good morning.”

“Mm. More like… good brunch? I think that’s more accurate.”

“Haha… I overslept.”

Alexa rubbed her cheek sheepishly. She approached Jeremiah and checked on him. He was clearly improving. It wouldn’t be long before he could get up.

Jeremiah looked at her with a curious gaze.

Ysildus had told her the ball to choose Jeremiah’s future Empress would be held soon. Count Jertho was leading the arrangements, and no one was trying to stop it. In fact, some had even suggested that it would be wise for Jeremiah to find a suitable match and get married there.

Clearly, Ysildus still wasn’t entirely comfortable with how close she and Jeremiah were.

As Alexa tended to him, Jeremiah kept his eyes on her.

Empress, huh. Empress…

He’d never really entertained the thought. He’d certainly never imagined placing anyone else in that position. So why… did it feel so strange?

Jeremiah asked Alexa, who was focused on his treatment.

“…They say there’ll be a ball to choose the Empress, Alexa.”

“Huh?”

She looked up.

“Empress?”

“Yeah. A ball to pick the Empress.”

Alexa thought for a moment. She might have heard something like that… or maybe not. She’d been so wrapped up in her work at the clinic lately, she hadn’t really paid attention.

“Wow. So you’re getting married, Jeremiah?”

“…I might be.”

Alexa didn’t show even a flicker of emotion. Her response was pure admiration, and in that moment, Jeremiah realized. He had to let go of the little lingering attachment he still held.

For her sake and for his own.

……

T/N: Ysildus finally conquered Alexa [blush, blush]

Well, sad for Jeremiah