Chapter 13.2

“Having deep affection between a couple is something to be celebrated. It’s never good to live awkwardly while seeing each other every day.”

Most nobles probably didn’t live like that. Livie didn’t know all the details, but she had heard enough stories during her time at the royal palace to assume so.

Many noblewomen had knights with whom they were secretly close.

She hadn’t seen any couples stay close together at the wedding ball, nor had she seen noblewomen pay attention to anyone other than other handsome men.

Of course, the noblewomen’s husbands were the same. To nobles, marriage was nothing more than a transaction with clear exchanges, neither more nor less.

There was even a noblewoman who sighed deeply about the obligatory mixing of bodies for the sake of producing heirs.

‘If Boris hadn’t come to take me….’

Perhaps she would have been among those noblewomen, casting flirtatious glances at young, handsome knights.

In that sense, she and Boris were indeed a peculiar case. Boris had made a very disadvantageous marriage.

He had refused the rich, prosperous territory close to the capital that King Andros had originally intended to give him, and came to this remote corner instead.

‘Then what can I give Boris?’

No matter how much she thought, she couldn’t come up with an answer. How could she repay him for everything he had given up to have her? Of course, Boris would find it strange and say he only needed her, but Livie’s heart remained heavy.

Boris seemed to notice her deep contemplation and looked into her face.

“What are you thinking, Livie?”

“Nothing, just… I agree. A couple should show affection to set an example, indeed.”

Livie quickly snapped back to reality and spoke.

“Right?”

Livie could only stare at him, losing herself in his faint smile. He seemed to know very well the influence his face had on her, and planned to use it frequently.

Eventually, Livie couldn’t say anything and bowed her head. Boris pressed his lips deeply against her blushing cheek.

When Livie looked up like a startled fox, he resumed his steps.

The residence of the Duke and Duchess of Edrach was designed as a space for the couple alone.

The room at the very center was the bedroom. As the door, intricately engraved with vine patterns on heavy wood, swung open, the couple’s bedroom was revealed.

“Here.”

At Boris’s words, Livie lifted her head and carefully surveyed the room. Everything was elegant and gracefully decorated.

It was at least three times larger than the room she had stayed in at the tower, and the four-poster bed seemed twice as large.

The floor was covered with a plush carpet embroidered with gold thread, and a small table and chairs were set up for conversation.

The furnishings, handcrafted by artisans, the cream-colored curtains to block the light, and the tapestries on the walls were all meticulously prepared.

Sunlight streaming through the large windows made the room feel even cozier. In front of the windows was a long, soft chair seemingly placed for a nap.

“…Beautiful.”

Livie murmured absentmindedly, nestled in Boris’s arms.

“Wasn’t the room at the royal palace better?”

“No, not at all.”

Livie shook her head firmly. Although the palace might have been more splendid, it didn’t offer the same cozy feeling. She couldn’t feel that it was entirely her space.

“I like it here better, Boris.”

Livie wrapped her arms around his neck and lightly kissed his cheek. Boris immediately inhaled sharply.

“Put me down now.”

Unaware of the effect her actions had, Livie spoke brightly, wanting nothing more than to explore the room herself.

“…I can’t, Livie.”

Hearing his low, husky voice, Livie felt a chill run down her spine.

“Huh?”

When she turned back, she saw his eyes glowing darkly.

Boris carried Livie to the bed without hesitation and laid her down. Livie was startled and held onto his still-armored shoulders.

“Boris!”

“Yes.”

As if asking why she called, Boris swiftly began his actions. He undressed Livie from the dress she had carefully donned that morning, kissing her deeply as he did so.

“Boris, we, we just…”

“Yes, just now.”

Though he responded verbally, his eyes grew darker and his hands never stopped.

Thud.

The sound of his cloak falling to the floor echoed as he tore it off. The clatter of metal scattered across the floor followed.

As he removed his pauldrons and gauntlets one by one, Livie felt dizzy.

“We just arrived, just now!”

Livie shrieked as she tried to gather her clothes and back away, but Boris quickly kneeled on the bed and climbed up.

“Where are you going?”

He swiftly pulled Livie toward him.

“It’s still, it’s still bright, it’s bright!”

Livie emphasized the sunlight as if it were her savior.

“It’s good because it’s bright.”

Boris lightly dismissed her words. He seemed indifferent to whether the sky held the moon or the sun.

“We can see better, Livie.”

Saying so, he pressed his lips against her other cheek. Livie found herself struggling beneath him.

The cumbersome clothes had been half-removed, revealing her pale skin. Boris was leaving marks on it without hesitation.

Gurgle.

“….”

An undeniable sound pierced their ears.

Gurgle.

And once more, louder this time. The sound was impossible to ignore, and Boris had to pause.

“…Pretend you didn’t hear.”

Livie mumbled, covering her flushed face with her hands. The sound was clearly coming from Livie’s stomach. As it repeated, Livie shuddered in embarrassment.

“Okay, I didn’t hear anything.”

Boris nodded seriously, his expression earnest.

“I didn’t hear anything, Livie.”

“You fool!”

Livie picked up a cushion and threw it at him, and Boris laughed heartily, pulling her into his embrace.

***

“Boris, I’m sleepy.”

Wrapped in a large towel, Livie murmured as she nestled in Boris’s arms. Though sleepiness crept in after her bath, she felt reluctant to sleep easily and whimpered.

Boris carefully removed Livie’s damp hair, which clung to her cheeks and neck. Then, he pressed his lips gently against her still-steaming skin, fresh from the bath.

When Livie’s stomach growled loudly with hunger, Boris rang the bell to summon food, and the two shared a meal together on the bed.

Afterward, they soaked in a warm bath for a long time, washing each other’s bodies while staying close. By the end, they were laughing and splashing water at each other, leaving the floor completely soaked.

Once they finished bathing, Boris personally dried Livie’s body and hair. As he did so, Livie, whose energy was gradually depleting, began to doze off.

Moonlight streamed softly through the window, casting a gentle glow over the two of them. The room was silent, with only the sounds of their breathing and heartbeats echoing in the stillness.

The steady thumping of Boris’s heartbeat sounded like a lullaby, and Livie felt as though she might be pulled into sleep at any moment.

“Don’t fall asleep yet.” 

Boris murmured, holding Livie close and gently soothing her.

“Mmm…”

Livie responded, though her eyelids fluttered as she fought to stay awake. For some reason, the thought of falling asleep so easily didn’t sit well with her.

Wrapped snugly in a large, soft towel and nestled in Boris’s arms, Livie felt that this moment was too precious to trade for anything else.

Her body, which had been tense throughout her time in the royal palace, now felt as light as seaweed swaying in the ocean. Just the fact that they were in a space meant solely for the two of them filled her body and heart with a miraculous sense of contentment.

She wanted to savor this moment with him just a little longer. She didn’t want to slip into the abyss of sleep and wake up to morning so quickly.

“Boris, hold me.”

His large frame enveloped Livie’s small body entirely. She loved the security of his solid embrace and curled up even tighter, burrowing into him.

Livie fit perfectly in Boris’s arms, like a baby in a cradle. As he looked down at her with a smile, a thought seemed to cross his mind, and he spoke.

“Livie, you’re like a squirrel.”

“Huh?”

Livie’s eyes widened at the sudden, puzzling remark.

“A squirrel? Why?”

“Do you remember the squirrels we saw in the forest that day?”

“Squirrels…?”

Livie thought for a moment before letting out a short exclamation of realization.

“Oh, the squirrel family from back then!”

“Exactly.”

Boris chuckled and stroked Livie’s hair.

“They were so cute.”

On the day they had gone to the forest together, the two had witnessed a family of squirrels curled up inside a tree hollow, sleeping soundly.

Thinking back to that moment brought a soft smile to her lips. It had felt like discovering a treasure hidden in the woods.

At first, they thought it was just one squirrel taking a nap. But as they got closer, they saw three squirrels—a family. Presumably, the two larger squirrels were the parents, and the smaller one was their baby.

“Boris, look at this. It’s a whole family.”

“They’re cuddling so tightly.”

“Maybe they’re worried someone might steal their baby.”

“Which one do you think is the father?”

“Hmm… probably this one?”

Livie pointed to the squirrel with the broader, darker stripe on its head. It was slightly larger and more robust than the others—though it was still small compared to humans. Even so, it stretched its arms protectively around its mate and baby.

The way it cradled its baby in its arms, almost like a human, was fascinating, and Livie couldn’t stop staring. In its embrace, the mother and baby squirrel slept peacefully, as if completely at ease.

“It was such a lovely sight.”

Livie reminisced, a faint smile gracing her face.

“Indeed, the mother, father, and baby—it was perfect.”

Boris’s lips curved into a gentle smile as he seemed to recall the memory as well.