Chapter 68

“…….”

It was strange. Ellen thought she would cry out of sheer joy when she saw Lennox. She imagined she would shout with happiness and immediately throw herself into his arms. Yet Ellen remained frozen, unable to approach him easily. Her heart longed to embrace him, but her body wouldn’t move.

“…Did you return safely?”

The first words out of her mouth were surprisingly plain, not trembling at all. She spoke in a calm voice, with a calm face, saying only calm words.

Lennox moved, and then suddenly enclosed Ellen in his arms, hugging her tightly. His strong, muscular arms wrapped around her as if to crush her. The wild scent of the spring wind filled her lungs. Even in his embrace, Ellen could smell Lennox’s familiar scent. The stiffness in Ellen’s face melted away. Her eyes grew hot and blurred.

“Ellen.”

Lennox nibbled gently at Ellen’s ear and whispered low. He stroked her back, caressing her thin frame over and over. Ellen, trembling, raised her arms and hugged Lennox’s back. Her whole body shook. Her lips trembled, and her voice trembled too. Ellen poured all the longing she had bottled up into his name.

“Lennox. Lennox.”

Lennox’s fingers traced down Ellen’s spine. His gentle touch, as if pitying her thin body, seemed to melt away all the suffering she had endured. Lennox’s voice was rough.

“You’ve lost weight, Ellen.”

“Mm.”

“Your skin is rough.”

“Mm.”

“Your voice has no energy.”

“Mm.”

“I’m sorry, Ellen.”

“No, Lennox. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

If she had known she would let him go so easily, she wouldn’t have been so selfish as a child. She was endlessly sorry for having driven him into danger for her own desires. Every time Lennox’s breath touched her ear or skin, Ellen’s heart ached. She felt both joy and sadness, and at the same time, her resolve grew stronger. She wanted to protect this precious warmth and breath. Each time his hands brushed her, her clothes loosened. Her nightgown slipped off her body, revealing her pale skin. Ellen whispered softly,

“Lennox. I want to wash.”

“Okay.”

“Wash me.”

“Okay.”

The bathroom quickly filled with warm steam. Ellen peeled off Lennox’s dirty clothes, layer by layer. As each piece fell away, his strong but exhausted body was revealed. Seeing the scars all over his skin hurt her heart. As she traced his bare chest with her fingers, Lennox paused for a moment. Ellen lowered her gaze and softly murmured as she stroked his chest,

“The wounds on your body…”

“It’s fine. They don’t hurt.”

“But because of me…”

“It’s not your fault, Ellen.”

“I…”

“You don’t have to go through with a marriage you hate. No. Don’t do it.”

“…?”

Ellen looked up at him. Through her damp hair, Lennox’s eyes gazed down at her with endless warmth.

“I’ll take care of everything. You don’t need to worry.”

“How did you know?”

Instead of answering, Lennox slowly brushed aside Ellen’s red hair and kissed her. As his rough lips met hers, Ellen accepted his kiss without hesitation. His large hand pressed her small head, deepening the kiss. Lennox savored her lips, her scent, her voice, her face—all of it, desperately missed.

“Ellen… Ellen…”

He never resented her for not replying to his letters. Instead, he worried something might have happened. He was more frightened by the thought that something was wrong with Ellen than by the sword before him, or the murderous Aryan Imperial knights. He always wanted to be by her side. He regretted not properly saying goodbye when Viscount Valère suddenly sent him to the border, and worried about the pain and hardship Ellen must have endured because of his own desire to stand as her equal. He was endlessly sorry.

Because of the conflict with the Aryan Empire, Lennox’s return had been delayed, which made him furious. He had to return quickly. He couldn’t leave Ellen alone in that lonely mansion any longer. The arrogant, incompetent Kursh Kingdom’s Knight Captain. The clash with the Aryan Empire. Meaningless battles.

Through several fights, Lennox realized the Aryan Empire’s—no, Richel Aryan’s—true intention.

He was testing Lennox.

Lennox almost laughed at Richel Aryan’s ridiculous ploy. He was annoyed to realize Richel would mobilize an army just to test him.

‘Annoying b*stard.’

Once he understood Richel’s plan, ending the battle was easy. The current Kursh Knight Captain was cowardly and incompetent, always hiding at the rear during combat. Lennox, eager to end the fighting quickly, naturally took the lead. The more achievements he gained, the more jealousy he faced from the Knight Captain.

Several times, Lennox was put in danger not by the enemy, but by his own allies, yet he managed to escape each time. The long, meaningless battle ended when the Aryan Empire withdrew first. As Lennox hurried to prepare for his return to the mansion, Baron Roswell’s third son, Lloyd Roswell, who was usually distant, spoke to him.

He said a servant sent by Baroness Roswell had heard that Ellen Valère of the Valère family was preparing to marry Baron Dermann. Lloyd’s eyes sparkled as he pressed for details. Lennox felt his mind go blank. He couldn’t remember how he got back. When he came to, he was standing outside Ellen’s door. His mind was in chaos. He missed Ellen terribly, but didn’t know what to say first. With so many emotions and questions swirling in his mind, his body moved before his thoughts were sorted. Entering Ellen’s dark room was difficult. Even the smallest sound from her made his whole body tense. But Ellen’s voice melted away his tension.

Seeing her thinner and more listless than before, Lennox’s mind went white. It hurt. It felt like his heart was being torn apart. Hearing her weak voice asking if he’d returned safely, Lennox immediately embraced her. He wanted to comfort her before saying anything else. He wanted to hold her in his arms and make her feel safe.

He wanted to show her that he had returned, that her beloved friend and lover was safe—and that she wouldn’t be hurt or lonely anymore.

That’s what he wanted to say.

“I’m back, Ellen.”

With a soft splash, the two lovers’ n*ked bodies sank into the bath. Ellen sat on Lennox’s thighs, cupping his cheek in her palm. His cheek was rough and stubbly, but it was the face she had missed so much. No words were needed.

His eyes looked straight at her, she could touch him, their bodies pressed together. Just feeling his warmth and breath was enough.

Lennox’s hand gently stroked down her waist. Even underwater, she could feel his touch vividly. Ellen pressed closer to his chest and kissed his jaw. Lennox returned the kiss, slowly stroking her thigh. Her slender thigh, fitting easily in his hand, stung more than any sword wound from the battlefield. He stroked up her back, feeling her bones. Her body was thinner than ever.

“I missed you, Lennox.”

“Sorry I’m late, Ellen.”

“It’s okay, now that you’re back.”

She was grateful to have time to talk face to face, grateful to see him safe.

So she was glad her resolve had grown stronger.

Ellen looked up at Lennox and smiled sweetly. Lennox’s lips met hers. Cupping his cheek, Ellen tried to memorize and feel his scent, saliva, and touch.

The bath water overflowed. Leaning against the tub, Ellen opened her eyes as Lennox’s body pressed over hers. She kissed his strong red eyes lightly. His red eyes disappeared behind his eyelids, then reappeared. His large hand stroked her skin.

“Haa…”

Ellen inhaled softly. Everywhere his hand touched, her nerves tingled. She panted, deeply imprinting his touch on her heart. The more she tried to memorize him, the more sensitive her skin became, and the more easily she was aroused. Lennox nibbled lightly at her ear as he looked down at her flushed face. As Ellen’s shoulders tensed and she shrank, Lennox whispered.

“Ellen. Show me.”

“Yes. I’ll show you everything.”

Ellen, her body weak, sat up and perched on the edge of the tub where the oil bottle was kept. She looked at Lennox with trembling eyes. His muscular torso and rugged, handsome face were even more attractive above the cloudy water. Her face grew even redder, and her heart pounded loudly.

“Ellen. It’s okay.”

Looking at Ellen’s blushing face, Lennox reassured her. His hand slid up from her slender ankle to her thigh like a snake. The ticklish, sensual touch made Ellen bite her lip and moan softly.